How could a high and mighty king like Dongli have ever suffered like this? Although the effeminate eunuch had been very gentle, he felt as if he was being tortured to the point of almost fainting. He felt waves of tearing pain in his flesh and his body kept shrinking.

Yu Ling continued to watch the spectacle.

That's no good either; it's too far from vital organs to kill someone.

Since no one will die, there's no need to stop it. If we suffer enough and the petty King of Beishang remembers us, we might be punished even more severely later.

Thinking about this, Yu Ling felt even more at ease.

Forced to be used as a tool to threaten Yu Ling, Dong Li Wang is destined to sink into endless torment, forever burdened by unanswered questions.

Just as King Dongli was being beaten for no reason, Yu Ling was watching with great interest while bound, and the effeminate eunuch was putting on a great show.

The King of Nanyue and Liu Morian, this pair of ill-fated master and servant, met.

"Xiao Liu? How did you get captured and brought to the palace? Or did you infiltrate the palace?"

The King of Nanyue's intelligence was indeed questionable; otherwise, he wouldn't have specifically sought out someone to advise him and made him his strategist and general to fight against external enemies.

That's right, this person is Liu Morian.

"Yi Lanbin happened to be invited by the Northern King today, and I am just accompanying him to see you."

Liu Morian secretly shed tears,

"Your Majesty...you have suffered."

Seeing how smoothly the King of Nanyue ate, Liu Molian knew that his life in Beishang must be more comfortable than hers, but it couldn't compare to the treatment he received when he was the King of Nanyue.

He, or all the followers of the King of Nanyue, had received some favor from the King of Nanyue when he was still a landlord. The King of Nanyue was too good-natured and stupid. If it weren't for their loyal subordinates supporting him, it would be hard to say whether he could have established himself as king.

"You and Yi Lanbin are very close? He always brings you along for such a good thing as coming to the palace?"

The King of Nanyue indeed missed the point.

"This matter is quite complicated... but it's true that they have a good relationship."

Liu Molian thought to herself, "We're already sharing a bed, how could things not go well?"

"Oh, right, no wonder the King of Dongli was led away by a few eunuchs just now. He must be catching up with us there, just like you and me."

The King of Nanyue pondered, completely unaware of the injustice his beloved captive was currently suffering.

Liu Molian hadn't expected this turn of events, but it was true that Yu Ling had offended the Northern King, so he couldn't help but worry.

But his worries were completely unnecessary. Yu Ling was actually perfectly fine; it was just that his king didn't look well.

The eunuch had used almost every kind of torture instrument, but Yu Ling still wouldn't speak. He got furious and lost control, his eyes turning red. He even used the branding iron, which he had never intended to use.

King Dongli had never seen anything like this before. Feeling the scorching iron block getting closer and closer to his face, even the usually composed and dignified king burst into tears.

"General Yi, is serving as a physician for Bei Shang more unacceptable to you than ruining your king's dignity?"

Enough is enough; there's no need to endure any longer. The effeminate eunuch stopped using official jargon and just went all out.

Yu Ling realized something was wrong when she heard this.

Become a doctor? Isn't it better to become a prince consort?

Could it be that his identity hasn't actually been discovered yet? He knew it; how could he possibly leave any clues?

"Stop! I'll be the physician! Release my king immediately, and I'll go confess to King Beishang right now!"

Since their escape route—the bamboo hut—was gone, and the treatment in Beishang should be better than in the prisoner-of-war camp, Yuling quickly called for a halt.

You should have said earlier that you weren't here to take me as your son-in-law. I agreed the first time the King of Beishang asked!

However... with this framework in place, using the King of Dongli as an excuse is indeed a good idea.

Hmm, could it be that the King of Dongli beat me up to force me to surrender? Probably not, the eunuch said that the King of Dongli himself provoked the King of Beishang... maybe?

The eunuch inwardly gave himself a thumbs up. Sure enough, the greatest weakness of this general, who wasn't even afraid of death, was the king he served. He quickly and personally untied the future King of Beishang's subordinates, saying:

"General Yi truly cares deeply for the King of Dongli; he even tearfully accepted such a betrayal of the country!"

King Dongli actually started to feel a tiny bit guilty towards Yu Ling. He was so focused on the pain that he didn't hear the whole story. He thought Yu Ling had agreed to something incredible for him and was looking at her with gratitude.

General Yi, I knew I hadn't misjudged you!

Yu Ling was dragged back to the side hall. The Northern King was still drinking tea. Seeing that the person had been brought over in such a short time, his opinion of the effeminate eunuch immediately rose.

The marks on Yu Ling's wrists and neck weren't very noticeable, but the Northern King noticed them keenly. Although he didn't believe this person would succumb to pain, he still asked:

"General Yi, have you come to your senses?"

"...Yes, Yi Lanbin is willing...willing to serve Your Majesty."

Yu Ling lowered her eyes, not daring to look directly at the Northern King, her fists clenched, her tone quite embarrassed.

Just as he was about to let Yu Ling go, the Northern King saw someone coming to the side hall entrance. It was Liu Morian. He was also hoping to be granted a favor and stay in the palace to be closer to the Southern King, so he could feel at ease.

Upon hearing this, the Northern King thought, "Very well, very well. I am deeply moved by such a loyal subordinate. I disagree!"

Amidst Liu Morian's tearful pleas, the Northern King feigned a moment's thought before asking:

"Then would you be willing to perform a grand salute to me? And then persuade your king to submit to my Northern Shang and bow down as my vassal?"

Liu Morian's purpose in clinging to life was to repay the kindness of the King of Nanyue. At this moment, he did not hesitate at all and bowed his head in gratitude.

The Northern King's gaze turned to Yu Ling.

The meaning is clear: if General Yi comes along, he'll consider it.

Liu Molian knew this was going too far, but she still couldn't help but look up at Yu Ling with expectant eyes.

Yuling:……

Bending her straight back and kneeling on the ground, Yu Ling knelt beside Liu Molian with a heavy expression, her resentment almost overflowing.

"Very well! I believe that, given your reputations, you two would not be untrustworthy. Now that you have joined my Northern Sorrow, then serve me well... You may all leave."

Upon hearing this, Yu Ling stood up with a cold face, turned around and left.

The general's surrender to the enemy country still goes against the original owner's beliefs to some extent. However, he entered Beishang because of the King of Dongli, so his precarious character was preserved.

"General Yi..."

Liu Morian, unaware of the full story, assumed Yu Ling had knelt for his sake. He only had time to thank the Northern King before hastily chasing after her, calling out to Yu Ling, who was preparing to meet the Eastern King.

"It's all because of me... I'm sorry... and thank you."

You're overthinking it.

Upon hearing this, Yu Ling simply said this and left without looking back.