256: Chapter 236 "Prisoners of the Demon King's Castle" Filming Set: Infighting Over Loot Division and the Tragedy of the Rocket Launcher

Shooting inside the "Dessert Prison" continued. The air seemed to still hold the lingering echoes of "meow meow" and "woof woof" from just before, as well as Choi Yena's resounding (yet comically situated) declaration of "Never Surrender."

After a brief adjustment, Jiang Zhiyu's voice came through the walkie-talkie: "Alright, prepare for the next scene—'Counterattack of the Pisces Saintess: Sausage Guard Battle Round One.' Action!"

The camera focused once again on Choi Yena.

The atmosphere inside the "Dessert Prison," following Choi Yena's declaration of "Never Surrender," seemed to fall into a brief standoff. General Kitty Cat put away its "hehe" weird laugh and used its eternally smiling cat face to "seriously" "examine" the prisoner before it. The goofy Golden Retriever Corporal also stopped hopping around, sticking out its tongue and tilting its big head, seemingly contemplating what "not surrender" meant.

Choi Yena (Pisces Saintess), meanwhile, maintained a guarded stance, her back against the "chocolate wafer" wall, her brain spinning rapidly. A direct confrontation definitely wouldn't work; the people opposite her were two "fools" in mascot suits, but they were also guards. She needed to outsmart them... outsmart them...

A bright idea struck her. She remembered that when she was "arrested," besides that "Holy Sausage," there seemed to be something else in her small pouch... props provided by the sponsor? That's it! That's the one!

A trace of subtle craftiness flashed across her face, but it was quickly replaced by an expression of "weakness" and "compromise." She lowered her head slightly and softened her voice, sounding pitiful:

"Um... General Kitty Cat, Lord Golden Retriever Corporal..." She deliberately used honorifics. "I know it was wrong of me to hide the sausage... but, by locking me up here just for a sausage, isn't that a bit... overkill?"

General Kitty Cat narrowed its (painted on the mask) eyes vigilantly: "Meow? What do you mean? Are you trying to pull a fast one?"

"No, no!" Choi Yena waved her hands hurriedly, then carefully pulled a small, sealed bag printed with cute cat paw prints from the inside of her prison uniform (which was actually a costume specially made with pockets).

The bag was transparent, clearly showing strips of golden, crispy, and temptingly oily—dried fish. There was a clear brand logo on the packaging, which was a sponsored product from a well-known high-end pet snack brand (but also human-edible grade).

Choi Yena gently shook the sealed bag in her hand, the dried fish colliding with each other, making a subtle, enticing rustling sound. A fawning smile appeared on her face, her voice filled with temptation:

"My two lords, please look. This is something I... I obtained by chance, the 'Dreamy Star Dried Fish,' carefully roasted using an ancient recipe from the deep-sea secret realm. It is said that only the most noble feline king can taste the power of the stars contained within it. After eating it, one's fur becomes lustrous, one's gaze becomes sharp, and even one's claws become sharper!" She made up the words on the spot, her tone exaggerated, but her expression serious, as if she were peddling some incredible divine object.

The air instantly went quiet.

General Kitty Cat's eternally smiling cat face seemed to freeze for a moment. Under the mascot suit, Lee Chaeryeong's breathing became noticeably heavier. Even though she knew this was product placement and that it was dried fish that humans could eat, the... packaging, the color, the "power of the stars" described so miraculously by Choi Yena... combined with her careful, seductive posture as a prisoner, it strangely had a peculiar persuasiveness.

The camera zoomed in, giving a close-up of General Kitty Cat's headgear. Although the expression remained unchanged, through its body leaning slightly forward and that furry paw that unconsciously raised up, seemingly wanting to reach out but forcibly restraining itself, it fully displayed the intense struggle between suspicion and greed in its heart.

Suspicion: This prisoner is suddenly so kind? Is it a trap? These dried fish look delicious, but could they be poisonous? (Even though she knew it was a show.)

Greed: But... it really looks so fragrant (psychological effect)... "Power of the stars"? "Feline king"? It sounds so fitting for me, this General! Would I really become stronger if I ate it? I really want to taste it... just one bite...

"Meow..." From inside the mascot suit came a very soft, hesitant, and longing meow, no longer the evil tone deliberately put on before.

Meanwhile, the goofy Golden Retriever Corporal had been completely captivated the moment Choi Yena took out the dried fish and started describing them. Its big head swayed left and right following Choi Yena's hand shaking the bag, and its lolling tongue seemed to show signs of drool (an illusion). But when it heard "feline king" and "power of the stars," words clearly not fitting its species, it froze for a moment, then suddenly reacted.

"Woof woof!" It barked anxiously, using its paw (mascot suit) to tug at General Kitty Cat's tail (prop), "General! General! That's for kitties! We doggies! We doggies should eat... eat that!"

It turned eagerly toward Choi Yena, the huge Golden Retriever headgear leaning in, Shin Yuna trying hard to make her voice sound full of grievance and longing:

"Saintess! Saintess! Do you have... do you have that kind of... super big, super hard 'Supreme Glory Big Bone,' made from the leg bones of ancient giant beasts, stewed for three days and three nights, with the essence of power flowing in the marrow? Woof! I want to eat bones too! If you give me a bone... I... I can put in a good word for you with the General! Woof woof woof!"

It had completely forgotten its position as a "jailer," and also forgot about the "Holy Sausage." Its mind was filled with the imaginary "Supreme Glory Big Bone," its tail wagging so fast it was almost a blur, the bump on its head wobbling along with it, a mix of silliness and a gluttonous streak that made people laugh and cry at the same time.

Choi Yena looked at the two "jailers" in front of her—one gluttonous General Kitty Cat struggling with its gaze and twitching paws toward the dried fish, and one silly Golden Retriever Corporal with a mind full of imaginary bones and an unsteady stance—Choi Yena almost burst out laughing, but she had to maintain that "I am very sincere and I am negotiating" expression on her face.

She took a deep breath, deciding to add more fuel to the fire. She opened the sealed bag of dried fish, carefully pinched one out, sniffed it gently at the tip of her nose, then revealed an expression of extreme intoxication and happiness, even deliberately letting out a small sigh:

"Ah... this aroma... it really lives up to the 'Dreamy Star' series... even I can't help myself..." As she said this, she quickly licked her lips with the tip of her tongue, her movements full of suggestion.

Then, she held the dried fish out toward General Kitty Cat, moving it extremely slowly and seductively.

"General... why don't you... have a taste first? I guarantee in the name of the Pisces Saintess, it is absolutely non-toxic and harmless, only... ultimate deliciousness." Her eyes were incomparably sincere (pretend).

That golden, crispy dried fish, under the soft light of the prison, seemed to be truly emitting a "starry" light (grease reflection).

General Kitty Cat's paw finally, uncontrollably and tremblingly (acted by Lee Chaeryeong inside the mascot suit), raised up and reached toward that dried fish...

"Cut! Perfect!" Jiang Zhiyu's voice rang out, carrying undisguised praise. "Yena's seduction scene was spot on! Chaeryeong's inner struggle and body language were amazing! Yuna's 'bone longing' was adorably silly! The emotion and comedic rhythm of this take were both very good! It's a wrap!"

"Ah—!" Hearing this, Lee Chaeryeong immediately pulled back her paw, snatched off the heavy headgear, and gasped for air, her face covered in sweat and a blush from holding back laughter. "I was dying! Yena! That expression you just had! You're so bad! I almost really wanted to grab it and eat it!"

Shin Yuna also took off her headgear and said with a grin: "But that dried fish actually seems quite fragrant? Can humans really eat it?"

Choi Yena put that "prop" dried fish into her mouth, chewed it, and nodded: "Hmm, provided by the sponsor, the human-edible version, the taste isn't bad, just a bit salty." She said, handing the bag to the two of them, "Want to try some? 'Power of the stars,' oh~"

The three girls immediately burst into laughter, sharing the "bribery props."

Behind the monitor, Jiang Zhiyu watched this harmonious (?) scene and marked the script: [Dried fish seduction successful, laying the groundwork for the subsequent loosening of General Kitty Cat's stance. The Golden Retriever's obsession with bones can be developed into an independent comedic point, such as hallucinations of bones, etc.]

He liked this kind of interaction and detail that naturally emerged from the actors within the established framework; it was often more interesting than the pre-set script. Watching them go from their initial shame and resistance to gradually adapting and even beginning to enjoy this absurd performance, a sense of satisfaction as a creator quietly grew.

Perhaps what makes people temporarily forget their troubles is not just the sense of control in creation, but also this simple process of creating joy together. Even if this joy is built upon a foundation of overwhelming shame.

The sweet scent of dried fish seemed to still linger in the "Dessert Prison," but the figure of the prisoner had already disappeared.

The camera cut to a fantasy corridor made of "candy cane" pillars and "lollipop" street lamps. The Pisces Saintess, played by Choi Yena, was crouching, lifting her slightly cumbersome skirt, moving quickly and cautiously, holding her breath. She looked back from time to time, her face a mix of the tension of escape and a trace of cunning triumph. Obviously, taking advantage of the moment when the two "jailers" were distracted, she had successfully slipped out.

However, from the direction she was fleeing, there faintly came the sound of... intense arguing, which was completely out of place with this fairytale-like set?

Let us turn back time a little, the camera cutting back to inside the "Dessert Prison."

When Choi Yena slipped away, what were General Kitty Cat and the goofy Golden Retriever Corporal doing?

They were caught in an extremely serious (childish) negotiation regarding the distribution of "loot"—or rather, a rock-paper-scissors showdown.

Inside the prison.

General Kitty Cat finally pinched that dried fish, which was emitting an enticing aroma (psychological effect), with its paw, but it didn't immediately stuff it into the headgear's mouth (it couldn't actually fit it in, the mouth on the headgear was painted on), but instead vigilantly (using the headgear) glanced at the Golden Retriever Corporal beside it, who was still drooling (pretending).

"Ahem!" It cleared its throat (Lee Chaeryeong's voice inside the mascot suit), striving to restore the dignity of the "General," "Golden Retriever Corporal! This dried fish is a strategic supply that I, the General, have seized from the prisoner by virtue of my wisdom and majesty! It should rightfully be tasted by me first, to identify its... um, power of the stars and toxicity!"

"Woof woof! That's not right!" The Golden Retriever Corporal immediately objected, jumping up, the bump on its head wobbling, "I was the one who first discovered the prisoner had a secret stash! And I just helped you talk! General! Finders keepers! We should split it equally! Woof woof!"

"Split it equally?" General Kitty Cat sneered (in the disdainful tone Lee Chaeryeong tried hard to hold back), "You're a dog, what do you know about the essence of dried fish? This power of the stars can only be perfectly absorbed by us noble cat-planet people! Giving it to you is a waste! Meow~!"

"You're discriminating! Woof woof!" The Golden Retriever Corporal was so anxious it spun in circles on the spot, "I don't care! I want to taste it too! Otherwise... otherwise I'll go tell Lord Star Demon that you embezzled the loot! And didn't find me a big bone!"

At the mention of "Lord Star Demon" and "Big Bone," General Kitty Cat seemed to have some reservations (though in reality, it didn't; in the script, Lord Star Demon is basically just background decoration).

It hesitated for a moment, looking at the solitary dried fish in its paw, and then at the silly yet persistent Golden Retriever Corporal before it.

"Meow! Golden Retriever Corporal!" General Kitty Cat put its hands on its hips (its round, chubby waist), trying to make its voice sound authoritative. "According to Chapter 3, Article 5 of the 'Star Demon Legion Snack Management Interim Regulations,' captured high-grade enemy supplies must be distributed by the highest-ranking officer present—which is me, the General!—and they shall enjoy the largest share! Therefore, this bag of dried fish should be split seven-three! I get seven, you get three!"

"Woof! That's not fair!" Golden Retriever Corporal argued, the bump on its head seeming to turn redder from excitement (an illusion). "I was the one who discovered the Saintess hiding suspicious items! And besides, General, you were almost tempted just now! According to the 'Legion Loyalty Supplementary Clauses,' those with wavering stances should have their rations reduced! It should be five-five! No, wait! I get six, you get four! Because my loyalty has withstood the test! Woof!"

"Meow! How dare you question this General's stance?!"

"Woof! I am merely stating the facts!"

"Meow! It seems we must decide this in the traditional way!"

"Woof! Bring it on! Who's afraid of whom!"

"Then... then we go by the rules!" General Kitty Cat suddenly straightened its back (which was round and chubby), placing the dried fish on a nearby "candy stool." "The old way! Winner takes all! The loser... watches!"

"What old way?" Golden Retriever Corporal asked curiously.

"Hmph! You don't even know that? You really are a foolish Corporal!" General Kitty Cat proudly lifted its cat head (which was heavy). "Of course, it's—Rock, Paper, Scissors!"

Inside the mascot costumes, Lee Chaeryeong and Shin Yuna exchanged glances, both seeing a spark of eagerness in each other's eyes. It was ostensibly just about who would get a prop dried fish, but for some reason, both of them inexplicably felt a burning desire to win!

"Bring it on! Woof! Who's afraid of whom!" Golden Retriever Corporal was fired up too, raising its fluffy dog paw (the front limb of the mascot costume).

And so, in this sickeningly sweet prison, a pink Kitty Cat and a light yellow Golden Retriever stood face-to-face, their expressions (the masks) serious, the atmosphere tense.

"Rock, Paper, Scissors—!" Both (cat and dog) shouted simultaneously, swinging their paws forcefully.

The two furry figures raised their paws simultaneously (the mascot costume paws were round, with the thumb separated from the other four fingers, barely able to make the gestures).

"Rock! Paper! Scissors—!"

General Kitty Cat threw "Paper" (round paw spread open), and Golden Retriever Corporal threw "Rock" (paw curled into a ball).

"Meow-haha! I won! As expected, feline reaction speed is superior!" General Kitty Cat shook its big head triumphantly, its tail (which was short) even sticking up. "So, according to our agreement, this bag of dried fish belongs entirely to me~!"

"Woof! No way! Best two out of three!" Golden Retriever Corporal stamped its feet in protest.

"Meow! We didn't say best two out of three just now!"

"Woof! Then... then best three out of five!"

"Meow! You're cheating!"

"Woof! It was you, General, who used the regulations to pressure me first!"

The two (cat and dog) argued back and forth, completely failing to notice that not far behind them, Choi Yena had already silently crept to the side of the "Lollipop Secret Exit" and was carefully pushing open the movable panel.

She glanced back at the two "jailers" who were nearly fighting over the dried fish (pushing each other with their paws, but because the mascot costumes were bulky, they looked like two balls bumping into each other), a triumphant smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Then, she ducked and agilely slipped out, the movable panel closing softly behind her.

Meanwhile, inside the prison, the argument between General Kitty Cat and Golden Retriever Corporal had escalated.

"Meow! In any case, I won! The dried fish is mine!"

"Woof! That's not fair! Do it again! Otherwise, I'll... I'll go tell Lord Star Demon that you embezzled the spoils of war!"

"Meow! How dare you?! Take my righteous Kitty Punch!" (Raising a round paw as if to strike.)

"Woof! I'm not afraid! Take this! Loyal Dog Pounce!" (Clumsily pouncing forward.)

The two (cat and dog) grappled together (it looked more like two fur balls rolling around), the scene becoming quite chaotic (and comical).

Just then, General Kitty Cat's peripheral vision (through the mask hole) seemed to catch a glimpse of the empty "Nougat Bed" and the slightly swaying "Lollipop" wall.

Its movements suddenly froze.

"Meow... Meow-ahhhhhh!!!" A shrill (and shame-filled) cat cry echoed through the prison. "That cunning Saintess! She's gone! She's run away!!!"

Golden Retriever Corporal also scrambled up, dazed, forgetting to retract its lolling tongue: "Woof? Run away? Then... then what about our roasted sausage and dried fish..."

"Meow! You idiot! Who cares about roasted sausages and dried fish right now! The prisoner has escaped! We've failed in our duty! We're going to be punished!" General Kitty Cat was frantic, its huge cat head looking left and right, until its gaze suddenly locked onto the pink-and-white "Dried Fish Rocket Launcher" that it had tossed aside earlier.

An inexplicable (feeling of being toyed with) rage and a (possibly present) "what-the-hell" mentality welled up.

"Damn Golden Retriever Corporal! It's all your fault! You just had to compete with me! You wasted time!" It roared (the sound of Lee Chaeryeong going all out), rushing over and hoisting the heavy rocket launcher, but the muzzle wasn't aimed at the exit—it was aimed at the corner piled high with "Colorful Jellybean Dynamite Barrels" (props made of foam)!

"Meow! I'll make you know the price of delaying military affairs! Take my final shot—Dried Fish Great Rampage Cannon!!!"

Golden Retriever Corporal finally saw what the General was doing and was scared out of its wits (Shin Yuna's expression under the mask was one of horror): "Woof, woof, woof! General Kitty Cat! Don't! That's the 'Jellybean Unstable Compound Storage Area'! The manual says that severe impact will trigger a sweetener chain reaction! It'll explode, ahhhhhhh!!!"

But it was too late. General Kitty Cat (Lee Chaeryeong) had a look of "I don't care, let's go down together" grief and indignation (and chuunibyou) on its face, and pulled the trigger of the rocket launcher!

"Fire—!!!"

"Bang—! Boom~~~!!!"

A huge, cartoonish explosion sound effect erupted from the speakers on site (more exaggerated animation sound effects would be added in post-production).

Meanwhile, in the green screen area set up behind the prison, the large screen connected in real-time to the post-production special effects team began playing a very cartoonish, very "Team Rocket" style explosion animation:

In the animation, a pink Kitty Cat and a light yellow Golden Retriever, drawn in an extremely chibi style, were screaming and spinning as they flew into the sky amidst exaggerated pink and yellow explosion flames, getting smaller and smaller...

In sync with the animation, Lee Chaeryeong and Shin Yuna, following the director's cue, performed exaggerated actions of being "blown away" toward the pre-set soft mats, clumsily "falling" onto them.

In the animation, the chibi Kitty Cat flying in the air didn't forget to look back, and using the classic villain exit pose and tone, shouted that timeless line:

"Damn Pisces Saintess! I'll definitely be back—Meow!!"

The chibi Golden Retriever next to it was frantically paddling its four paws in the air in a panic, screaming:

"I haven't even eaten my 'Supreme Glory Big Bone' yet—Woof!!"

Upon hearing this, General Kitty Cat (chibi) angrily slapped the Golden Retriever Corporal (chibi) on the head (with its cat paw), and a speech bubble popped up (speech bubble):

"Can you not think about bones at a time like this?! Woof!" (So angry it barked wrong.)

Golden Retriever (speech bubble) felt aggrieved: "Then... then what should I be thinking about? Woof?"

The two chibi animals exchanged a glance in the air, the two chibi furry creatures looking at each other in the air, the animation camera giving them a close-up, their two (drawn) big eyes simultaneously filled with the dizziness of being blown away, the frustration of mission failure, and confusion about their upcoming fate.

Then, they shouted in unison (the animation accompanied by a synchronized, elongated voiceover) at the sky: "What an annoying feeling—Meow! / Woof!!!"

The sound echoed in the studio, the reverberations lingering.

This classic line, full of comedic finality, accompanied by the image of them turning into two shooting stars (one pink, one light yellow) and disappearing into the sky, drew a highly dramatic and homage-filled period to this absurd chase scene.

"Cut—!!! Perfect!!! Too perfect!!!" Jiang Zhiyu stood up abruptly from behind the monitor, his face showing unconcealed ecstasy and excitement. He even clapped his hands forcefully. "That's exactly the feeling! A classic, silly, nostalgic, yet brand-new comedic exit! Chaeryeong! Yuna! You two are amazing! This take is a wrap! Top-notch!"

The on-site staff couldn't help but applaud and burst into laughter. This improvisation and homage to classic lines worked surprisingly well—it was absurd yet logical, embarrassing yet cute.

On the soft mats, Lee Chaeryeong and Shin Yuna heard the director's cheers and everyone's laughter, only then realizing what they had just shouted. The two struggled to get up, took off their masks, revealing faces that were flushed, burning hot, and both embarrassed yet unable to stop laughing.

"We... we just..." Lee Chaeryeong pointed at herself, then at Shin Yuna, unable to speak clearly.

"Shouted... that..." Shin Yuna also covered her face, but peeked at everyone's reaction through her fingers.

When they saw Jiang Zhiyu giving them a thumbs-up and heard the good-natured laughter of the surrounding staff, the two finally let go completely and started laughing along, laughing until tears were almost coming out.

Embarrassing? It was embarrassing to the peak!

But... it seemed, it was also quite satisfying?

At least, shouting that line gave a kind of inexplicable, cathartic joy.

Meanwhile, Choi Yena, who had long since slipped out of the "prison" and was hiding behind another set to secretly observe, couldn't straighten her back from laughing as she watched the two "jailers" make such a dramatic (and hilarious) exit.

"Yah... Chaeryeong and Yuna... they really went all out..." She wiped the tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes.

This special episode of "Prisoner of the Demon King's Castle," due to the dedicated (and embarrassing) performances of the two "extra members" from ITZY, was destined to be even more "spectacular."

Jiang Zhiyu wrote the final note on the script with satisfaction: [General Kitty Cat & Golden Retriever classic Team Rocket-style exit, keep all lines and animation effects. Will become one of the biggest laughs and highlight moments of this episode.]

He closed the script, feeling that the frustration that had built up over many days seemed to have been diluted a bit by this pure, silly, creative joy. Perhaps, fooling around like this occasionally wasn't bad either.