The cell door swung open, and in an instant, more than a dozen minor demons surged inside. A broad sweep of torches lit up the once-shadowy prison, flooding it with harsh brightness.
In the corners, ragged demons—even captured Heavenly soldiers and cultivators—opened their eyes wide and craned their necks, eager to see what was happening.
In the cell next to where Six-Eared Macaque was held, Belle Whitebone—her clothes still relatively neat—instinctively shrank back. She had seen Lord Many-Eyes stride in, clearly in a hurry.
But at this moment, Lord Many-Eyes had no time to spare for her.
He quickly entered the cell where Six-Eared Macaque was imprisoned, crouched down, and swept aside the straw with his hand.
At once, a face smeared with blood emerged from beneath.
"Wha... what do you want?"
After forcing out those words, Six-Eared Macaque began to laugh—a guttural, broken sound. It was less joy than the edge of madness, though he no longer had the strength to truly act out.
At that laugh, Lord Many-Eyes's expression shifted—part embarrassment, part regret, and part relief.
He drew a deep breath, stood up, and said, "Bring him out."