Chapter 3146: Betrayal
Translator: EndlessFantasv Translation Editor: EndlessFantasv Translation
As night fell, the royal court became unexpectedly lively.
Many half-humans in lavish robes and crowns showed up at the main gate. Despite their scary, greasy, and strange faces, they were all well-dressed. They looked like nobles attending a ball if one ignored their heads.
Zhao Manyan woke up amid this joyful atmosphere.
He realized that he had dozed off somehow. His stay in the Galaxy of the Yin Energy God had made him weak.
Just then, a woman with a rabbit head said, You should get up and get ready.
Ill dress myself. You dont have to help me, Zhao Manyan replied as he flipped his golden hair. He was giving off lover-boy vibes.
Okay, thats better. We thought that you wouldnt cooperate and that wed have to cover you in spices, the rabbit-headed woman said.
Wheres the Dragon Duchess? Zhao Manyan asked.
He remembered his mission well: He needed to distract the Dragon Duchess.
Her power should be second only to the Dark Kings. When she walked through the streets at night, everyone in the ancient dark city stayed inside their houses. So, she had to be really terrifying.
Shes getting ready as well. Many nobles are coming to offer gifts today, and theres going to be a big dinner party. The Dragon Duchess thinks you look handsome and wants you to be her companion tonight. Youre the only one she has chosen, the rabbit-headed woman said with a smile.
She has good taste. Zhao Manyan nodded. He tried to appear more obedient.
MO Fan and Asharuiya thought that the royal court would be as quiet as it was the previous night, but they were wrong.
Suddenly, many half-humans dressed in fancy clothes arrived at the royal court. They seemed to be celebrating something and appeared proud to be there.
What should we do? Asharuiya asked.
We can only go out. What else can we do? replied MO Fan.
Should I change my clothes first?
Yes! Hey, Asharuiya, you dont have to treat me like a friend here. You can change right next to me. I wont do anything to you.
Asharuiya ignored MO Fans crude remark and left.
Soon, MO Fan pulled out a formal outfit from his Space Bracelet as well.
Luckily, these half-humans initially looked human. Their faces only revealed their true evil nature after they stayed there for a long time.
As such, even though MO Fan and Asharuiya resembled humans, they would not stand out. After all, many travelers in the ancient dark city still looked human.
MO Fan slowly stopped suppressing his presence.
He needed to confirm whether the Chess King was asleep or just napping.
As he revealed his presence, there was no reaction from the Chess Kings side.
MO Fan was relieved.
It seemed that they were right.
The Chess King would sleep to bring about the night.
Security was not very tight, and there were no proper guards.
MO Fan and Asharuiya reached the Heart Palace without any obstacle.
It was a giant heart-shaped palace made of red agate stones. It looked a bit creepy from afar, but it had a captivating charm up close.
Mu Bais in there, MO Fan abruptly said with a serious expression.
How do you know? Asharuiya asked in puzzlement.
The Evil Saint King has Eight Souls. and hes now my Righteous Soul. I cant become the Evil Saint King without him, MO Fan explained.
Do you sense his presence?
MO Fan nodded. The feeling was intense. It felt like a part of him was locked in the prison ahead.
But something feels off, Asharuiya said.
Her eyes shone as she looked around.
All of a sudden, she looked up in surprise and saw a face in the dark sky.
The face was cold and imposing. Even though its eyes were closed, it still felt as if the face was constantly watching over everyone on the ground.
The beings on the Dark Plane had very little freedom or privacy. They all lived under the influence of powerful beings. Unlike a place where growth and social advancement were possible, the Dark Plane was controlled by an unseen force that divided society into distinct levels of power and authority.
The thin layer of water clearly depicted who held the power and who were the commoners.
Asharuiya trembled as she realized that the Dark King of the ancient dark city was quietly waiting for something.
MO Fan... can I go in first and check the place out? Asharuiya asked.
Why? What if its dangerous inside? MO Fan was baffled.
I have a bad feeling, Asharuiya explained.
In that case, we should go in together. I dont want you to get hurt because of me, MO Fan replied.
There arent any strong guards inside, Asharuiya reassured him.
I know.
Trust me. Let me go in first, Asharuiya said seriously.
I know you have a bit of that old-school male mentality and dont want me to lead the way. But sometimes, you have to trust a womans instincts, Asharuiya said.
Seeing how determined she was, MO Fan could not say anything else.
Finally, he nodded.
Ill stay here, he said.
Okay. Ill be right back, Asharuiya replied.
MO Fan stood outside the Heart Palace.
However, the thin layer of water on the ground started to act strangely. It was usually as calm as a mirror, but it began to ripple.
As a result, MO Fans skeletal reflection became blurry.
The wind started to blow, and even the tall city walls could not stop the chilling cold.
MO Fan sensed the odd atmosphere.
However, he was unfamiliar with the place. Unable to come to any clear conclusions, he decided not to dwell on it.
Either way, he had to save Mu Bai.
He could only face whatever came his way.
Meanwhile, Asharuiya made her way into the Heart Palace.
Inside, she saw a person suspended at the center.
His chest was bare, and he was covered in wounds. However, his severe wounds were not the most horrifying part; it was the layers of wounds that he had.
It meant that this was not the persons physical body, but his True Soul. His True Soul had been pulled out and locked at the center of the palace. He had also been punished and reconstructed repeatedly, which resulted in layers of horrifying wounds.
Even so, he was still alive.
The look in his eyes was firm but indifferent. Normally, a True Soul enduring such punishment would become numb, but he was different.
When he noticed someone entering, he did not even look up. He seemed used to different executioners from the Dark Plane coming to torture him every day. Yet, he never lost himself during this ordeal. Instead, he grew stronger, and his soul shone brighter.
He sensed a familiar presence and felt that it must be someone he had met in the mortal world.
Right then, he raised his head. Instead of looking at the person, he looked at the skeletal reflection in the rippling water.
It was a Fallen Angel who also paraded the mortal world.
Mu Bai was surprised to see who it was. He did not expect her to be working for the Dark King.
Im sorry, Asharuiya apologized with a slight bow and a hint of guilt.
No worries. I dont mind it being you. Seeing a familiar face makes things a bit more cordial at least. It reminds me of my days in the mortal world, Mu Bai replied.
Im not here to torture you, said Asharuiya.
Why are you here then? Youre not here to save me, are you? Mu Bai forced a smile.
I made the choice you were unwilling to make, Asharuiya explained.
As soon as she finished speaking, Mu Bai l s eyes turned cold.
Clank! Clank! Clank!
The chains on his body clashed loudly as he struggled, and his damaged soul tensed. This resulted in bulging veins and more apparent muscle lines.
For a moment, it seemed like he could break free from the everlasting chains with his own strength.
You... You made a deal with them! Mu Bai said angrily.
If I had refused, wouldnt I have ended up like you? Asharuiya replied.
How could you betray your friend?! Mu Bai shouted. Im a woman and a treacherous one, Asharuiya replied.
Where is he?! Mu Bai demanded.
Hes just outside the palace. Cant you sense him? Asharuiya said.
Youre the one who led him to the Dark Plane and brought him here?! Mu Bai asked.
He asked me to be his guide on the Dark Plane, Asharuiya explained.
You wicked, despicable woman. When I become the king, Ill destroy you and cast your soul into hell! Mu Bai cursed her.
Its true that youre strong. Even with such harsh punishment, your will remains unbroken. In the future, youll surely be the ruler of the Dark Plane. But not everyone can endure this like you. The ancient dark city has thousands of beings. They were once brilliant geniuses and heroes. Yet, they ended up with ugly faces and wandered as beasts for a small chance to survive in this world. Im no different. Isnt betraying a friend the easiest thing to do? Asharuiya calmly said.
Mu Bai l s eyes turned red as he glared at the stunning woman. Even though she had a captivating appearance, her skeletal reflection showed that she was slowly gaining a foxs cheekbones!
It seemed that she would eventually bear a foxs heada symbol of deceit and betrayal in helland endure the punishment of a thousand blades piercing her heart!
Six Wings, Im giving you a chance to change. Ill forgive you. When I reach the peak of power and rule over this prison, Ill spare you. Just go out right now and tell MO Fan that this is a trap set up for him. I swear on my True Soul that Ill forgive all your wrongdoings! Mu Bai said.
Theres no guarantee that youll become the king. Theres only a one-third chance of it happening.
You should know that if you make the wrong move and fall into my hands, Ill make you suffer the most severe and enduring punishment in the ninth circle of hell! Mu Bai took a deep breath, and the look in his eyes was chilling. He did not seem like a prisoner undergoing punishment but a saint enduring rigorous spiritual practice.
We, the people of darkness, are all helpless, Asharuiya replied.
What did you betray? What did you betray when you were young?! Mu Bai suddenly asked..