Chapter 82: Man

Chapter 82: The Man

Noon.

Chains clinked.

Qiu Shuiyi looked over.

A man with a fierce, menacing face opened the door and set down the food.

“Eat up.”

His movements were rough, but strangely, his attitude toward Qiu Lianying carried a hint of respect.

Qiu Lianying said, her face cold, “Where is Han Zicheng? Tell him to get out here and see me.”

“The young master is not here.”

After a brief reply to Qiu Lianying, the man turned and left.

“Stop!” Qiu Lianying barked. “How much longer is Han Zicheng going to keep me locked up? What do you want with my sister?”

His back still to her, the man’s voice was gruff. “Miss Qiu, you haven’t eaten properly for days now. Aren’t you hungry?”

“Let us go!”

Qiu Lianying swept the dishes off the table, splashing soup and water all over the man.

He whirled around, his brows furrowed, his expression darkening as if a storm were brewing.

Qiu Lianying met his gaze fearlessly.

The man’s chest heaved violently, his breathing heavy, clearly on the verge of rage.

He forcibly suppressed his anger. “Someone! Bring two more meals!”

Someone outside responded, and soon, a person hurried in, cleaned up the room, and set out fresh meals.

The man had regained his composure, his tone flat. “Miss Qiu, I’d advise you to behave yourself. When the young master is free, he will come to see you.”

With that, he shot the two of them a cold look and strode away.

The others in the room left, locking the door again.

Qiu Lianying was furious and kicked the stool in front of her.

The wooden stool toppled over, rolling a few times toward the door.

“Don’t get so worked up.”

Qiu Shuiyi guided her to sit at the table, handing her a bowl and chopsticks. “Let’s eat first.”

Qiu Lianying rubbed her temples, her brow furrowed with irritation. “I can’t stomach it.”

“Even if you can’t eat much, you should still have something.” Qiu Shuiyi patiently persuaded her. “Otherwise, when the prince finds us, it won’t do to be a burden.”

Hearing this, Qiu Lianying knew now was not the time to be stubborn.

But…

She was curious. “Are you so sure he’ll come looking for us?”

Qiu Shuiyi gripped her chopsticks, her tone firm.

“He will.”

…

“Your Highness, the trail ends here.”

Zuo Yi said in a low voice.

Looking at the three paths before him, the polite smile on Shen Yuchao’s face disappeared, his eyes darkening to the point of near ferocity.

Shang Ze suggested, “Should I have the men split up to search?”

Shen Yuchao did not respond.

He lowered his gaze, scanning the three paths.

Yi’er had always been clever. If she woke up and realized something was wrong, she would surely leave a clue for him.

The vegetation along the paths was lush and verdant.

The sun was bright, its rays spilling into the grass, dazzling and brilliant.

His gaze paused, and Shen Yuchao walked toward the middle path.

He spotted a hint of brown amidst the greenery and picked it up.

A familiar prayer bead, its smooth surface stained with a bit of mud and traces of moisture that had not yet dried.

It was the one Qiu Shuiyi wore around her neck.

Zuo Yi and Shang Ze shared a look, and Shang Ze said at once, “I’ll scout ahead.”

Shen Yuchao nodded.

Shang Ze leaped up, disappearing into the woods in a few bounds.

Shen Yuchao and Zuo Yi followed closely behind.

An hour later, the two met Shang Ze along the way.

Shang Ze said, “Your Highness, ahead is a private estate. The estate is heavily guarded. The second young lady should be inside.”

Shen Yuchao stood with his hands behind his back. “Attack. Leave no one alive.”

As soon as he spoke, countless black-clad figures suddenly appeared behind him.

Their movements were elusive, like ghosts drifting through the woods, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Expressionless, Shen Yuchao led Zuo Yi and Shang Ze, step by step, toward the estate.

By the time they arrived, the battle was nearing its end.

Stepping over the scattered corpses, Shen Yuchao strode directly into the central building.

He kicked the door open and called out, “Yi’er, I…”

The room was utterly silent and devoid of people.

The bed bore signs of someone having lain there, and leftover food remained on the table, with soup and broth spilled across half of it, indicating a hasty departure.

Zuo Yi’s voice rang out from behind, “Your Highness, the east wing is empty.”

Shang Ze said, “The west wing is also empty.”

Shen Yuchao’s head snapped up.

An endless darkness churned in his eyes, and a savage look darkened his features.

He turned and walked out of the room.

Zuo Yi and Shang Ze stood at the door. They flinched under his gaze.

Shang Ze shuddered and whispered to Zuo Yi, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen His Highness this angry.”

Zuo Yi said gravely, “The Second Young Lady is missing. His Highness is naturally furious. Let’s go, follow him.”

A black-clad man was locked in combat with the shadow guards when he felt a sudden chill at his back.

Having long walked the line between life and death, he instinctively dodged to the right in an instant.

It was already too late.

Shen Yuchao seized his sword hand and wrenched it brutally.

“Ah!”

The black-clad man let out a scream. His long sword fell to the ground, and his arm went limp, useless.

He was slammed to the ground, followed by intense pain.

Shen Yuchao ground his heel into the man's chest. “Speak. Where did they go?”

The black-clad man spat blood from his mouth and rasped, “I have nothing to tell you.”

“A tough one.”

Shen Yuchao suddenly smiled, withdrew his foot, and said softly, “Shang Ze, shatter every bone in his body.”

The black-clad man’s eyes widened in shock.

Shang Ze intoned, “Understood.”

Shen Yuchao walked toward another black-clad man.

“Where are they?”

“I… I don’t know…”

“You don’t know?” Shen Yuchao raised his eyes and gave a faint smile, addressing the shadow guard behind the black-clad man. “Since he doesn’t know, start by pulling out his tongue, then gouge out his eyes, and finally cut off his nose and slice off his ears. Don’t let him die too quickly.”

The shadow guard answered respectfully, “Yes, Master.”

The black-clad man, terrified, shrieked curses, “Fiend! Shen Yuchao, you demon will die a wretched death!”

“You know me?” Shen Yuchao paused, his peach-blossom eyes curving slightly as he looked at the man as if he were already dead. “You probably won’t live to see the day I die a wretched death.”

He took a step forward, his gentle voice drifting through the air. “You will certainly die before I do.”

Behind him, ear-splitting screams filled the sky, startling the birds resting in the trees.

In less than half an hour, the entire estate had become a living hell.

Numerous sharp cries intertwined, like a bizarre and terrifying symphony from the underworld.

A sudden wind rose, rustling the grass and leaves as if trying to shake off the bloodstains.

A crimson river of blood slowly flowed to his feet. Shen Yuchao stepped forward.

The white soles of his boots were stained with blood, like a pristine and elegant orchid stained with gore, instantly giving it a sinister, unearthly air.

He said, “Kill them all. Leave no one alive.”

“Yes.”

Shang Ze obeyed.

“Who’s there?”

Zuo Yi suddenly spoke up, darting swiftly in a certain direction.

A few moments later, he returned, dragging a man covered in blood, with disheveled hair and an unrecognizable face.

“Your Highness, this man was acting suspiciously. Should we take him back for interrogation?”

Shen Yuchao didn’t even look back. “Kill him.”

As he passed by the man, a glimpse of emerald green suddenly caught his eye.

He couldn’t help but stop.

That object… seemed familiar…

Where had he seen it before?

“Wait.”

Stopping Zuo Yi, Shen Yuchao turned back and pulled out a jade pendant half-hidden against the man’s neck.

Seeing the pattern on it, his pupils contracted.

Grabbing the man’s head and seeing his face clearly, darkness churned in Shen Yuchao’s eyes.

“Take him back.”