Killed while attempting to escape? Cheng Gui Shuo's pupils constricted. He began screaming with all his might, struggling to tear apart the iron chains:
"Help! Help! They're killing me..."
Niu You Dao tilted his head, giving him a somewhat peculiar look. Then he turned back to the fire, picked up the branding iron, and thoroughly pushed it into the glowing coals.
He didn't stop Cheng Gui Shuo; he simply let him scream to his heart's content.
After screaming for a while, and noticing that no one was rushing to his aid, Cheng Gui Shuo realized that no one would come. Despair welled up in his eyes.
Sometimes, it's not death itself that's terrifying, but the process leading up to it. What's more terrifying is the realization that one can never guess what Niu You Dao might think of when he's tormenting you.
Seeing that Niu You Dao had not yet made a move, Cheng Gui Shuo thought he might still have a chance to cling to life:
"Brother, Senior Brother. We are fellow disciples. I beg you, please let me go. All right?"
Niu You Dao: "Shut your mouth! Who is your fellow disciple? Don't try to deceive me! You are not a disciple of the Supreme Purity Sect, and neither am I."
Cheng Gui Shuo quickly corrected himself:
"Brother Niu, Brother Niu. I was wrong, it was my mistake. I've always been wrong. You are a man of high moral character who forgives people. I beg you, please let me go!"
Niu You Dao said indifferently:
"Who allowed you to call me 'Brother'? I am a mere wanderer, and I am called Lord Dao!"
"What wanderer?" Cheng Gui Shuo didn't understand what he was talking about. However, he immediately said:
"Lord Dao, Lord Dao, I was wrong, please forgive me! Truly, have mercy on me!"
Clang, clang, clang!
Niu You Dao took the branding iron and struck the stove several times, knocking off bits of coal.
"I am a person who dislikes killing people the most!"
"... " Cheng Gui Shuo was speechless. "You dislike killing? Then who killed Song Yang Qing?"
However, Cheng Gui Shuo remained silent.
Niu You Dao looked at the stove, where the branding iron was gradually turning red. He said calmly:
"Although we were both disciples of the Supreme Purity Sect. Yet, you and I are completely different. You betrayed the Supreme Purity Sect. As for me, the Supreme Purity Sect betrayed me.
"You ran after Song Yang Qing, building plans for the future with him. You thought he could help you become someone in this world. But Song Yang Qing is already dead. It's understandable that you followed Song Yang Qing. But I utterly fail to understand why you abandoned the Supreme Purity Sect and ran to the Song family? Because they are an influential family? Does the Song family truly lack a lone cultivator like you? You don't have high cultivation, no one stands behind you, you have nothing to offer the Song family. Other than the reputation of a disciple who betrayed his sect. How could the Song family value you so much? You are a mere pawn to the Song family, nothing more. What kind of future could you possibly have?"
He picked up the red-hot branding iron and advanced towards Cheng Gui Shuo.
Staring at the glowing branding iron, Cheng Gui Shuo's breathing quickened. He began to retreat, nervously stammering as he did so:
"Lord Dao, Lord Dao..."
However, Niu You Dao seemed to fall into thought, and slowly spoke:
"Everyone has their own plans for the future, and that's normal. It's understandable! However, for the sake of the future, for your own future, you must think carefully. The Song family will not value you. And in a short time, you will realize this yourself. You'll understand that the Song family doesn't treat you well. Why not consider other paths. After all, you have other options available to you!"
Cheng Gui Shuo seemed to grasp something, and hastily said:
"Lord Dao, I wish to follow you!"
"Excellent! Truly excellent!" Niu You Dao said approvingly, as the branding iron came to a halt not far from Cheng Gui Shuo's face.
"I'm glad you are such an intelligent person! Calm yourself, I won't torment you for life. After you return, continue to serve the Song family. And once you feel safe, once you feel that being on my side is much better, then you can come. It won't be too late."
"... " Cheng Gui Shuo was speechless. He thought to himself, "Could Niu You Dao possibly be better?"
Niu You Dao continued:
"Of course, you can't just do nothing! After this, you will surely be summoned back to the Yan Kingdom for questioning. After that, find a way to remain in the Song family's residence. And don't go anywhere else. There, I will find someone to contact you."
Cheng Gui Shuo immediately nodded his head:
"Understood. I obey, Lord Dao!"
Niu You Dao gave him a cold look: "No need to nod so happily. Do you even know how you can stay in the Song family's residence?"
Cheng Gui Shuo: "I know, I can! Song Shu and his wife treat me well. They treat me well because of Song Yang Qing. Especially Song Shu's wife. If I just give her something, like a relic of Song Yang Qing, she will immediately help me with whatever I ask. Staying in their home won't be difficult."
Niu You Dao smiled. Cheng Gui Shuo answered immediately; it seemed he had been contemplating this himself for a long time.
The branding iron had already darkened. Niu You Dao went back and placed it into the stove. Then, picking up the branding iron again, he returned to Cheng Gui Shuo.
"I will let you go. But if you betray me, what should I do? Or if you run away, what should I do?"
Cheng Gui Shuo: "I completely obey, Lord Dao. Whatever Lord Dao says, I will do!"
"Good! Very good! I like adaptable people." Niu You Dao took the branding iron and plunged it deeper into the coals once more.
"I said I don't like to kill or beat people. I truly don't like doing that. I much prefer to resolve matters peacefully with everyone. So, let's do this: I won't force you. You decide. Give me proof. Proof that will satisfy me of your loyalty, so I can let you go with peace of mind. As long as you provide strong proof, you can return to your life in peace..."
Half an hour later, Cheng Gui Shuo returned to his cell.
When he returned, Huang Xiu Sheng, who was in the neighboring cell, immediately approached the bars. He asked grimly:
"Why so long? Everyone has gone for interrogation, but no one was interrogated for so long. Why were only you interrogated for such a long time?"
Cheng Gui Shuo replied helplessly:
"Senior Huang. They must know that Niu You Dao and I were fellow disciples. That's why they questioned me about him." Cheng Gui Shuo said, shaking his head.
Huang Xiu Sheng nodded his head. So that was it. Niu You Dao killed Song Yang Qing. And Cheng Gui Shuo could clearly explain the reasons for the animosity between Niu You Dao and the Song family. It was all quite logical. Cheng Gui Shuo returned to a corner of the cell and sat down, tucking his legs beneath him. He appeared outwardly calm, but inwardly, he rejoiced at being alive and back...
A simple, comfortable, and elegant room. Such a room belonged to Hai Ru Yue.
Ordinarily, at this hour, there should be no man in Hai Ru Yue's room. How could a widow have a man in her room so late?
Yet, at this very moment, a middle-aged man with a black mustache and streaks of gray in his hair was seated with her. This man had a plain appearance but possessed spirited eyes.
This was a representative of the Wandong Heavenly Palace. He was in charge of affairs in Qingzhou, and his name was Li Wu Hua. The head of the Wandong Heavenly Palace was his disciple-brother.
The gracefully beautiful Hai Ru Yue let down her hair, looking even more alluring. She sat on the other side of the tea table and personally poured him tea.
After she set down his teacup, the man suddenly seized her wrist and said with a smile:
"It's already late."
Hai Ru Yue began to struggle, a complicated look appearing in her eyes. She murmured:
"Business first."
Li Wu Hua pulled her hand towards him, and Hai Ru Yue lost her balance, tumbling into his embrace. With one hand, Li Wu Hua gently stretched her collar open, then his hand made its well-worn path towards her chest.
"Haven't these matters already been settled?"
Hai Ru Yue writhed anxiously: "Does my decision mean anything at all?"
Li Wu Hua rose, sweeping her into his arms, and threw her onto the bed. He immediately tore off her clothes, revealing her delicate, soft white skin. Such a sight would make anyone's heart race. What a beautiful figure! Very soon, both individuals were completely naked.
Outside the window, two eyes watched them through a crack. Xiao Tian Cheng stood there, dressed lightly, without even a cloak. He heard what was happening inside and saw the intimate scenes. Anger could be seen in his eyes. He clenched his fists, trembling uncontrollably. It was unclear whether he trembled from the cold or from rage.
He knew that man had seen him. Earlier, when he had approached the window, the man seemed to sense him and immediately began to take Hai Ru Yue. The man had seen his eyes; their gazes had even met. The man seemed to derive even more pleasure from the knowledge that Xiao Tian Cheng was spying on them.
And this was not the first time. The man acted as if Xiao Tian Cheng wasn't there at all.
"Lower your voice... Business first. You still haven't answered me."
"Don't worry. Afterwards, I'll send a letter to the masters. It's not a big deal..."
The sounds of the man and woman from within the room continued.
A hand grabbed Xiao Tian Cheng's arm and pulled him along. It was the household steward, Zhu Shun.
When they returned to Xiao Tian Cheng's room, Zhu Shun said:
"Young Master, you're frozen to the bone. There's no need to go outside."
After he tucked Xiao Tian Cheng into bed, Xiao Tian Cheng gritted his teeth and muttered:
"Scoundrels!"
Covering Xiao Tian Cheng with the blanket, Zhu Shun continued:
"Young Master, some things are not as they appear. The life of a married couple is not easy. Later, somehow, you will understand. Ah... " Zhu Shun sighed inwardly.
How could one frail, sickly child hold all of Qingzhou? How could a widow with a sick child govern all of Qingzhou without power? Especially such a vast Qingzhou, for a beauty as unparalleled as Hai Ru Yue! Some things are better not explained to the Young Master now...