When the commotion stirred up by the fire reached Six-Ears Damon's study, Gavin Goathorn happened to be stepping across the threshold.
He froze in place, turning back in shock.
By now, thick smoke was already billowing from the direction of the prison behind him. Half the sky had been painted red.
Everyone stared up in terror.
“What’s happening? That’s the direction of the prison!”
In Qi Tian Palace, countless demon soldiers surged toward the parade ground, chaos erupting everywhere.
Inside the study, Six-Ears Damon sat motionless, as if stunned for a moment. Then, with a cold snort, he remarked meaningfully, “So, someone’s gone to break the prison.”
As he spoke, he slowly leaned back against his chair, his expression chillingly cold.
In that instant, the temperature in the study seemed to drop several degrees.
Anna Yang stood silently, expressionless. Gavin Goathorn looked utterly bewildered, at a loss for words.
A demon officer rushed in to report, but was so shaken by the atmosphere in the room that he froze on the spot.
Everyone remained silent, as if the escalating chaos outside had nothing to do with them.
......
In the crowd, King Roc appeared alongside King Liontusk, putting on a show as he shouted, “Don’t panic! Don’t panic! Someone’s broken into the prison! Follow me—let’s capture them!”
His voice rang out, instantly restoring order to the scene, though his movements remained slow and unhurried—not the least bit urgent.
......
Demon troops from all directions surged toward the prison.
Through the flames, Nine-Headed Wyrm’s subordinates carried his battered body out of the inferno, charging straight at the masses of demon soldiers rushing in from afar.
For a moment, the sounds of battle shook the heavens.
At this moment, most of the demons in Lionback Kingdom had already slammed their doors shut, hiding inside with all their might.
A few days ago, those ambiguous rumors began circulating; a few days later, Nine-Headed Wyrm was seized. Some said he was the traitor, others claimed he was just cooperating with the investigation.
But now, the blaze seemed to have given everyone the answer. The uncertainty that hovered before quickly turned into unrest.
......
In the study, Six-Ears Damon lowered his head, fiddling with the thumb ring on his finger. “Is there anything you’d like to explain?” he asked.
Before coming here, Anna Yang had imagined countless possible reactions from Six-Ears Damon—even rehearsed how to stop him if he insisted on going in person.
Yet his current attitude was far beyond what Anna Yang had expected.
Behind them, the raging flames lit up the entire sky, even casting a red glow over all of Qi Tian Palace. But Six-Ears Damon didn’t get angry, nor did he plan to rush out. He simply sat there quietly... Such a reaction was anything but ordinary.
“Explain what?” Anna Yang stammered, flustered. “Someone’s broken into the prison, so shouldn’t we... shouldn’t we...”
She couldn’t bring herself to say the words “go after them.”
According to the original plan, Six-Ears Damon should have immediately wanted to go in person, and Anna Yang would do everything she could to stop him. But now, if she tried to stop him, wouldn’t that just confirm she was behind the jailbreak?
Anna Yang could only freeze in place again.
Perhaps it was because she had always been able to keep Six-Ears Damon firmly under control that Anna Yang mistakenly believed she could turn danger aside this time as well.
But clearly, she was wrong.
“Do you remember what I just said?” After a long pause, Six-Ears Damon asked softly, “Compared to ruling Lionback, your acknowledgment matters more to me. Unfortunately, it seems you still haven’t granted it.”
Anna Yang quickly replied, “It’s not that I haven’t acknowledged you, it’s just...”
“It’s just that you still made things easier for them to rescue Nine-Headed Wyrm, didn’t you?” Six-Ears Damon snorted coldly, muttering with a bitter laugh, “Not that you haven’t acknowledged me, yet you’re saving a traitor. Isn’t that ridiculous?”
Anna Yang shouted, “Nine-Headed Wyrm is not a traitor!”
“Then tell me who the traitor is!”
A thunderous roar swept out, shaking all of Qi Tian Palace. The guards, who had been in turmoil moments earlier, instantly fell silent, turning to look toward Six-Ears Damon’s study.
At that moment, inside the study, Six-Ears Damon’s face had changed from its earlier coldness; every strand of fur on his body stood on end, veins bulging across his forehead.
The breath he exhaled slowly turned to mist in the air and quietly dispersed.
Anna Yang was completely stunned; she could clearly sense the surge of spiritual power radiating from Six-Ears Damon. She knew he was furious—furious beyond restraint.
After a long hesitation, Anna Yang could only blink blankly, standing before Six-Ears Damon and staring at him. Her panicked expression was like that of a frightened child.
Perhaps she had always thought of Six-Ears Damon as having a child’s temperament, and so she’d overlooked his growth; when that child finally took things seriously, she was caught completely off guard.
...
Only now did King Roc and King Liontusk finally arrive at the prison, moving at their usual leisurely pace.
The jailbreakers were long gone; all that remained was ruin, a towering blaze, and demon soldiers struggling desperately to put out the fire.
When the warden saw King Roc arrive, he hurried over with one of his jailers and reported, “Your Majesty, Nine-Headed Wyrm was rescued by his followers and a band of rebels!”
Which way did they go?
“West!” The warden pointed to the west as he spoke.
No sooner had the words left his mouth than King Roc raised his halberd and struck—the warden was split in two, blood splattering everywhere.
In an instant, everyone around was stunned, staring in terror at the warden lying motionless on the ground.
The scene was chaotic; most hadn’t even registered what had happened. But the jailer who stood behind the warden saw everything—he was utterly stupefied.
His legs gave out and he collapsed to his knees, trembling.
King Roc spun around and shouted to the crowd, “The reason Nine-Headed Wyrm’s men could break into the prison so easily is that this warden was colluding with them! He just confessed to me! His death is the only way to ease my rage!”
The crowd was silent—everyone just watched King Roc, watching him perform.
Turning again, King Roc strode up to the jailer and softly asked, “Where did Nine-Headed Wyrm escape to?”
At this, the jailer’s whole body shuddered.
A voice echoed in his mind: “Say that Nine-Headed Wyrm and the rebels are still in Lionback—they haven’t gone far.”
The jailer, jolted, blinked blankly and said, “Nine-Headed Wyrm... Nine-Headed Wyrm... is still in the city, hasn’t gone far.”
“Did you hear that? He said Nine-Headed Wyrm is still in Lionback, hasn’t gone far!” With that, King Roc spun and his halberd flashed, slicing clean through the jailer’s neck—his head flew off instantly.
Search every house!
Yes, sir!
Countless demon soldiers surged toward the surrounding houses.
King Liontusk asked in a low voice, “Why...?”
“To stir up the people, understand? The whole city is already in a panic, but it’s still not enough.” With that, King Roc strode forward, shouting, “This is a critical moment—leave no place unchecked! Arrest all suspects, and execute anyone who resists on the spot!”