Chapter 69: Underground Grotto Labyrinth

Chapter 69: Underground Grotto Labyrinth

“The large door?”

Oleg followed Sun Fei’s gaze and immediately understood. He quickly answered, “Your Majesty, the Iron Prison Water Dungeon isn’t the entire underground rock cave maze. Behind that door, there’s a bottomless passageway. No one knows where it leads. In the past, some people went in to explore, but none ever came back. It’s very dangerous. Some say there’s a complex maze behind it. Others say terrifying, man-eating hell beasts hide within. Anyway, every day, there used to be periods when terrifying howls and roars came from inside. Sometimes, a strong pull would suddenly come from the passage itself, sucking people in alive… Later, to prevent more deaths, the previous king had this steel door built and sealed the passage, forbidding anyone from entering.”

As he spoke, Oleg cast a slightly uneasy look at the black steel door.

Sun Fei nodded expressionlessly on the surface, but inside, he was enormously shocked. According to Oleg, this massive Iron Prison Water Dungeon was likely only a part of the underground grotto… and probably just a small part.

This was simply incredible. Who built this underground grotto? Sun Fei connected the phenomenal scale of this rock cave maze to the grand architecture of the entire Shampoo City. An idea suddenly surged uncontrollably in his mind: could the ancient people who built Shampoo City be the same ones who carved out this impossible underground labyrinth?

Sun Fei vaguely sensed that Shampoo City, much like this underground grotto labyrinth, had only revealed the tip of the iceberg. It was like a huge, unknown, mysterious treasure. Many strange and wondrous secrets lay silently buried beneath the dust of history, just waiting to be discovered and explored… waiting for him.

At this moment, Sun Fei’s curiosity was powerfully ignited.

He became determined. Later, he must find the time to go beyond that huge iron door and enter the mysterious passage behind it. He needed to discover what secrets this enigmatic underground grotto labyrinth held.

As they spoke, Oleg led Sun Fei to a spacious stone chamber on the first level of the colossal mountain-hollow space. Inside, various instruments were placed, and the lamps were lit brightly, casting a hint of warmth. Sun Fei walked in and sat on a soft stone chair cushioned with black animal hide, situated behind a black nanmu wood table. He began pondering issues he had previously overlooked.

Suddenly, clanging noises of metal bars and the sharp scraping of chains being dragged sounded from outside. Brook reappeared, bringing someone with him.

“Your Majesty, Peter Cech is brought before you,” Brook announced, bowing respectfully.

Sun Fei examined the man closely. This former Captain of the Royal Guard, whom Brook cared for and respected deeply, was a tall figure standing over six feet tall. His clothes were ragged, and his enormous feet were bare. Imprisoned for so long, his tangled hair was matted with bits of straw, knotted like he was wearing three or four filthy, stinking mops. He was quite thin, and heavy chains the width of a wrist bound his wrists and ankles. Thick scars had formed where the metal rings rubbed against his skin. He looked utterly destitute, like a beggar.

Yet, despite his ragged appearance, the eyes beneath that tangled hair made Sun Fei startle inwardly. They were astonishingly bright. His brown pupils emitted an odd, shining light. They gave the feeling of a dragon lying hidden in a ravine, or a mighty tiger resting on a plain. There was an indescribable calm and confidence in his gaze. If one only saw those eyes, no one would ever link him to a criminal guilty of serious crimes.

“Peter Cech pays his respects to Your Majesty the King!”

Upon entering the stone room, Cech’s gaze scanned everyone intently, finally settling on Sun Fei. Without saying another word, he knelt decisively, causing his chains to clatter loudly as he bowed his head deeply to Sun Fei.

“Get up quickly! Guards! Remove these chains from Captain Cech immediately, and bring a chair!”

Sun Fei spoke while rising from behind the nanmu table. He walked over himself and personally helped Cech off the ground. Seeing this, Prison Warden Oleg instantly understood that this former Captain’s restoration to power was inevitable. Despite the earth-shattering charge of treason he carried, wasn’t the outcome entirely within the King’s power to decide? Skilled at picking up cues, the warden quickly shuffled over personally, carrying a stone chair padded with soft animal hide. He took keys from a guard and personally unlocked the chains on Cech’s wrists and ankles.

Sun Fei gestured, easily sliding the entire heavy black nanmu table over toward Cech, showcasing his Barbarian strength effortlessly reaching Level 16. He pointed to the exquisite food Oleg had prepared on the table and smiled, “Peter, eat your fill first. Once you’re done, we’ll talk about other matters.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Cech’s eyes. He looked at Sun Fei, remained silent for a moment, and then, without further ceremony, grabbed a roasted pig’s hind leg with both hands and gnawed at it fiercely. He gulped down fine wine from time to time, eating with great relish as if consuming the world’s most delicious food. He quickly polished off the amount of food meant for four or five strong men, practically wolfing it down. Finally, he downed the entire pitcher of wine in one go, stood up, gave a satisfied belch, and whirled around to kneel once again before Sun Fei. In a loud voice, he declared an oath: “My King! Peter Cech swears his loyalty to you here! I offer you everything, including my life!”

Sun Fei paused, slightly taken aback. He hadn’t expected Cech to swear allegiance immediately after a meal, skipping all the dramatic dialogue he’d mentally prepared… A surge of self-satisfaction washed over him. He thought gleefully, Does this mean I possess some innate kingly charisma that naturally makes heroes submit? However, Sun Fei was unaware that in just the past day or two, tales of “His Majesty Alexander,” once deranged, miraculously recovering his sanity, displaying immense power on the battlefield by slaying formidable enemies and later beheading Knights of the Zenit Empire in a fit of rage at the victory banquet, had spread widely through Shampoo City. Even prison guards during their breaks eagerly recounted these stories. These exploits, plus Brook’s fervent advice during their walk, had convinced Peter Cech—an astute man realizing his chance had come and that the now-sane King was truly worth serving—to pledge his loyalty without hesitation.

“Good! Excellent! Peter, you’ve suffered greatly… Brook! Issue my command at once! Proclaim to the entire city: after thorough investigation by the King, the charge of treason against Peter Cech, former Captain of the Royal Guard, is unfounded! He was framed by the previous Herald, Bazel! Starting today, he is cleared of all charges, restored to his position, and will continue serving as Captain of the Royal Guard!”

Brook was overjoyed; he hadn’t imagined it would unfold so smoothly. He hastily pulled Cech down again to kneel and express their thanks.

Prison Warden Oleg also scurried forward to congratulate Cech. From death-row prisoner to lofty Captain of the Royal Guard standing within the center of royal authority—Cech’s rise within a single day was meteoric. Oleg, the sycophant, though no saint himself, possessed sharp instincts. He clearly saw the King’s high regard for Cech and instantly categorized him as someone to actively cultivate good relations with.

After expressing profound thanks to Sun Fei and rising, Cech unexpectedly turned toward Prison Warden Oleg. “These past months, I owe you profound thanks for your deliberate care,” Cech stated firmly. “If not for you, I would have long been tortured to death within this lightless hell. This life-saving favor, Peter Cech will never forget! I shall repay it handsomely in kind!”

This unexpected turn left Sun Fei and Brook exchanging perplexed glances.

Brook, who now held one of the two highest military and political positions in Shampoo City, was particularly bewildered. He deeply understood Cech’s character. Previously, Cech had openly scorned flatterers and lackeys like Oleg. That he would now bow his head in thanks was simply beyond reckoning. Sun Fei was also puzzled, scrutinizing the infamous boot-licker Oleg up and down as if discovering something entirely new.

Finishing his thanks and sensing the others’ confusion, Cech supplied an explanation. After being framed and jailed, former Herald Bazel, fearing complications, had intended to secretly subject Cech to fatal torture before the public execution date. In the pitch-dark depths of the Iron Prison Water Dungeon, eliminating an inconvenient prisoner was all too simple. However, Oleg—the warden known for complete obedience to Bazel’s orders—for some inexplicable reason had felt a sudden pang of conscience. For the very first time, he defied Bazel. He avoided subjecting Cech to brutal torture and actually ensured his survival long enough for his name to be cleared. Without Oleg’s unexpected intervention, Peter Cech would now merely be a corpse.

No one had foreseen this.

Even more surprising to Sun Fei and Brook was Oleg’s reaction. Accustomed to groveling, being earnestly thanked by a respected figure like Cech seemed to genuinely unsettle him. Flustered, the notorious boot-licker merely rubbed his gleaming bald head and emitted a rather bashful chuckle.

Finding the situation highly entertaining, Sun Fei burst into hearty laughter.

He instructed Brook to escort Cech out of the Iron Prison Water Dungeon immediately. Though spared torture during his imprisonment, the harsh conditions had left the Captain of the Royal Guard physically depleted. Only his Two-Star Warrior constitution had prevented a total collapse. Rest and sunlight were now urgently needed.

Sun Fei himself remained behind within the prison.

“Oleg,” Sun Fei called out, settling back onto the stone chair after closing his eyes in contemplation for a moment. He suddenly recalled a pressing question. “What happens to prisoners’ bodies here? When they die suddenly from illness, or are executed according to law?”

“Traditionally, we should burn them,” Oleg replied, puzzled by the King’s question but answering cautiously with a respectful bow. “But burning bodies here causes terrible air. So executed prisoners without claimable relatives… they are usually thrown into the Underground River and swept away.”

“Oh…” Sun Fei sounded disappointed. He pressed, “Are there any bodies currently unprocessed?”

Oleg, still uncertain why the King sought this information, responded carefully, “Your Majesty… Mr. Brook mentioned yesterday you’d come personally to inspect the prison. So… so I already had the guards dispose of all remaining bodies.”

“Huh? Unlucky timing. Are there any others? Any condemned prisoners scheduled for imminent execution?”

By now, Oleg began grasping the King’s possible intent. He pondered briefly, then his eyes lit up. “Yes, Your Majesty! Three wandering mercenaries, caught for murders within the city, were personally arrested by Mr. Brook and placed here a fortnight ago. They remain alive, awaiting execution, currently confined in water cells. Additionally… the corpse of that Silver Masked Man you brought back the day before yesterday? Ordered carefully preserved? It’s still here.”

Sun Fei’s face brightened.

“Perfect! Have those three mercenaries brought immediately… Yes, bring the Silver Masked Man’s corpse, too. Prepare a well-sealed stone chamber… Ah, yes! What of that black-cloaked Mage? He’s still breathing, right? How’s his condition?”

“Reporting Majesty, following your earlier order: Whenever that Mage showed signs of waking, guards broke his bones until he fell unconscious again.” Even recalling this sinister command gave Oleg a chill. “The man remains lying unconscious within the high-security isolation cell!”

“Ah! Excellent! Bring that pitiful fool of a Four-Star Power Level Mage into that sealed chamber as well. I have important business to conduct!”

Oleg quickly departed to fetch the prisoners and arrange the sealed room.

Roughly fifteen minutes later, Oleg returned. He led Sun Fei to a spacious stone chamber on the prison’s sixth level. Built within the rock wall on its right side was a separate, hidden inner room about twenty square yards in size, designed for airtightness. The three condemned mercenaries and the Silver Masked Man’s corpse were already placed within. The unfortunate Four-Star black-cloaked Mage, unconscious throughout, was unceremoniously dragged inside like a sack.

“You and the guards stand watch outside the main doorway,” Sun Fei instructed, nodding at the secure arrangement. “Do not let ANYONE enter… Remember! NO ONE interrupts me! No matter what sounds you hear!”

“As you will, Your Majesty!”

Still mystified but obedient, Oleg gestured for the dozen or so prison guards to follow him outside. They took position guarding the main entrance to the outer chamber. Despite the Iron Dungeon’s inherent security, Oleg remained vigilantly on guard. He could tell from King Sun Fei’s expression that something profoundly important was about to transpire.