Chapter 2070: You Forced Me

"If what you say is true, this is indeed a golden opportunity."

Daoist Croc pondered the idea. He said, "But I'm worried, what if I'm letting a wolf into the house?"

To enlist the help of a dragon that could defeat Butcher Meng was akin to playing with fire — if not handled carefully, one might end up being burned!

Ji Leng said, "Don't worry, City Lord. I can feel that he is someone with lofty ambitions. Unlike us, he is not interested in occupying cities or expanding his influence. Even if we want to keep him here, it'll probably be impossible."

Daoist Croc frowned and said, "If that's the case, how can we enlist his help?"

Ji Leng's gaze deepened as he answered, "We can entice him with benefits and cater to his wants. People like him must have some reason for coming to the Ancient Nebula Underworld. However...we probably won't be able to offer him much help given our limited capabilities, so leveraging profit is our only option."

Daoist Croc couldn't help but say, "How should we go about it?"

Ji Leng gritted his teeth and transmitted something.

Daoist Croc's expression immediately darkened, "Absolutely not! What if he becomes greedy?"

Ji Leng sighed and said, "City Lord, how can one hope to gain greater rewards without paying a sufficient price? There's only one chance, whether you try to grasp it will be for you to decide."

Daoist Croc's expression fluctuated uncertainly. After a long while, he took a deep breath and said, "Ji Leng, I can agree to this, but I will hold you accountable if anything goes wrong!"

Ji Leng nodded.

The next morning.

"You're inviting me to the City Lord Residence?"

Lin Xun looked at Ji Leng in surprise, who was standing respectfully to the side.

He hadn't expected Ji Leng to have the audacity to approach him voluntarily.

Ji Leng respectfully said, "Dao Friend, to be frank, last night, I visited City Lord Daoist Croc to tell him that if he could win over a master like you, he would be able to swiftly expand his power base. As a result, the city lord agreed to fulfill any of your requests as long as it’s within his power."

He seemed incredibly candid.

Lin Xun grunted in acknowledgement and said, "So you're here to convince me?"

Ji Leng shook his head and said, "I know my limitations. Words alone won't be enough to persuade a great god like you. I merely wish to invite you to the city lord's treasury."

"Treasury?"

Even Lin Xun had to admit that Ji Leng was very eloquent and couldn't help but grow slightly interested.

"Ah, right."

Ji Leng quickly said, "As far as I know, while the city lord is only a supreme Big Saint, he has collected many treasures over the years. Some of them are even ancient treasures with long histories. I understand that you might not believe me, but if you're interested, you can come and take a look for yourself."

Lin Xun knew that this was an attempt to win him over.

He asked, "Are there any Emperor-grade weapons in the treasury?"

Ji Leng was stunned. He bitterly chuckled and shook his head. "Dao Friend, Saint treasures wouldn't be a problem but if it's an Emperor weapon...how can a mere city lord ever possess one?"

He quickly added, "Although there are no Emperor-grade weapons, the city lord's treasury does have some treasures of mysterious origin. While their functions are currently unknown, you might be able to find something of use among them."

Lin Xun contemplated for a while before he agreed.

He owned numerous treasures, and just his battle spoils alone were enough to support him until he became an Emperor.

However, he also lacked treasures such as the two sacred trees, Cangwu and Kunwu, the clear and turbid soul star sand, and the absolute breath water.

Upon seeing Lin Xun agree, Ji Leng immediately revealed a joyful look as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

……

The City Lord Residence.

For many cultivators in Nightmare City, the City Lord Residence was undoubtedly the most luxurious and safest place in the city. It was heavily guarded, with countless sentries and boasted a near impenetrable defense.

Ji Leng led Lin Xun along a winding path. They passed several pavilions and towers before they finally arrived at the 'restricted zone' of the City Lord Residence.

It was not only guarded by many powerful experts but also covered in layers of arrays.

After arriving, Ji Leng enthusiastically explained, "Dao Friend, City Lord Daoist Croc's treasury is hidden underground."

As he spoke, he took out a token and gently waved it.

Rumble!

The air began to churn and flicker as numerous array runes gathered to form an illusory door.

Ji Leng took a deep breath and made an invitational gesture. "Dao Friend, please."

However, Lin Xun didn't move. He said, "There's an ambush."

The sentence made Ji Leng's pupils abruptly shrink. His footsteps froze mid-air as he blurted out in bewilderment, "This is the City Lord Residence. Who would dare to set up an ambush here?"

Lin Xun paid no attention to him and instead glanced toward a nearby spot. In a calm voice, he said, "Come out, don't force me to take action."

"I didn't expect that you would be able to see through the illusion array."

In the wake of the icy voice, the nearby scenery suddenly changed, revealing an empty space as numerous figures appeared to surround Lin Xun and Ji Leng.

Each individual radiated ferocious auras that pierced the heavens!

Their leader was none other than the handsome Daoist Croc. Dressed in a silver robe, his deep brown eyes flashed with undisguised murderous intent.

Ji Leng's expression drastically changed as he cried out in alarm, "City Lord, what is this?"

Unfazed, Lin Xun watched with the detached eyes of a bystander.

Daoist Croc revealed a sinister smile. "Ji Leng, you've been with me for many years and have always been resourceful and loyal. I used to regard you as my right-hand man, but you've been rather dishonest recently."

Ji Leng's expression changed indeterminately as he said, "I don't understand."

"Don't understand? That doesn't matter because I'll make you understand now."

With that Daoist Croc lightly clapped.

Immediately, a young man in luxurious robes appeared from the distance with a cold sneer. He held a silver whip which was tied to a bloodied, mangled body.

As the young man approached, the body was dragged across the ground, leaving a chilling trail of blood in its wake.

Lin Xun recognized the young man.

When he entered the city yesterday, the young man had been violently whipping the woman on the street.

According to Mu Chuan, he was the adopted son of Daoist Croc, Dong Jinrong!

However, Lin Xun didn't expect to meet him under such circumstances.

Soon after, Lin Xun noticed Ji Leng's expression change at the sight of the body being dragged over as a hint of anger flashed in his eyes.

Daoist Croc coldly asked, "Ji Leng, do you recognize this woman?"

Ji Leng took a deep breath. A dark look appeared on his face as he clenched his jaw and answered, "Of course I recognize her. Her name is Jin Die and she arrived in Nightmare City last year...

"She's beautiful, clever, and, most rare of all, kindhearted. Someone like her is rare beyond measure in the Ancient Nebula Underworld..."

His voice was low and somber, as though lost in reminiscence.

"I couldn't bear to see her being harmed by the bastards in the city, so I took her in and treated her like my own daughter. I devoted all my efforts into nurturing her, hoping that if the day comes that I'm no longer around, she would at least be able to survive on her own in this bloody and turbulent Ancient Nebula Underworld."

Ji Leng took another deep breath as if trying to suppress his surging emotions.

"However, I never imagined that disaster would strike so quickly!"

He suddenly turned to Dong Jinrong, not hiding his hatred in the slightest. "City Lord, it was the bastard you adopted who kidnapped Jin Die while I was away, intending to use her as a tool for sexual gratification, and humiliate and torture her in every manner possible!

"When I learned about this, I took our friendship into consideration and didn't kill that little bastard on the spot. Instead, I pleaded with you to intercede and help me get her back..."

His expression began to twist as he continued, "However, you rejected me because of that little bastard!!"

Toward the end, he could no longer restrain his anger and roared out.

Daoist Croc appeared indifferent as he said, "You're just a lowly person, yet you chose to betray me, even leading a wolf into my house and targeting my treasury. Ji Leng, you really disappoint me."

Ji Leng's face turned ashen as he gnashed his teeth and growled, "You forced me to do this!"

Daoist Croc suddenly laughed and said, "Ji Leng, now that things have come to this, I might as well tell you that my adopted son only dared to kidnap the little bitch Jin Die because of me."

Ji Leng felt as if he was struck by lightning. Furious, he asked, "What did you say?"

Daoist Croc laughed wildly. "I said that I was the one who ordered this. Aren't you surprised?"

"Why?" Ji Leng trembled uncontrollably as his expression distorted.

Daoist Croc callously said, "Ji Leng, you're too smart, resourceful, and cunning. How can I not be wary of you?"

After a pause, he continued, "I naturally knew that Jin Die is very important to you, so I did it to test your loyalty."

Ji Leng's eyes bulged in anger. "Using such dirty and despicable means to test my loyalty?"

Daoist Croc sneered, "But you can't deny that it was a very effective method. Everyone can see now that you, a capable subordinate who has followed me for many years, chose to betray me because of a little bitch. What loyalty do you have to speak of?"

Dong Jinrong said, "Father, why waste time talking to this traitor? Just kill this ungrateful bastard!"

He suddenly snapped the silver whip.

Pah!

Jin Die's mutilated body was flung into the air and exploded, splattering blood and flesh everywhere.

The bloody scene triggered the already furious Ji Leng, causing him to scream hysterically, "Jin Die—!"

His voice boomed across the area, filled with grief and indignation.

Lin Xun remained silent as a statue throughout, only frowning slightly at the final scene.

He wasn't overly surprised that he was being used by Ji Leng because he had already considered this when he agreed to come.

Of course, while being used in such a manner wasn't enough to anger Lin Xun, it was also impossible for him to feel any pity for Ji Leng, who was overwhelmed by grief.

Lin Xun only felt a little disgusted.

The woman named Jin Die had already died yet they still mutilated her corpse. This was no longer just cruel but utterly inhumane.