Chapter 1986: Unease  

Zu An thought back to how he had been trapped in a strange ‘theater world’ in the secret dungeon. The other side clearly hadn't been that strong, and yet it had made his entire party feel completely powerless. They had almost been completely wiped out. On the other hand, that had ended up inadvertently pulling his relationship with Jing Teng closer.

If those from the Devil Sect’s Pear Path had similar skills, they would indeed be a bit tricky to deal with.

Just then, Yan Xuehen said, “Of course, with your current cultivation, as long as you are on guard, no matter how dangerous the Devil Sect general headquarters are, it should pose no threat to you.”

“Master, he’ll get too arrogant if you talk like that!” Chu Chuyan protested while clinging to Yan Xuehen’s arm. She was normally also just as cold in terms of personality; only when she was around her master did she act a bit spoiled.

Yan Xuehen looked at Zu An with a complicated expression and said, “This guy is a monster of his own, and his cultivation speed is completely unprecedented in history. I am just telling the truth too. As long as he is careful of schemes, he can go wherever he wishes in this world.”

Zu An looked at her and said, “That may not be true. For one, I wouldn’t dare to go to the White Jade Sect to propose marriage.”

“Ah Zu~” Chu Chuyan said reproachfully, thinking, Why is he talking about that in front of master? Even though the two had been married before, they didn’t have anything like that binding them together now. She wondered whether to properly establish their relationship again.

Meanwhile, Yan Xuehen’s heart began to beat furiously.

This kid is way too daring! He actually dares to say something like that in front of Chuyan? Just thinking about him running all the way to the White Jade Sect to propose marriage to me is utterly embarrassing! How would the people of the world view me then? How would Chuyan see me?

She quickly shot Zu An a look and said, “Alright, I already told you everything you need to know, so I’m turning off the recording mirror. Our White Jade Sect isn’t as extravagant as your side to the point that we can randomly squander ki stones.”

“Wait, no!” Zu An quickly shouted, “You still haven’t told me where the Lake of Hatred is!”

Yan Xuehen could only stop her hand and say, “I can only tell you an approximate location. Those from the Secret Path have set up a special formation there, so no one can find the real location. However, I believe that with your abilities, you will definitely have a way of finding it.”

Then, she let her disciple say some things to Zu An while she drew up a map off to the side.

Chu Chuyan’s face reddened. With her master next to her, there were many things that she was too embarrassed to say.

When he looked at her beautiful face, Zu An couldn't help but say with a sigh, “Chuyan, you’ve lost weight.”

“Did I?” Chu Chuyan replied as she reflexively touched her cheeks. “I thought I gained weight.”

Zu An sighed, saying, “I thought that you would say it was because you missed me so much you lost your appetite, and thus lost weight.”

“You’re so annoying~” Chu Chuyan replied with a blush. She was frightened and snuck a look at her master. When she saw that she seemed to be focused on her drawing and didn’t hear anything, she sighed in relief.

However, who would have thought that Yan Xuehen, who had her ears perked up the entire time, was actually cursing Zu An for being shameless? This must be how this kid always fools those young ladies. Those women really are fools too; they just like this style of his.

Yet when she thought about it deeper, she was suddenly stunned. Even a grown woman like her seemed to have fallen for these tricks of his…

The two sweethearts continued to go back and forth. Yan Xuehen felt stranger and stranger as she continued to draw on the side. Soon after, the map was finished and she brought it up to the mirror, saying, “Take a quick look. I really can’t handle the ki stone consumption on my side otherwise.”

Zu An put away his teasing mood and looked carefully at the map. From time to time, he asked about the meanings of the markings, and Yan Xuehen actually explained them all to him in detail. Zu An made sure to remember everything.

When it was time to say goodbye, he saw the bit of reluctance on Chu Chuyan’s face and saw that she still wanted to continue talking. He said gently, “I’ve recently been researching a kind of communication jade strip that consumes far fewer ki stones than the recording mirror. We can chat for much longer that way.”

“Really?” Chu Chuyan exclaimed in surprise and happiness.

“There is actually something that incredible?” Yan Xuehen remarked, more concerned with the huge changes this would bring to the world of cultivation.

This guy should give me one of them too, right? Hmph, if he only gives Chuyan one, I won’t ever pay him any more attention again.

Even so, how should I explain things to Chuyan if he really gives me one? After all, in the eyes of other people, there’s not much for me and him to talk about.

Ahhh! This is so annoying!

“Of course it’s real. The Baopu Sutra described a similar device, but some of the materials are now missing, which is why the device we’ve made still carries all sorts of flaws. Once I’ve dealt with the issue of distance, I’ll give them to you guys,” Zu An said.

Yan Xuehen’s heart beat frantically.

Are you kidding me? You're saying that you’ll give it to us out loud?

Fortunately, Chu Chuyan didn’t notice anything strange. Instead, her eyes were glistening brightly as she said, “I’m really looking forward to that day!”

…action

In the end, they had to end the call. Zu An was using the court’s resources, but the White Jade Sect couldn't tolerate this level of expenditure.

When the call finished, after thinking to himself for a bit, Zu An dialed Jadefall Palace’s recording mirror. After all, Pei Mianman was cultivating at Jadefall Palace and didn't have her own recording mirror. He could only reach her that way.

The surface of the recording mirror rippled. Soon after, Wan Tongtian and Elder Huo Ling appeared with serious expressions.

Zu An was stunned. When these two were sitting upright together, they did look like a couple. Wan Tongtian’s wife really has green all above her head…

When they saw that it was him, Elder Huo Ling’s expression changed. She exclaimed, “It’s you? What do you need from us?” She just felt that this guy had ulterior motives with her precious disciple, which was why she was really guarded against Zu An.

“Help me call for Manman. I have something to tell her,” Zu An replied.“Hmph, what are you treating this palace as? The recording mirror cannot be used except for absolutely urgent matters, and yet you're using it to privately contact a young lady you’re chasing?” Elder Huo Ling exclaimed furiously.

Zu An frowned and said coldly, “Of course I have something of utmost importance to talk about, and it is related to the very survival of your Jadefall Palace. I wanted to tell all of you together, but seeing as you have this attitude, I’ve decided to just tell Manman alone. You can ask her after."

“Kid, are you messing with us?” Elder Huo Ling erupted like a firecracker, springing up from her chair.

Zu An retorted with a scowl, “Could it be that you do not understand just who you are talking to right now?”

Elder Huo Ling was about to say something else when Wan Tongtian immediately grabbed her. He cupped his hands toward Zu An and said, “Regent, please forgive our error. My junior sister has always had this temper; she didn’t intentionally try to offend you.”

Elder Huo Ling’s expression changed a bit. It was only now that she remembered the information she had recently obtained. In the end, the fact that Zu An had become a regent at such a young age and even killed an earth immortal in the capital really was absolutely ridiculous, so she subconsciously still treated him as part of the younger generation. She was worried that he would treat Manman badly, which was why her reaction was a bit intense.

“Out of favor for Manman, of course I won’t make a big deal out of this,” Zu An said calmly. “Can you call her over now?”

“Okay, we will contact her now,” Wan Tongtian said as he quickly brought Elder Huo Ling away.

When they left the room, Elder Huo Ling remarked unhappily, “Senior brother, aren’t you lowering yourself a bit too much?”

“That guy can even kill an earth immortal, so shouldn’t we treat him with at least a bit of respect?” Wan Tongtian replied, worried that she would start something else; he immediately tried to calm her down.

“The whole thing just feels a bit ridiculous somehow. It might just be that because Zhao Han died, in order to appease the masses, the court wanted to create the image of a strong figure again.” Elder Huo Ling harrumphed. “It’s not as if you didn’t see him fight on Violet Mountain.”

Wan Tongtian thought to himself for a bit. At the time, the strength Zu An had displayed was great, but he was still too far off from being able to instantly kill an earth immortal. Still, he said, “Well, either way, the fact that he is the regent cannot be faked. His use of the court’s recording mirror is proof itself. Let’s not offend him for now and see what he’ll say to Manman first.”

“What else could he say to her? Isn’t it just a young man trying to show off in front of a pretty young lady after suddenly rising in status?” Elder Huo Ling grumbled. “It really is ridiculous; he’s actually using the court’s public device to chase after women, and yet our Jadefall Palace can only play along.”

Wan Tongtian couldn't help but say with a sigh, “Which man wouldn’t want to be able to do something like that? Unfortunately, many of those who have the ability to do that are already too old. They no longer have the hot-bloodedness of youth.”

“You better not copy him. I don’t like this kind of stuff.” As she spoke, Elder Huo Ling thought back to their youth. Her expression eased up a bit.

Soon after, Pei Mianman rushed over after hearing the news, saying, “I pay my respects to the palace lord and master!”

Elder Huo Ling nodded. “That Zu kid is calling you from the recording mirror, so go and talk to him. Then, tell me everything he tells you word for word. You cannot let that brat’s flowery speech fool you!”

“Huh?” When she heard that it was Zu An calling her, Pei Mianman became incredibly happy, but when she thought about how they were going to use the sect’s recording mirror to chat, she couldn't help but blush. Also, how could she tell them about her private conversation with Zu An?

When he saw her expression, Wan Tongtian knew that she was overthinking things. He quickly explained, “Zu An said that there are some important matters that are related to the very existence of our sect but didn’t permit us to listen. It’s enough as long as you share what you heard about on this matter with us.”

He couldn't help but glare at Elder Huo Ling as he spoke. Judging from Manman’s expression, it seems her relationship with Zu An is quite special, and yet junior sister just keeps playing the villain.

“Understood!” Pei Mianman replied; she was also shocked. She quickly entered the room.

When he saw the door close, Wan Tongtian said, “I really would prefer it if he were lying to us.”

Elder Huo Ling was about to retort, but she suddenly realized that if this matter was related to the existence of Jadefall Palace, it wouldn't be a good thing at all.

The two of them looked at the closed entrance. A bit of unease immediately filled the room.