Interrogation

The Bewitching Incense was extremely potent, refined using a unique technique of the Three Xuan Sect. It was colorless, odorless, and almost impossible to detect.

As the smoke quietly infiltrated, the breathing sounds from inside the room began to change, gradually becoming heavy and rapid.

Before long, faint moans started to rise, languid and sorrowful, stirring the hearts of those who heard them.

But Liu Xiaolou and Wei Hongqing, outside the house, were not in the mood for their hearts to be stirred. Instead, they patiently continued to wait. After another moment, when the sounds grew even more rapid and almost continuous, Wei Hongqing flipped down and reached for the door, pushing it.

The bolt snapped with a "crack," and the door was quickly pushed open. Liu Xiaolou reached forward, catching the two broken pieces of the bolt and setting them aside.

The main room and the east wing were empty. Only the west wing occasionally emitted sounds of agitation.

Liu Xiaolou drew the Three Xuan Sword and carefully lifted the curtain to the west wing. A woman lay on the bed, writhing like a snake.

Wei Hongqing whispered, "She's his lover."

After subduing the woman, the two of them came out and searched the other rooms, but Lu Zi'an was nowhere to be found.

Wei Hongqing went into the courtyard and made a "cooing" sound. Soon, Zuo Gaofeng, Tan Bazhang, and the Western Mountain Hermit arrived.

The woman on the bed, her meridians restrained by Wei Hongqing, still writhed and moaned. Zuo Gaofeng and the Western Mountain Hermit swallowed hard, both asking, "What's going on?"

Wei Hongqing chuckled, "I gave her some medicine."

Tan Bazhang said, "How about I keep watch for Brother Zuo and the Hermit?"

Zuo Gaofeng and the Western Mountain Hermit's minds were greatly moved, and they were eager to try.

Wei Hongqing reprimanded them, "Get lost! What time is it, and you're still thinking about that? Everyone get moving, search again. If Lu Zi'an isn't here, see if we can find any trace of him!"

The five of them searched again, each making discoveries. This courtyard indeed contained clothes and items used by a man!

Wei Hongqing said joyfully, "I've been watching this woman for days. She's always been acting suspiciously. It turns out my suspicions were correct! Xiaolou, how much longer will the medicine last?"

Liu Xiaolou replied, "About fifteen minutes. She'll wake up on her own once the effects wear off."

Wei Hongqing shook his head, "We can't wait that long."

Liu Xiaolou answered, "Then we'll just splash her awake with water."

Zuo Gaofeng brought a bucket of water in. He admired the woman's state on the bed with some regret, but finally, he poured the water over her.

With a "splash," the entire bed became soaked.

Tan Bazhang and the Western Mountain Hermit went out, each taking positions outside the courtyard to watch, one to the east and one to the west, ensuring no one would disturb them.

The woman gradually regained consciousness, completely drenched. She couldn't move, curling up on the bed in a boneless heap, a mixture of shock and anger on her face.

Wei Hongqing pulled over an embroidered stool and sat by the bed, staring intently into the woman's eyes for a long time before speaking, "You should know what we want. I'll release your pressure points now, but don't scream, and don't even think about sending any messages. Otherwise, I'll break one of your toes immediately, alright?"

As he spoke, he grabbed the woman's left foot and squeezed one of her toes. "Such pretty feet, I really don't want to do this..."

As his fingers tightened, the woman's eyes widened in terror, and she let out urgent whimpers.

Wei Hongqing stopped at the right moment, his fingers not releasing, maintaining the same pressure. "If you agree to my proposal, nod your head."

The woman nodded desperately.

"Very good." Wei Hongqing sent a trace of true essence upwards from her toe, clearing the pressure point that sealed her mouth. The woman gagged, then gasped, looking at Wei Hongqing. The anger in her eyes had vanished, leaving only fear.

Wei Hongqing said, "I don't know if you're aware, but Lu Zi'an has caused a huge disaster. However, I believe that punishment should not extend to wives and children. Moreover, you are not even his wife, so there's even less reason to involve you. Don't you agree?"

The woman trembled, her voice quivering, "Yes..."

Wei Hongqing continued, "Of course, this requires a prerequisite. I need you to tell me where he is. I can guarantee that as long as you tell me, I won't touch a single one of your toes."

The woman, tears streaming down her face, asked, "What exactly did he do?"

Wei Hongqing replied, "I don't have time to explain in detail. It's better if you don't know; it has nothing to do with you. Just tell me, where is he?"

The woman shook her head, "I don't know either..."

Wei Hongqing frowned. "Your kitchen basket still has unwashed bowls and chopsticks. Nine days ago, you went to Hongji Restaurant in the market town to buy a jar of Bamboo Leaf Green. Yesterday, you went to buy another jar. But I searched your entire house just now, and I didn't see any wine jars. Five days ago, you bought two cured meats at the market in Yangliu Bay, four days ago you bought a pig's head, and three days ago you bought a leg of lamb. Besides that, you fish three fish from the river every day. Can you eat all that by yourself?"

The woman, tears flowing, said, "I don't know what you're talking about. You must have mistaken me."

Wei Hongqing sighed and looked at Zuo Gaofeng. Zuo Gaofeng grinned menacingly. Liu Xiaolou turned and said, "I'll go stand guard outside."

Standing in the courtyard, Liu Xiaolou took a deep breath, trying to sort out his thoughts with the gentle breeze blowing, but he was suddenly interrupted by a scream from inside the house. The scream was low and muffled, as if from the depths of his lungs, but it sounded choked, as if it could only explode within his chest.

The Western Mountain Hermit poked his head over the west wall of the courtyard. He looked at Liu Xiaolou, who gestured to him, indicating that everything was fine. The hermit then retreated.

Stepping out of the courtyard gate, Liu Xiaolou ambled along the courtyard wall. From a distance, he saw a figure hidden beneath the canopy of a large tree – it was Tan Bazhang.

When Tan Bazhang realized his position had been seen through by Liu Xiaolou, he shifted slightly to the right, now completely hidden and invisible.

After circling the courtyard, Liu Xiaolou had managed to clarify his thoughts a little. His unease wasn't actually unease, but envy. Was it envy for the inner disciple of Tianmu Mountain that Wei Hongqing was always reluctant to talk about? Wei Hongqing remained vague about this key figure, but Tan Bazhang seemed to have heard some details about her and had told Liu Xiaolou.

She was a widow, ten years older. If it were him, could he accept it?

After much thought, Liu Xiaolou couldn't figure it out. Perhaps he would only make a choice when the time came. As a rogue cultivator from Wulong Mountain, the admiration for the righteous sects and the desire to turn his fortunes around were truly instinctive.

When he climbed back into the courtyard, he saw Zuo Gaofeng pushing open the door and going to fetch water again. He shook his head at Liu Xiaolou, "This old woman is tough-mouthed, hard to break."

When Liu Xiaolou entered the room, the woman had already fainted. Zuo Gaofeng poured another bucket of cold water over her, soaking her completely. The woman jolted awake.

She had no visible injuries, but with Wei Hongqing and Zuo Gaofeng's methods, they could make someone wish for death without leaving a mark.

Zuo Gaofeng grabbed her hair and pulled her up. She knelt by the bedside, her body hunched over, unable to straighten her back. Cold water dripped from her hair onto the floor...

Liu Xiaolou watched the water gather beneath the bed and flow into the cracks along the wall.

He pointed beneath the bed, "There's something wrong."