Chapter 2310: Another Approach

Upon seeing Salamei, Zu An couldn't help but glance at the distant mountain peak, wondering if Manman and the others were safe.

"Her Ladyship asked you a question, why aren't you answering?" Mo Jialde stepped forward from behind, staring at him coldly.

Zu An replied calmly, "Her Ladyship and I are partners, not a master and subordinate. I ask you to show some respect."

"You!" Mo Jialde flew into a rage. "You're asking for death!"

Mo Jialde's rage surged dramatically.

Immediately, a powerful aura erupted from his body.

However, the next second, Salamei's hand pressed against him. "Uncle Mo, don't be angry. What Young Master Zu said is true; we are merely collaborators."

With her touch, Mo Jialde's aura instantly receded. Hearing Her Ladyship's whispered transmission, he immediately realized that this was the True Demon Clan's territory after all, and attracting the True Demon Grand Elder would indeed be troublesome.

At this point, Salamei bowed to Zu An. "Please forgive us, Young Master. We just lost contact with some important companions, and Uncle Mo was anxious, which caused him to speak harshly. Please don't take it to heart."

Mo Jialde snorted upon hearing this, but since Her Ladyship had spoken, he certainly wouldn't contradict her.

"The companions you mentioned wouldn't happen to be the Mad King and the Green-Crowned Lizard King, would they?" Zu An's expression was odd.

"How do you know that, Young Master?" Salamei was startled, and even Mo Jialde cast an unexpected glance at him.

"Because I just returned from the Demon Lord's presence, and I personally witnessed him execute them," Zu An said calmly.

"What?!" Salamei and Mo Jialde's expressions changed drastically. Clearly, these two figures were quite important to their side.

Only then did Zu An briefly recount everything he had just witnessed.

"Poor brothers... The Demon Lord is truly tyrannical!" Mo Jialde cursed vehemently, his expression greatly agitated.

Salamei took a deep breath, finally managing to calm her turbulent emotions. She then eyed Zu An suspiciously. "Both of them were killed, so why are you unharmed, Young Master?"

As soon as she spoke, Mo Jialde's face also darkened. He quietly moved to the other side, positioning himself with Salamei to sandwich Zu An, as if ready to jointly attack him at any moment.

Zu An looked at her in surprise. "Why should something be wrong with me? I just met you. Even if the Demon Lord has excellent intelligence, he wouldn't know so quickly, would he?"

Salamei showed a relieved smile. "Young Master makes a good point; we overreacted."

Mo Jialde wanted to say something, but seeing Her Ladyship's subtle gesture, he swallowed his words.

"It's just quite a coincidence that the Demon Lord executed those two right in front of you. I wonder what his true intention was," Salamei said, though she smiled, a sharp glint shone in her eyes.

"Most likely, it was a warning to others, meant to deter me from having any disloyal thoughts," Zu An replied.

"Then, what did the Demon Lord ask you to do?" Salamei suddenly asked again.

Zu An replied, "Naturally, he wants me to help him open a passage to the cultivation world."

Salamei fell silent, then spoke after a long pause. "Young Master, I have a question I'm curious about. The Demon Lord currently holds the advantage, especially after executing the Mad King and the others. Why didn't you take the opportunity to betray my whereabouts? I imagine the Demon Lord would have heavily rewarded you."

Mo Jialde's expression changed several times upon hearing this. He quickly scanned their surroundings. Only after not detecting any other demon ambushes did he slightly relax.

Zu An deliberately hesitated for a moment before replying, "Indeed, betraying Her Ladyship at that time would have yielded a good reward. However, the Demon Lord is capricious. Who knows when he might remember my past collusion with you and settle accounts later?"

"What's more, the Demon Lord is clearly on the decline. Why should I tie my fate and life to him? It's better to take a slight risk now for a better future."

Salamei was overjoyed to hear this. "Young Master truly possesses great insight. I had misunderstood you earlier, and I apologize here."

"Her Ladyship overstates it," Zu An said, lightly supporting her.

Salamei then continued, "Since Young Master trusts us so much, we will certainly not mistreat you in the future."

Zu An naturally didn't take her words to heart. Instead, he asked, "Next, I'll need Her Ladyship to pay close attention to the matter of the Demon Lord's treasury."

Salamei hummed in acknowledgment. "The incident with the Mad King and the Green-Crowned Lizard King has affected the progress a bit, but don't worry. I'll secure the treasury's access as soon as possible and inform you then."

Zu An nodded, then asked casually as if remembering something. "By the way, when will those Demon Saintesses be needed?"

Hearing his words, a flicker of something unusual passed through Salamei's eyes, though she quickly concealed it. "For now, keep them with you. Just remember not to harm their virginity."

Zu An's heart turned cold. He had initially worried that the Demon Lord was deliberately sowing discord, but it seemed everything he said was true. It appeared the conflict between him and Salamei was irreconcilable.

After conversing for a while longer, Zu An bade them farewell and departed.

Watching his figure disappear in the distance, Mo Jialde approached Salamei from behind. "Her Ladyship, do you truly believe what he said?"

"What does it matter if I believe him or not?" Salamei smiled. "Whether he is loyal or deceitful, as long as he can get things done for us, that's all that matters."

Mo Jialde couldn't help but feel a touch of admiration. "Her Ladyship is wise!"

Meanwhile, Zu An returned to his cave dwelling and saw Ji Xiaoxi nervously guarding the entrance. Her timid appearance, yet bravely clutching her weapon and craning her neck to look outside, warmed his heart. Xiaoxi was truly exceptionally soft and adorable; every time he saw her, he wanted to cuddle her tightly.

"Brother Zu is back!" Upon seeing Zu An, Ji Xiaoxi was overjoyed.

Soon, all the women, hearing the news, rushed out and surrounded him, each worried that he might be injured or missing something.

"Don't worry, I'm fine," Zu An reassured them, then briefly recounted what had just happened.

Hearing that the powerful Mad King and Green-Crowned Lizard King had died silently, the women all turned pale. The Demon Lord's power was truly unfathomable.

They were even more impressed by Zu An's quick thinking, managing to turn a dangerous situation around.

When they heard that Salamei had actually planned to sacrifice them in a blood ritual, they all gasped in shock.

"This Salamei is truly insidious and cunning. She talks about cooperation with you while having long planned how to scheme against you," Yun Yuqing couldn't help but curse.

Jiang Luofu frowned deeply. "My greater concern now is that your previous conversations with Salamei have likely exposed your identity. She might already know that you are a fake Donal."

Xie Daoyun whispered, "It shouldn't be that bad, should it? Brother Zu just covered his tracks, so perhaps Salamei realized she misunderstood."

Sensing the women's worries, Zu An spoke. "It doesn't matter if she believes me or not. For now, she still needs me, and that's enough."

The women nodded one after another, admiring his consistent composure.

Pei Mianman couldn't help but say, "Then what do we do next? Are we really going to help the Demon Lord against Salamei's faction? If Salamei's side is defeated, we'll inevitably suffer by association."

This was also the women's biggest concern; the current situation was quite dire.

Zu An said gravely, "Based on the information we currently have, it would be easy for the Demon Lord to eliminate Salamei's faction, regardless of whether we help or not. What I don't understand is why the Demon Lord is leaving them alone and instead asking me to help Salamei with her tasks."

Suo Lunshi's expression shifted. "There must be some information we don't have!"

Zu An nodded. "Exactly. Before, we were always moving within the circles designed by the Demon Lord and Salamei's factions. No matter what we did, everything ultimately remained under their control. What we need to do is break free from their carefully planned schemes and forge a new path."

"Brother Zu, have you thought of a solution?" Ji Xiaoxi blinked, as if reliving their past adventures in the mountains. This was the exact expression he wore when he was confident.