Chapter 74: There Are Different Types of Death Penalty Too!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Fang Ning hovered in front of the System Jail for a while, his gaze never leaving the inside of the building. It took him a while to discover the mist-like monster, which was the Elite Nightmare Demon that the System had captured, was shrunk into a corner of the room, its previous imposing air all but gone.
Fang Ning then asked, “You said you could offer me eternal youth and longevity, how can you do that?”
Hearing this, The Nightmare Demon’s heart leaped in joy! Humans really are humans! They could never resist the lure of eternal youth and longevity.
The Nightmare Demon then proceeded to explain a long list of steps for cultivation as well as a list of complex incantations.
A System Notification appeared then.
[The Elite Nightmare Demon has taught the System the Demonic Cultivation Method “Nightmare Life Leech”. The System has consumed experience points to analyze the cultivation method. Every ten people killed through their nightmares will slightly replenish one’s health. The first stage of this cultivation method adds a day to one’s life. Once training starts, the Host will gradually lose themselves before fully morphing into the Nightmare Demon’s new host vessel. This cultivation method severely clashes with the System’s current principles; the System has stopped learning it.]
Fang Ning felt a shudder run down his spine. They weren’t called demons for nothing; a simple method like this was already way past his bottom line of cruelty.
The previous couple of abilities didn’t have such long notifications. All their notifications said were whether or not there was a clash and whether or not the System wanted to learn it.
This round, the System had analyzed the technique before learning it, which was a smart move. They both saw the results of cultivating this method, and it was obvious that the technique had a lot of traps hidden within.
What a sly demon it was. No wonder it was so generous in sharing the method; if Fang Ning had been lured in and had ignored his own limit, he would’ve walked right into the trap.
He immediately realized that no demons could be trusted. All of what they said were laced with traps, they would never tell the truth.
Fang Ning shook his head and said, “Haha, you have to kill so many people just to replenish your life by a little. It’s no wonder you’re so black in color; obediently accept your execution and maybe reincarnate into a rock or something.”
Fang Ning had fully comprehended the true nature of demons. In their eyes, humans were nothing more than material; they would never see humans as equals. It was no surprise that its indicator on the System Map was dark red with a hint of black. What an apt indicator indeed.
After hearing what Fang Ning had said, the Nightmare Demon was confused. ‘What does black mean? Is he accusing me of having a black heart because I’m leeching the lives of the people I kill? Aren’t there a lot of humans that are doing the same? Isn’t it normal to sacrifice an ordinary person’s life in exchange for one’s own longevity? Why does he speak about it like it’s an impossible feat after I’ve been put into this shabby excuse of a jail cell?’
It had used this method to corrupt a lot of people into becoming its vessel. That was all before it met Zheng Dao, however. Zheng Dao had faked the collapse of his heart and soul, so after he became its vessel, it was all made clear to him. Few could trigger its murderous intent like Zheng Dao could, since it rarely had a chance to actually hurt anybody.
Which was why its hunger had made it desperate; when the chance to consume the life force of 30 people at once came, it was too good to pass up. Its greed, however, would land it in the jail instead.
It never thought that a simple warden would be able to see through the method, since the traps usually appeared after cultivation of the method was done.
This warden seemed to possess but a bit of experience in cultivation. He was put here to watch the jail, so he couldn’t possibly see through his ploy. Could he be some kind of benevolent genius?
The demon laughed dryly, “Haha, why aren’t you catching up with the times? You’ll regret this once you get older.”
Fang Ning no longer wanted to waste his time with this demon anymore; it’s not like the demon knew that Fang Ning had seen through his whole plan anyway. It would be safer to just obediently depend on the System’s cultivation of longevity since this fellow couldn’t be trusted at all.
He secretly called for the System.
Fang Ning then said, “Can you soundproof the jail?”
“Sure.”
It seemed that the System was also on alert about this scheming demon because as soon as Fang Ning made the request, no sounds came from the System Jail anymore.
Now that that was settled, he could finally enjoy some peace and quiet and focus on playing his “Blood & Mount”. He had half a year of suffering ahead of him, so he had to balance work and play. Longevity or whatever would be better under the management of Sir System…
At the same time, the people outside finally slowly regained their bearings after the strong storm. As they regained themselves, glances were shared.
A brief moment later, somebody asked, “Was that demon swallowed by the dragon?”
“From the looks of things, most probably.”
“Did it die then? Why are we still here?”
Fang Ning heard what was being said as he played his game, which caused a thought to pop into his head. ‘These were all normal folks. Although probably half a day has passed in the real world, but they would still have aged half a year. They were different from me. There’s nothing in here, too. I think it would be best if they left here as soon as possible, there’s no need to waste anyone’s lifespan.’
Fang Ning then said, “Unmute the jail cell.”
The System answered, “Why? Are you regretting your decision? Are you planning on going back to it to learn the method to longevity? That won’t do.”
“I’ll be stupid to do that. But I want the demon to let all these people go, I believe you can do it.”
“We can’t leave even if they do, you know that right? Are you sure you can last half a year in here all alone?”
“As long as you let me game for a few hours every day, I’ll be fine. Besides, I’ve downloaded a few complete novels as entertainment too. I don’t want to trouble others into suffering with me.”
The System was not only unwilling to fulfill Fang Ning’s request, it even retaliated with a statement of its own, “Oh, no wonder I always heard fighting noises every time I was training. I was wondering how you could play without an Internet connection too. Turns out you downloaded a lot of singleplayers. I think I’ll have to cut off the electricity as well, so that you can focus completely.”
Fang Ning never thought that his kindness would instead remind the System to pressure him more; he was at a loss for words. “I won’t be able to last half a year cultivating without Internet or electricity. That’s impossible.”
They were about to clash head-on. Finally, Fang Ning gave in, as he was no match for the System, “I can accept not having electricity while I’m in cultivation. But after I’m done, you have to stop controlling what I want to do. Can you let them go now?”
“If you say so. Just don’t regret it.”
“What do I have to regret? Besides, will that demon listen to you? It knows it’ll die no matter what, so why should it follow your orders?”
“If it doesn’t do as I say, I’ll teach it that the death penalty has different forms to itself. One of those types is the perishing of its body and soul.”
…
At the same time in the Sky Gardens, Hai Lan immediately reported to a higher official of the Truth Department after interrogating Zheng Dao.
Hai Lan first reported, “Yes, 29 of 30 personnel have gone missing. That includes a receptionist and the newly-appointed instructor, Xu Weihua.”
The official asked, “What? How long have they been gone?”
“Not more than ten minutes.”
“Your reactions to the matter are quick. We must immediately call an emergency meeting to discuss a plan.”
“There’s no need for that… Think of how to deal with the aftermath instead.”
“What exactly is the situation?”
“After interrogating the demon’s vessel, we found out a questionable piece of information. The people were sucked into an empty alternate space, and the time there runs differently compared to this world. Ten minutes here is equivalent to a month in there. I believe most of the people in there might have already starved to death.”
“Elder Xu’s son is in there. That won’t do, we must contact him immediately.”
“Please hold on that for a moment… The information cannot be guaranteed yet. Maybe the vessel is still under the demon’s spell, and has the flow of time of both places mixed up.”
As Zheng Dao listened to the woman’s analysis of the situation, he couldn’t help but be amazed at how she critically analyzed the whole thing up the possibility of him still being under the demon’s spell. It could be possible that the demon had purposely messed up the time differences between the two realms, since that would make it easier for him to be controlled by the demon. Once he was confused, he would be inhibited by fear, thus making it easier for him to slip into the demon’s grasp.
After she finished speaking, Hai Lan’s face fell immediately. A death toll of 30 was still a very large number, despite the fact that they were just a subordinate college of the Truth Department.
She mentally started preparing to write an investigative report before she could pack up and return home.
Although she had already prepared herself for a lot of work, her personal walkie-talkie buzzed to life not long afterward.
Hai Lan ordered, “Speak.”
The personnel answered, “Our monitors have just showed us that everybody has just returned safely. All are accounted for.”
Hai Lan felt her heart leap in joy, she wouldn’t have to write that investigative report anymore. “Immediately gather them and do body-checks before interrogating them separately.”
Having overheard everything, Zheng Dao’s face was one of confusion since he could still feel the presence of the demon that had possessed his body. What was happening? Did it suddenly experience a change of heart and decide to let everyone go?
…
After returning to his room, Old Man Zhao wanted to check on Fang Ning immediately. Before he could, however, a knock resounded on his door.
He opened the door to be greeted by Fatso Liu.
President Zhao then said, “I just wanted to check on you too. Seems like you thought the same thing. Come, let’s go check on Xiao Fang first.”
Hearing this, Fatso Liu expressed his joy, “That’s great. I came to call on you and Xiao Fang actually, I wanted to invite you both to some place for a grand meal. We’ve only been eating ham and instant noodles these past couple of days, anything better had to be given to the weaker ones in the group, so we’ve been suffering. I don’t mind the taste of the food; I just want to eat to my heart’s content.”
President Zhao was speechless, “Being able to eat was good enough! You pig, starving for two days would be good for you!”
However, Fatso Liu’s wish to eat to his heart’s content was soon shattered. As soon as they opened Fang Ning’s room door, they saw “Fang Ning” slowly climb up from his head before a bunch of people in black appeared in the middle of the room…
