Five days had passed since Qian Renxue ordered an investigation into the sudden change in Bibi Dong's temperament, and Shadow Three had finally obtained the intelligence he sought and returned to Heaven Dou City.
The gossip this time was quite massive—so massive that Shadow Three was almost afraid to touch it. Fortunately, he was a loyal death soldier to Qian Renxue; otherwise, knowing such information would surely lead to a grim end.
Upon returning to the Crown Prince Residence, Shadow Three requested an audience with Qian Renxue immediately. Qian Renxue summoned him at once.
Crown Prince Residence, Study.
As soon as Shadow Three entered, he noticed that besides Qian Renxue, there was a handsome youth in the study—it was none other than Yun Ming.
More than ten days had passed, and since Yang Wushuang had yet to return, he naturally had to come in person to urge them, otherwise Qian Renxue wouldn't take his words seriously! Fortunately, after receiving a beating, Qian Renxue was much more well-behaved. Her attitude today was acceptable, and she was indeed making an effort, which prevented his verbal debt collection from escalating into a physical confrontation.
Shadow Three bowed and saluted.
"This subordinate greets Your Highness!"
Qian Renxue said casually.
"No need for formalities. Speak! What are the results of the investigation?"
Shadow Three glanced at Yun Ming. Seeing that the man had no intention of leaving, he reminded Qian Renxue.
"Your Highness, this person is?"
Qian Renxue understood what Shadow Three meant and spoke up.
"It's fine, he's one of our own. Just speak directly."
Having kept a close eye on Bibi Dong for so many years, she had never seen her engage in any behavior or habits that could be called scandalous or disgraceful, other than the cold violence she directed at her, so there was naturally nothing to hide from others.
Seeing that the Young Master had said as much, Shadow Three had no more reservations and reported directly. He then delivered a small shock to both Yun Ming and Qian Renxue.
"Young Master, according to that knight, Yu Xiaogang and the Pope likely had a romantic history."
Yun Ming, Qian Renxue: "(+_+)?"
Yun Ming asked, looking somewhat startled.
"Is this Yu Xiaogang the same Yu Xiaogang I know—the son of Yu Yuanzhen from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, who has half a level of Innate Soul Power and likes to call himself the 'Great Master'?"
It wasn't that Yun Ming was ignorant; it was simply that Bibi Dong and Yu Xiaogang represented the ceiling and the floor of the Soul Master world in terms of talent, status, position, ability, and vision. Uh, if it were true, then this Pope didn't seem to have much vision when it came to romance. In short, this pairing was highly mismatched!
Shadow Three replied as such.
"It is indeed that person."
Yun Ming: "."
At that moment, Yun Ming had only one thought: Bibi Dong was truly desperate!
Qian Renxue's face turned livid. She couldn't believe that her 'Big Sister' would fancy such trash. She looked at Shadow Three coldly and continued to question him.
"How did that knight discover this? What evidence is there? Otherwise, slandering the Pope and deceiving this Palace is a grave crime!"
Seeing Qian Renxue's visibly foul mood, Shadow Three braced himself and replied.
"There is no evidence. This is purely a conclusion drawn by that knight after observing the Pope's expressions while at the Hall. However..."
"That knight has had over a dozen girlfriends and is quite experienced in matters of the heart. His colleagues can vouch for this."
Qian Renxue had initially wanted to reprimand Shadow Three for reporting such uncertain news, but she hadn't expected the twist to be that the man was actually a seasoned expert in the field. She didn't know what to say, and in the end, she could only snap angrily.
"Disgraceful!"
It was unclear whether she was scolding the Hall Guardian Knight or Bibi Dong.
Especially when she noticed the look of shock mixed with admiration on Yun Ming's face, she felt even more humiliated. She had previously thought Bibi Dong had no dark secrets or scandals, yet now she had been handed a massive one.
"Brother Yun, you should go first! I will definitely hand the person over to you within a month." Qian Renxue couldn't take it anymore, so she directly shooed him away.
Yun Ming glanced at Xue Qinghe and noticed his expression was quite ugly. He could understand; after all, it was hard for anyone close to her to accept that her Senior Sister had taken a fancy to someone like Yu Xiaogang. The understanding Yun Ming agreed.
"Fine."
With that, he stood up and left. The business was settled, and the gossip was heard; it was time for him to go back and cultivate.
After Yun Ming left, Qian Renxue told Shadow Three never to mention a word of this again before dismissing him. Reasoning through Bibi Dong's abnormalities based on this bizarre conclusion, Qian Renxue found that it actually made sense, which only made her feel more infuriated.
She looked toward the direction of Martial Soul City and roared in her heart.
Bibi Dong, I will never allow you to betray my father, let alone for such trash!!
Three days later.
Crown Prince Residence, Dungeon.
A bucket of cold water was splashed onto Yu Xiaogang, jolting him awake from his unconscious state.
Looking at the two people in front of him, Yu Xiaogang was a bit dazed. Who was he? Where was he? And who were these two people? However, after a moment of confusion, he recalled the situation before he lost consciousness.
He remembered he had just finished his work of slapping the Elder Council in the face, carrying his little bag, singing a song, and preparing to return to the Blue Tyrant Academy to savor his proud achievements. But not long after descending the mountain, it seemed someone had struck him, and then he went lights out. So, he had been kidnapped?!!
Seeing that he was tied to a cross, with various torture instruments laid out on the table in front of him, Yu Xiaogang tried his best to remain calm. Even while looking at that stunning, sharp-featured face before him, he couldn't help but tremble. He said in a shaky voice.
"Who are you people? Do you know who I am, to dare kidnap me? Are you looking for death?"
The words were tough enough, but if his voice hadn't been trembling, the effect might have been better. As it stood, it felt like he was just putting on a brave front.
Qian Renxue, having restored her original appearance, looked at Yu Xiaogang's cowardly demeanor and felt even more disdain for him. Then, a voice as crisp as a silver bell rang out.
"You are the son of Yu Yuanzhen, an honorary elder of Martial Soul Hall, and the former lover of Pope Bibi Dong—I'm not wrong, am I!"
Thump.
Yu Xiaogang's face turned pale, his heart trembling violently. That was right, not a single word was wrong; it was all too accurate. Every identity he had that could be brought to light had been laid bare by the beautiful woman before him, and she even knew about his past relationship with Bibi Dong. She had come specifically for him! But given the current crisis, he could only struggle to remain calm.
However, his desire to stay calm was useless when someone else didn't want him to be.
Yu Xiaogang's failure to refute the claim caused the last shred of hope in Qian Renxue's heart to die completely; she hadn't expected that Bibi Dong had truly been involved with this coward.
Sister Xue was very angry, and the consequences were dire. Qian Renxue did not give Yu Xiaogang another chance to speak, and Shadow Three, standing beside her, received her signal to begin the punishment. Everything else could wait; he would be beaten first.
Crack—
Shadow Three dipped the soft whip in his hand into a basin of water before lashing it through the air, striking Yu Xiaogang directly.
"Ahhhhhhh—"
As the whip landed, a bloody welt appeared where he was struck. Feeling the initial searing, fiery pain followed by the sensation of countless ants gnawing at his flesh, Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened, his face twisted in agony, and he let out a series of miserable screams.
Normally, the way Shadow Three swung the whip to create afterimages was painful enough, but with the addition of salt water, it became pure torture.
Hearing the screams, Qian Renxue frowned slightly.
"Use whatever torture you like, just keep him alive and able to speak."
"Also, find a good doctor to be on standby around the clock."
Shadow Three replied.
"Yes, Young Master."
After speaking, Qian Renxue turned and walked out of the Dungeon. Hearing her devilish remarks, Yu Xiaogang could no longer maintain his composure and shrieked.
"Don't—"
But before he could finish, Shadow Three lashed out with another whip.
"Ah—"
Yu Xiaogang wept, his wails echoing endlessly. The once quiet Dungeon was instantly transformed into a hell of blood and tears for him.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: DaoistReader