Evil Emperor Zun

Chapter 2024 Black Sea Crocodile
The Dark Prison of the Galaxy, the Bright Prison.

The people of Tiantan were unaware of the earth-shattering changes hidden behind the curtain of war that was slowly being drawn back before them. They could hardly imagine the ruthless methods those top powers, who would soon clash with them head-on, were capable of.

The ripples also spread to the largest dimensional prison in the cosmic sea.

The ceaseless blood and fire distorted every inch of the world before their eyes. The wailing that echoed everywhere formed the backdrop of this hell on earth. Even highly skilled cultivators wouldn't linger. But even the guards here were surprised by the recent increase in the number of unfamiliar faces coming and going.

Unlike ordinary prisons, the Star River Dark Prison does not allow visits from relatives and friends in principle. However, if top-tier powers occasionally want to send someone to meet a prisoner and exchange a few words, permission can still be granted. For the guards, being assigned to guide them or assist with paperwork is a rare opportunity to see these legendary figures up close. If they are generous, they might even receive a small tip.

Naturally, such opportunities are extremely rare, since important figures wouldn't come here for no reason. Therefore, those who were fortunate enough to have one have it as something to brag about, making them appear superior when walking alongside their companions.

When a once-in-a-millennium legend gradually became a regular visitor to the Ming Prison, one can imagine how shocked the guards must have been.

The area where serious offenders were held consisted of rows of independent cells. At this moment, a young guard, wearing a long belt, stood ramrod straight. He had just been transferred to the shift and had been informed upon arrival that the people currently meeting with the prisoners in the cells were several officers from the Infinite Divine Kingdom.

The origin of the Infinite Divine Kingdom is on par with the plane where Chunlan and Biyao reside; both are among the most powerful mid-level planes. Within the high-ranking members of the Divine Kingdom, there are also ancestors who broke through to the upper planes early on, making its foundation quite profound.

The deepest cell held what was said to be the most dangerous prisoner in the entire Ming Prison. The guards rarely even approached this area during patrols. Therefore, this position, which should have been the most important, was occasionally assigned to him, the newcomer. His seniors patiently explained that this was a sign of their trust in him, a chance for him to gain experience, and assured him that the cell was surrounded by protective barriers, making the dangerous criminal a paper tiger, unable to harm him.

If it were truly that safe, they wouldn't all be hiding so far away. The guard thought to himself. His seniors probably knew this wasn't a plausible explanation, so they mysteriously told him some big news, a little something to whet his appetite.

Perhaps he won't need to cover shifts for too long. It seems the people from the Infinite Kingdom want to make some kind of deal with that wanted criminal and plan to release him early.

If that guy is released, it will definitely be a huge news story that will shake the universe. Everyone's been talking about it lately. At such a historic moment, lingering around the prison gate might just yield some inside information—in short, they want him to accept that it's a cushy job.

The bait worked perfectly; the young guard did become more willing. Even knowing he probably couldn't see or hear, he still approached the cell door out of curiosity.

—Inside the prison cell.

"You want me to step in and solve your problems?"

The criminal deliberately dragged out the last syllable, seemingly genuinely interested, or perhaps he simply wanted to draw his conversation partners into his emotions, extending the time he could spend humiliating them.

As he spoke, he casually moved his left arm and rested it on his crossed knees. This simple movement immediately caused a series of chains to rattle and clang. It turned out that he was completely pierced by chains; some were connected to handcuffs and shackles, while others went directly through his joints and into the wall. It was as if a mini-prison had been specially built for him within the main prison.

Even though his strength was suppressed upon his imprisonment, and he was subjected to all sorts of torture every day, grinding his steely bones into a pulp, and his cell was filled with restrictions, Mingyu still added layers of chains to restrain him, constantly draining his energy to ensure he was in his weakest state. From all this, it's easy to see just how terrifying he is; to control him, no amount of caution is excessive.

Standing opposite him were three officials from the Infinite Divine Kingdom. Leading them was a burly middle-aged man, accompanied by two younger subordinates. Of course, this was only their apparent age; their true qualifications were those of top-tier powerhouses who had lived for millions of years in the Cosmic Sea. All three wore exquisite and luxurious military uniforms, exuding authority.

Under the watchful eyes of the three men, the wanted criminal suddenly raised his head and burst into a hoarse, maniacal laugh.

"Your noble higher realm has stooped so low as to wag your tails and beg prisoners for help? Aren't you ashamed enough to slit your own throats? Hahahaha—"

He laughed until his whole body trembled, his laughter still carrying a soul-piercing pressure, echoing violently in the cell like the cawing of crows in the mountains. With his vigorous movements, the tangled hair that had covered his face like weeds fell away, truly revealing a face worthy of the title "devil."

Two wide, intersecting scars almost tore his entire face apart; where his eyebrows should have been, they were bare; his pupils were vertical like snake eyes, and perhaps because the space for his emotions was too narrow, his eyes appeared exceptionally cold, and ordinary people would look away if they made eye contact with him.

His nose was fairly high and straight, with five nails inserted from top to bottom. These weren't ordinary nose studs; rather, the nails were firmly driven into the nasal bone, the caps attached to the right side, and the sharp ends protruding from the left, most of them exposed. It looked painful, but to him it seemed to be a rather satisfying little ornament. When he laughed heartily, his two rows of teeth were as sharp as shark teeth.

This man was named Arakiji, a member of the Yaksha clan, a race known for its innate belligerence, ferocity, and bloodthirstiness. He was a standout among them. He fought his way from the original plane, and even in the cosmic sea teeming with powerful beings, he remained like a wild beast unleashed, indiscriminately destroying every piece of land before him and ravaging any creature that still possessed a breath of life. For others, killing was a means to an end; for him, it was the end itself. Only this pure, savage plunder could bring him pleasure.

Until he was seriously injured in a secret realm, barely clinging to life, he barely managed to escape, only to be surrounded by his enemies who had rushed to the scene. After fighting until he was exhausted, he was finally arrested by the Star River Guard and thrown into the Star River Dark Prison.

With his strength, his genetic level had already undergone transformation time and time again, and the human form he transformed into was not bad-looking, reaching an above-average level. However, the overwhelming murderous aura and the fierce and ferocious expression gave his appearance an additional terrifying intimidating power, enough to stop children from crying at night.

"You guys, take turns sharing your thoughts. I really want to hear the sound of your little hearts twisting into pretzels!" After a loud laugh, Arakiji's eyes darted around and landed on a young man behind him.

"Even the brave and upright Captain Griffin looks reluctant. You were the one who captured me, and I still remember your expression back then! Like the whole world would be a better place without me, tsk tsk..."

"I never expected that the organization you serve would need my help and decide to release me early, forcing you, this great hero, to come and kowtow to me along with your superior! The justice you uphold and the evil you despise have so easily become lovers; your faith must have shattered into dust by now, right?"

Griffin Melledin, captain of the Star River Guardians, had shoulder-length golden-brown hair tied in a high ponytail, with a tuft of hair falling down his right temple. He possessed striking features, a handsome face, and an extraordinary bearing; his golden eyes shone like a burning sun. Judging from his appearance and demeanor, he was indeed a man of upright character. Being directly humiliated by Arakiji, a flash of extreme pain crossed his face.

This was not due to the enemy's words, but because he knew perfectly well that what the divine kingdom was doing was wrong, yet he was not only powerless to stop it, but also bound to the chariot of aiding and abetting evil. He could almost see countless civilians about to fall ahead, their faint cries for help soon to be mercilessly crushed by the wheels.

It shouldn't be like this. What he has always firmly believed in, what he has risked his life to protect, his faith, his passion... it shouldn't be like this.

Even Arakiji, who had fallen to his lowest point, was no easy opponent in that battle. Driven to the brink, the beast unleashed an even more ferocious power, its slaughter earth-shattering, blood flowing like rivers. Several neighboring planes were instantly reduced to ashes by the energy ripples from the battle. Griffin, too, fought with considerable injury, and several of his companions perished, before finally subduing him.

Griffin still remembers the feeling of putting the shackles on him with his own hands. He grieved for his fallen teammate and hated the other's cruelty. The gaze he gave him was heavy; he wanted to engrave the saying "those who do many evil deeds will surely perish" into the bones of this devil.

At the same time, he was overjoyed that they had won the battle. They had successfully eradicated a scourge from the world and protected countless people living earnestly in every corner of the earth. He had not let down the organization's expectations, nor had he failed his years of arduous training. He had also not let down the girl waiting for him back home. He had survived this extremely dangerous S-class mission, and he could return to her side in glory, share his medals with her, and transform all the blood and wounds along the way into four words: "I have fulfilled my mission."

However, the divine kingdom's current decision makes his past efforts seem like a joke. All his comrades' blood had been shed in vain. How could he explain this to them the next time he went to pay his respects? More importantly, this demon is unlikely to change. Letting a tiger return to the mountain will have endless consequences; who knows how many more innocent people will suffer because of it? He doesn't even dare tell his beloved girl what kind of mission he's carrying out…

He didn't want to reveal these surging emotions to Arakiji; it would only make the other man more smug. For now, he could only clench his fists, exert every ounce of self-control, and with the calmest expression he could muster, give the most formulaic answer:

"It is the command of God's Kingdom to make you atone for your sins. As a warrior of God's Kingdom, I am merely obeying orders."

Arakiji clicked his tongue, finding it rather boring, and was about to make another sarcastic remark when the middle-aged man in the lead finally couldn't stand it any longer. He cleared his throat, took a step forward, and his imposing aura swept out like a mountain.

"enough."

Cindy Prince, a powerful figure in the Infinite God Kingdom, had one foot already in the higher plane. He simply stood there, like a human-shaped abyss, capable of both calm and swift action. The pressure he naturally exuded, merely a small warning to maintain order, was still terrifyingly powerful.

His silver-gray hair rippled and undulated like waves on the sea. His pale gray eyes surveyed Arakiji without any emotion. It was this supreme decision-maker who had personally read out the order from the divine realm earlier, and now, he was the one who brought the conversation back on track.

"I'll reiterate. As long as you assist us in killing Duxing Wangzun, who is your former boss, your remaining sentence in the Star River Dark Prison will be wiped clean, and you will be free immediately."

Arakichiji was once an official in the Dokkō Royal Court.

A wild beast that finds the greatest pleasure in destruction, unruly and difficult to tame, the principles of the Solitary Awakening Court perfectly suit his tastes.

Of course, given his style, he never cooperated with other cadres. He preferred to act as a top enforcer, and whenever a big scene was about to happen, he welcomed his colleagues to call him up for a brawl.

“Hey buddy, don’t be so serious, relax.” At this moment, another young man next to him spoke up. Facing the sullen Arakiji, he seemed neither disgusted nor wary. His smile seemed to be a natural part of his face, casual and friendly, as if he and the other person were old friends who hadn’t seen each other for many years. “We’re giving you a suggestion, but you can also enjoy it.”

"I've studied your information. You love excitement, don't you? This time, we're not only letting you out, but we're also going to give you the biggest spectacle ever! Just imagine, all the powerful beings from all the heavens and myriad realms will gather together. It's the largest event in the universe, and the one who will kill the number one person in the universe. Such a grand occasion is unprecedented! Even I would feel very regretful if you weren't there."

"I forgot to tell you, your old rival, Daytime Shuo of the Dark Church, will also be involved in this operation. You can have a chance to see who is the number one villain in the final war."

The young man speaking had neatly styled short, dark red hair, with two symmetrical tufts of white hair about half a finger's width on top of his head, and three extremely thin braids on each side leading to the back of his head. His exceptionally handsome face, tall and upright figure, and noble and elegant demeanor gave him a captivating charm that made him a natural light wherever he stood; he looked more like a model than a soldier. His clear, bright blue eyes were like the finest jade, or like a lake just thawing in spring.

Joseph Doren, vice-captain of the Star Guardians. Compared to Griffin, the principled and methodical captain, he possesses a distinctly cynical air, seemingly unaffected by anything. His bottom line can be lowered drastically; even when dealing with a heinous criminal, he can easily empathize with them and say what they want to hear.

Observing Arakiji's reaction, Sindni added, "Let me be clearer. This operation to surround and kill the Solitary Awakening King is absolutely crucial. You are one of our options, but we certainly won't put all our eggs in one basket. Many others will join you. We don't require you to deliver the fatal blow. Our promise will be valid as long as his death is confirmed afterward."

"Otherwise, we can turn around and leave, and talk to the other prisoners here. I believe many of them will be willing to help us."

"We are not the ones who have no choice. So you'd better understand your place. We're not begging you, we're giving you a chance."

Arakiji raised his eyelids slightly. The air of freedom did indeed tempt him, but at this moment, a different emotion than "desire" was floating in his eyes, melting away all the hostility in him. This was the first time the three from the Infinite Divine Kingdom had seen anything in him that could be called "softness" and "humanity."

"Why did I have to kill him..." Even though he was talking about someone who wasn't there, he subconsciously lowered his voice, like a savage holding a priceless treasure in his rough hands, knowing his clumsiness but still carefully protecting it. "He's different from other guys, he's always been very good to me." As if touched by these words, he lowered his gaze and murmured, repeating, "He really is..."

His feelings of respect, love, admiration, and dependence on the Solitary King were clearly imprinted in his eyes.

"If I need to kill someone to sharpen my knife, I'd rather get closer to you guys." After a long pause, Arakiji grinned again. This time, his words directed at them had become fierce and arrogant once more.

Sinden frowned, a playful glint in his eyes. "What, the infamous 'Destroyer' and 'Black Sea Crocodile' is actually such a grateful person? You said he was good to you," he deliberately glanced at Sinden's shackles, emphasizing the sarcasm in his words, "then why are you still here now?"

"If he wanted to, there would be many ways to get you out of there. But he never negotiated for you even once, letting you live a life worse than death every day, while he himself continues to be a big shot outside, with thousands of admirers and beautiful women around him... I can only say that it seems that he is far less loyal to you than you are to him."

Arakiji suddenly became incredibly agitated: "Provocation won't work on me!" He swung his arms forcefully, causing the chains to rattle loudly once more. "What happens to me is completely unimportant! As long as he can stay out there and continue to wreak havoc on the world, that's enough!"

"Besides, do you think I didn't smell it?" He tilted his head back and exaggeratedly sniffed, "The scent of 'destruction'—"

"You were all terrified of him back then, trying every possible method to negotiate with him. Now you're suddenly so eager to kill him completely, is it because 'destruction' is just around the corner? You know that as long as he can live, none of you will survive. You'll perish along with the collapsing world!"

Sindni's face was grim, and despite the increasingly loud voice, he remained silent for a long time. This reaction implicitly confirmed Arakiji's guess.

If "destruction" truly possessed a perceptible aura, it would undoubtedly be the most exhilarating aura for Arakiji. He laughed wildly, as if he had suddenly gone mad, shielding everything outside his voice. Even when the energy he unleashed exceeded the critical limit, triggering the restrictions within the cell and causing him to tremble and stagger wildly from the surging currents of law, it only made his laughter more agonizing.

After a while, he finally stopped laughing, used the chains to straighten his body, rolled his head back and forth on his neck, and stared intently at Cindenny through his disheveled hair.

"Hey, sir, let's make a deal."

"Didn't you say that mission wasn't short of people? Then give me a different mission."

“For example,” he slowly licked his lips, as if savoring a delicious dish, “let me out and I’ll help you catch pure souls.”