The Actor Captain, Keys Dropped Online!
A mountain breeze blew, swirling up a few withered leaves. The forest was deathly silent, save for the restless snorting of the Soul Beast and warhorses.
The knight captain gripped his sword hilt, his Soul Power surging, his sharp eyes fixed on the deep forest ahead.
"Who goes there? Show yourself!"
The hundred knights behind him reacted extremely quickly, without making a single unnecessary movement, and simultaneously revealed their Soul Ring.
The yellow and purple Soul Ring shone brightly, and in an instant, Soul Power surged and killing intent soared to the sky on this rugged mountain road!
Inside the prison van, Yu Xiaogang, who had just been immersed in boundless resentment, trembled all over at the sudden, chilling murderous aura and curled up even tighter.
Rustle...
A series of light footsteps echoed through the woods.
Immediately afterwards, figures slowly emerged from the shadows of the trees.
There was no murderous intent.
There were also no strong fluctuations in Soul Power.
Those who emerged were a group of ordinary people; the few with Soul Power were only at the level of Soul Master or Soul Grandmaster.
But their eyes were all bloodshot, fixed intently on the prison cart made of dark silver.
In those eyes, there was no fear, no retreat, only a deep-seated hatred that could burn everything.
Leading the group was the same burly man who had been recounting his daughter's tragic death in the square.
He stared at the prison van, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, his body trembling violently with extreme anger and grief.
When the knight captain saw these people, the wariness and murderous intent in his eyes subtly faded a bit.
He recognized them.
Or rather, everyone in the entire Spirit City who witnessed the trial yesterday recognized them.
They are the victims' families.
She was a pitiful person whose family was indirectly killed by that swindler named "Yu Xiaogang".
A middle-aged woman standing beside the burly man looked at the orderly and imposing knights, a hint of fear flashing in her eyes. She trembled and looked at the captain of the leading knights with almost pleading eyes.
They didn't say anything.
That look in his eyes seemed to say everything.
A silent sorrow filled the air.
The knight captain and the burly man stared at each other for a good ten seconds.
Finally, as if he were somewhat tired, he coughed and slowly withdrew his hand from the hilt of his sword.
He turned around and spoke loudly to his subordinates who were still in fighting stances behind him, in a slightly tired tone.
"The terrain here is open and the view is good. The brothers are all tired, so let's rest here for half an hour!"
Then, as if remembering something, he deliberately turned his head and raised his voice to shout sternly at the knights closest to the prison cart.
"You lot, keep a close eye on the prisoners!"
"His Holiness the Pope has given a strict order: this criminal must not die before arriving at Blackstone Prison!"
He emphasized the words "absolutely cannot die" so heavily that everyone present understood the unspoken meaning.
As long as they're not dead, it doesn't matter.
"Yes, Captain!" The knights understood and responded in unison.
"Alright, let's rest here!"
The captain waved his hand impatiently, then flipped over and nimbly jumped off the tall Soul Beast mount.
He ignored the bloodshot eyes of the civilians and walked toward the back of the column, as if he were about to have a drink with his adjutant.
However, it's unclear whether it was due to his excessive movements or the fatigue from the bumpy journey.
As he passed the group of victims' families, a heavy bunch of steel keys on his waist "unfortunately" slipped off the hook.
"Clang!"
The keychain clattered as it hit the gravel road.
However, the knight captain, who walked with an air of authority, seemed to be completely deaf, paying no heed to the sound.
He seemed oblivious to everything, continuing to strut confidently towards the back of the group, even putting his arm around the shoulders of passing subordinates and boasting.
The family members, who had just been filled with despair, were all stunned.
They stared at the bunch of keys on the ground, then at the knights who had started cooking, drinking, and chatting not far away, and were momentarily stunned.
The burly man who was in the lead was the first to understand.
A terrifying light suddenly burst forth from his bloodshot eyes!
He trembled as he bent down and picked up the cold key.
That key is the key to hell, and also the key to revenge!
"Thank you... thank you, sir!"
The burly man bowed deeply to the captain's retreating figure.
The others also reacted quickly, and silently bowed to the group of the Spirit Hall knights who were ignoring them.
Inside the prison van.
He used all his strength, screaming hoarsely, desperately trying to shrink his body into the corner of the prison van.
Yu Xiaogang saw this scene clearly, and for the first time, a real, deep-seated fear surfaced in his cloudy eyes!
"What do you want?! I am a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan! If you dare to touch me, my father will not let you get away with it!"
However, no one paid any attention to his cries of pain.
"Creak--"
A piercing metallic scraping sound rang out.
The cage door was slowly opened.
"Bang!"
"Awooo--!!!"
A bloodcurdling scream, so shrill it was inhuman, burst forth from Yu Xiaogang's throat!
Immediately afterwards, fists, kicks, wooden sticks, the back of a machete... rained down on him like a storm!
"Give me back my daughter's life!"
"My son is only fifteen! You beast!!"
"Aren't you Grandmaster? Keep being arrogant!!"
Angry roars, grief-stricken cries, the cracking sound of bones breaking, and Yu Xiaogang's pig-like screams echoed throughout the mountains and forests.
Not far away.
The knights of the Spirit Hall ate meat and drank alcohol as they pleased, and some even took out dice and started gambling on the spot.
They seemed to have become completely deaf and blind.
Despite the heart-wrenching screams echoing in their ears, they continued chatting and laughing, not one of them glancing even once more in the direction of the prison van.
Time passed, second by second.
The screams, which started as heart-wrenching cries, gradually weakened until only unconscious convulsions and groans remained.
The family members finally got tired of fighting.
They were all panting heavily, their bodies covered in Yu Xiaogang's filthy blood. The hatred in their eyes had finally dissipated somewhat, replaced by endless sorrow.
The burly man remained silent and locked the prison van door again.
He respectfully placed the blood-stained keys next to the captain, who was already "completely drunk" with the vice-captain and fast asleep.
"We will never forget your great kindness!"
The burly man bowed deeply once more, then led the group to turn and leave.
But just then!
A sudden change has occurred!
"Boom!"
A massive, blue lightning dragon, as thick as a water bucket, burst forth from the distant mountains and forests without warning!