127: Enter the dungeon, the king's mission

Such a luxurious palace? It reeks of money!

Qin Jiuxiao looked up at the golden palace gates and couldn't help but exclaim.

"What did the previous groups encounter that prevented them from clearing this dungeon?" Ye Canglan murmured, looking around, lost in thought.

"Boss, what should we do next? We can't just break the door down, can we?" Qin Jiuxiao asked Yang Qianhun, pointing at the tightly shut palace gates.

There was no one else around, only their group standing before the palace gates.

"The door is opening," Yang Qianhun said expressionlessly, looking at the gate.

The next second, a heavy sound came from the palace gates.

Creak, creak... Buzz, buzz...

The massive palace gates slowly swung outwards, but did not open completely.

They only revealed a passage wide enough for five people to walk abreast.

As the gate opened, a portly middle-aged man in purple official robes slowly walked out.

He smiled slightly at Yang Qianhun and the others, saying very amiably, "Welcome, brave heroes. My name is Gelf, and I am here by the King's command. Our King requests your presence."

[Dungeon Hint: Communicate with the King, accept and complete his quest to clear the dungeon and receive rewards.]

A dungeon hint simultaneously appeared in the minds of Yang Qianhun, Qin Jiuxiao, and Ye Canglan.

"It seems this King's quest won't be simple," Qin Jiuxiao whispered to the other two.

"It's not going to be conquering another country, is it?" Ye Canglan speculated.

"We'll know once we go inside," Yang Qianhun said calmly, walking directly in.

Seeing Yang Qianhun's calm and confident back, Qin Jiuxiao and Ye Canglan seemed to have taken a calming pill, quickly following him.

Then, Yang Qianhun and the others followed Gelf inside.

Before long, the three arrived at the King's council chambers.

However, the other soldiers could only wait outside, which also gave them a chance to rest and recuperate.

This place was no less magnificent than the palaces where ancient emperors held court.

It was resplendent and ornately decorated, truly a sight to behold.

"Your Majesty, the three brave heroes have been brought," Gelf said respectfully, bowing deeply to the King.

When the three saw the King, their faces showed no particular emotional fluctuations.

The King, seated high in the distance, was about sixty years old, with a full white beard.

He wore a smile and appeared quite benevolent, with nothing particularly unusual about him.

"How dare you! Why aren't you bowing before His Majesty?" a Crooked Mouth Minister on the side pointed at Yang Qianhun and the three, sternly rebuking them.

"None of your business! Shut your mouth, you old crooked-mouth freak. Still spouting nonsense? You must have gotten slapped around a lot, huh?" Qin Jiuxiao frowned upon hearing this and immediately retorted, his words full of mockery.

It was a barrage of personal attacks, each word striking at the heart.

"You... you... you..." The Crooked Mouth Minister trembled with rage, unable to speak clearly, only repeating one word.

"How dare you! His Majesty is here, and you dare to be disrespectful to my father!" A young martial general beside the Crooked Mouth Minister was filled with anger, looking very much like a fox borrowing a tiger's prestige.

"Enough. The three heroes are our guests and are here to help us, so there's no need for such formalities," the King, seated on his golden throne, finally spoke, his tone even and calm.

Within the entire hall, there were only the King, twenty guards on either side of the King, Gelf, and the Crooked Mouth Minister and his son.

And Yang Qianhun, Qin Jiuxiao, and Ye Canglan.

Seeing the King mediate, the Crooked Mouth Minister and his son could only look resentful and remain silent.

"The three heroes have come a long way. Perhaps you would like to rest in the guest rooms first, and we can discuss the specifics tomorrow?" the King said with a smile.

"No need. We're in a hurry. Let's discuss it now," Yang Qianhun refused directly, his tone calm.

Upon hearing this, the Crooked Mouth Minister and his son were about to open their mouths to scold Yang Qianhun.

But the King gave them a faint look, causing them to shut up and stand aside, glaring at Yang Qianhun and the other two.

"Since that is the case, I will be direct. Currently, there is a forest outside the capital city permeated with demonic energy, occupied by demonic beasts. Many mercenaries from the capital have gone to subjugate them, but none have returned. The city guard must protect the capital and cannot spare troops to go and subjugate the demonic beasts. Could I ask the brave heroes to go and subjugate these demonic beasts? As long as the demonic beasts are eliminated, I will reward you handsomely," the King said slowly, looking kindly at Yang Qianhun and the other two.

"No problem," Yang Qianhun agreed without hesitation.

To complete the quest and clear the dungeon, any quest had to be accepted.

Otherwise, if they couldn't complete the quest, they would eventually die.

Qin Jiuxiao and Ye Canglan on either side visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, it wasn't about conquering the entire world for the King, but merely subjugating demonic beasts, which was acceptable.

At the very least, after completing it, they could return to the Ten Thousand Races Battlefield sooner, without wasting too much time.

If they had taken on a quest to conquer the entire world, they might never return to the Ten Thousand Races Battlefield in this lifetime.

"Good, the heroes are indeed straightforward. From now on, you can find Gelf if you wish to know anything, or if you need any help, you can also ask," the King said with a satisfied nod and a smile after hearing the answer.

At this moment, a discordant voice rang out, carrying a sharp and provocative tone.

"Your Majesty, I wonder if these three heroes truly possess the strength to subjugate demonic beasts. What if they go and are instantly killed, wouldn't that bring shame upon Your Majesty?" The Crooked Mouth Minister stepped forward and said in a sarcastic tone.

Then he paused and continued:

"Your Majesty, I have a method we can try. Just let them compete with Keen, and we will know if they possess the strength to subjugate demonic beasts. Of course, the competition will be stopped before serious injury, Keen will not harm their lives."

Before the King could speak, Qin Jiuxiao couldn't hold back and immediately cursed, "I say, you old geezer, are you ever going to shut up? Your son's trash strength, is he even worthy of competing with the three of us? And 'stopped before serious injury'? And 'won't harm our lives'? It's not that I look down on you. I'm afraid if I make a move, I might accidentally kill your son, and then you'd have no heir."

Qin Jiuxiao's words directly caused the elderly Crooked Mouth Minister to almost get high blood pressure.

The Crooked Mouth Minister instantly turned red with rage, pointing at Qin Jiuxiao, too angry to utter a single curse word.

"You only know how to use your tongue. If you've got guts, compete with me!" Keen, his eyes seemingly spitting fire, took several steps forward, tilting his proud head and looking at Qin Jiuxiao out of the corner of his eye.

Yang Qianhun gave Keen a cold look, his disdain undisguised, and said calmly, "To know our strength, you will have to pay a price. Teach him a lesson, let him know that there's always someone better, and a higher heaven beyond this one."