Before long, the cell door creaked open, and a man covered in wounds was thrown inside. His hands were mangled and bloody, already unconscious. If not for the kindness of others who quickly fished him out of the water, he would have drowned even if the beating hadn’t killed him.
"You claim to be unmatched in your artistry, don’t you? If you’re just frauds who can’t produce the portrait we need, this man’s fate will be yours!"
The sound of the cell door locking was grating, and the prisoners inside fell into terrified silence.
Like the others, Chu Sheng had a chain fastened around his neck, his lower body submerged in filthy water. No matter how exhausted they were, they couldn’t sit—forced to stay alert, enduring both physical and mental torment. Their captors were truly deranged.
The painter who had earlier claimed his family’s yellow dog was about to give birth couldn’t hold back quiet sobs. "Master Chu, I’m sorry… it’s my fault you’re caught up in this."
Chu Sheng shot him a glare. "Damn right it’s your fault!"
The painter, Gao Fan, had gained some renown for his avant-garde style, but Chu Sheng’s harsh words only deepened his guilt.
Turning to another painter beside him, Chu Sheng demanded, "What the hell is going on? Explain, quickly!"
The man, his face haggard, replied, "Someone needs painters to sketch a portrait based on descriptions. But whether we succeed or fail, we’ll never be let out alive."
The fiends were clearly searching for someone important—they’d never risk leaving witnesses.
Realizing the direness of his situation, Chu Sheng cursed inwardly.
This massive dungeon, swarming with lawless men in black—how could the Yang City authorities, who had taken so much of his bribes, fail to maintain order? Useless sacks of wine and meat!
If he never made it back, what would happen to his daughter? That flamboyant Miaojiang man might seize his estate and torment her!
Panic rising, Chu Sheng gripped the bars and shouted at the men feasting outside, "Hey! Let me out! I’ll give you half my fortune—just release me!"
One of the men snarled, "Keep shouting, and we’ll toss you into the insect pit!"
Chu Sheng shuddered and fell silent.
In the dimness, strange insects lurked everywhere—glowing eyes flickering in the shadows, tails slithering past. The place was unnerving.
Something about it felt cursed. Even the damp walls seemed alive—Chu Sheng spotted a tiny bug with a glowing blue rear, like a firefly.
At a square table, several men sat drinking. Their leader, clad in black, declared, "These men are crucial to the boss. Stay sharp!"
The others chorused, "Understood."
One curious underling ventured, "Who exactly is the boss looking for? Why so many painters?"
Another chimed in, "Yeah, must be someone really important."
The leader, loosened by drink, lowered his voice. "I’ll tell you, but keep it quiet. Word is, the boss is after someone connected to the Cang Family."
"The Cang Family?"
"The merchants who traded with the Western Regions. Rumor has it they had ties to the Phoenix Fortress in the desert."
Hearing this, Chu Sheng lifted his head, his expression shifting.
The man continued, "They say the Cang Family possessed a treasure called the Jade Crystal Puppet Thread. Fifteen years ago, their entire clan was slaughtered because of it."
The curious one asked, "No survivors at all?"
"Supposedly, a child was rescued and vanished. But who knows if it’s true?"
The rhythmic tap of a cane echoed through the damp air, and the black-clad men snapped to attention.
An elderly man in a black mask approached, hunched over, his wrinkled hand gripping the cane. His gaze swept the prisoners. "There’s an extra one."
The talkative subordinate hurried over. "Our men ran into this Jiangnan tycoon while capturing painters. He claimed Fang Songhe was his guest. We figured letting him go would draw Fang’s attention, so we brought him in. He’s yours to deal with."
Chu Sheng felt the old man’s icy stare rake over him, sending chills down his spine.
"A tycoon, head of the merchant guild… useful indeed."
Chu Sheng forced out, "What do you want?"
The old man raised a hand and gestured.
The cell door swung open, and Chu Sheng was dragged out.
"I hear you oversee a hundred and thirty trades, seventy-eight banks large and small," the elder mused. "If the knowledge in your mind could serve me, such wealth would be… convenient."
Chu Sheng recalled the rumors of the "Brain Demon." As those withered fingers neared his forehead, he shrank back, struggling.
"Listen—I have connections in the government! If you harm me, they’ll hunt you down! I’m a major taxpayer!"
"I’ve got allies in the martial world too! The renowned Hero Fang is a guest in my home!"
The hand touched his brow.
He screamed, "And my son-in-law—"
A guard smacked his head. "Don’t tell us your son-in-law’s from Miaojiang and you’re best friends."
Chu Sheng nodded frantically.
The guard scoffed. "Why not say the Witchcraft and Gu Sorcery Sect’s young master is your son-in-law?"
"Typical merchant—sweet-talking everyone," another muttered. "Even spinning tales about a Miaojiang son-in-law. Speaking of which…"
He glanced at two colleagues nearby—the ones who’d been asking questions earlier. "You two new? Don’t recognize you."
The straight-backed figure on the left gave a firm nod. "Yes, we’re new."
The one on the right yawned lazily, as if half-asleep.
The elder’s hand pressed fully onto Chu Sheng’s head.
"I warn you!" Chu Sheng shrieked. "My Miaojiang son-in-law treats me like his own father! If you hurt me, he’ll carve you into pieces, grind your bones to dust, leave no trace of you!"
"Ridiculous—" The guard’s words cut off abruptly.
The elder’s eyes flickered, and he retreated swiftly.
The remaining guards heard a wet thud. Slowly looking down, they saw their comrade’s body split into segments, collapsing in a grotesque heap.
Finally, his head rolled to the ground, eyes wide with horror—witnessing his own dismemberment in his last moments.
The upright figure sighed, turning away from the gore. "Ah Jiu, you’re too hasty."
The man he’d been restraining suddenly slipped from his grasp.
Just like the many black-clad figures surrounding him, the ones under his control couldn’t even scream as their heads fell to the ground, their eyes wide as they watched their own bodies wither away.
Fang Songhe suppressed his nausea and discomfort, gripping his sword as he flew off. "Chu Sheng, I leave the rest to you—I’m going after the mastermind!"
It took Chu Sheng a moment to process what had happened. The overwhelming stench of blood hit him hard, and he collapsed to the ground, retching uncontrollably.
At some point, a figure in a black robe crouched in front of him.
Pale, slender fingers pointed at the scattered limbs on the ground. The black hood slipped back, revealing striking white hair tied with a red ribbon. The figure turned, crimson eyes glinting behind a ghastly white mask.
"Father, eight pieces—just as promised!"
Every mutilated corpse had been cleanly divided into eight parts, exactly matching Chu Sheng’s earlier threat of "dismembering them into eight pieces."
"Oh, and don’t forget—'grind their bones to dust.'"
The cheerful, youthful voice brimmed with amusement. With a snap of his fingers, the severed limbs burst into a mist of blood, from which swarms of tiny black insects emerged.
Chu Sheng’s face turned deathly pale.
The prisoners in the cells erupted into a chorus of vomiting.
The young man looked at him eagerly. "Father, I’ve been very obedient, haven’t I?"
Chu Sheng trembled violently, his breathing ragged, as if he might pass out at any moment.
Eager for praise, the boy touched the mask on his face, then seemed to realize something. He removed it, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful and innocent face. His lips curled into a bright smile, eyes crinkling with delight.
Tilting his head slightly, the ends of his white hair swayed in a sweet, docile arc.
"Father, it’s me! Your beloved son-in-law, the one so close to you we’re like father and son! I’ve come to rescue you—no need to be afraid anymore!"
Chu Sheng’s face twisted in despair as he scrambled backward until his back hit the wall, leaving him no escape. His spirit seemed shattered, his body shaking uncontrollably.
With a son-in-law like this, he was even more terrified!!!
