42: The Dungeon

Just moments ago, the bustling night streets of Seaport City were alive, the rain unable to deter those savoring the nightlife. Now, chaos reigned in the city center, with terrified crowds fleeing in all directions.

Even the vigilant members of the Azure Dragon Squad could not be certain whether someone had slipped away amid the turmoil. Chen Longshi furrowed his brow; perhaps it was merely his imagination, but he had felt a sharp, probing gaze sweep over him. Yet, when he stretched out his spiritual sense, he found nothing amiss.

“You’re the one the captain brought in yesterday. What’s your name?” Vice-captain Chu Qingyu approached with a grim expression, not waiting for a reply before continuing, “You did well. Did you discover anything?”

Chen Longshi hesitated briefly and shook his head.

At that moment, the military police finally arrived, struggling to restore order. Ambulances came and went, bearing away blood-soaked corpses, the grisly scene burning itself into every onlooker’s mind.

Such a major incident left even the veteran members troubled, so they used their personal medicines to treat the wounded innocent bystanders. Wang Ben, furious, seemed ready to battle the half-demons all over again.

“Is it really so upsetting?” Chen Longshi seemed indifferent, unfazed by the carnage. His state was less of tranquil acceptance and more of cold-blooded detachment.

Yes, cold-blooded.

Reflecting on his rebirth, everything of the original host seemed seamlessly inherited: family ties, social circles, even his cultivation path had been smooth. He rationally maintained the host’s previous habits—warm smiles, a sense of justice, polite manners, continued closeness with friends, respect toward elders, and so on.

But had all these truly been inherited perfectly?

Perhaps, more often, they remained superficial, taken for granted.

Even in the Sword Tomb Secret Realm, witnessing Zhi Jiang, with whom he felt a deep affinity, leap into the sword furnace to sacrifice herself, he felt little more than regret—his heart never truly stirred. Now, confronted with bloody murder, he felt nothing.

Who among those present had not killed before? Was such distress necessary?

“...Something’s wrong!” Chen Longshi soon sensed a deeper problem. As a human, the idea of viewing oneself as a higher form of life, coldly indifferent to the fate of one’s own kind, was inherently flawed. And for such thoughts to arise within him was even more troubling.

Both in his previous and current life, his upbringing and environment had never nurtured such cynicism or superiority. He considered himself mentally healthy, politically upright. When had such extreme thoughts crept in?

He frowned deeply, recalling his encounter with the leopard-bodied half-demon. He had felt a strange sense of kinship, yet struck with ruthless force. Was his temperament now more half-demon or human?

It was rumored that every half-demon suffered some negative symptoms. He believed his bond with Tuntun was perfect, but perhaps it was subtly influencing his character.

Lost in thought, Chen Longshi’s musings were interrupted as Chu Qingyu began assigning roles. With communication to the captain suddenly lost, he decided to leave some behind to handle the aftermath, while others followed him into the subway tunnel to assist the captain.

Chen Longshi was named to join the group. Without time to dwell further, he hurried after them, plunging into the pitch-black subway tunnel.

All the signal lights along the tracks had been deliberately destroyed, shrouding everything in darkness. They could only rely on their infrared gear to discern their surroundings, following traces on the ground.

Spreading his spiritual sense, Chen Longshi perceived the environment with clarity.

Seaport City, the southernmost tourist hub of Huaxia, had been transformed into a strategic stronghold during the dimensional storm cataclysm. Numerous underground facilities had been built—shelters, bunkers, sewers, ventilation shafts.

These underground structures were interconnected and labyrinthine, storing vast supplies of food, water, necessities, and even underground vegetable farms. All was designed so that, should surface forces fail, they could retreat to the underground fortress and wait for the tide to turn.

Thus, the subway network was equally complex, with many branching paths. Following the captain’s trail, the group soon encountered a collapsed section revealing a man-made underground passage.

“Is this a sewer drain?” Chu Qingyu hesitated. If someone exploited the city’s drainage and underground shelters to create a hidden sanctuary, the situation would be far more complicated.

But entering was inevitable.

Chu Qingyu obtained the city’s underground drainage plans and led the team inside.

This section had been out of service for years, the floor soaked and littered with debris. Countless alcoves and piles created perfect hiding spots, and large rats with crimson eyes occasionally darted out, daring to attack.

The further they ventured, the more branching paths appeared, resembling an underground web, endless in scope.

Signs of battle grew more frequent.

“Split up and search. Stay safe and keep in constant contact,” Chu Qingyu ordered decisively.

Chen Longshi followed Group Five down one path, entering without hesitation.

Group leader Xiao Feng led the way, moving swiftly and lightly through the pitch-dark tunnels.

Everyone set their infrared sunglasses to maximum, turning the underground world into an eerie green light, heightening the sinister atmosphere.

The path grew increasingly difficult, the air thick with stench. Their feet sloshed through filthy water, and blood-red runes were carved everywhere, the air saturated with the scent of blood—a sign of some evil ritual.

The team slowed their pace, weapons ready for sudden attack.

“Careful!” Chen Longshi warned quietly.

A massive figure smashed through the tunnel wall, barreling straight at them. Xiao Feng was knocked to the ground, sending green water splashing high. Li Changhuan and Liu Ying immediately pulled their triggers, firing star-core energy rounds that exploded thunderously in the confined space.

But the giant vanished again, leaping to the ceiling to evade mortal danger.

Using its powerful legs, it launched itself toward the off-balance Xiao Feng. It was a gray, rat-headed half-demon, clad in warrior garb, wielding a short blade in each hand. In midair, the blades flashed, aiming straight for Xiao Feng’s throat.

Chen Kui let out a roar, his body glowing red as he charged like a tank.

The figure didn’t pause, swinging its blade in a quick counterattack.

Chen Kui’s red aura flickered, and he was sent flying. But his [Savage Charge] left the rat-headed half-demon momentarily stunned. Xiao Feng seized his chance, rising in fury and striking back with a torrent of rage.

“Clang!”

The rat-headed half-demon crossed its blades to block Xiao Feng’s [Ninefold Furious Wave Slash].

But a full-strength attack from a silver-level warrior was never easy to withstand. A strange metallic resonance filled the air, as if steel vibrated ceaselessly. The [Ninefold Furious Wave Slash] contained multiple hidden forces, relentless and fierce.

The half-demon managed to resist several waves, but ultimately failed, thrown aside like a rag doll.

A crisp sword-drawing sound froze everyone. Nine mighty sword auras swept over, ripping through the darkness and leaving beautiful arcs in the air.

The half-demon howled, twisting impossibly in midair. Its two blades joined to form a double-edged weapon, reflecting its crimson eyes—hazy and unreal.

Spinning the twin blades, it whirled them to deflect the sword auras. The clash of weapons echoed ceaselessly, sparks occasionally bursting in the dark tunnel.

Yet no matter how fiercely it wielded the blades, the dazzling sword light always hovered at its vital points, cold and deadly. Each impact sent shudders through the rat-headed half-demon.

Inevitably, its defense failed. A brilliant falling star sword light struck, Zhi Jiang’s sword carrying a hint of crimson through the tunnel. The half-demon halted, and then half its rat skull slid away.

Silence returned, the team breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiao Feng glanced at the dead half-demon, even more amazed by Chen Longshi’s prowess. “Are you bronze or silver?”

“Why do you ask, captain? Of course I’m bronze.”

“But you just killed a silver-level half-demon.”

“Did I? Maybe I’m close to breaking through.”

“Spiritual sustenance +1260.”

It was the first time a single target had yielded over 1000 spiritual sustenance, and Chen Longshi was pleased. This battle confirmed his thoughts—regarding [Spirit] attribute, he had the edge even against silver-level beings.

Since it was Chen Longshi’s secret, Xiao Feng asked casually and didn’t press further. The others simply regarded him as the military academy’s top graduate—a genius unlike any other.

After reporting in, Xiao Feng led the group deeper. After some time, Chen Longshi broke the silence.

“There are people ahead.”

The team halted. Chu Qingyu asked, “How many? How far?”

Chen Longshi replied, “About a hundred meters ahead in a straight line. As for how many... hmm, quite a lot.”

He stepped forward to lead, even sheathing his sword and giving an innocuous OK gesture.

Xiao Feng hesitated, warning, “Don’t let your guard down.” He followed immediately. After numerous twists and turns, they covered much more than a hundred meters. Finally, crawling from a deep shaft and pushing open a rusted iron door, the space suddenly widened and the noise increased.

Before them stretched a vast underground space, bathed in yellow lights. Many low buildings formed houses, streets, alleys—even billboards.

Everyone was stunned—there was a full-fledged underground city.

“What’s going on here?” Li Changhuan gaped.

Not only were they surprised, but the city’s residents stared back at the heavily armed group with hostility.

Tracking to this point, Xiao Feng realized the trail was lost. He sighed and explained, “Some people entered the underground shelters early on. When the dimensional invasion was repelled, Seaport City wasn’t destroyed, so the shelters were sealed up again. But many died in those years, and the apocalyptic pessimism took root. Some got used to underground life and didn’t want to return to the surface.”

“In recent years, urbanization has intensified, and high housing prices and exorbitant living costs have driven others underground. With intentional development, the facilities here are complete, the space vast, even offering KTVs and bathhouses—no worse than the surface. Gradually, an alternate underground city emerged. Authorities have tried to clear it out, but the complex environment makes it difficult, providing a haven for criminals.”

“Those half-demons probably escaped into the underground city.”

Li Changhuan asked, “Captain, what do we do? Keep chasing?”

Xiao Feng shook his head. “We can’t. This isn’t our jurisdiction. Scan the area, report it, and let’s prepare to withdraw.”