You, a living person, are telling me I've served in the underworld for ten years?

The passageway was not made of bricks or stones, but of thick alloy plates that gleamed with a cold metallic sheen. Countless square firing holes were carved into them, and behind each dark opening, the cold glint of some kind of heavy firearm could be faintly seen.

In the shadows high above, one can occasionally glimpse the rotating prism-shaped mirror—that's the reflection from the omnidirectional surveillance camera.

The air was filled with the low rumble of engine pulses and the almost inaudible buzzing sound characteristic of some kind of energy weapon when it was on standby.

"Oh shit……"

Even with Wang Shengxiong's extensive knowledge, the moment he saw the passage clearly, his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and he subconsciously cursed under his breath.

This isn't the entrance to a gang's hideout! It's clearly an underground tunnel leading to the Ironblood Fortress!
If the dozens of men he brought were to force their way through, they would probably be torn to shreds by the crossfire from those dark firing ports in this narrow, exposed metal passage before they even saw the enemy!
The man who opened the door and led the way, dressed in a dark silver-gray Zhongshan suit, walked slowly and steadily in the middle of the passageway, his black cloth shoes making no sound.

He seemed completely oblivious to the deadly pressure emanating from the walls on either side, a pressure that was locked onto by countless weapons; his back exuded a deep-seated indifference.

The passage wasn't straight; after walking several dozen meters, it turned a corner. Suddenly, an extremely vast underground space unfolded before our eyes.

This is basically a massive underground training base and barracks!
As far as the eye can see, it stretches almost to the end.

The towering arched dome is covered with thick concrete and embedded dark metal ribs, and several giant industrial searchlights emitting a strong white light are suspended at intervals, illuminating the area below as bright as day.

The entire space is divided into several clearly defined functional areas.

In the farthest distance, on a vast open plain the size of several standard football fields, dozens of burly men, shirtless and with muscles as hard as iron, were locked in a fierce battle, fighting one-on-one amidst deafening shouts! The clash of fists and feet produced dull thuds of flesh impact, the force so heavy that one could feel the gusts of wind even from a great distance.

Dozens of people were running while carrying huge tires and massive solid steel pillars, each step creating a tiny tremor on the ground.

This place features only the most primitive physical combat and strength training, carrying a savage, beast-like stench.

The area on the left is completely different, filled with the cold reality of modern warfare.

In front of a row of moving steel plate targets that resembled a maze, personnel dressed in uniform black combat gear were aiming their guns, the muzzles spitting out steady tongues of fire.

The sounds of rapid-fire, single-shot explosions, and the hissing of a specially designed energy weapon mingled together. Amidst the billowing smoke, hard metal targets were torn apart and shattered by bullets or energy beams.

In a more distant corner, you could even see groups of people mimicking the operation of some kind of shoulder-fired heavy weapon launcher.

Next to the shooting area is the obstacle course, which features towering barbed wire walls, simulated broken walls, fire pits, and muddy pools. People are constantly nimbly climbing, scaling, and crawling through these areas.

On the right is a circular track where a group of people are running frantically with heavy loads.

On the side closer to Chen Yang and his group's entrance, there were two rows of people standing like javelins.

They were dressed in the same black outfits, with glaring wolf head emblems on their chests.

These people were expressionless, their eyes sharp like hyenas eyeing their prey. They remained motionless, only their hands, holding shields and knives, appeared pale from excessive force.

The patrol teams, like precise gears, weaved through the area, two people per team, equipped with clearly superior standard-issue firearms and tactical goggles, vigilantly scanning the entire area.

As Chen Yang and his two companions walked by, almost every gaze seemed to focus on them intentionally or unintentionally, with scrutiny, indifference, or undisguised contempt.

"Hmph, what a grand display!"

Wang Shengxiong suppressed his shock, deliberately stomping his feet louder and forcing his way forward, trying to use the rough noise to cover up the chill in his heart that was being locked onto by countless cold eyes.

The bravery of the dozens of brothers he brought was utterly futile in the face of such a formidable fortress, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Silver Hand Uncle Nine ignored their reaction, continuing his march without changing direction. He led them not towards the noisy training ground, but deeper into the base along a cleaner and quieter alloy passageway at the edge. Heavy alloy blast-proof doors began to appear on both sides of the passageway, each labeled with different numbers and uses.

"Equipment Depot Area A", "Life Support System", "Core Energy Control"...

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, each step feeling like a march towards the core of some colossal beast.

As we passed an area that smelled faintly of disinfectant, a heavy, airtight door slid open automatically, and several people in white coats and goggles hurriedly pushed a small cart covered with a white sheet out, brushing past limbs wrapped in heavy bandages and oozing dark red blood.

Those people had cold eyes and showed no reaction to the three people passing by outside the door.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, Silver Hand Uncle Nine stopped at an inconspicuous corner.

There were no signs or markings, only a gray alloy wall indistinguishable from the surroundings. Uncle Nine extended his unusually broad, jade-skinned hand and gently patted a spot on the wall.

"Om..."

A slight mechanical sound was heard.

The once perfectly sealed wall silently slid open, revealing a dark staircase entrance leading to a deeper area below, just wide enough for two or three people to pass side by side.

An even more pungent smell of lubricating oil mixed with stale dust filled the air.

"Follow."

Silver Hand Uncle Nine spoke succinctly and stepped down first.

"Hold!"

Looking at the bottomless entrance that exuded an ominous aura, Wang Shengxiong's forehead veins throbbed again, and he couldn't help but whisper to Chen Yang.

"Chen Yang, is this fucking going down? If they really want to bury us, they could use some traps and poison gas, and we'd be..."

"It's alright."

Chen Yang's gaze swept over the brand-new metal friction marks on the edge of the staircase entrance, and then glanced at the almost imperceptible energy patterns at the seams of the smooth wall above.

"The door above is itself an alloy valve that is half a meter thick."

This opening doesn't seem like a trap.

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a peculiar power to calm people's hearts.

"It's more like a last resort, where they locked the main gate from the inside after escaping to block the pursuers."

Silver Hand Uncle Nine paused for a moment without turning around, seemingly somewhat surprised by Chen Yang's gaze.

He said nothing more and continued downwards.

The stairs spiraled downwards for an extremely long time, and the walls were made of original rock reinforced with special cement, making them exceptionally cold.

The air grew increasingly murky, carrying an indescribable dampness and oppression emanating from the depths of the earth. It took a full ten minutes to finally spot a glimmer of light.

At the end, the view suddenly opened up.

This is also a huge space, but its style is completely different from the rugged practicality of the upper barracks.

Although still the core area of ​​the underground fortress, it was decorated with extreme luxury and comfort. Underfoot was a soft, deep black shag carpet that almost sank into the ankles. The upper half of the walls was covered with some kind of dark sandalwood wainscoting that exuded a soft sheen, while the lower half was polished to a mirror-like finish with black cloud-patterned marble.

A huge crystal chandelier hung from the dome, illuminating the area below. On the inner side stood a large huanghuali wood desk, with only an antique bronze paperweight and a few documents on it—the space was remarkably simple.

Against the wall is a floor-to-ceiling bulletproof glass curtain wall, through which you can see a huge private collection room on the other side, filled with all kinds of antiques and modern art.

Several sets of genuine leather sofas upholstered in top-quality lambskin were casually scattered on the empty floor, filling the entire space with a peculiar atmosphere that was both cold and luxurious.

"What about people?"

Wang Shengxiong cautiously scanned his surroundings. Apart from the three of them, the entire empty office was eerily quiet.

"You're messing with me?!"

Uncle Silver Hands seemed not to hear his question, and walked straight to the rosewood desk, nodding slightly.

"Boss, the guests have arrived."

As he finished speaking, the large, high-backed black leather chair behind his desk slowly turned around.

A man was sitting upright in the chair.

He was around fifty years old, not as tall and robust as Wang Shengxiong, but rather thin. He wore a meticulously tailored dark blue Tang suit, with the buttons fastened perfectly. His face was refined, even somewhat gaunt, with slightly sunken eyes, pupils as deep as cold pools, and a gaze so sharp it seemed to pierce through the heart.

There was a very faint, almost worn-down old scar at the corner of his left eye, easily overlooked unless one looked closely. This person did not possess the violent, rough-and-tumble air one might expect from a江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) figure; instead, he exuded a deep, oppressive aura, like a layer of ice buried deep underground, chilling and heavy.

The Living Yama! Lei Zhenyue! The true leader of the Green Wolf Gang, a powerful figure who can stir up trouble in the shadows of Binhai City's underworld!
He simply sat there casually, his gaze sweeping calmly over Wang Shengxiong's face, which was flushed red with anger and frustration from the journey, before finally settling on Chen Yang, who was half a step behind Wang Shengxiong and remained composed throughout.

"Brother Wang, Brother Chen."

You must be tired from your journey, please have a seat.

The voice was soft and unhurried, like the clash of cold jade, carrying an undeniable sense of control.

He pointed to the sofa next to him.

"Sit my ass!"

Wang Shengxiong's pent-up anger finally erupted. He took a step forward and slammed his huge fist onto the thick, sturdy rosewood table, producing a dull thud. Even the bronze paperweight on the table jumped slightly.

"Lei Zhenyue! Stop pretending with me! I'm here to settle scores! How are you going to settle this score for smashing up my 'Warhammer Bar'?! Do you really think I, Wang Shengxiong, am made of clay?! If you don't give me a clear answer today, even if this is your stronghold, I'm going to have a go at you!"

Lei Zhenyue leaned back slightly, resting against the wide back of the chair, his hands crossed over his lower abdomen, his ten fingers long and strong, his nails neatly trimmed.

He watched Wang Shengxiong's furious outburst with a calm, unwavering gaze, as if he were watching a farce that had nothing to do with him.

"Smash your bar?"

Lei Zhenyue's lips curled into a very faint, cold smile.

"If I don't smash your few tin signs and take down your watchdogs, Boss Wang, you'll still be bringing this guy along..."

His gaze fell on Chen Yang again, with a look of scrutiny as if he were examining his prey.

"Is someone who has piqued my interest so eager to barge in front of me?"

Wang Shengxiong was stunned, his anger frozen on his face.

"What...what do you mean? Just because you want to see him?!"

"if not?"

Lei Zhenyue spoke casually, as if he were discussing the weather.

"Everyone in the underworld says that you, Wang Shengxiong, have struck gold, picking up a ruthless character who's been hiding his true abilities. My Green Wolf Gang happens to need someone to do something. If I were to send him an invitation, would you give it to him? You'd probably just keep him hidden even deeper and think that I, Lei, have ulterior motives."

He paused, his voice growing even colder.

"I like to get things done quickly and decisively. Smashing your nest is the most direct way, and it's also the best way to make you bring your anger and fury to see me."

As for how you want to settle the accounts..."

He raised his hand and pointed to the ground beneath his feet.

"Now that you're here, it's your business how you want to calculate it."

However, would you like to hear my suggestion first?

This blatant exploitation and the humiliation of being treated like a monkey made Wang Shengxiong feel a buzzing in his head and his blood rushing to his head!

He was so angry that he laughed instead.

"Ha! Hahaha! Well done! What a ruthless devil you are! So arrogant! Shameless! So you smashed my signboard and hurt my brothers just to poach my talent?! I'll fuck your ancestors...!"

“Brother Shengxiong”.

Chen Yang gently placed one hand on Wang Shengxiong's steel arm, which was about to overturn the table. The cold touch and his calm voice were like a bucket of cold water, instantly dousing Wang Shengxiong's almost exploding passion.

Wang Shengxiong paused, then turned to look at Chen Yang with even more confusion and anger.

"brother!
They're practically riding on our necks to poop and pee!

Chen Yang's gaze did not leave Lei Zhenyue's face, but moved slightly, finally landing on a corner of the thick and huge rosewood desk.

There, seemingly casually placed, was a transparent crystal upright container. Inside the container was about ten milliliters of a peculiar liquid, thick and dark green, that seemed to sway and flow on its own in the dim light, with dark red, blood-like veins faintly visible deep within its core! Several almost invisible energy patterns flashed by within the container's walls.

Gene-enhancing drugs?! And extremely high-level drugs, imbued with potent activity and even "life force"! Their level far surpasses the paralyzing toxins used by the canyon raiders, and they even possess a vague, inexplicable sense of familiarity!
Alarm bells rang in Chen Yang's mind!

Lei Zhenyue is definitely related to those mysterious genetic technologies!

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Chen Yang's eyes. He slightly increased the pressure on his hand, stopping Wang Shengxiong's impulsive act. At the same time, he lowered his voice, which reached Wang Shengxiong's ears with perfect clarity.

"Don't act rashly."

There were at least three energy convergence points under the carpet to his left, and a hidden array of genetic weapons within the bookshelf to his right. The chandelier overhead also concealed a high-frequency mental interference shockwave device. "Any action taken in this room would instantly trigger a self-destruct chain reaction; none of us could escape."

Wang Shengxiong's body trembled violently, a fine layer of cold sweat instantly beading on his forehead. Instinctively, following Chen Yang's subtle hints, his gaze swept over the smooth, mirror-like carpet and the seemingly ordinary, heavy ebony bookcase, then glanced at the dazzling, luxurious crystal chandelier… He felt a chill run from his tailbone straight to the top of his head! The surge of excitement he had felt moments before was instantly extinguished. (End of Chapter)