Chapter 1180: Escape to Freedom

Zu An’s heart sank. Oh no, he had inadvertently stepped on a landmine. What was he doing getting involved in the affairs between these two mortal enemies?

Before he could say anything, Yan Xuehen protested, "He was just speaking the truth! Why are you being so fierce with him?"

Yun Jianyue ignored her, glaring at Zu An as if waiting for his response.

"I..." Zu An was about to answer when he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood and swayed precariously.

Yun Jianyue was startled and quickly helped him, "What's wrong?"

Yu Yanluo also noticed the commotion and rushed back, "Ah Zu!"

Zu An forced a smile, "It's nothing. I might have overexerted myself with repeated use of my powers. I'll be fine after a bit of meditation and recovery."

"Then hurry and recover!" Yan Xuehen urged, quickly dismounting from his back and sitting to the side.

"Alright." Zu An closed his eyes and began meditating to circulate his energy.

Seeing his breathing gradually return to normal, Yun Jianyue breathed a sigh of relief, then glared fiercely at Yan Xuehen. "He wasted so much energy saving you, you 'Ice Stone Woman,' and even had to carry you! As a grandmaster, you've fallen to such a state that you might as well just bash your head against a piece of tofu and die."

Yan Xuehen felt guilty as well, but she couldn't tolerate being spoken to like this by her arch-rival. "It's because you were just yelling at him and trying to argue with him that he got so agitated! How dare you lecture me!"

The two women refused to back down, arguing with each other on the side.

Zu An, who was supposedly recovering, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't actually injured; he had simply faked a sudden illness because he didn't know how to handle the situation. It seemed his ruse had been quite successful.

At that moment, a series of crisp smacking sounds suddenly came from nearby.

He quietly opened his eyes and saw that Yun Jianyue had pinned Yan Xuehen over her knee and was spanking her bottom.

Yan Xuehen struggled desperately, but her injuries were more severe, leaving her too weak to break free. Her bottom jiggled and trembled with each strike.

"Is it really that bouncy?" Zu An wondered in astonishment, but having learned his lesson, he didn't get involved this time.

Fortunately, Yu Yanluo couldn't bear to watch and advised, "Stop it, both of you. Don't disturb Ah Zu while he's recovering."

Hearing her words, Yun Jianyue finally stopped.

Yan Xuehen clutched her bottom, looking utterly mortified and furious.

Yun Jianyue, however, looked very pleased with herself, as if challenging her to bite her if she dared.

Yan Xuehen was fuming, but there was nothing she could do.

After a while, Zu An judged the time was right. He feigned completing his recovery and opened his eyes. "I've recovered. Let's continue on our way."

Yan Xuehen's cheeks were flushed, clearly still embarrassed from Yun Jianyue's spanking. "I'll walk by myself now. You should rest properly."

Zu An smiled, "It's fine. My body is as strong as an ox. I just got winded earlier, but I've recovered now."

Without waiting for her response, he knelt in front of her and picked her up onto his back again.

"Ah..." Yan Xuehen couldn't help but gasp as his hands touched her thighs.

"What's wrong?" Zu An paused.

"Nothing," Yan Xuehen replied, her face slightly red. How could she possibly admit that her bottom still hurt from Yun Jianyue's spanking?

The group continued on their journey. At first, Yan Xuehen tried to keep some distance by pushing off with her elbows, but as she grew weaker, she had to quietly relax her arms and lean gently against his back.

Zu An noticed her movements and chuckled silently. He said nothing and continued stealthily carrying her.

However, Yan Xuehen soon became even more distressed. She realized that this position led to subtle, intermittent contact, and after several such instances, she became aware of an unusual sensation in her body, making her increasingly flustered.

Left with no choice, she tightly wrapped her arms around Zu An's neck, pressing her body against his back to prevent further intermittent friction.

At first, she felt extremely shy due to the warmth emanating from his broad back. However, seeing that he made no further moves, she finally relaxed.

Zu An, meanwhile, had a strange expression. He never imagined that Yan Xuehen, who usually appeared ethereal and otherworldly, would be so "well-endowed." The weighty pressure was truly captivating.

"She's Chu Yan's master," he quickly reminded himself, forcing his mind to clear.

Yan Xuehen's mood also gradually calmed. She found his back incredibly broad and warm, giving her an inexplicable sense of security.

Gradually, a wave of fatigue washed over her. Her severe injuries and physical weakness, combined with the energy expended during her recent recovery, caused her to drift into sleep. The faint smile on her lips, no longer as cold as before, became soft and sweet.

Yun Jianyue, beside them, secretly scoffed. This woman certainly had her appeal; no wonder various forces throughout the land worshipped her like a goddess.

After an unknown amount of time, Yu Yanluo suddenly exclaimed with delight, "I've found the mark left by Xingnu!"

"It seems they're safe," Zu An also breathed a sigh of relief. The two had originally come down to find Xingnu and the Snake Tribe people. Seeing so many Death Worms earlier had made their hearts sink, so receiving news of them now finally brought peace of mind.

"Mm!" Yu Yanluo's spirits lifted, and she felt a surge of energy throughout her body.

The group then quickened their pace, navigating through various intricate mining tunnels for a while. The surrounding tunnels gradually grew wider.

"We're almost at the exit!" Yu Yanluo said excitedly. She soon arrived at a stone door, found a mechanism beside it, took out a personal jade pendant, placed it into a groove, and then rotated various parts of the mechanism to different angles.

Finally, with a click, the stone door slowly opened.

Yu Yanluo turned to beckon everyone out. Just as they were about to exit, several sharp arrows suddenly shot towards them.

Before Yu Yanluo could react, Zu An had already lunged forward and knocked down the arrows.

At that moment, over a dozen figures suddenly leaped out, brandishing weapons and attacking them. Just as Zu An was about to retaliate, a surprised voice called out from nearby, "Stop! It's the Madame and Young Master Zu!"

A curvaceous figure rushed over. Who else could it be but Xingnu!

Beside her were clearly the Snake Tribe people rescued from Cloudridge Commandery, both men and women. They looked largely similar to humans, though a closer inspection would reveal their vertical pupils.

"Xingnu!" Yu Yanluo was completely relieved to see them all safe.

"Madame!" Xingnu and the others were overjoyed and surprised to see Yu Yanluo again.

As the group caught up, Yan Xuehen was also woken by the commotion. "What happened?"

Yun Jianyue scoffed from the side, "You slept soundly, didn't you? Who would have thought the White Jade Capital Fairy, as everyone calls you, would drool in her sleep? How shameless."

Yan Xuehen then noticed a wet patch on Zu An's back and quickly wiped the corner of her own mouth.

"I... I'm sorry." She had blushed more times today than in her entire life combined.

Zu An chuckled, "It's alright. You're too weak right now, so things like this are normal. It'll naturally stop once you've recovered."

Hearing his comforting words, Yan Xuehen felt a warmth in her heart, and her embarrassment slightly lessened.

"You brat, you really know how to charm women," Yun Jianyue grumbled, clearly displeased. However, fearing that she might aggravate his "injuries," she said nothing more.

Zu An gave a sheepish smile and quickly introduced Xingnu and the others to the two women.

As for Yun Jianyue and Yan Xuehen's identities, he didn't state them directly, instead introducing them as two good friends of his.

After all, both women had extraordinary statuses, with powerful forces behind them. It would be unfavorable if rumors spread about them allying with the Snake Tribe.

The two women felt grateful. This man, usually so carefree, was actually incredibly meticulous and thoughtful, even considering their circumstances so thoroughly.

Learning that they were Zu An's friends, Xingnu was very amiable. Seeing their injuries, she even had her subordinates prepare a "carriage" for the two women to rest in.

However, it wasn't pulled by horses, but by creatures resembling lizards.

Yu Yanluo explained, "There's a Snake Tribe supply point outside the cave entrance. They've been waiting here to meet us."

Xingnu then apologized, "Madame, Young Master Zu, we didn't mean to attack you just now. We thought those terrifying strange worms had followed us, so everyone overreacted."

Yu Yanluo quickly asked, "How did you manage to escape from so many Death Worms?"