When the two forces went to war, not only warriors from the headquarters but also the affiliated forces. The total number of warriors from both sides was over a million. Many died and many were captured.
If the captives were willing to be ransomed, then it would be easier.
If not, then they would have to work as coolies. The captives could not be kept for free. Their divine energy was sealed but their bodies were strong enough to be coolies.
This was a mine with Flame Crystals underground. It was painful to dig out the Flame Crystals because they were so hot. Digging them out was like pulling chestnuts out of a fire.
Naturally, the Hell Palace would not do this themselves. Therefore, the captives could be put to good use. They could do the hard work without paying Divine Stones. How nice would that be?
However!
Everything had its pros and cons. The captives were good coolies but guarding them was a problem.
The captives knew very well that they could either be coolies for the rest of their lives or die here.
The Devil Sea was a cruel place. There was no sense of humanity here. The higher-ups of the Hell Palace would not be kind enough to reduce their sentences or set them free.
There was no way out and no hope. Every day was torture. Apart from doing things, they would be beaten, scolded and abused. Naturally, the captives would feel hopeless.
Since they didn't want to live, they would make trouble and try to find a way out.
The Hell Palace had lost too many warriors in the war. Many warriors of the captives were mobilized. There were only about 1000 warriors left.
That being said, there was a powerful warrior in charge of the captives. All the captives had their divine energy and soul sealed. The higher-ups of the Hell Palace didn't think they could make any trouble.
What was more …
So what if something big happened? There was a city near the valley, and there were a large number of experts in the city. As long as something happened in the valley, those experts and the army would immediately move out and kill all the prisoners of war who caused trouble.
The higher-ups of the Hell Palace didn't take it seriously but Lu Li had to.
He felt something was off after staying in the valley for three days.
The hostility in the valley was so strong that even Hou San could feel it, let alone Lu Li.
Momo went to ask for reinforcements because he felt something was off. Too few warriors could not serve as a deterrent.
The war had just ended and too many had died. The captives were restless.
What was more, many warriors of the Hell Palace had lost their lives as well. Therefore, the warriors were not friendly to the captives …
This was the most desperate time for the captives. They didn't want to be coolies or be tortured for the rest of their lives. They wanted to fight back, to regain their freedom, to escape or … to die!
Even though the captives didn't seem to be doing anything, Lu Li could tell from their eyes and their qi and energy that they would do something. They might already be plotting something.
The only thing that reassured Lu Li was that there was a powerful warrior in charge in the valley.
This expert didn't care about anything. He cultivated in a castle and never came out.
According to Hou San's information, that person was at least in the middle stage of the fourth tribulation. He had a very powerful divine power and precious treasures!
Because the divine power and soul power of the tens of thousands of captives were sealed, their realms could not be seen. However, according to Hou San's information, there were a few Fourth Tribulation martial artists here.
Although the divine elixirs of these people had been destroyed, they were still fourth tribulation martial artists after all. Who knew if they would have any strange magical powers or abilities?
"Hou San, listen up!"
Lu Li and Hou San were walking in a tunnel. Lu Li said, "Do not mistreat the captives. Be nice to them!"
"Why?"
Hou San didn't understand. Many of the captives were unruly and they didn't have enough manpower. If they couldn't subdue the captives, how could they manage them?
Only by subduing the captives could it be easier to manage them in the future.
"Don't worry about it. Just listen to me. Are you the boss or am I?"
Lu Li said coldly. He could see further than Hou San. Hou San just wanted to live here while Lu Li saw this as a temporary place to stay, a place where he could leave at any time.
Since he could leave at any time, Lu Li wouldn't think about how to survive. Instead, he wanted to stay alive.
The captives could see that Lu Li and Hou San were friendly to the captives.
In case something happened, they might be able to stay alive.
All the armies were brutal but Lu Li and Hou San were gentle.
Nobody cared about the icing on the cake. Providing timely help would leave a lasting impression.
Therefore, the captives would be grateful if Lu Li and Hou San were nice to the captives. They could save their lives when something went wrong!
"Crack ~"
From the front came a crack of a whip. Soon, Yellow-tooth was swearing.
Lu Li checked with psychic power. One of the captives was punched and kicked by Yellow-tooth. He was whipped more than a dozen times and his bones were exposed.
They were in a small team with only 30 people. The other sergeants were whipping the captives nearby as well.
Lu Li didn't know the specific reason but it seemed that one of the captives was a bit slow.
Then, one of the soldiers whipped him, and the captive glared at him with a fierce look.
This was not a big deal but for Yellow-tooth and the others, it was a big deal. They must subdue the captives completely. Otherwise, it would be difficult to manage them in the future. Everyone would be exhausted and accidents could happen.
Soon, the team of captives in the front was covered in blood.
The whip was specially made. It couldn't kill but every time it did, it would be painful as if someone was being cut by a knife. It was uncomfortable.
Hou San was obedient to Lu Li. He didn't do anything rashly. He stood outside and Lu Li watched from the distance.
Yellow-tooth whipped for a while and stopped for fear that someone might die.
He glanced over and saw that none of the captives dared to show any hatred in their eyes. He nodded with satisfaction.
He looked around and his eyes fell on Hou San and Lu Li. He frowned and said, "Why don't you come over?"
Yellow-tooth's intention was clear. He wanted Lu Li and Hou San to whip as well. The two newbies were so ignorant. What were they doing in the army?
Were they here for nothing?
Lu Li didn't say anything. He signaled Hou San with his eyes. Hou San thought about it and said in a weak voice, "Lord, I am … scared of blood!"
Scared of blood!
This excuse was too far-fetched. How could a warrior be scared of blood?
Lu Li was treating Yellow-tooth like an idiot.
Yellow-tooth was enraged. He whipped Hou San's face, leaving a bloody mark on his face!
Yellow-tooth whipped Hou San and asked Lu Li, "Fourth Brother Lu, are you scared of blood as well?"
Yellow-tooth's eyes were filled with ferocity. If Lu Li couldn't give him a good reason, then he would have to teach them a lesson.
It seemed that the two newbies didn't know about his prestige. If he couldn't even control his subordinates, how could he lead a team in the future?
Lu Li cupped his fists and said, "Lord, I am not scared of blood. But I think we should treat these captives better. After all, they are working for us.
We don't have to mistreat them over such a small matter. If they are injured, they can't help us anymore, right? "
"No … damn you!"