Chapter 35: Interrogation

Chapter 35: Interrogation

35

Interrogation

I

The inner elder regarded them silently. He stood with his arms crossed atop his magical cloud, the cascading curtain of water of the waterfall just behind him.

I see youve been waiting for me, he said. I take it you realized running away is futile?

The magical cloud then descended, coming into contact with the floor, before it started dispersing, billowing into the elders sleeve until nothing of it remained, and the elder was standing on the floor directly before them.

Hao Zhen watched him warily, paying close attention to the elders position. The man didnt seem to have noticed the arrays on the cave yetor at least hadnt realized what they could dowhich he had been counting on. Hao Zhen had already told Lan Yue that if the elder seemed to suspect something, she was to immediately use her remaining Radiant Light Imprisonment Talisman. She was currently grasping it so that she could activate it at a moments notice.

For the time being, there was nothing he, Tian Jin, or Lan Yue could do. They needed the elder to step into the cave properpast the area where the barrier had beento activate the restraining array. The situation wasnt really risky, as Lan Yue could neutralize him at a moments notice, but there was still no guarantee that the elder would walk this far inside the cave.

If Lan Yue ended up having to use the talisman, Tian Jin would get rid of the tracking matrix on his spatial ring, and theyd resume their original plan of venturing deeper into the forest.

Well, the elder said, taking another step forward. The man carried himself with absolute confidence, as if his victory was certain. Arent you going to say something?

Hao Zhen remained silent. Tian Jin and Lan Yue didnt say anything, either. They all simply watched the elder.

The man shrugged. So be it, he said, taking another step forward. And then another. Dont worry. Youll still get to live for a little longer. He focused on Lan Yue. Especially you. I have some questions Id like to ask you, girl. Starting with how in the world you managed to get your hands on a Radiant Light Imprisonment Talisman.

Hao Zhen glanced at Lan Yue and saw that there hadnt been any change in her expression. She continued to stare at the elder stoically, not giving anything away.

At their lack of reaction, the elder sighed. Another step. All right, he said. I see how itll be. Before, when I said I found it regretful Id have to kill you two, I wasnt lying. It truly is a waste to kill off such talented individuals. The elder took another three steps, and Hao Zhen stilled.

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Hao Zhen glanced at Tian Jin and saw the other boys eyes narrowing. The next moment, the arrays on the walls of the cave lit up, the inscriptions becoming visible even without the use of Spiritual Sight.

The elder started, alarmed. What is The man frowned. Only his face moved. The rest of his body remained perfectly immobile. You Veins appeared on the elders face, but that was it. Nothing else happened. What have you done! the elder snapped at them, his face flushing red.

Hao Zhen could see, spiritually, how all the elders spiritual power remained inside the mans soul. The restraining array on the cave didnt just seal physical movementsit also sealed a cultivators ability to use their spiritual power. They wouldnt be able to use their spiritual power even inside the soulitd remain completely unmoving, much like the bodyso spiritual skills couldnt be used either. The only thing that the restraining array allowed those affected by it to move was their head.

Hao Zhen knew that much, not just because Tian Jin had explained it to him, but also because, much like the elder, he was also affected by the array. The same went for Lan Yue.

Tian Jin, the only one that could move, didnt say anything at first, only looking at the elder coldly. Then, ignoring the elder, he turned to Hao Zhen. Go ahead.

Thank you, Hao Zhen said. They had already agreed beforehand that hed be the one conducting the interrogation. In his head, he kept track of the time. They had about twenty minutes worth of spiritual stones, which he thought were plenty, but the sooner they got this over with, the better, so as to waste as few spiritual stones as possible.

Hao Zhen focused on the elder, who was still glowering at them, though his face was no longer as red. He seemed to have calmed down a little.

I believe you have already understood the situation youre in, Hao Zhen said. It felt odd, being able to only control the muscles on his face, but he tried not to dwell too much on that.

A restraining schema, the elder snapped.

Thats right, Hao Zhen said. Out of the four of us, only Tian Jin is currently able to move. Your life is in his hands, now.

Hao Zhen narrowed his eyes, a rush of anxiety washing over him. This was exactly what he had been afraid of. Do you know who it is?

No, the elder said hurriedly. Du Qing didnt say anything about that.

Hao Zhen frowned, considering the situation. There were still some questions he wanted to ask the eldersuch as what kind of deal the elder had with Du Qingbut on second thought, he decided that there wasnt any point in asking them. Now that he knew there was someone else theyd still have to deal with, he had to wrap this up as quickly as possible. There was only one question that mattered left to ask.

How were you able to track us?

Hao Zhen was already fairly certain he knew the answer, but it was good to confirm it, just in case there was something else they had missed.

Theres a tracking matrix on Tian Jins spatial ring, the elder promptly said. It seemed like that now that he had already so much away, he no longer saw any point in keeping the rest a secret. Theres a jade slip in my spatial ring. Du Qing inscribed on it a copy of the paired matrix. I used it to find your current location.

Hmm. Hao Zhen assumed that this paired matrix was somehow connected to the tracking matrix. Thankfully, it seemed like the tracking matrix on the ring was indeed the problem. Just in case, however, after this was over, hed have Tian Jin check all of their belongings for any other trackers.

With that, one question remained. Unlike the previous ones, however, it wasnt a question for the eldera question to be askedbut one for himself. One whose answer he already knew.

Hao Zhen focused on the elder, whose expression was still warped in pain, before sighing. Tian Jin. Do it.

They couldnt let the elder live. That much was certain. It didnt matter what promises the man made them. They had no way of keeping him in under control, and the moment they left the cave, theyd be at his mercy.

Killing an inner elder would have consequences, definitely, but Hao Zhen had already thought of some ways to handle the fallout if the sect learned of it.

There was a moment of silence. Then, Tian Jin gave the subtlest of nods.

Wait. Do what? the elder asked, his eyes snapping back and forth between the two of them wildly. Tian Jin once again raised his sword. Wait. What are you No. You said You said I could live! The mans expression grew desperate.

Hao Zhen closed his eyes.

He then heard a grunt, followed by silence. A moment later, he suddenly felt himself regain control of his own body, and he almost fell forward at the sudden freedom, opening his eyes on instinct.

Hao Zhen first glanced at Lan Yue. She hadnt moved despite having regained the ability to do so, her expression cold as she stared ahead. Hao Zhen forced himself to look in Tian Jins direction.

Tian Jin stood in the same place, the Radiant Light Sword once again lowered, its blade coated with a red sheen.

And on the ground, in front of him, was the inner eldernow lying on the ground on his front. A pool of blood was spreading underneath him. Hao Zhen didnt need Spiritual Sight to tell that the man was dead, but the lack of soul in the elders body confirmed that all the same way.

After a moment of hesitation, Hao Zhen walked over to Tian Jin. He looked at the other boys face and saw that it was still stony. Hao Zhen wondered what he was thinking. This was the fourth time Tian Jin had taken a life today, but the only one in cold blood. He had killed the two of Du Jians lackeys he had faced mid-fight, whereas Du Jian had all but thrown himself into his sword.

The people in this world took killing much more lightly than the people back on Earth did, but what just happened wasnt merely killing.

Hao Zhen wondered whether Tian Jin had killed anyone in cold blood before. The fact that they had done this right after torturing someone while interrogating them probably didnt help.

Are you all right? Hao Zhen asked.

Tian Jins gaze lingered on the corpse for a few more moments before he nodded. Yes.

Hao Zhen heard footsteps from behind. Turning around, he saw Lan Yue walking up to them. She came to a stop beside Tian Jin, glanced at the corpse, and then shrugged. Well, what now? she asked. Although she looked like her usual self, there was still a touch of somberness to her voice, a tightness to her face.

We figure out what to do about the inner disciple, Hao Zhen said, looking away from the corpse.

The day wasnt quite over yet.