"Level 11 pain."

The person in the white coat looked at He Xiaohua in astonishment, not expecting that this skinny old hag could be so tough and bear level 10 pain without so much as a peep.

This time they didn't hesitate, immediately adjusting the pain index upward.

Level 11 pain!

The intense pain of an acute appendicitis attack, the kind that makes you breathe hastily, that makes your entire body tremble non-stop.

Sweat poured from He Xiaohua's body, even soaking through the Grey Robe she wore.

Her body shivered uncontrollably, vibrating, and even the muscles on her face kept twitching.

But still, she clenched her teeth tight and stayed silent.

Her eyes had yet to open.

Guo Nu was clearly infuriated.

He glared at He Xiaohua, who lay on the interrogation chair, and barked angrily, "Level 12 pain... start level 12 pain immediately..."

"I refuse to believe, I can't pry open her mouth..."

"I want to see just how long she can last..."

Zhao Wuji frowned slightly, worried that Guo Nu might truly torture He Xiaohua to death.

In that case, the fruits of their labor would be greatly diminished.

But considering that he had entrusted the interrogation to Guo Nu, if he were to forcefully take it back now, that would be a thorough offense.

After a moment's hesitation, he decided to wait and see.

Observe the changes.

As long as she wasn't played to death, they could keep playing slowly.

He had plenty of means to make one wish for death, to linger between life and death.

Level 12 pain is the highest level of a pregnant woman's pain index, rarely ever experienced even by those in labor.

It was like climbing a mountain of knives or descending into a sea of fire, taking a journey around the gates of hell.

The person in the white coat originally wanted to say something, but after seeing Guo Nu's ferocious expression, swallowed the words of caution.

She's not my own mother...

Why should I care if she lives or dies?

He pushed the button upward, and the pain index instantly soared to level 12.

Although it was only one level apart, the degree of that pain... was worlds apart.

Sure enough, He Xiaohua's body uncontrollably jerked and thumped.

The metal locks that restrained her body started jingling loudly.

As if her body was about to forcibly break free and twist apart.

He Xiaohua was in agony.

As if thousands of knives were carving her flesh, thousands of arrows piercing her heart.

Every part of her body was in pain, even the soul...

She didn't know if that was the soul, even the consciousness within her mind felt the pain.

Click, click...

That was the sound of her upper and lower teeth clashing violently.

Her body was no longer under her own control.

If it were, she would wish for death.

She opened her eyes.

She had no choice but to open her eyes, the intense pain and pressure made her eyeballs bulge.

Otherwise, it felt as though her eyeballs would explode in their sockets.

Upon opening them, it was like releasing the pressure brought by the pain, as if opening a floodgate.

Her eyes were bloodshot, filled with blood within the pupils.

It was not clear whether it was the blood vessels in the eyes that had burst or blood from elsewhere that had surged into the eye sockets.

"Will you talk or not?"

"Will you talk or not?"

Guo Nu roared hoarsely, like a madman gone berserk.

He Xiaohua was even more insane.

Her hair, like weeds, hung damp and limp over her scalp.

Blood covered her face and body, some from her previous fight with Zhao Wuji, some oozing out from recent torture.

She had long been deprived of daylight, already resembling a witch from the abyss.

After enduring both a vicious battle and this extraordinarily brutal torture, her appearance was now like that of a demon straight from hell.

She simply stared stubbornly, fixedly, at Guo Nu.

Utterly silent, not uttering a single word.

"Will you talk or not?"

Guo Nu rushed in front of He Xiaohua and slapped her across the face, "...will you talk or not?"

A bright red handprint appeared on He Xiaohua's withered, thin face, yet she still appeared indifferent, staring fiercely and resentfully at Guo Nu.

"Not speaking, are you?" Guo Nu hated He Xiaohua's resolute defiance to the death.

"Increase the punishment... Level 13... give me level 13 pain..."

This time, the person in the white coat hesitated to act.

Level 13, also known as "hell level."

Only the dead can enter hell.

Or all who enter become the dead.

Without exception.

Even Zhao Wuji thought this wasn't right, Guo Nu's haste for results might actually torture He Xiaohua to death.

Just as he was about to speak, the door of the interrogation room was pushed open.

"Wait a moment..."

A group of people stormed in, all hustle and bustle.

Guo Nu was in a fury, and upon hearing someone daring to tell him "wait a moment," his first reaction was to curse out loud.

But seeing who came, the malice on his face melted away, and he respectfully bowed, saying, "Manager Chen, what brings you here?"

You see, people are quite capable of controlling their emotions.

Just like some say alcohol easily makes one lose control, but many may beat their wives when drunk, yet seldom would they strike their leaders...

"I heard you caught a big fish, so I came to take a look." Chen Fenglei walked up to He Xiaohua, examined her attentively, and asked, "Ghost Axe He Xiaohua?"

"Yes," Guo Nu replied earnestly. "It's been confirmed, she's indeed the core force of the Tang Family's traitors, Ghost Axe He Xiaohua."

Even though he was the Director of the Security Bureau, with a high and heavy position,

in front of this "Manager," he simply didn't measure up.

He was someone close to the King, many times, his attitude represented that of the King.

Moreover, the power he held with the Beehive was much higher in rank than their Security Bureau.

The Security Bureau could only throw its weight around within the military system, while the Beehive had authority over all under heaven.

Even those haughty, snooty, look-down-their-nose hounds would only meekly take orders from them...

Chen Fenglei nodded and asked, "Did you get anything out of her?"

"Nothing," a shamefaced Guo Nu said. "She's like a stone in a latrine, foul and hard... Even after applying level twelve pain, she's still tight-lipped, not uttering a word."

"That's one tough bone to crack," Chen Fenglei mused with a tsk of amazement, then inquired, "Ready to use level thirteen?"

"Yes," Guo Nu nodded and said, "Without harsh measures, she won't confess."

"Can her body take it?"

"..."

Guo Nu was at a loss for words.

How was he supposed to know if this old woman could take it?

She might live, she might die... who could tell?

Hadn't the Security Bureau questioned suspects to death before?

Seeing that Guo Nu couldn't give an answer, Chen Fenglei instructed, "This person is very important, don't let her die on you..."

"Yes," Guo Nu responded.

"We need what she knows, and we need her to stay alive."

"Yes." Guo Nu felt bitter inside.

Wasn't this like asking him to dance with shackles on?

Demanding that he interrogate but not allowing severe torture...

Should I kneel before her?

Even that would be fine, if only she would open her mouth and confess.

"I believe in Director Guo's abilities, the King is also watching."

"Yes, I will ensure the task is completed," Guo Nu replied, puffing out his chest in salute.

Chen Fenglei waved his hand, saying, "Alright, alright, carry on with your work, I won't disturb you any longer."

Then turning to Zhao Wuji, he said, "Sect Leader Zhao has made great contributions again, commendable indeed."

"It's my duty to serve the King, Manager Chen," Zhao Wuji replied politely.

In front of this old-timer, he certainly didn't dare to act big.

When Chen Fenglei departed, Guo Nu turned to Zhao Wuji with a troubled face and said, "Sect Leader Zhao, how should we proceed with the interrogation?"

Zhao Wuji responded with a beaming smile, "Director Guo, as I've said, leave professional matters to the professionals. I'd rather not meddle in this kind of affair."

Having said that, he too turned and left the interrogation room.

He was now relieved to have passed this hot potato to Guo Nu. If he had been the one to personally conduct the interrogation...

Wouldn't it have blown up in his face?

"Fuck!"

Guo Nu couldn't help but curse.

------

To implement the Royal Family's principle of "needing both," Guo Nu spent several days in the interrogation room without getting any results.

He Xiaohua was like a stubborn stone...set in her ways, despite him trying every trick in the book, she refused to utter a sound, not a word.

Moreover, the old woman was resolved to die, refusing to drink a sip of water, refusing to eat a bite of food.

Towards the end, Guo Nu began to worry about her physical state, starting to have her body given IV nutrition...

What on earth was this all about?

Previously threatening her with death... it was practically a joke.

The fourth day, no results.

The sixth day, no results.

A week had passed.

Guo Nu entered the interrogation room once again.

He looked at He Xiaohua, lying on the interrogation chair, on the brink of death, and smirked, "Since you don't want to talk, you'll never have to... Tomorrow evening at six, you and your accomplices will be executed..."

"More than seven thousand people executed by firing squad... It'll be quite the spectacle, won't it?"

"Imperial Square... sounds familiar, doesn't it?"

"Since you've chosen to follow him... then go die with him..."

------

He Xiaohua's eyelashes quivered, but she ultimately did not open her eyes.

A mere death!

Loyal to the General!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.