"Good!" Chuan Ying readily agreed, and they all headed there together.
Beneath the towering Imperial Palace lay an underground treasure vault. With the emperor and honored guests present in person, the gates of the underground palace opened.
The group entered the underground palace. Not only were guards posted outside, guards also rotated shifts within.
The heavy gates along the underground passage opened one layer after another. Once they entered the true treasure repository, there were no guards inside—only shelves lined with all manner of rare treasures.
Chuan Ying, stepping into the vault, glanced at the ground and found that the floor had been cast from molten bronze and iron.
"They are all worldly trifles. Compared to the possessions of sacred lands and immortal pavilions, they are unbearably crude." Nie Zhenting waved a hand toward them, as though inviting him to look around.
Accompanied by him, Chuan Ying wandered through the vault and found that they truly were all mundane things. Most were gold and silver treasures, including large gold bricks melted and cast for storage. Then there were some so-called precious vessels, along with paintings, calligraphy, and spiritual herbs.
After making a full circuit of the vault, Chuan Ying stopped before a colorful jade carving. He looked around, seeming somewhat surprised. "Is this all the Imperial Palace has in its treasury?"
Nie Zhenting gave a reserved, apologetic smile. "It is somewhat simple. Please forgive our inadequacy, Mister Chuan Ying."
Chi Qingli also said, "Naturally, it cannot compare with Ice and Snow Pavilion."
Chuan Ying waved his hand. "That is not what I meant. In my view, Your Majesty must have other treasures that you are unwilling to let Chuan see, correct?"
Nie Zhenting was startled. There was obvious displeasure in the other man's words, and he hurriedly said, "Mister Chuan