Chapter 52
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 52: Endured Cruel Torture
"Hahaha!" Lin Yutang and his older brother Lin Yutang laughed uproariously.
"Did you think we’re complete fools who’d believe such obvious lies?" Lin Yutang’s older brother sneered.
"We saw through your tricks long ago!" Lin Yutang jeered. "You just lucked out passing the Cycle of Fire, stealing Mo Ancestor’s treasures meant for descendants – including plenty of Puppets That Die in Place! That’s how you survived being killed twice!"
"We’ll admit your act fooled many at first," Lin Yutang’s older brother continued, "But we’re different. Now that we know your revival trick, how will you fight us? Our father only needs to cast a Mind Confusion Spell to capture you!"
"Now you’re trapped meat," Lin Yutang crowed. "As long as we keep you alive, your Puppets won’t activate. You’ll suffer endlessly under us – ever imagine this day coming?"
Fang Lie secretly sighed as the brothers ranted. Their absurd theory was ironically the most believable explanation. Even if he revealed his undying nature, none would credit it.
Lin Tingzhi cleared his throat solemnly. "Nephew Fang Lie, I never wanted this. Your father and I were friends – I regret neglecting you during my cultivation. But you’ve angered too many! Even I can’t ignore it!"
"So you ambush me?" Fang Lie retorted. "Since when do elders sneak-attack juniors? My father would’ve never befriended such scum!"
The brothers lunged forward, but Lin Tingzhi stopped them. "Typical Fang stubbornness! Yet I act with clear conscience – this is to save you! Your own father would understand!"
"Save me?" Fang Lie jerked his chin at the Soul Fixing Needles piercing his body. "Thirty-six needles to ‘rescue’ me?"
"Precautions against your family’s recklessness," Lin Tingzhi smiled.
"Afraid I’d die and return for revenge?"
"Hah! Can’t deny that possibility," Lin Tingzhi chuckled. "But truly, this is for your good!"
"How exactly?"
"Those Puppets won’t last against the Eight-Hundred-Generation Families’ wrath!" Lin Tingzhi feigned concern. "I begged them to spare Fang bloodline – they’ll forgive everything if you surrender Cycle of Fire’s treasures and accept imprisonment!"
Fang Lie barked laughter. "They’ll pardon me after I slaughtered thousands? What generous souls! And you must’ve groveled hard!"
Lin Tingzhi stroked his beard. "My influence helped, but they demand compensation. Hand over the treasures and-"
"Rot in hell!" Fang Lie spat. "Drop the act, Lin Tingzhi! Your flowery lies can’t fool me!"
Lin Tingzhi’s mask slipped. "Your fool father trusted others and died disgraced. How’d you grow so cunning?"
"Survive ten years in Mo Sect’s outer gate," Fang Lie smirked, "You learn."
"Ah, experience made you sharp," Lin Tingzhi sighed. "Since trickery fails…" He gestured at torture devices lining the walls. "Choose: reveal the treasures’ location for comfort, or learn true agony."
Departing, Lin Tingzhi warned his sons: "Keep him alive. His death means yours."
Lin Yutang snatched a skinning knife. "Let’s see if ‘Iron Fang’ begs when peeled!"
The blade flayed a palm-sized patch from Fang Lie’s thigh. As Fang Lie shuddered, his brother applied ointment. "Can’t have our treasure bleeding out!"
The "medicine" ignited wildfire pain. Fang Lie’s choked groan delighted the brothers.
"Mortal torturers invented this!" Lin Yutang’s brother gloated. "Heals wounds while burning like hellfire!"
"Feeling inspired yet?" Lin Yutang taunted.
"Marvelous!" Fang Lie gritted through the torment. "Your grandfather loves it!"
Enraged, the brothers escalated tortures – skinning, tendon-pulling, nail-ripping, brandings. For three hours they worked, until Fang Lie resembled raw meat missing an eye. Yet he endured, mocking them until exhausted.
"Enough!" The older brother panted. "We’ll continue tomorrow!"
"Skip tomorrow," Fang Lie rasped, "and you’re both bastard whelps!"
Cursing, they stormed out, sealing the stone chamber.
Alone, Fang Lie’s ruined lips twisted. "Fools. Our reckoning comes sooner than you think."
Flames engulfed his body. When they faded, only emptiness remained.
