Interrogation

Sun Chuanshan had been born into a good family, but his abilities were mediocre.

Whether in the Sun Family or out in the world, he had little presence. Fortunately, that also meant danger generally never came looking for him.

The most dangerous thing he had experienced in his life was losing most of his fortune at a gambling house and nearly being beaten into a cripple by his own father. Even after recovering, he still went his own way.

But this time was different. Facing Meng Zhao, who smiled warmly and gently, every inch the refined gentleman, he felt that his chances of survival were slim.

"Meng Zhao, wh-what do you want? Let me tell you, if anything happens to me today, the Sun Family won't let you off."

This revealed a person's psychological fortitude.

Meng Zhao had clearly acted friendly. If Sun Chuanshan had not had a guilty conscience, why would he say something like that?

Sun Chuanshan even wanted to shout at once, calling for his attendants to break into the room and protect him.

As for martial arts, he had merely relied on the resources his family background provided to cultivate a little internal force.

He fished for three days and dried the nets for two, and truly had no talent for martial arts. Thus, even now, he had not opened his dantian, much less stepped into the Lesser Accomplishment of the Houtian Realm, Qi Accumulation into Sea.

As for Meng Zhao, according to the information he had received, he had actually repelled an expert at the Postnatal Great Accomplishment Stage whom Sun Chuanshan had sent. His martial arts might not be overwhelmingly formidable, but killing Sun Chuanshan in seconds would be more than easy for him.

The pressure of that powerful strength surpassed even the pressure brought by Meng Zhao's status.

Only at this moment did he remember that the two life-saving talismans he normally did not care much about had been lured off by that round-faced youth to drink wine and visit courtesans. Distant water could not put out a nearby fire.

Inside and outside the room, there were now only the two of them.

No, there should also have been Hanxiang of the Spring Welcome Pavilion. But that woman had no martial arts whatsoever, and Sun Chuanshan did not believe she had the ability to protect him.

Moreover, the rooms of the Spring Welcome Pavilion were designed with great attention to soundproofing, while outside was bustling and noisy, with people everywhere seeking pleasure. Even if he shouted himself hoarse, it might not accomplish anything.

Thus, at this moment, Sun Chuanshan could only use his family background to suppress Meng Zhao and preserve his own life. At the same time, he secretly swore that if he could escape this calamity, no matter where he went in the future, he would make sure those two stayed by his side.

Meng Zhao slightly raised his brows. His pitch-black pupils reflected Sun Chuanshan's fierce outward show masking inner weakness. His smile remained, but his voice suddenly turned cold.

"Since Young Master Sun has asked, Meng Zhao might as well speak plainly.

"I have an estate outside Nan'an Commandery City. Five days ago, it was visited by thieves.

"They not only plundered two large warehouses of precious Herbal Ingredients and burned thirty mu of my finest Medicine Fields, but also killed seven of my guards.

"I wonder whether Young Master Sun has anything to say about this?"

As Meng Zhao spoke each word, Sun Chuanshan was like a clown whose mask had been torn away. His face turned deathly pale, utterly bloodless. The light vanished from his eyes in an instant, and his whole body went limp. Had the chair behind him not had a backrest, he would likely have collapsed to the floor.

Seeing this, Meng Zhao's expression did not change as he continued.

"Furthermore, today, when I left my residence to inspect that estate, I was attacked midway. After my men investigated, they have already determined that the thieves who attacked me were the same group that plundered my estate five days ago.

"Young Master Sun, do you have anything to say about that?"

Those two consecutive questions directly shattered the last trace of luck in Sun Chuanshan's heart. Terror sank its fangs into him like a venomous snake. His lips trembled as he forced out, "I don't understand what you're talking about. Our two families are now like fire and water. I don't want any connection with you."

As he spoke, Sun Chuanshan suddenly stood up, intending to flee the room.

He was terrified beyond measure. He wished he could flee a hundred thousand li away at once and never see this young man, who had kept smiling with narrowed eyes, again for the rest of his life. That smile chilled the heart even more than harsh words.

It was a fear that had seeped into his bones—of death, and of this man.

But Meng Zhao's reaction was clearly faster, or perhaps he had anticipated it all along.

Although his right hand was injured, his left hand, wrapped in prayer beads, remained nimble. With his fingers pressed together, it shot out like lightning.

When his palm landed on Sun Chuanshan's body, his five fingers suddenly spread open, slender and jade-like, directly clamping down on Sun Chuanshan's right shoulder at the collarbone.

There was no need to use the pure, robust internal force of the Arhat Young Monk Skill. Relying solely on the powerful physique and strength tempered by Pure Yang Child Qi, he heavily forced the worthless Sun Chuanshan back into his chair.

This was not some exquisite martial arts move, merely an ordinary motion made possible by formidable reflexes and strength.

Even so, it gave Sun Chuanshan the illusion that some Divine Skill or Technique had been used.

Sun Chuanshan's face twisted. Crying out in pain, his entire right shoulder went completely numb, as though it had been chopped off. He hurriedly said, "Meng Zhao, we can talk this over, we can talk this over. If you kill me, you won't be able to get away unscathed either. Everything is negotiable between us."

This spoiled young master, who had once lorded it over the girls of Welcome Spring Pavilion and acted as though no one else mattered, lowered the head he had always held high when faced with someone stronger, fiercer, and more ruthless.

Perhaps Sun Chuanshan had never been a particularly proud man to begin with.

It was merely that some of his recent actions and conduct had given him the illusion that he was capable, that he could do anything.

To put it in simpler, blunter terms, he had gotten carried away, swollen with pride—but now someone had knocked him awake.

Meng Zhao's gaze was sharp as a blade, and his sword-like brows shifted slightly.

Though he neither spoke nor moved, he still exerted immense pressure on Sun Chuanshan.

"Young Master Sun, I have never killed anyone, nor do I wish to kill anyone. I came to find you today only to clarify a few matters.

"It is simply that you were not very willing to cooperate, so Meng used this method instead. I hope you will not take offense."

As he spoke, Meng Zhao bared his teeth in a smile and withdrew his left hand.

Sun Chuanshan looked at his right shoulder. The skin there had originally been fair and delicate, plainly pampered by luxury, but five crimson finger marks tinged with pale blue were now deeply imprinted upon it. They made him truly understand just how much force the other party had used.

His shoulder was not particularly painful, but it was numb, completely without sensation. This frightened Sun Chuanshan.

He did not know whether Meng Zhao had done something to him.

However, Young Master Sun had no desire whatsoever to question him now. He only wanted to get away from this man as quickly as possible, then find a physician to treat his shoulder injury.

"No offense, no offense. This young master—no, I was the one who behaved discourteously.

"But the two matters Young Master Meng mentioned truly have nothing to do with me. I do not know how I should answer.

"How about this? I am willing to donate some money to make up for Young Master Meng's losses. What do you think?"

Admitting it was impossible. Once he admitted it, who knew how the other party would deal with him?

Of course, he also knew that Meng Zhao was unlikely to kill him, just as he himself had never planned to kill Meng Zhao.

Still, suffering some physical pain was not something he wanted.

That was why Sun Chuanshan wanted to settle the matter with money.