Chapter 35: Jiu is afraid of being eaten by a tiger
The dungeon of the Imperial Master's Mansion was dark and damp, with only a few dim oil lamps swaying on the walls, casting ghostly shadows.
The captured man in black was chained to the rack, his body covered in blood. The wound on his wrist had been simply bandaged, but it was still oozing blood. He lowered his head and said nothing, like a lifeless stone statue.
Chu Xuanyi sat at the interrogation table, his face sullen. On the table lay the bamboo tube containing the "Ink Ink Peppermint Candy Beans," along with a piece of black rope with silver patterns cut from the sleeve of the man in black.
"Name? What sect do you belong to? Who ordered you to assassinate me?" Chu Xuanyi's voice was cold.
The man in black slowly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Chu Xuanyi, a mocking sneer on his lips: "Master, why are you asking so many questions? My skills are inferior to yours, so I can kill you or chop you up, it's all up to you."
"You're still pretty stubborn." Chu Xuanyi snorted coldly, "I have plenty of ways to make you talk. However, I don't like wasting time. If you're willing to cooperate, perhaps you can keep your body intact and save some face for your master behind you."
A flicker of emotion flashed across the black-clothed man's eyes, but he quickly returned to his dead silence. "I don't have any master. I just take money from people and help them avoid disasters. I'm unlucky to be caught this time."
"Taking money?" Chu Xuanyi picked up the bamboo tube on the table and tossed it in his hand. "This special 'refreshing pill' isn't something an ordinary killer can easily obtain. And the hidden pattern on your sleeve rope, as far as I know, several well-known assassin organizations in the capital don't seem to have this mark."
He paused, staring at the man in black with a sharp gaze. "You look more like a death warrior trained by a secret organization, or... a pawn of some shady power. Tell me, is your target just a little girl like Ah Jiu, or do you have other plans?"
The man in black closed his eyes and stopped talking, making it clear that he would not cooperate.
Chu Xuanyi was not angry. He waved his hand and an experienced interrogator came up.
"Since he refuses to accept my toast, let him experience the 'hospitality' of the Imperial Master's Mansion." Chu Xuanyi said lightly.
The dungeon was soon filled with the sound of whips breaking through the air and the suppressed groans of the men in black.
However, half an hour later, the man in black not only had new wounds all over his body, but he still gritted his teeth and said nothing.
The determination of his will far exceeds that of ordinary warriors.
The interrogator retreated, sweating profusely, and shook his head at Chu Xuanyi: "Sir, this man is extremely stubborn. I'm afraid ordinary torture will not be enough to make him speak."
Chu Xuanyi frowned. This man in black had obviously undergone extremely harsh training and had an astonishing tolerance for pain.
It seems that forcing it won't work.
He pondered for a moment and suddenly thought of Ah Jiu.
Although that girl is a little stupid, her magical "perception" ability may allow her to "see" something from this man in black.
"Go, invite Miss Jiu over here." Chu Xuanyi instructed the guards around him.
The guard took the order and left, but he was wondering in his heart: What new tricks is this master going to use? Could it be that Miss Jiu can read minds?
Soon, Ajiu was "escorted" to the dungeon entrance by two guards.
The little girl had obviously never been to such a place. Looking at the gloomy entrance and smelling the bloody and musty smell coming from inside, her face turned pale with fear and she clutched the guard's sleeve tightly.
"Sir..." Ajiu timidly poked his head in, and when he saw the bloody man in black on the rack, he shrank back in fear.
"Don't be afraid, Jiu. Come here."
Ajiu hesitated for a moment, but still took small steps to Chu Xuanyi's side, looking at the tied-up bad guy with curiosity and fear.
"Ah Jiu," Chu Xuanyi pointed at the man in black and asked gently, "Take a closer look at this bad guy. What...what is he thinking? Or does he have any...hidden secrets that I don't know about?"
Ajiu blinked his big eyes, tilted his little head, and stared at the man in black seriously.
The black-clad man's eyes, which had been tightly closed, suddenly opened when he saw Jiu appear. His eyes were filled with fear and resentment. He stared at her intently, as if he wanted to eat her alive.
Ah Jiu was a little frightened by his gaze and hid behind Chu Xuanyi, but still stretched out his little hand to point at him and said in a baby voice:
"Sir, this bad guy... he has such a dark heart! It's like he's fallen into an inkwell! He even... he even wants to bite his tongue, but it seems his teeth were broken by Master, so he can't do it..."
Chu Xuanyi's heart moved when he heard this. It seemed that the secret guards of the Regent Palace had acted in time and indeed prevented him from committing suicide.
"What else does he want?" Chu Xuanyi asked.
Ah Jiu frowned and tried hard to "look":
"He was still... he was still thinking of a place... a place with lots and lots of horses and lots and lots of straw... On the roof of the house in that place was a black flag with a... a strange bird embroidered with silver thread and without eyes..."
"He's still thinking... he can't tell. If he does... his family... will be fed... fed to the big tiger..." When Jiu said this, his face turned even paler and his voice started to sob. "Sir, big tigers are so scary. Jiu doesn't want to watch them eat people..."
Chu Xuanyi's pupils suddenly shrank!
A place with lots of horses and straw! Black flags! Eyeless silver bird totems! My family is threatened!
This information is so crucial!
"A strange bird without eyes..." Chu Xuanyi quickly searched for related totems and symbols in his mind.
Although some of the express delivery shops and escort agencies in the capital that were responsible for delivering messages had their own flags and logos, he had never heard of such a strange totem as the "Eyeless Silver Bird"! It was more like the symbol of an extremely secretive and even sinister organization!
The phrase "family members were threatened" explains why the man in black would rather die than surrender!
"Ajiu, good boy, what you saw is very important!" Chu Xuanyi rarely showed a hint of appreciation and patted Ajiu's head gently. "Don't be afraid, with me here, the big tiger won't come looking for you."
He turned to the man in black, his voice once again icy cold. "It seems the organization behind you is truly ruthless. However, do you think I won't be able to find out if you don't tell me? 'Eyeless Silver Bird'... I will personally investigate thoroughly! By then, your family may be able to live a few more days thanks to your 'silence' today, or perhaps... they will become the first sacrifices due to your master's ruthlessness!"
Upon hearing this, the man in black trembled violently, and a trace of despair and struggle flashed in his eyes.
Just then, hurried footsteps were heard outside the dungeon.
A guard hurried in with a report: "Sir! His Royal Highness the Regent sent word that... there's been a major breakthrough in the investigation into the 'Ink Ingot Mint Candy Beans' and the 'Silver-Wrapped Black Rope'!"
Chu Xuanyi was cheered up!
Xiao Yu's efficiency is truly amazing!
He immediately told the guards, "Keep this man under strict surveillance. No one is allowed to approach! If anyone makes any movement, they will be killed without mercy!"
Then, he pulled Ah Jiu, who was still a little frightened, and walked out of the dungeon quickly.
"Ajiu, you've done a great deed again this time! I'll take you out for some delicious food to calm you down!"
When Jiu heard there were delicious treats, his eyes lit up immediately, and his previous fear dissipated a lot: "Really? Jiu wants to eat sweet-scented osmanthus cake! And candied haws!"
"Okay, okay, I'll buy them all for you!" Chu Xuanyi was in a good mood at the moment, and he was also more pleasing to Ajiu's "stupidity".
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