In the coming days, the discussion about the novels only intensified, and it spread like wildfire across the world. All manner of talk and rumors surfaced. Some said Yan Xuehen was shameless. Some remarked that Yun Jianyue was a demoness and the root behind this mess. Quite a few people questioned the novels’ veracity, pointing out they were riddled with flaws and claiming that they were written just to draw attention. But others thought the novels were true.
A few nosy people wanted to investigate the truth, but none dared to confront Yun Jianyue and Yan Xuehen for it. The former was notorious; only those with a death wish would dare ask her such a question. The latter had a reputation to uphold, so people couldn’t bear to ask her. Of course, some didn't care about her reputation, but they couldn’t find her.
So, people sought verification from Zu An instead.
Annoyed by the questions, Zu An escaped the mess under the pretext of paying a visit to the Fiend races. Neither confessing nor denying the matter would be right at this juncture anyway.
But that only made the crowd speculate more. Those who believed the novels to be fake were baffled that no one had stepped forward to suppress the rumors, be it the people in question, the imperial palace, or the academy.
The smarter ones slowly realized the truth. Could there be something among the three of them?
The bulk of the populace, however, didn’t have access to as much information, and most people would only believe such a matter to be true if they saw it with their own eyes.
Under Pei Mianman’s media manipulation, most people still believed the novels to be fake. Furthermore, there were so many discussions and conspiracies surrounding the trio that if the truth ever came to light, they would likely just shrug it off as another attempt to draw attention. Even if the truth eventually came to light, this three-sided relationship would be so over-discussed that there wouldn’t be any overly extreme criticisms directed at Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue anymore.
Zu An was awed. Manman is truly a prodigy. She found a solution to a problem that has confounded me for so long. All that’s left is to untangle the knots in Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue’s hearts.
But this won’t be easy either...
Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue were extremely smart individuals. After the initial shock, humiliation, anger, fear, and all sorts of emotions, they slowly regained themselves and noticed something amiss.
Outsiders wouldn't know whether the novels’ content was real or not, but the two of them knew better. The initial books were 30% truth mixed with 70% falsehood, but the sequels became 10% truth and 90% falsehoods.
It must be an inside job—outsiders wouldn’t have known such details about us. Clearly, someone is plotting something. But who could be behind this?
Naturally, the first person who came to mind was Zu An. He was the most likely mastermind behind this mess! His motive was also clear. It was to first deliver a strong shock to numb the crowd, so they could stand together under broad daylight one day.
If the details about me are real, the details about the demoness (ice sculpture) must be real too, right?
They didn’t seek Zu An for confirmation as they were still reeling from embarrassment. Besides, they figured that Zu An would feign ignorance and not betray them to the other party, and vice-versa.
Since that was the case, it would be easier to just ask each other. So, they each headed out to confront each other, only to bump into the other midway. They were initially taken aback, but they quickly realized what was going on.
“Things have already gotten to this point, so I’ll get to the point. Are the details surrounding Zu An and you true?” Yan Xuehen asked directly.
Yun Jianyue hesitated. She normally wouldn’t have admitted to it, but it couldn’t be more obvious that Yan Xuehen was in the same plight as her—they were both just short of the final confirmation. There wasn't much point in denying it anymore. She had thought she could mock Yan Xuehen over this matter, but the world had already rained all kinds of criticisms on them. To make things worse, most people favored Yan Xuehen. There was no point in further mocking Yan Xuehen when both of them had heard it all.
So, she frankly admitted to it and said, “That’s right. What about you?”
There was a moment of silence before Yan Xuehen replied with a subtle “Mm”.
I knew it! Ah Zu has been with her for some time now, but he kept it from me! I must have looked like a fool in his eyes! Yun Jianyue narrowed her eyes.
Yan Xuehen sighed. “Demoness, we've been so busy fighting between us that we didn’t know someone else was watching us make a fool out of ourselves from the shadows.”
Yun Jianyue felt vexed too. “Was he behind the novels too?”
“Most likely so.” Yan Xuehen’s eyes turned cold.
The two women each felt anger surging in their chest. No wonder he escaped to the Fiend races' side! He’s avoiding us!
“What do you intend to do?” Yun Jianyue asked.
“I’ll be making a trip to the Fiend races to demand an explanation,” Yan Xuehen replied coldly.
“Yes, he owes us an explanation!” Yun Jianyue clenched her teeth. “Shall we head off now?”
Yan Xuehen nodded. She flashed into the sky and rushed to the northern Fiend races. Yun Jianyue kicked off the ground and flew alongside Yan Xuehen, not lagging behind in the slightest.
Both of them kept opening and closing their mouths hesitantly along the way. They had never felt so awkward before. After fighting for their entire lives, they would never have thought that they would end up with the same man!
Yun Jianyue was the one who broke the silence in the end. “When did you get with him?”
Yan Xuehen’s face reddened. She wasn’t fond of sharing such private details. “You ask him.”
Yun Jianyue’s eyebrows shot up. This woman is as hateful as ever.
“Fine. I’ll ask him in person. Let’s see who he chooses. This should draw the curtains on our many years of enmity,” Yun Jianyue sneered. You want me to share a husband and become sisters with this ice sculpture? Dream on!
She knew that men preferred Yan Xuehen’s type, so it was more likely for Zu An to choose Yan Xuehen over her. But so what? Even if I lose, I shall lose with my head held high.
Yan Xuehen was taken aback. She hadn't thought Yun Jianyue would go this far. Is she that confident that Zu An would choose her? After a brief silence, she said, “Don’t bother, I’ll back out. Things have never been possible between him and me.”
She didn’t want to just be a choice for someone, and she had never planned to openly be with Zu An either. Thus, she figured it would be best for her to quietly back out.
Yun Jianyue was infuriated. “What do you mean by this, ice sculpture? A win is a win; a loss is a loss. I don’t need your charity!”
Yan Xuehen calmly replied, “I don’t want to compete with you in this.”
Yun Jianyue suddenly fell silent. She felt the same way too. That bastard is at fault! “Aren’t you just afraid of losing to me?”
“I’m afraid of losing to you? What a joke.” Yan Xuehen could never remain calm when it came to her rivalry with Yun Jianyue. “You’re a proud person. Are you truly willing to become a choice for him?”
“That’s simple. We’ll let him determine the victor between us first before dumping him,” Yun Jianyue coldly replied.
Yan Xuehen was taken aback. As expected of the master of the Devil Sect! She considered it for a while before nodding. “Alright.”
The two women angrily flew toward the Fiend races’ imperial court to look for Zu An. Their hearts were heavier than ever.
Zu An was busy catching up with the little Fiend Empress when he sensed something and mentally prepared himself for what was about to come. Shortly after, two beautiful women appeared before him.
Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue glanced at the little Fiend Empress. Their complexions alleviated a little when they saw she was properly dressed. They turned to Zu An and got to the point.
“Choose one.”