Chapter 1474: The True Underground Palace

Chapter 1474: Chapter 1474: The True Underground Palace

Xv Jiazhi is a businessman. However, his business dealings are in the grey areas, some are clean, some are not. His business network encompasses all different social strata and statuses, involving a colorful array of characters.

This network has been built over two or three generations of the Xv Family. It can truly be said to be steeped in blood and tears.

Xv Jiazhi is very business-savvy, knowing exactly how to negotiate a deal. As simply put in The Art of War, if you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles!

Xv Jiazhi knew that Lin Tian was a fierce tiger who, when angered, could swallow a person whole without leaving a trace. For dealing with such a character, Xv Jiazhi had already prepared a fallback plan for himself, and that was Li.

Lin Tian, who rose from being a mere student to an elder of Luoyan Dock in only a year, had no solid foundation or vast connections, but valued loyalty greatly, especially with his close friends.

By using Li’s life as leverage, Xv Jiazhi was quite confident he could secure his own safety.

Indeed, Xv Jiazhi’s words made Lin Tian’s gaze turn icy. It was evident that his anger was hidden within his sturdy body, much like a beast caged within, ready at any moment to break free and wreak havoc.

"Hmph~ I have to admit, you’ve given me a reason not to kill you."

Lin Tian’s eyes darted across Xv Jiazhi. To just let him go now was frustrating, but hurting him was not possible, at least not here, lest it should become an unnecessary burden.

"I hope once you’re out, you can help my brother recover. Otherwise, even if you flee overseas, I will find you. And as for the Xv Family, you can’t run from your own shadow."

His gaze was calm and so was his heart, as Lin Tian was temporarily suppressing his anger. Being in the underground palace, remaining calm was crucial, as losing composure would be the greatest danger.

"Yes, Master." Xv Jiazhi smiled broadly, cupping his hands towards Lin Tian, which only made him more repulsive.

"Do you really think you still have the qualifications to call me Master?" Lin Tian asked irritably.

Xv Jiazhi saw the veins bulging on Lin Tian’s forehead and his tightly clenched fists. Yet, he still cupped his hands gracefully and said, "Jiazhi has been subjected to strict family teachings since childhood. Even if you don’t acknowledge me as your disciple, I must still respect you."

Not only were the veins still throbbing on Lin Tian’s forehead, but the muscles at the corners of his mouth were also twitching.

Damn it...

Your strict upbringing implies betraying your master and ancestors?!

Now you put on this hypocritical show of righteousness, it’s simply disgusting.

In the end, Lin Tian could no longer suppress his anger, delivering a punch. The punch was so quick that no one reacted before his fist landed on Xv Jiazhi’s face, sending the unfilial disciple sprawling on the ground, kicking up a layer of dust, and letting out a pathetic scream.

Even then, Lin Tian had restrained his strength, otherwise, he could have easily shattered this guy’s head with a single punch.

After a single howl, Xv Jiazhi stopped screaming. He only felt a fiery, piercing pain as if every bone and joint in his back were burning. Struggling to get up, he tasted the metallic tang of blood in his mouth again.

Spitting with a ’thwack,’ three molars along with a mouthful of blood landed on the ground.

Xv Jiazhi gently rubbed his face where he had taken the heavy punch, causing his mouth to twitch in pain once more.

"If you want to call me Master, go ahead. Our master-disciple relationship is virtually dead; I won’t teach you anything more. Everything you’ve gained from me, I will reclaim entirely."

With that, Lin Tian turned away and shook the rope in his hand, speaking grumpily to Wang Sijing, "What are you still looking at? Keep moving!"

Knowing she was now a prisoner, Wang Sijing had no intention of playing tricks with this man harboring a beast. If he says to move, then move.

Finally, the four of them hadn’t walked far before reaching the end of the corridor. This time, there wasn’t a stone door, only a staircase leading down.

Seeing Wang Sijing’s cooperation, Lin Tian became suspicious. Grabbing the rope, he asked cautiously, "Why is there no mechanism on this floor when there was at every lower level before?"

Being cautious is necessary; who knows what treachery this woman harbors in her heart.

Wang Sijing laughed immediately, looking at Lin Tian as if he were a coward. She said, "You’ve seen the upper floors, so full of mechanisms and traps to ward off outsiders. Now we’ve truly reached the core part of the underground palace. Those who arrive here would naturally be direct descendants of the Wang Family, so why would there be mechanisms?"

After a pause, Wang Sijing continued, "Besides, I’m leading the way, so I don’t know what you’re afraid of. The rope is still in your hands; can I escape?"

Hearing her reasoning, Lin Tian’s doubts eased considerably, and he nodded slightly, saying, "Keep moving."

Like before on the staircase, after only a few steps, bulbs overhead lit up. Unlike previous staircases, halfway through, they could already see the next level of the underground palace glowing white, softly, as if there was some light source.

Quite quickly, the four followed the staircase down to the fifth level of the underground palace.

Previously, on the upper four levels, Lin Tian somewhat despised the Wang Family. Calling such a shabby place an underground palace? At best, there were a few Kirin statues serving as chess pieces for a grand formation. It was too meager.

Not until reaching the fifth level did he understand the true meaning of an underground palace.

This was indeed a palace! An imposing palace!

The first sight was a city wall, six meters high and over fifty meters wide. Atop the city wall hung a plaque with four large characters: Wang’s Spirit City!

Looking further up the plaque, the city wall also featured crenellations and a stately city tower.

The white light seen before emanated from a searchlight atop the city tower, like an eye of this grand city, observing Lin Tian and his companions.

In the center of the city wall was a drawbridge held by iron chains, which was currently laid flat. Beneath the drawbridge was a moat about ten meters wide, with running water that produced a pleasant sound. The water was clear and transparent, visible with floating organisms.

It was certain that this moat was fed by an underground river, likely excavated by the Wang Family.

This was merely the exterior of the city, presenting such a magnificent scene as if truly standing within an ancient city.

The initially tedious exploration became fascinating, akin to a journey with such grand and spectacular sights.

"Enter the city!"