Chapter 270: Swift and Decisive Action

Chapter 270: Swift and Decisive Action

Xin You walked down the street and saw another team of Jinlin Guard detaining a group of people. This street was close to the imperial city, and it was the time when government officials were leaving their offices, so most of the people walking around were government officials.

Was Lord He planning to arrest all the government officials who had insulted her? Xin You thought this not out of self-importance but to ponder the purpose behind He Qingxiao's actions.

He Qingxiao acted swiftly. While Zhang Xu was still making a scene after being taken to the Northern Pacification Office, He Qingxiao had already quickly entered a room.

"Sir, the people have been brought in."

He Qingxiao nodded slightly. "Then let's begin."

In a large cell, it was crowded with newly arrested individuals, most of whom, judging by their attire, were lower-ranking government officials.

He Qingxiao's gaze swept over the faces filled with either anger or fear, pausing almost imperceptibly on one face before withdrawing his gaze without expression.

It was a middle-aged man with a short beard and a slightly plump build—none other than Zhao Langzhong, the very person Xin You had been hoping to meet.

"Lord He, we are after all court-appointed officials. How can you arrest us just for a few words?"

"Exactly, can the Jinlin Guard operate above the law?"

"The Jinlin Guard, of course, is subject to the law," He Qingxiao replied coolly.

His striking appearance, so out of place in the grim prison, made his presence even more intimidating.

"I, He, do not wish to trouble you all, but I am merely following the Emperor's orders to protect Xin You. Given the recent defamatory remarks and insults against her, I had no choice but to act. Here's the deal: as long as you write a written pledge, I will release you immediately, and you won't miss your dinner."

"What kind of pledge?"

Among the arrested were those filled with righteous indignation and those who were timid and fearful.

He Qingxiao hesitated before answering but glanced at his subordinates.

Several Jinlin Guard members brought over seven or eight tables, spread out sheets of white paper, and ushered the detainees to the tables like herding sheep.

Zhao Langzhong was brought to the table closest to He Qingxiao. None of the arrested, including Zhao Langzhong, saw anything out of the ordinary about this arrangement.

He Qingxiao then said calmly, "Just write that you previously believed rumors and will never speak ill of Xin You again."

"This is completely degrading!"

Writing such a pledge was no different from being publicly slapped in the face.

"Lord He has ordered you to write, so write! Stop wasting time!" shouted one of the Jinlin Guard.

The arrested individuals had mixed expressions. Even those who wanted to quickly write and go home were reluctant to be the first to start writing. They all knew that in many shameful circumstances, the first to act often became the laughingstock.

Seeing the situation deadlocked, the Jinlin Guard member grabbed Zhao Langzhong's wrist and asked impatiently, "Are you going to write or not?"

A faint cracking sound was heard, followed by Zhao Langzhong's scream.

Zhao Langzhong's right hand was dislocated!

Most of the arrested were civil servants who had never witnessed such brutal methods. Many turned pale with fear, their legs giving way.

The Jinlin Guard ignored Zhao Langzhong's cries of pain and slowly scanned the crowd: "Are you going to write or not?"

His gaze fell on the face of a minor official who looked the most distressed.

The minor official broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly grabbed the pen on the table: "I, I will write."

It's just a written pledge. Write it, and you can go home. If you don't, who knows what kind of torture awaits you? Why hold out?

The minor official wrote quickly, trying to reassure himself.

Once one person gave in, others quickly followed suit. Soon, several more picked up their pens.

Someone finished writing and, seeing that a friend hadn't started, whispered advice: "This isn't a matter of national importance. There's no point in holding out and getting beaten."

This statement was undoubtedly a way out, and those still holding on followed suit.

After all, it was just a matter of going along with the crowd. Holding out and enduring torture won't earn you any glory. The bigger this gets, the more embarrassing it becomes. Better to finish writing quickly and go home; no one might even know you were detained.

Once they understood, everyone wrote quickly.

"This official is free to go." Seeing the first minor official put down his pen, the Jinlin Guard inspected the written pledge and cheerfully let him go, showing no sign of his earlier brutality.

The detained officials finished writing and left one by one, leaving only Zhao Langzhong.

"Why hasn't this official complied yet?" He Qingxiao looked over with a calm gaze.

Zhao Langzhong, pale from pain, managed to utter a sentence under those cold, emotionless eyes: "My hand can't move."

The strikingly handsome young man raised an eyebrow slightly: "Can't use your right hand? What about your left?"

A Jinlin Guard shoved Zhao Langzhong roughly: "Didn't you hear our lord? Can't handle a little pain? Do you want to feel the branding iron?"

Zhao Langzhong shivered and said tremulously: "I, I will write."

He extended his left hand and picked up the pen.

He Qingxiao's calm gaze shifted slightly.

Subconscious actions are hard to control. As soon as Zhao Langzhong picked up the pen with his left hand, it was clear he had practiced.

"Lord, he's finished."

He Qingxiao walked over, glanced at it, and said indifferently: "Escort him out."

Zhao Langzhong let out a small sigh of relief.

"Let's go." Two Jinlin Guards flanked Zhao Langzhong and walked him out.

Zhao Langzhong, relieved to be out of danger, didn't notice anything unusual about his exit until he was shoved into an interrogation room.

This isn't right!

He spun around and saw the young man approaching calmly.

He Qingxiao slightly raised his head, and the door of the interrogation room suddenly closed.

Zhao Langzhong's face changed dramatically: "Lord He, what is the meaning of this?"

He Qingxiao held up the written pledge Zhao Langzhong had just written in front of him: "Zhao Langzhong is so talented, writing so beautifully with his left hand."

Zhao Langzhong's heart skipped a beat as he finally realized something was amiss.

Without giving Zhao Langzhong a moment to breathe, He Qingxiao presented another piece of paper: "Do you recognize this, Zhao Langzhong?"

The moment Zhao Langzhong saw the handwriting, his pupils shrank, and panic flashed across his face.

How did this end up in He Qingxiao's hands?

"Zhao Langzhong?"

Zhao Langzhong jolted back to attention and immediately denied, stuttering, "This official does not recognize—"

"Yan Chao," He Qingxiao called out sharply.

"At your service."

He Qingxiao glanced at Zhao Langzhong, his expression as cold as ice. "Since Zhao Langzhong has graced us with his presence at the Northern Pacification Office, ensure he is properly entertained."

"Yes," Yan Chao replied, cracking his knuckles ominously before reaching out his hand.

Without hesitation, a Jinlin Guard passed him a long whip.

This whip, a Jinlin Guard specialty, was covered in barbs and stained a foreboding dark red.

With just one lash, Zhao Langzhong felt his world dissolve into pure agony, wishing for death.

This bone-deep pain was nothing like the agony of a dislocated arm.

"Stop! It was me! I wrote it!" Zhao Langzhong screamed, his voice breaking as the third lash loomed.

He Qingxiao raised his hand, signaling Yan Chao to step back, whip still in hand.

"Now, Zhao Langzhong, tell me—who do you serve?"