Chapter 2683: Source

If social media existed in this world, this matter would undoubtedly be at the top of the trending list these days.

Both Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue are among the world's most formidable experts. One is the foremost figure of the Daoist sect, the other the leader of the Demonic Cult. Coupled with their peerless beauty, both are incredibly popular.

Yan Xuehen, needless to say, is universally recognized as the dream woman for men of all ages. If Yu Yanluo was once the public's sweetheart in the mortal world, then Yan Xuehen is the cultivation world's darling.

Yun Jianyue also boasts a large following. Among the Demonic Cult, the underworld, evil sects, and various clandestine organizations, she is revered as the supreme goddess. In fact, even within the righteous sects, many are drawn to her beauty and charm, as she is renowned for her seductive arts. When she first ventured into the martial world, she manipulated countless young heroes of the righteous path, turning them into pitiful fools. Though many know her to be a poisonous rose, her allure is so captivating that even aware of the danger, people cannot resist her. In the dead of night, countless individuals secretly fantasized about her. However, bound by the principle that good and evil cannot coexist, many, despite their inner admiration, dared not openly express it. This created the false impression that her reputation among men was slightly less than Yan Xuehen's.

Such extraordinary women of the world, were either of them to be taken, it would be explosive news. Now, it's simultaneously revealed that both of them are taken. And that man is the same person! What's even more outrageous is that the man is also the husband of their respective disciples! Any one of these revelations alone would have been enough to cause an uproar in the cultivation world and among nations worldwide. What then, when they are all revealed at once?

The entire capital was stunned, taking a long time to recover. The first question everyone asked upon meeting was, "Have you seen it?" Not to mention the court officials, even the street vendors and porters were buzzing with discussions. In the taverns, groups of people could be seen periodically arguing heatedly, their faces flushed:

"Fake, it must be fake! How could an immortal maiden like Temple Master Yan fall in love with a man?"

"Even an immortal maiden is still a woman. The Regent is a rare and extraordinary man in this world, so what's strange about her falling for him?"

"It would be one thing if it were another man, but the Regent is the husband of her personal disciple! How could Temple Master Yan steal her disciple's man?"

"What's strange about that? Look at what's recorded in historical texts: in imperial inner courts and noble households, sisters sharing a husband or an aunt and niece sharing a husband were considered admirable. Why should it be any different for master and disciple?"

"Your thinking is truly depraved, shameless, and vulgar!"

"Haha, you're just naive. You only see romance and think the man is gaining something. But historically, for those sisters, aunts, and nieces, wasn't it always the woman's family choosing to tie down the man for a share of family property? The current Regent's achievements and power are unprecedented, and he's also famously promiscuous. So, White Jade Capital merely putting forward a Saintess might not have been enough to win against other competitors. Therefore, Temple Master Yan stepping in, with master and disciple joining forces, increases their chances. You wouldn't understand the complexities behind this."

"Oh, you're such a know-it-all! Is Temple Master Yan one of those vulgar women?"

The two quickly came to blows over their disagreement. Supporters of each viewpoint stepped forward to assist, and soon the tavern erupted into chaos. Such scenes were playing out everywhere in the capital and surrounding prefectures. Furthermore, the content of these storybooks spread rapidly throughout the land.

At Chu Manor, Chu Youzhao indignantly complained, "I used to admire Temple Master Yan so much! I can't believe she would steal my sister's man while she was away!"

Chu Huanzhao, for once, agreed with her: "Exactly! It's all because Brother-in-law is too excellent; those vixens are all trying every way to pounce on him." Fuming at the thought of her brother-in-law being stolen by other women, she pulled out her Whip of Wailing and flicked it a few times, producing loud cracks in the air. Had she not known better than to challenge Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue, she would probably have confronted them immediately.

Meanwhile, Murong Qinghe, who was nearby, advised, "Those are just rumors from storybooks; they might not be true. Don't be impulsive."

"I wonder which black-hearted scoundrels wrote these storybooks. Don't let me find them, or I'll make them taste the power of my whip!" Chu Huanzhao tugged her whip, muttering indignantly, "They fabricate so many romantic stories about Brother-in-law, but why don't they ever fabricate any about his sister-in-law?"

Chu Youzhao immediately countered, "Who says there aren't any? Like that one…" She almost pulled out a few treasured volumes from her room.

Chu Huanzhao snorted, "Those are old storybooks from ages ago. There haven't been any decent new ones in the past two years, and they all focus on other women anyway."

Murong Qinghe, standing nearby, wore an exceedingly strange expression. Logically, given her current status, hearing these discussions about "the husband" should have made her angry. However, thinking of Brother-in-law, her heart couldn't help but stir. Brother-in-law truly is an exceptional man; no wonder so many women are smitten with him.

In the academy's back mountain, several master instructors gathered in a secret room, seemingly discussing an important matter. Qi Yaoguang sighed inwardly. Her fellow instructors, each burdened with numerous research projects, rarely found it easy to gather, and there were often latecomers. Today, however, everyone arrived promptly, their faces alight with gossip.

"Do you think the rumors about the Regent, Temple Master Yan, and Cult Master Yun are true?" Seeing that her older colleagues were hesitant to speak, Qi Yaoguang decided to break the ice herself.

"Probably just those booksellers making things up to earn money," said Seventh Senior Brother Wang Shuyang, displeased. Having received guidance from the Regent which opened up unprecedented opportunities in his agricultural research, and being a loyal and honest man, he instinctively felt someone was slandering Zu An.

"Not so, not so," Eleventh Master Yin Shi stroked his beard. "If those booksellers were truly fabricating these stories randomly, how could they be so vivid and lifelike? Many details are unknown even to us, yet they appear so logical. It's truly peculiar."

"Hmph, what's so strange about it? This must be true. That little pervert..." Seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, Second Senior Brother Ji Dengtu stopped himself mid-sentence. "His character is well-known. How could he possibly pass up stunning beauties like Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue?" Back then, that fellow used to send him those premium storybooks; who knows how much paper he wasted. Speaking of which, these current storybooks are all "leftovers" from someone named Zu. He even suspects that perhaps the Regent himself wrote these stories, deliberately leaking information. "I must ensure Xiao Xi stays far away from him. Xiao Xi is as pure as a little white flower; how could she ever contend with a seasoned player like him?"

"But Temple Master Yan and Cult Master Yun have special statuses, and their disciples are also publicly in a relationship with the Regent. This matter is still somewhat inconceivable," Fifth Senior Brother Heibaizi said, continuously twirling a Go piece between his fingers, clearly indicating his mind was unsettled.

"What's there to be troubled about?" Fourth Master Shen Xuzi grumbled from his wheelchair. "Just go ask him directly!"

Everyone rolled their eyes. As expected, Shen Xuzi was only accustomed to dealing with automatons.

Qi Yaoguang looked at Yan Xiangu: "Senior Brother, we could actually ask Xie Daoyun." After all, she's in a relationship with the Regent and has been with him all these years.

"That might not be appropriate..." Yan Xiangu said, but still lit a talisman and summoned Xie Daoyun. The others secretly chuckled, surprised that even their usually rigid Senior Brother was curious about this matter.

Xie Daoyun quickly arrived. Upon hearing their question, her small face instantly flushed crimson. "I don't know either!"

Inside the Imperial Palace, Bi Linglong's face was stern. "Have the origins of those storybooks been thoroughly investigated? Who exactly is behind this?!"

"They've been investigated," Zhang Zitong reported from below, her expression peculiar. "However, the storybooks seem to have originated from the academy."