Chosen One, how did I end up as the villain?

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Jian'an West Street

Duweisi, Dungeon

Qin Huaiyu was taken to a special cell by Gao Po and the armored soldiers.

The room was dark and damp, with a wooden cross frame in the center and a burning charcoal brazier in front of it.

On either side were two tables, covered with torture tools.

Bloodstained nails, a palm-sized branding iron, wooden clips to pinch fingers, whips, scissors…

There are dozens of varieties, enough to make one's scalp tingle.

If these things were directed at someone, it's not hard to imagine what the consequences would be.

It won't necessarily lead to death, but it will cause unbearable pain.

They're skipping all the formalities and going straight to torturing me; they're really impatient.

Qin Huaiyu squinted at the only person sitting upright at the very front of the cell.

If I'm not mistaken, this is the person in charge.

Zhai Tianlin, Junior Commandant.

Commander of Jian'an City's defenses.

This man wore a sky-blue brocade robe embroidered with tigers, with a gold and jade belt around his waist. He was tall and strong, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, thick lips, and a large nose, and had a very rugged appearance.

He sat there imposingly on a bench, exuding a fierce and savage aura.

"My lord, the person has been brought."

Gao Po stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Ignoring him, Zhai Tianlin stood up and strode forward, his eyes filled with hostility as he stared at Qin Huaiyu, saying:

"Kid, you're the one who did the Black Cloud Stronghold thing."

Qin Huaiyu nodded, glancing at Zhai Tianlin's hand.

On his bronze skin was a hideous, snake-like scar, quite ugly.

Sure enough, I couldn't resist, and everything turned out exactly as I had imagined; the Commandant and Black Cloud Village were indeed one and the same.

"My lord, since your name has already been recorded, why ask any further questions? I was the one who killed him."

However, I was only handling the case for the county government, and everything was done according to the law. I did nothing wrong, otherwise why would I have been credited?

Upon hearing this, Zhai Tianlin's ferocity intensified. "This is outrageous! This kid is insulting me! If I had known this would happen, I should have killed him the day I entered the city. That way, the stronghold wouldn't have been destroyed."

The more he thought about it, the more uncontrollable his anger became.

"Black Cloud Stronghold has been incorporated into the city's defenses. Your destruction of the stronghold is tantamount to rebellion and you shall be punished accordingly."

What a big accusation! If it weren't for the fact that you're an official and I'm just a commoner, I would have taught you a lesson on how to behave. Do you really think that having a title changes your nature? Look at your ugly face.

Qin Huaiyu inwardly scoffed, but outwardly maintained a serious expression:

"The Great Law of Martial Law states that everyone is equal before the law, including the emperor."

"My lord, could it be that the bandits of Black Cloud Stronghold and your Commandery are above the law, and that their crimes go unpunished?"

"presumptuous!"

Before Zhai Tianlin could speak, Gao Po, who was standing nearby, stepped forward with a keen eye and shouted:

"Dare to question the magistrate? I think you're courting death."

As he spoke, he raised his leg and slapped it.

Qin Huaiyu's face darkened. He had no masochistic tendencies, so he immediately delivered a powerful whip kick.

With a "bang".

Before anyone could react, Gao Po immediately let out a cry of pain.

"ah"

A sharp pain shot through his leg, and he immediately clutched it, leaping up like a lame monkey.

Upon seeing this, Zhai Tianlin's face darkened so much it was almost dripping with water.

"Good, good, well done. In my Commandery, you dare to hurt my men. You are truly audacious."

"No matter what happens today, you are going to die. But before that, I'm going to let you experience torture and feel the pain of a scholar's inability to die."

Damn, is that all the pettiness you have?

Whether you're capable or not, you still have to put on a cool act and say, "I'm the law!"

Qin Huaiyu was completely flustered. This guy didn't play by the rules at all, and all the lines he had rehearsed in his mind beforehand had fallen apart.

Why haven't you arrived yet? The letter should have been delivered by now.

Am I really going to be tortured?

Looking at that cold, lifeless thing, he felt a chill run down his spine.

If that nail were driven into the body...

If that branding iron gets red-hot...

There's also whips with salt water...

…You won’t die, but you’ll be skinned alive.

How utterly vicious!

No, I, a dignified man, cannot endure such oppression.

If we really can't take action, we should use force. But that would be tantamount to declaring war on the Commandery, which would be openly opposing the imperial court. In that case, even if the Black Cloud Stronghold were to achieve something, the prefect wouldn't be able to protect me. Even if I escaped, I would still be wanted by the imperial court.

No, we can't be hasty!

Seeing Qin Huaiyu still stunned, Zhai Tianlin felt a surge of satisfaction, believing he had frightened the man. He smiled cruelly and said:

"Now that you're scared, it's too late."

I will have someone take good care of you, so that every inch of your skin can truly feel the pain.

I'll make your soul tremble, and then I'll slice off your flesh piece by piece, letting you watch as dogs devour it, followed by your internal organs, ha ha ha.

The sinister tone, carrying bloody words, reached the ears of the armored soldiers, sending chills down the spines of everyone present.

Zhai Tianlin laughed even more wildly.

"Go, tie them up and put them on the rack!"

Upon hearing this, the armored soldiers trembled and quickly stepped forward to grab Qin Huaiyu.

Isn't this guy a total pervert?!

They're not here yet, I can't give up here!

Qin Huaiyu gritted his teeth, having made up his mind, and made a move to activate the Nightmare Power.

Even if it complicates things, it cannot be punished.

Just at this critical moment, a series of chaotic footsteps suddenly came from outside the cell.