"This guy isn't going to blame us, is he?"

It was indeed their idea to push Wang Zhan to show the elixirs. However, they were, after all, experienced and crafty veterans of the mortal world. They were unlikely to naively believe the words of others.

But looking at the old fellow's (Ku Zhu's) gaze, they feared he was also someone who hid his depths, a ruthless character no less formidable than Wang Zhan, that young man who plays the pig to eat the tiger!

Fortunately, Wang Zhan also had the intention of displaying his strength. He wanted to show off his robust arms!

Thankfully, Ku Zhu seemed to follow Wang Zhan's commands obediently. Although his gaze carried a hint of seriousness, he slowly glanced at the two of them and obediently took out a small portion of the elixirs from his Storage Bangle.

Immediately, a rich fragrance filled the air, its scent even overpowering the aroma of the delicacies before them, made from high-grade Beast flesh.

Ku Zhu stated indifferently, "I have no objection if you wish to see; we have plenty of elixirs. But if you harbor any thoughts beyond simply looking at the elixirs, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

If the elixirs represented soft power, then Ku Zhu's own strength and the unspoken threat he posed were hard power. Combining both soft and hard tactics naturally made one invincible.

Wang Zhan quickly interrupted with a laugh, "Old Bro, what are you saying? We're all brothers here. Why would we fear them snatching our elixirs? Besides, with you around, they wouldn't be able to take them anyway. HAHAHA, take as many as you want, display as many as you like! If you two Brothers need any, you can put them on my tab!"

Well now, the brotherly affection Wang Zhan spoke of had warmed up so quickly in that instant that he was already calling them "Brothers"!

Ku Zhu didn't refute it. Overtly praising each other like business partners didn't quite fit their current roles. So, a subtle demonstration was sufficient.

However, although Boss Chen and Tian Qi felt somewhat embarrassed, they could only quickly suppress their dissatisfaction and raise their wine cups, saying, "Young Brother is so straightforward! We're just a couple of unsophisticated guys; please excuse our ignorance, Young Brother..."

After all, in this world, whoever provides is king!

In fact, when they saw these elixirs, their hearts had nearly wavered.

However, looking at the Storage Bangle in Ku Zhu's hand and the restrained yet sharp aura he exuded, they knew they couldn't risk making a move; the stakes were too high!

Never mind anything else, if that Storage Bangle fell into their hands, it would undoubtedly unleash a bloody storm. Of course, they would be the ones to suffer!

There was no way around it. Treasures are safe with large Families, but in the hands of lesser figures, possessing them inevitably leads to disaster due to envy. They were still far from that level!

So, since they had decided to curry favor, why not do it more decisively? Building a good rapport and earning a little something might even be their ticket out of this lousy place...

This "getting out" meant truly escaping. They even suspected Wang Zhan had the qualifications to directly pull people out of the Underground City.

Therefore, with this thought in mind, even when Wang Zhan allowed the two of them to pick some elixirs that would be useful to them, they hastily refused, adamant about not taking anything. Their mouths would invariably utter, "Young Brother, how could I, your elder brother, take advantage of you?"

They just kept toasting Wang Zhan, offering apologies, and incessantly praising and complimenting him, which did make Wang Zhan feel quite pleased with himself.

Ah, life! A life with people flattering you is truly blissful! Constant flattery, constant bliss.

Unfortunately, this meeting was about to end.

Wang Zhan silently watched the two, a meaningful smile flashing in his eyes, yet he continued to drink wine by the bowlful and devour meat by the mouthful.

Just at this moment, while the table laden with elixirs had yet to be cleared away.

BANG!

The door to their private dining compartment was violently shoved open from the outside.

Then, a gaunt figure strode in imposingly, laughing boisterously, acting as if no one else was present—wild and domineering.

It was Tian Qi's nemesis, Snakehead.

"Brother Tian Qi, what leisure brings you here today, entertaining guests... Huh?"

Little did he know, in the next instant, Snakehead immediately sensed something amiss.

Inside the private room, in a flash, four pairs of eyes were silently staring at him. And on the table before them, already quite large, was now completely covered with all sorts of elixirs, the air thick with their fragrance.

Originally, although Snakehead's laughter was hearty, it was undeniably tinged with gloom. But at this moment, his eyes unabashedly radiated an intense, scorching greed, and he couldn't help but lick his dry lips.

"KEKEKE, what a huge business! Brother Tian Qi, you're not being very considerate, are you? Such a large market, and you didn't even call me. Do you really think you can swallow it all yourself?"

However, it was quite evident that Snakehead's primary goal wasn't these elixirs; they merely plucked a string of greed deep within his heart. The true reason, of course, lay elsewhere. Because another person in the room had already caught his attention in that instant.

"Also, Brother Tian Qi, could you perhaps tell me who this distinguished gentleman is, that he deserves such grand hospitality from you?"

Following Snakehead's gaze, it was immediately clear to the three people in the room: Snakehead's target was Ku Zhu!

Although he was now exposed to Snakehead's scrutiny, Wang Zhan wasn't overly concerned. Anyway, those two men were long dead. Even if Snakehead suspected him, he wouldn't make a move so quickly. But he hadn't expected that Snakehead, upon arrival, would immediately fix his gaze on his most capable subordinate—a newly joined Martial King.

Wang Zhan couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Truly terrible luck!

Of course, it wasn't Wang Zhan whose luck was bad. Besides, even if this matter needed to be addressed in order, it wasn't Wang Zhan's turn to step forward yet. After all, the true host of the banquet hadn't even spoken.

Thus, the first to stand up and confront Snakehead was naturally Snakehead's arch-enemy, Wang Zhan's temporary partner—Tian Qi, the expert!

CLINK.

Tian Qi gently placed his wine cup on the table and rose, his expression impassive, his aura flaring. "Snakehead, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Snakehead immediately turned his head, his gaze confrontational, a hint of madness in his eyes. "KEKEKE, what am I trying to do? Come now, my dear Brother Tian Qi, could you do me a favor and tell me something? Why is it that I've searched the Underground City for so many days without finding the main culprit, yet at this very moment, on your turf, you're entertaining such a remarkably powerful guest?"

Logically, Wang Zhan's suspicion as the main culprit was almost cleared. After all, no matter who came, Wang Zhan was just an ordinary person, posing no threat whatsoever.

Moreover, Snakehead had directly labeled Ku Zhu, a complete stranger, as the culprit who killed his two subordinates! This already proved he was nearing madness, firmly believing he was closer to the truth than ever. So, naturally, he would spare no effort in finding flaws in Tian Qi's story.

For instance, he even turned back, pointed a finger straight at Wang Zhan's nose, and said in a sinister voice, "And another thing! My two subordinates were clearly chasing this kid who sells fake medicine that day. Why is he, of all people, here with you now? And it's obvious he's with your guest, isn't it?"

Coincidence.

Coincidence.

All coincidence.

Wang Zhan really wanted to say, "If I told you the truth, would you choose to believe it?"

Alas, even if Wang Zhan wanted to speak, there was nothing he could say. Was he supposed to tell Snakehead that he himself had killed his two subordinates? That while he wasn't interested in Snakehead, he was very interested in the big rats lurking underground behind him? And that he didn't want to see Snakehead's paranoia drive him completely mad?

So, never mind him. Even Tian Qi raised an eyebrow; though he knew it was a coincidence, he too was rendered speechless. He could only slowly shake his head and say, "I, Tian Qi, can assure you, this gentleman only arrived in the Underground City today. He came for our young brother, and I was a witness. If you don't believe me, you can inquire at the entrance; there should still be a record. As for any apparent connections, they are all pure coincidence! ..."

BOOM!

A cloud of dust suddenly erupted in the room.

The shadowy figure of Snakehead roared from within the dissipating dust, his killing intent palpable. "Coincidence my ass! You tell me to go ask? Why don't *you* go ask?"

He wasn't an idiot. What was his status, and what was the status of those gatekeepers? Would they really bother to speak with him? Besides, on what grounds did this Tian Qi fellow believe that he, Snakehead, didn't deserve to know the truth?

But these were secondary matters.

"Damn you, Tian Qi! I actually thought you were somebody! Turns out you're just a coward who doesn't dare own up to his actions! Are you worthy of those brothers who died at my hands *for you*?"

Snakehead's eyes were vicious and brutal as he unhesitatingly ripped away the thick mask Tian Qi wore, exposing his deepest secrets.

Tian Qi's expression changed drastically in an instant.

CRASH! The sound came from him kicking apart a wooden board that had flown towards him.

Tian Qi was furious, and he too began to retaliate, his face grim. He didn't yield an inch, retorting, "Snakehead, screw your ancestors! Watch what you eat, and watch what you say! Your men weren't killed by me, so they weren't killed by me! If you keep pestering me with this nonsense, I'll eliminate you in the name of my dead brothers! Do you still think I'm the same Tian Qi from when I first arrived in this Underground City, someone you could just push around without any resistance?"

For Snakehead, this matter with Tian Qi was just a minor diversion in the long course of his life. But he knew that for Tian Qi, this incident was like a powder keg resting on his heart, ready to ignite at the slightest spark.

This was a man who constantly suppressed his true nature, to the point where he appeared increasingly hypocritical!

"KEKEKE, then let's see you try!"

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