Online: I Can See Health Bars Chapter 1294 - 575: Joining Forces (Part 2)

"Will you speak or not! Speak!"

Flick! Flick! Flick!

More lashes rained down, eliciting a grimace of agony from Meng Huoke. Their prison break had been progressing smoothly; the secondary prisoners had gallantly drawn the majority of the enemy's attention, clearing a path for him, Qin Er, and Cao Fubi to slip beyond the boundaries of the Foolish Underworld. However, relentless pursuit forced the trio to scatter, each fighting for their own survival and increasing their odds. Meng Huoke had no knowledge of the others' fates – presumed dead, though a slim chance of escape remained. He, undeniably the unluckiest, being the strongest, was relentlessly hounded. An arrow from Yi Feiyan pierced his ankle, leading to his immediate capture and return to the prison. The prisoners who aided their escape either met their demise, suffered crippling injuries, or were confined, while Meng Huoke, conversely, received a particularly 'special' level of attention. Such as the current session of torture and torment. The prison guard’s whip landed with brutal force, as if holding Meng Huoke accountable for the Prison Chief’s demise. Yet, despite the severe beatings, Meng Huoke remained resolutely silent. Even as the excruciating pain threatened to plunge him into unconsciousness multiple times, he refused to utter a word. This wasn’t an act of loyalty; rather, divulging any information would undoubtedly spell his end."Master Xing has arrived!" Meng Huoke, barely conscious, registered the announcement. The merciless whipping abruptly ceased."Greetings, Master Xing!""Master Xing...""Senior Sister Xing..."Amidst a retinue of attendants, a woman with a steely expression, clad in a vibrant red coat unsuited for the season, approached Meng Huoke, who was bound to an iron rack."You are the architect of tonight's escape?" The woman’s voice was melodious, yet Meng Huoke, already disoriented from the torture, offered only silence in response."..." Receiving no reply, the woman produced a small vial, uncorked it, and compelled a sip into his mouth. Instantly, Meng Huoke’s senses sharpened, his spirit revitalized, though the physical agony and exhaustion persisted unabated; it was purely his spirit that had been forcefully jolted awake. This meant any subsequent torture would be experienced with excruciating clarity. The realization sent a tremor of horror through Meng Huoke, but the woman merely pulled up a chair and settled directly before him."You have two options presented to you.""Firstly, you reveal all that you know. Upon verification of its truthfulness, I shall grant you freedom, and your subsequent fate will rest upon your own fortunes.""Secondly, I shall ensure your existence becomes a perpetual agony, a life steeped in unending pain and torment.""You have ten seconds to contemplate and provide your answer." Her subordinate presented her with a pot of steaming tea; she took a delicate sip before fixing her gaze upon Meng Huoke. By now, Meng Huoke was fully alert and clearly perceived the woman’s features. He managed to speak, his voice strained."Xing... Xing Xueman..." Xing Xueman’s eyebrows arched slightly."Indeed, it is I, Hall Master of the Hundred Flowers Hall within the Foolish Underworld, Xing Xueman. Furthermore, I am the foremost disciple of Master Shen Chenshui... As you recognize me, you should be well aware of my standing within the Foolish Underworld." Meng Huoke let out a laugh. It was a sinister, tooth-baring sound, his gums streaked with blood, dripping thick, crimson fluid. As the surrounding individuals watched in bewilderment, Meng Huoke’s smile gradually dissipated, and he finally gathered a mouthful of viscous, bloody phlegm, which he unceremoniously spat directly at Xing Xueman’s face! Smack. The gruesome projectile struck Xing Xueman square on. In fact, she made no move to evade it."How dare you!""What is the meaning of this!""You court death!!" The onlookers erupted in outrage, but the instant Xing Xueman calmly rose to her feet, their protests ceased in unison. Gently wiping the spittle from her face, she spoke with measured composure."It appears, that is your response." Meng Huoke merely offered a disdainful sneer. It was then that Xing Xueman issued her command..."Remove all his fingernails, cleanse his body, and commence the [Execution in the Forest of Blades]." The Execution in the Forest of Blades entailed inflicting numerous minuscule, densely packed incisions across the prisoner's body using razor-thin blades, commencing with a minimum of a thousand cuts. Following this, salt leaves, as thin as wings, would be meticulously inserted into each wound. This process, akin to salting thousands of open wounds simultaneously, would result in prolonged suffering for at least three days, until the salt leaves lost their efficacy. It was a profoundly horrifying ordeal, yet within the infernal confines of the prison, it was considered little more than an introductory torment. Xing Xueman, as a disciple of Shen Chenshui, possessed an intimate knowledge of the prison's unspeakable methods, though such measures were, by and large, beneath her."Three days hence, I shall return to observe you, assuming you have not succumbed to madness by then." Xing Xueman rose and departed.

Departing in haste, leaving behind a quivering Meng Huoke to face the impending grim retribution.

...

"Where is the Truth Candle?"

Xing Xueman halted one of the individuals en route to the storage area, her voice laced with ice.

"Reporting, Lord Hall Master, the [Truth Candle] was returned to the Foolish Underworld in Guanghan City a year ago. Despite subsequent requests, approval has not been granted again..."

Xing Xueman's expression turned even more severe.

The absence of approval signified that the artifact had been transferred to another Underworld in a different city.

The artifact was unique; its departure meant it was gone for good. She would need to explore alternative solutions.

The interrogation methods of the Foolish Underworld had always been heavily dependent on the techniques pioneered by Master Shen Chenshui, leading to a reliance that hindered any advancements in complementary support systems.

It was only now they were realizing that certain valuable items, at an unknown point, had vanished from the warehouse amidst sudden disappearances.

Thunder City, being a major metropolis, would typically receive priority approval for artifact resource applications, yet the process was lengthy. Both the transportation of artifacts and personnel transfers demanded significant time.

"Qiong Yu, Qiong Hua, gather some people. I need to visit the site where Master Shen met his end."

"Yes!"

The two personal maids accompanying Xing Xueman responded instantly.

However, upon reaching the location with her contingent, Xing Xueman discovered that someone else had arrived before her.

Xing Xueman's demeanor shifted subtly.

"Jinfang Zai, why are you interfering? Master's vengeance is mine to claim! Do not meddle!"

Wiping the sticky remnants of flesh and blood from his hands, Jinfang Zai transitioned from a crouch to a standing posture and turned to face Xing Xueman.

"Sister Xueman, the passing of the old Prison Chief caused us hall masters great sorrow as well. This matter transcends personal vengeance; it concerns the very honor of the Foolish Underworld!"

Jinfang Zai appeared solemn, eliciting only a cold sneer from Xing Xueman.

"Was it the Lord of Mansion who dispatched you, or did you come of your own accord? I heard you lost control yesterday; have you reached your breaking point? An old man should remain at home and not get in the way!"

The mention of yesterday's incident caused Jinfang Zai's expression to darken.

The two hall masters' gazes met, and the atmosphere at the scene grew palpably tense.

Bystanders held their breath, heads bowed in silence.

Ultimately, Jinfang Zai conceded a step, turning his back to Xing Xueman with a cold demeanor.

"Yesterday, I was ambushed by experts from the Rebel Army, which led to my loss of control. Furthermore, the mastermind behind last night's prison break is one of the Rebel Army members I apprehended and brought back! Do you believe this situation doesn't concern me? Was my presence here unwarranted?"

Xing Xueman's brow furrowed as she considered his words.

"So, this is a counteroffensive by the Rebel Army... Cornered beasts do indeed leap over walls, but they should never, ever... target Master!"

"This presents an opportunity. The Rebel Army's recent actions have been excessively conspicuous. Such vermin could persist undetected under our noses due to their inherent stealth and cowardice. However, with this overt move, numerous vulnerabilities must have been exposed. Perhaps this time... it's a chance to eradicate them completely!" Jinfang Zai slowly clenched his fist.

The disgrace of his uncontrolled outburst yesterday had spread swiftly, and although quickly contained, it had infuriated him.

The Rebel Army... was courting destruction!

"Let us join forces! Xing Xueman, consider this a special assignment. You and I, as the two hall masters, shall collaborate to uncover the Rebel Army operating from the shadows!"