The ape king stood outside the corridor that led to the stone dungeon. At hearing the footsteps of the ape king, the wolf king asked, “When are you going to send them away?”


  Using those fingers of his that were much longer than ordinary beastmen, the ape king combed through his sparse hair, a dark look clouding his face. “After reassuring Bai Qingqing, let Winston bring them away.”


  “I’ll go,” the wolf king said in a low voice.

  The ape king looked towards the wolf king and sighed, before striding forward.

  “I know you hate Rosa—two of your best sons died at her hands indirectly. I’m sure your spouse hates her even more! But this time, we have to let Winston go.” The ape king’s tone was resolute. He stepped his toes deep into the mud, leaving the imprint of his toes upon it. “I will ask Winston to sell Rosa to a poorer tribe.”


  The wolf king’s expression was restrained. “Why?”


  “I have my uses for her.” The ape king glanced at the wolf king, the gloominess in his eyes dissipating a little. “I’m relieved to see that you can’t figure out why.”


  The wolf king had followed the ape king for twenty years. Although he never could quite fathom what the ape king was thinking, he knew that right now, the ape king was fearful of something.?

  “Your Majesty, Bai Qingqing and her mates are waiting for you.”


  The ape king said, “I suppose she’s here to demand Rosa from me. Go and bring Rosa here.”


  The wolf king continued to follow behind the ape king. With his brows furrowed, he said, “I’m afraid not. I’ll protect you.”


  “It’s alright, go.” The ape king waved his hand dismissively and strode towards the main hall.

  Up in the skies, the clouds were dyed by the orange-yellow rays of the setting sun, appearing like a magnificent colored splash-ink painting.

  Bai Qingqing stood in the front yard of the ape castle with a torch in her hand. She had her head raised and was staring at the towering upas tree. The tear streaks on her face—which was illuminated red by the fire—had dried, and there was now a mud color layered over it.

  The much larger size of this upas tree compared to the ones found in the modern ages probably meant that the poison was much more lethal. Such a dangerous thing really shouldn’t exist here. She decided it was best that she destroy it.

  Bai Qingqing tossed the torch into the pile of firewood, which was right away ignited with a bang.

  The ravaging flames made Curtis retreat backward. The black eagle stood upon the wall of the yard. Winston, who had already caught up to them when they were burying Shuu, was now standing on one side of Bai Qingqing, while Parker was standing on her other side.

  The ape and wolf beastmen had them surrounded. But out of fear towards the four-striped beastman, no beastman dared to step forward to stop them.

  The ape king’s heart thumped when he walked into the yard and saw the burning tree.

  “You’ve finally come out.” Bai Qingqing turned her gaze towards the ape king. Looking at the ape king’s astonished expression, she suddenly had an urge to laugh. Her facial muscles twitched a little, yet she couldn’t laugh out loud. “Shocked? There’s no need to be suspicious—it wasn’t Shuu who told me. You and I both belong to the ape tribe. What’s so strange about us knowing of the same type of poisonous plant?”


  The ape king forced a smile and tried to play dumb. “What are you talking about? Why would I have a poisonous plant here?”


  “Really?” Bai Qingqing didn’t insist that she was right. Instead, she said calmly, “There are many fresh branches up there. Why don’t we snap off one and have you test it for us?”


  Stumped for words, the ape king’s pale face started turning green.

  Just then, the wolf king came out with a Rosa with a bloody mouth. The ape king flew into a rage, pointed at Rosa, and said, “How dare you instigate the bear beastmen to assassinate Bai Qingqing? To think I took such good care of you. I’m so disappointed in you!”


  Overwhelmed by fury, Rosa howled at the ape king in her raspy voice and tried to pounce towards him. However, with the wolf king holding her in place by her clothes, she wasn’t able to move an inch forward.