Chapter 27

"Feels pretty good, I forgot about it in just a moment," Zu An chuckled awkwardly, quickly changing the subject, "Where were we? Oh, I'm always the type to do good deeds without leaving a name, but you seem like a kind-hearted person, and your earnest request is so sincere. If I don't tell you the name of your savior, it might make you lose sleep. I'm a soft-hearted person and don't want to see you in such a difficult situation. I can tell you, but you must promise not to reveal my real name to anyone else, including your subordinates."

Upon hearing his words, Yu Yanluo's eyes flashed with a sharp light: "Do you doubt them?"

"Not exactly doubt, just being cautious," Zu An replied, "I heard from Xiao Xi that your Yu family is a renowned clan. Why is your guard force so weak?"

It's not that Zu An underestimated human nature, but a beauty like Yu Yanluo would make any man's heart race. A mere Fourth Rank cultivator with a group of Third Ranks would hardly be enough to protect her safety.

Yu Yanluo answered, "Some of the guards were temporarily reassigned to other places."

Zu An had an "I knew it" expression: "So, the Black Wind Gang successfully ambushed you when your guard force was at its weakest? While it might be a coincidence, the probability is too low."

Even if there were no traitors among the guards, he didn't want to take the risk. After all, the more people who knew, the higher the risk.

Yu Yanluo smiled slightly, "You're very smart, you're not an ordinary person, are you?"

Zu An looked proud, "Of course, didn't you see how I just wiped out those people with a flick of my finger?"

"Immortal at the peak, proud in the world, with me, Zu An, the sky is the limit. Among the three million sword immortals, even they must bow before me. I am the Sword Emperor, who can claim invincibility, who can claim unbeaten?"

Yu Yanluo: "..."

Sword Immortal, Sword Emperor? This person, though mysterious, definitely didn't have the strength to reach that level. However, his mysterious confidence had the aura of a true expert.

"Your name is Zu An, right?" Yu Yanluo smiled, "Where do you live? I'll have someone deliver the gold to your residence."

Zu An was a bit embarrassed. Being a赘婿 (zhuixu, a man who marries into his wife's family) of the Chu family was embarrassing, and he didn't want the Chu family to know his true background: "How about you tell me your address, and I'll come to collect it when I have time."

"Fine." Seeing his reluctance, Yu Yanluo wasn't surprised. She thought for a moment and pulled out a jade pendant from her pocket, "Here, take this."

Zu An took it and saw that the jade pendant was snow-white with intricate patterns, but he didn't recognize the animal. Feeling the warmth and fragrance left on the pendant, he asked subconsciously, "Is this a token of affection?"

Yu Yanluo didn't get angry, smiling slightly, "Your strength is good, but you'll need a few more years to be my man. This is a token to ensure you're not stopped by my subordinates when you come to see me."

Zu An put the jade pendant in his pocket, "Then you'll have to wait well. I'll come back in a few years to be your man."

Yu Yanluo laughed, not knowing why, but she wasn't angry at this straightforward young man.

The two returned to the carriage, noticing Ji Xiaoxi squatting beside the guards, bandaging their wounds. Zu An was surprised, "How can they move?"

Ji Xiaoxi blinked, "I released the restrictions on them. Also, their injuries are severe and need timely treatment."

"Thank you, Miss Ji." The guards hurriedly thanked her, genuinely grateful, while secretly wondering how such a fairy-like girl could be with that demon-like person, hoping she wouldn't be corrupted.

However, the visual impact of what just happened was too great. Despite their thoughts, they dared not say anything to offend Zu An.

"Earlier, you mentioned your father is Ji Dantu, the divine doctor?" Yu Yanluo looked at Ji Xiaoxi, finding such a beautiful and pure girl very likable.

"Yes." Ji Xiaoxi answered shyly, feeling a bit intimidated by the mature beauty, the pressure was immense.

"I've heard of the great name of the divine doctor. I didn't expect him to have such a beautiful and capable daughter. Thank you for your help today." Yu Yanluo bowed slightly.

"I didn't do much," Ji Xiaoxi hurriedly returned the bow, "By the way, my father seems to like you a lot. I thought you had met before?"

Yu Yanluo was taken aback. She had no memory of it. Over the years, many men had been infatuated with her, but few left an impression. Perhaps Ji Dantu was one of them, but she didn't want to say it in front of his daughter, so she smiled, "Maybe, but I've been busy lately and have forgotten many things."

At that moment, the sound of hooves approached. Zu An's face changed, but Yu Yanluo smiled, "Don't worry, they should be my people."

"Your family's affairs are too complicated. I won't get involved. I'll leave now, and I'll come to the Yu family to settle the account another day." Zu An said, pulling Ji Xiaoxi away.

"Hey, just like that?" Ji Xiaoxi was confused, they had been chatting so well.

"Never mind, just follow me." Zu An said, and Ji Xiaoxi nodded, waving goodbye to everyone as they left.

Watching their backs, Yu Yanluo's beautiful eyes showed a faint smile, "A very interesting young man."

Ji Xiaoxi was pulled by Zu An out of the valley into the forest. Seeing him still holding her hand, she blushed, "Your hand is poisoned again."

Zu An didn't mind, "You have the antidote, just help me."

"Um~" Ji Xiaoxi blinked, feeling something was off. The powder on her clothes was for self-defense, and this guy had such intimate contact with her, yet she was the one helping him detoxify.

Zu An saw they were far enough, then pulled her to squat in a dense forest, watching the valley from a distance.

Ji Xiaoxi, while detoxifying his hand, asked curiously, "Why are we running?"

Zu An answered, "You said this Yu lady just lost her husband, and her convoy was attacked here. Clearly, there's a force targeting her, possibly with internal involvement. Who knows if the people coming are to save her or kill her. We don't want to get involved."

He was already in a dangerous situation at the Chu family and didn't want to get entangled in another family's turmoil.

Ji Xiaoxi understood immediately, admiring, "I never thought of that, Big Brother Zu, you're so smart."

"Of course," Zu An raised his chin, feeling very comfortable being praised by a beautiful girl, waiting for her to continue, but the girl was focused on detoxifying his hand, and there was no more praise.

Reluctantly, he continued observing the valley. A group of white-robed knights with golden embroidery galloped in, each one tall and strong, clearly powerful cultivators. Many of them emitted auras indicating they were stronger than the Black Wind Gang's Third Leader.

The leader was a tall man with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, exuding a fierce gaze, with a neat mustache adding a touch of elegance.

"Sister-in-law, I'm late, are you safe?" Seeing Yu Yanluo, he quickly dismounted, running over with concern.

"It's my brother-in-law." Zu An clicked his tongue, thinking of Yu Yanluo's recently deceased husband, a beautiful young widow, and a handsome, charming brother-in-law, it was hard not to speculate, "Xiao Xi, who is that man?"

Ji Xiaoxi shook her head, "I don't know." She was young and not involved in such matters, so she didn't know the family dynamics.

Yu Yanluo replied calmly, "I'm fine, let's go into the city." Then she returned to the carriage.

The mustached man stood there, a flash of anger in his eyes, but quickly concealed it. He waved his hand, ordering his subordinates to carry the injured onto horses and set off.

" Sister-in-law, do you know how the Black Wind Gang members died?" The mustached man rode beside the carriage, asking through the window.

"I'm tired, we'll talk later." Yu Yanluo's lazy voice came from the carriage, and then there was no more sound.

The mustached man frowned, his face darkening.

Zu An observed their reactions from a distance, a thoughtful look on his face.

The two returned to the city by another route, and nothing happened along the way. After entering the city, Ji Xiaoxi said, "Big Brother Zu, come home with me, I'll have my father check you."

Her eyes involuntarily glanced at his abdomen, making Zu An's face turn black. Was this ever going to end?

However, he was planning to go to the divine doctor, so he didn't refuse. Seeing the darkening sky, he wondered if it was too late to return to the Chu family.

If not, maybe Ji Xiaoxi could let him stay the night, but thinking of her father's face, he wasn't so sure.

They returned to the Ji family. Before reaching the door, someone shouted, "Miss Ji is back, Miss Ji is back."

People nearby swarmed over, "Miss Ji, please check this for me."

"Miss Ji, I was here first."

"Miss Ji, my condition is more urgent."

...

Despite not being the first time, Ji Xiaoxi was still uncomfortable, blushing, "Don't rush, please line up one by one."

Zu An couldn't help but be impressed. He knew she was popular, but seeing it firsthand, he realized how much people genuinely liked and respected her.

However, he couldn't help but criticize, this girl was too soft-hearted. These people were clearly taking advantage of her kindness, needing her to provide free treatment, no wonder her father didn't have a good attitude towards them.