Chapter 1219: Exposure

The Snake Tribe was not particularly close to the royal court. If Yu Yanluo were traveling alone, departing later would have been fine. However, given Zu An's tight schedule, Yu Yanluo thoughtfully decided to set out earlier.

At their departure, Xiao Bai and Xiao Qing tearfully bade them farewell. They had wanted to go along but were sternly forbidden by their grandfather. His official reason was that the two girls had been pampered since childhood, were unaccustomed to serving others, and would only be a burden to the clan leader. Yet, everyone knew this was merely an excuse.

The Demon Emperor's summons for the various clan leaders clearly indicated ill intent. The journey to the royal court was perilous and unpredictable; even if one survived, there was a high chance of being held captive or put under house arrest. Naturally, they did not want their granddaughters to face such a risk.

Yu Yanluo was well aware of their subtle intentions but chose not to expose them, maintaining a high degree of unspoken understanding between them.

The group departed the Snake Tribe valley in a spacious carriage pulled by six lizards. Though the lizards appeared cumbersome, they moved with remarkable speed and smoothness.

While the carriage was comfortable, the presence of several women in the same confined space always created a somewhat unusual atmosphere.

As the host, Yu Yanluo ultimately felt the need to take charge of the situation. She looked at Yan Xuehen and asked curiously, "Abbot Yan, I've been so busy with the sacrificial ceremony these past few days that I haven't had a chance to ask, but I feel your injuries have worsened. Did something happen?"

Hearing her words, Yan Xuehen thought of the events of that night and subconsciously glanced at Zu An. Coincidentally, Zu An was also looking at her. The moment their eyes met, both quickly looked away.

Yan Xuehen's heart pounded, and her pale cheeks began to flush. She replied somewhat unnaturally, "I had an accident during my cultivation practice a few days ago, which caused me to be injured again."

"Oh, that's quite troublesome. Your injuries were already severe," Yu Yanluo quickly said. "Please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything. Although the Snake Tribe cannot compare to White Jade Capital, we do possess some medicinal herbs for healing."

"There's no need," Yan Xuehen waved her hand, thinking that she owed the Snake Tribe a favor and would have to find a way to repay it after returning to White Jade Capital. "Your tribe has already provided more than enough during this period."

Yun Jianyue, observing from the side, noticed their subtle actions and grew suspicious. *They looked at each other and then blushed? How odd.* However, knowing Yan Xuehen so well, she instinctively believed that her friend would never get romantically involved with a man, so she dismissed the thought.

Yun Jianyue knew that Yan Xuehen's injury was due to her actions. Seeing Yu Yanluo continue to inquire, she quickly changed the subject. "Zu An," she said, "I just saw those two young girls crying uncontrollably. Did you perhaps abandon them after a relationship or something?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Yanluo and Yan Xuehen's gazes immediately fixed on Zu An.

As if sensing two palpable waves of murderous intent, Zu An chuckled awkwardly. "How could that be? They're clearly reluctant to part with their beloved clan leader and you two beautiful older sisters. Haven't you been guiding their cultivation these past few days? They must simply be sad to see you leave, haha..."

Yun Jianyue rolled her eyes. "I'm realistic. The girls are grateful to me, yes, but I was very strict with them. I highly doubt they'd be that reluctant to part with me."

Yu Yanluo also offered a knowing smile. "The Bai and Qing families are eager for me, their clan leader, to depart. The two young girls' acting isn't as flawless as their grandfather's; I could tell they were genuinely sad to see you go, which is indeed peculiar."

Yan Xuehen, from the side, added, "Especially Miss Qing; she often shared peculiar eye contact with you. There's likely something going on between the two of you."

Zu An immediately broke into a cold sweat. *Are women's intuitions truly this sharp?* With their relentless questioning, he felt as though he could no longer conceal anything. *In the future, I must only be alone with one woman at a time. Right now, these three women are not only offering no quarter but are practically smashing my water bucket.*

He cleared his throat and explained, "They previously gave me such precious healing medicine, so naturally, I had to reciprocate. I gave them some small trinkets from the human world, and they also enjoyed listening to my stories about the human world. Perhaps it's simply because the story I was telling them wasn't finished yet that they were so reluctant to part."

"Is that the story where a white snake and a green snake were saved by a medicine boy, and then, a thousand years later, they sought out the boy's reincarnation to repay his kindness by offering themselves to him?" Yun Jianyue asked, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

Yu Yanluo and Yan Xuehen's expressions also turned peculiar. *How could that story sound so suggestive?*

Zu An was speechless. *This woman, a grandmaster, actually eavesdropped on my conversation with them.*

"This truly is a story from my hometown. I swear to Heaven, I only told it to them because it happened to be related to the Snake Tribe, with absolutely no other intentions."

Although their interactions had been close recently, with so many eyes watching in the residence, there hadn't been an opportunity like that specific night. Thus, his interactions with the two women had been entirely innocent.

"Why are you so anxious?" Yu Yanluo said with a slight smile. "My relationship with the two elders is already tense. If you could truly make their precious granddaughters fall for you, it would actually be a great advantage for the Snake Tribe."

*Rage from Yu Yanluo +110+110+110...* Seeing this surge of rage, Zu An couldn't help but feel frustrated. Yu Yanluo was becoming quite mischievous.

Yun Jianyue's expression immediately became awkward, as that very night she had overheard Yu Yanluo similarly encouraging Zu An to "win her over." *Rage from Yun Jianyue +110+110+110...*

Sensing an impending conflict, Zu An quickly changed the subject. "By the way," he asked, "isn't it better to have Xing Nu remain within the tribe as one of your own?"

Yu Yanluo replied, "The way things are done among the demon races differs significantly from human customs. Here, bloodline and respect for the strong are paramount. As long as I am present, no matter what the Bai and Qing elders attempt, I remain the clan leader. However, if something were to happen to me, Xing Nu's presence in the tribe would be futile, so it's better to have her accompany me."

The others subtly nodded. Their visit to the demon realm had indeed clarified many things; listening to various intelligence reports was, after all, no substitute for firsthand observation.

At this point, Yan Xuehen stated, "I probably won't be going to the royal court. I'll depart once I've escorted you close to it."

Yun Jianyue also nodded. "Me too. I've carefully considered it these past few days. Even at our peak, the two of us combined would be no match for the Demon Emperor, let alone now. Furthermore, our identities are special; we don't live solely for ourselves. If our identities were to be discovered in the royal court, the consequences would be dire."

She paused, looking at Zu An. "Moreover, we advise you not to enter the Demon Royal Court. The person who gave you the Golden Crow Token might not have had good intentions. Although your cultivation is considerable now, the royal court is teeming with masters. Once you enter, your life and death will no longer be your own."

Although Yu Yanluo deeply wished to remain with Zu An, she was more concerned for his safety. "Indeed, Zu An, you should leave with them then. You also have a multitude of matters awaiting your attention back in Cloudtop City."

Zu An shook his head. "The Demon Emperor summoning you to the royal court is bound to be fraught with danger. How can I possibly let you go alone?"

Yan Xuehen said, "If the Demon Emperor truly intends harm to them, your presence won't prevent anything; it will only mean one more life lost."

Yun Jianyue nodded. "This time, I'm using the Ice Stone Maiden. Your going or not going will not affect Yu Yanluo's safety; instead, it will only put you in danger. Have you forgotten that you defeated the Golden Crow Prince? No matter how magnanimous the Demon Emperor may be, he will not be without resentment. He might even use you to assert his authority, and your presence there could ironically increase her danger."

Zu An had been resolute in accompanying Yu Yanluo, but upon hearing that his presence might endanger her, he couldn't help but hesitate.

Meanwhile, within a certain mansion in the royal court, a burly voice suddenly exclaimed, "What? Super-grade aptitude?"

"Indeed. According to intelligence from an informant in the palace, the blood spilled by that person during their fight with the Golden Crow Prince landed on the Golden Chariot, and the Demon Emperor discovered it during his inspection," a voice emerged from the shadows.

"The legendary super-grade aptitude! No wonder he could defeat the Golden Crow Prince," the burly voice said, his breathing quickening. "Considering that old immortal's current state, I wonder if super-grade essence blood would be useful to him... but for me, its utility would be immense."

"Issue the order: obtain it at all costs! He must not be allowed to reach the royal court!"

"Understood!"