Invincibility starts when I see the BOSS health bar.

Chapter 921 Approaching
"I know what you're thinking. So what if I get the information? My interest hasn't waned yet! Hehehe! You're my precious toy, how could I easily hand you over or stop here?"

The smile on his face instantly turned ferocious and morbid.

Snapped! ! !
Before he could finish speaking, the barbed blood whip lashed out again with a piercing whistling sound, striking Song Zhenrong's shoulder once more!
The whip tip snapped back, tearing off a large, blurry patch of flesh!
Song Zhenrong groaned, his body swaying violently. The wound on his shoulder instantly deepened to the bone, and blood gushed out like a fountain.

Almost no part of his skin was intact; he looked like a blood-red doll that had been roughly stitched up and then repeatedly torn apart.

"That's not right!"

Despite the excruciating pain that nearly made him faint, Song Zhenrong raised his head and stared intently at Lord Zhu. Though his voice was weak, it carried an undeniable righteousness.

"We are innocent, so how can you talk about confessing? Even if Miss Linghu was tortured into confessing, it is your foolish underworld's despicable methods! The foolish underworld I know should be a place that upholds justice and protects all living beings, not a dark corner like yours that uses torture to force the innocent into confessing!"

These righteous and eloquent words were like a ray of light suddenly illuminating the darkness, carrying with them a recollection of and a questioning of the former glory of the Foolish Underworld.

However, to Master Zhu, it sounded like "disgusting" hypocrisy and naiveté.

Snapped! ! ! !

In response to Song Zhenrong was a fierce lash from Lord Zhu, delivered with all his might and filled with rage!
The whip, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, struck his shoulder once more with perfect precision, revealing the deep, bone-revealing wound!
"Uhh—!!"

Even with his iron will, Song Zhenrong was in so much pain that his vision blurred and he couldn't help but let out a short, painful groan.

When the whip was pulled back, the flesh and blood on his shoulder were almost completely scraped away, and his pale shoulder bone was clearly exposed in the dim firelight, a shocking sight!

"The Foolish Underworld has always been fair and just! Your words are a slander against the reputation of the Foolish Underworld!"

Lord Zhu wore a cold, sinister smile, his voice like a venomous snake spitting its tongue.

"Captain Song, please be careful with your words, otherwise you'll inevitably be charged with even more serious crimes, and you'll spend the rest of your life... rotting in this dark and hopeless dungeon!"

These words struck Song Zhenrong's heart like a heavy block of ice.

He can endure and bear today's torture.

But what about the endless torment, day after day, year after year?

He couldn't guarantee he would never break down.

The Foolish Underworld in the capital city has long been so corrupt that it can fabricate charges at will, burying a person in this dark abyss from which there is no light, never to rise again!

How... tragic!
Song Zhenrong slowly closed his eyes.

This sorrow is not for himself.

He felt sorrow for the people of the capital!
I feel a deep sense of sorrow that this foolish underworld, which embodies the ideals of countless people to slay demons and uphold justice, has fallen so low in the center of power!

The beautiful dreams and longings I once had for the capital city and the underworld were completely shattered and annihilated at this moment.

Aside from its enormous size and unfathomable power, the Yudifu branch in the capital city is far inferior to its branches in remote border towns in terms of "human touch" and "pure goodness".

It had long since become just another part of the power struggle in the capital, no different from any other corrupt institution or organization.

Slaying demons and monsters?

Protecting all living beings?

A cold, mocking smile, tinged with despair, curled at the corners of Song Zhenrong's lips.

The lofty ideals that led to the founding of this foolish underworld have probably been trampled into nothingness by these greedy parasites who occupy high positions!

"Captain Song, why be so stubborn?"

Master Zhu's tone suddenly changed, becoming "earnest and earnest".

"We're both just ordinary people trying to make a living in this prison. After all, you're one of the people in the Foolish Underworld. Do me a favor so I can report back to my superiors. I'll arrange a quiet and clean cell for you, so we can all live peacefully, okay?"

He changes his attitude as easily as turning the pages of a book; if being forceful doesn't work, he immediately switches to being gentle.

But this "good intention" is nothing more than an empty promise soaked in the blood and tears of countless prisoners.

The treatment of prisoners is entirely up to him.

Today's "preferential treatment" may turn into even crueler torture tomorrow.

Here, his promises are cheaper than sewage in a sewer.

"I have neither committed a crime nor done anything to offend the Foolish Underworld. I have no reason to stay here, neither morally nor logically!"

Song Zhenrong remained defiant and refused to yield.

Snapped! ! !
His response was another vicious lash from Lord Zhu, whose expression changed instantly!
The whip struck his bare shoulder bone with perfect precision once again!

The crunching sound of the barbs scraping against the bone was enough to make your teeth ache! Song Zhenrong's body jerked violently, and he gasped for breath. The intense pain caused his whole body to tremble uncontrollably.

"Hs...hs..."

This painful reaction, however, caused a morbid satisfaction and pleasure to erupt in Master Zhu's eyes.

He stuck out his scarlet tongue and greedily licked the tiny bits of flesh belonging to Song Zhenrong that remained on the barb of the whip tip, a raucous and cruel smile on his face.

“I love hearing this sound… I love it so much. You won’t say anything? That’s okay, I can play with you all day long, we have plenty of time to ‘communicate’ slowly.”

"Master Qian has arrived!"

Just as Lord Zhu was indulging in sadistic pleasure, a loud announcement suddenly came from outside the cell.

Lord Zhu's expression changed drastically, as if he had been doused with a bucket of ice water, and he instantly suppressed all his abnormal expressions.

He hurriedly tossed the blood whip aside and quickly straightened his blood-stained clothes.

Straighten your back, adopt a serious and respectful, even fawning, expression, and stand respectfully to the side with your hands at your sides.

The position of the head of the Underworld in the capital city carries far more weight than that of a head of a local court.

In the capital city, where power is intertwined and deeply entrenched, those who can sit in this position are all figures with profound backgrounds and immense influence.

Strength is just the foundation; power is the key.

Offending a powerful leader? That's tantamount to digging your own grave!

Not to mention that he wouldn't be able to survive in the Underworld, he might not even be able to move an inch in the capital!
Lord Zhu was well aware of the implications, so he naturally behaved with utmost respect and dared not be negligent in the slightest.

Step...step...step...

The steady, imposing footsteps approached from afar.

The figure of Master Qian appeared at the prison cell door, followed by several close followers with imposing auras.

He ignored Lord Zhu, who was bowing respectfully, and first glanced with disgust at the chair in the torture chamber that was covered in blood and unidentified filth.

One of his attendants immediately understood and, without hesitation, got down on all fours and quickly lay down, arching his back to form a solid human cushion.

Master Qian sat down expressionlessly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

The cold gaze then fell upon Song Zhenrong, who was hanging in mid-air, looking like a bloodied man.

"It's dead."

When Master Qian spoke, his voice was calm and even, yet it resounded like thunder in Song Zhenrong's ears!

Song Zhenrong's pupils suddenly contracted, and his heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible giant hand!
A huge wave of panic instantly overwhelmed him.

Could it be my sister...?!

But the next moment, reason forcefully returned!

impossible!
With Fang Yu and Ding Hui around, how could my sister possibly die so easily? And given their attitude...

This is... a test!
"...I don't know what the Hall Master is talking about."

Song Zhenrong quickly lowered his head to hide his momentary loss of composure.

However, it's too late.

Master Qian's deep gaze, like a cold probe, had already captured Song Zhenrong's most genuine and undisguised intense emotional fluctuations at that moment.

He seems to have gotten the answer he wanted.

"He who colludes with demons shall be publicly executed at noon tomorrow."

Master Qian's voice was completely calm, as if he were simply stating a given fact.

He stood up, paused, and added, "Give him a breather, and save him some face."

"Yes! I will obey the Master's orders!"

Lord Zhu bowed and agreed immediately, his face full of fawning smiles.

Without another word, Master Qian turned and left with his attendants who served as cushions, his figure quickly disappearing into the dark passage outside the cell.

Song Zhenrong clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force!
He wanted to know more about his sister and what was happening to Linghu Xiang next door!
Should I ask? Or should I not ask?
Either option seems to be fraught with enormous risks and improprieties.

In the brief moment of his hesitation and struggle, Master Qian's figure had already disappeared.

This is not a case of playing hard to get!
Having obtained the information he wanted, Master Qian did not hesitate to pronounce a death sentence!

Song Zhenrong's face instantly turned extremely gloomy.

The previous resilience, forbearance, and even the slightest illusion about the Foolish Underworld were now completely replaced by cold despair and anger.

The shadow of death loomed over us with such real intensity.

"Hee hee hee!"

Master Zhu's annoying laughter rang out again.

"It has to be Master Qian! He got right to the point right away. See, if you had cooperated earlier, you would have avoided all this pain. Don't worry, since you're leaving tomorrow, I'll make sure you're comfortable tonight. If you have any last words, just say them. As a fellow colleague, I'll do anything that's not too outrageous."

He leaned closer, his tone seductive, but his eyes were fixed on Song Zhenrong's lips like a venomous snake, waiting for him to reveal his secret.

"..."

Song Zhenrong fell silent, his mind racing.

He almost blurted out that he should tell the other party to go to the Ouyang residence to ask Fang Yu for help!
But as the words were about to come out, a strong sense of crisis suddenly seized him!
brush!
He suddenly raised his head, his sharp gaze piercing straight at Lord Zhu!
Beneath the other person's seemingly "focused" and "enthusiastic" expression, there was clearly a hunter's anticipation as he waited for his prey to step into his trap!

Confusing phrases!

He was still trying to extract information until the very last moment!
Warning bells rang in Song Zhenrong's mind!
He slowly and firmly shook his head and shut his mouth tightly.

The smile on Master Zhu's face vanished instantly, replaced by deep displeasure and gloom.

Although Master Qian obtained the information, he, as the executioner in charge of the interrogation, accomplished nothing!

If this is investigated later, he will be held accountable!
That's why they wanted to extract some more value from Song Zhenrong before he died.

I never expected that even when this guy was about to die, he was still so wary!

As for Linghu Xiang's side?
It wasn't that he didn't interrogate her, but no matter how he questioned her, Linghu Xiang's testimony was surprisingly consistent and "clean," with all the evidence clearly pointing to Song Zhenrong.

The results proved that the breakthrough was indeed with Song Zhenrong.

He wasn't very interested in torturing Linghu Xiang; the pleasure he derived from torturing tough guys like Song Zhenrong was what he enjoyed.

Unfortunately... once Master Qian spoke, it was no longer possible for him to torture her.

"Captain Song is truly a master of keeping his mouth shut,"

"Master Zhu said in a sarcastic tone."

"However, there are some things that, if we don't say them now, it will really be too late when we're on the execution ground tomorrow and our heads are rolling."

Song Zhenrong remained unmoved by this "good intention," like a monk in deep meditation, seemingly impervious to reason and ready to be slaughtered.

Seeing his reaction, Lord Zhu knew it would be difficult to get him to talk any further.

He could only sigh dejectedly and call out towards the door, "Someone come here!"

He planned to have Song Zhenrong taken down and "take good care" of him to ensure that he could be taken to the execution ground in a relatively "decent" manner the next day.

However, after calling out twice, no one answered.

Instead, a series of rapid and forceful footsteps approached the torture chamber.

Master Zhu turned his head in confusion and looked towards the doorway.

A tall, imposing figure, accompanied by his several obsequious and subservient jailers, appeared at the entrance of the dimly lit passage.

The firelight illuminated his signature face, which carried a somewhat gloomy air.

"By...Captain?" A hint of surprise flashed in Lord Zhu's eyes.

He and Captain Feng were not particularly close.

The two belong to different systems.

One is on a mission abroad, living a life of constant danger.

An insidious and brutal interrogation of prisoners.

Although there is some overlap, it is not much.

However, Captain Feng's name and deeds, especially his formidable strength that far surpasses that of ordinary captains and is said to have already reached the level of a hall master, are well-known within the Foolish Underworld.

However, this person is upright and straightforward, not good at scheming, and lacks a strong backer, so he has always been relegated to the position of captain.

But that doesn’t prevent him from being a potential connection worth making.

Therefore, when Master Zhu met Captain Feng, he usually tried to befriend him.

Upon seeing him arrive in person, he immediately put on a smile and went to greet him. Ignoring the dirty bloodstains on his body, he reached out to take Captain Feng's coat, which seemed to have just been through a fierce battle, covered in dust and slightly damaged.

"Captain Feng, what brings you to this filthy place today?" Lord Zhu asked warmly.

Captain Feng's gaze seemed somewhat unfocused, slowly sweeping over the cold instruments of torture and the mottled bloodstains in the torture chamber before finally settling on Song Zhenrong, who was hanging there, barely alive.

A fleeting, almost imperceptible glint of anger and seriousness crossed his eyes.

"I just fought a ferocious demon in the outer city."

Fang Yu imitated Captain Feng's slightly hoarse and gloomy voice and slowly opened his mouth.

"I heard you've caught a suspect who might be colluding with that demon, so I've come to inquire about the details."

Master Zhu immediately revealed a knowing expression.

"I see! Captain Feng, your arrival is just in time. I've finished the interrogation, and Hall Master Qian has also come in person. I was a little confused before, but now that you've explained it, I understand completely! This person,"

He pointed at Song Zhenrong. "He must have colluded with that demon to harm my Foolish Underworld, which is why he was ordered to be arrested by Hall Master Qian and ended up like this! Captain Feng, what aspect of the situation would you like to know? Perhaps I can report directly to you?"

(End of this chapter)