Chapter 1135: Self-Pitying

Feeling an icy pressure, as if an ordinary person were trapped in a snowstorm, Xu Yu quickly said, "Master Yan, please don't misunderstand. I just wanted to say that the imperial court and White Jade Capital have always enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship..."

After spouting a series of platitudes and seeing no reaction from her, he had no choice but to change his approach: "As far as I know, White Jade Capital and the Jian family have had extensive business dealings over the years."

Yan Xuehen narrowed her eyes. "What? You want to investigate? Our business dealings are both legal and reasonable; we have never feared scrutiny from the imperial court."

"Reasonable, yes, but not necessarily legal. The scale of your transactions far exceeds the limits set by the imperial court..." Seeing her expression change, Xu Yu shifted his tone. "Master, you needn't worry. With Jian Taiding's current predicament and Lady Yu's recent incident, the Jian family's decline is inevitable, and your business relationship won't last much longer."

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I will remain in Cloud-Midst Commandery to oversee its political affairs. I can personally approve the continuation of this business."

Yan Xuehen said coldly, "Aren't you afraid your emperor will find out about your actions?"

Xu Yu cupped his hands. "The Emperor has always been sagacious and will naturally understand the difficulties faced by local officials like us. I believe he won't be overly critical."

Yan Xuehen felt irritated. With her usual temper, she would have long since waved her sleeve and sent this old fox of an official packing.

Unfortunately, she was not alone; she had a massive sect behind her. Cultivation consumed an enormous amount of resources. Beyond cultivation materials, the everyday necessities for a sect—food, drink, and basic living supplies—also amounted to an astronomical figure.

Seeing her expression soften, Xu Yu quickly pressed on: "Master Yan, as far as I know, during the great war between humans and demons, your senior brother died at the hands of the demon race. This time, the demon race has infiltrated the human realm with obvious grand intentions. If she were to return to the demon race, who knows how many human secrets would be exposed, leading to the tragic deaths of countless innocent people."

Hearing his words, Yan Xuehen was indeed moved. Righteous sects like theirs considered it their duty to eradicate evil and uphold justice, especially given the blood feud they had with the demon race from years ago.

With this thought, she finally nodded. "Very well, I will make an exception and intervene this one time."

No sooner had she spoken than she appeared outside, walking on air, step by step disappearing into the horizon.

Xu Yu, who had followed her out, watched her graceful figure in white robes drifting away and couldn't help but exclaim, "She is truly a celestial maiden!"

Meanwhile, on the other side, Zu An and Yu Yanluo returned to Jian Yanyou's seclusion chamber via the secret passage.

A special seal had later been placed on this secret room, preventing others from using it.

Zu An said, "Madam, you've been through a lot these past few days. Why not get some good rest here at the manor?"

To his surprise, Yu Yanluo shook her head. "No, Xu Yu's people are searching for me everywhere. It won't be long before they trace me here, and I can't implicate you."

Zu An smiled. "Saying that makes us sound like strangers. How could I ever be afraid of being implicated by you?"

Yu Yanluo gazed at him blankly, her pretty face slightly flushed. "The Yu family is destined to fall. Your status as Duke is our only hope for a future resurgence, so I cannot involve you."

Zu An realized she had a point. After this calamity, the Yu family would undoubtedly be displaced, and many of their assets might be swallowed by other powerful clans. With him here, at least he could offer some protection.

"My presence here is a hidden danger, so it's best if I leave for a while. Besides, I'm worried about my clansmen," Yu Yanluo replied.

"Where will you go? To the demon race?" Zu An asked.

Yu Yanluo hummed in affirmation. "Although I really don't want to go there, given the circumstances, I have no choice."

Noticing her instinctively hug her shoulders, a clear sign of being cold, Zu An knew she wasn't lying.

It was winter now, and if Cloud-Midst Commandery was this cold, the demon lands further north would surely be even colder.

The Serpent race was known to be sensitive to cold. She had to sleep in a room with ground fire every day here; it would be even worse in the demon lands.

"Then I'll escort you out of the city. The defenses shouldn't be fully tightened yet." Zu An glanced towards the city gate. There had been a considerable number of Serpent people earlier, so he couldn't possibly take them all, but if it was just one person, breaking through the defenses wouldn't be as difficult.

Yu Yanluo initially wanted to refuse, but seeing his face, she inexplicably didn't.

Alas, she really didn't want to part with him so soon.

The two secretly left the Duke's mansion. Since their cultivation had recovered, the city wall's defenses, though still quite strict, couldn't cover every blind spot in a vast place like Cloud-Midst City, unlike the manor where Yu Yanluo had been confined.

With their cultivation levels, they quickly found an opportunity to slip out.

However, soon after they left, they sensed a sharp sword intent lingering nearby.

Zu An couldn't help but curse under his breath, "Why is this guy so persistent?"

Yu Yanluo whispered, "He probably lost track of us and is scouting near the city walls, waiting for us to fall into his trap. Luckily, we were fortunate enough not to be discovered when we came out."

Zu An expressed concern: "Let's get out of here quickly. A Grandmaster's spiritual sense is very powerful; if he detects us, we won't be able to shake him off."

"Okay!" Yu Yanluo's cheeks inexplicably flushed as the scene at Jadeite Pavilion flashed through her mind. They couldn't possibly repeat that situation, could they?

She quickly led Zu An northward. Seeing the majestic mountain range in the distance, Zu An couldn't help but ask, "Are we going to the Great Snow Mountain?"

Yu Yanluo shook her head. "No, we're going to the Yu family's mines. There's a small path there that leads to the demon territories. My clansmen should be there by now."

Zu An's expression changed. The demon race actually had a direct passage connecting to the heartland of the human race.

As if guessing his thoughts, Yu Yanluo said, "The demon race doesn't know about this secret passage. I've also placed a special seal on it; without the key, forcing it open will cause the entire passage to collapse. I have human blood as well, so naturally, I don't want to see a catastrophic loss of life on the human side."

Although she had never publicly admitted it, she didn't shy away from being a Medusa when they were together.

Having temporarily escaped danger, Zu An relaxed slightly and joked, "I'm really curious, what is your true form? Like, if you drank realgar wine, would you transform back?"

As he spoke, he glanced behind her, as if checking for a tail.

Yu Yanluo was speechless.

She retorted, annoyed, "Of course not what you're thinking. I've always been in human form. Only when I fully use my Medusa's Eye do my hairs turn into small snakes. However, according to Serpent clan ancient texts, if my power grows stronger in the future, my bloodline might gradually awaken, and when I need to fight with my full strength, my legs might transform into a serpent's tail..."

At this, a worried expression crossed her face. "I don't want that to happen; it sounds hideous. Would you disdain me then?"

"Of course not," Zu An replied.

"Really?" Yu Yanluo looked doubtful. "But from what I understand, people are very afraid of that form."

"Those are ordinary people. I'm different. I've seen Zhao Ling'er, Lady White, Queen Medusa... each more beautiful than the last." Classic images flashed through Zu An's mind.

"Who are Zhao Ling'er and Lady White?" Yu Yanluo asked, her face full of suspicion. "Have you also met my mother?"

Evidently, she had mistaken "Queen Medusa" for her own mother.

"Ahem, you've misunderstood. I wasn't referring to your mother. These are stories from my homeland," Zu An explained. "If you'd like to hear them, I can tell them to you on our journey."

"Oh yes, I want to hear the stories of Zhao Ling'er and Lady White too!" Yu Yanluo's eyes sparkled like jewels.

And so, as they traveled towards the mines, the two exchanged stories from "Chinese Paladin," "Lady White," and "Battle Through the Heavens."

Along the way, their discussions rose and fell: "Zhao Ling'er is so pitiful. Didn't that Li Xiaoyao abandon her in the end?"

"Uh, he had amnesia."

"Amnesia or not, that name always reminds me of that drunkard. I don't like him."

Zu An was speechless.

"And then there's Xu Xian. Lady White was so good to him, yet he actually conspired with Fahai to harm her. What a heartless and shameless wretch!"

"Uh, I agree with that, but Xu Xian was just an ordinary person; you can't expect too much from him."

"And that Xiao Yan, didn't he take advantage of her weakness and force himself upon her?"

"Hmm? Actually, they were quite fond of each other at the time..."

"Why is it that in all these stories, no matter how talented and brilliant the Serpent women are, they always encounter such scoundrels? Is this our destined fate?" As she spoke, Yu Yanluo lowered her head, the faint moonlight casting intricate shadows on her delicate face, giving her an indescribable sense of loneliness.

Zu An hadn't expected these stories to make her feel so sorry for herself. He quickly reassured her, "Don't worry, I'm not like them."

Yu Yanluo slowly raised her head, staring at him blankly, her cheeks gradually reddening. The male and female protagonists in those stories were either married or had been intimate. Was he implying something?

At this moment, high above Cloud-Midst City, Yan Xuehen stood with her hands clasped behind her back, gazing down at the brightly lit city. Her vast divine sense began to scan the entire area.