With the lantern in hand, the old warden led the way ahead with Lin Jin following closely behind.
After entering the underground cell, the lantern became their only source of light. No light was lit inside this prison so if any regular person got locked in here, they would probably go insane within a month. Hence, only inmates on death row were kept here.
For the same reason, most of the cells inside here were unoccupied. This place had only a few prisoners.
Thus, the place was shrouded in an eerie silence.
The old warden never spoke as they walked. It remained a silent journey until Lin Jin abruptly said, “The universe is separated into day and night. Every being is separated into yin and yang. Beast appraisers are no exception. However, not all demonic appraisers are evil and the just would sometimes do good deeds for the sake of it. I like to think of myself as an open-minded individual, so I would like to give you a chance. If you submit to me and come clean, I will overlook your mistakes. Otherwise, I will have to uphold justice for the heavens.”
Lin Jin’s sudden statement stunned the old warden, making him stop in his tracks. The old warden turned his head around. A part of his appearance was visible but the other half was hidden in the darkness, where the lantern failed to illuminate. It was a creepy sight indeed.
“What are you saying, Appraiser Lin? I don’t quite understand.” The old warden chuckled.
Lin Jin sighed and pointed to the old warden’s outfit. “Your robes do not fit you. You’re carrying the lantern with your right hand and yet it’s the left sleeve that reeks of oil. Also, you’re a beast appraiser as well considering how you could forge the effect of a blood pact. Did you assume that my Rank 3 qualification was bought by money?”
The old warden’s smile stiffened before letting out a dry chuckle. “Hehe, I’ve long heard of Appraiser Lin’s good name. I did work under the assumption that you’re just a mediocre appraiser but today, I’ve finally learned that rumors do more harm than good.”
As the old warden spoke, his hunched back gradually straightened until his figure became taller. The robes on his body also tore as he grew.
In just moments, the old warden was one size larger than before. The man was still old, but he stood taller than Lin Jin now.
“Bone Retraction!”
Lin Jin knew that such a martial arts technique existed. This initially tall man must have used this method to gain the appearance of a hunch-back old man. Admittedly, such techniques were more realistic than Camouflage that it would be difficult to detect.
Lin Jin had to pay close attention to detail. The forged blood pact aura, in particular, couldn’t deceive Lin Jin. What did deceive him was his enemy’s ability to disguise himself. It was so convincing that it even fooled an experienced man like Tan Xun.
Lin Jin was fortunate to have the museum to rely on, or he would have been deceived too.
Lin Jin knew this man was a fake but his words earlier were just a bluff. He didn’t expect to actually get it right.
This person was most probably the demonic appraiser he was looking for. As for how he managed to get out and why he would disguise himself as the warden to receive Lin Jin, Lin Jin had two explanations.
One was that Ouyang Tong had betrayed Lin Jin. Though, based on his observation, it didn’t seem very likely.
The other possibility was that the enemy had been tailing Ouyang Tong, understanding his motive and then finally using him to lure Lin Jin over.
The second explanation was much more plausible, at least in Lin Jin’s opinion it was so.
They were now facing each other inside the dark cell. Everywhere else was pitch-black.
The enemy suddenly let out a creepy chuckle. “Say, Appraiser Lin, why do you have to be so nosy? Let’s discuss this. If you let me go, I’ll reward you handsomely. Riches, treasures, even rare beasts are yours to pick. This is my offer. But if you insist on being stubborn, don’t blame me for showing you no mercy. The choice is yours, whether you want to live, or if you want to die.”
It was the good ol’ carrot and stick method of negotiation.
Lin Jin smiled. “What if my condition is that you give me the eight-headed viper? Will you agree to it?”
Upon hearing this, the other man’s expression shifted.
“So you found out about it huh?” He took a deep breath. “I can promise you anything else but this. If you really want it, I can give you the secret method of nurturing an eight-headed viper of your own so you can cultivate one later. I can even assure you that I will provide you with my assistance. Appraiser Lin, I believe that you’re an intelligent man. For you to be able to find out about the eight-headed viper, you should know that this exotic beast is naturally born as a Rank 4. If you own one in the future, you’ll be able to achieve greater heights.”
Was spoke with utmost confidence, as if Lin Jin would never reject his offer.
Lin Jin smiled again, shaking his head. “Didn’t Yang Qingshi tell you that I already own a Rank 4 pet beast?”
The man’s expression immediately stiffened with apprehension as a dense murderous aura crept up. “So it seems you have chosen death? Hmph! A Rank 4 pet beast? Who are you trying to scare? Do you think I’d fall for such an easy lie?”
Then, with a gentle blow, the lantern flame was put out.
In an instant, they were enveloped by darkness.
At practically the same time the light went out, Lin Jin sensed a foul smell darting swiftly toward him. Looks like the enemy planned to strike first to gain an edge in this battle.
This person must be familiar with fighting in the dark or he wouldn’t have snuffed out the light.
It was common for beast appraisers to hide their pet beasts before a duel. After all, if their opponents might take necessary precautions to fend against the specific type of pet beast. This enemy had concealed his pet beast with the Beastmaster Scroll so the instant the light went out, he took action. He had probably done the same thing hundred, if not thousands of times before.
He was at least more experienced in combat compared to Lin Jin.
Lin Jin had an advantage of his own too. He was insanely strong.
If he couldn’t avoid it, there was no need to. With a flick of his sleeve, over a dozen needles shot out and immediately after, he heard tragic cries coming from the front.
Despite making the first move, the enemy suffered a terrible counterattack from Lin Jin. The needles which he used was imbued with a potent aura so it didn’t take much to figure out that his enemy’s morale had taken a great blow. Still, an attack was sure to come even after suffering injuries.
However, Lin Jin wouldn’t give him that opportunity.
His surrounding was so dark that Lin Jin was practically blind. Thus, without an ounce of hesitation, Lin Jin summoned an ember in his palm.
He finally used Dragonfire.
Then, he brought it near to his lips and blew on the flame.
In an instant, bright flames flooded the area like water bursting out of a dam, engulfing everything without discrimination. Under the fire’s illumination, Lin Jin could see the gaping jaw of the demonic appraiser as well as a two-headed snake.
The second half of that snake’s body was still connected to the demonic appraiser’s abdomen. It must have been the assailant from earlier. Too bad it was forced back by Lin Jin’s deadly needles. When it planned to attack again, it was greeted by a sea of flames.
However, the killing arc of Lin Jin’s Dragonfire was so wide that there weren’t any places that could afford shelter for them. This attack would surely hit. Not to mention the fact that the flames swept toward them so abruptly that both human and beast were too stunned to even dodge the attack in time.
The next instant, both of them were drowned in flames, shrieking tragically as they incinerated.