Chapter 1114: Old Stories

The words instantly silenced the room.

Immediately after, a chorus of refutations erupted:

"That's utterly impossible; how could Lady Yu be a demoness?"

"Exactly! The demon race is ugly and vicious. Lady Yu is peerlessly beautiful; how could she be a demoness?"

"Sir Xu, surely you've made a mistake!"

On normal days, these people were always fretting about finding an opportunity to curry favor with Lady Yu. How could they let such a golden chance slip by now?

Zu An, however, frowned deeply. In fact, he also had some suspicions about Yu Yanluo's identity. After all, in their several encounters, her body did seem to be somewhat different from ordinary people.

Xu Yu was certainly not one to make baseless accusations. Since he spoke like this, he must have had a certain degree of confidence.

Lady Yu was likely in danger today.

Sure enough, no matter how indignantly the others in the hall protested, Xu Yu remained composed, like someone fishing calmly by the stream. After shouting for a while, everyone gradually realized something was amiss, and their voices involuntarily died down.

At this point, Sang Hong spoke up: "Sir Xu, the Yu family is an immensely influential clan in our Great Zhou Dynasty. Lady Yu, as their matriarch, cannot be accused lightly."

For him, bearing the emperor's decree, he was naturally pleased to see trouble befall the Yu family.

However, if Xu Yu had no evidence and was merely making false accusations, he wouldn't mind stepping forward to uphold justice.

Sang Hong's status was extraordinary, so Xu Yu naturally couldn't ignore him as he did the others. He finally spoke: "I am certainly not saying the Yu family has issues, but only Lady Yu."

"According to my investigations, she is not human, but a member of the Serpent Clan within the demon race. Not only that, but she is also of the royal line of the Serpent Clan—a Medusa!"

"Medusa!"

Hearing that name, everyone in the hall gasped.

Legend had it that the Serpent Clan comprised many different tribes, each with its own king. These tribes were constantly at odds, engaging in perpetual warfare.

However, every few generations, a Medusa would be born among the Serpent Clan. She would be the King of Kings, to whom all Serpent Clan members would sincerely submit.

It was said that Medusas possessed incredibly potent venom; their blood, if spilled on the ground, could transform vast grasslands into deserts.

They were also known for their ruthless cruelty, massacring countless people. Wherever they went, they brought disaster and turmoil to the land.

Of course, their most famous ability was their gaze, which could turn any living creature into a lifeless stone statue.

Recalling the numerous legends about Medusas, the faces of all the officials in the hall changed.

Especially considering that while Medusas in legends were incredibly vicious, they also possessed unparalleled beauty, many people's hearts began to waver, linking it to Yu Yanluo's unbelievably beautiful appearance.

Zu An recalled that in the ice cave of the Great Snow Mountain, when Uncle Ming attacked him, he seemed to inexplicably stiffen for a moment. That was what gave Zu An the chance to successfully summon the imperial decree. At the time, he distinctly felt a change in Yu Yanluo's aura. Could she have used a Medusa's innate ability?

However, as a transmigrator, he wasn't like the natives of this world, who had a deep-seated, bone-deep fear of Medusas.

Moreover, Yu Yanluo was his friend, making it even more impossible for him to turn against her simply because of her identity.

Demons and devils weren't exactly new to him.

He spoke up: "Sir Xu, as far as I know, Lady Yu once had a nickname: 'The Capital's Foremost Beauty.' This was given to her by the royal family and nobles when she traveled to the capital years ago. At that time, heroes from all corners of the world gathered in the capital, and many admired her, even the current Emperor was among them."

Yu Yanluo's face had originally been pale, but hearing him mention these things, a blush crept onto her cheeks. While she was accustomed to similar remarks from others, hearing them from him made her feel a little shy.

Zu An then continued: "Back then, so many skilled individuals and even the current Emperor failed to discern that Lady Yu was a demoness. Yet Sir Xu has, which is truly a bit difficult to believe."

Though not explicitly stated, his implication was clear: 'It's not that I'm looking down on your abilities...'

The other officials seemed to wake from a dream and echoed his words one after another: "That's right, the capital is full of hidden talents. If even they couldn't see anything unusual, it proves Lady Yu is indeed innocent!"

Xu Yu gave Zu An a deep look. "I certainly wouldn't dare compare myself to the Emperor. However, my investigation reveals that a Medusa's bloodline doesn't manifest from birth; it only awakens at a specific age. When Lady Yu visited the capital years ago, she was young, and her bloodline hadn't awakened yet, so it's perfectly normal that those in the capital couldn't discern it."

Zu An scoffed, "But Lady Yu also visited the capital not long ago and met with the Emperor. She also met many people from other influential families. How is it that no one detected anything then either?"

Xu Yu said in a deep voice, "After a Medusa's bloodline awakens, their growth is exceptionally rapid. Once Lady Yu's cultivation became profound, she naturally found a way to seal her bloodline, preventing outsiders from noticing any flaws."

Zu An burst into laughter. "Sir Xu, those words are a bit too domineering. Whether you say it this way or that way, it's always your reasoning. What's there even to discuss then?"

Many of Yu Yanluo's supporters also echoed his sentiment, though their voices were much less fervent than before.

No one present was foolish. By this point, they had realized that Xu Yu's gathering was likely aimed at Yu Yanluo. Fearing involvement, they all began to distance themselves.

At the same time, Xu Yu's confidants naturally spoke in his defense. With one side receding and the other advancing, a kind of balance was achieved between the two factions.

At this moment, Sang Hong cleared his throat and said, "Sir Xu, everything requires evidence, especially considering Lady Yu's extraordinary status. Even a slight mishandling could have immense repercussions."

He naturally understood that Zu An's words subtly defended Yu Yanluo. Although he was tasked with dealing with the Yu family this time, he couldn't let Zu An get implicated.

*Ah, young people just can't keep their composure; they're easily enchanted by beauty. Aren't two at home enough for you?*

"I naturally have evidence," Xu Yu said, looking outside. "By my reckoning, he should be arriving about now."

Just then, a lazy voice drifted in from outside: "Today's wine, today's drunk; tomorrow's sorrow, tomorrow's concern."

The first word seemed to come from far away, but by the time the last word was uttered, a cool breeze swept through the room, and a figure had already appeared in the hall.

He was unshaven, with a few strands of curly hair on his forehead, looking perpetually sleepy. A large, green gourd was slung diagonally across his back, and a strong scent of alcohol wafted from him, detectable from a distance.

His clothes were grimy, stained with what could have been old wine or oil. He wore loose, baggy trousers and a pair of worn-out straw sandals. He was as unkempt as could be, a stark contrast to the polished officials in the room.

"Xiao Yao!"

Soon, an official recognized him. The events that had transpired at the welcoming banquet had left too deep an impression.

Furthermore, the contrast between the Libationer's third disciple, the renowned Sword Immortal, and this man who looked like a street vagrant was simply too stark.

Xu Yu was overjoyed. He rose to greet him: "Brother Xiao, you've returned! Was everything smooth?"

Xiao Yao nodded, then looked at Yu Yanluo, who was seated not far away. His gaze sharpened, and he spoke: "When I first heard Sir Xu's claim, I was quite shocked, so I specifically went to the demon race to verify it."

Everyone's hearts tightened, thinking, 'The main show is about to begin.'

Xiao Yao picked up his wine gourd, took a swig, then casually pulled over a chair and sat down. Instead of immediately identifying Yu Yanluo, he began to recount a past event: "The previous Medusa Queen was extraordinarily talented and incredibly powerful in cultivation, a top-tier existence even among the demon race, which was teeming with powerful individuals."

"She led the Serpent Clan to become increasingly mighty. Unfortunately, this inevitably also created many enemies."

"Once, while she was in crucial solitary cultivation for a breakthrough, several demon and human powerhouses attacked her. In the fierce battle, she was gravely wounded and fled. On her way, she was saved by a young man who had unexpectedly wandered into the Serpent Clan lands..."

Hearing him recount these old stories, Zu An's heart sank. He quickly transmitted a message using his *yuanqi*: "Brother Xiao, do you know that Yu Yanluo is your junior sister, also a direct disciple of the Libationer, code-named 'Painting'?"