Chapter 1788: Grabbing Red-Handed

Zuan smiled faintly: "It wasn't me who solved it; we solved it together. Without your help, I would have probably been cut in half by that monster by now."

Jing Teng's lips curved slightly upwards, and her mood suddenly brightened.

Qiu Honglei then bowed to her: "Miss Jing, thank you for saving Ah Zu. If I've offended you before, please don't take it to heart."

For some reason, seeing her look at Zuan with such deep affection, Jing Teng's mood immediately became a little more agitated: "I wanted to save him myself, what does that have to do with you? Why are you thanking me on his behalf?"

Qiu Honglei raised an eyebrow. Was this woman clearly trying to oppose her? Wait, her tone of voice was so similar to Ah Zu's.

At this moment, Zuan lightly coughed and quickly changed the subject: "What other monsters are there, Miss Jing? Could you give us a general idea, so we aren't caught off guard if we encounter them suddenly?"

Jing Teng shook her head, saying with distress, "I don't know either."

Wei Su exclaimed, "You just knew information about the Death Reaper, so why don't you know about the others?"

Qiu Honglei also looked at her suspiciously. This woman seemed to have told few truths from beginning to end. Was she plotting something or just being mysterious?

Jing Teng explained, "As I told you before, I have memory loss. I only remembered some things just now because I saw that monster. I might only recover more memories when I encounter other monsters."

"I see." The others nodded subtly.

Qiu Honglei secretly transmitted a message: "Ah Zu, this Jing Teng is a bit strange. If she's truly just a vine enlightened by Immortal Monarch Baopu, she seems to know far too much."

"She is a bit strange, indeed, but for now, she doesn't seem to have any ill intentions. We just need to be careful," Zuan replied.

"How do you know she has no ill intentions? Is it just because you think she's pretty?" Qiu Honglei snorted. Speaking of which, emotions were strange. Just moments ago, she had genuinely appreciated Jing Teng's intervention, but now she found everything about her annoying.

Seeing a string of "little rages" appearing, Zuan couldn't help but chuckle.

Soon, the group continued deeper into the grand tomb. The walls of the tomb were adorned with various exquisite bas-reliefs, seemingly depicting battles, ceremonial processions, and scenes related to sacrifices.

However, what was strange was that all the figures in these murals had no heads. If it were due to weathering over an extremely long time, it wouldn't be just the heads that were missing. But if they had been deliberately removed, what could have been the purpose?

"Miss Jing, do you know the origin of these murals?" Zuan looked at Jing Teng beside him. Her face was as if drawn with a single stroke, her skin delicate and flawless, and her brows resembled distant mountains and spring waters. He had to admit, she was indeed very beautiful.

Qiu Honglei subtly pricked up her ears. Although she was a bit displeased by their conversation, she was equally curious if these murals held any secrets.

Jing Teng gently pressed her forehead: "No, I have no impression of these murals at all."

"Miss Jing, what's wrong?" Seeing her discomfort, Wei Su couldn't help but ask.

Jing Teng shook her head: "Nothing, just a bit of a headache."

Zuan and Qiu Honglei exchanged glances. Was she recovering more and more memories as they delved deeper into the tomb?

Just then, Zuan's heart suddenly tensed. The hairs on his body stood on end instantly, and he looked at the distance with a grim expression.

A mocking voice rang out: "It truly is a small world, my Lord Shen."

Zhao Hao was standing not far away, hands clasped behind his back, looking at him with a cold smile.

Li Changsheng and Xuan Bajing stood on either side, their expressions as gloating as could be. It seemed they were thinking, "It can't be just us two being bullied; little thief, it's your turn now!"

Seeing Zhao Hao and his companions, Qiu Honglei's expression turned a little bitter. The Demonic Sect and the imperial court were inherently enemies; she had even attempted an assassination in the palace last time. Meeting them here now certainly boded ill.

Jing Teng didn't recognize Zhao Hao, but she could feel the unfathomable aura emanating from him. She also noticed that Zuan and Qiu Honglei were completely tense, something she had never seen them this nervous throughout their journey.

"So it's His Majesty. What a fated encounter. The world is so vast, yet we meet so easily," Zuan remarked, while also feeling curious. Hadn't the other party charged into the tomb first to investigate? Why were they here now?

Jing Teng's heart skipped a beat. His Majesty? Where in this world was there an Emperor? A long, long time ago, there used to be emperors in this world, but now it had been fragmented for so long, with petty kings, various lords, and city masters carving up territories. The concept of an emperor was practically fading into the river of history.

"You must have seen me a while ago," Zhao Hao said, as if seeing through his thoughts. He explained, "I was originally leading the charge, but after entering, I found that this grand tomb has many formidable restrictions and monsters, some of which even I find troublesome. If I continued to rush ahead, wouldn't I be working for those people behind me? Are they even worthy?"

"His Majesty speaks truly," Zuan sighed. "Letting those people go ahead would indeed scout the path for you. How could I not have thought of that?"

Zhao Hao was the kind of person who wouldn't show his hand until the target was in sight, a cunning and seasoned schemer. How could he possibly work for others' benefit?

Seeing the other party's crestfallen expression, Zhao Hao felt a great sense of satisfaction: "I figured since Li Changsheng and Xuan Bajing could come to this world, most of you must be here too. And since this grand tomb is currently attracting everyone's attention, you've most likely come as well. So, I decided to wait here, like waiting for a hare by a stump, and I never expected to actually find you."

He paused and looked at Zuan's side: "Hmm, why are there only two of you? Where are the others?"

"We split into several groups. They've already gone to investigate deeper into the tomb; the Libationer seems to have found something," Zuan said quickly, his mind stirring.

Zhao Hao's expression changed slightly, but he immediately smiled: "You brat, there are indeed few truths in your words. You want to trick me into not bothering with you and going to find them instead?"

Xuan Bajing chimed in, "Precisely. Such a petty trick, how could it fool His Majesty?"

Li Changsheng also said, "His Majesty is wise!"

Zuan's expression was strange: "You two are grandmasters of your respective sects, yet you've stooped to flattery. Speaking of which, weren't you plotting to kill him not long ago?"

He knew clearly that Zhao Hao had already decided to kill him, and pretending to be a loyal subject would no longer work. He quickly racked his brain, trying to figure out how to save his life.

Li Changsheng's old face flushed. He usually prided himself on being refined and aloof, with all his actions dedicated to achieving immortality. His reluctant submission to Zhao Hao this time had, to some extent, affected his Dao heart.

"You don't need to sow discord here," Xuan Bajing said, more smoothly. He cupped his hands towards Zhao Hao, "Fortunately, His Majesty is magnanimous and overlooks our past transgressions. It is truly a blessing accumulated over countless lifetimes that we can now serve His Majesty."

These words made Li Changsheng feel a little nauseous; this fellow was utterly shameless.

Zhao Hao was not in a hurry to make a move at this moment, gazing at Zuan with a cat-and-mouse mentality: "The world says you live a carefree and romantic life. Seeing it today, even I am a bit impressed. How long has it been, and besides the Demonic Sect Saintess, you've found another woman of unparalleled beauty."

Although he was now old and more concerned with longevity and immortality, having lost interest in women's charm, he was still a man, after all. Thinking that he, an Emperor, didn't have as many stunning women around him as Zuan did, he couldn't help but feel a little displeased.

Jing Teng's face flushed slightly, but she opened her mouth and said nothing.

"Your Majesty misunderstands. Miss Jing and I are not in that kind of relationship. On the contrary, she has some connection to this grand tomb," Zuan replied.

Jing Teng's face paled, and she suddenly looked at him. Was this guy trying to betray her to save his own life? Why did it feel even more painful this time...?

As expected, Zhao Hao's interest was immediately piqued: "Oh? She has a connection to this grand tomb?" Yet, there was a hint of suspicion in his tone. The other party looked too young and weak; it was hard to imagine her having any connection to this mysterious grand tomb.

"What Your Majesty seeks is nothing more than immortal destiny and eternal life. This Miss Jing just so happens to have met the Immortal Monarch Baopu back then," Zuan said with a smile.

Jing Teng's heart sank to rock bottom. She had experienced betrayal once before; was she going to go through it again today?

Qiu Honglei looked at Zuan with some confusion, but she believed her lover was not that kind of person. Had he come up with some plan? However, Zhao Hao was widely acknowledged as invincible. Their side's combat strength was far too weak. Even if Xuan Bajing and Li Changsheng immediately defected, there wouldn't be a single chance. What kind of plan could there be?

"Immortal Monarch Baopu!" Zhao Hao's eyes lit up, and he gazed intently at Jing Teng. He had been in this world for some time and naturally had heard legends of the Immortal Monarch. "If you can tell me everything related to the Immortal Monarch, then I might consider sparing those around you."

Jing Teng's face was covered in frost: "What do their lives or deaths have to do with me? Why should I tell you?"

Zhao Hao's face darkened. When had he ever been contradicted like this? He raised his hand, about to seize her.

Zuan quickly interjected: "Actually, Your Majesty isn't the only one who desires her. Even the Ghost King of the Yin-Yang Realm has been looking for him. If I'm not mistaken, he should also be here at the grand tomb. Can Your Majesty defeat the legendary Ghost King?"