Chapter 1045: Extreme Measures

Su Yang's gaze was ice-cold as he stared directly at this interrogation room chief: "Fine, bring whatever means you have—if I even blink, I'm not Su Yang."

That interrogation room chief said: "Good, I hope you keep this backbone." Then he told those nearby: "From now on, don't let him drink water." Having said that, he turned and left.

Next, Su Yang saw those two kilowatt fluorescent lights switched on directly, facing him, making it impossible for him to close his eyes.

However, having gone through the previous two experiences, he had already forged a will of steel; all that remained was to sleep with his eyes open.

Over the course of that night, he experienced the interrogation room chief's methods.

By the next morning, his lips were cracked, his eyes whitened, yet he still refused to admit any of the charges leveled against him.

Moreover, he had prepared for a protracted struggle and did not expect anyone to come rescue him.

Even by the following night, he had no bed to sleep on, remaining seated in the chair; whenever he made a motion to close his eyes, someone would shout at him in a especially loud voice.

Only someone like him could endure this; anyone else would surely have been driven to nervous exhaustion.

That interrogation room chief was now so angry he felt like vomiting blood, shouting at his own staff: "What are you good for? He still hasn't confessed by now?"

"At most half an hour, the Capital Discipline Inspection Commission people will intervene, and then we'll have no chance!"

"Now please deploy all your means, otherwise you'll never have good days ahead!"

Shortly after, those few bald-headed men entered without a word, first turning the room's heat up to maximum, making the already drowsy, swaying Su Yang break out in a sweat all over his body and head.

It was late May weather; normal indoor temperature was already high, and this windowless room was naturally stuffy, so this blast of hot air made him feel as if his whole body were about to explode on the spot.

Sweat streamed from his forehead down to his chest like a waterfall, soaking his clothes completely.

At this moment he really wanted a cup of water, but seeing their expressions he knew they wouldn't give him any, since the chief had already said the night before not to give him water.

Initially he thought withholding water was just ordinary thirst, something he could endure; he hadn't expected it under such extreme conditions.

However, at that moment one of the bald-headed men flashed a sinister smile and said: "Feeling hot? Thirsty? Just admit to one thing—that you pushed the former county magistrate off—and we'll give you water and let you go."

Su Yang was now weak and breathless, yet he still coldly stared at those several arrogant bald-headed men before him.

If he had the strength to speak, he would surely retort them; if a no-holds-barred fight to the death were possible now, he could absolutely kill those few opposite him.

Seeing Su Yang grit his teeth, the bald-headed man grew even more pleased: "Good, good, good—you're about to break, and we haven't even properly attended to you yet."

"You feel hot, huh? Then we'll lower the temperature for you—don't think we're not giving you spring-like care."

As he spoke, he specially set the air conditioner to its lowest temperature, cranked the fan speed to maximum, and began blasting Su Yang with cold wind.

At first, this wave of coolness that hit his face let Su Yang's body and mind relax a bit, feeling like long drought meeting sweet rain, heat meeting coolness.

But soon he realized something was wrong; just moments ago he had been scorching and sweating, yet now he keenly felt that under this strong cold airflow, his body temperature was rapidly dropping.

If it were normal conditions, even the lowest setting on a home air conditioner blowing wind would be something he could endure. But these beasts had just drenched him in sweat, and the sudden chill caused his clothes to cling tightly to his body.

All the sweat on his body instantly turned into bone-chilling icicles.

Under the rapid alternation of cold and heat, he felt his body was no longer his own; already near utter exhaustion, he now sensed his soul separating from his body.

At that moment, the Discipline Inspection Commission interrogation room chief also walked in: "How is it? Feeling good? Want another round?"

"As civilized case handlers like us, you probably haven't encountered this before; we won't use underhanded tactics, we're just letting you feel a bit of human warmth."

"Do you have anything to say now? If you lack the strength to speak, we can say it for you; after we finish, you just need to nod, then press a handprint and sign your name, and it will take effect."

"To be frank, stubbornly resisting like this does you no good at all, for this is merely an appetizer; if we exhaust our patience, even more care awaits ahead."

Su Yang leaned in the chair, struggling to stay conscious; though he was in the prime of his life, after this ordeal he was indeed close to meeting his great-grandmother.

Fortunately, at that moment the door was pushed open and two square-faced men who looked upright entered: "We are from the Jingcheng Discipline Inspection Commission; from now on we take full charge of this matter."

"You will immediately return to your original units."

The black-faced chief of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission Investigation Room's face grew even darker; he knew what this meant: his task had not been completed, he had failed to make Su Yang yield, to pry open his mouth—a black mark in his career.

Moreover, he knew how vast Su Yang's connections were; if this failed, it would amount to nothing.

Unless the Jingcheng Discipline Inspection Commission itself intervened personally, he would never let go at this point, even if beaten to death.

"Fine, since you leaders are taking over, we'll withdraw entirely, but I still need to report to you leaders that he's very tight-lipped."

"We have reasoned with him, appealed to his emotions, spoken countless lenient policy pleasantries, yet he simply refuses to open his mouth."

The square-faced man from the Jingcheng Discipline Inspection Commission said: "All right, we've heard you; go ahead and attend to your own business."

Then he restored the air conditioner to normal temperature, poured Su Yang a cup of water, and said: "Comrade Su Yang, you've suffered; those people's barbaric methods have become habitual, and later our Discipline Inspection Commission System will surely name and criticize them."

"First take a sip to warm your body; don't, in your youth, lay down the roots of illness."

This comrade-like concern almost brought Su Yang to tears of gratitude.

Of course, he did not refuse; at this moment he truly needed a cup of hot water, otherwise his distance to his great-grandmother would only grow nearer.

After swallowing the hot water, he clearly felt his soul gradually returning somewhat.

However, his body still felt awful; if only he could change into a clean set of clothes.

Of course, this was merely his fantasy.

After seeing Su Yang's spirits improve slightly, the Discipline Inspection Commission personnel began taking documents out of their bags, smiling as they said: "Comrade Su Yang, it's actually not as serious as you imagine; just some minor matters—you need only explain them."

Furthermore, these aren't any serious job-related crimes; moreover, your identity background differs from ordinary people—this minor matter, as long as those two old gentlemen in Jingcheng say a word, will be as if it never happened.