Chapter 20: He Tian's Interrogation

Practitioners of internal energy! They cannot be treated with ordinary logic. Especially someone like He Tian, who was already designated as a future member of Dragon Soul. While cultivating the Nine Dragons One Heart Method, the leader also taught He Tian many techniques for using internal energy.

Merely possessing internal energy without knowing how to wield it cannot fully unleash its power. Dragon Soul has accumulated countless methods for its application, all of them highly practical. The techniques they use for extracting confessions are particularly varied.

Now, when He Tian channeled a surge of internal energy directly into Zhang Tong’s body, he decisively dislocated Zhang Tong’s jaw, leaving him no opportunity to bite his tongue and end his own life.

“When you decide to tell me, nod hard,” He Tian said, a smile playing at his lips.

Zhang Tong was still confused, only feeling a sharp pain in his jaw. But soon, he sensed countless serpents writhing madly inside him. The pain was secondary; what was truly unbearable was the itching, like thousands of ants crawling and biting within. It was enough to drive a person insane. With his hands bound, Zhang Tong couldn’t even scratch himself—he could only roll around, screaming one anguished cry after another.

His suffering was truly pitiful. Looking closely, one could see Zhang Tong’s skin turning blood-red, making him appear eerily bizarre.

“See that? Do you want to experience this yourself?” He Tian stepped up to Wu Hao and asked in a tone that was almost ‘friendly.’

“No… I don’t!” Wu Hao was terrified. Glancing at Zhang Tong’s miserable state, Wu Hao desperately hoped not to suffer the same fate.

“Then tell me: what is your relationship with them?” He Tian’s voice dropped, his gaze piercing Wu Hao’s soul.

“I’ll talk, I’ll talk!” Wu Hao’s face was ashen as he hurriedly explained, “I just cooperate with them! All I do is arrange their stay at the hotel and ensure their safety while they’re here. Every time, they pay me a sum of money! I truly don’t know anything else!”

“You don’t even know what they do?” He Tian’s eyes were sharp, probing Wu Hao’s heart.

“I really don’t! I just wanted to make some money—it’s easy, just arrange their lodging! They always pay for their rooms, so I…” Wu Hao said fearfully, eyes flickering constantly toward Zhang Tong.

Seeing Zhang Tong writhing in agony, hearing his wretched cries, Wu Hao truly dared not entertain any thoughts of luck or resistance.

Wu Hao, usually proud and authoritative as the lobby manager of Huitong Grand Hotel, possessed both status and position. But in this moment, nothing could mask his fear.

Now, Wu Hao only wished to avoid such pain. As for anything else, he was willing to divulge everything.

He Tian slapped Wu Hao hard.

“I’m telling the truth!” Wu Hao pleaded, seeing He Tian’s grim expression.

“There’s someone else over there! What he says will confirm if you’re telling the truth. Now, think carefully! Have you revealed everything? I’m giving you one more chance!” He Tian stood, coldly watching Wu Hao.

Under He Tian’s icy gaze, Wu Hao trembled all over.

“I really told the truth! Oh… I don’t know anything else. I just know our general manager seems to know something as well! But I only contact them directly; I don’t know the rest! I really don’t!” Wu Hao was close to tears, a large wet patch spreading beneath him.

He Tian frowned slightly, eyeing Wu Hao with disgust.

“Stay put!” He Tian believed Wu Hao’s words, though they diverged from his own suspicions.

A single line of contact—it seemed this was Wu Hao’s own initiative.

Using his position as lobby manager of Huitong Grand Hotel for such business, and leveraging Young Master Hai’s reputation to avoid investigation, the assassins were truly safe living here. But the hotel’s general manager apparently knew as well? This caught He Tian’s attention.

He Tian believed Wu Hao was honest, but doubted the assassin organization’s ties to the hotel were so limited. To get further information, he would need to find the general manager.

For now, He Tian set that aside and turned to Zhang Tong. Perhaps he could get some information here. Yet Zhang Tong was quite stubborn, still refusing to speak.

He Tian was not impatient. Under such torment, few could endure for long. Even elite agents would break, let alone an assassin. When it comes to toughness, assassins fall far short of professionally trained operatives.

Five minutes later, Zhang Tong’s skin began to ulcerate. Wu Hao, watching from the side, was horrified. His fear of He Tian only grew.

He was secretly grateful he hadn’t resisted—if he experienced such agony himself…

Just imagining it made Wu Hao shiver uncontrollably. It was simply too terrifying.

“Quite stubborn, aren’t you! Zhang Tong, are you afraid of the assassin organization’s retaliation? Worried they’ll come after you? Too bad—you still haven’t understood. If you refuse to speak now, you won’t need them to punish you, as I’ll take your life first! Tell me everything, and I’ll let you live,” He Tian squatted beside Zhang Tong and spoke.

“Assassins…” Wu Hao, hearing this, felt dizzy. Only now did he realize it was an assassin organization. Cold sweat broke out all over him.

He was actually cooperating with assassins! The thought filled him with dread.

Now, Wu Hao was even more fearful. He wondered if the assassins would come after him later. He resolved that, if he survived this ordeal, he would immediately distance himself from this mess and never be involved again.

“Think carefully: not speaking means death now. Speaking gives you a chance to live, or at least escape, or survive a bit longer. I believe you understand which is better,” He Tian said.

“Maybe you’re not afraid of death! Fine, I must admit that. But now, even dying is difficult. This is just the beginning—I swear it’s only the beginning! In another minute, if you still refuse, I’ll let you enjoy an even more intense feast,” He Tian’s voice was icy, devoid of emotion, as if Zhang Tong’s fate meant nothing.

Zhang Tong nodded vigorously… He couldn’t bear it anymore! He truly couldn’t! Anything to end the pain, even immediate death, was preferable to this torment.

“That’s better,” He Tian stepped forward, swiftly gathering the internal energy he’d unleashed in Zhang Tong’s body, but not dispersing it completely. He also reattached Zhang Tong’s jaw—he still needed him to speak.

“No tricks! I promise you won’t find a chance to die in front of me,” He Tian warned.

“I don’t know where the headquarters is! I’m just an assassin trained by the organization. Whether receiving or returning assignments, it’s all done online,” Zhang Tong adjusted himself and spoke.

Just one sentence took him several breaths to finish.

“That’s all?” He Tian asked gravely.

“When I get a mission, the organization tells me to contact Wu Hao, the lobby manager at Huitong Hotel. He’ll arrange my stay and help cover my identity. Also… the hotel’s general manager is a contact! That’s really all I know!” Zhang Tong gasped.

“Are you sure that’s everything?” He Tian asked.

“That’s really it!” Zhang Tong replied.

“Then enjoy yourself a bit more,” He Tian quickly dislocated Zhang Tong’s jaw again, then slapped him, causing the energy to rampage once more.

“This time, think it over carefully! If you still haven’t figured it out, I’ll watch you enjoy this suffering indefinitely! Rest assured, no one will come to save you—at least not before dawn! You have plenty of time to think,” He Tian’s face was cold and indifferent.

If He Tian didn’t need more information from Zhang Tong, he would have ended his life immediately. He had no sympathy for assassins. Killing for money—they deserved to die.

That feeling, enduring it for a while might be bearable, but after a brief respite, to ‘enjoy’ it again—that was the ultimate torment.

For Zhang Tong, this was exactly the case. Less than a minute later, he was nodding frantically.

He Tian stopped the rampaging energy and reattached Zhang Tong’s jaw.

“Speak!” He Tian said coldly.

“Wali Island in Indonesia! It’s the organization’s training base! My contact is in Hong Kong! I’ll give you his address… I really don’t know anything else!” Zhang Tong blurted out, then added, “Kill me, make it quick!”

He Tian looked at Zhang Tong, whose heart was set on death. After obtaining the address, He Tian asked, “Your bank card! The password!”

“You…” Zhang Tong didn’t expect He Tian would demand this—it was beneath his dignity.

“Cut the nonsense! I’m just another hired hand! I only want to find the killer. If I can make some extra money, I’m happy to do so,” He Tian said. He had little regard for money, but liked this method.

During official missions, He Tian always had to hand over any seized funds. But now… there was no need.

“What use is money when I’m dead!” Zhang Tong closed his eyes and gave up the password.

He Tian sighed inwardly. Assassins were indeed meticulous—he had several bank cards.

He Tian fulfilled Zhang Tong’s final wish without hesitation, snapping his neck.

Assassins walk the edge of the underworld; they live off their lives.

He Tian then turned to Wu Hao.

“Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me! I’ll give you money, I’ll give you money!” Wu Hao was wet beneath him again, having witnessed He Tian kill right before his eyes. Terror consumed him.

“Has anyone ever begged you like this? Never mind! Hand over the money and get out!” Wu Hao was simply obsessed with wealth… Now, losing it was the greatest punishment.

If he survived, he should learn what must and must not be done.

He Tian was still willing to give Wu Hao a chance to start anew.