Furious, Fang Xiu kicked the serrated knife away, fixing Xu Que with a venomous glare.
"If you don't want Shen Mengchu to die, you'll release me, or else I'll make sure she dies alongside me!"
Xu Que nodded slightly, his right hand pressing down on Fang Xiu's left leg as he deliberately probed, "Do you think Zhou Qingyun is strong?"
Fang Xiu froze, unable to believe that Xu Que knew everything.
The moment Xu Que saw Fang Xiu's hesitation, he knew his suspicion was correct.
"You are truly naïve," Xu Que smiled. "Your stupidity will drag your entire organization into the abyss."
"What do you mean?" Fang Xiu demanded.
"Tomorrow, you'll witness Zhou Qingyun's head." Xu Que patted Fang Xiu's cheek with his left hand. "I won't kill you. I'll let you see the downfall of the Chaserfield family, but before that, let me show you how I torment people."
At those words, Fang Xiu immediately let out a blood-curdling scream.
"Don't worry," Xu Que continued with malicious amusement, "The pain you feel, I'll make sure your wife feels it tenfold." His right hand moved to Fang Xiu's other leg.
"Crack!" The sharp, clean sound of bone breaking echoed through the room.
Fang Xiu's agonized scream tore through the air.
Xu Que wasn't merely breaking bones—he was twisting and snapping them with brutal force.
This method, one that shattered the soul itself, was beyond what even specially trained operatives could endure.
"Xu... Que, as long as... I don't send Zhou Qingyun a message, your... your explosive company will be destroyed!" Fang Xiu gasped out.
Xu Que activated his pendant's effect, asking, "Do you think I would trust a single word you say?"
"I'm telling the truth!" Fang Xiu hastily responded.
"Lu Ang and Bell told me that tomorrow morning, at the airport, they'll show me the fireworks. Zhou Qingyun won't act until then. Did you really think I know nothing?"
Fang Xiu's heart dropped. He never expected the leak to come from within their own ranks.
"Damn it... those filthy bastards!" Fang Xiu seethed inwardly, feeling betrayed. He had sacrificed his life for the organization, only to be sold out by them.
Sensing Fang Xiu's growing panic, Xu Que immediately understood. The man was a bundle of lies.
As the pendant's effect faded, Xu Que understood Fang Xiu's nature well enough.
"Officer Fang," Xu Que said, though the title no longer fit, "Oh, wait—Fang Xiu, since you've lost your rank." Xu Que ran a hand along the serrated knife and pressed it to Fang Xiu's inner thigh. "I don't trust a word you say, but now, it's time for you to experience true pleasure."
Before Fang Xiu could comprehend Xu Que's motives, an unbearable sensation of flesh being torn apart overwhelmed him.
"Xu Que, you bastard! You're a madman!"
From her corner, Tang Xue revealed a sinister smile. She recognized those words; they were all too familiar.
It seemed like everyone Xu Que tormented ended up saying the same thing...
Watching Fang Xiu's suffering, Tang Xue suddenly realized that she had begun to understand Xu Que's mindset more and more. Unbeknownst to her, she was starting to show signs of Stockholm Syndrome.
Xu Que was thoroughly enjoying himself, periodically changing the angle of the saw and cutting into the other leg.
With a smile, Xu Que watched the blood slowly pool and asked, "Fang Xiu, how many strikes do you think your wife could endure?"
Fang Xiu gritted his teeth, "Xu, you beast... you'll never have a good death! I swear, Zhou Qingyun will destroy your Explosive Heaven company."
"Very well, let's continue." Xu Que smiled.
As Xu Que's torment dragged on, the room was filled with the sickening sounds of Fang Xiu's screams and Xu Que's twisted laughter.
Checking the time, Xu Que saw there were still ten minutes left. He moved the serrated knife to Fang Xiu's shoulder.
The knife vibrated, and Fang Xiu's clothes were soaked in blood.
"This feeling is so satisfying," Xu Que murmured.
With that, the serrated blade slowly sank into Fang Xiu's muscle.
He gently tapped the handle, and the knife vibrated again, sending waves of soul-crushing pain through Fang Xiu.
Xu Que withdrew the blade, and blood sprayed out in a crimson arc.
Wiping the blade clean, Xu Que grinned. "That's enough for today's torture. You didn't disappoint me. But I hope your wife can survive."
"Xu... Que, I..." Fang Xiu could hardly bear it anymore. He regretted not ending his life earlier when he had the chance.
Xu Que crouched in front of him, smiling. "Say no more. I'm not in the mood to listen. I'm going to your house now to check on your wife."
Fang Xiu, drained of all strength, wanted to shout curses, but found himself unable to speak.
Xu Que stood and gave a curious glance at Tang Xue, who was smiling. Wasn't she supposed to be terrified?
Tang Xue seemed to sense his gaze and shrank back against the wall.
"Now, that's more like it." Xu Que thought, pleased. He slowly approached her.
Before Tang Xue could speak, Xu Que squatted down in front of her. "Go on, wipe the blood off the floor, and bandage his wounds."
"Okay... okay," Tang Xue replied, trembling, as she walked toward Fang Xiu.
Ignoring her, Xu Que walked to Fang Xiu, took out a minor healing scroll, and cast it on him.
"Don't worry. You'll be better by tomorrow, and we'll continue then."
"But today, I have to go to your house. So, I'll take my leave now." Xu Que said, turning to leave.
"Wait... wait!" Fang Xiu gasped, struggling to speak.
Xu Que turned and smiled. "What? Do you still want to lie to me?"
"No, I'm telling the truth!" Fang Xiu forced out. "There's a special phone under my desk at the second garrison base. It's the one I use to contact them."
"Enough," Xu Que said coldly, "I don't trust a word you say."
Without the pendant's effect, Xu Que didn't believe him. He glanced at Tang Xue, who was now tending to Fang Xiu's wounds, and quickly helped her finish wrapping the bandages.
"I'm telling the truth. You don't want me dead, do you? After all, I'm still useful to you," Fang Xiu hurriedly added.
Xu Que ignored him, grabbed Tang Xue, and pulled her out of the room.
"Xu Que! I'll confess! I'll tell you everything!" Fang Xiu yelled weakly.
The door to the holding room slammed shut with a resounding bang.
"I... I'm willing to atone for my crimes," Tang Xue said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"No need," Xu Que said, tossing Tang Xue into the holding room. He turned and walked away, his pace quick.
At this moment, he understood: Zhou Qingyun would indeed make his move tomorrow, but when exactly would that be?
Before that, all he could do was prepare and be ready.
As for the Thirteen Tyrants, Xu Que trusted Zhao Xian and the others would be able to handle them. After all, his weapons and equipment had already been sent out by Shen Mengchu.
"Did you get anything out of him?" Zhao Lao asked, walking up to Xu Que.
Xu Que shook his head. "Don't believe anything he says. This guy wants us to die with him."
Zhao Lao nodded knowingly. He understood that a person who had gone mad was truly terrifying.
"Don't worry, I won't let anyone near the holding room," Zhao Lao assured him.
"Thanks, Uncle Zhao," Xu Que said, grateful. "Could you please make sure no one touches anything in Fang Xiu's office at the second garrison base?"
"No problem. I'll make the call right away," Zhao Lao smiled.
Xu Que believed there must be something hidden in Fang Xiu's office, but he didn't have time to investigate it now.