northernbook Chapter 790 The Mysterious Man's Excuses
Chapter 790 The Mysterious Man's Excuses
A ruthless glint flashed in Zhao Hu's eyes: "You're her accomplice too!"
The man's smile remained unchanged: "General, you're wronging me. I'm just a small-time businessman; how could I possibly know any Xuan Realm experts? Perhaps... that young lady thought I was quite charming and wanted to befriend me?"
"Insolence!" Zhao Hu finally lost his temper, and a powerful aura of the Earth Realm pressed down on the man. "I don't have time to beat around the bush with you! Speak! Who are you? What information did that female spy pass on to you? Where is your meeting place?"
The immense pressure was like a solid mountain, making the surrounding air seem to freeze. The two soldiers holding the man were already pale and struggling to breathe, while the man only swayed slightly, a few beads of sweat appearing on his forehead, his eyes still clear.
“General, if we force you, we’ll probably only get lies,” the man said with difficulty, but his tone still carried a hint of composure. “I really don’t know anything.”
Seeing that he could withstand his pressure for so long, Zhao Hu was even more certain that this person was no ordinary individual. He snorted coldly, withdrew his pressure, and said in a sinister tone, "It seems that you won't speak unless I use some tricks."
He turned to the lean man: "Take him away and give this gentleman a proper 'welcome.' I want to know all his secrets, even if it's something like the few eggs he stole from the neighbor when he was a kid, I want to get it out of him!"
"Yes, General!" The lean man gave a cruel smile and winked at the two soldiers.
The two soldiers, as if granted a pardon, immediately dragged the man deeper into the stone chamber. There, the faint sounds of dripping water and clanging chains could be heard, clearly indicating it was the rebels' torture chamber.
As the man was dragged away, the calm on his face was finally broken, revealing a hint of seriousness that was hard to detect. However, he still did not beg for mercy. But when he passed by Lin Xue's body, he paused slightly, and a complex and incomprehensible emotion seemed to flash in his eyes.
Zhao Hu watched the man disappear at the end of the passageway, a cold smile playing on his lips. He believed that even the hardest bones would be crushed by the rebels' relentless torture. Lin Xue, the big fish, was dead, but this seemingly insignificant little fish might pull out a much larger net. He had to get the results as soon as possible to prevent future trouble.
Inside the stone chamber, only Zhao Hu and a few corpses remained (the experts injured by Lin Xue had already been dragged out). He walked to Lin Xue's body, squatted down, and carefully examined her, confirming that she was lifeless and that she had no clues on her body that could be used to conceal information.
Lin Xue's face still bore the marks of heavy makeup; bright red lipstick stained her lips like blood, creating a stark contrast with her pale complexion. Her eyes were wide open, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly like butterfly wings, as if telling tales of her former beauty and allure. Her hair was disheveled over her shoulders, and her once exquisite makeup now appeared somewhat messy, yet it still couldn't conceal her striking beauty.
She wore a revealing dance costume, the red silk shimmering faintly under the lights. The neckline was extremely low, revealing her fair skin and alluring collarbones, while the skirt was so short that it exposed her long, slender legs, subtly showcasing her sexiness and charm.
The mysterious man recalled the first time he saw Lin Xue. She was sitting in front of her dressing table, meticulously applying her makeup. Her movements were skilled and elegant, and every detail showed her professionalism and dedication.
First, she used foundation to cover her pale face, then lightly applied bright lipstick to make her lips as vibrant as blood. Next, she used black eyeliner to outline a pair of wide-open eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly like butterfly wings.
To make herself even more radiant and captivating, Lin Xue deliberately applied a touch of red eyeshadow to the corner of her eyes, making her gaze even more alluring and seductive. Her hair was loosely draped over her shoulders, and her originally exquisite makeup now appeared somewhat disheveled, but this only added to her mysterious charm.
Lin Xue put on the revealing dance costume, the red silk shimmering faintly under the lights. The neckline of the costume was extremely low, revealing her fair skin and alluring collarbone, while the skirt was so short that it exposed her slender legs, subtly showcasing her sexiness and charm.
She carefully checked her makeup and clothing in the mirror, making sure there were no flaws. Then, she took a deep breath, ready to infiltrate the city's brothels and complete her mission.
Lin Xue took a light step, like a beautiful butterfly fluttering in the air. Her figure was graceful and alluring, every movement exuding seduction and charm. Her eyes revealed a firmness and determination, as if telling herself that she must complete the mission.
She entered the brothel and immediately attracted everyone's attention. People were captivated by her beauty and charm, forgetting her true purpose. Lin Xue skillfully maneuvered among them, gaining their trust with her beauty and intelligence.
In this alluring yet dangerous brothel, Lin Xue utilized her makeup skills and dancer identity to the fullest, successfully completing her infiltration mission. They exchanged intelligence, but unexpectedly, they were discovered very quickly. Now, Lin Xue is dead, and he couldn't help but sigh as he looked at her current state.
At this moment, this beautiful body lies quietly on the cold ground, lifeless, which makes people feel sorry for her.
"Find a place to bury it, and don't leave any trace," Zhao Hu stood up and ordered in a deep voice.
Several soldiers rushed in, skillfully lifted Lin Xue's body, and hurriedly left.
Zhao Hu stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the empty stone chamber, his brow furrowed. He had a feeling that things weren't so simple. A female spy at the peak of the Profound Realm disguised as a sexy dancer infiltrating the city, her goal merely to gather some publicly available military deployment information? That seemed like making a mountain out of a molehill. And that mysterious man—there were far too many suspicious points about him.
"Hopefully, we can pry something useful out of him," Zhao Hu muttered to himself, a glint of anticipation and ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. He had a vague premonition that this seemingly ordinary night might become anything but ordinary because of the intrusion of these two uninvited guests. The interrogation of the mysterious man had only just begun, and this was likely just the tip of the iceberg.
The stone door of the chamber closed slowly behind the soldiers, shutting out the stench of blood from outside, but failing to dispel the gloom in Zhao Hu's heart. He walked to the stone table, where the wine cup Lin Xue had overturned before her death still remained, a few drops of dark red wine stains resembling congealed blood.
"Peak of the Profound Realm..." Zhao Hu repeated in a low voice, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the cold stone table. "With such cultivation, even in major sects, one would be an elder-level figure, yet he is willing to be a dancer, just for those so-called 'public defenses' that can be heard about in the streets and alleys?"
This is illogical. It's like using a peerless divine weapon to cut vegetables—a terrible waste, and it also creates a huge sense of incongruity.
"Sir, the interrogation room is ready." A deep voice sounded at the door. It was Li Mo, the deputy in charge of interrogation. A hideous scar ran from the corner of his eye to his jaw, exuding a menacing aura that kept strangers at bay.
Zhao Hu took a deep breath, suppressing his turbulent thoughts: "Let's go, let's meet our 'distinguished guest'."
After passing through several dark and damp passageways, you reach the torture chamber, which reeks of rust and blood. Unlike the previous stone chamber, this one is simple and oppressive, with only a dim oil lamp flickering, casting distorted and terrifying shadows of various torture instruments on the walls.
The mysterious man was firmly chained to the cross-shaped gallows, his clothes soaked in blood, clearly indicating that Li Mo had already "entered" him before Zhao Hu arrived. His head was bowed, his long hair obscuring his face, and only faint breathing proved that he was still alive.
Hearing footsteps, he slowly raised his head. Although his face was covered in blood and he looked listless, his eyes remained sharp, even carrying a hint of...mockery?
"General Zhao, I've long admired you." The man's voice was hoarse and dry, yet unusually calm, as if he were not the one bound to the rack.
Zhao Hu's pupils contracted slightly: "You know me?"
"General Zhao Hu, the supreme commander of the Northern Border Garrison, is an iron-fisted military leader with numerous military achievements. How could I not recognize him?" The man chuckled, which aggravated his wound, causing him to cough involuntarily, his phlegm containing traces of blood.
"Enough with the nonsense!" Zhao Hu shouted sternly. "Who exactly are you? What is your purpose in infiltrating my Northern Army camp? Lin Xue is just a decoy, isn't she?"
The man licked his chapped lips, his gaze lingering on Zhao Hu's face for a moment before he slowly said, "General, you are indeed wise. Lin Xue... she is just a pitiful pawn, bait used to attract your attention."
"A decoy?" Zhao Hu's heart sank. "What is your real objective?"
The man fell silent, then lowered his head again, as if the conversation had exhausted all his strength.
"Not going to talk?" Zhao Hu's eyes turned cold, and he gave Li Mo a wink.
Li Mo understood, picked up a red-hot branding iron from the side, and the iron made a "sizzling" sound, filling the air with a burnt smell.
"I'll ask you one last time, who is your master? What is your purpose?" Zhao Hu's voice was as cold as ice.
The man suddenly raised his head, a glint of madness and determination flashing in his eyes: "General Zhao, do you think you've gotten away with everything just because you've captured me? You're too naive."
His gaze swept across the walls of the interrogation room, as if he could penetrate the thick rock and see into the outside world.
"Tonight, it's not just here that's in turmoil. The entire Northern Territory, and even the entire Great Xia Dynasty, will be engulfed in chaos because of our arrival."
"What do you mean?" Alarm bells rang in Zhao Hu's mind, a strong sense of unease gripping him. He had a vague feeling that he might have underestimated the seriousness of this matter. This was not just a simple spy infiltration.
"You think Lin Xue is only at the peak of the Profound Realm?" The man suddenly laughed, his laughter maniacal and shrill. "Do you know that her bloodline contains the power of 'Blood Guidance'? Her death is not the end, but the beginning!"
"Blood-Guiding Power?" Zhao Hu had never heard of this term before. "What is that?"
A strange smile appeared on the man's face: "A power... capable of awakening dormant things. And she chose to perish in the general's stone chamber. The general's mansion, the core of this northern military camp, will become the best altar."
"An altar?!" Zhao Hu's expression changed drastically, a chill running from his feet to the top of his head. He turned abruptly and roared outside, "Men! Immediately seal off the General's Mansion! Thoroughly investigate all unusual circumstances within! Now!"
He vaguely understood. Lin Xue's death was not an accident, but part of a plan! Her blood was the key to unlocking some kind of ritual!
However, just as he gave the order, a series of hurried footsteps and the sound of weapons clashing suddenly came from outside, followed by a shrill scream!
"What happened?!" Zhao Hu's face turned ashen.
A guard scrambled in, his face filled with terror: "General! Something terrible has happened! A large group of men in black have suddenly appeared in the mansion! They... they are incredibly powerful and fearless! Brothers... we can't hold them off!"
"What?!" Zhao Hu was struck dumb.
The man on the rack raised his head again, this time with a victor's gleam in his eyes: "Too late... General Zhao. The 'door' has been opened, and 'they' have arrived. What you've grasped is nothing more than this insignificant shell of mine. The real storm has only just begun."
As soon as the words were spoken, a tremendous tremor shook the entire general's mansion and even the distant military camps, as if some colossal entity was awakening. Immediately afterward, an indescribable aura of terror soared into the sky, making it difficult to breathe.
The oil lamp flickered violently, its light changing from bright to dim.
Zhao Hu turned around abruptly, looking at the dark space outside the interrogation room, his face showing disbelief and horror for the first time.
He finally understood what a vast and terrifying conspiracy he was facing. And capturing this mysterious man and prying him open was merely peeling back the tip of the iceberg... the outermost layer of thin ice.
The real crisis has arrived! He gripped the sword at his waist, the cold touch of the scabbard calming his chaotic mind slightly.
"Li Mo!"
"The general is here!"
"Send the order: all troops on high alert! Hold all key routes at all costs! Notify all generals to immediately convene a meeting in the central command tent! Quickly!"
"Yes!"
Amidst the violent tremors and the distant, faint roars, Zhao Hu's voice remained unusually resolute. He knew that tonight would be sleepless. An unprecedented and fierce battle had begun. And the secret hidden behind the mysterious man on the rack would be the key to unraveling all these mysteries, and even to the safety of the Great Xia Dynasty.
The interrogation must continue, no matter the cost! He looked at the man who still wore that eerie smile, his eyes filled with only cold resolve. What abyss lay beneath this tip of the iceberg? He had to find out!