Chapter 1 Dragon King

• The sky was covered in dark clouds.
• Violent thunder rolled within, producing deafening roars. The sea beneath, as dark as ink, churned with heavy waves amidst the raging storm.
• Beneath a certain island in an island near Nuthana stood an underwater prison resembling a fortress made of steel.
• This facility housed some of the world's most heinous criminals sentenced to death. The crimes committed by each one of them were so heinous that mentioning just one would be enough to silence a crying child.
• At this moment, a Type 094 nuclear ballistic missile submarine navigated from a distance and entered the underwater prison.
• Inside the prison, several rugged-looking soldiers, armed with guns, stood like sentinels, waiting for the occupants of the submarine to arrive.
• The leader among them appeared to be around thirty years old, with a resolute countenance and an imposing aura. The silver eagle on his shoulder indicated a military rank that seemed incongruent with his age.
• Thud, thud, thud...
• Heavy footsteps echoed. David Smith's expression became solemn, and he respectfully gazed ahead.
• In his line of sight, an elderly man with snow-white hair was briskly walking toward him, escorted by a group of fully armed soldiers.
• The elderly man, Maxwell Zelinski, was dressed in a neat military uniform, draped with a military overcoat. The merit badges hanging on his chest were as countless as the stars in the sky, too numerous to count.
• The three bright stars on his shoulder indicated that Maxwell was one of the few lieutenant generals in Clusia.
• “Good day, Chief!”
• Sounding excited, David walked up to Maxwell and saluted him.
• Maxwell nodded faintly. His murky eyes narrowed as he asked in a deep voice, “How is that person doing lately?”
• The mention of “that person” caused even Maxwell, with his experience, to show a trace of fear in his eyes, indicating the significance behind that name.
• David sighed and said helplessly, “Chief, you know that man is not someone we can deal with. He is willing to stay here because he respects you.”
• Maxwell sighed and said, “I understand. That's why my order to you was not to conflict with him. All his requests, as long as they don't violate principles, should be met as much as possible. Has he made any outrageous demands?”
• David's expression slightly stiffened.
• “Chief, he hasn't made any outrageous demands. It's just a bit strange...”
• “Strange?”
• Maxwell raised an eyebrow, not understanding the implication.
• “Chief, you'll understand once you see it. I'm not sure how to explain it.” David forced a smile and turned, leading the way ahead.
• Maxwell adjusted his coat and followed briskly.
• The death prison built underwater had a much lower temperature than outside, serving as a means of restricting the prisoners kept here.
• After all, in such a cold environment, it was quite an achievement not to freeze to death, let alone think about escaping or rebelling.
• The group descended the stairs and reached the bottommost level of the prison, a space entirely designed as a cage for that person.
• Before they could approach, a piercing, ear-grating singing voice reached their ears.
• Maxwell shuddered, nearly stumbling, but fortunately, a few guards supported him.
• “Who is singing?” Maxwell wore a peculiar expression as he turned to question David beside him.
• Before David could answer, the singing resumed, “Warming loneliness, white clouds drifting, the blue sky remains, tears wander...”
• With the singing, a shirtless man holding a phone and a pink microphone slowly approached from a distance.
• Upon seeing the situation, the group of guards behind Maxwell raised their firearms at the approaching figure.
• It wasn't that they were prone to overreacting, but rather, the crimes this person had committed were simply too horrifying. Merely thinking about them sent shivers down their spines.
• Their ability to resist the impulse to turn and run was already commendable.
• “Put down your guns!” Maxwell's expression turned serious as he addressed the group of guards behind him.
• He understood that if the man truly intended to harm him, it wouldn't matter if they had these firearms. Even if the man were facing an airplane cannon, he could easily sever Maxwell's head.
• Soon, the man approached Maxwell.
• Glancing at Maxwell, he stopped the off-key singing, smiled at the smartphone, and said, “Beauty, I have something to deal with here. Let's end the singing for today. We'll video chat next time. Okay, sure. I'll hang up first. Xoxo!”
• With that, the man prepared to cut off the video call.
• Maxwell glanced at the screen, seeing a charming woman who blew kisses to the man.
• As the video call ended, the man raised his eyes and glanced at the group in front of him. A smile flitted across his lips. “Old geezer, why is it only you who came to see me this time? Where are the others?”
• Maxwell remained composed, not bothered by the impolite address. “Chadwick, have you adapted to living here?”
• He looked at the young man named Chadwick Woolley, his tone carrying a profound meaning.
• “Not bad.”
• Scratching the back of his head, Chadwick chuckled. “The people here have been really good to me. They agree to any request I make. In fact, they recently set up a karaoke system for me, which is quite interesting.”
• David's facial muscles twitched.
• How would we dare to refuse your request? You're Clusia's famous God of War, the Dragon King who single-handedly wiped out an A-class mercenary group trafficking drugs across the border. If we dare to treat you badly, we'll be seeking our deaths.
• “That's good to know.”
• Maxwell's lips curled up, revealing a faint smile.
• “Enough with the pointless chatter. What's the reason for seeking me out this time? Has the verdict from above been delivered?” Chadwick asked, yawning indifferently.
• Maxwell remained silent, then nodded, saying, “Yes, the verdict has been delivered.”
• “Hand it over. Let me take a look.”
• A hint of melancholy surfaced in Chadwick's eyes as he stuck his hand out toward Maxwell.
• Maxwell pulled out a verdict from his bosom, placing it into Chadwick's hand.
• Just as Chadwick was about to withdraw his hand, Maxwell spoke again. “Wait, take this document and look at it too.”
• As Maxwell spoke, he took a file from the guard and handed it over to Chadwick.
• Chadwick furrowed his brow, unsure of what he was really up to.
• First, he opened the verdict document.
• As he noticed the words “Death Penalty” on top of the document, there was surprisingly little turmoil in his heart.
• Indeed, for a crime as grave as wiping out the entire military region, delaying the judgment for three years was already considered lenient, but it was regrettable that the true culprit had not been caught. He hadn't been able to avenge his comrades, which was a bit disappointing.
• With a self-deprecating smile, Chadwick opened the file and began to read.
• A few seconds later, a glint flashed in his eyes. He looked up at the old man and asked in a deep voice, “Old geezer, what is the meaning of this?”
• Maxwell nodded. “It means exactly what it says.”
• “You're saying, as long as I protect this woman for a year, all my crimes will be absolved?” Chadwick asked, his face filled with disbelief.