Chapter 355: “Divine Retribution”

“I suspect that the Void Emperor has never actually seen this wicked technique… Otherwise, the two of you wouldn’t have had the chance to stand before me, boasting and seeking cooperation.”

As Gu Ning’an’s words fell, Magistrate Wei’s face turned red with anger. At this moment, he wished he could revert to his true form and devour this ignorant Mr. Gu whole!

However, after hearing these words, the previously furrowed brows of Madam Xu slightly relaxed. She took a deep breath and solemnly said, “Mr. Gu is a smart man—no wonder the Fifth Prince values you.”

“In just a few days, the Void Emperor Temple will open. At that time, I will personally present this technique to the Void Emperor… I will give you one last chance.”

“Are you truly planning to represent the Fifth Prince in rejecting this cooperation?”

Gu Ning’an waved his hand dismissively. “Please, all of you, leave quickly. Otherwise, if divine retribution descends, don’t let it destroy this inn.”

“Ha… what a sharp-tongued country bumpkin!” Madam Xu’s tone was ice-cold, and the murderous intent in her eyes was unmistakable. “In this Eternal Slumber City, not even the Fifth Prince is untouchable, let alone you.”

“If I were you, I would be slinking back to the Demon Capital to hide before the Void Emperor Temple opens.”

“We’re leaving!”

At her command, the group of demon soldiers retreated like a tide. The furious Magistrate Wei threw out a few harsh words before hurriedly following his sister.

However, just as they stepped out of the inn’s doors, a bolt of lightning suddenly flashed across the sky!

A thunderclap, like the roar of an enraged dragon, echoed in the air!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

All the demon soldiers present, as well as the siblings at their center, turned pale and collapsed to the ground!

Staring at the clear sky, Madam Xu and Magistrate Wei trembled uncontrollably!

In that instant when the lightning flashed, they felt an overwhelming force of destruction. Under this majestic divine power, they had no ability to resist!

“I advise you—destroy that technique while you still can.”

Hearing the voice coming from inside the inn, the disheveled siblings turned back to glare fiercely at Gu Ning’an before hastily fleeing…

At the center of Eternal Slumber City lay a vast complex of official buildings. Constructed from redwood and blue bricks, these structures formed the domain of the Judgment Office.

Inside, the various halls were built as near-exact replicas of Great Wu’s government offices.

Anyone unfamiliar with the place might even mistake it for an ordinary mortal courthouse.

As the governing authority of Eternal Slumber City, the Judgment Office naturally housed a dungeon.

The dungeon was divided into multiple sections, separating prisoners by crime, as well as keeping human and demon captives apart.

However, few of the imprisoned demons or mortals were truly guilty of any crimes. Most were simply individuals who had offended Magistrate Wei in some way—or were locked up simply because he felt like it.

One could enter the dungeon through a hidden passage within the Judgment Office. After descending roughly a hundred steps, one would arrive at its depths.

The dungeon wasn’t particularly damp or dark, as it was illuminated by oil lamps and Blaze Bugs. However, prisoners were forced to eat, drink, and relieve themselves in their cells, making the stench unbearable.

At the sound of approaching footsteps, the prisoners instinctively shrank into the corners of their cells, desperately avoiding attention. Not a single person cried out “I’m innocent” or “Let me go.”

They all knew the truth—life in this dungeon was harsh, but attracting Magistrate Wei’s displeasure was far worse. Those who angered him were either thrown into the hunting arena or executed on the spot…

Thus, whenever footsteps echoed through the dungeon, the prisoners fell into an eerie silence.

“Big Sis, there aren’t many suitable candidates in Eternal Slumber City. I’ve already gathered them all in the last cell of this dungeon.”

As he spoke, Magistrate Wei walked ahead, personally leading the way for his sister.

“Little Ling, this dungeon reeks too much.”

“Where did you catch so many prisoners?”

Madam Xu waved her hand in front of her nose as she spoke.

[Sis! There are so many people here—can you please not call me ‘Little Ling’!?] Magistrate Wei sent a private voice transmission, his tone filled with exasperation.

Hearing this, Madam Xu frowned and said, “Then what should I call you? Lord Wei? Or Magistrate Wei?”

“Just use my full name…” Wei Ling replied.

“Heh…” Madam Xu let out a cold laugh and urged, “Hurry up and lead the way. This technique needs further verification, and we’re running out of time.”

Wei Ling quickened his pace while nodding. “Understood, sis!”

Before long, the Wei siblings arrived at the depths of the dungeon. This particular cell was relatively clean. By the candlelight inside, they could see a group of young women in tattered clothing huddled together. Their faces were pale, and their eyes were filled with terror and unease.

These women, all in their early twenties, were emaciated, their skin clinging to their bones. Upon seeing Wei Ling and the others, their fear intensified—some pleaded for release, some buried their heads in their arms, and others shut their eyes tightly, tears streaming uncontrollably down their cheeks.

Seeing this, Madam Xu said coldly, “They’re all too frail…”

Wei Ling smiled bitterly. “Sis, there’s nothing I can do. These are already the best matches for your criteria in all of Eternal Slumber City…”

“If you want a large number of women suitable for your technique, you’ll have to go to Great Wu instead… After all, Northern Huangtian is a land where demons thrive.”

Hearing her brother’s explanation, Madam Xu nodded. “That’s true… Fine, let’s test it with them first. Send some men inside.”

With a clank, the cell’s lock dropped to the ground, and several burly demons with human torsos and beastly heads stepped into the dungeon.

They had long since mastered the technique created by Madam Xu!

“Step one: gather and refine essence. This step must be done properly! Only then will the half-demons born from it be truly powerful!”

The moment she finished speaking, a pale yellow glow gathered in the lower abdomens of the demons entering the cell.

“This is the refined essence of demon blood and vitality. Infuse it into—”

Madam Xu’s words were cut short.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Several lightning bolts, thick as an arm, suddenly tore through the dungeon ceiling and struck the demons directly!

In the blink of an eye, the hulking demons were reduced to ashes, leaving behind only an eerie burnt smell lingering in the air…

Witnessing this, the Wei siblings instinctively stumbled back several steps, retreating from the cell.

Wei Ling, his soul nearly leaving his body, pointed at the charred remains and stammered, “Th-this… this is divine retribution…”

“Impossible!”

Madam Xu bellowed, waving her hand. “There’s no way this is divine retribution!”

“It must be a coincidence! All remaining practitioners of the half-demon technique—get in there!”