Chapter 175

Chapter 175 Picking on the Weak"By the way, Mr. Xu, what do you plan to do with those rebels from the White Lotus cult?" Lin Wanrong suddenly asked with keen interest.

"Question the bandit leaders, show them no mercy." Xu Wei responded concisely.

"I do know who leads them, a man named Lu Zhongping, right? I was a 'guest' of the White Lotus cult in the past, and I have deep feelings toward him," Lin Wanrong laughed. After all, how could there not be deep affection between a grandfather and grandson?

"You recognize this Lu Zhongping?" Xu Wei asked, "He indeed leads this time, but he is definitely not the one behind the scenes."

Xu Wei's words carried profound implications, to which Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Mr. Xu, you probably already have some deductions in your mind, why bother wasting energy inquiring?"

"To catch a couple in adultery, to seize a thief and his booty, one must have clear evidence to convince others, and silence those puppet masters behind the scenes." There was a glint in Xu Wei's eyes, his words laced with deeper meaning.

"Regrettably, I left in such a hurry this time, bringing only skilled bodyguards with me. They're not experts in interrogation, and this Lu Zhongping is indeed quite stubborn, yielding little useful information." Xu Wei seemed to be talking to himself.

‘Damn, isn't this an obvious invitation? Knowing I have a vendetta against the White Lotus Sect, he knew I'd be interested. This old Xu is really thoughtful. I haven't personally done any interrogation before, but haven't I seen a pig run even though I've never eaten pig's feet? Waterboarding, torture chairs, just a few measures should make the grandson talk.’

‘I've never interrogated anyone before, but I came today for that turtle Lu Zhongping. I specialize in beating the fallen.’

Hearing about such a good opportunity, Lin Wanrong's previously gloomy mood evaporated, ‘Damn, being a cop, missing such an entertaining job would be foolish.’

"Well, Mr. Xu, I would like to observe—" Lin Wanrong began, feigning shyness. Xu Wei looked at him and burst into laughter.

The place where Lu Zhongping was locked up was a dimly lit room. He was shackled, looking pale and extremely haggard.

When Lin Wanrong and Gao Qiu walked in, Lu Zhongping lifted his head from the torture rack and shot a look of fury at Lin Wanrong, "Lin San, what are you here for?"

‘Damn, still so arrogant after being captured? Do you think this is your kitchen?’ Lin Wanrong laughed, "I came to visit family."

"Visit who?" Lu Zhongping retorted angrily.

"Visit my grandson." Lin Wanrong grinned.

Lu Zhongping's face twitched, and he yelled, "Lin San, you and I are irreconcilable!"

‘Damn you, you abducted me to the White Lotus cult. If it weren't for Xian'er rescuing me, I would have died at your hands and that turtle Tao Dongcheng's. When have I ever reconciled with you?’

Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, turning to Gao Qiu, "Brother Gao, I heard this kid is a martial arts master, right?"

Gao Qiu nodded, and Lin Wanrong laughed, "A martial arts master, such a terrifying title. What's the way to break this martial arts master's skills?"

"Pierce the Dantian, lock the shoulder blades." Gao Qiu responded succinctly.

[TL: Dantian traditionally located in the lower abdomen, about two inches below the navel and inwards towards the spine]

"Hmm, sounds quite interesting. Brother Gao, please try each method a hundred times." Lin Wanrong said leisurely.

Lu Zhongping jumped in shock, exclaiming, "Lin San, you dare?"

Gao Qiu was also taken aback. This Young Master Lin was ruthless. Even one trial of each method would leave Lu Zhongpin crippled. Yet he demanded a hundred times as if he were slicing vegetables.

"What the hell would I not dare to do?" Lin Wanrong slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Have you ever seen me afraid to do anything? I'm not even afraid of your master, so why should I fear you, grandson?"

Lu Zhongping's face turned pale. Lin San was even more arrogant this time than when captured that day. Today, with the roles reversed, why wouldn't he be arrogant? Lu Zhongping wasn't afraid of the many skilled warriors by Xu Wei's side, but facing Lin San, who carried an evil aura, it was hard not to fear.

"You, you dare? Lin San, if you have guts, fight me one-on-one—" Seeing Gao Qiu gradually closing in, Lu Zhongping began to shout in a trembling voice. He wasn't afraid of physical torment, but losing his martial arts was worse than death.

"One-on-one, is it?" Lin Wanrong chuckled, turning to Gao Qiu, "Brother Gao, bring in ten highly skilled fighters." sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ NʘvᴇlFire.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Soon, Gao Qiu brought in ten men, each with a gleam in their eyes, clearly no ordinary people.

Standing before the ten men, Lin Wanrong pointed at Lu Zhongping, "Don't say I didn't give you a chance. Do you choose a group fight or one-on-one?"

Lu Zhongping didn't understand his meaning, "What is a group fight, and what is one-on-one?"

"A group fight is when all of us beat you up." Lin Wanrong chuckled.

"Then one-on-one? I choose one-on-one."

"One-on-one? That's when you fight all of us."

Lu Zhongping roared, "Lin San, you are utterly shameless."

Lin Wanrong gave him a swift kick, "I've never claimed to be noble. You chose this path. Gentlemen, let's all join in. Wherever a man is most vulnerable, aim there!" With that, he landed another solid kick in Lu Zhongpin's groin. Lu Zhongping let out a scream that could be heard ten miles away.

Lin Wanrong was in a bad mood that day. After the kicks, he felt an immense satisfaction seeping through every pore of his body.

Even Gao Qiu thought that this Young Master Lin was truly shameless. Lu Zhongping was tied up, and even a maiden could beat him, yet this Young Master Lin showed no mercy. Upon learning that Lin Wanrong had once been captured by the White Lotus cult, he understood—’Young Master Lin must have suffered greatly back then,’ he thought, unaware that Lin Wanrong had been living comfortably.

After this series of shouting, beating, and scaring, Lu Zhongping turned pale and dared not speak. Gao Qiu asked, "Lu Zhongping, will you confess or not?"

Lin Wanrong grinned, "Brother Gao, let's not ask if he'll confess. I still have many interesting things to do."

Gao Qiu, truly admiring this Young Master Lin, played along, "What else haven't you done?"

"I heard of a particular method of skinning, quite intriguing, I wonder if Brother Gao has heard of it?" Lin Wanrong asked.

"What sort of skinning method?" Gao Qiu asked curiously.

"Well," Lin Wanrong started, "you chop off a person's limbs, make him a meat pole, and bury him upright in the sand under the scorching sun. Then, you cut a large hole in his scalp, sprinkle some flower nectar, honey, pepper powder, salt, star anise, and countless flies, butterflies, mosquitoes, and bugs will crawl on him. He will itch all over, his scalp numb, struggling only makes it itch more, the itch causing him to struggle more. In the end, unable to bear it, with a 'pop', the person springs out from the scalp slit, leaving the skin behind. It's a fun method that I've yet to try. If Brother Gao ever feels interested, we could give it a go."

"Is there really such a method? We must try it." Gao Qiu laughed but glanced at Lu Zhongping seemingly unintentionally.

Lu Zhongping felt a tingling in his scalp, angry at himself for not thinking of these methods when he had captured Lin San. He cursed Tao Dongcheng, that dog-headed strategist, for his pacification strategy which landed him in this mess. He knew Lin Wanrong was trying to scare him, but who knew if someone would really give it a try. He wasn't afraid of death, but such a brutal way of dying filled him with extreme fear.

"Actually, that's not the most interesting part." Lin Wanrong laughed, "Brother Gao, I heard there's a drug called aphrodisiac in the Jianghu, the one that can make women...excited after consumption."

At the mention of the aphrodisiac, Lu Zhongping shuddered, thinking of how he ignited the spring fragrance of the young lady that day. Indeed, it was retribution in this life.

Gao Qiu said, "Well, there is. The most effective and famous ones include 'My Love Hammer', 'Erotic Joy Powder', 'Guanyin Undressing', 'Buddha's Large Stick'—"

"Guanyin Undressing, Buddha's Large Stick? Damn, I've never heard of these two. Truly, lewdness knows no bounds." Lin Wanrong laughed, "Brother Gao, what would a man do if he took this aphrodisiac?"

"Of course, he would seek a woman for intercourse."

"And what if a male dog took an aphrodisiac?"

"Of course, it would look for a female dog to mate."

"And what if a man who took an aphrodisiac and a male dog who took an aphrodisiac were put in the same room? What would happen?" Lin Wanrong asked, seemingly lost in thought.

Gao Qiu got goosebumps. Even this kind of thing could be thought of. In terms of wickedness, if Young Master Lin admitted to being second, no one in the world would dare to admit being first. Lu Zhongping trembled with shock, his body shaking like chaff.

"Ah, it would be best to put this room on the main street, so that more people can witness this astonishing scene. I'm really looking forward to it," Lin Wanrong mused to himself.

Lu Zhongping's face turned purple, he stammered, "I, I confess—"

"Should have said it sooner, damn it." Lin Wanrong kicked Lu Zhongping and snapped, "Made me disgust myself for so long."

Lin Wanrong strode out, feeling exhilarated. ‘Damn, it was satisfying to be a policeman.’ The frustration of the day had been thoroughly dispelled. As for Lu Zhongping, he was a bit miserable, and Lin Wanrong wondered if he would have nightmares that night.

Xu Wei was standing at the door, smiling at him. "Little brother Lin, your knowledge spans the ancient and the contemporary. I am truly in awe. If you were to enter the court, with your eloquence, wit, and tactics, even becoming a king or prime minister wouldn't be impossible."

‘Flatter away,’ Lin Wanrong laughed, "A little trickery, I can manage. But when it comes to grand conspiracies, I'm no match for you, Mr. Xu."

Having become acquainted with Lin Wanrong, Xu Wei was unbothered and laughed heartily, "Little brother Lin, are you sure you won't reconsider?"

Lin Wanrong shook his head, "Mr. Xu, let's not discuss this anymore, I prefer a simpler life."

Xu Wei knew that he couldn't persuade him and could only sigh. "In my younger years, I was not as enlightened as you are now. I was rash and sought false reputation, which wasted many years of my life. At the age of sixty, when I finally woke up, I found myself already at such an age, still entangled in worldly affairs, unable to extricate myself. Who will pity me for the lost youth, for the fallen leaves in the twilight dream of a fisherman and a woodcutter. My life has been in a muddle, a complete muddle."

As Xu Wei continued, he grew increasingly melancholic. Lin Wanrong thought to himself, ‘Who isn't living their whole life before understanding this? You're doing pretty well; some people don't understand this truth even until death.’

"Different people have different aspirations. Little brother Lin, you prefer a tranquil life, I won't force you. But if you ever come to the capital, please come to my house for a drink. It would give me and my wife a chance to express our gratitude."

Lin Wanrong laughed, "Of course. I told Miss Su yesterday that she would thank me in the future, didn't that prediction come true today?" Xu Wei stroked his beard and smiled, feeling very gratified.

Suddenly, Lin Wanrong remembered something. He turned to Xu Wei and said, "Mr. Xu, you have a wide network in the capital. Have you ever met a woman in her twenties, beautiful, extraordinary, probably from a prominent family, whose maiden name is Xiao Qingxuan?"

"Xiao Qingxuan?" Xu Wei frowned in thought, "Which family's young lady is she? I've never heard of her. What's your relationship with her?"

Lin Wanrong answered seriously, "She's my wife."

"You're married?" Xu Wei was surprised, then laughed, "With your talents, Miss Xiao must be endowed with both beauty and virtue. But since you're already married, why don't you know about your own wife's background?"

‘Damn it, do you think I want it this way? I'm also confused now,’ Lin Wanrong shook his head helplessly. He gave a detailed description of Xiao Qingxuan's appearance, but Xu Wei still didn't know: "There are many distinguished families in the capital, and countless young ladies from each. There are indeed quite a few surnamed Xiao, but I don't know which one you're looking for?"

Lin Wanrong removed the jade pendant that Xiao Qingxuan had left him from his neck and handed it to Xu Wei, "Mr. Xu, have you ever seen this?"

Having seen much of the world, Xu Wei was astounded by the jade's crystal clarity and radiant color, exclaiming, "This is Hetian jade! Where did you get such a treasure, Little brother Lin?"

Lin Wanrong replied, "It was left to me by Qingxuan."

"This is the finest Hetian jade, a rarity in the world. Even in the palace, it is difficult to see such a treasure. Little brother Lin, your wife must certainly be from a wealthy and noble family," Xu Wei sighed.

Seeing that even Xu Wei couldn't ascertain Xiao Qingxuan's origin and identity, Lin Wanrong felt somewhat disappointed. However, being naturally cheerful, he laughed and said, "In that case, I will go to the capital myself after the New Year to find my wife."

Xu Wei nodded, "Little brother Lin, with your talents, you will surely stand out in the capital. There are many old scholars there who write a few poems, draw a few paintings, and think highly of themselves. With your wit and talent, you can challenge them and show these old folks what a young genius looks like. There will be quite a show then. It's been many years since the capital had such excitement. I'm really looking forward to your arrival."

Lin Wanrong broke out in a sweat upon hearing this. Wasn't this old man Xu Wei also an accomplished poet and painter, and also one of these so-called old scholars? Having spent more time with Xu Wei, Lin Wanrong found the old man quite interesting. He was ruthless when it came to power struggles but affable when discussing poetry. In the end, it seemed politics had stripped away his scholar's gentleness, resulting in this contradictory character.

After parting ways with Xu Wei, Lin Wanrong didn't know where to go. The Eldest Miss Xiao had run off and left him alone. He wondered what was wrong with her; her temperament was getting stranger.

After walking a few steps, he noticed a familiar carriage stopped ahead. Si De, Xiao Feng, Xiao Cui, and others were all standing by the carriage. When they saw him, they all cheered happily, "Brother San, we've been waiting for you! Hurry, we're heading back to Jinling."

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