Although such injuries are not fatal for a grandmaster like him, his combat strength will not be able to return to its peak for a short period of time.
Zuan hesitated for a moment, his hand gripping Jian Taiding's pulse. If he used the Gluttonous Devouring Heaven Technique, there was a high probability that he would drain the opponent dry, thus violently resolving the crisis in Yunzhong County.
However, he eventually gave up this tempting idea. Firstly, with so many people watching, if the Taotie Devouring Heaven Technique were exposed, it would be regarded as a public enemy by all cultivators in the world. After all, no one wants to spend their whole life cultivating only to benefit someone else in the end.
Secondly, Jian Taiding has many subordinates, and the entire governor's mansion now has countless confidants. Zu'an does not want to repeat the mistake of Emperor Xiaozhuang of Northern Wei, Yuan Ziyou, who was killed by the enemy's subordinates after killing Quan Cheng Erzhu Rong.
Just then, the doctor arrived, and Zu'an took the opportunity to release Jian Taiding's hand: "Let your second brother rest well. I'll take care of things at home, so don't worry."
The others agreed, and Zu'an returned to his room with Yu Yanluo.
By this time, most of the items in the room had been changed. After inquiring with Gong Pan, it turned out that there was nothing of value. Even the confidential documents were only related to the Governor's Office and did not involve Jian Yanyou or the demon race.
Yu Yanluo visibly breathed a sigh of relief when she told him to stand guard outside: "You've passed the first test. Your performance was much better than I expected."
"It's all thanks to Madam's excellent guidance," Zu An said with a smile.
Yu Yanlu rolled her eyes at him, annoyed: "I didn't teach you to hug me."
Zuan said seriously, "In the situation just now, everyone doubted my identity. It was that hug that made everyone believe me."
Yu Yanluo spat out, "Pah, talking nonsense with a straight face."
Hearing her annoyed tone, Zu An checked the keyboard system backend and found that he hadn't received any anger points from her, which made him smile knowingly.
The two chatted for a while, and soon someone outside announced that Sang Hong and others had come to see them.
Zuan was startled, never expecting to meet him under these circumstances.
Yu Yanluo explained, "You are now a duke. It's expected that they would come to visit you now that you've returned. Don't worry. Even the people here can't see anything unusual about you, so these outsiders certainly won't. Just follow our training."
Zu An nodded and had someone invite them to the reception room. Yu Yanluo, who preferred quiet, simply waited near the reception room and did not go with him to meet the people.
Upon arriving at the reception hall, Zu An discovered that not only Sang Hong had arrived, but also Prefect Xu Yu, City Lord Pei Shao, and even members of the Yu family, including the two old brothers Yu Xuanqing and Yu Xuansu, one from the Prefectural Governor's Office and the other from the Governor's Office, each accompanied by numerous colleagues.
A group of people were shocked to see Zuan and congratulated him, wishing him a safe return.
Then they began to ask him where he had been during his disappearance. Zuan shook his head: "I was seriously injured before and recuperated in a secret cave in the deep mountains. I barely survived. I have lost some of my memories and I can't remember why I disappeared."
Upon hearing his answer, the officials reacted in various ways. The less intelligent ones wondered what kind of expert could have injured the Duke so badly, while the more intelligent ones began to wonder whether he was simply injured and didn't remember, or whether he was deliberately concealing what had happened.
Regardless of the type, there's a lot of room for imagination behind it.
Some people even doubted his identity, but the person opposite him was exactly the same as Jian Yanyou in their memories. Although there are disguise techniques in the world, they could never do it to this extent.
Sang Hong breathed a sigh of relief. With the Duke of Yunzhong back, the situation in Yunzhong would be greatly alleviated, and the Prince of Yan's army would not have to launch a major offensive.
However, the Emperor's desire to strip the Jian and Yu families of their power has now become somewhat difficult.
Taking the opportunity, Zu'an started talking about the soldiers guarding outside the residence and, in the name of the governor, lifted the blockade.
This makes it easier for the imperial envoy to carry out its duties.
Sang Hong was both surprised and delighted, and quickly expressed his gratitude.
After seeing them off, Zuan and Yu Yanluo reunited.
Because she was worried about Zu'an, Yu Yanluo stayed at the mansion.
She was a duchess, and she already had her own courtyard in this house, so it wasn't unusual for her to move in.
She then instructed Zu'an to summon Jian Yanyou's former confidant, since he was now a lone commander and not yet capable of dealing with Jian Taiding.
Once he regains control of the Governor's Office, Jian Taiding will be at his mercy.
In Jian Taiding's room, Jian Taiding had already gotten up and sat on the edge of the bed, his face pale and gloomy.
“That imposter is gathering his former confidants,” Uncle Ming said, sitting on a small stool to the side. As the steward of the manor, he was well aware of all the affairs, big and small. “Moreover, Madam Yu has also moved into the manor. You know, she never used to stay overnight here. It seems that this imposter was probably brought here by her.”
"They must be worried we'll harm that guy," Jian Taiding thought. In the past, he would probably have fainted with excitement upon learning that his stunningly beautiful sister-in-law was staying at the mansion, but now he had no such thoughts. "How's the investigation going?"
Uncle Ming shook his head: "I've sent the maids and servants who used to serve him to investigate. The imposter looks exactly like the master, and now almost everyone in the mansion believes it."
"Could it be that my elder brother has come back to life?" Jian Taiding felt a chill run down his spine. After all, in his knowledge, there was no such magical method of disguise in the world, and his sister-in-law did not have the ability to find such a person.
Uncle Ming glanced at him indifferently: "Does Second Master think it's possible? After all, we saw it with our own eyes..."
Jian Taiding nodded: "That's right, that guy must be an imposter, but it's no use just that we know. After all, we can't tell the truth. We need to find other evidence."
Uncle Ming said with a forced smile, "Second Master, have you forgotten that you have a few more sisters-in-law? You can pretend to be the same with the others, but you can't possibly be exactly the same in bed, can you?"
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