"Heh, those are just excuses."
"But if you insist on splitting hairs, then this Seat can only say that the matters inquired about are more or less related to the outside world!"
Listening to Lan Yue's words, Kong Ling took a sip of his tea and said meaningfully.
"Since that's the case, my lord, you can begin."
Lan Yue glanced at Kong Ling and said indifferently.
"No rush, I'm just chatting with you, no need to make it like an interrogation."
Kong Ling chuckled playfully, and then glanced at Gu Hai, giving him a look.
Gu Hai immediately understood and quickly brought a chair, placing it behind Lan Yue.
Only after Lan Yue sat down did Kong Ling say with a smile, "I've always been straightforward, so I won't beat around the bush. Let's get straight to the point. Has Po Xiao harbored any intention of rebellion? Has he done anything rebellious?"
As expected!
With one sentence, Lan Yue confirmed her previous guess. They brought her here precisely to target Ye Cangtian.
Thinking this, Lan Yue smiled slightly and said, "Lord Kong Ling, this doesn't seem to have anything to do with the outside world, does it?"
"I've said it, if you insist on splitting hairs, then this might or might not be related to the outside world. After all, just like you, Po Xiao is also responsible for matters concerning the outside world."
As he spoke, Kong Ling looked deeply at Lan Yue and said faintly, "Lan Yue, you should know that it's useless to stall for time here. So, to save us both time, you might as well tell me what you know!"
"Alright!"
Lan Yue sighed helplessly and slowly said, "Everything Po Xiao has done is evident to the entire Dark Association! His merits do not need me to elaborate, do they? For someone who has devoted himself to the Dark Association, you suspect him of disloyalty. It's truly a case of villains in power!"
"You!"
As her voice fell, Gu Hai's face instantly turned red, and his eyes revealed intense anger. She called them villains in power, wasn't she referring to him? Even now, as a prisoner, she dared to be so audacious, which truly infuriated him.
"Lan Yue, your dishonesty makes it very difficult for me!"
Kong Ling's voice turned sinister, and a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. After a pause, he continued, "Birds of a feather flock together, and when disaster strikes, they fly apart. Besides, you are not even husband and wife, so why risk your life to protect him?"
As he spoke, Kong Ling's gaze swept towards the torture instruments beside them, his meaning quite obvious.
Heh.
Lan Yue heard this and sneered contemptuously, stating, "Your subordinate is merely speaking the truth."
"Good, very good, I like stubborn people. I hope you can maintain this spirit."
Feeling Lan Yue's gaze, Kong Ling was amused by her defiance. He glanced at Gu Hai and said faintly, "Since Lan Yue is unhappy, you can play with her for a while. Perhaps she'll confess once she's happy."
Kong Ling did not directly use Dream Spirit on Lan Yue. After all, such soul techniques could be fatal if not handled with care, potentially causing Lan Yue's demise. However, Lan Yue was a venerated figure of the Dark Association. If the matter was exposed, it would inevitably affect his reputation to some extent. Therefore, Kong Ling ultimately chose torture. This way, Lan Yue's life and death would be within controllable limits, and he did not believe Lan Yue could hold out until the end.
"Yes!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Hai's face lit up with excitement. He had long disliked Lan Yue, and now he finally had the opportunity to deal with her personally.
Meanwhile, seeing Gu Hai approaching with the torture instruments, Lan Yue suddenly looked at Kong Ling and coldly said, "Kong Ling, I am a meritorious official. If you torture me, are you not afraid of inciting dissatisfaction among many people!"
"Heh, this Seat will ensure it's done flawlessly!"
Kong Ling replied playfully. Regardless, he would not be intimidated by Lan Yue's words. As he spoke, he glanced at Gu Hai, signaling him to proceed quickly.
The next moment, screams echoed through the secret chamber.
...
The next morning.
Before Ye Cangtian had even woken up, he felt something furry touching him. The next moment, he opened his eyes and saw Youming Liehu, who had transformed into a little black cat. Ye Cangtian immediately perked up.
"Xiao Hei, what's the situation? Where was Lan Yue taken?"
Mew...
Listening to Ye Cangtian's inquiry, Xiao Hei let out a series of meows. Following Lan Yue's scent, Xiao Hei had tracked her all the way to a secret chamber within the main hall of the headquarters, where Lan Yue's scent had disappeared. It had also attempted to open the secret chamber but ultimately gave up. Forcing the secret chamber open was not difficult for it, but it would undoubtedly attract attention. It had kept watch for a day and a night without seeing anyone enter or exit, so Xiao Hei returned to report first.
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian's expression turned cold, and his eyes exuded a sharp killing intent. It was obvious that Kong Ling had summoned Lan Yue to target him. The reason was simple: if it were for questioning, it wouldn't have taken a day and a night. Recalling his own experience in the Mandara, it was likely that Lan Yue, if captured by Kong Ling, would also suffer considerable torment. And tormenting someone close to him made him even more furious than being tormented himself.
After a brief silence, Ye Cangtian glanced at Xiao Hei and said, "Continue monitoring. If possible, try to figure out the situation inside, but absolutely do not reveal yourself."
The Youming Liehu acknowledged the order with a nod and then darted out of the room with a whoosh.
"Alas! Senior Sister, hold on, I will rescue you as soon as possible!"
Watching Xiao Hei depart, Ye Cangtian's face was cold. He then turned and left the room.
...
Just as Ye Cangtian left the Dark Association.
On the other side, in the great hall, a guard rushed in. The guard respectfully saluted Kong Ling before stating, "Report! We just received news that while searching for remnants of various forces south of the city, our guards encountered resistance. The opposing party was not numerous, but they were very strong, at least at the Earth-level cultivation. They have already killed many people and are currently fleeing towards the outskirts of the city..."
"These damn vermin, they still haven't been wiped out!"
Kong Ling's expression turned cold, and he looked at Zi Long in the hall, saying, "Zi Long, I'm assigning this matter to you. I want to see results within these next few days!"
"Yes! Your subordinate guarantees to complete the mission!"
Zi Long's eyes lit up, and he quickly accepted. Merely Earth-level cultivation was not something he took seriously. Moreover, Kong Ling assigning this matter to him was essentially handing him a merit. Although this merit was small, every little bit counted! Thus, Zi Long led his men and sped off. Following the markers left by the guards, they pursued out of the Ghost City and into the forest south of the city.
Before long, Zi Long discovered the guards of the Dark Association. They had already surrounded their opponents. However, looking at the trembling weapons, it seemed they were all terrified and dared not advance. Zi Long took the lead and charged forward, only to see dozens of guards' corpses amidst the crowd. Opposite these corpses stood a beggar, with over a dozen blood-soaked strongmen behind him. Besides them, leaning against a large tree behind them was a man wearing a straw hat, pulled down low, who was smoking.
This...
Zi Long's eyes darted around. He ignored the man smoking. Since the other party wanted to be arrogant, so be it. After dealing with the people in front of him, it wouldn't be too late for him to act. Thinking this, his gaze fixed on the beggar in front of him, and he was stunned, "Xiao Feng! Is that you?"
Zi Long was naturally no stranger to Xiao Feng. After all, Xiao Feng was once the deputy leader of the Dragon Group and later joined the Hidden Group. Zi Long had access to all this information. He just hadn't expected Xiao Feng to appear in the Dark Ruins.
"I didn't expect you to remember such a small character like me."
Xiao Feng glanced at Zi Long and said faintly. Although they were old rivals, Xiao Feng's cultivation at the time was only at the Profound level, while Zi Long was at the Earth level. In terms of strength, Xiao Feng was no match for Zi Long. Therefore, Xiao Feng hadn't expected that even in his current state, Zi Long could recognize him at a glance.
"Your role might be small, but your courage is immense!"
"However, now that this Seat is here, nothing you say matters. It's all your fault for not staying put. If you had stayed obediently in the outside world, this wouldn't have happened today."
"Alright, you can choose now. Do you want to do it yourself, or shall I?"
Zi Long swept a disdainful glance at Xiao Feng and spoke, his expression then turning serious. He truly hadn't expected that the Earth-level expert causing trouble would be Xiao Feng, but none of that mattered. He was merely an Earth-level expert, someone he didn't take seriously. Dealing with him would be the same.