Cataclysm King

Chapter 220 Master Merlin’s old friend

Ji Xun left the laboratory.

Decades of concentration and love allowed Master Merlin to quickly immerse himself in his own experiments.

Those dragonborn materials indeed brought him too many surprises. The dismantling of the genetic sequence of this mythical creature also confirmed his wild guesses little by little.

But at his age, his energy is fading.

Even if you have a few mental-type disaster-warming souls like [Evil God's Tentacles].

But there are always times when I feel low on energy.

Just like now, I often forget something.

I don’t know how long it took, but the little pet said that there were humans outside.

Master Merlin suddenly remembered something and slapped his head: "Oh, I almost forgot. We have distinguished guests today!"

After he refined the first legendary card and became one of the "three legendary card makers".

People who never wanted to see him had to visit him on their own.

Even the top dignitaries in the Federation must be respectful.

But this time, he put down all the experiments in his hands and hurried out of the laboratory.

He was going to greet the distinguished guest whom he had not seen for a long time.

At this moment, the sewer exit of the laboratory.

A fat young man in a tuxedo stood slightly reservedly next to a cloaked man.

"Grandma, do you want me to go in and say hello first? My appointment is today, but"

"No need. Just wait. My old friend must have forgotten again."

"Oh."

If Ji Xun were here, he would be able to recognize at a glance that this little fat man is Song Can, the owner of Dayiwan Secret Treasure Shop.

Although the cloaked figure next to him could not clearly see her appearance and her voice was old, even if she was just standing there, one could feel that she had an extremely quiet and elegant temperament.

After a while, footsteps were heard.

A dark figure quickly walked into the field of vision from the depths of the sewer.

Taking a closer look, it was Master Merlin who was coming in a hurry.

The wise man looked at the waiting cloaked man in front of him and recognized his old friend at a glance. He greeted him warmly and said apologetically: "Oh, it's so rude. I let the lady come here. Sorry, I clearly remember the lady today." You are coming to Innocence City, but you happen to have an experiment in hand these days, and your memory is not very good as you are getting old."

Before Master Merlin could finish speaking, the cloaked man smiled and shook his head: "Merlin, you are still the same."

She doesn't care at all.

Because I know the character of my old friend very well.

Real friends never have to be so polite.

Master Merlin also laughed at himself, and did not continue, but instead said: "Miss, long time no see. If you don't mind, come and sit in my laboratory."

As he spoke, he made an invitation gesture.

"Okay."

The cloaked man nodded and agreed happily.

She followed and walked in, but she also felt that the address was not very good, so she corrected: "Besides, I've been saying it for decades, just call me by my name."

When Master Merlin heard this, he laughed again: "Hahaha, when I was young, I always felt that calling Miss You by her first name was rude. Once you get used to it, you won't be able to change it."

The cloaked man smiled and said nothing.

As if hearing the word "youth", some vague memories suddenly came to mind.

As Master Meilin walked, he said with great emotion: "If it hadn't been for your generous support, Miss, I wouldn't be where I am today. Perhaps, I will inherit my father's job and become a boilermaker in Dragon City."

The cloaked man smiled and said nothing, just shook his head and sighed softly.

Mentioning the past, those memories came to mind one after another.

Although Master Merlin's name is well known in the card master world, few know about his past before he became famous.

He didn't even know that the old grandmother from the Black Gold Chamber of Commerce and he were old friends who had known each other for hundreds of years.

Although card makers are respected, it is a profession that requires a lot of money and resources.

This road is not accessible to ordinary people at all. It has always been exclusive to nobles.

However, Merlin was not born into a noble family.

When he was a young boy, Merlin was still a poor student.

Even though he was talented, it was impossible to become a card maker without money in those days.

But at that time, the Song family was already a large financial group in the federation.

The eldest lady had a keen eye for people and fully supported him, and that was how he became Master Merlin.

The fat man Song Can on the side looked even more reserved when he saw what the two old men said in greeting.

He followed the two of them respectfully, not daring to make any noise for fear of disturbing them.

But he also listened with curious ears.

Listening to Master Meilin's words, he also realized that his Song family and Master Meilin had such a connection.

As they walked, the cloaked man said, "Merlin, it seems we haven't seen each other for a long time?"

Master Merlin also nodded and thought about it: "The last time we met was more than ten years ago, right? He was exiled to Innocence City and couldn't go back."

The last time we met was before he was exiled.

Hearing this, the cloaked man sighed slightly: "It turns out that the last time we met was so long ago."

"Yes."

Master Merlin nodded.

At this moment, he is not a legendary master, he is just accompanying an old friend, as if he were walking and chatting with him many years ago.

After pondering for a moment, the cloaked man said with infinite emotion: "In the blink of an eye, we are all so old. Sometimes I really think that there are not many old friends who are still alive, and the memories of my youth are like a dream. , I really can’t tell whether it was a dream I had when I was confused, or whether it was something I have actually experienced in my life.”

"Yes."

Master Merlin heard this and just responded, but he always felt that something was not right.

My old friend, who has always been optimistic, seems to be in a sad mood today.

He asked tentatively: "Miss. You?"

The cloaked man knew what he saw, and said calmly: "I came here to do something to do. At the same time, I also came to say goodbye to you."

Upon hearing this, Master Merlin's expression suddenly froze: "You"

This "goodbye" made the legendary master's eyes instantly moisten.

He realized that this might be the last time the two of them saw each other.

The last goodbye in life.

Suddenly feeling sad, Merlin said quickly: "I have some new research."

But the cloaked man smiled and shook his head: "It's useless. All possible methods have been used. I know my own situation very well."

As she spoke, she still said in a calm and relieved tone: "My old friend, there is no need to be sad for me. My life has been wonderful. I also know where I am going. Death is never the end."

Master Merlin fell into a long silence when he heard this.

There was only melancholy and sighs in his wise eyes.

There are not many people in this world that he can care about. If there is one less person, it will be like what she said just now, as if those memories have become as light as a dream.

Suddenly, he thought of something and asked: "Miss, have you found the person you are looking for?"

Hearing this, the cloaked man's eyes were blurry and distant, as if he had remembered something as the years passed. His thoughts finally turned into a relieved smile: "Yes. I'm really lucky."

Master Merlin looked at her expression and said, "You"

Suddenly the sadness was diluted.

He knew what it meant to be the one he was looking for,
After a lifetime of waiting and searching, the result finally came, and he was happy for his old friend.

Thinking of this, Merlin also had a faint smile in his eyes, and then said: "I haven't seen you so happy in many years."

Thinking of something, a heartfelt smile appeared on the cloaked man's face, and he said: "Yes. Fate is still very good to me. I have a brilliant career, sincere friendship, and perfect obsession."

"."

Master Merlin also laughed, and the corners of his eyes became moist.

Looking at the bright smile on the face of my old friend, I feel like I have returned to those days when I was young.

But if you think about it carefully, that was already 100 years ago.

On the other side, Ji Xun left the laboratory and went directly to Downing Street.

He has stayed in Innocence City for a long time, and he knows exactly where to get really useful information.

The Old Dockyard Tavern.

The restless drinkers are emitting the heat of life under the heavy metal music, and the air is filled with the smell of hormones.

in the corner.

Ji Xun was holding a glass of blackberry wine and drank it one sip after another.

After advancing to the third level, he felt great.

Even though his wanted poster was prominently displayed on every pub notice board in Downing Street, the streets were full of guys who wanted to catch him and collect the bounty.

But he was sitting here without any disturbance in his heart.

This is the confidence brought by the sudden increase in strength.

Now that he has entered the third level, it is not easy to kill him.

At least card masters below level four have basically no hope.

However, after Ji Xun came out of the laboratory, there was a question lingering in his mind: "Master Merlin avoided talking about it, why? What happened to the 'big man' in Shangbang Prison."

Logically speaking, there should be no one with Master Merlin's status that he could avoid talking about.

But unfortunately, he didn't say anything.Ji Xun had actually heard of "Shangbang Prison" before, but he only knew that it was a prison.

The Innocence City was originally a place of exile, and all the people here were criminals.

Theoretically speaking, the exiles who come here are in a free-range state and their freedom will no longer be restricted.

There are some exceptions.

For example, some "felon criminals" in the federal government.

For example, political prisoners, or some exiled nobles and military officers.
Those with sensitive identities are not allowed to be killed by law and can only be exiled.

But the higher-ups didn't want them to go back and cause trouble, so they could only continue to restrict their freedom, so the "Shangbang Prison" was created.

This is all the information Ji Xun knows.

While they were drinking, a seductively dressed woman walked in and sat directly across the table.

This is Sister Bo from Downing Street, a well-known intelligence dealer in the underworld of Innocence City.

This is not the first time Ji Xun has dealt with this woman. As soon as they met, he said straight to the point: "Where is the information I want?"

Sister Bo calmly looked at the guest in front of her, confirmed that it was her first time, and said directly: "One hundred thousand."

These intelligence merchants are in the business of doing more than just selling intelligence.

At the same time, the identity of the person who bought the information is also important information they need.

Ji Xun's eyes flashed deliberately, but he didn't understand the rules and took out the money neatly.

Seeing his demeanor, Sister Bo knew that he was a knowledgeable Taoist.

She instantly stopped her thoughts of prying. While taking the money, she handed over an oil paper bag and said, "All the information is here."

First-hand money, first-hand goods.

The two insiders didn't mess around.

But Ji Xun had left Innocence City for a long time. He wanted to get some other information, so he asked casually: "What's the big news here recently?"

Good information doesn't come cheap.

With that said, he also took out a stack of banknotes again.

Sister Bo happily accepted it and said:
"The Lionheart Family had a big incident three days ago in Lion City in the Old World. But for some reason, the news was blocked there. It is said that some important figures were assassinated. The information we have is from within the Lionheart Family. The fight for the heir. What is certain is that the S-class wanted criminal who has been attracting attention recently is directly involved."

"The Cao family has sent people to take over Innocence City. And they have discovered several important mechanical ruins at Devil's Crossing. The mechanical army has begun to take shape. It is said that it has been mass-produced and is suitable for high-level card masters. "Threatening Machinery"

"The other five major congressmen have already sent people over. They were responsible for the explosion at Nugget Pier not long ago. The shadows of those dead soldiers may be found in the sewers of East City."

"Oh, also, the revolutionary army cadres who were hiding in Honglou last time showed up in Starfall City in the southern part of the Federation. There was some commotion. The "Valkyrie" Qin killed a Federation lieutenant. Will."

"."

I have to say that these professional intelligence dealers are really powerful.

Some of the news was even more detailed than the aristocratic newspapers.

Ji Xun also listened calmly, occasionally asking a few questions that interested him.

After a while, Sister Bo stopped talking.

Ji Xun knew that the money had been spent, so he didn't continue to ask.

With this information and the content in the newspapers, we have a pretty good understanding of the recent general trends in Innocence City.

Sister Bo knew the rules very well. She looked at Ji Xun and stopped listening, saying nothing, and asking questions.

The deal is over.

Sister Bo stood up to leave, but after all she was asking for money, so she said again: "Sir, do you need any additional news? Only ten thousand."

Ji Xun glanced at her and said calmly: "Tell me."

These shrewd intelligence dealers dare to speak because they must think that the information is of interest to their customers.

This time, Sister Bo did not ask for money first, but said: "A lot of people have been asking for information about Shangbang Prison recently. According to the information I got in the industry, Bureau X and some congressmen are paying attention."

Ji Xun's expression didn't look strange as he listened, but he paid more attention in his heart.

This information is indeed very important to him.

After paying the money, Sister Bo walked out of the tavern with her sexy buttocks twisted.

Ji Xun took out the information in the document bag and looked through it.

At this sight, his brows gradually furrowed.

The information he bought mainly consisted of two parts.

The first is about Artest.

The second is Shangbang Prison.

"Before Artest joined the Brotherhood, he worked as a transport worker in Shangbang Prison. 15 years ago."

The reason Ji Xun wanted to inquire about this was not only to confirm the origin of the Gluttony Breathing Technique, but more importantly, based on the timeline, to estimate the people Artest might have come into contact with in those years.

This was also the only way he could think of to find the "mysterious man".

After all, that Shangbang prison was just as the intelligence said, there was no way in or out.

Anyone who enters prison will never be able to come out.

"This prison is really mysterious."

Looking at the contents of the intelligence, Ji Xun felt more and more that the matter was not simple.

He had previously thought that Shangbang Prison was just a prison.

It was because I knew where the Gluttony Breathing Method came from that I first felt that there might be something wrong.

And now, looking at the "only entry but no exit" situation, and the fact that the prison's manager is actually the "Golden Oak Security Company".

Ji Xun realized that things were not simple.

In the eyes of ordinary people, Golden Oak Security Company is the Public Security Bureau of Innocence City.

Ji Xun also worked as a low-level corpse collector in this company.

But now he also knows that this security company is a force secretly supported by the Oran survivors.

Then the problem is coming.

Why do Oran remnants control a prison?
It must be profitable.

From the current point of view, the remnants of the old era have mastered a lot of dating information on the old continent, and the Innocence City itself is an ancient relic from 3000 years ago.

So, could it be that those guys knew what was special about "Shangbang Prison" and therefore let Golden Oak manage it?
Once this assumption is established, the existence of this prison becomes confusing.

According to the current intelligence, no one knows what is going on in the prison except those inside Golden Oak.

It was a place completely cut off from the outside world.

And due to the recent development of the Old Continent, Innocence City has also become lively, and the management of Shangbang Prison has become stricter.

The intelligence said that there was suspected to be a top-level card master guarding the place.

Ji Xun had asked many questions before, and even though Artai was in the brotherhood, he had never told anyone about his experience in Shangbang Prison.

It seemed like there was some kind of contract signed when I joined the company, or there was some special reason.

Although I don't know where those intelligence dealers got this information, those who eat this professional meal must have their own way.

Ji Xun thought about it carefully and felt that the information was okay.

And as Sister Bo just said, some forces such as "X Bureau" are also inquiring about the situation of that prison.

This is even more intriguing.

After Ji Xun got this information, he confirmed that he had to go there in person as soon as possible.

Ji Xun left the tavern and clearly noticed that someone was following him.

But this is too normal in Innocence City.

Maybe it's a gangster who wants to make money, maybe he's an informant for an intelligence businessman, or maybe he's a professional thief.
Ji Xun didn't care at all.

He easily avoided those probes by changing his attire.

Now the goal is clear, he is going to jail.

Infiltration is basically not considered.

Since it is a place controlled by the Oran survivors, the danger should be considered directly to the upper limit.

The intelligence said that the prison was guarded by a suspected top card master.

Then the "suspects" can basically be ruled out, and there must be a master.

It is very risky to infiltrate hastily.

Moreover, the saying that "there is no way out" in Shangbang Prison is also extremely dangerous.

According to the intelligence, no prisoners have come out of the prison so far.

Ji Xun guessed that it was either death row or there was some danger in the cell that prevented the prisoners from getting out alive.

Whatever the possibility, it's worth treating with caution.

Although he is now at the third level, he is not arrogant enough to think that he can safely deal with this completely unknown danger.

However, this "unknown danger" also aroused Ji Xun's strong desire to explore.

There are two ideas now.

The "mysterious man" related to the Gluttony Breathing Technique was either an inmate in the prison or a prison guard at Golden Oak.

Ji Xun prefers the former.

But after thinking about it, he decided to start with Golden Oak Company.

For example, pretend to be a porter first and go see what's going on inside.

After all, Artest was once a porter in Shangbang Prison.

The people who can be contacted by that position may be the target people.

　It's a bit clumsy, a little less today.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)