The lean man hurriedly added, "Incense Master, your subordinate found a servant of the Huang Family named Chang Gen. When the Huang Family was massacred, he hid in a residence Huang Yu had seized, and only barely escaped the disaster."
"Oh?" A gleam flashed through Tang Xiao's eyes. His tone softened somewhat, but still carried pressure. "Why didn't you bring him in earlier?"
"I was afraid he'd spout nonsense, so I interrogated him outside first. But he kept his mouth shut and insisted on seeing you before he would tell the truth." As the lean man spoke, he shouted toward the door, "Bring him in!"
The door opened again, and a man in a tattered cotton-padded jacket was shoved inside.
He was none other than the "Chang Gen" the lean man had mentioned.
His hair was a tangled mess, and his face was smeared with dust. The moment he entered the hall, he dropped to his knees with a thump, his calves trembling uncontrollably.
Cold sweat streamed down his cheeks, soaking the front of his jacket.
Chang Gen stammered, "L-Little man Chang Gen, reporting to Tang Incense Master..."
The lean man stepped forward and kicked Chang Gen. He barked, "The Incense Master is questioning you. Tell the truth! Why was your young master watching the Moon Worshipping Sect? What was he plotting?"
Chang Gen shuddered, his eyes darting about as he stammered, "L-Little man doesn't know the details... I only heard the young master say a few words to the steward..."
After saying this, a sly glint flickered through his eyes, but he did not continue.
Tang Xiao stared at Chang Gen. Suddenly, the corners of his mouth curled into a smile, and he pulled five gold bars from his robes and slapped them onto the table.
The gold bars