Chapter 114

The Black Goat's heavy hooves trod on the frozen ground, emitting a dull 'crack' with each step, crushing thin ice and leaving winding drag marks.

Li Qingxuan tightened the reins, adjusted his direction, and slowly advanced toward the vague outline of the fortress.

Even wrapped in thick blankets, the chill still pierced his marrow like fine needles; the white breath he exhaled gathered only to be torn apart by the gale, and the frost on his beard grew a bit thicker.

Huang Rong pressed close to him, her spiritual sense like an invisible spiderweb spreading silently in all directions, catching every stir in the darkness.

Her gaze was sharp, sweeping over the distant, ice‑covered jagged ridge; any tiny shadow's tremor could not escape her scrutiny.

On the simple wooden raft, the emaciated man let out a weak groan of pain as the raft jolted, his body spasming uncontrollably while frozen clots of blood slipped from beneath his grey robe.

Huang Rong's fingertips quietly gripped the flying knife hidden in her sleeve, her voice lowered almost to a whisper, nearly drowned by the wind's howl: 'Qingxuan brother, what if this captive wakes up mid‑way and causes a ruckus?'

Li Qingxuan did not turn his head; his Changqiang lay steady across his knees, the residual lightning at its tip flickering in the darkness, reflecting his calm, water‑like profile.

'No problem,' he replied succinctly, 'the raft is tied solid, the Black Goat's hooves are heavy enough; if he really wakes, we'll just knock him out again—saves him from wandering thoughts on the road.'

Huang Rong's lips curled slightly, her usual lively smile edged with chill: 'That works too; just keep him alive for questioning.'

She shifted her sitting posture, and the cold wind seeping through the blanket's gaps made her shiver involuntarily.

As they marched, the surrounding silence was amplified by the wind, the Black Goat's heavy breathing like drumbeats pounding on taut nerves.

Suddenly, the captive on the raft erupted in violent coughing, his emaciated wrists straining against the ropes and producing a grating 'creak'.

Huang Rong's eyes narrowed, the flying knife sliding to her fingertips, but Li Qingxuan moved faster—he backhanded the spear butt down, striking with precise, restrained force.

With a muffled 'thud,' the captive's head lolled limp like a broken reed, and he lay still.

The Black Goat paused briefly, then continued forward at Li Qingxuan's light pat.

Huang Rong gave a soft hum, retracted her flying knife, and remarked, 'Looks like even this cold can't freeze his foolish thoughts.'

Emerging from the mist, the fortress's outline gradually sharpened in the darkness, resembling a crouching giant beast; a few weak lights flickered at the Gate, like guiding stars on the way home.

Li Qingxuan drew a deep breath of warm air and said in a low voice, 'We're almost there, Rong sister—get ready for the interrogation.'

Huang Rong nodded in response, her thumb unconsciously rubbing the hilt of her short dagger; the clear power from the Bodhi Fruit circulated within her, lending her whole being a poised sharpness.

The Gate came into view, its outline faintly visible; a gentle breeze brushed their faces, carrying away the harsh cold, leaving only the Black Goat's hoofbeats and the monotonous drag of the raft—announcing the end of this brief patrol.

Arriving at the stronghold, Li Qingxuan untied the rope, let the Black Goat find its own resting spot, went inside to fetch water, and upon entering saw Li Feifei seated on the sofa.

Li Feifei was cradling a cup of steaming tea; she looked up and saw Li Qingxuan enter, with Huang Rong following behind.

'Qingxuan brother, Rong sister, you're back—come sit and rest a while,' Li Feifei said, waving her hand to gesture them to sit.

'Not yet,' Li Qingxuan said, waving his hand, 'we met someone who tried to kill us on sight, but we captured him; we'll interrogate him first before resting.'

Li Qingxuan lifted the water bucket and stepped out, the two women following behind; hearing the commotion, Ling'er and Shuang'er also ran over happily.

The five reached the courtyard and saw a grey‑robed person bound unconscious on the wooden raft; a flicker of surprise crossed everyone's eyes before they hurried over.

Li Feifei's gaze fell on the captive; his tattered grey robe made his emaciated body look exceptionally frail in the ropes, yet dark‑red ice crystals clung to his shins and shoulders like dagger hilts, and his arm bore a frozen wound—all signs of his danger.

Li Qingxuan approached the raft, set the water bucket down firmly, swiftly untied the ropes binding it, and then, as if lifting a bundle of dry firewood, easily hoisted the captive.

The captive went limp, showing no reaction except for his breath proving he was alive; Li Qingxuan casually tossed him onto the floor with a dull thud.

The cold floor touching his body seemed to trigger a faint instinctive reaction, and a muffled moan escaped his throat.

Huang Rong walked over to the captive, crouched, and swiftly inspected the binding ropes, ensuring every point was tight and secure, especially his emaciated wrists and ankles.

After confirming everything was secure, she looked up at Li Qingxuan and said, 'Pour the water—let him wake so we can question him.'

Li Qingxuan grabbed the water bucket without hesitation, heaved it with his left hand, and the whole bucket poured out like a waterfall with a 'splash,' drenching the captive from head to toe!

"Ugh—ah!" The cool water striking his body and wounds jolted him, dragging him forcibly from unconsciousness.

He erupted in violent coughing, his body writhing and struggling painfully on the icy floor as he tried to break free from the pain and the binding ropes; his grey robe soaked instantly, clinging tightly to his frail form, making him look miserable.

He opened his eyes; his pupils appeared unusually murky in the dim light, filled with alarm and lingering pain, and he glanced blankly and fearfully at the five people surrounding him.

When his gaze met Huang Rong's coolly scrutinizing pretty face and Li Qingxuan's deep, calm eyes that hid a sharp edge, his struggling froze instantly, and a deep fear flickered in his cloudy eyes.

He recognized these two as the murderous stars who had seized him in the darkness.

"Awake?" Huang Rong's voice was not loud, yet it cut clearly through the captive's heavy breathing and chattering teeth, carrying an undeniable pressure.

Looking down at him, she had somehow picked up a Willow Leaf Flying Knife between her fingers, its tip unintentionally aimed at the wound where a flying knife had pierced him, now aggravated by the cold water.

"That's good—saves us the trouble of shouting. Now, tell me: who are you? What were those sneaky shadows and the black spear earlier? Speak up, and I might still let you go."

The flying knife spun agilely on her fingertips, its cold light flashing, silently conveying the threat—if he didn't come clean, the next strike would be far more than a simple puncture.

The captive's throat convulsed violently; his body trembled uncontrollably from pain and fear, and beneath his soaked grey robe seeped a mixture of cold water and blood.

He opened his mouth, his lips fluttering as if thousands of words were stuck in his throat, but his teeth clenched involuntarily, producing a clacking sound that drowned out whatever he tried to say.

He widened his eyes, locking onto the flying knife hovering near him, its sharp blade seeming ready to pierce his flesh at any moment; fear surged in his gaze like a tide, threatening to overflow, yet his throat felt gripped by an invisible hand, allowing only desperate gasps.

"Speak quickly," Huang Rong said sternly.

The emaciated man shuddered, then hurriedly replied, 'I… I am called Wu Lao Qi, a junior under Ye Lao Da…'

The gaunt man's voice was hoarse and trembling, filled with deep fear and pain, "Just now… just now I offended you two, it was not my intention; I… I was acting on Ye Lao Da's orders to Explore… Explore the whereabouts of Li Qingxuan and Li Feifei…"

He suddenly burst into violent coughing, each cough accompanied by bodily spasms, blood trickling uncontrollably from the corner of his mouth, streaming down his chin, his body trembling from pain and injury like a leaf blown wildly in the wind, on the verge of falling.

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