I play the role of Jiajing in Zongwu: What crime have I committed?

Lin Chen was taken aback upon hearing this, then a look of realization dawned on his face.

"So that's how it is. You knew Mei Changsu's identity all along and were secretly monitoring him?"

"good."

"You're right, I did help him a lot, but helping him is also helping myself. As long as he helps Prince Jing ascend the throne, the positions of the Jiangzuo Alliance and Langya Pavilion will be more secure."

"As for ambushing the four grandmasters, I've long wanted to see which nook and cranny these so-called grandmasters of the Eastern Depot were dug out of. It was just something I did on the side."

Zhu Houcong's eyes narrowed upon hearing this, and he stared intently at Lin Chen.

"So, you dog emperor, if you think you can threaten me with Mei Changsu, you're sorely mistaken."

Lin Chen raised his chin defiantly and sneered.

"Even if you put his head right in front of me right now, I won't even flinch. You can try me if you don't believe me."

After he finished speaking, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Zhu Houcong was so angry he laughed, his heart burning with rage.

Lin Chen is a despicable person; he has absolutely no sense of martial ethics.

Mei Changsu treated him as a friend, but it turns out he had been using Mei Changsu all along.

"So that's how it is. I underestimated you."

Zhu Houcong slowly turned around and drew a long sword from Zhu Shou's waist.

"But don't worry, I won't kill you."

He looked at the sword in his hand, a cruel smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"I will take good care of you until the day you are willing to reveal the secrets of the Dragon Seeking Technique."

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly raised his hand.

A flash of sword light streaked across the sky, and blood spurted out instantly.

"Aaaaaah!!!"

Lin Chen's heart-wrenching screams echoed through the gloomy dungeon.

His three legs were severed at the root, and blood gushed out like a fountain.

Zhu Houcong remained unmoved and raised his long sword once more.

Two more flashes of cold light appeared, and Lin Chen's arms were severed.

This once powerful and influential master of Langya Pavilion has now been reduced to a complete "human skeleton".

"Ugh!!!"

Lin Chen's screams were so hoarse they were barely human.

His body was convulsing violently, his eyes were bloodshot, and his face was distorted like a demon.

Then, Zhu Houcong expressionlessly took out a small jade bottle from his sleeve and poured out some golden powder.

These are fragments he scraped off the Medicine King's Golden Elixir. Although their effects are far less than those of the whole elixir, they are more than enough to prolong life.

He roughly pried open Lin Chen's mouth and poured the powder in.

Soon, a magical scene happened.

The bleeding from his wound gradually stopped and began to scab over.

Although his limbs could not regenerate, at least his life was saved.

Finally, Zhu Shou brought over a wine jar and stuffed it into the jar.

Zhu Houcong looked at Lin Chen soaking in the wine vat and laughed.

"Lin Chen, this form of torture is called 'human pig.' I will keep you in the Longevity Palace to be cared for. You will only be freed when you are willing to reveal the Dragon-Seeking Secret."

Chapter 182 The Fall of Langya Pavilion, the Ruin of the Jiangzuo Alliance

Lin Chen's limbs were all broken, and he could not bear the humiliation.

But now that he has lost all his power, he can't even commit suicide, and can only wail loudly.

"You dog emperor, you are utterly depraved and deserve to die a horrible death."

"Kill me if you dare."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong merely glanced at him with disdain.

"Pretty arrogant."

He turned to Zhu Shou and gave him instructions.

"Give him some 'spice,' make it a little salty, and let him enjoy it."

Zhu Shou, who was standing nearby, immediately took a jar of coarse salt and poured it into the wine jar without any hesitation.

"Aaaaaah!!!"

The excruciating pain of the salt seeping into the wound caused Lin Chen's screams to rise abruptly.

His body was convulsing violently, veins were bulging on his forehead, and his eyes were bloodshot.

Seeing this, Xiaomeng, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but frown slightly, and a trace of reluctance flashed in her eyes.

Zhu Houcong keenly noticed that something was wrong with her expression, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her outside.

After leading Xiaomeng outside the hall, he said earnestly, "To be merciful to the enemy is to be cruel to oneself."

"The Yin-Yang School has Donghuang Taiyi in charge, and the Human Sect has Xiaoyaozi in charge. If you want to obtain a divine-level technique like Xiaoyao You, you might not have the chance even in the next few decades."

"But the Dragon-Seeking Technique is different. As long as we obtain this technique, both of us can advance further."

Xiaomeng hesitated to speak, but Zhu Houcong raised his hand to stop her.

"You don't need to get involved in this matter anymore. Go back and get some rest, and wait for my good news."

After speaking, his gaze turned cold again, and he turned and walked back into the hall.

Xiaomeng sighed softly behind her and disappeared from the spot.

Then, intermittent, hoarse screams, barely audible, echoed from the dungeon.

Zhu Houcong sat in front of Lin Chen, watching Lin Chen's continuous painful wails with a cold smile.

Zhu Shou then added various ingredients to the wine jar.

All that's left is to marinate Lin Chen until he's fully flavored.

Under such torture, even the hardest bones will eventually be crushed.

An hour passed, and Zhu Houcong still hadn't gotten anything, so he had no choice but to turn around and leave.

All that remained was Lin Chen, who had been chopped into a human stump, gasping for breath in the darkness.

Meanwhile, after returning to the Su residence, Mei Changsu immediately summoned Li Gang and hurriedly gave him instructions.

Immediately send someone to investigate Lin Chen's whereabouts.

Utilize all of Jiangzuo Alliance's covert networks to ensure Lin Chen's safety.

However, more than ten days passed, and Lin Chen seemed to have vanished without a trace, with no good news coming back from the Jiangzuo Alliance.

Mei Changsu stood under the eaves, gazing at the gloomy sky, his fingers unconsciously clenching his sleeves.

He felt a vague unease.

Given Lin Chen's abilities, if he had truly escaped, he wouldn't have remained missing for so long.

It wasn't until the fifteenth day that the Jiangzuo Alliance's spies brought back a shocking message.

"Sect Master, Langya Pavilion is finished."

"Xiaomeng personally led the disciples of the Heavenly Sect, joining forces with the four Grandmasters including Qinglong to attack the mountain gate. The disciples in the pavilion were almost all killed or wounded, and Langya Pavilion has been razed to the ground."

"what?"

Mei Changsu swayed and barely managed to stand by holding onto a pillar.

He hadn't expected Xiaomeng to act so quickly.

On the very day Lin Chen fled, he realized that Langya Pavilion might suffer a catastrophic disaster, so he hurriedly sent a message to Langya Pavilion through the Jiangzuo Alliance, urging them to evacuate quickly.

But it was still too late.

He closed his eyes, and the image of that ethereal mountain pavilion shrouded in mist appeared in his mind.

There's also the way Lin Chen always leans against the window, teasing him while fanning himself with a folding fan.

"Any news about Lin Chen?"

The scout shook his head: "We haven't found out yet."

Mei Changsu remained silent for a long time before finally waving his hand, and the scout took his leave.

Seeing Mei Changsu's pained expression, Li Gang couldn't help but step forward to comfort him, saying, "Sect Leader, please don't blame yourself."

"With Pavilion Master Lin Chen's strength, as long as he can escape, he will definitely be fine."

Mei Changsu shook his head, his eyes filled with regret.

"Li Gang, I was wrong. From the very beginning, I shouldn't have saved Tingsheng this way, and I shouldn't have dragged everyone into this mess in order to avenge Brother Meng."

His voice trembled slightly, "It was my selfishness that led to Sima Shang's tragic death and Lin Chen's disappearance."

"metropolitan."

"Li Gang said urgently."

"How can you blame yourself? Blame that dog emperor and the Eastern Depot."

"It was their ruthlessness that led to Mr. Sima's self-destruction and death, and the fate of Pavilion Master Lin Chen is now unknown."

Upon hearing this, Mei Changsu slowly closed his eyes, and a tear slid down his cheek.

He has sacrificed far too much and paid a terrible price for revenge.

At this moment, a look of hesitation appeared on Li Gang's face, and he rubbed his hands together as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Mei Changsu keenly noticed his unusual behavior: "What's wrong? Is there something else?"

Li Gang took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Just now, a brother from the alliance reported that Governor Cai Quan of Langrao has been making frequent moves recently, and it seems he is about to take a major action against our Jiangzuo Alliance."

Upon hearing this, Mei Changsu's expression calmed down.

"Cai Quan is an upright and incorruptible man, wholeheartedly devoted to the people. When he was transferred to Langrao half a year ago, we foresaw that this day would come."

He said this as he slowly walked into the house.

"As the Jiangzuo League has developed to this point, it is inevitable that there are both good and bad members."

"In recent years, some people have indeed abused the power of the alliance to commit evil deeds. We can use Cai Quan as a sharp sword to clean house for us."

Li Gang hesitated, then said, "But this would likely severely damage the alliance's power."

"It's alright."

Mei Changsu turned around and said with a firm gaze.

"Only by removing the rotten parts can new flesh grow. Pass down the order to proceed according to the 'tail-cutting' plan formulated six months ago."

"Stop any business that needs to be cut off immediately, and withdraw any personnel that need to be withdrawn."

"Remember, none of those who commit heinous crimes shall be spared."

Upon hearing this, Li Gang solemnly accepted the order.

"Understood, I will arrange it immediately."

After Li Gang left, Mei Changsu stood alone by the window. He knew better than anyone that the Jiangzuo Alliance had expanded too quickly in recent years, and its problems had indeed become deeply entrenched.

Although Cai Quan's move will severely damage the Jiangzuo Alliance, it may not necessarily be a bad thing.

Just as Langya Pavilion was destroyed, Governor Cai Quan of Langrao keenly seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

He mobilized his elite troops overnight and, under the pretext of "purging rebels and rectifying the martial arts world," launched a thunderous purge against the Jiangzuo Alliance.