It was obvious that Xiao Yunting did not trust the people from the Ministry of Justice at all, nor did he trust him. That was why he was deliberately making an issue out of this and looking for an excuse to send him away.
On the surface, he said he wanted him to return to the capital and explain things to Emperor Yongchang, but in reality, he simply wanted to get rid of him.
And by sending him back to report that the Imperial Grandson had been attacked shortly after leaving the capital, Emperor Yongchang and the entire court would understand that there was definitely something wrong with the Lu family case.
That was an ironclad fact.
D*mn it.
He could not help cursing inwardly.
Originally, he had intended to muddle along behind Xiao Yunting. Whether things succeeded in the future or not, at the very least he could become a close minister to a young emperor.
Who would have thought that Xiao Yunting’s gaze was as sharp as fire? Any little thought he had was completely seen through.
What else could he say?
He could only reply with righteous indignation: “Your Highness is absolutely right! For Zhang Zongbin to collude with the mastermind behind the scenes and attempt to harm Your Highness is simply shocking beyond belief, something unheard of throughout history! I will certainly report everything truthfully to His Majesty!”
Xiao Yunting chuckled lightly. “Then I shall trouble Lord Feng. I will have my Dao soldiers and personal guards escort you back to the capital.”
Escort?
More like eliminating all spies and informants.
And with this incident as justification, he could do it openly and legitimately.
Feng Nanmu was speechless.
Xiao Yunting leisurely ordered people to notify the local authorities.
The next day, when the local prefect arrived with troops from the military garrison, Xiao Yunting merely swept his eyes over them indifferently.
The officials’ legs nearly gave out from fear.
Good heavens!
They had come within a hair’s breadth of having all nine generations of their families executed.
If anything had happened to Xiao Yunting here, their entire clans would have been finished.
The garrison commander was not much better off.
All of them wore grave expressions.
Fortunately, Xiao Yunting had not come to hold them accountable. Instead, he said with a half-smile: “So many people managed to sneak into your county, armed with a large quantity of weapons. Have you ever considered this? If they had been a little bolder, they could have occupied your county outright.”
Those words immediately drenched the prefect and county magistrate in cold sweat.
Neither could utter a single word.
Xiao Yunting snorted coldly. “Investigate! I refuse to believe these people fell from the sky. Since they appeared here, they must have left traces behind.”
So many people needed food, drink, and shelter.
No matter what, traces would have been left behind.
His manpower was limited, and he could not afford to spread it too thin.
So he would let the local authorities investigate.
After all, that was their duty in the first place.
The prefect and magistrate both breathed enormous sighs of relief and hurriedly agreed. Then, trembling, they invited Xiao Yunting to stay at the prefectural yamen.
Xiao Yunting refused. “Forget it. Why disturb the common people? Besides, I merely wish to clarify one matter. Go do your jobs. I have my own plans.”
One glance was enough to tell that Xiao Yunting was the sort of person whose word was absolute.
How could the prefect and magistrate dare say anything more? The fact that he was not pursuing responsibility already made them want to kowtow in gratitude. Hearing those words, they hurried away as fast as they could.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yunting slowly strolled over to look at the young man who had been shot through the shoulder and was still being illuminated by dozens of torches.
The man’s eyes were bloodshot.
His reactions had already become sluggish.
When he saw Xiao Yunting enter, he did not even react at first.
Only after a long while did he bare his teeth like a wolf and lunge toward Xiao Yunting.
Xiao Yunting’s expression did not change.
He simply lifted his foot and kicked him hard once more, sending him flying backward and coughing up blood.
Only then did he smile and say: “Looks like you’re still not tired enough. Keep the lights on him. I’d like to see just how much longer he can endure.”
Everyone felt a chill run down their spines.
Especially Xing Min.
He had worked in criminal investigations for many years and knew countless methods of interrogation.
Yet Xiao Yunting’s methods still exceeded his expectations.
No beatings.
No torture.
But in reality, it was even more terrifying than actual torture.
It was truly a method of killing without shedding blood.
When Xiao Yunting exited the tent, Xing Min hurried after him. “Your Highness.”
Xiao Yunting gave a quiet grunt and glanced back. “What is it?”
This was one of his own people, so Xiao Yunting’s attitude remained relatively mild.
Xing Min lowered his voice. “How many days do you think this will take?”
“You really are suited for criminal investigations.” Xiao Yunting immediately understood that Xing Min was trying to learn from him. Smiling, he said: “That depends on how much endurance he has. Do you know what this method is called on Longhu Mountain?”
Longhu Mountain?!
This method had come from Longhu Mountain?
Xing Min shook his head.
“Breaking the hawk.” Xiao Yunting spoke the words calmly. Recalling old memories, his voice turned cold. “In our sect, when disciples tame spiritual creatures, undergo tests of willpower, or receive punishment, this is how they’re treated. No food, no water, no movement. No one is allowed to speak to them. Then, just as they’re about to fall asleep, a gong or drum is struck loudly beside them to wake them again.”
Xing Min listened with horror.
Good heavens.
No wonder it was called breaking the hawk.
It really was like taming a hawk through relentless exhaustion.
In fact, by the third day, the prisoner could no longer endure it.
He began screaming and shouting, frantically pulling at his hair, clawing at his scalp, and scratching his skin.
He was completely losing control of his mind.
When Xiao Yunting received the report, he calmly entered the tent.
Pulling over a chair, he sat down in front of the man and smiled. “Well? Can’t hold on anymore? Got anything you’d like to say?”
The man’s lips moved. His eyes were like those of a venomous snake, fixed on Xiao Yunting.
Xiao Yunting clicked his tongue. “You’d better think carefully before you speak. After all, I’m not exactly a kind-hearted person. If this round doesn’t kill you, we’ll simply start another. We’ll keep going until either you can’t endure it and talk, or you can’t endure it and die. Only then will this matter be over.”
He smiled. Then suddenly he grabbed the black-clothed man’s arm. Ignoring his violent struggles, he tore open the sleeve with a sharp rip.
A pattern was immediately revealed on the man’s arm.
The black-clothed man’s expression changed dramatically. He began struggling wildly.
Xiao Yunting smiled faintly. “What are you struggling for? So, you’re not from the Central Plains after all.”
The moment those words were spoken, everyone was stunned.
Qingfeng immediately stepped forward and saw a wolf tattoo on the man’s arm.
Xing Min sucked in a sharp breath.
The black-clothed man no longer cared about any of that. He simply stared at Xiao Yunting. There was genuine hatred in his eyes, but beneath it lurked a trace of fear.
Terrifying.
This man was clearly as handsome as one of their gods. Yet in reality, he seemed more like an evil deity crawling up from h*ll itself.
Every inch of him radiated danger.
He opened his mouth and said: “Release me, or all of you will regret it!”
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