Chapter 1 The Nine-Fingered King

• In the southwest region lies a high-security prison of the highest tier, designated as SSSS.
• It was regarded as the most terrifying and tightly guarded in all of Cestia, unparalleled by any other.
• Within its walls were once individuals of high status and influence in Cestia.
• Including financial moguls, underworld leaders, and high-ranking officials.
• Simply put, only those with formidable backgrounds could find themselves incarcerated within this SSSS-tier prison.
• Now, it was the inmates' designated time for outdoor activities.
• The sky was clear, and the weather pleasant.
• On the periphery of the yard.
• A man dressed plainly lay on a bench, eyes shut, face upturned, enjoying the warm morning sunlight.
• Just then, a series of urgent footsteps approached.
• The prison warden hastened to the man.
• "Mr. York, you have a call. It seems to be from your daughter," he informed.
• "My daughter?"
• Maxwell York's expression flickered with surprise as he accepted the phone.
• "Hello, who am I speaking to?
• "Sob, sob, sob. Are you my daddy?"
• Between tears, a young girl's voice broke through the line.
• Judging by her tone, she couldn't be more than five years old.
• "What's your daddy's name?"
• Maxwell's instinct kicked in as he realised only a select few had his phone number.
• Among these ten individuals, nine are top tycoons of Cestia, the kind with significant power over the political landscape.
• "My daddy is Maxwell York, and my mommy is Daphne Lewis.
• "Daddy, please come and save mommy. She's going to marry someone else.
• "I don't want her to marry someone else. I want my daddy," the little girl sobbed.
• Bang! Maxwell's mind reeled in disbelief. "You ... you're Daphne's daughter?"
• "My mom is Daphne, do you know my dad?"
• "You're five years old?" Maxwell's hands shook as he held the phone.
• "Yes, mommy said my daddy left and won't ever come back. I found this phone number in the drawer and decided to call you. Do you know where my daddy is?"
• This little girl was the daughter Daphne had for him. He had a daughter?
• Maxwell's voice quivered with agitation. "I'm Maxwell York. I'm your father. I'll come to you right away."
• Six years ago, he was drugged by his half-brother and pursued by assassins.
• Thankfully, Daphne saved him.
• Under the influence of drugs, he wronged Daphne.
• Afterward, he was cast out by the Lewis family.
• Upon leaving the Lewis family, he encountered assassins.
• Forced to flee, he eventually plunged into the river.
• Near death, he was rescued by a mysterious elder and taken to the Royal Guard, starting as a mere soldier and eventually ascending to the throne.
• "I'm on my way, Cupcake. Please don't cry."
• "Daddy, you have to come find me. I don't want them to call me names."
• Her words stabbed into Maxwell's heart, leaving him breathless with pain.
• "I'm so sorry, Cupcake. I'll protect you from now on. Just hold on for me."
• After hanging up, he instructed the warden, "Call Line 001 for me. I need to leave."
• "Understood, Mr. York."
• The warden responded respectfully.
• Each time the warden glimpsed the golden-threaded glove on Maxwell's left hand, an inexplicable sense of unease and fear washed over him.
• Removing that glove seemed to foretell death — a chilling and ominous sensation.
• Three years ago, Cestia's top official brought Maxwell to this prison.
• He commanded that no one could approach him.
• Maxwell occupied a solitary cell, unique among the prisoners.
• Though the warden was in the dark of Maxwell's background, his orders came directly from the highest authority. Neglecting Maxwell was out of the question.
• The warden speculated Maxwell hailed from a prominent Cestian family, possibly a wealthy heir.
• His presence here indicating involvement in a serious crime, warranting personal escort by the highest official.
• However, an incident later shook the warden to his core.
• Blue Nose, a dreaded gangster within the prison, had a notorious reputation for ending the lives of over a hundred individuals. Displeased by Maxwell's secluded cell, he decided to instigate him, launching a barrage of insults and taunts.
• In the end, Blue Nose met his demise, impaled by Maxwell's left hand, his death hauntingly tragic.
• Following Blue Nose's fate, no soul within the prison dared to provoke the enigmatic and unpredictable Maxwell.
• "I'm curious about Maxwell's background. The warden treats him with such respect."
• "Who can say? There's something about him that feels out of the ordinary."
• "That glove on his left hand is especially unsettling. It gives me chills every time I see it."
• "Oh! You've noticed that too? That glove appears extraordinary. Rumor has it, it's crafted from golden silk interwoven with exceedingly fine platinum threads. Soft and thin, yet invincible against ordinary weapons."
• "It's said to withstand blades and flames alike, an incredibly impressive defense."
• "Ha! There's nothing to fear. In my heyday, I was a prominent figure in the underworld, commanding thousands of loyal followers ... "
• Despite his bravado, his voice was hushed.
• After all, Blue Nose, a figure of dread, met his demise swiftly at Maxwell's hands. It was natural to quiver in his presence.
• Five minutes elapsed.
• As the prisoners enjoyed their time in the yard, their gaze collectively shifted skyward.
• "D*mn! What's that? A military helicopter."
• "Maybe some important dignitary is paying a visit?"
• "It's the Royal Guard helicopter."
• Approaching, the helicopter bore a large red 'R' on its cabin door.
• The Royal Guard served as Cestia's primary border defense force.
• Five years earlier, six neighboring nations united with 500,000 soldiers to invade Cestia's territory. The Royal Guard was tasked with repelling them.
• The war was fierce, resulting in numerous casualties.
• Under the leadership of the commander-in-chief, the Royal Guard emerged victorious, compelling the invaders to sign a ceasefire agreement, relinquishing land and providing billions in compensation for Cestia's losses.
• Promoted to a five-star general, the commander-in-chief became Cestia's youngest general, wielding immense power.
• However, sightings of this man were rare; while many had heard of him, few had actually seen him in person.
• "Is the helicopter experiencing issues? Why isn't it landing?"
• "It's strange."
• One by one, the prison's notable figures gazed up at the hovering helicopter.
• Before long, the cabin door swung open, revealing a figure clad in military attire.
• Tall and commanding, he exuded a formidable presence unmistakably that of a soldier.
• "What is he going to do?"
• "I haven't a clue."
• In the next instant, jaws dropped in unison.
• The military figure leaped from the helicopter.
• A height of nearly thirty meters.
• Thud!
• With a resounding thud, he landed gracefully on bent knees.
• Upon impact, the ground bore the deep imprints of his footprints.
• The prison's notable figures stood in stunned silence, incredulous at the display of strength before them.
• Was this man real?
• How could he possess such extraordinary power?
• The prisoners trembled in fear as the warden hurriedly led the guards to welcome the arrival of General John Harris of the Royal Guard.
• John Harris surveyed the prisoners, before striding over to Maxwell, offering his respects.
• "Four-star general of the Royal Guard, pay my respects to the Army Commander."
• He knelt on one knee.
• His expression reverent and awed as he looked up at Maxwell.
• This spectacle left both the warden and the prisoners dumbfounded.
• Was Maxwell the general of the Royal Guard? The renowned five-star general? The top legend in all of Cestia?
• "Pays respects to the Army Commander!"
• Instantly, the warden knelt down.
• Subsequently, countless prisoners followed suit, their bodies trembling with fear.
• Refusal to kneel before the Army Commander was punishable by death.
• Especially those who had gossiped about him behind his back; their backs were now slick with sweat.
• They feared Maxwell's retribution.
• "Rise! We are family here."
• Maxwell stood tall, his demeanour composed as he surveyed the crowd with a sharp gaze.
• "I thank you all for tolerating my presence these past two years. Until we meet again."
• Not a single word was spoken.
• The air heavy with tension as everyone held their breath.
• "Warden, I appreciate your care over these two years. The food wasn't half bad," Maxwell remarked.
• The warden looked up, wanting to express something but feeling a mix of excitement and fear.
• This was the fearsome figure who had claimed thousands of lives on the battlefield.
• "What is it you wish to ask?" Maxwell questioned.
• The warden hesitated momentarily before gathering his courage. "Army Commander, about your gloves ... "
• "Oh, these are my Tightening Spells," Maxwell explained casually.
• "Similar to the Tightening Spell worn by the Monkey King on his head. Without these gloves ... most of the inmates in this prison would have met their end!"
• He took off the golden threaded gloves.
• His hand drawing everyone's attention.
• Maxwell's left hand bore the absence of a pinky finger.
• He exposed his left palm, revealing faintly outlined veins forming a 'K.'
• A potent aura of death emanated from Maxwell's left hand, sending shivers down everyone's spine.
• "On the battlefield, I am also known as the Nine-Fingered King."
• "With these four fingers alone, I can crush the skulls of at least three thousand individuals."
• Silence blanketed the room as fear gripped everyone.
• Incredibly startling.
• Maxwell's left hand seemed like the very embodiment of death itself!
• Who could have dared to sever his pinky finger?
• Upon examining the wound, it was clear it had been cleanly sliced off by a sharp object.
• But who would dare to mutilate the finger of the Army Commander of the Royal Guard?
• "Time to go, everyone." Maxwell announced, slipping back on the golden threaded gloves.
• With those words, he rose from the ground, soaring into the sky, and boarded the helicopter hovered in the sky.
• All eyes was lost at words and watched in awe as the scene unfolded.