27: Chapter 27 The Living Yama Judges the Traitorous General, Orders Yuan Jing to Harvest the Rewards

"Look up."

"Let This Envoy take a good look at our great hero."

Zheng Ren's voice was like a blunt knife scraping against an eardrum.

Gu Han slowly raised his head, his gaze stopping perfectly at the level of Zheng Ren's Adam's apple—appearing respectful without being offensive by looking a superior directly in the eye.

This was a small trick he had learned by observing Zhao De.

"In last night's operation, we captured a rebel general alive."

"This fellow is incredibly stubborn; he's already worn out three of my best interrogators."

Commander Sun finally spoke, his voice as raspy as sandpaper.

"Lord Zheng wants you to give it a try."

Gu Han's pupils constricted slightly.

This went against the rules; he had just been promoted to an official Zhenwu Guard, and according to protocol, he should only be responsible for ordinary prisoners.

Interrogating high-value prisoners had always been a privilege reserved for those like Captain Zhang.

"This subordinate's experience is still lacking..."

"Furthermore, This subordinate's methods might..."

Gu Han deliberately let a trace of fear creep into his voice.

"Don't panic."

"This Envoy knows that basically everyone you interrogate ends up dead by your hand."

"The Living Yama."

Zheng Ren said with a smile.

"Regardless of whether you get information or if the person stays alive,"

"This Envoy will not blame you."

"If you can extract intelligence, This Envoy will promote you to Little Banner."

Hearing this, Gu Han felt a secret surge of joy.

"I was just worrying about how to openly obtain remnants of fate."

"It's like someone handing me a pillow just as I was getting sleepy."

"This Zheng Ren really understands me!"

Gu Han suppressed his inner joy, but his face showed an expression of fear and hesitation.

"My Lord, This subordinate fears..."

"What?"

Zheng Ren narrowed his eyes.

"Do you think the rank of Little Banner is too small?"

"This subordinate wouldn't dare!"

Gu Han immediately dropped to one knee.

"It's just that the rebel general must be highly powerful; This subordinate is worried..."

"This subordinate is afraid of delaying your plans, My Lord."

"No matter!"

"It would be best if you can find out something."

"If not, it's fine."

"And if he dies?"

Gu Han spoke up before Zheng Ren could finish.

"Then he dies."

Having received his answer, Gu Han formulated a plan in his mind.

"My Lord, may I be permitted to interrogate the other rebels as well?"

"Oh!"

"Why?"

Zheng Ren looked at Gu Han, puzzled.

"Reporting to My Lord, This subordinate wants to use those rebels to pry that fellow's mouth open."

"After all, these rebels pride themselves on loyalty and brotherhood."

"If This subordinate tortures those rebels in front of him, it might be more effective than torturing him directly."

After hearing Gu Han's explanation, Zheng Ren's eyes lit up.

"Granted."

Having received Zheng Ren's approval, Gu Han was overjoyed.

However, his face still maintained a look of trepidation, as if he were determined to produce results.

"Yes, My Lord!"

"Zhang Qi, you go with this boy."

"Report back immediately once there are results."

Hearing this, Zhang Qi cupped his fists and bowed.

"Yes, My Lord!"

Subsequently, Zhang Qi led Gu Han out of the barracks.

...

Before long, the two arrived at the interrogation cells.

Along the way, Zhang Qi urged Gu Han to perform well and seize this rare opportunity.

Once he was remembered by Zheng Ren,

He would be able to walk tall in the Zhenwu Division from now on.

The likes of Ma Yong and Zhang Tian would no longer be a concern.

Inside the interrogation cell, the whips of several Zhenwu Guards were moving so fast they were mere blurs.

On a central Black Iron pillar, a burly man covered in blood was bound by eight Black Iron chains; it was the rebel general "Blood Wolf" Han Lie.

"Snap!"

The blood-stained whip lashed Han Lie's body, but it left only faint white marks.

The Zhenwu Guards saw Zhang Qi enter.

"Greetings, Captain Zhang."

"By order of Lord Zheng, we are here to take over the interrogation of this fellow,"

Zhang Qi said calmly.

"Yes!"

"Brothers, we'll leave this to Captain Zhang."

"Let's go!"

Upon hearing Zhang Qi's words, the lead Zhenwu Guard quickly signaled the others to leave.

Clearly, these guards didn't want to stay a moment longer.

After the guards left, only Zhang Qi and Gu Han remained in the cell. Zhang Qi said to Gu Han,

"Kid Gu, it's up to you."

Hearing this, Han Lie turned his head to glance at Gu Han.

He chuckled mockingly.

"Has the Zhenwu Division run out of people?"

"To send such a green brat."

"I suppose it makes sense; the Zhenwu Division is busy putting out fires everywhere, so where would they find the manpower?"

"Haha!"

"Great Chu is doomed!"

"You pieces of trash will soon be slaves of a fallen nation."

"Haha!"

Hearing Han Lie's arrogant remarks, Zhang Qi's brow furrowed, and he glanced at Gu Han.

Seeing this, Gu Han did not step forward but instead moved to walk out of the cell.

Zhang Qi was puzzled.

"My Lord, This subordinate wishes to bring several of this General Han's brothers over to be interrogated together."

Hearing this, Zhang Qi nodded without further questioning, wanting to see what Gu Han had up his sleeve.

A moment later, Gu Han returned to the cell.

Several rebels were escorted in behind him one after another.

Seeing the rebels enter, Han Lie's gaze instantly became ferocious, as if he wanted to swallow Gu Han alive.

Han Lie immediately guessed Gu Han's intention.

"Little Bastard, if you have the guts, torture your grandpa!"

"If even a single hair on my brothers' heads is harmed, your grandpa will surely tear you into ten thousand pieces."

A cold sneer curled the corner of Gu Han's mouth as he suddenly grabbed a rebel's throat with his right hand.

"Since General Han cares so much for his brothers..."

He applied a bit of pressure with his fingertips, and the rebel's eyes immediately began to roll back.

"...then why don't you tell me everything you know?"

"That way, your brothers won't have to suffer."

Han Lie's pupils shrank, and his chains rattled loudly.

"Little Bastard, take your filthy hands off him!"

Han Lie spoke through gritted teeth, a hint of urgency in his tone.

A cold light flashed in Gu Han's eyes, and he suddenly exerted force with his fingertips.

"Crack."

With a crisp sound, the rebel's neck was snapped.

Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth and dripped onto the bluestone floor.

[Killed a sinful person, plundered fifty-five remnants of fate.]

"Here it comes, here it comes!"

"Han Lie, you'd better hold your ground!"

"Whether I can get a wave of life origin crystals depends on you."

Gu Han murmured to himself.

Then, he let go, and the rebel's corpse slumped limply to the ground.

He shook the blood from his hand, and when he turned to look at Han Lie, his face actually carried a faint smile.

"General Han, look, your brother passed away very peacefully."

"I'll kill you!"

Han Lie's eyes were bloodshot, his muscles bulged, and the eight Black Iron chains rattled violently as he struggled.

But in the next moment, blood-colored runes suddenly lit up on the chains, and Han Lie immediately let out a shrill scream as green smoke rose from his body.

Zhang Qi's pupils constricted.

These were the "Dragon-Locking Chains" used by the Zhenwu Division specifically to suppress high-level martial artists; he hadn't expected Zheng Ren to use even these.

Gu Han acted as if he hadn't seen anything and unhurriedly walked over to the second rebel.

"General Han, your brothers are quite resilient; none of them have made a sound."

(Dead rebel: Did you even give me a chance to make a sound?!)

The second rebel stared at Gu Han with a face full of hatred.

"Pah!"

The rebel spat at Gu Han.

Seeing this, Gu Han sidestepped to avoid it.

"Uncle Zhao, please prepare the things we used for the last interrogation."

"This hero wants to give them a try."

Gu Han ordered in a mocking tone.

Hearing this, Zhao De immediately went out to prepare the "things" Gu Han needed.

"General Han, quite a few heroes were captured this time."

"After I finish killing this batch, there's another."

Hearing this, Han Lie's rage surged.

"Little Bastard, I want you dead!"

As soon as he spoke, the blood-colored runes on the Dragon-Locking Chains flared up again.

Han Lie endured the damage and tried to headbutt Gu Han.

Seeing this, Gu Han gave a wicked smile and immediately retreated.

"General Han, you've frightened me."

He then grabbed the arm of a nearby rebel and snapped it.

"Ahhh!"

A shrill scream echoed through the interrogation room.

Gu Han expressionlessly twisted the rebel's arm into a spiral, the sound of shattering bones clearly audible.