Chapter 1133: Hidden

Soon after, Xu Yu arrived at the imperial envoy's residence with a group of people. Pei You, with the Imperial Guards, stopped them. "Lord Xu, what is the meaning of this?" he asked.

The other party looked menacing, and with so many subordinates, it was clear they meant trouble.

Xu Yu said calmly, "Where is Lord Zu?"

Pei You frowned, somewhat displeased by the other's domineering manner. However, since the other party held an imperial decree, effectively making him the top authority in Yunzhong Commandery, Pei You couldn't afford to offend him. He could only reply, "Lord Zu was injured a few days ago and is in seclusion recovering."

"Take me to see him," Xu Yu said, and started walking inside.

Pei You immediately grew anxious. "Oh, Lord Xu, Lord Zu is gravely injured and is undergoing a secluded recovery. He strictly instructed that no one should disturb him, otherwise, it could easily lead to qi deviation."

"Secluded recovery?" Xu Yu sneered. "He attended a meeting a few days ago, looking lively and vigorous. He didn't seem to need recovery at all."

Pei You explained, "At the time, Lord Zu was so enraged that it agitated the injuries he sustained in his previous battle with Jian Taiding, forcing him to re-enter seclusion for recovery."

This reason sounded plausible, but Xu Yu naturally didn't believe it. "Oh, in that case, since I'm partly responsible for Lord Zu's relapse, I should all the more go and see him."

Pei You wasn't foolish. Though unaware of the full situation, he sensed the other's ill intentions. Fearing that Zu An's recovery would truly be disturbed, he hastily tried to find a way to stop him.

Unfortunately, the other party outranked him and was more powerful, and was backed by an imperial decree, making it impossible for Pei You to stop him.

Retreating all the way to the outside of Zu An's room, Pei You finally steeled himself. He bravely stood in front of the door, blocking the way, and argued, "Lord Xu is also a cultivator; you must know the consequences of being disturbed during seclusion. We hope you won't make things difficult for us."

Xu Yu said with a chuckle, "Of course, I understand, and I don't wish for anyone to be disturbed. However, something happened at the prison just now: Yu Yanluo was rescued by a rogue, and there's no clue yet. I've long heard that Lord Zu is a brilliant judge, so I specifically rushed here to seek his advice."

"Lady Yu was rescued?" Pei You was utterly surprised. He had just seen the commotion over there, with bells ringing and fireworks, assuming it was merely an attack on that side, but never expected she had actually been rescued.

One must know that the defenses there were extremely tight, so who could possibly have the skill to rescue someone?

Thinking of Lady Yu, a beauty capable of overthrowing kingdoms, and learning of her escape, he was unsure whether to be happy or disappointed.

At this point, Xu Yu said, "I understand your concern about disturbing Lord Zu. How about this: I'll speak a few words to him through the door, get his opinion, and then leave. Is that acceptable?"

"This..." Pei You hesitated for a moment. He wasn't aware that Zu An had rescued Yu Yanluo, or that the other party was there to catch them red-handed. Seeing that Xu Yu's words were reasonable, he found it difficult to refuse immediately.

Seeing that Pei You's stance was no longer firm, a sneer appeared on Xu Yu's face, and he was about to call out from outside the door.

Just then, a voice came from nearby: "Lord Xu, what brings you here?"

As he spoke, Sang Hong arrived with a group of people.

Xu Yu was taken aback, so he repeated his earlier explanation.

Sang Hong was naturally not so easily fooled. He replied with a smile, "Lord Xu, your timing is quite unfortunate. I just spoke with Lord Zu a short while ago. His injuries have worsened, requiring him to enter a meditative state, so he likely can't hear anything from outside right now. If someone were to go in and disturb him, it could easily lead to qi deviation."

"You just spoke with Lord Zu?" Xu Yu's voice suddenly rose, his face full of skepticism.

"Yes, didn't something happen at Lady Yu's side just now? My first thought was the same as yours, Lord Xu: to come back and ask for Lord Zu's opinion," Sang Hong said, as if recalling, "But before I could even ask, he mentioned his injuries had worsened and he needed to enter a meditative state for recovery, entrusting me to ensure no one disturbed him."

"Fearing that he would be distracted, I didn't tell him about Lady Yu's rescue."

Xu Yu's face darkened. "Lord Sang, do you understand what you're implying?"

Sang Hong was momentarily stunned. "What do you mean, Lord Xu? Are you suggesting I'm lying?"

Xu Yu met his gaze for a moment, then a hint of a smile appeared on his stern face. "Haha, Lord Sang, you jest. How could a distinguished imperial envoy like yourself openly lie and harbor others? If something were to happen later, you would also be implicated."

Sang Hong remained unperturbed. "I'm afraid I don't understand what you're talking about, Lord Xu."

Even Pei You now sensed that something was amiss. He quietly pressed his hand on his saber hilt, and simultaneously signaled the Imperial Guards to be discreetly on alert.

As members of the imperial envoy's delegation, they naturally sided with Sang Hong.

Xu Yu also noticed their movements. He chuckled, "It's nothing. It's truly a pity I can't discuss the case with Lord Zu. I will go pursue the culprits now."

Sang Hong replied with a mirthless smile, "Seeing Lord Xu here, I thought you had already apprehended the culprits. So you haven't yet."

The two exchanged veiled sarcastic remarks, both inwardly cursing the other as an old fox.

Xu Yu left the imperial envoy's residence. The smile that had just been on his face instantly vanished. He then instructed his subordinates, "Send people to keep watch nearby, record everyone who enters and exits, paying special attention to Zu An. Report any findings immediately."

"Yes, sir!" His trusted aides naturally understood his meaning, and quickly went to make arrangements.

Next, Xu Yu asked, "Has Abbot Yan left Yunzhong City yet?"

"No, she is still staying at a quiet Daoist temple in the city's outskirts for seclusion and cultivation," a subordinate replied.

"Good. Come with me to invite Abbot Yan to take action," Xu Yu said in a deep voice.

"Hero Xiao has already gone after them. Is Your Excellency concerned that Hero Xiao might not be capable enough?" a nearby confidant asked.

Xu Yu showed a worried expression. "According to the descriptions from the mansion staff, the rogue's cultivation is unfathomable. Furthermore, there's Yu Yanluo and potentially a master from the snake tribe. Xiao Yao alone might not be able to handle them."

As he spoke, he mounted his horse, and galloped towards the Daoist temple where Yan Xuehen was staying.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Zu An, with Yu Yanluo, used walls and other obstacles in the city, quickly shaking off their pursuers.

Just as he was about to take Yu Yanluo to hide in the Duke's mansion, he suddenly felt an incredibly sharp sword qi approaching from afar in their direction.

"Xiao Yao!" Zu An had fought him before, and his characteristics were too distinct, making him easy to recognize.

"Let's leave the city first, to avoid compromising your identity as 'Jian Yanyou'," Yu Yanluo suggested. Given Xiao Yao's pursuit speed, they would likely just enter the Duke's mansion when he would arrive right after them.

Ordinary pursuers could be shaken off using various buildings, but a Grandmaster's qi lock, though not perfectly precise from such a distance, would still be accurate in its general direction.

The fact of Jian Yanyou's return, which they had painstakingly established, would have grave consequences if his identity were exposed.

Zu An also understood the severity of the situation. Without hesitation, he took Yu Yanluo and ran in another direction.

Feeling the buildings and trees rushing past, Yu Yanluo was filled with emotion. His speed was truly astonishing, no less than that of a Grandmaster. Given his cultivation level, he shouldn't be able to move so fast.

After a while, she gradually understood the trick. Zu An's speed wasn't consistently that fast; often, there was an effect like teleportation. At other times, he was slightly slower, but then quickly followed by another teleportation.

Having seen him in action several times before, she naturally knew the mysteriousness of his movement technique. She thought that even if she exerted her full power, her speed would be far inferior to his.

Yet, despite this, the two couldn't completely shake off Xiao Yao. No matter how they changed direction, he always remained right behind them.

Yu Yanluo's brows furrowed. "Is this drunkard suicidal? If you and I join forces and fight to the death, he wouldn't stand a chance."

In the past, she had many reservations when acting, unable to expose her innate abilities. But if truly pushed, with her Medusa's Eye fully unleashed, Xiao Yao might not be able to handle her alone, let alone with Zu An also assisting.

After all, she was the head of her clan and possessed the bloodline of Medusa. These days in captivity had already filled her with suppressed anger, and now being relentlessly pursued, her patience was wearing thin.

Zu An shook his head. "Xiao Yao is a person whose character is worthy of respect. Unless absolutely necessary, I don't want to fight him. Moreover, he is the personal disciple of the Academy's Libationer. If anything serious were to happen, offending the Academy and the Libationer would not be wise. Besides, his swordsmanship is extremely skillful. We wouldn't be able to subdue him quickly, and once the main forces from the city arrive, we'll be in trouble."

Furthermore, considering Xiao Yao's relationship with Manman's mother and his years of secretly protecting Manman, Zu An couldn't truly go all out against him.

"What do we do now?" Yu Yanluo also calmed down.

Zu An's peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of a brilliantly lit building in the distance—the Jade Pavilion.

An idea sparked in his mind. "I've got it!"

Immediately, he split into several figures, each heading in a different direction. He himself jumped down from a rooftop, pulled out two cloaks and put them on himself and Yu Yanluo, and then quietly slipped into the Jade Pavilion.