Chapter 267: Who the Hell Says Living Off Others Isn’t Sweet

Jiao Shan and the three guards suggested Zu An take a carriage, arguing that this would provide an extra layer of security by preventing outsiders from seeing inside and determining if he was present.

Zu An rejected the idea, explaining that his view would be obstructed, preventing him from detecting danger in advance. When it came to his life and safety, he preferred not to put his fate in someone else's hands.

Watching Zu An ride a tall horse, swaggering down the street as if intentionally drawing attention, the three guards were speechless. Nevertheless, with no other choice, they grimaced and followed, secretly praying that nothing would go wrong.

The moment Zu An stepped out, a peddler in the distance discreetly released a pigeon.

A short while later, in a secluded courtyard within the city, a red-haired man retrieved a small note from the pigeon's leg. His brows furrowed involuntarily as he deciphered the unique code: "He's left again so soon, and with only three guards?"

A subordinate beside him exclaimed excitedly, "This guy is practically begging for death! This is an excellent opportunity for us to strike and avenge Second Master."

Chen Xuan gave him a light rap on the head, scolding, "How many times have I told you? Never underestimate your enemy. That's the key to survival. Zu An managed to dismantle the Plum Blossom Gang and even caused Second Master's demise. Do you really think he's a fool?"

The subordinate instinctively shook his head, replying, "Probably not."

"Exactly," Chen Xuan scoffed. "In my opinion, this is a deliberate trap, a classic 'lure the snake out of its hole' tactic."

"But what if it isn't? It would be a terrible shame to miss such a golden opportunity," the subordinate argued weakly.

Chen Xuan pondered for a moment. "I'll go assess the situation and act when the time is right. The rest of you stay here. The city is currently crawling with people searching for us, and too many of us moving around would only increase the risk."

"Be careful, Boss!" the others chorused, clasping their hands in agreement.

Chen Xuan hummed in acknowledgment, then quietly exited the courtyard. Only when he confirmed that no one was around did he subtly remove a thin mask from his face. As the mask came off, his appearance subtly transformed, becoming that of an unremarkable, ordinary person who would blend seamlessly into any crowd. Even his fiery red hair changed to the most common black.

Chen Xuan, the notorious bandit from Black Wind Stronghold, had roamed the land for many years, always elusive and never caught. How could such a man be reckless or impulsive? His conspicuous appearance with striking red hair at the Immortal's Abode, which seemed like an act of arrogance, was in fact a meticulously crafted image designed to mislead people and fixate on his red hair. Chen Xuan would never be so foolish as to reveal his true face. Not even his own men in Black Wind Stronghold knew he always wore a mask. Having struggled on the brink of life and death since childhood, he had witnessed countless betrayals. He would never reveal his true hand to outsiders.

He quickly made his way in Zu An's direction, and with his speed, he soon caught up to their party. After observing them from the shadows for a while, he found no signs of an ambush nearby.

He sneered, just about to move in, when he suddenly noticed Zu An looking completely at ease, almost as if he were deliberately parading through the streets, afraid of not being seen. He couldn't help but hesitate. What exactly was this guy playing at?

Then, a sudden realization struck him: he understood! To capture someone like him, a conventional ambush would be entirely ineffective. It must be that some top experts are lying in wait nearby, possibly even Chu Zhongtian or Jiang Luofu from the academy personally accompanying him. Given the abilities of those two, he wouldn't be able to detect their presence.

"That was a close call, I almost fell for it!" Chen Xuan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and shot a fierce glare at Zu An in the distance: "That little bastard is truly cunning!"

Rage value from Chen Xuan +666!

Seeing the rage value notification in his system, Zu An's heart tightened. He immediately became fully alert, discreetly glancing around, trying to spot Chen Xuan. Unfortunately, he had no way of knowing that Chen Xuan was no longer sporting his signature red hair. Although his observations were discreet, they couldn't escape the notice of an experienced veteran like Chen Xuan.

Spotting Zu An's unusual behavior instantly, Chen Xuan was also taken aback. He knew that given Zu An's cultivation level, it was absolutely impossible for him to be detected! Could it be that the powerful figures hiding in the shadows had discovered him? The thought sent a ripple of panic through him. He was currently showing his true face, and if he were identified, he'd be in serious trouble. However, his composure was unwavering. Without betraying any unusual behavior, he continued to act like a regular passerby and calmly left the street. It wasn't until he had walked several blocks and confirmed he wasn't being followed that he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'll have to be more careful from now on," he muttered, "That was a close one today…"

Meanwhile, Zu An continued to scan the surroundings for a long time, but couldn't find any trace of Chen Xuan, nor did he receive any more rage value notifications from him. He immediately realized that his target had most likely slipped away unnoticed. "Did I make my actions too obvious?" Zu An began to reflect. Based on the intelligence he had gathered, his opponent was more cunning than a fox and more cautious than a mouse. Tricking such an individual would clearly not be easy.

Unbeknownst to him, he had already arrived at the Immortal's Abode. Holding Qiu Honglei's invitation, a maid quickly led him towards the back courtyard. Due to the incident on the river last time, Qiu Honglei chose not to arrange another boat excursion. Instead, she received him directly in her private room.

Watching the man devour his meal at the table, Qiu Honglei was somewhat taken aback. "Few men who visit me pay any attention to eating. You're truly the first."

"I couldn't help it; I was starving," Zu An mumbled, shoveling rice into his mouth. "I've been famished the entire journey, dreaming of a good meal here."

Noticing his somewhat unrefined eating habits, Qiu Honglei handed him a cup of tea and playfully rolled her eyes. "Slow down," she said, "No one's going to snatch it from you." The fleeting, enchanting glance she gave him was truly captivating, enough to bewitch any man. Unfortunately, Zu An was too preoccupied with his meal to notice the exquisite beauty before him.

"By the way, how are my friends doing?" Zu An asked, taking a break from his meal to sip some water.

Qiu Honglei couldn't help but smile. "It seems you value loyalty. Don't worry, they'll be well looked after, and I guarantee their visit will be worthwhile."

Zu An paused, taken aback by her slightly ambiguous words. He had merely expected his friends to be treated to some food and drink. However, the way she phrased it made him wonder if "well looked after" implied more illicit activities. Given Qiu Honglei's standing in the Immortal's Abode, the arrangements for them would surely be first-class. These guys truly hit the jackpot this time. That fool Cheng Shoubing, by not coming, had no idea what he was missing out on.

Wait a minute, I'm not going to be stuck paying for their expenses later, am I? Damn it, what kind of world is this? I come for a meal, get no benefits, others have a good time, and I'm the one who pays?

As he muttered to himself, Qiu Honglei couldn't help but ask, her curiosity piqued: "Does the prestigious Chu clan not even provide you with meals?"

"It's a long story..." Zu An vaguely recounted his conflict with Qin Wanru, naturally omitting any sensitive details.

Qiu Honglei couldn't help but say, "Given your character and abilities, it's truly a shame that the Chu clan treats you like a mere servant. I genuinely feel it's an injustice."

Zu An chuckled. "Am I to understand that you're trying to sow discord between me and the Chu family?"

Qiu Honglei huffed playfully, her tone laced with a hint of flirtation. "I only speak this way because I consider you a dear friend. Otherwise, who would dare to criticize Duke Mingyue's family behind their backs?"

"Alright, I suppose I was too cynical," Zu An conceded, sighing inwardly. People often said that courtesans were understanding and knew exactly what words one longed to hear. Today, he had finally witnessed it firsthand. Even though he knew her words were likely part flattery, he couldn't help but feel a surge of delight.

Qiu Honglei covered her mouth with a soft laugh. "I am no gentleman, merely a humble woman. I'd be grateful if you didn't find my insights shallow."

"Miss Qiu, you must be jesting," Zu An replied with a smile. "If you consider your insights shallow, then what does that say about the countless men in Brightmoon City who have fallen under your spell?"

"While I may captivate countless men, I care little for it," Qiu Honglei said, gazing at him with her large, luminous eyes, which shimmered with captivating allure. "If I cannot move your heart, then what is the meaning of any of it?"

Zu An secretly thought, *Impressive. This woman is truly a siren, the kind who could charm a man to his death without consequence.*

Qiu Honglei, evidently not wanting to be too aggressive, quickly withdrew her gaze and gently asked, "By the way, I heard you were attacked by Chen Xuan earlier today?"

Zu An remarked in surprise, "Miss Qiu, your information truly is well-informed."

"Last night, I, too, was nearly harmed by Chen Xuan, which is why I've been keeping a close eye on news about him. Please wait a moment, Young Master." Qiu Honglei suddenly rose and hurried into an inner room. A moment later, she returned with a jade slip, which she offered to him. "Please accept this, Young Master. It might be of some assistance to you."

Zu An paused, startled, as he noticed four large characters flashing across the jade slip in a shimmering glow: "Bright Mirror Not a Stand." Then, with another flash, the characters faded and vanished back into the slip.

"What is this?" Zu An asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

Qiu Honglei replied, "This jade slip contains the cultivation method for 'Bright Mirror Not a Stand.' This secret technique allows one to conceal their cultivation level and completely mask their aura, making them undetectable to enemies."

"Since Chen Xuan is now lurking in the shadows, constantly ready to assassinate you, I've thought long and hard," she explained. "Giving you a standard cultivation technique would likely be too difficult to master in a short time, offering no immediate help against the current danger. So, I found this secret art. Perhaps in the future, should you encounter Chen Xuan's assassination attempt, it will give you an extra measure of protection."

Hearing her words, Zu An was momentarily stunned. Shang Liuyu had given him a protective jade pendant, Chu Chuyan had given him the *Snowflake Divine Sword*, and now Qiu Honglei was giving him a stealth technique…

Who the hell said living off women wasn't a good life?