CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN
It's rest time.
As usual, all gathered around in groups to relax and exchange gossips to entertain them.
"These Barbarians are indeed tough. Their mouths are sealed tight. They all keep mum under Marshal Han's interview."
One Deputy looked around and then whispered in a hush voice.
"It is said, one Barbarian did not even shout when his fingers were cut off. He just gritted his teeth and turned pale. But still, nothing! Marshal Han was so angry that he almost chopped off all ten fingers!"
"Hey, the other Barbarian had all his nails pulled off! He was drenched with sweat but...nothing. When they submerged the hands under salt water, he shrieked! But that's all."
"I wonder what these Barbarians eat to make them tough?" One deputy wondered in amazement.
"No beatings, no threats, no torture can open their mouths. Are these people still human?"
"These Barûk people, they understand us, right? We talk the same language?"
Silence.
"Now that you mention it. I haven't spoken with a Barbarian before."
"Do you think these Barbarians have time to chat with us before plundering and raping our women?"
Silence.
"Let me ask Marshal Han. Maybe they don't talk because they don't understand us?"
They were all absorbed on their gossip when they suddenly heard running footsteps coming their way.
They all turned together at the entrance. Waiting for the running person to appear.
"Hey!" The running man appeared. It was their fellow deputy.
He was bending down holding his knees as he was panting for breath.
"Head..."
The deputy only uttered the word very softly as he was breathless but all heard him loud and clear.
It couldn't get any clearer to them. It was as if the word was shouted instead of just being whispered.
For a moment, there was deafening silence.
Then chaos began.
They all scattered all at once!
They cleaned up all the messy things and all the eyesores that would trigger the Great Devil's dislike!
They fixed their uniform, their hair.
Not even a fly was spared!
Everything should be perfect!
Or else.
There will be no 'or else'.
You will be dead by then.
Head Yu won't need to lift a finger! They will simply die on their own.
Death by fright!
When everything was in order, they all looked "very" busy scribbling whatever on their work table.
They all looked very serious and very "dedicated" to their task.
The workplace is very silent. Only the scribbles of pen on paper can be heard.
Even the sound of breathing is contained and regulated to a minimum.
What if they catch the Great Devil's attention if you breathe loudly?
What to do then?
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When they entered, Marshall Han and Chief Liu looked very surprised by the very awe inspiring atmosphere.
Yuan frowned as he looked at everyone.
Then he looked at Chief Liu with one eyebrow raised.
"Its rest time, isn't it?" Yuan hummed. Then added. "These people have a high level of ideological awareness."
Chief Liu : !!!!
Marshal Han : !!!!
All : !!!!!
Marshal Han rubbed his forehead in exasperation.
No, Head Yu. They are just afraid of you. Marshal Han said internally.
Everyone looked at each other.
Their faces were all stiff and awkward.
They forgot its rest time!
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Yuan entered his private working place and went directly to the shelf where the wine was kept.
He poured himself one cup full, drank it in one shot and filled another.
He glanced at Liu Shou and Han Lan and raised his cup of wine in inquiry.
Chief Liu Shou and Marshal Han Lan took their seats one after another.
"Yes, for me."
"Me too."
Yuan gave them a cup each and the flask of wine.
He then walked to the window and looked randomly outside. He watched as people scurry from one place to another.
Taking a sip from his glass, he sighed.
"Are they all awake now?"
Chief Liu and Marshal Han looked at each other. They sighed too.
"Yes." Chief Liu answered.
"Would they be able to handle further questioning?"
Marshal Han snorted in anger.
"They are tough. They won't expire that easily."
Yuan's brow knitted in irritation.
He will be seeing Feifei later. If he does the interview, it has to be bloodless.
He is in a dilemma.
"If these Barbarians wont talk, whats the use of their tongues!" Yuan impatiently said.
Chief Liu and Marshal Han cringed their necks.
"Prepare the room for me. I want to chat with them."
I think it will rain. Does Feifei have an umbrella with her? Yuan frowned deep in thought.
What if she will get caught in the rain and get sick? A black look passed Yuan's face as he seriously thought of the possibility.
Chief Liu and Marshal Han can feel their heart stop beating.
They both thought Yuan is thinking of a hundred inhumane ways on how to open the Barbarians mouth.
Look at how Head Yu frown with deep concentration. Marshal Han thought.
The questioning must be gruesome!
Chief Liu and Marshal Han both have sympathetic looks on their faces.
Surprisingly, they both feel sorry for the unfortunate Barbarians.
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When Yuan entered the basement especially assigned for fervent interrogation activities, the Barbarians were already lined up.
Yuan raised his brows at the guards standing at the entrance.
"How can you be so impolite to our guests? Please give them something to sit on." Yuan admonished lightly.
All four guards shrink their necks in fear.
Head Yu's kind smile and pleasant voice is really chilling! Here comes the calm before the storm.
All four of them scrambled to get benches for their "guests".
They have five "guests". So they brought two long benches which they connected side by side so all of them were facing Head Yu.
Yuan smiled pleasantly at the Barbarians.
The Barbarians snorted at him. Their face contorted with unleashed rage. Their eyes spitting daggers at him.
"I'm sorry we were not accommodating enough as your hosts. I hope you will excuse our rudeness." Yuan said in a soft voice but with a dangerous edge.
Yuan's face is getting cold and his lips is raised in a cruel arc.
All the people in the room even the Barbarians can feel the malevolence and the terrorizing pressure coming from Yuan's body.
Mother! Head Yu is really the devil!
All the guards were shaking with horror. Their teeth chattering. Terrified by the oppressive force coming out from Yuan's body.
Feeling the dominant nature of Yuan, some of the Barbarians were also shivering. Their lips quivering with suppressed fear.
But one of them, a big hulk of a man with a greasy blond beard was still sitting fine.
Although, he wasn't able to look Yuan straight in the eyes anymore.
Either by brute force or savageness, all Barbarians have one thing in common.
They all have the natural respect and fear for people who are more powerful than them, much stronger than them.
And obviously, Yuan is far more superior, much more dominant.
An indisputable tyrant.
"With the pleasantries done, let's begin the questioning." Yuan said in a deathly cold voice.
His eyes turned menacing and sinister.