Chapter 357: Meeting the Lord of the Underground City

Yu Zhizhi was taken back to the palace dungeon.

The candlelight on both sides cast an eerie green glow down the damp corridor, with dungeon cells lining either side.

She was led to the innermost cell.

Along the way, she passed a cell and saw the female sparrow who had been with the young Snow Eagle last night.

The female sparrow was surprised to see Miss Rabbit, but she quickly realized what had happened—

’So the Little Prince went to find her.’

It wasn’t surprising.

The Little Prince was very fond of this Miss Ear-down Rabbit. He must have wanted to enjoy life outside the palace a little more before the Lord returned.

However, because of the Little Prince’s special status, anyone who saw him would be brought back for investigation, to say nothing of the last person he was with.

Yu Zhizhi was locked in the dungeon cell.

She sat on a chair and waited for a long time before she heard footsteps.

The palace steward had chosen to conduct the interrogation himself.

Before this, he had made sure the Little Prince was settled safely.

The steward sat on a chair outside the dungeon cell, an iron grate separating them. His gaze was locked firmly on Miss Ear-down Rabbit. "According to the information provided by the people at the tavern, you just arrived in the Underground City a few days ago?"

"Yes," Yu Zhizhi nodded lightly.

"From the Land of Prophecy?"

"Mm..." Yu Zhizhi felt a little guilty.

She lowered her head and looked at her hands resting on her lap. ’If they really investigate, Zero should have everything arranged, right?’

"That red octopus and the purple fox, are they your pets?" the palace steward continued his questioning.

Yu Zhizhi responded softly, "The Little Octopus is my friend. The Purple Fox... um, yes, it’s a pet."

’If I said I found the Purple Fox on the road, or that it was my patient, they would ask more questions, wouldn’t they?’

’This answer was the least complicated.’

A guard at the side focused on taking notes.

The palace steward didn’t press the matter further.

After all, whether it was the octopus or the fox, their spiritual power was extremely low—even lower than that of the Miss Ear-down Rabbit before him.

—They posed no threat whatsoever.

The palace steward’s attitude remained cold. This Miss Rabbit’s reactions were certainly suspicious, but...

According to the guards who investigated the small tavern, they had indeed received a communication from the Land of Prophecy.

The elders of the Land of Prophecy had been extremely agitated, demanding her release!

This Miss Rabbit was very important to the Land of Prophecy—very, very important! The elders had repeatedly emphasized over the communicator that she must not be harmed under any circumstances!

The steward had originally intended to interrogate her thoroughly, but given the current situation, he could only wait for the Lord to return.

After the palace steward left, someone came to deliver a meal.

Yu Zhizhi found a small note under the plate. She unfolded it and saw crooked handwriting—

[Don’t be afraid. When Father returns, I’ll ask him to let you go!]

’It’s the Little Snow Eagle!’

The corners of Yu Zhizhi’s mouth lifted into a slight smile.

The Lord of the Underground City was said to be very mysterious. Even the young Vulture who owned the tavern had never seen him.

’I wonder, do they have any connection to the Cangshan Empire?’

The Underground City was like a territory of its own.

And the only territory Yu Zhizhi had heard of by name was the Chelsea Territory, located between the Valoran Empire and the Deep Sea Empire.

Besides that, there were many other territories in the world, but some were small and located in remote places, so most people paid them little mind.

An application to establish a territory required the approval of the Empire Alliance.

Furthermore, depending on the lord’s identity, the territory would be designated as a vassal of a certain empire. Flying an empire’s flag during the early stages of development could prevent a lot of trouble.

Once the territory developed and had its own army and military strength, it could then break ties with the empire and develop freely.

The female sparrow locked in the next cell couldn’t help but offer some comfort. "Our Lord is very just. When he returns, all misunderstandings will be cleared up."

Even now, she still believed this Miss Ear-down Rabbit meant no harm.

Because that was what her Perception talent told her.

Yu Zhizhi gave a soft "mm-hmm."

"Your Lord, what’s his name?" she couldn’t help but ask.

The female sparrow shook her head gently. "In the Underground City, no one has ever seen his true face, nor does anyone know his name."

Although the Cangshan Empire had fallen, the beastmen of the Cangshan Empire still lived on this barren land.

But thanks to the construction of the Underground City, everyone’s lives were getting better and better.

There were rumors that the Lord of the Underground City was connected to the Cang Mountain Royal Family.

It was just that no one could ever uncover the truth.

—Not that they cared.

All they knew was that because of their Lord, everyone was living a good life.

Yu Zhizhi gradually drifted off to sleep.

She was leaning against the chair, but the damp, cold air of the dungeon was taking a toll on her body.

In her drowsy state, she heard the guards outside call out in unison, "Lord!"

The female sparrow in the next cell quickly stood up and bowed. "Lord."

Yu Zhizhi’s eyelids felt heavy. She slowly lifted them, and through the hazy candlelight, she saw a tall, slender figure walking slowly toward her.

The man was silhouetted against the light, wearing a black uniform and a black trench coat. A gilded chain at his collar gleamed coldly, and his face was hidden behind a golden mask. His imposing shadow stretched deep into the cell, almost completely engulfing her where she sat.

Yu Zhizhi tensed up instinctively.

All her drowsiness vanished in an instant.

The palace steward followed close behind him. "Lord, this is the Miss Ear-down Rabbit who abducted the Little Prince."

The Lord of the Underground City looked at the female of the Rabbit Clan, who was tied to a chair inside the iron-barred cell.

The palace steward continued, "The Land of Prophecy places great importance on her. Should we wait for their Delegation?"

The Underground City was on good terms with the Land of Prophecy. Whether they truly valued her or if this was some kind of conspiracy, this Miss Rabbit was of the utmost importance.

Just as he was about to say more, he saw his Lord raise a hand slightly. "Have you not noticed that she has been using a disguise Spirit Art this whole time?"

"What?!" The palace steward’s eyes widened, and he stared in disbelief.

This female of the Rabbit Clan was using a disguise Spirit Art?!

And yet he hadn’t noticed at all!

’What a High-level Spiritual Technique Card that must be!’

Nearby, the female sparrow also showed a look of astonishment.

’If she really disguised her identity, then she’s extremely suspicious...’

’Could she really have been after the Little Prince?’

Having been suddenly "exposed," Yu Zhizhi immediately grew nervous. Her disguise had made her feel safe, but now...

Outside the cell, a wisp of golden light appeared at the fingertips of the man in the golden mask, slowly coiling around her body.

For him, breaking such a Spirit Art was effortless.

The palace steward and the many guards all stared intently at the female of the Rabbit Clan. They wanted to know what she really looked like!

Yu Zhizhi’s body trembled slightly. She closed her eyes, feeling her disguise slowly peeling away...