Chapter 19: Look, you're getting impatient again

"How is that possible?"

"The old woman's visage was ferocious."

"Shen Qing gazed at the old woman's anger-warped visage, his contempt evident."

"\"Old hag, has anyone ever told you you resemble a rotting chrysanthemum? \""

"The scholar and the others couldn't help but turn and glance back."

"\"Boss, boss, your mouth's turned poisonous—how did I not notice before? \""

"Those stinging words kept echoing in the old woman's ears."

"\"Old hag! Rotting chrysanthemum!? \""

"Soon, her ears turned red at a visible speed."

"She slapped her chest hard, and another three blood-arrows shot out."

"\"Bold brat, die! \""

"However, these three blood-arrows were merely a feint; the true killing move lay ahead."

"Only see the old woman swiftly rushing, following the blood-arrows, a fist wrapped in bloody inner force hurtling toward Shen Qing."

"Shen Qing gave a light chuckle: \"You see, you're getting impatient again. \""

"The next instant, his form vanished from the spot; when he reappeared, he was at the old woman's side, delivering a whip kick to her flank."

"\"Old hag, your mind's in disarray, your punch slowed. \""

"The old woman's expression shifted; hastily she retracted her fist and blocked Shen Qing's whip kick with her forearm."

"With a crack."

"The old woman's forearm was shattered by Shen Qing's kick, her flank also dented inward."

"Already having lost some essence and blood, the old woman could not withstand such injury; blood poured uncontrollably from her mouth as she collapsed to the ground."

"But then, living long does still have its merits."

"The old woman suddenly lifted her head, spat a flying needle from under her tongue straight at Shen Qing's throat."

"Shen Qing tilted his head slightly, reached out a hand, steadied his grip on the flying needle, applied a little force, and the needle shattered."

"He stepped forward slowly, looking down at the old woman from above."

"\"Living long is useless anyway. \""

"Lin Zikai came running up behind Shen Qing."

"Shen Qing glanced back."

"\"I almost forgot you; come over, I'll let you hack this old thing twice to vent your anger. \""

"Lin Zikai hurriedly waved his hands: \"Sir, do you still remember that I said the one who discovered me was a purple-robed old man? \""

"\"He's not here. \""

"Shen Qing looked around; indeed he saw no trace of the purple-robed figure."

"He grabbed the old woman from the ground: \"Come on, I'll give you a chance to die well—speak, where is that man? \""

"The old woman let out a ferocious laugh, revealing a mouthful of bloody teeth."

"\"You think I'll tell you? \""

"\"They're far stronger than us; you'll just live in fear! \""

"\"Death? I've never feared it—kill me! \""

"Shen Qing raised an eyebrow, casually tossing the old woman to the Embroidered Uniform Guard behind him."

"\"Did you hear that? A tough bone. \""

"These Embroidered Uniform Guards walked toward the old woman, trying not to laugh."

"In the Embroidered Uniform Guard's jail, these tough bones softened, each faster than the last."

"What they, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, love to hear most is a tough bone."

"First was Lin Zikai, who directly hoisted the old woman up, drew his carried long whip, and revealed a cold smile."

"\"Old thing, you like drinking human blood—let me see if your blood is red. \""

"Having said that, he lashed out with a series of whips."

"Crack! Crack! Crack!"

"With each whip, the old woman let out a muffled groan, yet she gritted her teeth and endured, taking fifty lashes without uttering a word."

"At that moment, the scholar snorted: \"It's not me saying this, Lin Xiaoqi—your interrogation skills are lacking; let me take over. \""

"Only see the scholar walking out holding an iron basin with burning flames, faintly visible within were ten red-hot steel needles."

"Then he used iron tongs to clamp the needles, driving them straight into the old woman's fingernail crevices."

"\"Ah!!! \" the old woman screamed, each cry higher than the last."

"Until the ten red-hot steel needles were inserted, the old woman weakly opened her eyes and gave a cold chuckle."

"\"The Embroidered Uniform Guard's methods... are nothing more than this. \""

"Upon hearing that, all the Embroidered Uniform Guards grew excited, showing no trace of dejection."

"What a tough bone indeed."

"\"Move aside, move aside, let me—I've found some salt, I'll sprinkle it directly on the whip wounds. \""

"\"Sprinkling salt, are you just being coy? In my view, death by a thousand cuts is better—let's see how long the late Heaven realm can endure. \""

"\"Everyone, step aside... \""

"The old woman watched the crowd of Embroidered Uniform Guards discussing before her, her whole body trembling uncontrollably."

"Just then, a honest-sounding voice rang out—it was the sincere man, Old Li."

"\"Why not let me try? I just found some bird's eye chilies in the house; I can peel her skin, sprinkle the chilies on, then stitch it back up. \""

As soon as those words were spoken, the courtyard fell silent; only the whooshing sound of the wind blowing over the fire basin could be heard.

Everyone turned to look at Lao Li.

Shen Qing also glanced at Lao Li, feeling certain about something.

Lao Li's shown honesty is surely an act; this tactic, even if taken to the capital, could secure a prominent post in the Ministry of Punishment.

But the next moment, a loud shout rang out in the courtyard: 'I confess, I confess, I'll confess to anything!'

The old woman watched as Lao Li drew nearer, shouting like a madman, fearing she would be too late.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard all laughed.

A hard bone amounts to nothing more than this.

Shen Qing walked toward the old woman.

"Who is the man in purple robes, and where did he go?"

The old woman lowered her head, not daring to lift it.

"His name is Zhang He, he is my husband."

The old woman's voice grew softer, possibly feeling a hint of guilt from betraying her husband.

"He is right in Black Tiger Mountain."

The scholar beside them whispered, "Sir, Black Tiger Mountain lies outside Morning Sun County."

Morning Sun County isn't far; it's right next to White Cloud County.

"What is the Holy Tree you speak of?"

If I'm not mistaken, this Holy Tree is the reason their cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds.

The old woman fell silent, not answering right away.

But the next moment, Shen Qing's foot kicked the old woman's face, sending her rolling several times.

"Lao Li, bring the chili powder; this old hag is still not sober."

The old woman, ignoring the pain in her face, struggled up and shouted.

"I'll speak, I'll speak."

"Four years ago..."

This household is the Zhang Family; the purple-robed old man is the Zhang Family's master, Zhang He; this old woman is his wife, He Lian.

Four years ago, Zhang He was an escort chief of the Escort Bureau in Morning Sun County; during a mission he reached Black Tiger Mountain and accidentally discovered the Holy Tree they spoke of.

The Holy Tree bore four fruits; after eating them, the aged and frail Zhang He actually felt a loosening of his cultivation realm.

To keep it secret, Zhang He killed all of his companions.

And Zhang He discovered that the Holy Tree was actually absorbing the blood of his companions,

Afterward, Zhang He has remained guarding Black Tiger Mountain.

"This tree is a blood-sucking fruit; where does your blood come from?"

"Originally we used animal blood, stealing some corpses."

"Only this year have we begun using living people."

As they spoke, the old woman's emotions grew ever more agitated.

"We've only this year used living people; how did you, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, show up at our door?"

"It's just a few villagers, just a few ants; you lot..."

Before the words were finished, Shen Qing stepped on the old woman's mouth with one foot, a harsh cracking sound rang out, and the old woman's teeth were shattered underfoot.

"You're right, you see they are ants."

"Then what difference are you, in my eyes, from those ants?"