Chapter 35: Interrogation
35
Interrogation
I
The inner elder regarded them silently. He stood with his arms crossed atop his magical cloud, the cascading curtain of water of the waterfall just behind him.
I see youve been waiting for , he said. I take it you realized running away is futile?
The magical cloud then descended, coming into contact with the floor, before it started dispersing, billowing into the elders sleeve until nothing of it remained, and the elder was standing on the floor directly before them.
Hao Zhen watched him warily, paying close attention to the elders position. The man didnt seem to have noticed the arrays on the cave yetor at least hadnt realized what they could dowhich he had been counting on. Hao Zhen had already told Lan Yue that if the elder seed to suspect sothing, she was to imdiately use her remaining Radiant Light Imprisonnt Talisman. She was currently grasping it so that she could activate it at a monts notice.
For the ti being, there was nothing he, Tian Jin, or Lan Yue could do. They needed the elder to step into the cave properpast the area where the barrier had beento activate the restraining array. The situation wasnt really risky, as Lan Yue could neutralize him at a monts notice, but there was still no guarantee that the elder would walk this far inside the cave.
If Lan Yue ended up having to use the talisman, Tian Jin would get rid of the tracking matrix on his spatial ring, and theyd resu their original plan of venturing deeper into the forest.
Well, the elder said, taking another step forward. The man carried himself with absolute confidence, as if his victory was certain. Arent you going to say sothing?
Hao Zhen remained silent. Tian Jin and Lan Yue didnt say anything, either. They all simply watched the elder.
The man shrugged. So be it, he said, taking another step forward. And then another. Dont worry. Youll still get to live for a little longer. He focused on Lan Yue. Especially you. I have so questions Id like to ask you, girl. Starting with how in the world you managed to get your hands on a Radiant Light Imprisonnt Talisman.
Hao Zhen glanced at Lan Yue and saw that there hadnt been any change in her expression. She continued to stare at the elder stoically, not giving anything away.
At their lack of reaction, the elder sighed. Another step. All right, he said. I see how itll be. Before, when I said I found it regretful Id have to kill you two, I wasnt lying. It truly is a waste to kill off such talented individuals. The elder took another three steps, and Hao Zhen stilled.
Now.
Hao Zhen glanced at Tian Jin and saw the other boys eyes narrowing. The next mont, the arrays on the walls of the cave lit up, the inscriptions becoming visible even without the use of Spiritual Sight.
The elder started, alard. What is The man frowned. Only his face moved. The rest of his body remained perfectly immobile. You Veins appeared on the elders face, but that was it. Nothing else happened. What have you done! the elder snapped at them, his face flushing red.
Hao Zhen could see, spiritually, how all the elders spiritual power remained inside the mans soul. The restraining array on the cave didnt just seal physical moventsit also sealed a cultivators ability to use their spiritual power. They wouldnt be able to use their spiritual power even inside the soulitd remain completely unmoving, much like the bodyso spiritual skills couldnt be used either. The only thing that the restraining array allowed those affected by it to move was their head.
Hao Zhen knew that much, not just because Tian Jin had explained it to him, but also because, much like the elder, he was also affected by the array. The sa went for Lan Yue.
Tian Jin, the only one that could move, didnt say anything at first, only looking at the elder coldly. Then, ignoring the elder, he turned to Hao Zhen. Go ahead.
Thank you, Hao Zhen said. They had already agreed beforehand that hed be the one conducting the interrogation. In his head, he kept track of the ti. They had about twenty minutes worth of spiritual stones, which he thought were plenty, but the sooner they got this over with, the better, so as to waste as few spiritual stones as possible.
Hao Zhen focused on the elder, who was still glowering at them, though his face was no longer as red. He seed to have cald down a little.
I believe you have already understood the situation youre in, Hao Zhen said. It felt odd, being able to only control the muscles on his face, but he tried not to dwell too much on that.
A restraining schema, the elder snapped.
Thats right, Hao Zhen said. Out of the four of us, only Tian Jin is currently able to move. Your life is in his hands, now.
Spare
this talk, boy, the elder said. What do you want?
Despite the situation he was in, he didnt appear cowed or even fearfulonly incensed. He did seem willing to cooperate, however, which was good. Seeing the mans apprehensiveness, Hao Zhen had been afraid that hed have been the type that would rather die than answer any of his captors questions.
Do you know what else Du Qing is planning? Hao Zhen said, cutting straight to the point.
All he asked
to do was turn a blind eye while his cousin and his helpers killed you three, and to intervene if the situation didnt go according to plan. He didnt tell
anything else. I wasnt interested in finding out, either.
Hao Zhen had been afraid of that. Considering Du Jian hadnt known anything else either, Hao Zhen was starting to believe that Du Qing was the sort that kept his plans for himself. Then again, there was also a possibility that Du Qing hadnt planned anything else, either, in which case neither Du Jian nor the elder knew anything because there simply wasnt more to the plan.
What about when you were restrained by the Radiant Light Imprisonnt Talisman? Did you contact Du Qing?
At that question, the elders expression shifted slightly, becoming a little tenser. No, he said.
Got you.
Tian Jin, Hao Zhen said, simply.
Tian Jin nodded before starting to walk over to the elder, who focused on him.
The mans expression didnt turn fearful. Instead, it beca derisive. Youre planning on using that weapon to kill ? He let out a laugh. Since you were so confident, I thought you had an offensive talisman on the sa level as the Radiant Light Imprisonnt Talisman. It appears I was worried for nothing. Tian Jin ca to a stop right in front of the elder before raising his sword. The man didnt seem too worried. Are you daft, boy? Im a fifth-level. Magical artifacts below the fourth order cant do much
Tian Jin stabbed the sword through the elders shoulder. It seed to et no resistance whatsoever, smoothly piercing through the mans shoulder. Hao Zhen cringed at the sight.
The elder cried out in pain, his expression reddening again. The mans face warped into a pained grimace. Hao Zhen had never been seriously hurt before, so he could only imagine how much pain the man was in. The most experience he had with pain was the poison Ke Li had used on him, but that had been another kind of agony.
Paying the man no mind, Tian Jin swiftly pulled the sword out of the mans shoulder, eliciting another cry. Hao Zhen couldnt see Tian Jins face from where he stoodhe could only see the other boys backbut he reckoned that it was as apathetic as ever. Tian Jin then snapped his wrist, giving his sword a flick, and all the blood that had been on the blade splattered onto the ground.
That sword! the elder cried out, his eyes on the weapon. What Where The pain and confusion seed to be making a ss out of the mans mind.
Thats not important, Hao Zhen cut in, drawing the elders attention back to him. Now, Ill ask you again: did you contact Du Qing? If you want to live, answer honestly.
You The elder gave the sword another glance. Beads of sweat ran down his face, and his lips were quivering slightly. Most of the mans earlier composure was gone, making Hao Zhen reconsider his earlier assessnt of him. Maybe he was the fearful type, after all. Most likely, the elder just hadnt been too afraid before because he hadnt been certain theyd be able to do anything to him.
It appeared that when Tian Jin stabbed the elders shoulder, he hadnt just brought the man imnse painit had also made him realize exactly what kind of situation he was in.
Seeing that the elder was still hesitating, Hao Zhen steeled himself and said, Tian Jin. He did his best to speak without inflection, trying to appear apathetic. Inwardly, he felt more than a little uncomfortable. The man may have been after their life, but he found no joy in torturing him. It wasnt just the Amyas in him that felt aversion to this situationeven when he tried to divorce himself from his identity as Amyas, he still felt uneasy. He doubted Tian Jin was enjoying this, either.
This was, however, sothing they needed to do.
The other boy started raising his sword.
All right! the elder snapped before Tian Jin could do anything to him. I did contact Du Qing. I inford him that the girl, he said, glancing in Lan Yues direction, had used a Radiant light Imprisonnt Talisman on
and that I was stuck.
And?
The elder glanced at the sword again. This ti, Tian Jin did not need any prompting, raising it again.
He told
to pursue you three once I had broken the barrier, the elder blurted out, his eyes glued on the sword. Tian Jin didnt raise it any further, but he didnt drop it back down, either. Du Qing also told
hed be arranging for an inner disciple to go after you, in case you three managed to escape into the inner section of the forest, the elder continued. He should currently be on his way over here.
There it is.
Hao Zhen narrowed his eyes, a rush of anxiety washing over him. This was exactly what he had been afraid of. Do you know who it is?
No, the elder said hurriedly. Du Qing didnt say anything about that.
Hao Zhen frowned, considering the situation. There were still so questions he wanted to ask the eldersuch as what kind of deal the elder had with Du Qingbut on second thought, he decided that there wasnt any point in asking them. Now that he knew there was soone else theyd still have to deal with, he had to wrap this up as quickly as possible. There was only one question that mattered left to ask.
How were you able to track us?
Hao Zhen was already fairly certain he knew the answer, but it was good to confirm it, just in case there was sothing else they had missed.
Theres a tracking matrix on Tian Jins spatial ring, the elder promptly said. It seed like that now that he had already so much away, he no longer saw any point in keeping the rest a secret. Theres a jade slip in my spatial ring. Du Qing inscribed on it a copy of the paired matrix. I used it to find your current location.
Hmm. Hao Zhen assud that this paired matrix was sohow connected to the tracking matrix. Thankfully, it seed like the tracking matrix on the ring was indeed the problem. Just in case, however, after this was over, hed have Tian Jin check all of their belongings for any other trackers.
With that, one question remained. Unlike the previous ones, however, it wasnt a question for the eldera question to be askedbut one for himself. One whose answer he already knew.
Hao Zhen focused on the elder, whose expression was still warped in pain, before sighing. Tian Jin. Do it.
They couldnt let the elder live. That much was certain. It didnt matter what promises the man made them. They had no way of keeping him in under control, and the mont they left the cave, theyd be at his rcy.
Killing an inner elder would have consequences, definitely, but Hao Zhen had already thought of so ways to handle the fallout if the sect learned of it.
There was a mont of silence. Then, Tian Jin gave the subtlest of nods.
Wait. Do what? the elder asked, his eyes snapping back and forth between the two of them wildly. Tian Jin once again raised his sword. Wait. What are you No. You said You said I could live! The mans expression grew desperate.
Hao Zhen closed his eyes.
He then heard a grunt, followed by silence. A mont later, he suddenly felt himself regain control of his own body, and he almost fell forward at the sudden freedom, opening his eyes on instinct.
Hao Zhen first glanced at Lan Yue. She hadnt moved despite having regained the ability to do so, her expression cold as she stared ahead. Hao Zhen forced himself to look in Tian Jins direction.
Tian Jin stood in the sa place, the Radiant Light Sword once again lowered, its blade coated with a red sheen.
And on the ground, in front of him, was the inner eldernow lying on the ground on his front. A pool of blood was spreading underneath him. Hao Zhen didnt need Spiritual Sight to tell that the man was dead, but the lack of soul in the elders body confird that all the sa way.
After a mont of hesitation, Hao Zhen walked over to Tian Jin. He looked at the other boys face and saw that it was still stony. Hao Zhen wondered what he was thinking. This was the fourth ti Tian Jin had taken a life today, but the only one in cold blood. He had killed the two of Du Jians lackeys he had faced mid-fight, whereas Du Jian had all but thrown himself into his sword.
The people in this world took killing much more lightly than the people back on Earth did, but what just happened wasnt rely killing.
Hao Zhen wondered whether Tian Jin had killed anyone in cold blood before. The fact that they had done this right after torturing soone while interrogating them probably didnt help.
Are you all right? Hao Zhen asked.
Tian Jins gaze lingered on the corpse for a few more monts before he nodded. Yes.
Hao Zhen heard footsteps from behind. Turning around, he saw Lan Yue walking up to them. She ca to a stop beside Tian Jin, glanced at the corpse, and then shrugged. Well, what now? she asked. Although she looked like her usual self, there was still a touch of somberness to her voice, a tightness to her face.
We figure out what to do about the inner disciple, Hao Zhen said, looking away from the corpse.
The day wasnt quite over yet.
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