Chapter 2686: Select One

The public controversy has intensified in recent days, quickly spreading across the land. There was much discussion, with all sorts of opinions circulating. Some called Yan Xuehen shameless, while others claimed Yun Jianyue was indeed a demonic witch and the true culprit behind everything. However, most people doubted the authenticity of the entire affair.

Many began to refute these stories, claiming they were full of errors and inconsistencies, clearly designed to grab attention. Of course, many also believed these stories were true. Opinions swayed back and forth, with one prevailing for a time before another took its place.

While some curious individuals wanted to verify the truth, no one dared to approach Yun Jianyue or Yan Xuehen. People feared approaching Yun Jianyue due to her notorious reputation, worried that asking about the rumors would lead to their demise. As for Yan Xuehen, many were too respectful of her to question her, and those who were not couldn't even find her.

Consequently, everyone turned to Zu An for verification. Overwhelmed by the constant questioning, Zu An left this troublesome place under the pretext of a diplomatic mission to the demon race. At that point, neither admitting nor denying the rumors would have been appropriate. This only made people even more uncertain.

People had initially dismissed the stories as false, but after a long period without any refutation from the individuals involved, and no action from either the palace or the academy, doubts began to creep in. Some truly clever people began to catch on, wondering if the three of them truly had an affair.

Unfortunately, the general public had limited access to information, and human nature tends to believe what it wants to believe. Thus, under the covert manipulation of Pei Mianman's online influencers, most people continued to believe the rumors were false. However, having grown accustomed to discussing the trio's romantic entanglements in their daily lives, it was likely that even if the truth were eventually exposed, people would instinctively dismiss it as just another attention-grabbing tactic from a publisher and wouldn't take it too seriously. Even if the truth were eventually revealed, this love triangle had been discussed for so long that people had grown accustomed to it. Therefore, the extreme negative public opinion Zu An initially feared, which could adversely affect Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue, was unlikely to emerge.

Whenever he thought of this, Zu An couldn't help but marvel at Manman's genius for devising such a method to resolve a long-standing deadlock. All that remained was to resolve the emotional entanglement between Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue. But would that truly be so easy to resolve?

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue were extraordinary women. After the initial shock, shame, anger, and panic, they gradually came to their senses. This inexplicable public uproar had emerged strangely. While outsiders didn't know the truth of the stories, how could Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue not? Initially, the stories contained thirty percent truth mixed with seventy percent falsehoods. Later, they were ninety percent false with ten percent truth. The crucial point was that outsiders could not possibly have known that small kernel of truth unless they were insiders. Combining this with various recent events, it was clear that someone was secretly orchestrating everything from behind the scenes.

So they both began to ponder the same question: Who was behind all of this? After much thought, their suspicions ultimately fell on Zu An. Only he fit all the criteria for being the mastermind! As for the motive, it was easy to deduce from the stories circulated during this period: it was clearly to bring their relationship into the open someday.

If their own affairs were true, then were the stories about the Demonic Witch (Ice Maiden) also true? They didn't go to Zu An for verification, as the nature of the stories made it somewhat shameful to meet him individually. Moreover, they believed that even if they asked, he wouldn't betray another woman. Since that was the case, it would be better to ask the source directly.

The two women, by coincidence, both set out to find each other. They met along the way, were initially surprised, and then shared a moment of realization. "Demonic witch," Yan Xuehen began, taking a deep breath and getting straight to the point, "things have come to this. I'll ask you one thing: Are you and Zu An truly involved?"

Yun Jianyue hesitated for a moment. Previously, she would never have admitted it, but now that the other woman was likely in the same situation, what was the point of continuing to hide it? She had initially thought that as a demonic witch, she could freely mock Yan Xuehen, the immortal maiden, for being in the same predicament. However, public opinion had already exploded these past few days, and what she wanted to mock had already been said countless times by others. More importantly, many more people were speaking up for Yan Xuehen. Further mockery would be meaningless, so she frankly admitted, "Yes, and you?"

Yan Xuehen remained silent, and after a moment, simply hummed in affirmation. A trace of anger flashed in her heart. So it was true; that fellow A-Zu had kept so much from her.

Yun Jianyue's eyes also narrowed. Zu An had indeed been involved with Yan Xuehen for a long time and had kept it hidden from her all this time, essentially treating her like a fool just recently. Yan Xuehen sighed softly. "Demonic witch," she said, "for all these years we've been competing and fighting, someone has simply been watching our antics in secret."

Yun Jianyue was equally annoyed. "So those stories these past few days were also his doing?" she fumed.

"Most likely," Yan Xuehen replied, her face as cold as frost. Both women now had a burning rage that needed to be vented. No wonder that fellow had run off to the demon race; he was clearly escaping trouble.

"What do you intend to do?" Yun Jianyue asked in a low voice.

"I plan to go to the demon race and demand an explanation from him!" Yan Xuehen said coldly.

"Good, he certainly owes us an explanation!" Yun Jianyue's teeth gnashed. "Shall we go now?"

Yan Xuehen nodded slightly, then soared straight into the sky, flying rapidly towards the northern demon race territory. Yun Jianyue lightly touched her toes, also flying alongside Yan Xuehen, not falling behind by even half a step. Along the way, both women several times wanted to speak but stopped themselves, feeling that the atmosphere had never been so awkward. They had fought each other their entire lives, yet never expected to end up sharing the same man!

Finally, Yun Jianyue was the first to break the silence: "When did you two get together?" Yan Xuehen blushed. She didn't want to share such private matters with an outsider. "Go ask him yourself," she retorted. Yun Jianyue raised an eyebrow. This girl was as annoying as ever.

"Fine," Yun Jianyue said, her expression cold. "This time, we'll ask him directly whom he chooses, and that will bring an end to our years of rivalry." She had fought the Ice Maiden her entire life; was she now expected to share a husband and become sisters with her? That was absolutely impossible! Although she knew in her heart that men seemed more drawn to the Ice Maiden's type, and if it came down to a choice, Zu An was more likely to choose her than herself. But what of it? She had her pride and would lose with dignity.

Yan Xuehen was startled, never expecting the other woman to play such a high-stakes game. Did she truly believe Zu An would choose her? After a moment of silence, she said, "Then there's no need to choose. I'll withdraw. It was never possible between him and me anyway."

Yun Jianyue was furious. "Ice Maiden, what do you mean by that!" she snapped. "A win is a win, a loss is a loss. Who asked you to concede?"

Yan Xuehen calmly replied, "I don't want to compete with you on this matter." Yun Jianyue fell silent. She, too, hardly wanted to compete with Yan Xuehen on this matter. It was all that rotten brat's fault!

"Are you afraid of losing to me?"

"Ridiculous, me, afraid of you?" Yan Xuehen retorted, finding it difficult to remain calm when their rivalry was invoked. "But with your temperament, are you truly willing to be picked and chosen by him like this?"

"That's simple enough," Yun Jianyue said, her expression cold. "Once he makes his choice and we determine the winner and loser between us, then the winner can just dump him, right?"

Yan Xuehen was somewhat surprised. Indeed, that was the Demon Sect Matriarch, daring in both love and hate. After a moment of silence, she also nodded and said, "Alright!"

Both women, furious and burdened with heavy thoughts, flew at full speed and finally found the culprit in the Demon Royal Court. Zu An was originally chatting with the Little Demon Queen about everything that had happened since their separation years ago when he suddenly had a premonition and prepared himself in advance. Sure enough, not long after, two stunningly beautiful women appeared before him.

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue glanced at the Little Demon Queen standing nearby. Seeing that her clothes were neat, their expressions relaxed slightly. Then, without further ado, they looked directly at Zu An and got straight to the point: "Choose one!"