Chapter 410: Unique Gift

Zu An spread his hands. "In this world, strength is paramount. Might makes right, and that's virtue. So, naturally, I'm subduing them with virtue."

Liu Yao was fuming. He couldn't believe such a brazen person existed.

It was true that strength was revered in this world, so losing to a genuinely powerful individual would have been acceptable.

But what was Zu An's actual capability? Was he relying on his own strength? No, he was simply leveraging the three thousand Red-Robed Army!

What a cur, relying on others' power!

Anger from Liu Yao +999!

Zu An wore an expression that dared Liu Yao to challenge him. He had thought it through: Chu Zhongtian had been too soft, consistently presenting himself as a kind-hearted man despite possessing such formidable power. This had invited provocations from all sides, leaving the Chu clan vulnerable.

Given this, Zu An decided to take the opposite approach. He would make an example of someone, and Liu Yao was the perfect target.

As the saying goes: deliver one powerful blow to prevent a hundred from coming back.

Xie Yi, standing nearby, also worried that a genuine conflict would erupt, putting him in an impossible position—helping either side would be wrong. He quickly stepped forward to appease Liu Yao. "General Liu, please calm down. I have a matter I'd like to consult you about. This way, please..."

As he spoke, he gently guided Liu Yao to the side. Xie Daoyun also hurried over to assist. Her beauty, refined demeanor, and connection to the Crown Prince made her perfectly suited to de-escalate the situation.

Liu Yao, still annoyed, glared at Zu An but refrained from a public outburst. He then moved aside with Xie Yi to chat.

Xie Xiu approached Zu An, exclaiming, "Brother Zu, you truly impressed me today. To openly defy a peak ninth-rank expert to his face!"

Zu An scoffed. "What's a peak ninth-rank? I've already chatted and laughed with Grandmasters and Masters."

He wasn't lying. Not to mention Old Man Mi and Wei Fan, even among the powerful individuals he'd encountered in the secret realm, none were weaker than Liu Yao.

Xie Xiu was speechless.

Xie Xiu, however, was unaware of these facts and simply assumed Zu An was boasting. He wasn't concerned with that, but rather with something else entirely. "By the way, what's going on between you and my sister? I've never seen her proactively help anyone like that before."

"Oh, just one of those things," Zu An said with a smile.

"But what exactly happened?" Xie Xiu insisted.

"Go ask your sister," Zu An replied with a mysterious smile, then motioned for his subordinates to enter the Chu manor.

The imperial guards at the gate initially intended to stop them, but recalling Liu Yao's recent defeat, the group was at a loss as to how to intervene.

Fortunately, Zu An didn't bring everyone inside; he only selected a few dozen subordinates to enter the manor, while the main contingent remained outside on guard.

Xie Yi, who had been closely observing, breathed a sigh of relief. This man still knew how to prioritize and hadn't completely alienated the imperial guards.

Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru were both surprised and delighted to see him arrive with the Red-Robed Army. After greeting them, Chu Yucheng and Chu Hongcai hastily left to check on their own families.

Qin Wanru was the most pleased. "Ah Zu, you certainly didn't disappoint me."

"Master and Madam, please rest assured. With the Red-Robed Army outside, they wouldn't dare cause trouble for the Chu clan," Zu An said with a faint smile.

Chu Zhongtian, however, remained concerned. "But the deficit of the Salt Transport Commissioner's Office still exists. Even if they don't beat us into a confession, a proper investigation will still doom our Chu clan."

Qin Wanru snorted. "What's there to be afraid of? At worst, we'll become outlaws. Black Wind Stronghold and Giant Whale Gang managed to thrive, so why couldn't our Chu clan do the same?"

What a fiery temper! Fortunately, Chuyan isn't like her.

Zu An secretly wiped his brow before saying, "It's not that dire, not as serious as Madam imagines. The ledger that was stolen wasn't the real one."

Qin Wanru and Chu Zhongtian looked at him with bewildered expressions.

Zu An then explained how Chu Chuyan had swapped the ledgers.

Chu Zhongtian burst out laughing. "Chuyan, that child is truly clever! Hahaha!"

A smile finally graced Qin Wanru's face as the heavy burden that had weighed on her heart for days lifted. But then she quickly reacted, "That girl! To even deceive me! I'll give her a proper scolding when she gets back!"

After leaving the Chu manor, Zu An had his army set up camp nearby. It was evident they wouldn't leave until the investigation into the Chu clan concluded.

Concerned about a potential conflict between the Red-Robed Army and the Imperial Guards, Xie Yi also instructed Xie Xiu and Pang Chun to lead the city's defense forces to a nearby location, ready to provide support.

Liu Yao was displeased, but the Red-Robed Army was too formidable, and Xie Yi had openly taken their side, leaving him powerless.

However, he wasn't in a hurry. Time was on his side. Regarding the ledger, he only needed to verify a few entries; definitive evidence would be enough to secure a conviction.

Once the charges were confirmed, Xie Yi would be unable to assist the Chu clan further, unless he chose to openly rebel.

Even if Xie Yi did help the Chu clan, it wouldn't matter. Liu Yao could then petition the Emperor for an imperial decree to suppress them all.

Hmph, Zu An, just you wait. Enjoy your moment of triumph for a couple more days. Soon, I'll show you how cruel this world truly is!

Seeing a continuous stream of anger values in the backend, Zu An pursed his lips. *Coward, come over now if you dare.*

He didn't bother with Liu Yao and went directly to find Xie Daoyun.

After all, she had just rendered him a great service, and he needed to thank her properly.

"Miss Xie, where are you headed?" Zu An asked, surprised to see her carriage about to depart.

The carriage curtain was drawn aside, revealing Xie Daoyun's serene figure. "Today is Miss Zheng's wedding," she said. "We're good friends, so I must go and congratulate her."

"What!" Zu An exclaimed, startled. He had been so preoccupied that he hadn't realized it was already the next day.

"Teacher Zu, would you like me to take a congratulatory gift for you?" Xie Daoyun asked, blinking playfully.

She was unaware of the secret between Zu An and Zheng Dan, but given their teacher-student relationship at the academy, it was only proper for him to offer congratulations.

"No, I'll go personally to congratulate her," Zu An said in a low voice.

Noticing his grim expression, Xie Daoyun was momentarily startled, but she didn't dwell on it. "Ah Zu, would you like to come with me?"

She also worried that if Zu An stayed, he might get into another conflict with Liu Yao, which the Xie clan might not be able to prevent. It would be better to keep the two separated.

"Alright, wait a moment," Zu An said with a smile. He quickly went back to give a few instructions, then jumped directly into Xie Daoyun's carriage. "All set."

Xie Daoyun's face flushed slightly. *I invited you to come along,* she thought, *but not to share a carriage with me.*

She opened her mouth to speak, but remembering they had just shared a horse, she felt it would be overly affected to refuse now, so she remained silent.

Nevertheless, being in such close, face-to-face proximity with a young man in the confined space of a carriage made her feel somewhat flustered. She quickly searched for a topic to alleviate her awkwardness. "Ah Zu, what are your plans now?"

"Naturally, I'll adapt to whatever comes my way," Zu An replied.

Xie Daoyun hesitated before saying, "Normally, these are not my words to speak, but since we are friends, I cannot stand by and watch you fall deeper into the abyss."

Zu An paused. "Miss Xie, what are you trying to say?"

Xie Daoyun pursed her thin red lips. "I know Duke Bright Moon has always chosen neutrality, but while neutrality seems to offend no one, it actually offends both sides. The various hardships the Chu clan has suffered recently are clearly a result of this. Now, with the Chu clan facing a matter of life and death, will you still maintain neutrality?"

Zu An chuckled. "Miss Xie, are you trying to recruit me for Prince Qi?"

Xie Daoyun sighed. "I won't deny that I am attempting to recruit you, but these are also my sincere words as a friend. Although your Chu clan still possesses the three thousand Red-Robed Army, once convicted, what good can a mere three thousand men do against the mighty imperial court?"

"Furthermore, once you lose the Chu clan's fiefdom, along with the immense wealth from salt and iron, how will your family afford to support this army?"

"Duke Bright Moon's integrity is well-known. I don't believe he would condone the Red-Robed Army plundering everywhere like Black Wind Stronghold. Without a source of income, even the powerful Red-Robed Army would quickly disintegrate. By then, it would be too late for regrets."

"Your analysis is very insightful," Zu An replied. "We will consider it carefully."

Xie Daoyun carefully studied his eyes. After a long pause, she said, "I don't know why, but I can't shake the feeling that you're merely humoring me. I detect no trace of tension in your demeanor; it's as if you already have everything under control. Yet, I simply cannot fathom how the Chu clan could possibly turn this around."

Zu An smiled faintly. "Today, let's only speak of pleasantries, and nothing else."

Xie Daoyun's mind involuntarily recalled the moment earlier when they were pressed close while riding the horse. Her cheeks instantly flushed. "Who's talking about pleasantries with you?" she retorted.

As she spoke, she nervously glanced out the window and was startled to notice the cavalry following the carriage. "Why did you bring the Red-Robed Army too? What are you planning?" she exclaimed.

Zu An's gaze pierced through the carriage door, directed towards the Sang family's direction. "To congratulate them on their grand wedding, of course."

He had left the majority of the Red-Robed Army to guard the Chu manor, taking only a few hundred men directly to the Sang residence.

Xie Daoyun would never believe such nonsense. She quickly interjected, "I know you have many grievances with the Sang family, but this is Zheng Dan's special day. You mustn't do anything reckless!"

"Don't worry, I won't act recklessly," Zu An said, smiling, with an unreadable expression in his eyes.

Seeing his assurance, Xie Daoyun found herself unable to say more and could only worry inwardly. Upon arriving at the Sang residence, her first action was to instruct her servant to inform her father.

From afar, Zu An observed that, unlike the oppressive atmosphere of his previous visit to the Sang residence, today the place was adorned with vibrant decorations, large red lanterns, and '囍' (double happiness) characters everywhere.

The manor was already incredibly lively. The marriage of the Prefect's son and the eldest daughter of the Zheng family was a significant event, drawing all the prominent figures from the city.

In fact, had Zu An not suddenly brought the Red-Robed Army into the city, Xie Yi and Liu Yao might have been among the guests.

At the entrance, a servant was announcing the gifts brought by the arriving guests:

"Miss Xie has arrived, presenting twenty-eight supreme Eastern pearls."

"The Chu clan... Oh? The Chu clan's son-in-law has arrived, presenting... presenting one hat."

As soon as this announcement was made, a momentary silence fell over the previously bustling Sang manor.

Everyone present was a prominent figure in Bright Moon City, and all were well aware of the long-standing animosity between the Chu and Sang families.

What's more, everyone had just been discussing Zu An's confrontation with Liu Yao and the Red-Robed Army. Why had one of the main protagonists suddenly appeared here?

And what on earth did "presenting a hat" mean?