"No...I didn't...I'm not..."
Qin Zhaoyue wanted to say that she wasn't that naive, but rather that she had a unique kind of confidence.
They are confident in their ability to protect themselves without relying on imperial power or influence.
However, she absolutely could not reveal the existence of the Book of Merit, so there was no way to explain it.
Realizing that I couldn't explain myself clearly was truly frustrating and unbearable.
However, Yin Zhe's words also reminded her that her behavior did seem rather strange to others.
It's not time for her to retire now; she still needs time and opportunities to accumulate merit points.
Qin Zhaoyue couldn't help but reflect: should she continue to do things her own way, or should she seize the opportunity and use the guise of official business to make a quick buck?
The chisel and the inkstone dared not even breathe.
If even a fraction of this conversation were to leak out, it would be a disaster for both His Highness and Yin Zhe, yet Yin Zhe did not try to hide it from them.
Needless to say, Suimo has already demonstrated his loyalty to the Imperial Study, and his departure from the Azure Phoenix Guard to be given to the Sixth Princess's residence is further proof of this.
As for the chisel, while feeling terrified, a tiny bit of secret joy also rose in my heart.
The adults didn't hide it from him...
But does this earnest advice mean that Your Excellency has already taken a certain stance?
No way, that's a major taboo for the Xuanji Guard.
Dou Zhan dared not offer any advice, but he made up his mind to pretend he hadn't heard what Dou Zhan said tonight.
To others, Qin Zhaoyue's silence seemed like reflection, but they were unaware of her true thoughts.
As for why Yin Zhe would "open her heart" to him, she didn't think it was because of her personal charm, but rather that His Majesty was using her to enlighten him.
After a long while, she took two steps back to create some distance, and asked, "So, what does Lord Yinzhe want me to do?"
Yin Zhe shook his head. "It depends on what Your Highness wants to do."
Having said all he could, Yin Zhe told himself that this was a one-time thing.
Perhaps it's because he does resemble her somewhat, or perhaps it's for his past self.
What happens next is up to Xiao Liu himself.
Qin Zhaoyue turned back to face the prison, and Yin Zhe simultaneously withdrew the "power" that had enveloped her.
The screams and screams, the sounds that had been blocked out, suddenly flooded into my ears.
Qin Zhaoyue sighed and finally took a step forward.
On the right side of the cage, a boy is firmly bound to a stone platform.
The prisoner's equipment must have been specially made, with the wrists and fingers firmly fixed in place.
Each finger was pierced by a thin steel needle from under the nail.
When he saw strangers approaching, the boy let out a scream that was not human, and his body twisted wildly.
Blood seeped from under his fingernails, driving him to the brink of madness.
However, his face was fixed in place by a specially made soft leather mask, so his full appearance could not be seen.
Only his eyes, bulging from the excruciating pain and bloodshot, were visible.
The girl in the opposite cell was huddled in a corner, trembling. Her face was obscured, but the hideous wounds on her back were visible.
Cutting open from her shoulder blade, like painting on a girl's fair and smooth back, it was a blood-stained butterfly.
Hearing footsteps, she let out a suppressed whimper, like that of a dying beast.
...
In the prison that followed, Qin Zhaoyue witnessed all sorts of brutal punishments and bizarre, blood-stained instruments, and fragmented images floated into her mind.
An executioner without a face, like the most skilled craftsman, is expressionless and moves with practiced precision.
He focused solely on inflicting maximum, sustained, and non-life-threatening pain while carefully protecting the victim's face from permanent damage.
Unknowingly, they reached the bottom and faced the lifeless boy on the rack.
He clenched his fists and sighed countless times.
The dungeon, the dog cage, and finally the golden pool.
The dungeon is a place of "rough processing," its purpose not to kill or for pleasure, but to utterly destroy their will.
Crushing human dignity turns living people into mere shells and puppets driven by conditioned fear.
After the success, they were sent to the back hall and locked in a dog cage.
Heal physical injuries by using darkness and solitude to consolidate control and apply sustained pressure, and then infuse the mind with thought.
As long as you behave well, you can regain your freedom and enjoy the most luxurious life.
Once the inspection is passed and the conditions for "leaving the cage" are met, it can be sent to the Jinchi Hall.
Beneath the surface of warmth, fragrance, and vibrant beauty lies a stench of decay, echoing roars, and an abundance of blood and tears.
This is the nauseating real price behind the extreme luxury and desires of the Nine Gates.
Qin Zhaoyue's stomach churned uncontrollably, but she managed to suppress it with great difficulty.
Is this the capital city under His Majesty's rule? A complex emotion welled up in my heart.
She couldn't describe what it was—anger? It must be more than that.
"Did all of these come from the Dice Goddess?"
"Yes, Jinchi is her territory, and she is also in charge of the training methods."
"Alive?"
"No need, all you need is the skull of the God of Wealth."
Qin Zhaoyue's gaze towards Yin Zhe inevitably carried a hint of helplessness.
If that's the case, why bother saving her life while the temple is engulfed in flames?
"I have neither a compassionate heart nor the ability to save all living beings."
Yin Zhe remained unmoved, as if she hadn't just uttered those resounding words of advice.
After a moment's hesitation, she finally sighed, "Wake her up."
Dou Zhan was an expert in punishments and had a far greater understanding of the human body than ordinary people, making him the most suitable person to do this. He immediately took action.
But Qin Zhaoyue closed her eyes at that moment.
It wasn't because she couldn't bear to watch, but because a change had occurred in her mind; the Book of Merit had turned to a new page at that moment.
[In the fourteenth year of Taiwei, in Fengjing City, the Beginning of Autumn.]
Princess Qin Zhaoyue discovered the atrocities committed by the Nine Gates Jinliu Hall in Langyinfang Chengyuan, which led to the rise of the four great families.
The plan is to eliminate the fourth leader, Dice Heart Girl, and rescue the imprisoned boy.
Total merit: 450,000; progress: 0; contribution rate: 0.
Qin Zhaoyue: ……
This merit book is like a mind reader; it gives feedback the moment you have an idea.
And 450,000 merit points... Keep in mind that the total merit points for the entire disaster relief and flood control campaign were only 500,000.
How could a martial arts sect be involved with such a huge number of people?
Qin Zhaoyue immediately realized that it probably did not refer to the Nine Gates Golden Flow Hall itself, but was closely related to the four great families behind it.
And the atrocities they committed could not possibly be limited to what is currently visible.
Sigh... I sighed inwardly.
Whatever the reason, they originally only wanted to focus on the immediate situation, but now they're going to have to go against those powerful families?
Your Majesty has been patient for many years, and since you have chosen to make a sudden move at this time, you must have a considerable degree of confidence.
Should I seize the opportunity and become a weapon in her hands?
Before I could figure it out, I heard a soft moan.
Opening her eyes, Dice Heart Mother had already woken up.
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