Morning mist shrouded the land, and a streak of fish-belly white appeared on the horizon.
The stench of blood lingered in Swallow Dock.
Outside the estate knelt a row of seductive, fair-skinned beauties in half-open dresses, each with a Lotus Tattoo on her collarbone or back. They trembled on the ground.
Another row of young gentlemen wept bitterly.
Jia Huan stood with his hands behind his back, his voice icy:
"Interrogate them under severe torture!"
One young gentleman with a mole on his face put on a fierce front to hide his fear and snarled:
"How dare you! My father is Dai Chaozong, Zhejiang Governor! What rank are you, you sesame-seed official? Release me at once!!"
The others looked at him as though he were an idiot.
At the word "governor," the Embroidered Uniform Guard reacted like giant sharks in the depths scenting blood.
"Break five of his fingers and crush one of his ribs!" Jia Huan regarded him with the indifference he would show an ant, then signaled Scholar to bring over Cen Quan and Dugu Yuan, the White Lotus Cult Protector.
Both men knelt prostrate, their wrists cuffed and ankles shackled.
Jia Huan demanded sternly:
"Was Dai Chaozong, Zhejiang Governor, involved in the great silk robbery too?"
Cen Quan looked bewildered:
"Absolutely not."
"Then why was the governor's son mixed up with Swallow Dock?"
Cen Quan shook his head. "I don't know either."
Jia Huan turned to the White Lotus Cult Protector, whose face was twisted with rage.
"Get lost!" Dugu Yuan ground his teeth and bellowed:
"Even if you cut me into a thousand pieces, I won't breathe a word! You beast, Cen! When you go to hell, the demons will rip out your tongue and freeze you solid!"
Jia Huan lashed out, delivering a vicious kick