“Tsk, see, big sis? Didn’t I say this guy had no conscience? He wouldn’t look for us unless he needed something,” Dark Jing harrumphed and said with a sneer.

As she looked at Zu An, White Jing Teng’s expression also became a bit colder.

“Things really have been way too dangerous as of late. It's already been many days since I was able to sleep…” Zu An quickly explained what he'd experienced to them before adding, “I know I’ve neglected the two of you. I really am sorry.”

“You actually went to the Monster World!” White Jing Teng looked shocked as she said, “No wonder I sensed a disgusting energy as soon as I woke up.”

Zu An was a bit moved. After all, Jing Teng had been seriously injured and had to sleep a lot to slowly recover, and yet she'd appeared as soon as he came in. That meant she was really happy that he'd arrived and had woken up to meet him. And yet, he'd never visited them all this time. He really was behaving like a scumbag.

“And that Annihilation Beast or whatever, it sounds fun just hearing about it.” Dark Jing Teng frowned. “But I’m injured right now and am not at my strongest, or else even if there were several of those things, I’d have easily defeated them.”

Zu An was surprised. He knew that the sisters were strong, but he hadn’t expected them to be this strong! After all, this Monster World was so powerful, and yet they'd been pressured to the brink of extinction. But she was saying that she could defeat several of them?

After thinking about it for a bit, though, he recalled that the mysterious great tomb seemed to have suppressed a lot of really powerful beings. Once he realized that, it made more sense.

“Then aren’t you in a lot of danger right now?” White Jing Teng didn’t speak as much as her little sister, but she was more considerate.

“Even though it was a bit dangerous, it should be okay. However, I do need the two of you to help me a bit,” Zu An said.

White Jing Teng was about to say something when Dark Jing Teng sneered and said, “Hmph, I have to sleep for ten years to make up for helping you last time. You said you were going to use yin and yang dual cultivation to help us recover, and yet we haven’t seen any sign of you at all. We haven’t even settled the bill for the last time, but you’re already asking for our help again? I’m not doing it! Or else I’ll be completely sucked dry by you.”

Zu An was a bit embarrassed. As of late, his behavior had indeed been a bit dishonest. Even though he had… helped the two of them once, later, he'd ended up with all sorts of things to worry about and never found the free time to do so again.

White Jing Teng said, “Don’t listen to little sister. Since you're in danger, of course we're going to help.”

Zu An was really happy to hear this. “Thank you!”

It really is the big sister who is better at understanding others after all.

Dark Jing Teng gritted her teeth.

I’m always playing the villain, and she's always pretending to be a good person. She really is two-faced…

She was about to say something when she suddenly heard what Zu An was asking them for. Her eyes lit up. “Hm? That sounds fun! You should’ve told me sooner. I’m up for it!”

Zu An was speechless. When he saw how spirited she was, he even started to feel a bit of regret. He really hoped she wouldn't end up causing any trouble!

It would be really great if it was just White Jing Teng who was helping.

Of course, he knew that the two sisters were now sharing this body and that they couldn't be separated at all. Helpless to do anything else, he could only share the details with both of them. “This is the current plan…”

…

In the following days, Zu An continued to create the transport formation in a hidden place. He was incredibly busy one day, but someone suddenly reported that the Monster Lord had ordered for the palace emissary to bring Pei Mianman and the others away.

He quickly rushed back. Jiang Luofu was already waiting for him and said when he arrived, “Ah Zu, Xiaoxi and the others have been taken away by the palace emissary!”

Zu An quickly looked around. There wasn’t a single one of the others left apart from Jiang Luofu. His face darkened. He looked at the remaining palace emissary and exclaimed, “What is going on here?!”

The palace emissary replied, “There was an intruder in the palace a few days ago. The lord has sent us to investigate. Even though we have captured some suspects, we have not captured the main culprit yet. The lord was worried about the saintesses’ safety, so he ordered for us to invite them to the palace as guests. That way, they wouldn’t be attacked by evildoers.”

Zu An thought to himself,

Like hell I’ll believe that!

He didn’t bother responding to the palace emissary. He told Jiang Luofu to hide in the True Demon territory while he went after the others.

The palace emissary stopped him. “Young master, please calm down. The saintesses have already arrived at the palace. Nothing will happen to them.”

Zu An’s expression became ice-cold. “Get lost!”

That palace emissary’s expression changed. With his identity, he would be treated carefully and respectfully no matter where he went. When had he ever been disrespected like this before?

You have successfully trolled the Palace Emissary for +444 +444 +444…

He was about to act up, but when he recalled the lord’s rage before he left, he forcefully endured his anger, stepped aside, and didn’t start a conflict.

Zu An quickly turned into a streak of light, rushing toward the palace.

The palace emissary narrowed his eyes. This Donaire seemed to be much stronger than the rumors suggested!

Hmph, but no matter how strong you are, you're no match for the lord. If you end up annoying the lord, we’ll see just how you’ll end up then!

While he was cursing Zu An behind his back, Zu An had already arrived at the palace to meet the Monster Lord.

The Monster Lord stroked the three heads of the strange bird by his feet. He asked calmly, “Why did you rush all the way here in such a panicked manner?”

Zu An carefully looked at him. Even though the Monster Lord looked like a small old man who never saw the sun, Zu An still didn’t dare to relax at all. With his current level of insight, he could see things that ordinary people couldn't.

The Monster Lord had demonic energy surging around his entire body like black clouds. The demonic energy was even gathering to form a menacing face that stared at Zu An, as if it was ready to swallow him up at any time.

Zu An replied, “Thank you for your concern, lord, but even though our True Demon race has fallen quite a bit, we should still be able to protect a few women. There is no need to trouble the lord for that; it would be best to save the lord’s forces for catching the true rebels.”

“The true rebels?” The Monster Lord laughed. “Who do you think those true rebels are? Salamay?”

“Salamay is naturally one of them, but there are also the ones who broke into the treasury a few days ago. They are clearly no pushovers. The palace has so many powerful experts, and yet not only did they successfully break in, they even achieved their objectives and left. This subordinate is slow-witted and truly cannot imagine who in this entire palace has this level of ability.”

Zu An sneered inwardly and thought,

If it wasn’t because I just happened to know the truth, I might really have been completely fooled by this Monster Lord.

I can use the fact that he still doesn’t know that I already know to my advantage.

“Oh?” Sure enough, the Monster Lord’s eyes flickered brightly when he heard what Zu An said, as if he'd thought of something.

Zu An remained expressionless, but he sighed with relief inside.

It seems my plan to redirect attention has succeeded. Besides that mysterious Time Scribe, what other faction in this underground city has that level of power?

He couldn't say that he had already discovered the Time Scribe, and could only hint at him like this. Fortunately, the Monster Lord wasn’t too stupid.

It’s best if these two sides end up biting each other.

“I already have some ideas about that matter. As for the saintesses, they can just live in the palace for now. I have heard that one saintess has already gone missing. I do not wish for the same thing to happen again,” the Monster Lord said.

Zu An’s expression changed. Xie Daoyun’s sudden disappearance hadn’t escaped others’ sight. He couldn't find any way to explain himself here.

He wanted to say something else when the Monster Lord interrupted him and said, “Salamay wanted you to make a transport formation to go to the Cultivation World and save the Lord of Slaughter, right? Once you return, I will return the saintesses to you untouched. I am not doing this to target you; I do the same thing whenever I send out my men on battles or missions. You are no exception.”

The Monster Lord chuckled. “Of course, out of fear that you might be lonely, I left you with a single maid to take care of your everyday life. I am quite considerate, am I not? Ha ha ha.”

Zu An became quiet. The Monster Lord’s meaning was already clear. He didn’t trust Zu An, which was why he needed all of these hostages. The saintesses were the best candidates. In theory, Ji Xiaoxi was a maid, but because Zu An had started conflict with Manager Pi over her, she was definitely someone he cared about.

…

While Zu An was petitioning the Monster Lord, the captured Pei Mianman in the palace depths suddenly opened her eyes. She moved to the window and exchanged looks with her companions.

“It was as Ah Zu anticipated after all. We’ll continue as planned!”