195: Chapter 195 The Legend of the Holy City

Wang Lin was not at the school gate; he had not arrived yet.

Lin Shiyao stood at the entrance, watching the empty street in the distance.

The morning breeze blew over, carrying the unique chill of autumn.

Lin Shiyao's hair was lifted by the wind, with a few stray strands fluttering by her ears.

Lin Shiyao did not bother with them, nor did she pay attention to the students coming in and out; she just kept watching ahead.

Five minutes passed; it was 7:55.

The street was empty, with no sign of anyone.

Another five minutes passed. It was 8:00 sharp.

The number of people at the school gate gradually increased, walking into the school grounds while chatting and laughing.

Lin Shiyao's gaze remained fixed in that direction, on the corner of the street.

8:02... 8:03... 8:04...

Lin Shiyao's heart wavered. Was Wang Lin lying to her?

As soon as this thought emerged, she shook her head and cast it aside.

Impossible. Wang Lin had saved her and given her five million; there was no need to deceive her.

What benefit would there be in lying to her? She had nothing: no money, no background, no support.

Wang Lin could not gain anything from her, so there was no need to lie to her.

8:05. No Wang Lin.

8:06. No Wang Lin.

8:07. Wang Lin walked out from the corner of the street.

His pace was still as casual as ever, his school uniform was the same one from yesterday, and his sneakers were the same pair.

The only difference was that he was carrying a plastic bag containing a few steamed buns.

Wang Lin walked up to Lin Shiyao: "Sorry, I'm late because I was buying breakfast."

Wang Lin handed over the plastic bag, took out two steamed buns, and handed them to Lin Shiyao: "You haven't had breakfast yet, right? I bought these for you."

Lin Shiyao was stunned for a moment, looking at the two steamed buns. They were plump and white, steaming hot, and the fragrance wafted out of the plastic bag.

Lin Shiyao swallowed hard; she hadn't eaten hot steamed buns in a long time. She reached out and took the buns: "Thank you."

Wang Lin took his own portion out of the plastic bag.

Two steamed buns and a cup of soy milk; he ate while walking toward the side of the road.

He stood by the roadside and raised his hand to hail a taxi.

A taxi stopped. He opened the door and got in, and Lin Shiyao followed him in.

"Where to?" the driver asked.

"North District, Zeng Aniu Slaughterhouse."

The driver nodded and stepped on the gas.

The car drove out from the school gate and merged into the traffic.

Lin Shiyao sat in the back seat, holding the two steamed buns in her hands.

She watched the street scene flying past the window, watching those familiar streets, shops, and pedestrians receding bit by bit.

She had never taken a taxi to go anywhere; she always walked or took the bus.

Taking a taxi was too expensive; the starting fare was enough for her to eat for several days.

Wang Lin finished his two steamed buns and the soy milk, then crumpled the plastic bag into a ball and stuffed it into his pocket.

He turned his head and looked at the buns in Lin Shiyao's hand: "Why aren't you eating? They won't taste good once they get cold."

Lin Shiyao lowered her head and took a bite. It was hot, the bun skin was soft, and the meat filling was fresh and tender.

She chewed slowly, for a long time, before swallowing.

She took another bite and chewed for a long time again.

The car drove for more than twenty minutes and left the downtown area. The buildings on both sides of the road became shorter and older, finally turning into rows of low factory buildings.

A new scent appeared in the air—the smell of blood.

The car stopped in front of a large iron gate.

Wang Lin paid the fare, pushed the door open, and got out.

Lin Shiyao followed him out of the car, stood by his side, and looked up at the large iron gate.

The iron gate was very tall, and a huge sign hung above it: "Zeng Aniu Slaughterhouse."

Seeing the words "Zeng Aniu Slaughterhouse," Lin Shiyao was stunned.

When she was working odd jobs in the past, she had heard people mention this place.

This was not a The Slaughterhouse in the eyes of ordinary people.

It was a secret known only to the old-timers who had struggled at the bottom of the Holy City for many years, as well as the wealthiest and most powerful people in the Holy City.

She hadn't paid attention to it at the time.

But now, looking at that huge sign, she suddenly remembered what those people had said.

This was one of the bases of the Twelve Zodiacs.

The Twelve Zodiacs: the most mysterious, powerful, and difficult-to-enter organization in the Holy City.

It wasn't something you could enter just because you wanted to, nor could you enter just because you had money, and certainly not just because you had talent.

Countless people in the Holy City wanted to join, and countless families wanted to get their descendants in, but very few people could do it.

Because there was an iron rule for joining the Twelve Zodiacs.

You must have a recommendation from an acquaintance, and you needed at least two recommendations from high-ranking members.

This requirement alone blocked 99% of people.

Two high-ranking members...

High-ranking members of the Twelve Zodiacs were people that ordinary folks would never meet in a lifetime, let alone know two of them.

Even if you were a direct descendant of a major family in the Holy City, or if your father was a member of the Council of Elders of an XX organization,

even if you had heaven-defying abilities, you couldn't get in without finding recommenders.

Lin Shiyao turned her head and looked at Wang Lin.

Wang Lin was standing next to the security booth, crumpling the leftover plastic bag into a ball and throwing it into the trash can, and was currently communicating with the security guard inside.

A thought suddenly flashed through her mind...

Wang Lin had said he knew Uncle Niu.

Uncle Niu? Zeng Aniu? The owner of the The Slaughterhouse?

In other words, Wang Lin had skipped the recommendations of two high-ranking members and gone directly to the owner?

Lin Shiyao's heart rate accelerated. In the past, she had only been able to rely on herself; no one helped her, no one pulled her up, and no one gave her any opportunities.

But now it was different. She had the feeling of standing at a crossroads of fate.

This interview might determine the rest of her life.

Lin Shiyao took a deep breath, calmed her heartbeat, and followed Wang Lin into the gate.

Passing through the courtyard piled with goods, through rows of factory buildings, and through a long corridor.

The ground underfoot was slippery concrete, and her shoe soles made a squeaking sound when she stepped on it.

The smell of blood in the air grew stronger, mixed with the stench of animal feces and the smell of disinfectant.

From the distance came the cries of animals—cows lowing, sheep bleating, pigs grunting—along with the sound of metal clashing.

Because of her nervousness, Lin Shiyao's hands were trembling.

The Twelve Zodiacs, the legend of the Holy City.

She had never imagined that one day she would be standing in this place.

Wang Lin walked in front without looking back: "Don't be nervous. Uncle Niu is a very good person."

Lin Shiyao took a deep breath and nodded.

Following Wang Lin forward, they passed through the last corridor and arrived in front of a small three-story building.

The building was very old; the walls had been painted white, but the paint was peeling, revealing the concrete underneath.

A small sign hung at the entrance: "Office Area, Do Not Enter Without Permission."

Wang Lin pushed the door open and walked in, with Lin Shiyao following behind.

The hallway was very quiet, with only their footsteps echoing.

They went up to the third floor and walked to the end of the corridor, where Wang Lin knocked on the door.

The sound from inside was deep and resonant, like a large drum being struck.

Wang Lin pushed the door open and walked in.

Lin Shiyao followed behind him and walked into the office.