The Legend of the Dragon King

There was a look of deep concentration in Tang Wulin’s eyes. “If that’s the case, can we use it to our advantage?”

Cao Dezhi said, “That will depend on your capabilities. I can go into more of the relevant details, but we’ll do that later. Let’s talk about the situation related to the War God Hall.”

“Even though War God Hall is located in the West Mountain, it’s not at the surface. The eighteen levels of the War God Hall are also known as the eighteen levels of hell. Its entrance is located at the apex of the highest mountain in the Mingdu West Mountain area. The entire War God Hall is situated inside of the mountain’s peak. It’s divided into eighteen levels and every one is guarded by a War God.”

“The War God Hall was initially established to encourage military powerhouses to challenge one another. The winner will receive rewards and an honorable reputation upon succeeding at the challenge. It is also the quickest method of elevating one’s military rank. Anyone who is an official member of the military can be promoted to lieutenant general regardless of one’s original military rank if one is able to fight through all eighteen levels of that War God Hall.”

1

Tang Wulin was astonished. “Lieutenant general? Such a promotion is a little bit much, isn’t it?” He had been in the military before, so he was well aware of how difficult it was to be promoted.

Cao Dezhi smiled and said, “It’s not as easy as it sounds. The final level of the War God Hall is guarded by the Hall Master. In other words, it’s utterly impossible for a person to pass without possessing the ability of a Limit Douluo. On the other hand, what is the military rank of lieutenant general to a Limit Douluo in the federal military? Thus, it’s more of a gimmick. For the military officers, it’s even more important for them to pass through the earlier levels. They would be promoted by one additional rank for every level passed regardless of the method. As a result, many high-ranking military officers will use this to elevate their military ranks. In simpler terms, going from a middling rank to that of a general is a huge threshold for a military officer. However, if he can pass through the first level of the War God Hall, he would be promoted by one rank and become a general. Thus, the existence of the War God Hall is to motivate military officers to cultivate with more effort so that they take this shortcut and get a promotion.”

Tang Wulin said, “What about the situation inside the War God Hall? Are there any protective measures?”

Cao Dezhi answered, “The eighteen levels of the War God Hall have more than just the eighteen War Gods. There are the War God Hall’s numerous powerhouses. Every level of War God Hall is slightly different from the other. I’ll give you the specifics one by one. However, there is an advantage to being in the War God Hall. As long as you can make your way into the first level and begin your journey through the War God Hall, the Central Army Corps will not be allowed to enter. The War God Hall upholds a tradition known as ‘Safe Harbor’. Meaning, if a military officer has committed a crime and then enters the War God Hall, the military is not allowed to capture him before he leaves the place. On the other hand, his offence will be reduced with every level he passes inside. In fact, it’s even possible for him to receive a special pardon if he can make it through all eighteen levels of the War God Hall.”

Tang Wulin was shocked. “Doesn’t that mean if a military officer has committed a most heinous crime, the War God Hall will just become his sanctuary?”

Cao Dezhi replied, “Still depends on one’s capabilities. What are the abilities needed for one to enter the War God Hall and make the place a sanctuary? I’ll be damned if anyone that commits the most heinous crime will be allowed to leave given Chen Xinjie’s character. He abhors evil and sees it as a deadly foe. Thus, a guilty military officer that is able to benefit from the War God Hall is most likely when the crime is pardonable. Entering the hall after committing a terrible crime is no different from walking right into a trap.”

The War God Hall’s situation was obviously more complicated than Tang Wulin had imagined. He had been gathering some reports related to the War God Hall recently. However, the majority of the them came from superficial inspections while the information provided by Cao Dezhi this time was vital.

…

Waiting in the meeting room, Ling Zichen was already growing impatient. She was under the assumption that the discussion between Tang Wulin and Cao Dezhi would last less than half an hour, but two hours had passed in the blink of an eye. At no point did anyone come over to inform her that she could enter.

“Tang Wulin, you’re a b*st*rd for not letting me in this. Just you wait!”

“Aww. Who’s fault is it that our little Zichen is so exasperated?!” There was a voice tinged with mockery.

Ling Zichen raised her head and looked up to see the Amorous Douluo appearing before her with a smile.

Ling Zichen rolled her eyes and said, “Aren’t you afraid that you’ll give me a scare showing up like this?”

Zang Xin burst out laughing. “Are you even capable of being scared? If there were competition for the most courageous person in the Tang Sect, the champion would have to be you. What’s going on? Are you having a dispute with Tang Wulin?”

Ling Zichen could not help feeling furious as soon as she heard Zang Xin mention Tang Wulin. “That boy is obviously here to discuss the plan of action. As a participant, he refuses to allow me to sit in on the discussion. Is that a dispute?”

Zang Xin chuckled. “The Sect Master may be young, but he has experienced many things in life and has a meticulous thought process. Naturally, he would have his reasons if he kept you from taking part in the discussion.”

“Hmph. All of you favor him, right? Ever since he joined the Tang Sect, all of you don’t love me anymore.” Ling Zichen pouted her lips like a little girl.

Tang Wulin might be surprised if he were to see her look at that point.

Zang Xin walked up to her and rubbed her head. “Why would we stop loving you? We’ve always treated you like our own child. Alright, alright. If you’re truly discontent, how about I help you to give him a good beating later?”

Ling Zichen pouted her lips. “You won’t because he’s the Sect Master. Anyhow, all of you are in favor of him.”

Zang Xin said, “Zichen, don’t always brood like a child. When Old Cao and me are old, the Tang Sect will need your support. You’ve been spending some time with Wulin too, so you should be able to see how exceptional he is. Old Cao and I have always felt that our choice back then was absolutely correct. We established Wulin’s identity one step before Shrek Academy. Trust me when I say that he will certainly lead the Tang Sect to glory. However, he is under immense stress as well. Try to walk a mile in his shoes. If you were him, what would you do?”

Ling Zichen was stunned for a moment. In her eyes, Tang Wulin was usually calm and quiet. However, he seemed to be deep in thought frequently, and she had no idea what he was thinking about. He did not seem to have any time for himself all this while as he was constantly cultivating or pondering. Although she could not possibly take a stroll in the pathways of his mind, she only needed to think about Tang Wulin’s circumstances after listening to Zang Xin’s words to feel the immense stress that he felt.

“With him being under so many burdens, we hope that you can help him and become a reliable helping hand. You are the brains of our Tang Sect and are in control of our most advanced technology. You are also reputed to be the number one scientist in the history of the Tang Sect. Old Cao and I have always known that you are the most intelligent person in the world. If you can help Tang Wulin out and both of you complement each other, you two will be ever-victorious!”

Ling Zichen pouted her lips and said, “Who wants to complement him anyway?” Even though she was speaking in such a manner, the look on her face had softened a little.

Zang Xin chuckled and said, “The trust between the pair of you will need to be cultivated through mutual experience, just like how you won’t trust him completely now. If you want to gain the other person’s trust, then you have to go the extra mile to earn it. I believe that all of you will certainly be able to do that. You are all good children and we are going to protect you so you can grow healthily.”

“Hmm.”

Meanwhile, the door to the meeting room had opened, and Tang Wulin walked in.

“Director Ling, please come in for a moment. Oh, you’re here too, Your Excellency.”

Zang Xin smiled as he patted Ling Zichen on the back. “Go ahead. All the best.”