Liu Shinian, Yan Wushuang, Xue Gucheng, and Dao Lang, along with Fei Xiong, rode their swift horses out of the city gates in pursuit.
The fleeing great troops of Nanhai City and the great troops of Xizi Kingdom split into two paths on the official road: one heading towards Dongyue Town, the other towards Xizi Kingdom. Either path could disperse their forces.
The group heading towards Xizi Kingdom, seeing no pursuers behind them, believed they had escaped. However, they dared not be careless, hiding in the woods and heading west.
Suddenly, four dark figures appeared ahead. Their forms were indistinct in the faint moonlight.
The Xizi Kingdom general leading the group hastily halted everyone. Then, someone in the crowd shouted, "What is this!"
Everyone looked down and saw a vast expanse of white Lycoris radiata blooming at their feet. Startled, they all retreated.
Suddenly, the Lycoris radiata dispersed, revealing a large net hidden beneath. The net, caught by the wind, rose and ensnared everyone.
Later, a troop that arrived with torches captured them and escorted them back to Nanhai City. Ku Dinghai cried out to the heavens,
"Heaven truly wishes to destroy me, heaven wishes to destroy me!"
The large group that had fled towards Dongyue Town was also quickly overtaken by Liu Shinian and his companions on their swift horses.
A few spirited horses surrounded them.
Seeing that it was only a handful of people, they decided to fight to the death, drawing their swords and slashing towards Liu Shinian and his group.
Fei Xiong couldn't help but laugh at their terrified and comical actions.
"Hahaha, you are too conceited. If you want to play, I'll play with you."
As he spoke, he dismounted and charged into the crowd, knocking them down one by one with his fists.
The people behind exchanged glances and turned to flee. Yan Wushuang immediately threw his flying knives, blocking their escape.
At this moment, Xue Gucheng took down the rope tied to his back, kicked off, and flew into the crowd. He swiftly moved behind everyone and bound them, awaiting the arrival of the main troop.
Soon after, the pursuing troops arrived and escorted them all back to Nanhai City.
I returned to the dungeon and saw the empty end of the corridor where Zuo Men, the only one who hadn't escaped, sat in meditation. He closed his eyes, resting, and remained silent, appearing detached from worldly affairs.
Curiously, I asked him, "Why didn't you run?"
He remained silent.
"I find myself liking you more and more. You are a man of spirit."
He still said nothing.
At this moment, Lin Er walked in and informed me that everyone had been apprehended and escorted to the military camp's parade ground.
I nodded and followed him out of the dungeon to the surface. The ringleaders of the rebellion were already tied up in front of everyone, and one could imagine what awaited them.
Once everyone was assembled, Lin Er stepped onto the execution platform and questioned Lao Yu before the crowd.
"Lao Yu, you are also a member of our Ghost Charm tribe. We have an irreconcilable hatred with the Four Cities. Why did you release the enemy, disregarding our blood feud? Today, you must provide an explanation to all the Ghost Charm people."
Lao Yu remained calm and unafraid, simply bursting into laughter before slowly explaining his reasons.
"I once hated everyone. I hated being born into the Ghost Charm tribe and living a life of displacement. I also hated how the people of the Four Cities relentlessly pursued us.
However, I have seen too much separation and death, too much killing and being killed. I don't know when such disputes will ever end.
I hope our future is a bright and peaceful one, where everyone can live the life they desire and pursue their ideals.
May we not be affected by hatred and war anymore. For the arrival of that day,
I am willing to contribute my humble strength. Whether I live or die, I, Lao Yu, accept it."
Lin Er then looked at the other individuals and asked,
"Do you all think the same?"
Several people laughed and replied,
"Death holds no fear for us."
"We have a clear conscience in doing this and have no regrets."
"It's just a pity we couldn't save them."
Lin Er was furious, and the people below listened with tears in their eyes. Lao Yu's words and the loyalty of his brothers deeply moved everyone. No one expected them to go this far for their enemies.
Lin Er rebuked him,
"This is utter nonsense! You want to incite us all to let go of hatred and face the future together? I think you've truly gone mad. If we don't kill you today, what about laws and discipline? Guards, execute him!"
"Yes."
The executioners, who had been waiting, stepped forward, seized him, and prepared to carry out the execution.
Suddenly, the captured Xizi Kingdom junior general, Fan Sheng, shouted from the crowd.
"Stop!"
Lin Er immediately signaled the executioners to halt. The junior general pushed through the crowd to the front and knelt down with a thud, his eyes filled with sincere pleading.
"They have met this fate because they tried to save us. I beg the Demon King to spare their lives and let me die in their place."
The Nanhai City junior general, Bu Yu, also stepped forward and knelt on the ground, pleading.
"I am willing to exchange my life for theirs, only asking the Demon King to spare them."
The Nanhai City general and the Xizi Kingdom general stepped forward one after another, and more and more people began to stand out.
Even those who had been contemplating escape now stepped forward, solely to protect the lives of these individuals who had allowed them to leave.
My heart trembled. I never expected that people who seemed cold and heartless could also possess such deep loyalty and righteousness.
I walked onto the platform and addressed everyone, saying, "A nation has its laws, and a family has its rules. If we don't punish them for privately letting people go, wouldn't that lead to chaos?"
All those kneeling below implored,
"Let us die in their stead. We have implicated them."
Seeing that I remained unmoved, Liu Shinian and the others standing on the sides, as well as the soldiers from various mixed units in our main troop, also knelt down and pleaded.
"We beg the Demon King to spare their lives."
I turned my head to look at Lin Er. He nodded at me, and I let out a sigh of relief, saying to everyone,
"Since you all plead with me so earnestly, I shall spare them. Everyone rise."
At that moment, everyone on the parade ground wept with joy. After releasing Lao Yu and the others, I addressed everyone again,
"After listening to Lao Yu's words, I am deeply moved. I know that each of you wishes to leave, to be free.
Since this is the case, let us decide your departure through peaceful means. We will hold an event.
If you win against us, the Black Mountain, we will let you go. I, the Ten Thousand Demon King, stand by my word. Do you agree?"
After a moment of thought, they all replied in unison, "Agree! Agree!"
Subsequently, everyone was escorted back to the dungeon.
That night, in an inconspicuous room in the back garden of the Nanhai Royal Palace, I summoned Lao Yu and a few others.
They followed Lin Er into the room and saw a figure with their back to them. They knelt and said, "Demon King, we have arrived."
I turned around to look at them, a satisfied smile on my face, and then gestured for them to be seated.
"You have done well. I see your worth, so you will become drill masters instead of jailers. You will not be jailers anymore."
Lao Yu stood up and bowed, then refused, "It is our honor to contribute to the Demon King. I find being a jailer suitable. I do not wish to be a commander. I am used to freedom and do not wish to be constrained."
The others also refused in turn.
"Seeing so many soldiers kneel for us today, we feel ashamed. Therefore, let us remain in the dungeon to accompany them."
After careful consideration, I felt that their words came from the heart, and thus I did not force them.
"Since that is the case, then it shall be as you wish."
"Thank you, Demon King."
"You have all worked hard today. You may go and rest."
"Yes."
After they left, I walked over to Lin Er and asked, "If they hadn't pleaded with me, would you have truly killed them?"
Lin Er smiled slightly and said, "I believe they would definitely plead with us."
I asked again, somewhat confused, "Why are you so certain?"
He laughed heartily and said, "Because righteousness is an insurmountable standard in the hearts of everyone here."
Only then did I realize, with a sense of understanding.
Recalling the strategy Lin Er had presented to me in the great hall the day before yesterday, I had initially thought it unreliable. Now, I realized I had been overly worried and had underestimated his capabilities.
The next morning, as usual, I went to the dungeon to have breakfast with everyone, and then returned to the great hall to summon everyone.
They gradually arrived in the great hall, each with a look of bewilderment on their faces.
I said to them,
"I have called you here for no other reason than the matter of the peaceful competition. We will send twelve people to compete with those in the dungeon. Is anyone willing to participate?"
Liu Shinian was the first to step forward, followed by Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang. The Four Evils, having nothing to do and finding it amusing, also stepped forward. The remaining five positions would be filled by the mountain lords from various peaks.
Seeing that the numbers were complete, I announced another matter.
"There is one more thing I must tell everyone. From now on, the lighting will be canceled. Whoever wishes to return to their room must fetch fire and light it themselves. That is all. You may go and prepare."
"Yes."
With this matter settled, the selection process for those in the dungeon was underway. They selected the generals Ku Dinghai and Qi Bu, the junior generals Bu Yu and Fan Sheng, along with three Nanhai City soldiers, three Xizi Kingdom soldiers, and one Xizi Kingdom副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general), Shao Yun. There was still one spot left, and they decided to nominate Zuo Men.
However, since entering the dungeon, he had not spoken a word, no matter who tried to persuade him. Lao Yu decided to try. He entered Zuo Men's cell, sat beside him, and said,
"Brother, I know you resent our Black Mountain, and I know your loyalty to Nanhai City. Everyone trusts you so much; please participate."
Zuo Men remained silent, as rigid as a block of wood. The few brothers beside him also shook their heads helplessly. One man named Da Ye casually remarked, "I think the only one who can persuade him is the Demon King."
Lao Yu immediately had an idea. He left the dungeon and found me in the great hall, stating his purpose.
"Demon King, everyone has nominated Zuo Men to participate, but he is motionless like a dead person and listens to no one. You are the only one who can persuade him."
"Very well, I will go and meet him."
I knew that to deal with someone like Zuo Men, one had to be shameless. If he was aggressive, I would be persistently annoying.
I personally carried my bedding to the dungeon and entered Zuo Men's cell, spreading the bedding on his cot.
Everyone looked on curiously and asked, "Demon King, what are you doing?"
I smiled and said, "I'm not comfortable living in the royal palace. I'll try living here too, to experience life in the dungeon."
Everyone couldn't help but laugh, thinking I was looking for trouble.
Zuo Men remained silent, sitting cross-legged before the straw mat like a block of wood. I sat beside him and whispered in his ear,
"Life in the royal palace is good, but it's stuffy. It's much cooler in this dungeon."
Seeing that he didn't respond, I continued,
"Your name is so strange. Why are you called Zuo Men? In our place, that name sounds like a foreign name.
Hey, how old are you? You must be married by now, right? Where are your children? Don't you have any children?"
I continued to chatter in his ear for several hours until it was dark. He finally became annoyed and roared, "Ah!"
Then, with red eyes, he angrily asked me, "What exactly do you want?"
I waved my hand and replied, "I just want you to participate in the competition."
"No! Participate! Get lost!"
I laughed and leaned close to his ear, saying,
"If you don't participate, I won't leave. I won't leave. I'll annoy you to death. Not just today, but every day from now on, I'll put a barrel over your head and speak only to you, so only you can hear."
The people nearby couldn't help but laugh, and Lao Yu and the others watching from the side also praised, "The Demon King truly has a way."
Zuo Men was extremely annoyed. Looking at my grinning face, he finally gave in and begged, "Can I call you Grandma? Grandma, can you please stop bothering me?"
"No, unless you participate in the competition, I won't stop. I'll annoy you to death."
He looked utterly helpless and finally surrendered, "I'll participate, I'll participate, alright?"
"Alright, alright. Remember what you said. If you dare to go back on your word, I'll drag you out and make you listen to the beautiful sounds of this world all by yourself."
He glared at me with resentment, unable to do anything to me. I smiled triumphantly and then walked out of the cell.
He suddenly said, "Your bedding, take it away."
"I'll leave it for you."
"I don't care for it."
"If you don't care for it, give it to someone else. Who's forcing you to take it?"
He looked at me with disdain and resentment again. Seeing that everyone in the dungeon had no bedding, only straw mats, I went to Lao Yu and said,
"Go and get some blankets for everyone. Say it's from me."
"All right."
By the time I returned to the surface, it was late at night. Bright lights had been lit throughout the Nanhai Royal Palace, yet I still saw someone busy in various directions.
The figure looked like He Lian. Following her, I saw she was just walking back and forth in place, not going anywhere.
I walked up to her and asked,
"Why are you here?"
She smiled faintly and said, "I am waiting for the Demon King."
"Waiting for me? Why are you waiting for me?" I was confused.
She explained, "Because I saw your sleeping quarters were completely dark, I knew you hadn't returned. They said you went to the dungeon, so I've been waiting here for you."
"Since that's the case, let's go back together."
I took the lantern from her hand and walked ahead, illuminating the path for her. She smiled shyly and asked me, "Is the Demon King always this busy every day?"
I nodded, then thought and added, "Being a king is not easy. I think it's better to be an ordinary person."
She smiled slightly and shared her perspective, "Being a king has its advantages, and being an ordinary person has its disadvantages. Since fate has chosen the Demon King to be this king, there must be a reason for it."
In my heart, I retorted: Fate chose? Wasn't it the Ten Thousand Ghost King who tricked me into becoming it?
The Ten Thousand Ghost King seemed to hear my thoughts and grumbled in my mind, "You did it willingly."
I then argued with him in my mind, "You're talking nonsense! You tricked me."
He retorted equally strongly, "You did it willingly."
"You tricked me."
"You did it willingly."
For a moment, both sides had their reasons, and neither knew who was telling the truth.