"After learning that this woman had also gone missing, I finally realized something was wrong.
When that matchmaker came looking for me again, I refused outright.
I even questioned them, asking if they had abducted those people.
But what I never expected was that they actually admitted it—without the slightest hesitation.
Just as I was about to report the matter, they told me I had helped with all of this. Without me, they would never have found those people.
I bore half the responsibility. They would also tell everyone that I had cooperated with them, completely ruining my official career.
After that happened, I became afraid, and they got something on me.
But then, to my shock, they secretly took away my wife and son as well.
They told me that if I did not do as they said, they would send back my son's and wife's heads—and publicize what I had done.
That was when I became terrified, afraid that I would lose my post over this, or even die here.
With no other choice, I could only do as they said.
And everyone I reported disappeared one after another, all the way until now!"
Hearing this, Li Hao and the others slammed the table and said:
"These people have some nerve. Do they really think our Six Gates is toothless?
However, Yang Yao merely smiled faintly upon hearing that and said:
"Heh. There should be more than that, right? Since ancient times, threatening people has always meant wielding both a stick and a carrot.
They only threatened you. They did not give you any benefits!"
At this, Wu Qu said:
"They did. They gave me gold—so much gold that I could not spend it all. I hid it at home, beneath the bricks under my bedroom bed."
Yang