"You're the same now. I have no ability to restrict your movements, so what you do is your choice."
After saying that, Zaiyilo picked up the tea on the table and did not urge Bai Zhu again.
Bai Zhu stared at him for a moment, then reached out and took the documents.
"Fine."
Piyu looked up.
"You agreed?"
"Let's see the factory first. It's all my choice anyway, so it depends on whether I'm willing."
Bai Zhu rolled up the documents and tucked them into his clothes.
"General Zai, I've eaten your meal, and you've said your piece. Lead the way."
Zaiyilo set down his teacup, rose, and pushed open the side door.
There was no rail cart this time.
The lift shaft behind the stone fortress led directly underground, a heavy iron cage suspended from steel cables. After everyone entered, two guards outside pulled down the gate, and the iron cage suddenly dropped.
Milluki grabbed the railing and glanced down at his feet.
"You actually have an elevator here."
"The lift shaft is maintained by the General's Residence." Zaiyilo stood in the corner. "The Holy Church is not involved."
The iron cage descended, and guards stopped them on the first level.
Firearms, passes, equipment—everything was inspected one by one. Once the inspection was complete, the guards stamped the wooden placard, and the iron cage continued downward.
The second level was a waste liquid processing area.
Black-green liquid flowed through stone channels. Workers in thick cloth clothing used long-handled iron shovels to scrape clumps of fungal film into wooden barrels. The air carried a sour stench. Milluki covered his nose and looked outside through his sleeve.
Further down, the passageways on both sides were lined only with sealed stone doors.
A wooden placard from the General's Residence hung beside every