Douluo Dalu 2: You are an Evil Soul Master, but also a good person ?

In the damp and gloomy dungeon, raindrops seeped through the cracks in the prison walls, dripping inside and soaking the once-dry straw that lined the cell floor.

Tang San lay uncomfortably on the straw, tossing and turning. Through a simple window composed of four thick iron bars on the upper part of the wall, the bright moon hung high in the sky, casting weak light into the prison cell, illuminating his dark, unreadable expression...

Just a few days ago, he had boarded a carriage bound for the Sun-Moon Empire.

Everything had been going smoothly—eating hotpot, singing songs—dreaming about his arrival at the Sun-Moon Empire, where he would take advantage of a free Martial Soul awakening, enroll in an academy to ease his early-stage struggles, and make it to Shrek Academy before he turned thirteen. But just as he was immersed in his hopeful plans, a squad of fierce, heavily armed soldiers suddenly appeared and stopped their caravan.

The coachman inquired about the situation and learned that the authorities were strictly investigating travelers to root out infiltrators from the Holy Spirit Cult!

The border was suddenly placed under strict control, with all documents and identities subject to thorough inspection.

Among the entire caravan, only Tang San had no legal identity!

His original body belonged to an orphan who wandered the streets of Heaven Dou City, surviving on the alms of passersby. The Tie Niu couple, who took him in, had been eager to register him under their household, officially making him their son. However, Tang San had repeatedly refused—who would want to be their son? Calling them "Uncle" was already a great courtesy. Tie Niu had brought it up several times, but Tang San had adamantly rejected it.

Who could have predicted that this decision would land him in prison?

Everyone else in the caravan had proper identification. Even the coachman had managed to bribe the corrupt nobles with gold soul coins to obtain legal business permits for the merchant convoy.

As a result, the others were spared, but Tang San alone was detained.

He watched as the coachman discreetly slipped a hefty sum of gold soul coins into the hands of the imposing squad leader clad in iron armor. However, the officer merely furrowed his brows and said, "Your papers are in order, so you can pass. But this child… I need to bring someone back as a report. Besides, higher-ups have already dispatched inspectors to investigate this matter at the grassroots level. I've heard that the scale of this operation is significant. Using merchant caravans for smuggling will likely be exposed soon, so you'd best make preparations. That's all I have to say..."

The coachman sighed helplessly and left.

Tang San watched the coachman's departing figure, his heart filled with darkness.

He was just about to shout out and report them, intending to drag everyone down with him. If he exposed the smuggling operation and helped crack the case, as an eleven-year-old child, even if he was involved, he could claim he was coerced...

But before he could finish speaking—

Slap!

The squad leader struck him hard across the face, sending him sprawling to the ground. His head spun, his cheek swelled instantly, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"You little bastard, try shouting again, and I'll kill you..."

The squad leader's expression was dark as he leaned in close.

Tang San immediately understood.

Looking at the coachman's distant figure, his shocked expression quickly turning into contempt, disdain, and scorn before the caravan disappeared from sight, Tang San lowered his head, hiding his fury and murderous intent beneath an unreadable mask.

"Are these all defectors?"

Suddenly, a crisp and melodious voice rang out from the long corridor outside.

At the same time, the sound of armored soldiers marching in unison echoed through the passage.

Tang San's eyes narrowed.

It seemed that someone important had arrived.

Given his current strength—his Martial Soul had yet to awaken—he had no means to resist. But Tang San had always been blessed by fate. Perhaps this was his chance to turn things around!

"There's even a child this young?"

The melodious voice carried a trace of sympathy.

Torches were lit one after another outside Tang San's prison cell.

"Sister, why are they trying to flee from the Heavenly Soul Empire? Our empire has no shortage of food, the people live in peace and prosperity, and the nation is wealthy. Just for the sake of awakening a Martial Soul? These people are mere farmers—aside from awakening useless farming tools, what else could they possibly gain? Damn evil soul masters!" A young girl, Mu Xue, spoke with righteous indignation.

"..."

Vina, the older sister, cast a faint glance at her, and Mu Xue instantly quieted down, though she still pouted in defiance.

Vina sighed softly.

Her younger sister was still too naïve.

To Vina, the invisible adversary behind all this had a remarkable mind. They had identified and relentlessly exploited a fundamental weakness in the traditional empire, demonstrating a deep understanding of human nature…

"Bring them out. I will interrogate them one by one," Vina instructed the guards beside her.

"Yes, Your Highness!" the guards responded respectfully.

Tang San and the others were led to the interrogation chamber.

The shackles here did not suppress soul power—there was no need. After all, soul masters were a rarity among prisoners...

"Heavenly Soul Empire's princess?" Tang San lowered his head, thinking.

Perhaps this was his opportunity.

Moreover, judging by her gentle tone, she seemed to be kind-hearted…

Just as he had speculated, the previous prisoners were all released after a brief interrogation.

"This is a scheme of the Holy Spirit Cult," Vina warned them. "They deceive people into leaving, only to drain their blood or imprison their souls to strengthen themselves. Otherwise, why has no one who left ever returned?"

The prisoners broke down in tears, expressing their gratitude and vowing never to make such a mistake again.

Finally, it was Tang San's turn.

"You… how old are you? Where is your home?" Vina asked softly.

"Tang San. I have no home. Since birth, I've had no parents and have been wandering alone in Heaven Dou City, surviving on leftover food and begging for scraps," Tang San replied with a sorrowful expression, looking like he had suffered all the hardships of the world.

He knew that this princess had a soft heart and wouldn't make things difficult for him.

He was just a child—what was wrong with seeking a better life in the Sun-Moon Empire?

Thus, he deliberately concealed the fact that he had been taken in by the Tie Niu couple. By portraying his childhood as entirely tragic and claiming youthful ignorance, he hoped to win the princess's sympathy and secure his release.

Just as Tang San was inwardly pleased with his performance—

A sudden voice interrupted.

The once-gentle voice turned cold: "You claim… you've been homeless, begging in the Heavenly Soul Imperial Capital all this time?"

Tang San froze.

Why had her attitude suddenly changed when it came to him?

Wasn't she supposed to go through the motions, maybe even give him some gold soul coins, or better yet, take him in?

Why…

"Yes… yes, that's right," Tang San stammered, struggling to hide his panic.

"Bring him a mirror!" Vina's face was icy as she gestured.

Tang San, utterly confused, accepted the mirror—

And froze.

The reflection showed a raggedly dressed boy, but his physique was as sturdy as a young calf. Despite his disheveled appearance, his face had a slight plumpness, with a healthy reddish glow.

This was the result of living off the Tie Niu family for over a month…

A visible trace of panic appeared on Tang San's face.

He prided himself on being pure and upright.

But he also knew that, to the Tie Niu family, his behavior was no different from that of a thankless traitor. If the people present learned the truth, his reputation would be ruined across the entire imperial capital…

The notorious betrayer, Tang San…

(End of Chapter)