Otherworldly Affairs Office

Chapter 1160: The Hidden Figure in the Shadows

"Bai Ze, do you really think you can coerce me into surrendering like this?" the Dragon King Zhuo Geng sneered at Bai Ze on the battlefield after seeing his son’s subordinates being used as human shields pushed towards him."Who knows? We have to try, don’t we? Dragon King, you are indeed among the elite of this realm. It wouldn’t be difficult for you to withstand our attacks with your skill until reinforcements arrive! You might even be considering sacrificing your men or even your son for your escape because you suspect that even if you surrendered, your men would still die at our hands. Perhaps it’s better to fight for your life now and avenge them later, don’t you think?" Bai Ze spread his hands, enlisting the possible thoughts of Zhuo Geng.

"Since you’ve figured it out, what use is there in doing something meaningless? Come on! Kill or fight!" Zhuo Geng roared in anguish, holding his longsword across his chest.

"Brother, surrender! I know you see me as a sinner, but I am willing to vouch with my life: if you surrender, I will ensure your son’s and your men’s safe return to the Dragon Realm," called Fafnir, who was guarding Salafam in the sky, trying to persuade his brother Zhuo Geng to yield.

"Shut up! You, a traitor who betrayed our kin and desecrated our ancestors! You dare speak of promises and guarantees before me? Fafnir, you are no longer my brother, nor do you hold any credibility with me!"

Zhuo Geng’s mockery left Fafnir red with shame, unable to retort; he could only sigh and retreat into the crowd. Seeing this, Bai Ze clapped and laughed, "Dragon King, if you don’t trust promises, you should still see the situation clearly. We have set this trap determined to capture you; even if your strength is a bit beyond our expectation, it’s still within our control, and we both know capturing you is just a matter of time. What you cling to is enduring until reinforcements arrive, which would make all sacrifices worthwhile, but what if you can’t hold out?"

As Bai Ze spoke, he snapped his fingers, and a space rift opened above the canyon, emitting a compelling aura. The Dragon King Zhuo Geng’s face turned terrifyingly grim as he felt the strength of it, and his longsword trembled in his hand.

It was not the man’s aura that daunted him; in a one-on-one fight, the outcome would be uncertain, but in his current state against the five fierce Children of Origin before him, should they attack together, as Bai Ze said, he would indeed be defeated in a short time.

"This is someone who is hard to enlist. If the situation wasn’t dire, I wouldn’t want him to make a move, but if you resist stubbornly to the end, we’ll have to pay a price to have him act at least once." Bai Ze acted sorrowful before sighing, "At that point, not only will you, Dragon King, be doomed, but your men and son will also perish here. Do you think resisting further is worth it? We always respect the powerful, so we’ve given you a choice. Their lives are in your hands now." He pointed at the captives in the sky, threateningly.

"Don’t sugarcoat it! I’m too familiar with you Blood Demons’ so-called respect for the strong. If you really had such sentiments, you wouldn’t have done so many despicable things. Why go to such lengths if you can kill me directly? What are you really after?" Zhuo Geng retorted, not believing Bai Ze’s words.

Hearing this, Bai Ze scratched his brow impatiently, "Alright, since you insist on getting to the root, I won’t say it; you won’t choose otherwise. It’s simple: you’re more useful alive than dead to us; capturing you alive is best! As a last resort, we’ll take you dead. Understand now? Dragon King, make your decision quickly! Our patience is limited!"

Zhuo Geng believed this somewhat, looking up again at the rift in the sky. The person within also gazed back at him — he realized it wasn’t a fake, but indeed the true body, lying beyond the rift, ready to step onto the battlefield at any moment.

"It seems our Dragon King is still hesitating, help him make the decision!" Bai Ze ordered, seeing Zhuo Geng deep in thought, feeling time pressing.

"Argh—ah!" A mournful cry echoed as an ancient dragon, bound and pierced through the chest, splattered its blood like rain over the canyon, its massive body crashing heavily to the ground.

"My lord! Fight them to the end without regard for us!" Hydra, in humanoid form, stood up, knocking aside the guards and charging toward a Blood Demon Grand Commander with a longsword, trying to end his life to release the Dragon King from concerns since his abilities were limited and defense power vastly reduced.

The Blood Demons easily saw through his intent; as a vital hostage, he couldn’t be allowed to die in vain. The Blood Demon Grand Commander lifted a foot, kicking Hydra’s chest, sending him stumbling back. Two Blood Demon Commanders swiftly stepped forward, catching the falling Hydra, restraining him back into the ranks.

After completing this, the Blood Demon Grand Commander glanced down at Bai Ze, who nodded, and then he raised his longsword, striking at Hydra’s ankle, severing his dragon tendon, causing blood to drip from the wound, yet Hydra silently clenched his teeth, uttering no cry throughout.

"Enough!" Finally, unable to endure witnessing further, Zhuo Geng shouted, halting the Blood Demon Grand Commander’s second strike aimed at the remaining dragon tendon.

"My lord!"

"Father, don’t agree to them for our sake! They are...," Salafam, seeing his father’s decisiveness, felt intense hatred for his own inability, dragging his father down, weeping and pleading, but before he could finish, Fafnir clapped a hand over his mouth, whispering beside his ear, "None of you are leaving today! Your father is saving your lives! Once there’s an outcome, follow his words and flee, don’t let his painstaking efforts be in vain!"