Chapter 1061: Verification Method

Zu An was startled by the exaggerated rage value in the system. Up until now, despite Jian Taiding's several outbursts of anger since Zu An appeared, his rage levels had remained within a controllable range. Now, they were clearly spiraling out of control.

He thought back, realizing it seemed to be because he had embraced Yu Yanluo. "Tsk, tsk, tsk," he mused, "so this guy has an illicit, twisted affection for his sister-in-law." With this thought, he deliberately tightened his embrace around Yu Yanluo and provocatively glanced in Jian Taiding's direction.

In full view of everyone, Yu Yanluo couldn't openly resist him. Using the cover of their entwined bodies, she subtly pinched Zu An's waist several times. Although their movements were discreet, Jian Taiding possessed sharp discernment and naturally saw everything clearly. It looked almost as if they were flirting!

He felt his blood surge, a sweet taste filled his mouth, and he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. The wounds on his body, which had finally stopped bleeding, ripped open again, and his bandages visibly soaked through with blood.

Rage value from Jian Taiding: +888, +888, +888...

Given the situation, he decisively chose to feign unconsciousness, thus avoiding publicly acknowledging Zu An's identity.

"The Second Master has fainted! The Second Master has fainted!""Quick, help him back to his room to rest!""Summon a doctor at once!"A group of people immediately clamored in a frantic hurry.

Zu An, naturally, took the opportunity to issue commands in the family head's name, instructing the servants to carry Jian Taiding away. Uncle Ming hesitated, wanting to speak, but ultimately remained silent.

As the servants carried Jian Taiding, Zu An, acting as the "older brother," naturally followed to check on his condition. They soon arrived in front of a courtyard, and everyone's expressions immediately became subtle. Those carrying Jian Taiding paused at the entrance.

As Zu An wondered why, Yu Yanluo's melodious voice spoke in his ear: "This used to be Jian Yan'you's room."

Zu An instantly understood. He scoffed inwardly, "Jian Taiding truly is a cuckoo occupying another's nest. Not only does he kill you, but he also sleeps in your room and even covets your woman. Jian Yan'you truly had a miserable fate! Well, since I'm impersonating you, I might as well vent some anger on your behalf."

So, his face hardened, and he cleared his throat, saying, "Why are you bringing him here? Get him back to his own room at once!"

The other people fell silent, awestruck. Uncle Ming had no choice but to brace himself and say, "The Second Master has been staying here for some time now."

"Nonsense! Do you think I'm dead?" Zu An scoffed. "Besides, these rooms were specifically chosen by a feng shui master and designed as individual courtyards for us brothers. Occupying a position one is unworthy of invites great misfortune. No wonder he's so severely injured. Move him back quickly; this is for his own good."

Jian Taiding, who was feigning unconsciousness, nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood. "For my own good, my ass!" he fumed internally. "I'm already this injured, and you're still dragging me around like this? And you have the nerve to say it's for my benefit? Besides, if that rubbish feng shui truly worked, wouldn't you have been ruined just the same when you lived in this room before?" At this thought, he was suddenly alarmed. "Wait, could there actually be something wrong with the feng shui of this room?"

Rage value from Jian Taiding: +681, +681, +681...

Yu Yanluo, barely suppressing a smile, also spoke up: "Let's send Second Uncle back to his own room. Recovering in a familiar place will be much more effective."

This matter couldn't be conceded because it involved the issue of the main residence. While Jian Yan'you was absent, Jian Taiding temporarily staying in the main house was not a big problem. But now that he had returned, if he backed down, others would perceive him as being afraid of Jian Taiding or as having thoughts of abdicating. Either way, it would demoralize his supporters and lead hesitant onlookers to side with Jian Taiding. Thus, choosing a room, though seemingly minor, was in fact a significant issue.

Hearing Yu Yanluo side with Jian Yan'you, Jian Taiding regretted feigning unconsciousness just moments ago, as it now prevented him from refuting her. "How could this woman betray me like this?" he fumed. "I've always liked her so much, been so good to her. She's an ungrateful wretch!"

Uncle Ming, on the other hand, wanted to say something, but this was Jian Yan'you's room after all, and Jian Taiding's occupancy of it was somewhat improper. As Jian Yan'you's confidant himself, continuously speaking on Jian Taiding's behalf would inevitably raise suspicions.

While the two hesitated, the matter was settled. Jian Taiding was carried back to his original room, and the main residence was to be occupied by Zu An. Since there were still many of Jian Taiding's belongings in the room, the maids and servants helped to pack them up, while also bringing back Jian Yan'you's original items.

Zu An motioned for Gong Pan to stay and watch, to see if any confidential documents could be found in the room. However, judging by Jian Taiding's and Uncle Ming's reactions, this seemed unlikely. Zu An then escorted Jian Taiding back to his room with Yu Yanluo. After all, in the eyes of outsiders, they were close brothers with deep affection, and appearances had to be maintained.

The pale Jian Taiding was placed on the bed. As the doctor had not yet arrived, Zu An took the opportunity to sit by the bed, take his pulse, and examine his injuries. At a certain level of cultivation, using vital energy to examine or treat injuries was a basic skill. Jian Yan'you's cultivation had been profound, so such an action appeared completely normal to onlookers.

Jian Taiding, however, stiffened all over, and Uncle Ming beside him also changed color. Both men's muscles tensed, ready to react with a thunderous counter-attack if anything unusual occurred.

Zu An used his vital energy to examine Jian Taiding's body and confirmed that his previous blow had indeed severely wounded him. Not only were there large external wounds, but the sword qi had also damaged his internal organs. Although such injuries were not fatal to a grandmaster like Jian Taiding, his combat strength would not return to its peak anytime soon.

Zu An hesitated for a moment. He was currently holding Jian Taiding's pulse point, and if he activated the Gluttonous Sky Swallowing Art, there was a high probability of draining the man dry, thus violently resolving the crisis in Yunzhong Commandery. However, he ultimately abandoned this tempting idea. Firstly, with so many people watching, if a technique like the Gluttonous Sky Swallowing Art were exposed, all cultivators in the world would consider him a public enemy. After all, no one wanted their lifelong cultivation to ultimately benefit someone else. Secondly, Jian Taiding still had many subordinates. The entire Governor's Residence was likely filled with his confidantes, and Zu An did not want to repeat the mistake of Emperor Xiaozhuang of Northern Wei, Yuan Ziyou, who was counter-killed by Erzhu Rong's subordinates after assassinating Erzhu Rong.

Just then, the doctor arrived, and Zu An took the opportunity to release Jian Taiding's hand: "Let Second Brother rest well. I will handle the affairs of the residence; there's no need to worry."

Everyone else assented, and Zu An returned to his room with Yu Yanluo. By then, most of the items in the room had been changed. He asked Gong Pan, who confirmed there was nothing of value. Even if there were confidential documents, they were related to the Governor's Residence's official duties and did not concern Jian Yan'you or anything related to the demon race.

After asking Gong Pan to stand guard outside, Yu Yanluo visibly relaxed. "The first hurdle is cleared," she said. "You performed much better than I expected."

"That's all thanks to Madam's excellent guidance," Zu An said with a smile.

Yu Yanluo rolled her eyes at him, annoyed. "I certainly didn't teach you to embrace me."

Zu An replied seriously, "In that situation, everyone doubted my identity. It was precisely that embrace that made them believe."

Yu Yanluo scoffed, "Pah, you're talking nonsense with a straight face." Hearing the slight irritation in her tone, Zu An specifically checked the system's backend and was amused to find no rage value from her. He smiled knowingly.

After they chatted for a while, someone soon reported that Sang Hong and others were requesting an audience. Zu An was surprised, having not expected to meet him under these circumstances.

Yu Yanluo explained, "You are now the Duke of the Commandery. It's expected for them to visit now that the Duke has returned. Don't worry, even the people here haven't noticed anything unusual about you, so outsiders certainly won't. Just follow our training."

Zu An nodded and instructed a servant to invite them to the reception hall. Yu Yanluo, who always preferred quiet, simply waited nearby and did not accompany him to meet the guests.

Upon entering the reception hall, Zu An saw that it wasn't just Sang Hong. There was also the Assistant Governor Xu Yu, City Lord Pei Shao, and even members of the Yu family: the two old brothers, Yu Xuanqing and Yu Xuansu, one from the Prefect's Office and the other from the Governor's Residence, each accompanied by several colleagues. The group was astonished to see Zu An and rushed to congratulate him on his safe return.

They then began to question him about his whereabouts during his disappearance. Zu An shook his head, "I was severely injured earlier and recuperated in a secret cave deep in the mountains. I barely managed to cling to life, and I've lost some memories from that time, so I can't recall why I went missing."

Hearing his reply, the officials' expressions varied. The less astute ones wondered what kind of master could injure the Duke so severely, while the shrewder ones began to ponder whether he truly couldn't remember due to his injuries or was deliberately concealing what had happened. Regardless of the truth, there was ample room for speculation behind his words. Some even suspected his identity, but the man before them looked identical to the Jian Yan'you they remembered. Although disguise techniques existed, they could never achieve such a perfect resemblance.

Sang Hong, in particular, breathed a sigh of relief. With the Duke of Yunzhong's return, the situation in Yunzhong Commandery would be greatly alleviated, avoiding the need for Prince Yan's army to intervene drastically. However, the Emperor's desire to diminish the power of the Jian and Yu families had now become somewhat difficult to achieve.

Zu An then seized the opportunity to discuss the soldiers guarding the temporary residence and, using the Governor's authority, lifted the blockade. This made it easier for the Imperial Envoy's delegation to carry out their duties. Sang Hong was both surprised and delighted, quickly expressing his gratitude.

After seeing them off, Zu An and Yu Yanluo reunited. Because she was uneasy about Zu An, Yu Yanluo decided to stay at the residence. As the Duchess, she already had her own dedicated courtyard in the household, so her staying was not unusual.

She then instructed Zu An to summon Jian Yan'you's former confidantes. After all, he was currently a commander without troops, and dealing with Jian Taiding would be difficult with his limited power. Once he regained control of the Governor's Residence, Jian Taiding would be entirely at his mercy.

Meanwhile, in Jian Taiding's room, Jian Taiding had risen and was sitting on the edge of his bed, his face pale and grim. "That impostor is gathering his former confidantes," Uncle Ming said, sitting on a small stool nearby. As the household manager, nothing escaped his notice. "And Madam Yu has also taken up residence here. She never used to stay overnight before, so it seems she most likely brought this impostor."

"She's probably worried we'll harm that fellow," Jian Taiding replied. In the past, learning that his beautiful sister-in-law was staying at the residence would have made him swoon with excitement, but now he had no such thoughts. "What have you found out?"

Uncle Ming shook his head. "We sent the maids and servants who used to attend to him, and they all confirmed that the impostor is virtually identical to the Eldest Master. Now, almost everyone in the household believes it."

"Could it be that Eldest Brother has risen from the dead?" Jian Taiding felt a chill run down his spine. Within his understanding, there was no disguise technique so miraculous, nor did his sister-in-law possess the ability to find such a person.

Uncle Ming glanced at him indifferently. "Does Second Master think that's possible? After all, we personally witnessed..."

Jian Taiding nodded. "Exactly. That fellow must be an impostor. But it's useless for just us to know, as we can't reveal the truth. We must find other evidence."

Uncle Ming said with a hollow smile, "Second Master, have you forgotten you have several other sisters-in-law? Others can be impersonated, but surely things won't be identical in bed, will they?"