"My office? Umm…why?" Mayor Yi Nang asked nervously.
Su Jin's voice turned serious. "Why? Are you going back on your word, Mayor?"
"No, not at all. I made that deal in front of many witnesses, in front of our sacred Earthly Mandate, I do not dare to go back on my words." Mayor proclaimed his integrity, his voice firm.
Su Jin looked at the Mayor suspiciously. "Do you think I am a fool, Mayor Yi Nang?" Su Jin asked as if he really wanted to know the answer to this question.
"Not at all Respected Su Jin." Mayor Yi Nang felt very uncomfortable under Su Jin's scrutinizing gaze. "I would never dare to underestimate your intelligence or wisdom."
"Then why should I believe your words, your witnesses, or your oath on this..." Su Jin scoffed, pulling out the Earthly Mandate and flicking it dismissively between his fingers. "...useless stone?"
"I am true to my words, believe me." Mayor Yi Nang felt offended but didn't dare to escalate it further as he tried to convince his integrity.
"If you are a man of integrity, then tell me why none of the neighboring cities came to your aid? They happily traded your treasures for their own gain, but sent not a single soul to fight for Serene Jade City." Su Jin asked a question that cut through the Mayor's confidence like a knife.
"I am a businessman, I am not here for charity, I got paid for the earlier transaction but for the second one, I have no faith in any of you even if you proclaim to die for this useless stone." Su Jin's words were sharp and cold as he flicked the Earthly Mandate like a common stone.
The Mayor was unsure what to do. He did not want a confrontation, but he also did not want Su Jin to keep questioning his integrity and leadership. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Mayor Yi Nang carefully weighed his options before responding.
"Please guide me on how I can assure your satisfaction," Mayor Yi Nang responded, his tone measured, reflecting a genuine desire to bridge the gap of trust between them.
"Then guide me to your office first," Su Jin calmly stated his request.
The mayor wasn't sure what Su Jin intended to do in his own office, but he decided to comply nonetheless. He guided the path as Su Jin with R1 and Wu Yan followed.
As they made their way to the Mayor's office, Mayor Yi Nang couldn't shake off the unease. He wondered what Su Jin had in mind, what schemes were brewing in his mind.
Upon reaching the office, Mayor Yi Nang gestured for Su Jin to enter first, maintaining a respectful distance. Su Jin nodded in acknowledgment before stepping inside, followed closely by R1 and Wu Yan.
Inside the office, everything appeared disorganized, as if someone had ransacked the place. However, it was merely the aftermath of panicked decisions made in the defense against the Bestial Tide. Mayor Yi Nang stood near the entrance, his eyes locked on Su Jin, scrutinizing his every move.
Su Jin walked around the office, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for something. He paused in front of the Mayor's desk, his expression unreadable.
"Tell me, Mayor Yi Nang," Su Jin began, his voice calm with a hint of curiosity. "What do you truly value? What drives you to lead Serene Jade City?"
The Mayor's expression was calm as if he did not need to formulate an answer to this question, he spoke with conviction.
"I value the well-being of our city and its people above all else," Mayor Yi Nang replied earnestly. "My duty as a leader is to ensure their safety, prosperity, and happiness. Every decision I make is guided by this principle."
Su Jin listened intently, his gaze piercing as he assessed the Mayor's sincerity. After a brief silence, he nodded in acknowledgment.
"Well said. Now show me the entrance to the underground jail."
Mayor Yi Nang was taken aback. The underground jail, its entrance through the Mayor's office, was known only to him and Commander Fang. In fact, nobody knew there was such a thing called an underground jail in Serene Jade City. How did Su Jin know about it?
"The underground jail?" the Mayor stammered, feigning ignorance. "There's no such place in Serene Jade City."
Su Jin's smile vanished, replaced by a tight frown. "Don't try to trick me, Mayor. We both know better." His eyes darted toward a molded cabinet against the far wall. "Perhaps a certain old-looking cabinet hides the secret, wouldn't you agree?"
Mayor had no answer, his eyes said everything as he tried to evade Su Jin's gaze.
"Would you help or should I help myself?" Su Jin calmly asked but the Mayor could sense a threat in that question.
The mayor felt cornered and sighed. With a resigned nod, Mayor Yi Nang stepped forward, his movements slow and deliberate. He approached the cabinet against the far wall, his hand trembling slightly as he reached out to grasp the handle.
A hidden door creaked open with a rusty groan as the Mayor turned the handle. A narrow, dark tunnel snaked down into the darkness below, a cold, damp breath of stale air wafting upwards like a sneaky ghost.
Mayor Yi Nang gulped, his throat suddenly dry. He cast a worried glance at Su Jin. "This... isn't well maintained regularly," he stammered, hoping to discourage Su Jin from venturing further.
Su Jin smirked, "I wouldn't expect a hidden prison to be well maintained, Mayor," he replied coolly. Without waiting for anyone's permission, R1, Su Jin's Dark guard, took the lead and brushed past the Mayor, descending into the inky blackness below. A faint whizzing and humming echoed with each step.
Su Jin gestured for Mayor Yi Nang to follow after R1, and reluctantly, Mayor Yi Nang obeyed. Su Jin followed after Mayor Yi Nang, with Wu Yan bringing up the rear.