Chapter 2688: Suspicion Yan Xuehen’s face paled in horror. She'd thought that the demoness had only guessed the truth coincidentally, but who could have thought that even Jing Teng, who spent her days in the cave paradise, had figured it out too? Didn’t that mean the other ladies knew about it too? They're probably just keeping quiet about it out of respect for me. She felt as if she had been plunged into an ice chamber. She reached for her sword to end her life once and for all. Jing Teng eyed her sword and asked, “What are you doing? Even if you’re not on good terms with Yun Jianyue, you shouldn’t make a move against her while her soul isn’t around.” “Ah?” Yan Xuehen was baffled. “I knew I shouldn’t have told you that!” Jing Teng glared at Yan Xuehen as if the latter were a despicable rat who took advantage of other people’s weakness. Yan Xuehen was bewildered. She noticed Jing Teng’s stockings turning black—it was the younger Jing Teng who was talking to her. “You’ve misunderstood. I wasn’t going to make a move on Yun Jianyue.” Yan Xuehen knew the younger Jing Teng was eccentric like a demoness and didn’t want to provoke her. Black Jing Teng smiled. “I knew you weren’t that kind of person. You wouldn’t resort to such underhanded means even when dealing with someone who stole your disciple’s man.” Yan Xuehen was speechless. Aren’t I the one who stole my disciple’s man? Who are you referring to? “I didn’t expect a lofty expert like Yun Jianyue to do something that despicable, but what’s more maddening is how Qiu Honglei let things slip despite it all. She continues to maintain close ties with her,” Black Jing Teng huffed. “You’re saying Yun Jianyue...” Yan Xuehen narrowed her eyes. It was plenty obvious what Black Jing Teng was driving at. Many thoughts surged into her mind, and the doubts she'd previously harbored suddenly made sense. She'd always thought there was something amiss between Zu An and Yun Jianyue—they looked like friends, but they seemed extremely comfortable with each other. She had previously attributed that to Yun Jianyue’s eccentric personality as a demoness and didn’t think in that direction, but if even she could get together with Zu An, there was no reason the demoness couldn’t do so as well. Zu An had hugged them both in the dungeon back then, but she hadn’t suspected a thing due to the urgency of the situation. But now that she thought about it, the demoness had never come into contact with other men in her life, let alone allowing someone to grab her waist. No wonder Ah Zu maintains a neutral stance and covers up for her. So that’s the reason... As shock washed over her heart, Jing Teng’s stockings reverted to white. She apologetically said, “Please don’t misunderstand, Miss Yan. My little sister was talking nonsense.” Yan Xuehen had gotten used to the two sisters’ role switching. “Your little sister wouldn’t make such a remark out of nowhere. You must know something.” White Jing Teng was put in a spot. Knowing the other party wouldn’t let things slip, she acquiesced and said, “I overheard Yun Jianyue and Qiu Honglei’s conversation. They were talking about something about stealing their disciple’s man. My little sister might have misunderstood because of that. Unfortunately, we don’t know the details about the matter.” Black Jing Teng angrily roared, “Why aren’t you telling her the truth? That Yun woman stole her disciple’s man—no, she stole our man too! So what if I rat her out?” White Jing Teng huffed, “A lady doesn’t gossip about others behind their back.” Black Jing Teng rolled her eyes. “I've never been a lady. You can keep your holier-than-thou attitude and watch in resignation as someone steals your man!” “Ah Zu has never been a devoted man. Are you only realizing that now?” White Jing Teng retorted. Black Jing Teng was at a loss for words. “It’s one thing for Ah Zu to be like that, but what’s the deal with that Yun woman? She’s Honglei’s master! How can she do that? I won’t stand for it!” After years of living and chatting together, she had gotten close to Qiu Honglei. Looking at her furious little sister, White Jing Teng could only change tactics to convince her. “Haven’t you considered that Ah Zu might blame us if we did something? Not only would Yun Jianyue hate us, but Qiu Honglei might not be thankful either. The other ladies would also be wary of us. We'd become everyone's enemy. There wouldn’t be a place for us.” Black Jing Teng was taken aback. She didn’t mind being hated by the other ladies, but she was horrified by the possibility of Zu An being averse to her. Seeing that her little sister had calmed down, White Jing Teng turned to Yan Xuehen and continued, “This is probably a misunderstanding. I doubt it’s as my little sister says. Miss Yan, please don’t take it to heart.” Yan Xuehen responded with a strained smile. She chatted a little longer before excusing herself. I thought there was an affair between Ah Zu and Yun Jianyue, but it seems like the person Yun Jianyue was talking about is me. In the end, I only went in one big circle. I guess there’s no way to continue hiding my relationship with Ah Zu. I should talk to him when he returns. But she recalled Black Jing Teng’s words. Could there really be something between Yun Jianyue and Ah Zu? If that’s the case, Ah Zu won’t tell me the truth, and he won’t help me either... Yan Xuehen suddenly felt vexed. She decided to have a chat with Xie Daoyun and Ji Xiaoxi. They had been traveling with Ah Zu, so they had a better understanding of what he'd been through in recent years. Unlike Yun Yuqing, those two ladies would be closer to her. ... Meanwhile, Zu An took Yun Jianyue and Pei Mianman’s souls to the Netherworld. He instructed the two of them to stay close to him to protect them from the death energy. Yun Jianyue snorted. We’re so close that our ears and hair are pressed against each other, and that ice sculpture still says they're innocent? Pei Mianman didn’t notice these details, as she had something weighing on her mind. She regretted giving a heads-up to Zu An. It felt awkward for her to share a space with Yun Jianyue now. Sensing the tension, Zu An said, “You don’t have to worry. I can sense anything that happens at the mountaintop residence. Your bodies will be safe.” Yun Jianyue smiled. “That’s the safest place in the academy, and that ice sculpture is there too. There’s no reason for me to worry.” Pei Mianman was surprised. “Aren’t the two of you rivals? Will she protect your body?” “We are enemies, but I acknowledge her character. She wouldn’t resort to despicable means to defeat me. If our positions were switched, I’d protect her body too,” Yun Jianyue replied without any hesitation. Pei Mianman was baffled. What a weird relationship they have. I don’t know if they're enemies or friends. She was so intent on cornering Yan Xuehen just a moment ago. Not knowing what to do about this situation, she said, “Ah Zu, I’d like to visit Chuyan first.” 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮 That would be an opportunity for her to catch up with Chuyan and consult her on how to deal with this matter.