"Concealing the soul..."
After hearing Yan Zhong's words, Huo Qubing's eyes gradually lit up from within the pool of blood.
Not only could it preserve the soul from dying, but it could also store all of one's lifetime strength within a weapon. The only drawback was that the process was too painful... If he failed to endure it, his soul would scatter completely. Even if Hu Jia arrived in time, he would be unable to save his mind.
But pain meant nothing to Huo Qubing. As long as he could preserve as much of his strength as possible, any amount of suffering was worth it.
"We'll use this method," Huo Qubing said firmly.
"Marquis, that means skinning you alive, pulling out your bones, cutting open your heart, and drawing your blood!" Zhan Yuwu's hands trembled uncontrollably, as if he could not bear it.
"Skinning and bone-pulling—what is there to fear?" Huo Qubing said hoarsely. "This Marquis's bones are already shattered, and so is my heart... You only need to skin me and draw my blood. This little pain, this Marquis can endure."
Zhan Yuwu, Yan Zhong, and Chloe exchanged glances, each seeing the reluctance in the others' eyes... This was Huo Qubing! Huo Qubing, the Marquis of Champion beloved by the people of the realm... Skinning, bone-pulling, heart-cutting, blood-drawing... Who could bring themselves to do it?
"I'll do it."
Just then, a voice came from behind them. Gongyang Wan, dressed in a ruqun dress, calmly walked toward them.
"You?"
"None of you can bring yourselves to do it, so naturally it has to be me." Gongyang Wan said flatly, "I've tortured plenty of people. I have experience with things like skinning and bone-pulling. If your hands shake, you'll only make him suffer more... Don't worry. I'm quick."
When Huo Qubing