Chapter 1362 - 1036: Punishment

Chapter 1362: Chapter 1036: Punishment

Beyond the border zone surrounding the Current Circumstances Area, below the Depth Area, deep in the Withering Region.

Here, even the surging of the deep tides can be clearly perceived.

Although he had already turned blind, on that eerie dinghy, He Di could still sense the chaotic undercurrent outside and the terrible power brewing from the deepest part of the Abyss and the lowest layer of Hell.

"We’re almost there."

The man in the black robe, rowing the boat, spoke in a hoarse voice.

As layers of gloomy mist were blown away by the undercurrent, what appeared before this tiny solitary boat was a terrifying world so vast that it seemed to fill the entire Abyss.

The Hell within Hell.

After penetrating sixteen layers of depth, the palace of the Supreme, forged into one by limitless time.

The territory of the Withered King, a place known as the Fallen Country.

At this moment, under the rainbow light of the body of Hell, countless legions advance towards the Current Circumstances along paths every moment. Those gathered masses of gray-black are like the blood flowing in veins.

Ascending bit by bit.

Until one day, it shall completely encompass the entire Current Circumstances.

A giant hand made of pale bones reached out from the deepest darkness, gripping the small dinghy. But when its five fingers opened again, He Di appeared from outside the Fallen Country to the deepest layer of palaces.

Under the solemn and cold great door.

Behind him was the interminable staircase forming the Audience Stairs.

"Is this an exception for someone disabled like me?"

He Di flicked the dust off his sleeve, seemingly mocking. Yet in front of him, the waiting clown looked sullen, his expression full of displeasure.

"You’re late."

"Indeed, but I still came, didn’t I?" He Di’s empty eye sockets faced the great door beside him, as if he could glimpse the sinister and eerie presence beyond the boundless darkness: "I have come to receive my punishment."

"You must understand that your incompetence has caused great loss to His Majesty, and to us," said the clown. "The consequences awaiting you will not be pleasant."

"I know."

He Di nodded, saying no more.

But the Ritual Officer, after a moment of silence, did not make way but pointed to his side: "Being late, what’s a little longer?"

He paused, glancing at the massive shadow crawling up the stairs: "Let that fool go in first."

Under shackles and chains, pulled by dozens of burly giants, the staggering giant was dragged up bit by bit.

The higher he ascended, the more his massive body trembled.

Even as the ruler of Hell, before this majestic palace, he bowed lowly like dust.

In the territory of the Fallen Country, rulers are not rare, but the supreme Emperor forever remains one. Any existence daring to defy the Emperor’s will shall meet absolute punishment...

As if foreseeing the end, the giant struggled desperately, all his orifices wailing mournfully, but when a great door thundered open, all sound vanished.

At the highest point, a pair of eyes gazed down indifferently.

Soon, the giant ruler who was taken inside was brought out once more.

On a luxurious golden frame inlaid with gemstones, in an exquisite tapestry, the craftsmen’s needlework vividly reproduced that face full of fear and despair.

Wailing eternally beneath the flames’ scorch.

Yet without sound.

"Having vented his anger on the fool’s body, and added another collection, His Majesty’s mood should be slightly better." the clown said, "You may enter now."

He did not conceal his words.

Such a short distance, even the sound seemed to be whispered in the Withered King’s ears, yet the palace remained unresponsive, seemingly indifferent to his subjects interpreting his moods.

The great door opened once again.

After a brief silence, He Di lowered his head and stepped inside.

In the eternal darkness, he was momentarily bewildered—unsure whether to hate Huai Shi’s actions or thank him for taking away his eyes.

At least at this moment, he felt fortunate to be blind.

Seeing nothing.

Only able to feel the terrifying presence sitting at the highest point in the darkness, merely gazing down, seemingly stirring the darkness, making it hard for He Di to breathe.

"Why seek an audience, He Di?"

On the throne came a voice mingled with curiosity.

The Withered King lowered his gaze, coldly inquired: "I recall the last audience wasn’t long ago."

In deathly silence, He Di lowered his head towards the source of the voice, not daring to play with words or rhetoric, plainly answering: "I, have failed my duty."

"Indeed, you should be fearful for it."

The Withered King’s tone grew playful: "But do you think I should be enraged by this?"

"..."

He Di remained silent, breathing heavily.

In this brief silence, he could only sense the gaze from the gloom, yet couldn’t discern whether such words were joking or otherwise.

The only thing he could ascertain was that his answer could decide his fate.

Determine whether he could leave here intact or become a companion in the tapestry...

However, no matter how much he contemplated, he couldn’t find an adequate way to respond.

He Di took a deep breath, giving a bitter reply:

"I, do not know."

Snickering rose from the throne.

It was impossible to discern whether it was mockery or approval.

"Very well, He Di, I adore your honesty," the Withered King said. "Honesty is the foundation of loyalty. You have never lied to me, so I will also show you leniency."

He Di stiffened, unsure whether to show relief or humility.

He dared not make any response.

He simply crawled on the ground, accepting the outcome that belonged to him.

"Let’s return to the original matter, regarding your mistake."

The Withered King said, "Indeed, it was a disastrous defeat, and it has delayed the advance of the Fallen Country, and the operation of the Nagirpha Fleet was also hindered as a result.

He Di, you have betrayed my expectations, and you cannot make up for the loss you’ve caused. You deserve a thousand deaths."

"Indeed it is so."

He Di answered, abandoning all hope of luck.

"Then, after experiencing this setback, surely you have gained some insight?"

The Withered King asked, "Since you clowns are always proud of your erudition and foresight, tell me—where did you fail?"

"Hesitation and negligence."

He Di answered bluntly, "In striving for thorough preparation, I gave the opponent the chance to act, and in the end, I couldn’t pursue them, allowing them to escape, bringing shame to the Fallen Country with their defeat."

"Perhaps that’s so, but you got one thing wrong."

The Withered King said indifferently, "For the Fallen Country, failure is never a shame. Victory and defeat are never unusual; as long as there’s war and a victor, there will always be the defeated.

Victories are assuredly worth proclaiming, but losses are merely ordinary. As long as one is not dead, there will always be a day to win, whether it’s resting to regain strength or dragging out an ignoble existence is all in preparation for the future.

But your sin is not failure, He Di."

The ruler on the throne looked down coldly and told him word by word, "Failure is not shameful, but fear is."

At that moment, He Di froze where he stood.

He instinctively opened his mouth to speak but dared not say a word.

He only trembled.

He feared that what he would say might be judged as a lie, yet he also feared... that what the Withered King said might be true.

"Look, He Di, you are afraid, but you do not fear me because you are not afraid of death."

The Withered King laughed mockingly, "You are afraid, afraid of a person of the Current Circumstances, afraid he brings you failure! Afraid of reliving past shame, unable to lift your head once again...

He Di, tell me, am I right?"

In the dead silence, He Di stood dazed, his face contorted but he made no sound.

He had no courage to argue.

Yet at the same time, he found himself unable to suppress his fury. Was it resentment after being humiliated, or anger after having his true feelings exposed?

"Why don’t you speak, He Di, you are free to say whatever you please."

In the prolonged silence, the figure on the throne looked down at him, mocking with a grin, "I admire your talents, but my fondness for your loser look exceeds that... Just like a wet wild dog hiding beneath the eaves, seeking shelter.

Unwilling to reveal your claws, yet incapable of resisting others’ charity.

—Whether you choose to rise and fight or pledge your loyalty, I await your decision."

"I..."

He Di’s fingers pressed on the ground, trembling slightly, "I am frightened."

"No need to fear, no need for shame, no need to be afraid since I have already enjoyed your performance," the Withered King inquired, full of curiosity, "I only wish to know, do you have the courage to step onto the stage once more?"

"I... I..."

He Di was already drenched in sweat, trembling as he pleaded, "Please, give me one more chance!"

"How many legions have you lost?" the Withered King asked.

"Four."

"Besides those, what other losses have you suffered?"

"Tens of thousands of charms, and six grand groups."

"Then, I will give you eight legions, double the weapons and charms, twelve grand groups."

The Withered King waved his hand, "Besides that, I will send you Gala... or never mind, that guy Gala is hell-bent on going to the Current Circumstances; he might not cooperate with you. Let him be a vanguard instead.

Apart from him, pick a few others from under my command to aid you. Also, don’t the Workshop Owners want to participate, too? Let those useless fools shed some blood as well."

"Yes."

He Di said urgently, "I will definitely..."

"You don’t need to guarantee anything because I don’t care."

The Withered King interrupted him, merely raising a finger, "As for this, consider it a reward for your relentless perseverance."

Piercing screams echoed from below the steps.

In front of He Di, a rusted long nail materialized out of thin air, piercing into his eye socket instantly, penetrating his skull, swiftly taking root and thriving.

It brought a pain that reached deep into the soul.

Following for eternity.

"Now—you may entertain me once more, He Di."

Accompanied by the Withered King’s words, behind He Di, the door opened again.

When He Di stumbled out, what he saw was the vast plaza, filled with endless shadows. Only pairs of scarlet eyes slowly rose, like fierce stars embellishing the darkness.

Silently waiting for his command.

Amidst the trembling from the pain, He Di covered his face, his smile turning gradually sinister.