Chasing after her husband? Is it even possible to win him back?

"While I still have the patience to sit here and talk to you..." The young man clenched his fists tightly, narrowed his eyes, and stared at Yin Chen, whose skull had almost been blown open by a silent wind blade. "Spit it out."

"You'll have to run away for a while. Don't worry, we'll take care of things in Lancang City. We'll definitely handle the wanted notice for you, but it will take some time." Yin Chen was a little alarmed, but he could understand Chu Xunfeng's feelings about the sneak attack, so he didn't intend to hold it against him.

How much time do I have to prepare?

"I'm afraid it will only last one day."

“…Okay.” Chu Xunfeng stood up, and from beginning to end, he didn’t look at Zuo Feichen a second time.

Chapter 53, You Can't Protect Me

"I messed it up." In the study, as the footsteps coming from outside the door gradually faded, Zuo Feichen picked up his teacup with a helpless expression and turned his gaze to Yin Chen behind him.

“Chu Xunfeng did everything too well…” Yin Chen sighed, “Indeed, he messed things up. He shouldn’t have attracted attention so early.”

"Yin Chen, are you sure that Chu Xunfeng's situation is your mistake?" Zuo Feichen put down his teacup, his gaze fixed on the tranquil black eyes beneath Yin Chen's mask.

“Many things are beyond human calculation. As for Chu Xunfeng… who knows?” Yin Chen shrugged. “At least Chu Xunfeng handled the troubles at Longquan Sword Manor perfectly.”

“That’s why I don’t want to owe him anything.” Zuo Feichen squinted.

"Stop testing me. If it weren't for Chu Xunfeng, you wouldn't have been able to lead Longquan Sword Manor through this crisis so smoothly... You owe him a lot, and it won't be easy to pay it back." Yin Chen glanced down at Zuo Feichen. "I advise you not to do anything unnecessary and not to ruin our Dark Star Pavilion's important affairs."

"I know." Zuo Feichen nodded slightly. He closed his eyes, took a sip of tea, and when he opened his eyes again, the figure in the black robe behind him had already disappeared from the study.

With a slight sigh, Zuo Feichen remained silent and continued sipping his tea.

Just as Yin Chen said, this time he owed Chu Xunfeng a favor, and it was really not easy to repay it. Moreover, Chu Xunfeng probably didn't want to have anything to do with him anymore.

Difficult.

Zuo Feichen shook his head helplessly, deciding to wait and see if Chu Xunfeng would need his help tomorrow.

After leaving the study, Chu Xunfeng quickly returned to his residence and began packing his bags without saying a word. This unusual behavior left Ao Hanli, who was unaware of what had happened, full of doubts.

"What's going on? Why are you packing your things all of a sudden?" Ao Hanli looked at Chu Xunfeng, whose behavior was clearly off, and couldn't help but ask with concern, "What happened?"

"To put it simply, I've been sold out..." Chu Xunfeng was silent for a while, then sighed slightly. "I don't know whether I went too far or was too successful in what happened at Longquan Sword Manor. I'm afraid the Emperor of Xu Kingdom won't tolerate me anymore. He'll try to make trouble for my identity. Staying at Longquan Sword Manor is too dangerous. I have to run away."

Ao Hanli was stunned for a moment. She looked at Chu Xunfeng's seemingly unchanging poker face and remained silent for a while before suddenly speaking, "Can't Longquan Sword Manor protect you?"

Chu Xunfeng paused for a moment, then slowly raised his head and looked at the dragon girl standing behind him. After a long silence, he spoke softly, "It can't be saved. Not only Longquan Sword Manor, but even Baidi City, and even the demon race, can't be saved."

"This isn't about force; it's a matter of reputation." Chu Xunfeng withdrew his gaze and packed up the things he had prepared in advance, stuffing them into his storage magic treasure.

"What is the issue of prestige?"

"My identity is about to change, and I'll become a wanted criminal by the Xu Kingdom's court. Under these circumstances, neither the so-called White Emperor City nor the Dragon Spring Sword Manor can protect me from the identities of these independent sect cultivators." Chu Xunfeng chuckled. "You should also pack your things and prepare to leave. You don't really want to come with me to leave Blue Cang City this time, do you?"

Ao Hanli remained silent for a few seconds, then turned and left Chu Xunfeng's residence without a sound.

Chu Xunfeng didn't pay any attention; he assumed that Ao Hanli had gone to find her two friends from Lie Dao Manor.

After spending half an hour packing up, Chu Xunfeng poured himself a cup of tea and sat in the courtyard of the mansion, pondering the situation of Longquan Sword Manor and considering whether he had any backup plans.

Don't misunderstand, this is no longer about helping Longquan Sword Manor, but solely for Baidi City. After all, my series of plans have bound Longquan Sword Manor and Baidi City together. If this incident were to cause the whole thing to fall apart because of me, it would truly be a case of losing both my wife and my army.

As for Chu Xunfeng himself... well, that's about it, he should get used to it by now.

The young man sitting at the table gave a bitter smile. Although he had long considered this terrible situation, Chu Xunfeng did not expect it to come so quickly. His original plan was to wait until everything settled down before inviting Ao Hanli to tour the entire Blue Cang City.

After all, Ao Hanli had been hiding her identity at Longquan Sword Manor all this time. In order to protect her identity and position, Chu Xunfeng had not allowed Ao Hanli to participate in the whole matter... He was not blind or stupid, of course he knew that the Dragon Girl was very dissatisfied with his arrangements.

I had wanted to make it up to her, but now I think it's probably impossible.

With a slight sigh, after confirming several times that there were no more oversights in the plan, Chu Xunfeng got up to leave the residence. However, Ao Hanli, who had left earlier, suddenly returned. Not only did Ao Hanli return, but she also brought Xu Bailing and Yao Jiangshu, who looked hurried.

Surrounded by three women in the small building, Chu Xunfeng saw the anxious expressions of the two already injured women and the gloomy look on Ao Hanli's face. He couldn't help but smile bitterly, "Why are you doing this?"

"You think... it's unnecessary?" Xu Bailing narrowed her eyes slightly, her pupils reflecting the young man who looked like a stray dog.

"Junior brother, are you perhaps planning to find a few people tonight to give some instructions, and then leave Lancang City under the cover of night?" Yao Jiangshu pressed her chest, her voice muffled, and she had completely guessed Chu Xunfeng's thoughts.

“No doubt about it, that’s definitely what he was thinking.” Ao Hanli glanced at Chu Xunfeng, while Chu Xunfeng looked at the meddlesome Dragon Girl and couldn’t help but close his eyes and sigh.

After a brief silence, Chu Xunfeng opened his eyes, his expression returning to its usual calm and indifference. "Alright, Miss, Senior Sister, Hanli... have the three of you come up with any plans?"

“Come back to the Demon Clan with me.” Ao Hanli stared at Chu Xunfeng. “Or go to Baidi City with them.”

"The demon race is in dire need of rebuilding. Is it worth it to antagonize the Xu Kingdom for my sake? And secondly... is it worth it for me?" Chu Xunfeng's two questions left Ao Hanli speechless. Then, his gaze turned to the anxious young lady and her senior sister.

"As for Baidi City..." Chu Xunfeng sighed, "There are some things I don't want to say. Whether it's the young lady, my senior sister, or my master, they are all people I trust, but trusting these people doesn't mean I trust the entire Baidi City."

"Besides... don't forget, the Emperor of Xu Kingdom is exactly looking for an excuse to launch an attack on Baidi City. Is it worth it for me?"

The three girls were speechless and unable to respond after Chu Xunfeng's analysis.

Because what he said was indeed true.

But the more this happened, the more distressed the three girls felt.

Chapter 54, Prince Zou

Although it was the three of them who cornered Chu Xunfeng at his residence, Chu Xunfeng questioned them all at once, and the scene turned into one where he was the one who was full of momentum, while the three who came with great force were now being questioned like quails, shrinking their necks and unable to answer.

Why can't you answer?

Because Chu Xunfeng's analysis was completely accurate, neither Baidi City nor the demon race had any reason to fight to the death with Xu Kingdom for Chu Xunfeng's sake.

On the other hand, Chu Xunfeng really doesn't have that value.

“…It’s like this again.” Xu Bailing gritted her teeth, her red lips uttering a word of resentment on behalf of Chu Xunfeng.

Chu Xunfeng's eyes flickered slightly, but in the end he said nothing, only smiled and said, "Well, some things are perhaps destined from the beginning. I have no choice in where I was born, and I can't help being implicated by it."

Ao Hanli gazed intently at the helpless, yet more so relieved and powerless, smile on Chu Xunfeng's face. She opened her mouth, a thought forming in her mind—a thought that could help Chu Xunfeng—but... should she really say it aloud? In front of Xu Bailing...?

Chu Xunfeng definitely wouldn't agree to that.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Ao Hanli noticed Chu Xunfeng's questioning gaze. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, and looked up at the young man. "If you agree to the matter that Mother Queen mentioned to you, the entire Dragon Clan, and even the entire Demon Clan, can be your support."

One sentence made the two people from Baidi City, who were confused, turn their attention to Ao Hanli. Seeing that the Dragon Girl was very serious, the two looked at each other and then turned their gaze to the silent Chu Xunfeng.

Seeing that Chu Xunfeng remained silent, Xu Bailing grew anxious and couldn't help but ask, "What exactly do you mean? Did the Azure Dragon God Lord say anything to you before?"

“If I join the Dragon Clan and become the son of a God, the Demon Clan will naturally do everything in their power to protect me, without a doubt. But…” Chu Xunfeng looked at Ao Hanli, seeing the unease hidden beneath the Dragon Girl’s resolute gaze, and shook his head with a smile. “I’ve been through this before. Having suffered once, how could I possibly suffer a second time?”

After a brief silence, Ao Hanli sighed and gave up trying to persuade her. "Is there really no other way?"

"I have no ideas, and there's nothing you can do. There really isn't anything we can do." Chu Xunfeng shook his head. "That's it then, I accept it."

"Chu Xunfeng." Xu Bailing suddenly took a few steps forward. The young lady tilted her head slightly and stared at the young man's indifferent face. "Do you still remember what happened between us in that cave?"

Chu Xunfeng was stunned for a while before he nodded slightly, "...Mm."

“It’s been more than half a year since then, and you seem to have not changed at all.” Xu Bailing looked at Chu Xunfeng’s face. “I have become completely different from before, but you seem to have not changed much. You still don’t care about yourself and value others more.”

"Actually, I have changed a bit." Chu Xunfeng raised his hand and patted the young lady's head. "It's just that I feel that even if I show those feelings, it won't make any difference. It won't change anything, so I'll just keep them to myself."

Xu Bailing could sense the helplessness and pain in Chu Xunfeng's heart. She opened her arms, stepped forward and hugged Chu Xunfeng, then took a step back after the hug. "Is there anything we can do to help you?"

Chu Xunfeng was silent for a while before slowly nodding. "Yes, protect yourselves. The situation in Baidi City is very dangerous. There are traitors inside and the emperor outside... Be very careful."

"Then..." Chu Xunfeng's gaze turned to Ao Hanli, "Hanli, thank you for being willing to help me. I owe you this trip to Lancang. I will make it up to you when I have the chance. After returning to the demon race, remind the Snake King not to get too close to the Xu Kingdom's royal family. The enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend."

"Hmm." Ao Hanli pursed her lips and nodded slightly. "What about the others?"

Chu Xunfeng paused for a moment, then smiled and shook his head, "Then there really is nothing that can help me."

"After all that talk, it's still our own business. How can we help you?" Yao Jiangshu looked at her junior brother's face, which showed no signs of childishness at all. "Since there's nothing I can do to help you, then I'll trouble you to do me a favor."

Chu Xunfeng was taken aback. He hadn't expected his senior sister to need his help. Without much thought, he nodded and agreed, "No problem, senior sister, what is it?"

“Take care of yourself. We haven’t received any information, but you know that the Emperor of Xu is going to deal with you. In short, you have some intelligence channels, right?” The senior sister patted her junior brother’s shoulders hard. “Remember, you are still Xu Jiujing’s disciple. If you really can’t handle things outside, you can always run to your master for help.”

"Coming to the Wild Swamp Wetlands is fine too, Mother will help you." Ao Hanli smiled at Chu Xunfeng. "In short, don't worry about us."

Chu Xunfeng stared intently at the three women standing before him, then finally let out a long breath, "I understand, then..."

"I go first."

The three girls blocking the doorway stepped aside. None of them spoke; they simply watched Chu Xunfeng walk out of the small building and watch the young man's figure gradually disappear into the darkness.

"They're gone..." The soft sigh drew the attention of both Xu Bailing and Ao Hanli to Yao Jiangshu, whose smile had faded.

A sense of powerlessness gradually rose in the hearts of the two, accompanied by Yao Jiangshu's sighs.

Yes, a sense of powerlessness.

Ultimately, it all comes down to their respective insufficient weight to shift the balance of interests.

Meanwhile, Chu Xunfeng, who was about to leave Longquan Sword Manor, was stopped by someone: Zuo Feichen, the master of Longquan Sword Manor.

Facing Zuo Feichen blocking his way, Chu Xunfeng raised his hand in a gesture of respect, "I was just about to flee for my life. I wonder if Master Zuo has any orders for me in blocking my way?"

Zuo Feichen looked embarrassed for a moment, but quickly calmed down. "I dare not give orders, but I have some news that I think you might be interested in."

"News?" Chu Xunfeng squinted.

Chu Xunfeng was wary of the information the Dark Star Pavilion had given him. "Yes, it's about the decline of the Chu family. The Chu family was exterminated and their property confiscated for the crime of deceiving the emperor. And twenty years ago, your father, Chu Qiuci, who committed the crime of deceiving the emperor, was a student of the Minister of Rites."

"Minister of Rites..." Chu Xunfeng narrowed his eyes, "You want to lure me to the capital?"

“No, the Minister of Rites isn’t someone you can just get close to by going to the capital.” Zuo Feichen shook his head. “I suggest you try your luck in the ghost town of the Black Forest.”