Where's Your Proud Defiance?

Shen Yun swung the black club twice and praised, "This thing handles pretty well."

Shen Wude took out a thickened steel chain and trussed Shangguan Mo up like a bundle, then said with a beaming smile, "This is an Intimidation Stick I specially prepared. Big Brother, you moved way too fast—I didn't even get the chance to use the sack."

His movements were extraordinarily practiced. One look was enough to tell he was a habitual offender. In less than ten seconds, he had hung Shangguan Mo from a tree.

"You can still put it on now, so he won't see what we look like when he wakes up."

Shen Yun laughed speechlessly and casually formed the Magic Seal for the Spring Return Technique. Wood Spiritual Power flowed like moonlight over water, enveloping Shangguan Nian as the savage wound faded at a visible pace.

Shangguan Nian steadied herself, Took a Deep Breath, and said, "Thank you, Young Master Shen, for saving me."

She slowly rose to her feet, her expression still calm and natural. After glancing at Shangguan Mo, she pleaded, "He is my clansman. Please spare his life."

Shen Yun scrutinized her for a moment and thought to himself, She truly is clever. She must have guessed that we came here specifically for Shangguan Mo.

Shen Wude held his head high and puffed out his chest. "Fatty only seeks wealth, never lives, when traveling the martial world. My professional ethics are Universally Acclaimed."

Shangguan Nian wore a strange expression and shot Shen Yun an apparently casual glance.

Shen Yun's face darkened. Knowing she had certainly misunderstood, he kicked the fatty. "Cut the nonsense. Get to work."

Shen Wude rubbed his hands together, prepared a large basin of cold water, and dumped it over Shangguan Mo's head. Yet Shangguan Mo merely trembled slightly and still did not wake.

"Big Brother, you put too much force into that sneak attack. It still needs work."

Shen Wude took out a bag of chili powder, tossed it into the water bucket, stirred it a few times, and splashed it over Shangguan Mo's face again.

This time, it finally had an effect. Shangguan Mo felt his entire face burning fiercely. When he slowly opened his eyes, the chili made tears and snot stream down his face at once.

"Ah! Urgh! Oh! ..."

Shangguan Mo cried out repeatedly and struggled without pause, but the thick steel chains bound him too tightly for him to break free. Instead, they chafed his whole body red.

"Who are you? You dare Make a Move against a member of the Shangguan Family? You have chosen the path of death!"

Shangguan Mo roared again and again, swaying from side to side with a sack over his head. He looked particularly ridiculous.

Shen Wude gave him a hard slap and threatened, "Stop howling. If you keep yapping, I'll throw you into the latrine pit."

As soon as these words were spoken, Shangguan Mo immediately shut his mouth. He had finally realized that he had run into ruthless men.

Shen Wude said as though claiming credit, "This Kid is finally behaving himself. Big Brother, go ahead and ask."

It takes a villain to tame a villain. This fellow really has a knack for it.

Shen Yun sighed inwardly, then asked directly, "What did Granny Aramaki come here for?"

Shangguan Mo had prepared a whole speech in his mind, but Shen Yun's question caught him completely off guard. He stammered, unable to make sense of what he was saying.

Shen Wude caught a snake from the grass and dropped it into his trouser leg. With a vicious look, he said, "Kid, you still refuse to behave? Looks like I'll have to give you a lesson you'll never forget for the rest of your life."

A cold sensation crept over him. Shangguan Mo felt the snake continuously slithering upward, and seeing it about to reach his vital parts, he hurriedly roared, "I'll confess everything! Hurry and make it stop!"

Awoo!

Shangguan Mo suddenly let out a howl. The snake had bitten his thigh, frightening him out of his wits.

Only then did Shen Wude pull the snake out. Leisurely, he said, "Wouldn't it have been better if you'd done this from the start? We aren't bad people either. Confess honestly, and we might even spare your life."

At the slightest disagreement, they resorted to violence. Shangguan Mo was truly terrified this time, afraid they would turn even more ruthless. He quickly confessed, "Great-Aunt came to the Shen Family to contact someone."

Shen Yun raised a brow. Under the perception of his Divine Sense, the other man was not lying. He then said in a Deep Voice, "Who is that person? Tell me everything you know."

Shangguan Mo hesitated slightly, then heard Shen Wude snort coldly. He hurriedly cried, "I really don't know anything! You have to believe me!"

His miserable cries echoed through the mountain forest, enough to make those who heard weep bitterly and those who listened shed tears.

Shen Yun opened his eyes. Under the perception of his Divine Sense, the fluctuations of the man's mind were somewhat unnatural. He said coldly, "You still dare lie before me? Twist his head off for me."

Shen Wude cracked his knuckles, producing a series of sharp pops. "Good Kid, you've got some nerve. My big brother sees through everything; the grass over the grave of the last person who lied to him is already three meters tall. I'll send you on your way right now."

He took out a rusty steel blade and moved it back and forth across Shangguan Mo's neck, seemingly searching for the right angle to strike.

Shangguan Mo looked as if he had seen a ghost. He had no idea how he had given himself away. He hurriedly begged in a low voice, "I was too nervous just now, so I remembered wrong. Two big brothers, please give me one more chance."

Shen Wude patted his shoulder and said leisurely, "I still prefer the way you were so proud and unruly. Why not keep it up?"

"Haha, Big Brother must be joking," Shangguan Mo gave an awkward laugh and began confessing like beans spilling from a pod. "That person should be a High-ranking official of the Shen Family, but I don't know his identity either."

Shen Yun's eyes lit up, but his expression remained unchanged. "You don't know this, and you don't know that. What use is there in keeping you? Cut him down."

The instant he finished speaking, cold sweat poured down Shangguan Mo's body. "I have a Sound Transmission Insect! As long as I release it within Shen Family territory, that person will come out to meet it."

Shen Yun and Shen Wude exchanged a glance. Shen Wude began threatening him again, listing all manner of tortures.

Shangguan Mo trembled like a sieve and immediately erased the imprint on his Space Ring.

The black club fell onto his head once more. Shangguan Mo rolled his eyes back and fainted again.

Shen Yun drew the Space Ring over from afar. A Moment Later, he found a black spirit insect inside.

Sensing the scorching gaze beside him, Shen Yun turned to see Shen Wude staring eagerly. He tossed the ring over and laughed as he scolded, "Take it. Look at you."

Shen Wude caught the ring in one grab, grinning from ear to ear. "Big Brother really is righteous."

Shen Yun shook his head and ignored the living treasure. Then he looked toward Shangguan Nian and said solemnly, "Though this may be asking too much, the Shen Family's safety is at stake. Miss Shangguan, please swear a Heavenly Dao Oath that you will not reveal this matter."

A Heavenly Dao Oath was extraordinarily binding upon cultivators. Even an Immortal Dao Great Power would not dare violate one, or else they could easily face the danger of perishing.

Shangguan Nian did not hesitate in the slightest and immediately swore a grave oath.

"I, Shangguan Nian, will never reveal what happened today. Should I break this oath, may Heaven punish me and Earth destroy me."

The moment her words fell, mysterious engraved patterns appeared out of thin air, brimming with the power of karma. They flashed above her head and vanished in an instant.

Shen Yun gained a deeper understanding of her. No wonder the Shangguan Family went to such lengths. So resolute and steadfast—she truly possesses the talent to assist a king.

Meeting her bright gaze, Shen Yun Slowly Said, "Once I uncover that person's identity, I will naturally release Shangguan Mo."

That was what he said, but what sort of Shangguan Mo he released would be entirely up to him.

Shangguan Nian let out a long breath, then gave a graceful bow. "In that case, This humble one shall take her leave. May Young Master Shen achieve all your wishes."

Shen Yun returned the gesture. "And may Miss Shangguan have a smooth journey."

Once Shangguan Nian's figure vanished at the end of the road, Shen Yun withdrew his gaze.

"Back to the Shen Family. I want to see exactly who that spy is."