Chapter 1060: Is What Can Be Endured Still Unendurable

"The Duke is back! The Duke is back!" As Gong Pan escorted Zu An and Yu Yanluo back to the Duke's mansion, the maids and servants were first startled, then utterly astonished.

They then excitedly ran through the mansion, spreading the news. In moments, the return of Jian Yanyou was known throughout the estate.

Jian Taiding, who was recovering from his injuries in his bedroom, heard the commotion outside. Annoyed, he quickly called for his confidant from outside the door. "Who's making such a racket out there, shouting without any manners?"

The guard replied, "Second Master, the maids and servants seem to be in an uproar about something. I'll go check."

Just then, another person rushed in, shouting, "Second Master, Second Master, it's bad!"

Hearing this, Jian Taiding's face darkened. "Slap yourself twenty times! You ill-omened fool, can't you speak properly?"

The man immediately realized his slip-up. Cold sweat broke out, and he quickly knelt, apologizing profusely while repeatedly slapping his own face.

Hearing the resounding slaps, Jian Taiding's expression softened slightly. "Alright, what's going on that's making you so panicked?"

"The Eldest Master... is back!" the subordinate said, trembling.

Jian Taiding's face turned cold. "Are you tired of living today, daring to play such a joke on me?"

"I wouldn't dare," the guard quickly explained. "Gong Pan escorted the Eldest Master back, and Lady Yu is with him. Many people in the mansion saw them, which is why the maids and servants are cheering so excitedly."

"What?!" Jian Taiding felt his blood boil. His wounds burst open again, and blood gushed out, instantly staining his bandages red.

He felt dizzy, the world spinning around him, and he swayed, almost falling backward.

Fortunately, his personal guards reacted quickly, supporting him to prevent him from collapsing onto the ground. Several of them frantically went to find a doctor while channeling energy into him to stop the bleeding.

As a Grandmaster, Jian Taiding recovered his breath and slowly opened his eyes, though his face was considerably paler than usual. "Why didn't you tell me such important news sooner!"

After kicking the messenger guard, he hurried outside. Despite his severe injuries, he couldn't suppress the doubt and curiosity in his heart.

How could *that* person be back!

The kicked guard coughed up several mouthfuls of blood. Even injured, Jian Taiding was still a Grandmaster, and a kick delivered in anger carried significant force.

He felt greatly wronged, thinking, *I was trying to tell you quickly, but you wouldn't let me speak.*

As he watched Jian Taiding's retreating back, a trace of resentment flickered in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Jian Taiding, escorted by his retainers, rushed along. Before long, he saw a group of maids and servants gathered around a few people in the distance, eagerly conversing.

Remembering his subordinate's report, he roared, "What lowly scoundrels dare to impersonate my eld... Eldest Brother?"

His usual authority still held sway; at his furious shout, the maids and servants scattered in fright.

This revealed the figures within. As he clearly saw their faces, Jian Taiding's voice abruptly ceased.

He instantly froze in place.

In that moment, his mind buzzed, and he began to question reality.

*Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?*

The person was truly his Eldest Brother!

Regret, fear, and shock surged through him simultaneously, causing him to completely shut down.

"My dear Second Brother, you didn't expect to see me, did you?" Zu An said, looking at him with a double meaning.

Zu An and Yu Yanluo had rehearsed this scene many times over the past few days, so their performance was remarkably lifelike.

Jian Taiding's face indeed changed, as he knew exactly what had happened to Jian Yanyou. The words sounded like a declaration of vengeance.

*I did such things to Eldest Brother; of course, he couldn't forgive me.*

The thought of the other's cultivation, far surpassing his own, made him tremble uncontrollably.

Just then, a steady voice came from nearby: "Nonsense! You cannot be the Duke!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a neatly dressed old man with several attendants standing not far away, gazing coldly towards Zu An.

The others in the courtyard gasped, for the newcomer was Butler Ming, the Duke's mansion's steward!

He was the Duke's right-hand man, handling all matters inside and outside the mansion. He was truly a respected figure and arguably the person most familiar with the Duke.

Since even he claimed the person was fake, everyone present instinctively believed him seven or eight tenths, moving further away from Zu An and regarding him with wary eyes.

Zu An frowned slightly. "Butler Ming, has it been so long that you no longer recognize me?"

Butler Ming scrutinized him. "You do impersonate the Duke remarkably well, but you have one fatal flaw: your cultivation. The Duke possesses strength comparable to a Grandmaster. While you are not weak, you are far from the Duke's level."

Jian Taiding finally snapped back to reality. *That's right! I know best what happened to Jian Yanyou. How could he possibly be here?*

*This hateful imposter!*

So he echoed, "Exactly! Guards, seize this demonic impostor, whoever he may be!"

"Yes, sir!"

His loyal guards immediately stepped forward and lunged at Zu An.

Seeing this, Gong Pan quickly drew his sword, cautiously guarding Zu An.

The guards recognized Gong Pan, leading to a momentary standoff.

Zu An then gave Jian Taiding a meaningful look. "Second Brother, are you trying to silence me?"

Even though he knew the person was fake, hearing the address, Jian Taiding nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. "Hmph, who's your 'Second Brother'? Of all people to impersonate, you choose my Eldest Brother! First off, your cultivation doesn't match."

At this point, Gong Pan spoke, "The Duke sustained severe injuries, causing his cultivation to temporarily decline."

Hearing this, the people around them suddenly understood.

When the Duke of Cloud-midst went missing, everyone was curious about what had happened to him. Many speculated that he might have been gravely wounded and was recovering somewhere.

However, as time passed and he never reappeared, people became more inclined to believe he had died.

Now, hearing Gong Pan's explanation, everyone's initial suspicions were rekindled.

"How could my Eldest Brother, with his earth-shattering cultivation, possibly be injured? Gong Pan, where did you find this imposter? Your intentions are truly malicious!" Jian Taiding roared.

Zu An scoffed, "Why I was injured, Second Brother should know best."

Jian Taiding gasped, momentarily surprised. The man's demeanor and aura were indeed identical to his Eldest Brother's, and he even knew what Jian Taiding had done. Could it truly be his Eldest Brother?

*But how is that possible? I personally...*

*He can't be a ghost, can he?*

The surrounding unaware guards, servants, and maids exchanged bewildered glances. From Zu An's words, they wondered if the Second Master had done something to the Eldest Master.

At this point, Butler Ming spoke again. "This matter is far too suspicious. We can't just take your word for it. Tell you what, I've been by the Duke's side for many years and believe I know him quite well. Let me ask some questions to verify."

Jian Taiding's eyes lit up. "Excellent! Butler Ming is widely acknowledged as the person who knows Eldest Brother best in the mansion. Your presence will surely discern the truth."

The others also nodded, clearly quite convinced by Butler Ming's standing.

Zu An mused, *Butler Ming and Jian Taiding are clearly working in concert. They've likely been colluding for a long time.*

*Jian Yanyou didn't even know his most trusted confidant had betrayed him. It's no wonder his brother managed to deal with him.*

Then Gong Pan stated, "The Duke was severely injured earlier, which not only temporarily reduced his cultivation but also caused significant memory loss."

Hearing the uncertainty in his tone, Jian Taiding burst out laughing. "I knew you'd say that! I don't know where you found this imposter, but he obviously wouldn't know anything about Eldest Brother, so he's using this clumsy excuse of amnesia as a cover."

The others also nodded, feeling that Gong Pan's explanation seemed to betray a guilty conscience.

Gong Pan's face flushed red, and he was about to retort, but Zu An raised a hand to stop him. "It's fine. While some memories are indeed missing, most are still intact. Butler Ming, please ask your questions."

A strange look appeared in Butler Ming's eyes. He then proceeded to ask seven or eight questions. Initially, he chose questions about things known to those in the mansion, but seeing Zu An answer fluently, his questions became increasingly obscure and tricky.

However, no matter how he asked, Zu An consistently provided the correct answers.

The doubt in the eyes of the surrounding onlookers gradually faded, replaced by the excitement of seeing their master.

Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Jian Taiding quickly stepped forward and reprimanded, "These questions aren't difficult to answer with a little investigation. Since you dare to impersonate Eldest Brother, how could you not have prepared beforehand? Knowing these things doesn't prove you are Eldest Brother."

Butler Ming hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Second Master has a point."

Jian Taiding's confidants quickly echoed his words, and soon, other neutral parties who had initially believed, began to waver.

"Then how do you want me to prove it?" Zu An looked at Jian Taiding and Butler Ming. "Do you truly not believe me, or do you simply not want me to return?"

There were astute individuals among the crowd. After a brief reflection, their gazes towards the two men became peculiar.

"You're slandering me!" Jian Taiding immediately retorted, agitated. "I am Eldest Brother's own flesh and blood. How could I not discern whether you are real or fake?"

Just then, a soft, pleasant voice came from nearby: "Yanyou is my husband. Do you think a woman can fail to recognize her own husband?"

Yu Yanluo, who had deliberately lagged behind, slowly approached from a distance, accompanied by Xing Nu and other attendants.

Along the way, the maids humbly lowered their heads. Compared to her, even the prettiest maid was like a sparrow seeing a phoenix.

The servants' hearts pounded even faster. However, everyone knew the vast difference in their statuses, and merely getting another glance at her was enough to satisfy them.

Upon seeing her peerless radiance and graceful figure, a trace of infatuation flickered in Jian Taiding's eyes. But he was no ordinary man; he quickly regained his composure and stepped forward to bow. "Greetings, Sister-in-law!"

Yu Yanluo nodded indifferently, then feigned surprise. "Second Uncle, how did you get such severe injuries?"

Jian Taiding replied, "I was ambushed by several demon race experts leading their troops. Although I sustained some injuries, I ensured they never returned, thus protecting the safety of the people of Cloud-midst County."

Zu An inwardly cursed his shamelessness. *This fellow was clearly beaten like a dog by me, but now he's painting himself in a glorious light.*

"These demon races are indeed despicable," Yu Yanluo replied noncommittally. She then looked at Zu An, a 'surprised' smile appearing on her face. "Yanyou, you're back!"

Zu An opened his arms to her. "Yes, I'm back!"

Yu Yanluo's expression froze for a moment, then a blush briefly flashed across her cheeks. *Why isn't this fellow following the plan? Why does he have to do this...?*

However, in front of everyone, she couldn't possibly refuse him. She could only pretend to be overjoyed and jogged into his embrace. "Yanyou, am I dreaming!"

At the same time, she secretly transmitted a message with her chi: *You truly are a scoundrel, deliberately taking advantage of me.*

Zu An smiled faintly. "My lady, you didn't have to embrace me at all."

Yu Yanluo felt her teeth itch. *This fellow truly knows how to rub it in after getting his way.*

Jian Taiding's eyes went wide. Then, he erupted in fury. His sister-in-law, whom he had admired for so long, like an ethereal fairy, a woman whose hand he had never even touched, was now in another man's arms!

How could he possibly tolerate this?

Rage points from Jian Taiding +999 +999 +999...