Chapter 1035: The Meaning of Existence

Li Qichen's shouting now only annoys people and serves no purpose.

He cannot save any life.

Chen Wuji quickly dealt with Li Qichen's subordinates, ordered people to bring Li Qichen and Hu Yuyan, hurriedly left Nanfengzhen, and returned to the camp.

This town still has many things unclear, but to be safe, we cannot stay long.

In a border town of Lingshouzhou hides the Uyghur Third Prince, who even prepared to openly sell the Qili Tribe's princess; based on this, the town's connections are surely deep with all Uyghur factions.

Being cautious is fine; Chen Wuji does not want to be held at knifepoint again.

That feeling is not good at all.

When Chen Wuji's group arrived at the military camp, Lu San Ye, who had gone ahead to town to find Chen Xingyuan, had already arrived.

"San Ye, how is the person, no…… okay?"

Chen Wuji's voice sounded hoarse, asking without confidence.

Lu San Ye said: "The person indeed fainted, but also poisoned; the medics are trying to save him."

"Can he live?"

"He can be saved; discovered in time, don't spare his life!"

Chen Wuji let out a fierce sigh, his expression turning cold: "Someone, bring that woman over; I'll talk with her myself."

"Yes!"

In the wooden house filled with strong fresh wood scent, Chen Wuji took out the silver needles given by Zhang Lao, carefully wiped them, then placed them one by one on the table.

Opposite him, Hu Yuyan still wore Chen Xingyuan's appearance, tightly bound to the chair. To facilitate acupuncture, her left hand and left foot, right hand and right foot were tied together, bound firmly; the pose was somewhat shameful, looking improper.

Fortunately Chen Wuji is not a proper person either, so he can accept enjoying the shameful twisting during acupuncture.

"Are you going to speak yourself, or shall I use a little force?" Chen Wuji asked.

Hu Yuyan's pupils trembled as she stared at the silver needles in Chen Wuji's hands: "What do you want to ask?"

"Everything you know—what happened among the Uyghurs, their troop numbers, their next plans, what's going on in Nanfengzhen, and your disguise technique; I'm interested in all of it."

"Go ahead and torture me; I don't know anything you're asking!"

"Great, I was just worried you'd be soft‑hearted and I'd miss another chance; few women can endure my acupuncture technique personally—you're the first!"

Hu Yuyan's face visibly paled; she shouted harshly but weakly: "Beast, I will never compromise with you!"

"Good, that's exactly what I want to hear; keep it up!" Chen Wuji smiled warmly, like a spring breeze, walking slowly toward Hu Yuyan, the silver needles glinting between his fingers.

He loosened Hu Yuyan's hair, his fingers lightly pressing on her scalp: "There used to be a wicked skin‑peeling method—cutting open the scalp from where I press, pouring in mercury; under extreme pain the victim would struggle upward, eventually sprouting out of the skin like a flower."

Hu Yuyan shuddered violently, her face draining of color.

"But rest assured, I disdain such wicked methods!" Chen Wuji chuckled lightly: "I am a civilized person; we have more civilized means."

As his words fell, the silver needle in his hand shot down.

Hu Yuyan suddenly seemed possessed, thrashing violently, her screams like a vengeful spirit.

In just a moment she was drenched in sweat, as if just fished out of a river.

Yet the acupuncture worked wonders: one needle flushed her death‑pale face with rosy vigor, her qi and blood full, she looked healthy.

"The Uyghurs have 800,000 troops capable of battle, of which 300,000 are elite; I really don't know how you'll fight the upcoming war—I lack that qualification. The Qili Tribe does not want war, and I refused the Royal Court's marriage alliance, which is why the Third Prince brought me here—to deliberately humiliate me…"

Hu Yuyan then poured out her words like spilling beans, speaking extremely fast.

Watching her, Chen Wuji almost couldn't hold back laughter.

She shouted so toughly, thinking she could last a while—result? Just this?

The first needle already made her unable to endure.

This woman, about all she has left is a stubborn mouth.

Hu Yuyan fully exerted her initiative, not waiting for Chen Wuji to ask, she began: "These years of rest and recuperation have treated everyone well; the Qili Tribe does not want to fall back into war, thus we offended the Royal Court and other tribes."

"Nanfengzhen was secretly built up by the Third Prince to openly gather intelligence on Dayu; the bosses behind the town's brothels are all the Third Prince."

Chen Wuji's face darkened instantly.

A small town turned into an intelligence hub openly, yet local officials and the Court noticed nothing.

Hu Yuyan breathed a somewhat alluring rough breath, continuing: "The Third Prince values Nanfengzhen greatly; it's said he personally stays there several months each year. Those women were specially picked and trained by him before opening to guests."

"That's all I know about Nanfengzhen; the rest I don't know."

"I can write down my disguise technique for you. What you want to know is what I know; even if you keep torturing me, I can't tell you what I don't know."

Chen Wuji nodded: "Put away that strange voice of yours; why shout so seductively? Let others hear and think I'm doing something to you."

Hu Yuyan's pupils widened, eyes full of shock.

Bastard!

Do you think I want to shout like that?

"What's the situation with the Qili Tribe now?" Chen Wuji pondered, then asked.

Hu Yuyan shook her head: "I don't know; I was forcibly taken from the tribe. When we left, the Royal Court and other tribes surrounded the Qili Tribe's ancestral lands, forcing us to provide troops and wealth far beyond the treaty for this war."

"Though I don't know the exact situation, the result is easy to guess: the Qili Tribe alone cannot withstand the pressure from the Royal Court and other tribes."

Chen Wuji lowered his eyelids, then suddenly asked an unrelated question: "Where are your attendants?"

"I have no attendants; I was……"

Chen Wuji slowly twisted a silver needle between his fingers.

Hu Yuyan's words caught in her throat; she swallowed hard, then changed her answer: "At the Xiyunjiulou."