[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces":3,"chapter-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-277":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Dragon of a Thousand Faces",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2269923,4431,"Chapter 277: The Traitor","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-277",277,"\u003Cp>That was a forest of blood and flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each “flesh” hung on sharp stakes—some already cut and ready for use, some writhing and screaming, some numb with despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were either failed transformations, the innately weak, or those who resisted fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But within the Order of Beasts’ hierarchy, they shared a more obvious unifying trait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were the “weak,” the “fallen” of the herd. A herd mixed with humanity loved “the strong devour the weak” far more than pure beasts ever could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tasty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pity—we can’t touch those beautiful females. This one will do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t mess it up—I’m going to eat it soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “half-beasts” wandered through the flesh forest, savoring the pleasure of evolving into “other species.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same thing happened endlessly in this “city,” stitched together from ruined buildings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a branch of the Order of Beasts; the flesh forest and blood pools were clearly not new—the piles of bones beside the pools were the clearest proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around each iron chain were bound various “beastmen,” mostly half-human, half-beast children. Adults were harder to control—their beastly desires surged faster and fiercer, and failure meant either becoming cannon fodder or direct food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But children still held the potential for further evolution—they could even be cultivated into priests and horned acolytes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet their feeding bowls held only “shredded flesh” and “bones.” They, perhaps, were even more beyond saving than the adults.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look—this is the Order of Beasts. Is this the power you desire? Is this the immortality you seek?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the temporary tent, the assembled nobles, archbishops, and grand mages watched this scene—some furious, some stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Dainya pointed at the mirror’s scene and asked them bluntly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this the future you desire?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze swept over each of the “important figures” here. Those standing here at this moment were all the major power brokers of Huicheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know some of you have already made contact with them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dainya raised her hand, stopping their excuses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmph. Without your behind-the-scenes support, they would never have grown this far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I know you’ve maintained ties with them—even many of your own descendants have joined. But how many of you have truly decided to take this step yourselves?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more comfortable one lives, the smaller one’s courage becomes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The heretics’ promises always show only the good parts. I don’t expect any of you to suddenly change your stance. I only want to ask those people: Is this truly the future you want? Have you truly made peace with living like a beast—surviving by crawling in the dirt, only to be devoured one day by a stronger predator?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Order of Beasts can promise higher rank (“We’ll make you a duke if we succeed!”), greater power, better bodies, longer life—these things they truly can deliver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But will they tell these powerful figures, who lack nothing, that they must gain everything in the state of a “stray dog”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once one truly walks this path, accepts beast blood and beast power, one’s values twist, one’s back is burned shut—and there’s no turning back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these seasoned, high-ranking old wolves are too accustomed to luxury—they won’t easily take this step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most who trade with the Order of Beasts likely remain only at the stage of observation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When our forces begin their assault, broadcast this scene to the public mirror-creatures. Can you do it?” Dainya ordered the nearby small mirror-creature, preparing to reveal this sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We paused the “public livestream” because battle is imminent—we feared spies might see this and directly contact the underground heretics. Though such cross-maze communication seems extremely difficult, it’s not entirely impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, I support this.” The old Garrison Commander stroked his beard, understanding the Princess’s decision. Though uneasy, he voiced his firm backing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Revealing the true face of the beasts to ordinary citizens spreads knowledge of them to some degree—and may even cause localized “beast contamination.” But it also lets the people understand what these creatures truly are.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never mind distant consequences—just knowing these cannibal monsters lurk beneath them, merely the act of storming the underground ruins, eradicating the Order of Beasts completely, and reinforcing the demon god’s seal will win overwhelming public approval.\u003C\u002Fp>",690,"2026-06-19T21:45:42.084Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8aff33e1a75b9495b3e0fa8644c42a4d7d8dad7ca419cf758f74140f3d6ffb00","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-278","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-276",362,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-cover.jpg"]