Recalling these details, Jin Botao finally had an epiphany.

Clearly, that young man who seemed to be Wang Zhan, though appearing silent on the surface, had already figured out behind the scenes that the child was backed by the State Government. That's why he specifically set up a situation to make contact with me, the State Governor.

Yet, he, the State Governor, had been completely oblivious. Plus, that fellow was impressively tight-lipped, refusing to mention it at all. This left Jin Botao utterly clueless and mystified from beginning to end, relying purely on his aura to maintain composure!

Moreover, this was after Wang Zhan had given Jin Botao nearly two hours to react. Who would have thought?

Jin Botao truly knew nothing and only realized upon reflection how foolishly he had acted.

How embarrassing!

However, Jin Botao immediately had another realization.

Hold on! If it was really a deal, why would he offer that pot of tea, tea that could even help Guan Shan achieve a breakthrough? This isn't a deal; it's a gift!

Jin Botao felt a slight headache. I'm an old fellow in my fifties or sixties, yet my mind couldn't compare to a child's. This was undoubtedly a setback.

Therefore, to avoid missing any crucial details again, he decided to immediately review everything—once, twice, three times… He continued until he reached the line, "...if I've broken the law, please arrest me now..." at which point he suddenly paused.

Jin Botao had another epiphany.

This looked more like a way of proving his own stance; Wang Zhan was sending me a message. It wasn't to deny there were other reasons, but if it truly was that Wang Zhan... I'm more inclined to believe that Wang Zhan had, in all likelihood, come with good intentions this time. It was just that I myself had been kept in the dark for a while and hadn't reacted.

Soon after, Guan Shan also obtained some information from an old friend. It wasn't a fax, but a newspaper. The newspaper printed content showing the exact scene from a few months ago: Wang Zhan dominating the Federal Martial Arts Competition after his disappearance from the Jing State Wilderness Area. This information came from the Federation's own recordings, so its authenticity was highly reliable!

"It really is him... What formidable youths, truly formidable!"

Finally, as if unraveling silk from a cocoon, Jin Botao more or less understood Wang Zhan's intentions.

He was probably trying to test me and, incidentally, show some goodwill. It was just that I misunderstood his intentions, which is why he put me in my place right at the start and had Guan Shan taught a lesson, right? In that case... those fake medicines are likely his operation, although I don't know who else is involved behind the scenes...

However, now that things had progressed this far, Wang Zhan's objective had been achieved, regardless of his actual intentions, because Jin Botao had reflected and understood. As Wang Zhan had said, meeting him was his purpose.

But then, Jin Botao's heart grew heavy once more.

This young hero, who has stirred up so much in the Federation... Judging by his actions, they have mostly been beneficial to the Federation. So, are his intentions this time good or bad?

Of course, even if Jin Botao had his doubts, he wouldn't dare to investigate further. Because he knew better than anyone that once he sought confirmation, it would mean the beginning of treading into classified territory.

Recalling his brief contact with Wang Zhan, and the young man's hidden clues that seemed as muddled as paste, Jin Botao made his decision.

I'll trust Wang Zhan this once! Such a huge benefit, even if it's just for one round, the gains are immense...

As a figure of the older generation, Jin Botao was naturally more decisive than the youngsters, especially since he had personally experienced and clearly understood the benefits of the fake elixirs.

Setting aside Wang Zhan's good or bad nature, as long as this progress and level can be maintained... the greatest long-term impact on humanity would be that if the Federation's grassroots could possess it, the number of the Federation's Martial Artists would undoubtedly experience explosive growth! Of course, if Wang Zhan really was just planning to use me to do something bad, then I, an old man, might as well be used by Wang Zhan once. So what if my reputation was ruined? Who would care? For old fellows like us, on the verge of death, as long as the potential benefits far outweighed the hidden risks, we, who had nothing to lose, weren't afraid of losing.

It had to be said, Wang Zhan hadn't misjudged; these old fellows did have some capabilities. Even though Wang Zhan had been speaking in riddles the entire time, not long after, Jin Botao managed to guess Wang Zhan's intentions quite accurately.

However, some developments were beyond Wang Zhan's expectations. For instance, there were the two sisters from the Yue Sheng Tea House, who were students at the Federal Martial Arts Academy. And, for another, Jin Botao had already decided to throw in his lot with Wang Zhan.

One should know, Wang Zhan's original intention was indeed a well-meaning reminder. The main reason was to prevent Jin Botao from getting too involved, merely hoping he would pay attention to avoid being implicated when scores were eventually settled. But he truly hadn't expected that although Jin Botao was old and past his prime, he was still such a spirited and decisive man. Once he understood Wang Zhan's intentions and clearly saw the implications of the situation, he immediately prepared to act.

Unfortunately for Wang Zhan, despite his considerable strength in martial arts, and though his mental energy could perceive the truth of an entire city, he paradoxically couldn't see the subtle maneuvers within the small State Government. This was the crushing power derived from the Federation's deep foundations. Of course, this kind of means to block investigation could be used by anyone, but not everyone could possess it. For instance, one first needed to possess the corpse of an expert at or above the Martial Emperor realm with its heart-core intact. One should know, blocking internal and external scrutiny was merely a fraction of the residual power their bodies possessed after death. Wei Daoming had informed him of all these things before they set off.

Thus, only after several days had passed would Wang Zhan truly realize the complications stemming from that pot of tea and the surprise Jin Botao had in store for him.

「Meanwhile.」

The prelude to the war in the Underground City also finally erupted after Tian Qi's furious and helpless outburst!

Although Wang Zhan often merely guided things according to the situation, even he might not have realized that as time passed, his strategic grasp of human nature was becoming increasingly precise. Naturally, Tian Qi became the first innocent sacrifice to his machinations.

And this kingly figure, with his handsome face and domineering conduct, now couldn't help but immediately think of Wang Zhan's shadow whenever he saw Tie Xiuqing nearby or caught glimpses of Ku Zhu. And he, a mere Grandmaster, had watched helplessly as a chess piece highly valued by that devil turned into a corpse right under his nose, ultimately leaving behind only some fragmented tissue. Tian Qi wasn't certain whether Wang Zhan would let it go, but he absolutely wouldn't dare to take the risk!

With overwhelming strength, even if unspoken, others will naturally choose to show deference.

Thus, even after Boss Chen learned what had happened, he was momentarily speechless and fell silent. In the end, he could only advise Tian Qi to accept the facts, not to hide from Wang Zhan, and to go to him to admit his mistake; perhaps the outcome would still be manageable.

But how could Tian Qi be willing to accept such a situation, which was tantamount to him admitting he was just unlucky and had to take the fall!

"I want to stop too, but look! Even Snakehead, who was once as powerful as the midday sun, has ended up like this. What do I even count for in his eyes...?"

On the other hand, Tian Qi was no fool; moreover, he was an overlord. So, after two days of anger, ceaseless attempts to find the truth, and frustratingly failing to locate those people, he understood.

This matter was definitely not as simple as it seemed on the surface. Because both the unusual nature of the incident itself and the numerous coincidences involved pointed to the opponent's power and inscrutability. This perfectly matched the projection of Wang Zhan he held in his mind.

One should know, those who hadn't interacted with Wang Zhan might not sense the ruthlessness hidden deep in his heart. But anyone who had dealt with Wang Zhan knew very well that his methods were always baffling.

You might think he doesn't care, but he could care immensely. You might think he's going to kill, but perhaps he's just keeping people alive to enjoy the pleasure derived from the process of their torment. You might think he's leaving, but who knows? Maybe he has silently returned to the Underground City and is observing my every move from the shadows, just waiting to see when I will offer a humble apology, kneeling before him and begging for mercy?! Therefore, for me, if Ku Zhu was an insurmountable mountain, then Wang Zhan was an inescapable demonic claw. Since it was a demonic claw, then I, Tian Qi, was already caught in its grip. Even if Wang Zhan himself was the culprit behind the scenes, I would still have to play out this act and take the blame. Otherwise, it would most likely be seen as defiance and a challenge to Wang Zhan, and the consequences would be unthinkable.

Yet, precisely at this moment, some foolish and ignorant fools were still trying to stand in his way, constantly challenging Tian Qi's dignity as the king of the Underground City and provoking his authority. In that case, how could he not be furious!

And so, in the sunless Underground City, as Tian Qi's orders for continuous advancement and forceful clean-ups were relentlessly issued... If it was considered a stroke of luck that after two days, despite widespread minor clashes and chaos, no deeper conflicts had erupted, then, with the inevitable encounter between Tian Qi's men and Snakehead's former subordinates, those long-simmering contradictions finally exploded as if a hornet's nest had been stirred, escalating instantly and leading to scenes of pursuit and slaughter everywhere.

Just like at this very moment, on the street where Wang Zhan had once shouted about selling fake medicine and where Boss Chen's shop was located, some men were desperately parrying blows with their blades, fighting a retreating battle while roaring:

"Our boss is dead! From now on, the Underground City is yours. Aren't you satisfied? Must you hunt us down to the last man like this?"

Naturally, someone responded. Their faces, however, were contorted with savagery and smeared with blood, their eyes glinting with a cold light.

"Exterminate you? KYEHEHEH! You think you're even worthy?"

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