Chapter 123: Interrogation

It all happened too suddenly, perhaps more than anyone could easily bear, especially in such a highly tense environment. Han Tanyi’s body trembled instinctively, and his nerves felt as taut as a bowstring. Yet, he quickly regained his composure. He knew exactly who could speak so nonchalantly behind his back at such a moment. He had never been able to gauge the true extent of Shui Linglong’s martial arts, but despite his focus on eavesdropping on the guards, he had failed to detect her presence until she was right behind him. This alone spoke volumes. Calming himself, a faint, self-mocking smirk tugged at the corner of his lips: "If it were me, I would certainly hide it in a place no thief could ever find, and I would guard it with my life."

"That is your way of thinking, and it is how most people would think. But as you heard earlier, Shen Wansan is not the type to do such a thing. He is an old fox, naturally calculating deeper than others, and his actions are never as simple as they appear." Shui Linglong did not dwell on the location. Had it been so easy to guess, she wouldn’t have needed to be here. Although she was convinced in her heart that Shen Wansan would not hide the 'Flowering Butterfly' there, she had come nonetheless, clinging to a sliver of hope, which had led to the scene they had just witnessed.

"Then where do you think he would hide her?" Han Tanyi asked, his tone betraying his urgency. He was desperate for the answer; for whatever reason, he felt a deep, gnawing sense of debt toward that woman, a need to rescue her. His reaction left a bitter taste in Shui Linglong’s mouth. As her gaze rested on him, a voice in her mind could not stop whispering: If one day she were to fall into the hands of another just as that Butterfly had, would he be as concerned for her? There was no answer to this question. She wanted to ask, but seeing the worry etched on his face, the timing felt wrong. Moreover, given her status and experience, she felt awkward engaging in the kind of emotional inquiries typical of a young, naive girl.

"I cannot guess it either. But just because we do not know does not mean no one else does. Since searching aimlessly is futile, we might as well ask for the truth." Despite her complex thoughts, Shui Linglong paused for only a split second. As she spoke, she glided down from the eaves and rafters. The distance was not short, and for Han Tanyi, moving without being detected was not something he felt entirely confident about, but for Shui Linglong, it seemed effortless. Her movements were lightning fast; in the blink of an eye, the two guards slumped over without a sound. Han Tanyi was stunned, but with the guards neutralized, his own courage to leap down grew.

"This is no place to talk. Let us find somewhere more secluded!" Before he could even steady himself, Shui Linglong had already grabbed one of the guards by the back, while the other naturally tilted toward Han Tanyi. Her voice was a mere whisper; they were still surrounded by potential enemies, and there was no room for carelessness. Whether it was the weight of the guard or the suddenness of the maneuver, Han Tanyi felt himself stumbling backward as he instinctively caught the man. He had to use the momentum to regain his balance. By the time he looked up, Shui Linglong had already surged forward. Despite carrying a man, her movements were as light and graceful as if she were unburdened.

Han Tanyi had no choice but to follow. He tried to tuck the guard under his arm but found it impossibly difficult. Reluctantly, he threw the man over his shoulder. Moving was not inherently difficult, but under the strain of the weight, his pace slowed, and he stepped with extreme caution, fearing a single mistake. Fortunately, the distance was short. Around a corner lay a small, dark room. Through the door, a faint, chilling air emanated, like a breeze seeping from within. Compared to the eerily calm surroundings outside, it was enough to make one’s skin crawl.

Even so, Han Tanyi had to steel himself and enter. The chill was only felt outside; once inside, a faint warmth greeted them, which was normal enough. The room was dim, illuminated only by slivers of moonlight filtering through narrow cracks, just enough to make out shapes. He placed his guard next to the one Shui Linglong had already deposited against the wall. Standing side by side, the difference in their age and physique was apparent—perhaps that was why they had spoken so differently earlier.

"Speak. Where is the Flowering Butterfly?" Before Han Tanyi could open his mouth, Shui Linglong turned and struck several points on the guards' bodies. Her voice was stern and coercive. Even in the darkness, Han Tanyi could imagine the solemn, severe expression on her face. He wondered what such a severe look would look like on her delicate, alluring features, a flicker of curiosity that he quickly suppressed. Shui Linglong was no ordinary woman—not just because of her status or her martial arts, but because of her face; once seen, it was hard to look away. Han Tanyi wanted to sever ties with his past, which included her, yet the more he looked, the more he felt unable to let go. It frightened him, to the point of dread.

Silence was the guards' only defense. They had already witnessed Shui Linglong’s prowess; in a single exchange, their meridians had been sealed, rendering them mute. Now, although she had unlocked their ability to speak, they knew that crying out for help was impossible. If they could not shout, they chose to remain silent. They were members of the Mingyue Manor’s elite guard; they were no cowards.

"I knew you wouldn't confess so easily. But do not think that your silence leaves me helpless. There are many ways to inflict suffering. Would you like to test my skills? I am curious to see how long people like you can hold out." Hearing these words from Shui Linglong made Han Tanyi feel as if she had become a different person—cold and detached. Even if she was doing this for his sake, he felt uneasy. He could accept such ruthlessness from himself, but associating it with her name made him deeply uncomfortable.

With another light movement, Shui Linglong’s fingers darted across the guards' bodies, striking three or four times. Suddenly, the two men began to writhe against the wall like possessed creatures, their bodies twisting like snakes. Their breathing grew heavy. Under the pale moonlight, Han Tanyi could see their faces flushing red, sweat beading on their foreheads. Their facial muscles twitched in agony, and their eyes bulged. It was clear they were undergoing immense torture; had their limbs not been restrained, they might have tried to end their own lives.

"I gave you a chance to speak, but you chose silence. So I sealed your ability to scream, allowing you to suffer in silence—a wish granted, I suppose." A hint of a mocking smile seemed to creep into Shui Linglong’s voice. "I have heightened your senses so you can fully experience the sensation of being torn apart by ten thousand insects, with no way to stop it. Tell me, are you enjoying it? I want to see how long your stubbornness and faith can last. Hold on now, don't you dare give up—I would be so disappointed. Do you understand?"