After repeatedly confirming that he wasn't mistaken, and verifying that there was no misunderstanding, Lu Yunzhou still found the scene before him utterly incredulous—almost unbelievable.
In the original Soul Land lore, how was the Slaughter City described?
It was a place synonymous with violence, bloodshed, robbery, theft, deceit, and every form of treachery imaginable, wasn't it?
A paradise for the strong, and a hell for the weak.
By that reasoning alone, anyone could imagine—even without much thought—that the city must be filthy, chaotic, and utterly depraved.
And yet, what was Lu Yunzhou seeing with his own eyes?
The streets were spotlessly clean!
The roads were orderly!
Pedestrians were all smiling!
Children ran about freely without a care!
And—of all things—there were even people helping the elderly cross the street!
Naturally, Lu Yunzhou couldn't help but suspect that either his eyes were deceiving him, his judgment was flawed, or he'd been trapped in some illusionary world.
After all, a Slaughter City like this, so idyllic and harmonious, shouldn't—or rather, couldn't—exist!
As time slowly passed, and after painstakingly confirming that everything he saw was real, Lu Yunzhou gradually collected himself.
Once his thoughts cleared, he immediately understood that this surreal transformation of Slaughter City must have been orchestrated by the Slaughter King, Tang Chen.
The reason?
It was likely an effort to leave a good impression on both him and Gu Yuena.
Otherwise, there was simply no plausible explanation for Slaughter City appearing in such a state.
One had to admit, Tang Chen… certainly knew how to make an impression!
As Lu Yunzhou walked the streets, glancing around, he couldn't help but feel like a government official inspecting a rural village under idealized conditions.
Amused by the thought, he turned to Tang Chen, who was leading the way, and remarked, "I must say, senior, the environment and atmosphere of your Slaughter City are… quite remarkable."
Hearing Lu Yunzhou's words, Tang Chen's lips curled into a subtle, almost imperceptible smile.
Without the slightest hint of embarrassment, he replied with complete composure:
"But of course! My Slaughter City has always been a friendly and welcoming place. Naturally, its atmosphere and environment are as pristine as you see before you."
Lu Yunzhou: "…"
One had to admit, Tang Chen—or rather, the Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King—had an extraordinary level of shamelessness.
So much so, that Lu Yunzhou couldn't help but feel his skin was as thick as the walls of the city itself.
"Senior, you're truly impressive."
"Haha, you flatter me… you flatter me."
As the two exchanged casual remarks, they eventually arrived outside Tang Chen's resplendent palace.
"Please, come in."
After inviting Gu Yuena and Lu Yunzhou into the opulent palace, Tang Chen turned to his subordinates and issued a grim command:
"For the next few days, there will be no disturbances or troubles within Slaughter City. If anyone dares to cause trouble, I won't hesitate to unleash a massacre once our guests leave."
These simple yet chilling words left every enforcer of Slaughter City trembling.
Tang Chen's power and ruthlessness were well-known to them. When he spoke of a massacre, it wasn't an idle threat. The deaths of hundreds—if not thousands—would be inevitable.
For the time being, Slaughter City would experience a fleeting moment of "peace."
An evil place suddenly infused with "righteousness" was, to say the least,
both amusing and ironic.
Inside Tang Chen's palace, he spared no effort in hosting Lu Yunzhou and Gu Yuena with utmost hospitality.
From dazzling dances by beautiful women to poetic recitals, theatrical performances, and philosophical debates, he presented an array of entertainment.
After rounds of drinking and lively conversation, Tang Chen finally got to the heart of the matter, bluntly asking, "May I be so bold as to inquire what business brings you both to my Slaughter City?"
Faced with Tang Chen's direct question, Lu Yunzhou saw no reason to stall or waste time. He answered forthrightly:
"To be honest, senior, my purpose here is quite simple: I came seeking treasures for my grand…"
After a lengthy explanation of his circumstances, Tang Chen understood the full story.
It became clear that Lu Yunzhou and Gu Yuena's arrival in Slaughter City was purely coincidental. While Tang Chen couldn't ascertain the truth of their tale,
he recognized that Lu Yunzhou was primarily here in search of treasures.
Thus, in hopes of expediting their departure, Tang Chen spoke with deliberate enthusiasm:
"Young friend, a grand occasion such as your wedding naturally warrants my full support as a senior!"
With that, Tang Chen called over a servant and whispered instructions. The servant hurriedly departed.
Upon hearing Tang Chen's offer of "support," Lu Yunzhou quickly responded,
"You're too kind, senior."
Tang Chen, however, had only one goal in mind: to ensure Lu Yunzhou and Gu Yuena left Slaughter City as soon as possible.
The reason was simple— no one would willingly harbor such immense threats in their midst.
In Tang Chen's eyes, Lu Yunzhou and Gu Yuena were not only mysterious and powerful but also potentially catastrophic threats.
Therefore, even if it pained him, Tang Chen resolved to part with some of his most valuable treasures to facilitate their departure.
Before long, a procession of women dressed in black robes entered the grand hall, each carrying treasures of extraordinary value.
Among these treasures, there were priceless Soul Bones, rare and precious immortal herbs, divine weapons forged by master blacksmiths, and family heirlooms like ancient manuals of swordsmanship and blade techniques.
In short, these items represented the accumulated wealth of the Slaughter King, Tang Chen, garnered over countless years within the City of Slaughter—an exceptional collection, albeit modest in number.
Just as Tang Chen prepared to speak, intending to hand over these treasures to Lu Yunzhou to expedite his departure, a voice suddenly and unexpectedly echoed through the hall: "Where is the Slaughter King? Come forth and face this deity at once!"
The voice carried an air of cold arrogance and unshakable authority.
The speaker's self-identification as "this deity" made it abundantly clear—this was no ordinary figure.
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