Despite his inner thoughts, Zu An still asked, “Why would those people listen to me? I can’t just reveal our relationship to them.”

After being targeted by Cheng Xiong, he understood that the capital was full of intelligent people. A slight moment of weakness could easily result in his doom.

Zhuxie Chixin was on the hunt for Yun Jianyue, and the emperor had a vested interest in it as well. He didn’t want to bring disaster upon himself.

Besides, he dared not visit the Devil Sect captives as an embroidered envoy. The only ones who knew about this identity were Yun Jianyue and Qiu Honglei. He could trust them, but he was not ready to trust the other members of the Devil Sect.

“You don’t need to expose our relationship.” Yun Jianyue remained silent for a moment before continuing, “You can show up as yourself. Tell them that Honglei entrusted you with the task of saving them. They will believe you.”

Zu An was a little shocked. “Why would they?” 

“There are some among the captives who will recognize you,” Yun Jianyue said. “For example, Solitary Fire. You were his captive once, on your way to the capital.”

“I remember that guy.” Zu An had a vague impression of him. The Solitary Eight had been a force to reckon with when they first crossed paths. Unfortunately, Solitary Ice was killed by Mosquito Daoist later on, and now, even Solitary Fire was a prisoner. He didn’t know how the others were doing.

Yun Jianyue continued, “There is one other person whom you might have met before in Brightmoon City. Honglei’s senior brother, Gu Yueyi. He seems to have been captured as well.”

“Ah, that dude. I remember him too.” Zu An recalled that he had even tried to pretend to be Chen Xuan. In the end, the fake one met the real deal, and suffered a bruising defeat.

“He’s your disciple too? You don’t seem very good at picking disciples.” For some reason, Zu An felt rather annoyed. Why would such a great beauty take in a male disciple?

Yun Jianyue rolled her eyes. “I have quite a few disciples like him. There are many different factions within the Holy Sect, so it’s only natural that I extend my own influence to strengthen my position. Taking in disciples is one of the easiest ways to bring others under my sway, so why not?”

Zu An sighed. “Being a disciple of yours is truly a pitiful fate. They only exist to be used. I really pity my Honglei.”

Yun Jianyue said calmly, “Becoming my disciple has granted them access to vast amounts of resources that they never had access to before. Why pity them for doing their duty? Furthermore, Honglei is different from others, she is my core disciple. She alone cultivates my true cultivation secrets.”

Zu An rolled his eyes. “It would’ve been better if you hadn’t passed on your stupid unmarried-woman technique.”

He suddenly thought of something. Yun Jianyue cultivated the Heavenly Devil Temptation, which seemed similar to one of Daji’s skills. Did they have some type of connection?

They’re both charm techniques, so they’re probably similar.

“What. Did. You. Say?!” When she heard the words ‘stupid unmarried woman’, Yun Jianyue’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

You have successfully trolled Yun Jianyue for 999… 999… 999…

Clearly, these words held tremendous destructive power when used against her.

Zu An hurriedly changed the topic. “By the way, when I saved Honglei, I saw one of your sect’s experts being captured by Cheng Xiong. He seemed to be the one fighting the crown prince’s lesser tutor in the eastern palace.”

Yun Jianyue felt her anger subside, now that he brought up an important matter. She replied, “He is Sun Luzhen, an elder in our sect. He is an upright individual who is also loyal and devoted to me.”

A hint of melancholy wrinkled her forehead when she spoke of him. This attempted assassination had cost her dearly.

“I can tell.” Zu An remembered how Sun Luzhen had had an opportunity to escape, but sacrificed his freedom so that Qiu Honglei could get away.

Something else occurred to him. “From what I know, there are many powerful individuals in your Devil Sect has many powerful individuals. Why did so few of them join in this operation?”

He remembered Qiu Honglei mentioning that there was a vice sect leader, left and right emissaries, kings, elders, and the Solitary Eight. He hadn’t seen any of these kings or emissaries during this attack.

Yun Jianyue sighed. “I told you before that our sect has many factions. Even though I’m the sect leader, my word alone does not carry that much weight. The assassination attempt within the imperial palace was opposed by many. Even though I put the plan into motion by using my authority as the sect master, the other factions weren’t too enthusiastic about the matter. I could only make them hold up the enemy’s reinforcements. I, and the men under my personal command, were the only ones who carried out the main operation.”

Zu An snorted. “I never expected that even a grandmaster like you would still be faced with so many constraints.”

Yun Jianyue’s voice grew tinged with annoyance. “The emperor is the strongest person in the world, yet even he is helpless before so many things. How can anyone living in this world have everything happen as they please?”

Zu An’s expression grew worried. “So, according to what you’re saying, you’ve lost a lot of men loyal to you during this attack, and you’re seriously injured as well. How are you still going to keep your place as the sect master?”

“As long as I’m alive, the rest of the sect has no chance of climbing over me,” Yun Jianyue said proudly.

Why are you setting up a flag for yourself?! What if the entire sect goes against you when you go back, and you’re reduced to nothing? I don’t really want to see that happen.

After giving it more thought, though, he realized that his fears were unfounded. She was still a grandmaster, after all.

He shifted his attention to the matter before them. “There’s an annoying obstacle to all this. The captured assassins are in the custody of Right Guard General Guo Zhi. I might not even be able to meet with them.”

Yun Jianyue snorted. “Isn’t your relationship with the crown princess pretty good? Just start by seducing her, and work from there. Cheng Xiong is part of King Qi’s faction, so you aren’t the only one who wants to get rid of him.”

Zu An was stunned. He chuckled and said, “Big sis sect master, given your intelligence and wisdom, I don’t think any man who marries you would dare go after another girl.”

“Beat it! I’m going to treat my injuries.” Yun Jianyue chased him away in annoyance. If it had been anyone else, they would have already been sent to hell.

Unfortunately, she’d gotten gradually accustomed to this brat’s constant jokes after staying with him these past few days.

As his senior, she had her own pride, so she couldn’t kill him. The only thing she could do was to chase him away.

Zu An left the residence with a smile on his face. He did not seek out the crown princess as Golden Token Eleven, like she had suggested, but changed into his crown prince secretary outfit.

He arrived at the eastern palace. The crown prince’s lesser tutor was still wounded, and couldn’t hold classes. The big fatty crown prince was happily playing around with the lesser eunuchs.

After watching them for a while, he decided to seek out the crown princess.

He announced himself and walked in. He saw the crown princess staring blankly out the window, her head propped up by one hand. As the cool breeze blew in from the window, he seemed to vaguely make out her fine eyelashes. 

Zu An sighed. It was probably exhausting for her to have such a husband.

He coughed lightly to announce his arrival. The crown princess snapped out of her daze. She crossed her arms in front of her and straightened, recovering her usual regal appearance. “What is it?”

Zu An looked at the surrounding maids and eunuchs, feeling slightly troubled. “I have something important to discuss with the crown princess alone.”

The crown princess frowned. However, she left the door open. Under the palace rules, there was no way the crown princess could speak with another man alone.

“I really do have something important to say to the crown princess…” Zu An took a few steps forward. This matter was too important to be overheard.

The crown princess grew displeased. “What are you doing? Stay there and speak.”

This woman is rather on guard.

Zu An had no choice but to proceed. “Does the crown princess know about the recent uproar over Cheng Xiong?”