Liu Cheng clenched his fists, his shoulders rising and falling with his breathing. Tear tracks streaked his face, and his eyes stared fixedly ahead, as though he had gone mad.
The Burly Barbarian stepped forward and barked at Liu Cheng, "Damn you, speak! Want a beating?"
Liu Cheng pointed at the Burly Barbarian, his voice erupting like a long-suppressed volcano. "A gentleman may be killed, but never humiliated! Give me his head, and I'll tell you!"
Wang Yang put on an earnest, pleading air. "Young Master! A wise man doesn't invite suffering that's right before his eyes! You're..."
Liu Cheng jabbed a finger at Wang Yang. "Stop pretending to be a good man! If I don't get you today, I'll get him!"
"Damn you, asking for a beating!" The Burly Barbarian advanced to beat Liu Cheng, who hurriedly backed away in fright.
The young man stopped him, then pointed at the Burly Barbarian and told Liu Cheng, "If you won't speak, he'll question you."
The Burly Barbarian grinned at Liu Cheng, revealing a mouthful of blackened, yellow teeth. Tears instantly streamed down Liu Cheng's face, but he stiffened his neck and roared, "All five thousand three hundred men in there are my father's subordinates! Do you know who my father is? His honored name is Shilong! He is Attendant to the Emperor, Senior Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and Duke of Zhenyang! His former subordinates and officials are all over the realm! I am a duke's legitimate son, heir to the Hedong Liu Clan! Dare touch me, and I'll make sure you die without a place to bury you!"
Wang Yang chimed in, "Our young master is a man of exalted status! Elder Duke Liu's beloved son, Jingzhou's greatest treasure! Isn't brocade fabric what you want? Just release the young