Chapter 1617: Rumors and Gossip

"Why?" Chu Chuyan's mind was still reeling, perhaps from the recent excitement. All this time, she had believed that her battle with Qiu Honglei concerned the reputation of both White Jade Capital and the Demonic Sect, even representing the conflict between good and evil. She dared not be careless in the slightest, yet now her master was saying it wasn't important?

"My foolish child," Yan Xuehen sighed. "You know the relationship between Qiu Honglei and Zu An, don't you? If you lose to her, won't you be overshadowed by her for the rest of your life?"

Chu Chuyan's face flushed. "I know Qiu Honglei," she said softly, "it shouldn't come to that..."

Her voice trailed off. Matters of the heart truly defied reason; if she were to lose, she might never be able to hold her head high in front of Qiu Honglei again, constantly suppressed by her.

"Even if Qiu Honglei doesn't understand now, she will in the future," Yan Xuehen said, casting a disappointed glance at her disciple. "What's more, she's Yun Jianyue's disciple. Yun Jianyue has always wanted to surpass me, but she's never succeeded. If her disciple gets the chance, she will surely instigate her to thoroughly suppress my disciple, just to satisfy her ridiculous desire to win."

"As the Demonic Sect Master, Yun Jianyue is always unscrupulous in her actions. Under her instigation, Qiu Honglei will inevitably try to suppress you in various ways in the future. She might even usurp your place, force you to be subservient, and perhaps even make it impossible for you to remain by Zu An's side. Do you truly want things to escalate to that point?"

The blush drained from Chu Chuyan's face, leaving her utterly pale, as she realized this scenario was highly probable.

"So this battle isn't for White Jade Capital; it's for you. Yet you, for a moment's pleasure... how can I, your master, not be angry?" Yan Xuehen said resentfully. But what angered her most was that scoundrel; he had promised not to provoke Chuyan, yet he broke his word!

"Master, I know I was wrong." Chu Chuyan took a deep breath, her expression gradually becoming resolute. "For the next period, I won't see him again. I will focus all my energy on the upcoming competition."

Hearing this, Yan Xuehen nodded with satisfaction. "It's good that you understand. With your intelligence and cultivation, it's not too late to realize this now."

"Thank you, Master." Chu Chuyan, however, felt a strange sensation in her heart. She thought about how her master was truly different from before. In the past, her master would never have concerned herself with matters of the heart between a man and a woman, yet now she was helping her strategize in a domestic rivalry?

Seeing her master's anger, she dared not ask, but her heart was deeply moved. She figured her master must truly regard her as a daughter to consider her so meticulously.

Seeing Chu Chuyan return to her usual calm demeanor, Yan Xuehen felt relieved. Noticing the disheveled bed and the lingering intimacy in the air, she found it awkward to stay and thus left with a stern face.

Chu Chuyan was left alone in the room, covering her face with both hands. "How embarrassing! Utterly mortifying!"

Just thinking about her master walking in on them made her so mortified that her toes curled as if they could dig a hole through the floor.

After Yan Xuehen left the room, her figure, like a white cloud, quickly floated to the entrance of Zu An's group.

She snorted coldly. "You, surnamed Zu, get out here!"

"Who dares speak so insolently against our General Zu!" Zhang Zijiang, hearing this, thought it was an excellent opportunity to curry favor. Excited, he ran out, dressing and grabbing his weapon, making sure Zu An could hear his display of loyalty.

However, he didn't even get a clear look at his opponent. He just saw a flash of white, then he tumbled back into the room and passed out.

The personal guards from the other rooms were a step slower in coming out, just in time to see a stunning woman in white gently wave her sleeve. Their hearts were filled with dread.

Nevertheless, due to their duty, they bravely drew their swords, though their hands trembled.

"Ahem, it's none of your business. All of you, go back inside." Just then, Zu An emerged, instructing the soldiers to return to their rooms.

The soldiers, as if granted a great pardon, quickly retreated. Once back in their rooms, they couldn't help but feel immense admiration. "Lord Zu truly lives up to his name," they thought. "To remain so calm in the face of a woman with such terrifying power, he is indeed unfathomable."

After everyone else had gone back inside, Zu An bowed to Yan Xuehen. "Sister Yan, long time no see. You're as radiant as ever."

Yan Xuehen's expression turned cold. "Who are you calling 'Sister'?"

Zu An, without a change in expression or heartbeat, replied, "Of course, it's you. I still can't forget the time we fought side by side..."

"I'm not here to reminisce," Yan Xuehen interrupted him directly. That scoundrel never said anything good, and who knew if his "fighting side by side" implied a certain position. "You know very well what you've done. How do you have the nerve to show your face to me?"

Zu An looked innocent. "What good deeds have I done? I've been here the whole time; I haven't gone out. Is there some misunderstanding? Sister Yan, if you don't believe me, you can ask anyone in this courtyard."

Yan Xuehen sneered, "Oh, so you're implying that Chuyan was fooling around with another man in her room?"

Zu An was speechless.

This woman usually appeared so innocent and naive, yet her attacks were vicious.

When Chuyan's reputation was involved, he had to admit, "Uh, yes, what happened just now was my fault, but I had no idea you'd be back at that exact moment."

"Oh, so after all this, you're blaming me?" Yan Xuehen, enraged, laughed mockingly.

"That's not what I meant. It's just that Chuyan and I are husband and wife; even if we were intimate, it's not some heinous crime, is it?" Zu An said helplessly. "You're divorced," Yan Xuehen corrected him.

Zu An was speechless.

Seeming to find that reason a bit far-fetched, Yan Xuehen continued, "You explicitly promised me that you wouldn't approach her recently and affect her state. Could it be that you secretly want that demoness from the Demonic Sect to win, and so you deliberately disturbed Chuyan's state of mind before the battle?"

"Of course, I wouldn't do that!" Zu An hastily explained. "I just... I just couldn't help myself."

"Couldn't help yourself..." Hearing those words, Yan Xuehen felt a mix of emotions. After finally composing herself, she said, "And you even harassed Chuyan outside the gate in Lou Wucheng! Do you know that if that were exposed, Chuyan's reputation would be ruined?"

Zu An felt a bit awkward; he admitted that the situation back then had indeed been a bit impulsive.

Yan Xuehen also felt strange discussing such matters with him, her face looking unnatural. "I came here to warn you again: do not disturb Chuyan during this period, or don't blame me for severing all ties with you."

Without waiting for a reply, she drifted away.

Zu An was initially annoyed, but then something clicked, and his expression brightened with happiness.

After Zu An returned to his room, Xie Daoyun, wrapped in her clothes, approached him with a worried expression. "Brother Zu, what did Grandmaster Yan say to you? Her aura was terrifying."

Their conversation had been shielded by a powerful aura, so naturally, outsiders couldn't hear it.

Zu An smiled slightly. "Nothing, just a small misunderstanding. It's all cleared up now."

Xie Daoyun looked impressed. "Brother Zu, you're truly capable. To remain so calm in the face of an enraged Grandmaster—I could never do that."

"Grandmaster Yan and I are quite familiar with each other. Isn't it the same when you face the Libationer?" Zu An comforted her. "Alright, go to sleep now, it's late."

He noticed his bed was neatly made, realizing she hadn't slept in it. Knowing her shyness, he didn't invite her again, as it might seem ill-intentioned to call her to his bed now that he was back.

After several days of travel and a prolonged struggle just now, he fell into a deep sleep the moment he touched the bed.

Xie Daoyun lay in the outer room, listening to his breathing. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep, clutching her blanket.

The night passed quickly. However, the next morning, rumors suddenly spread throughout Purple Mountain, claiming that Fairy Chu of White Jade Capital was actually already married, and her husband was none other than Zu An, who was also on the mountain.

The rumors were detailed and convincing, causing countless people's hearts to shatter and the entire Purple Mountain to erupt in an uproar.