Chapter 366: Cooked Duck Flies Away

Qin Wanru was closing her eyes, awaiting death, her heart even feeling a strange relief that at least she wouldn't be humiliated and defiled by Chu Tiesheng.

Just then, a sharp cry suddenly came from not far away: "How dare you, scoundrel!"

Qin Wanru found the voice somewhat familiar, but with the drug taking effect, her mind was hazy, and she couldn't register who it was.

Hong Zhong, however, was startled. He quickly turned to look in the direction of the sound, only to be met by a large rock flying towards him.

He shattered the large rock with a single punch, then abruptly turned back to Qin Wanru, finding a man now standing beside her.

Realizing she was bound by a restraint, Zu'an quickly undid it. Fortunately, Hong Zhong hadn't used any special techniques, so it wasn't difficult to release her.

With the drug taking full effect and her pressure points released, Qin Wanru could no longer stand. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed sideways.

"Be careful, Madam!" Zu'an quickly caught her.

Feeling herself held in a man's embrace, the masculine scent made her heart race. She wanted to struggle, but her body wouldn't move. However, as soon as she recognized his face, she instantly relaxed. "Ah Zu, it's you..."

Having endured various betrayals and deceptions that night, she had thought she would never trust anyone again.

Yet, lying in Zu'an's arms now, she felt an inexplicable sense of security. She didn't understand why she felt that way.

Perhaps it was her daughter's earnest instruction before she left, or the camaraderie they shared when they worked together to retrieve the salt warrant.

At the same time, she was filled with regret. Why had she immediately sought out Hong Zhong earlier? If she had gone directly to Ah Zu, perhaps so many troubles would not have arisen.

Zu'an had no time to talk to her now. Although he usually seemed carefree, he was quite realistic about his abilities.

As the Chu family's head steward, Hong Zhong was at least at the peak of the sixth rank, and possibly even the seventh.

Moreover, they were in the middle of a rebellion, so Hong Zhong wouldn't hold back. Fighting him would be like an old man eating arsenic—was Zu'an tired of living?

So, he made a decisive move. He immediately summoned the Great Wind and, carrying Qin Wanru, dashed outwards.

"Huh? Why is she so hot?" He felt her body was unusual, not only soft like cotton but also unusually hot, and a strong, sweet scent emanated from her. Zu'an found it strange, but he had no time to ponder it now.

"Not so fast!" Hong Zhong was alarmed and quickly gave chase. If Zu'an managed to rescue Qin Wanru, today's events would become much more complicated.

Although Zu'an's teleportation was fast, each jump covered a limited distance, and he couldn't use it indefinitely. Furthermore, he was carrying someone. Under Hong Zhong's full pursuit, he was still drawing closer.

As Zu'an's back came within striking distance, a trace of hesitation appeared on Hong Zhong's face.

He wasn't a bad person. He felt a little reluctant to kill an innocent person, especially since they often saw each other daily.

Just then, a sharp shout came from beside him: "Hong Zhong, what are you standing there for!"

It turned out Chu Tiesheng had arrived. Earlier, blinded by lust, he had been ambushed by Qin Wanru and nearly lost his life.

He had suffered significant injuries, and it took him a while to recover. He then quickly gave chase and happened upon this scene.

Prompted by Chu Tiesheng, Hong Zhong suddenly realized that his son's gradual descent into ruin was, in the final analysis, due to Zu'an's appearance.

Furthermore, if Qin Wanru were allowed to escape, there would be significant trouble later.

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. He directly unleashed a punch towards Zu'an's back.

As he threw the punch, a phantom image of a fist instantly formed in the air, then shot with extreme speed towards Zu'an's back.

Out of the corner of his eye, Zu'an saw that his pursuer was still some distance away, so he ran as fast as he could, completely oblivious to the impending danger.

However, Qin Wanru, held in his arms, saw everything clearly. She cried out in alarm: "Watch out!"

Then, drawing strength from somewhere, she struggled to Zu'an's back and took the blow for him with her own back.

She didn't know why she did it. Perhaps it was because she knew she would likely not escape tonight's calamity, and it would be better to sacrifice her life for Zu'an's escape.

This way, at least someone would know the truth of what happened tonight.

Otherwise, if Zu'an died from that punch, she, being poisoned, would also be unable to escape a tragic fate of defilement.

Even if one were to consider the worst-case scenario, even if Zu'an successfully took her away, she had now been afflicted with such a wicked, vulgar, and shameless poison. She already felt an uncontrollable impulse surging within her body, and her rationality was being torn to shreds. If, by some unfortunate chance, something were to happen between them, that would truly be worse than death.

"Pfft!" Qin Wanru felt a tremendous force hit her. After spitting out a mouthful of blood, she felt as if all her strength had left her, light and airy, as if she might be blown away by the wind.

"Madam!" His cheeks were covered in her splattered blood, but Zu'an didn't even think to wipe it away. His heart trembled.

Just then, Hong Zhong and Chu Tiesheng, who were behind them, were about to catch up, when a massive tree beside them suddenly toppled, blocking their path.

By the time they evaded it, Zu'an had already vanished.

"Quick, chase him!" Chu Tiesheng was frantic and quickly tried to rush forward.

"Don't chase them!" Hong Zhong stopped him.

"Why not?" Chu Tiesheng was puzzled, his eyes somewhat bloodshot, as he thought of Qin Wanru, now affected by the poison and waiting for him to rescue her.

If he was a step too late, wouldn't that just benefit Zu'an?

"Didn't you hear the commotion in the mansion?" Hong Zhong snorted coldly. "The Chu family guards are already on their way after hearing the commotion. We need to figure out how to handle the aftermath. We don't have time for your pathetic desires!"

Chu Tiesheng turned his head to look, and indeed saw lights illuminated in many parts of the mansion, with many people rushing towards them.

His expression shifted between gloom and clarity, but thinking of the Chu family's situation afterward and the pressure from Sang Hong, he could only give up. "But if Qin Wanru escapes and later returns to rally support, anything we say will be useless, won't it?"

Hong Zhong shook his head. "Don't worry, after being struck by my Heart-Shattering Fist, Madam won't survive."

As he said this, a flicker of sadness passed through his eyes. This was a situation he had always tried to avoid, but unfortunately, things had come to this point, making it an unavoidable choice.

Upon hearing this, Chu Tiesheng's expression changed drastically. Having been in the Chu family for so long, how could he not know the power of Hong Zhong's Heart-Shattering Fist?

If Qin Wanru had been in normal condition and struck by such a punch, she might have had a slim chance of survival, but now, in her weakened, poisoned state, and with a vital point hit, how could she possibly live?

"Alas, what a pity." Chu Tiesheng's face turned pale with regret. How could he have been so foolish just now, letting a sure thing slip away?

Hong Zhong snorted coldly. "How dare you say that! If not for your recklessness, would we have encountered all these complications!"

Chu Tiesheng was secretly furious. 'This fellow shows me no respect at all!'

Considering Hong Zhong's prestige in the Chu family, he mused that once he became the family head, he would definitely get rid of this man; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to command him at all.

They didn't notice that an old man in the shadows far away had been silently watching their every move. Seeing that the two had stopped their pursuit, he then turned and left.

Old Man Mi frowned, looking in the direction Zu'an had fled. 'If I had known this, I should have acted sooner.'

It turned out that he was the one who had secretly caused the large tree to suddenly break and block their path.

Meanwhile, Zu'an continued to sprint with Qin Wanru in his arms, when a weak voice suddenly came from behind him: "Don't mind me; put me down and save yourself."

Zu'an said in a deep voice: "You are Chuyan and Xiaozhao's mother. How could I possibly abandon you, Madam, and flee alone! Moreover, you just risked your life to save mine. If I abandon you now, wouldn't I be worse than an animal?"

Qin Wanru shook her head slightly. "You don't understand. I've been poisoned by a strange substance. Death is the best release for me."

"Strange poison?" Zu'an was startled. He quickly stopped and looked at her.

An unnatural flush appeared on Qin Wanru's face. "That vile, shameless Chu Tiesheng poisoned me with 'Bull's Milk'. It's a potent aphrodisiac, and there's no antidote other than intercourse with a man, so I might as well die."

"Why not just get Father-in-law here? What's there to be suicidal about?" Zu'an couldn't help but say. At the same time, he secretly cursed Chu Tiesheng's shamelessness, recalling how he had noticed Chu Tiesheng repeatedly peeking at Qin Wanru with a covetous gaze, but he never imagined Chu Tiesheng would dare to defy public condemnation and actually do such a thing to her.

"You don't understand anything!" Qin Wanru was furious.

Qin Wanru's rage value increased by 233!

Zu'an looked bewildered. 'Why did she suddenly get angry?'

"You can't get far carrying me," Qin Wanru said anxiously. "And I'm certainly going to die anyway. Instead of both of us dying, it's better if you escape. You can also expose their conspiracy, and my death won't be in vain."

Zu'an refused directly. "I'm just a nobody; how can I compare to Hong Zhong and Chu Tiesheng's prestige in the family? Even if I spoke, no one would believe me."

Qin Wanru was stunned, suddenly realizing he was speaking the truth. "At least you can tell Chuyan in the future. She'll definitely believe you."

Zu'an picked her up again. "It would be best if you personally exposed their conspiracy. Don't worry, I know someone who can definitely cure your poison."

After speaking, he carried her and sprinted in another direction.