Tribulations

After thinking it over, Yang Ruying smiled. "I already told him before that he still needed to ask Zhang Xiaohu in person. If I did not go for a day, he could not use ruthless methods for a day. After all, by casting me aside, he had already lost the moral high ground. When the matter was argued over later, he would not be able to gain the upper hand."

Aunt Qin seemed thoughtful after hearing this, though worry still lingered in her eyes.

Chen Chen, however, did not understand in the slightest. She only pondered how she ought to tell Yang Ruying the excuse her senior brother and senior sister had prepared.

Yang Ruying had underestimated Zhong Pei, and even more so, she had not anticipated Zhao Jian's viciousness. Just as she believed everything remained under control, Zhong Pei had already used ruthless measures, intending to pry from Zhang Xiaohu the things he wanted. Zhao Jian had wanted to strike a fatal blow, but after weighing it over again and again, he took a step back and merely crippled Zhang Xiaohu's inner strength.

After all, there were countless methods of interrogation, and an accidental slip was unavoidable. Even if Zhong Pei learned of it, the rice had already become porridge. At most, there would be a scolding. Perhaps it might even suit his wishes, and he might give a reward instead.

Over the following days, the Yi Xiang Peak disciples sent by Yang Ruying and Zhong Pei did not return, nor did any orders arrive. Yang Ruying only protected Changge and Chen Chen from harsh interrogation, while Zhang Xiaohu in another part of the dungeon suffered terribly.

Ever since Zhao Jian shattered his dantian that day, Zhang Xiaohu's decades of cultivation had been lost. Yet several major acupoints on