Chapter 2496: The Imperial Tomb’s Secret

Little Salamay narrowed her eyes. “Are you telling me that the Monster Lord had a hand in Uncle Mo’s mishap?”

Zu An shook his head. “I don’t know. I am just relaying words from the Incestuous King.”

Telling a person something outright was more likely to pique their suspicion. Instead, it was more effective to lead their train of thought toward the truth. They would be more inclined to believe it if they arrived at the conclusion themselves.

Unsurprisingly to Zu An, Little Salamay soon frowned as a thought surfaced in her mind.

“There’s another matter I need to ask first miss. Did our people recently capture an extremely beautiful woman with a very... unique figure?” Zu An decided not to reveal Pei Mianman’s name in case Salamay remembered her name. That could have ripple effects on the future.

Little Salamay shook her head. “I haven’t heard of anyone like that. What’s your relationship with that woman?”

“We met by coincidence,” Zu An answered. There was no reason to stay here if Pei Mianman wasn’t here. “I have fulfilled the mission entrusted to me, so I shan’t disturb your rest anymore, first miss.”

“Hey...” Little Salamay tried to stop him, but Zu An’s figure blurred before vanishing into thin air.

“Hm?” Despite her young age, Little Salamay could tell that Zu An had incredible abilities. “Does Uncle Mo have such a formidable friend?”

After some thought, she decided to verify the matter. As she made her way out of her tent, her guards and servants asked her where she was heading.

“I’m going to look for Uncle Hulu,” Little Salamay said innocently.

“Lord Hulu isn’t in the barracks. He was recently dispatched to the frontlines to deal with the Beast races,” a guard replied.

“Then I’ll look for Aunt Jyan,” Little Salamay replied.

“Lord Jyan has gone to the South Sea’s shores to curb the rebellion there,” someone replied.

“Ah!” Doubt was starting to fester in Little Salamay’s mind, but she didn’t let it show. “I’ll go play with Uncle Ajue then!”

“Lord Ajue has been imprisoned for committing some wrongdoings.” The guards began to look nervous, wondering if they had inadvertently revealed the secret.

“What a bummer! I’ll play by myself then.” Little Salamay harrumphed before hopping back into her courtyard like an easily distracted child.

The guards wiped off their sweat.

Thank goodness she didn’t probe any further, or else the Monster Lord might punish us for this. I guess she’s just a child, after all.

Little Salamay returned to her courtyard and frolicked with a ball. Some time later, she stretched her back as if she was tired, before returning to her room. She murmured under her breath, “I’m tired. Time to sleep.”

Several maids followed her to prepare her for bedtime. Shortly after Little Salamay lay on her bed, her breathing became long and deep.

The maids looked envious.

Children fall asleep so easily.

They tucked her into her blanket, lit a fragrant incense stick, and quietly retreated from the room.

As soon as the door closed, little Salamay’s eyes shot open. She carefully got up from her bed and took out an artifact. The artifact lit up and formed a small sound-isolation barrier around her. She made sure to confirm that the formation was working. Next, she reached into her storage bag and took out a mirror. She stuffed several ki stones into the mirror, and its surface rippled like water.

Soon, a figure appeared in the mirror. His bloodthirsty aura could be felt even through it. He was none other than the Lord of Slaughter! He initially looked worried, but when he saw little Salamay, he heaved a sigh of relief. “My good daughter, I thought something happened to you.”

“Daddy, when are you coming back?” Little Salamay asked with a pout, sounding a little tearful.

That sent the Lord of Slaughter into a panic. He felt an urge to wipe off her tears even across the screen. “Don’t cry, my good daughter. Who bullied you? I’ll rip him into shreds!”

“No one bullied me.” Little Salamay shook her head. “I miss you.”

“My good daughter, daddy is too busy to leave right now. Once I’m done with things here, I’ll return right away to spend time with you,” the Lord of Slaughter said gently. He took some time to coax his daughter before asking, “I told you not to contact me unless something urgent cropped up. Did something happen?”

His daughter was young but sensible. It was unlikely for her to contact him for no reason.

“I don’t know if it’s urgent or not.” Little Salamay took a moment to gather her thoughts before saying, “I think Uncle Mo’s army was recently decimated, and we don’t know if he is dead or alive.”

“What?!” The Lord of Slaughter was enraged to hear that. “How can Mojard be that unreliable? How did he lose his army when we have already eradicated the Fiend races’ main army? I knew the Monster Lord was more reliable!”

Little Salamay looked hesitant to speak further.

“What’s wrong, my good daughter?” The Lord of Slaughter noticed his daughter’s unusual behavior.

Little Salamay hesitantly spoke up. “The Monster Lord didn’t tell me about this.”

“Then where did you hear the news from?” The Lord of Slaughter frowned, as it suddenly occurred to him that no one had reported this matter to him.

“It was a mysterious man. He says he was sent by Uncle Mo...” Little Salamay proceeded to tell the Lord of Slaughter about her encounter with Zu An.

The Lord of Slaughter was bewildered. “Does Mojard have such a friend?”

“That’s not all. I was thinking of verifying the news with some of the uncles and aunts, but I learned that they were either demoted or imprisoned. There is no one here I can talk to,” Little Salamay said.

The Lord of Slaughter’s face warped in anger. He had ruled long enough to immediately understand the implications of what he had just heard. He told Little Salamay, “Don’t tell anyone about this, especially not the Monster Lord. Keep everything to yourself and wait for my return!”

Little Salamay was overjoyed to hear that. “That’s wonderful! I can meet daddy again.”

The Lord of Slaughter tried to smile, but he couldn’t lift the corners of his lips, as if there were weights attached to them.

How dare the Monster Lord betray my trust and pull tricks behind my back?

...

The Monster Lord was busy scheming with his aides when his eyes suddenly widened. He shot a glance at his aides before taking out a recording mirror. The Lord of Slaughter soon appeared in the mirror.

“Paying respects to master!” The Monster Lord quickly bowed.

“You may dispense with the ceremony. Get up,” the Lord of Slaughter said amicably.

“Thank you, master. Do you have any command for us?” the Monster Lord asked respectfully.

The Lord of Slaughter looked to be buzzing with excitement. “After years of research, I have finally deciphered the secret of the Fiend races’ Imperial Tomb. The gates are about to open. Come here right now to witness history with me. I have found the legendary Celestial Court!”