Volume Three: The Turmoil at Xuanwu Gate Chapter 101: Coercion and Crushing the Spirit

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After handing over the two assassins to Ming Yu for interrogation, Li Shimin returned to his chambers accompanied by a group of strategists and generals from the Heavenly Strategy Division, quietly awaiting news.

Ming Yu had already heard that these assassins were utterly heartless, killing on sight, their hands stained with blood.

Among the casualties were many servants and guards Ming Yu knew personally. He was fiercely protective by nature and was now determined to avenge the unjustly slain. These two assassins must not be spared! Not only would they be forced to confess, but they would also endure psychological torment before death.

With this resolve, he nodded to several guards, who, understanding his orders, promptly prepared various implements.

A blazing brazier of burning coals, two large wooden tubs about three feet high filled with icy snow water.

One guard drew his short knife and casually tossed it into the brazier; in moments, the blade glowed red-hot from the flames.

Another guard took down a sack of blue salt from his back and poured it into the tubs, stirring continuously.

Ming Yu turned to the younger assassin and said, “I’ve given this method a fitting name: the Inferno and Ice Punishment! This is your last chance.”

The assassin glared fiercely and cursed, “You little bastard, bring it on! I wouldn’t be here if I feared death!”

“Hmph, stubborn as ever,” Ming Yu muttered, crouching down and taking the glowing blade, then searing it against the assassin’s thigh. The piercing scream that followed was agonizing, the scent of burnt flesh and blood filling the air.

“Will you talk now?” Ming Yu asked with a cold sneer, lifting the assassin’s chin with the glowing knife.

“Ptooey!” The tortured assassin weakly spat.

“Hmph!” Ming Yu snorted and snapped his fingers. A guard grinned wickedly and drenched the assassin’s face with the salted ice water.

Salt on wounds was a cruel agony. The assassin’s body was already covered with bruises and cuts; Ming Yu’s searing blow had left raw flesh exposed. Now, the saltwater stung, intensifying all the pain tenfold.

The assassin’s chilling screams echoed like a fish thrown into boiling oil, his body twisting desperately, shaking the wooden stake that bound him.

After a long struggle, he finally calmed, his eyes glazed and vacant, body twitching intermittently, gasping heavily, saliva dripping unnoticed.

Ming Yu thought it was enough; further torment might kill the assassin. He deliberately raised his voice, “I thought you were tough, but you couldn’t endure much. Let me see if the other one is tougher!”

Sympathetic to his kindred, the other assassin, though some distance away, was already trembling. Though he couldn’t see clearly what had been done, the horrid screams and violent struggles of his comrade told the tale. The thought of such tortures awaiting him filled his heart with dread.

Though death-defying assassins had long accepted their fate, few were truly fearless when death crept near. What scared them most was not death itself, but the agonizing limbo of torture before death, where one cannot live nor die in peace.

Watching Ming Yu approach step by step, the assassin’s forehead beaded with sweat.

“If he won’t talk, will you?” Ming Yu asked with a grin.

“Hmph,” came the cold response.

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“Bang! Again like this!” Ming Yu furiously kicked over the tub of salted water. Then, suddenly raising a thumb with a hearty laugh, he said, “Tough spirit! Enough, enough. You’re both brave men; why endure such disgrace before death?”

The bearded assassin was puzzled, thinking this man must be mad. Just moments ago, he had been a merciless executioner; now, suddenly, he acted gentle and jovial, like a brother-in-arms.

“Now, I’m giving you two choices!” Ming Yu’s expression turned serious as he held up two fingers.

The younger assassin struggled to recover from the pain, weakly raising his head to look at his companion across the courtyard.

To his dismay, he saw the torturer chatting and laughing with his comrade, who even nodded along.

Though separated by dozens of yards, the assassin understood perfectly from their expressions and gestures what had transpired.

A deep sense of dread engulfed him, as if falling into an abyss. He tried to scream, but his throat was exhausted from earlier agony, only managing a silent, desperate roar.

The torturer seemed delighted with the conversation, praising his companion with thumbs up and even patting his shoulder affectionately.

They ordered the man’s release from the stake. Then, personally, the torturer took cotton cloth and carefully tended to his wounds.

Finally, a feast was brought in: huge vats of fine wine and steaming roasted lamb, the aroma so rich it permeated the entire courtyard.

The wounded comrade, as if revitalized, lunged at the lamb, devouring it hungrily.

Drinking straight from the wine jug without a cup, he choked and coughed from drinking too fast.

The torturer smiled warmly, gently patting his back to soothe him, sitting opposite him. They clinked jugs and drained them together.

“Traitor! Coward! Spineless!” the younger assassin roared inside his heart, unable to bear it any longer. His voice finally returned, and as he was about to curse, a guard punched him hard in the abdomen, silencing him into painful whimpers.

After a long while, the gluttonous comrade, now sated, was supported away by two guards. Before leaving, he gave the younger assassin a meaningful, lingering glance.

Ming Yu returned smiling, holding a jug of wine.

The younger assassin, too weak to struggle, watched his companion being led away, his expression growing complex.

“Your comrade has confessed. He’s now part of Prince Qin’s household! With the prince’s protection, he will enjoy endless wealth and honor! As for you... you’re useless!” Ming Yu said cheerfully.

Seeing the assassin’s face turn ashen, Ming Yu continued, “But I’m kind-hearted. I can’t bear to see you die, so I’ll ask again: are you still refusing to confess?”

The young assassin lowered his head silently, seemingly resigned.

“Ah, send him off then. Such a pity; I thought he was a tough one and considered sparing him!” Ming Yu shook his head and sighed. “If only I’d listened to his comrade, a single sword stroke would have ended it all.”

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At these words, the assassin finally reacted violently, struggling fiercely and raising his head to ask, “He really confessed? Truly?”

“Of course. Do you think Prince Qin’s feast is that delicious? Right now, your comrade is being treated by the royal physician, and soon he’ll receive piles of gold, silver, and beautiful wives and concubines as rewards.” Ming Yu was pleased by the strong reaction—this method was working.

The assassin bit his lip, hesitant to speak. Though his comrade had confessed, he still clung to his loyalty, though his resolve seemed fragile and far from fearless.

Ming Yu used a devilish, coaxing tone to persuade, “This tough guy, your comrade has confessed. Unlike you, he’s not foolish enough to cling to empty promises and loyalty at the cost of his life. Pathetic, so young with so much life to live, yet facing death. Meanwhile, your comrade is stepping over your corpse, drinking and feasting, living a life of luxury. Ah, but this is your own choice!”

The young assassin’s attitude wavered; his eyes showed a fierce internal struggle.

“If I were you, I’d confess quickly. After all, your comrade has already spoken. This isn’t betraying your master,” Ming Yu continued to incite.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you—one of your comrade’s conditions for surrender was that you must be killed! So he can have no worries! He insisted I waste no time and end you with a single stroke!” Seeing the assassin hesitate, Ming Yu delivered the final blow.

This was the last straw, shattering the assassin’s defenses completely.

“I—I’ll talk!” The assassin’s eyes flashed with fury as he shouted, “I’ll say everything! But you must kill him! Kill Qiu Lei! If you want me dead, I’ll make sure you die first!”

“Good! Clear grudges! That’s what a real man sounds like!” Ming Yu gave a thumbs-up in approval.

Once the secret was out, it poured forth like a breached dam. The young assassin revealed everything he knew truthfully.

They were not sent by Prince Qi but by the Crown Prince, deliberately framing Prince Qi to incite conflict between Prince Qin and Prince Qi.

“I’ve told you everything! Don’t forget your promise—kill Qiu Lei!” The young assassin said through clenched teeth, eyes burning with profound hatred. At this moment, he hated no one but the comrade who betrayed him, wishing to tear him apart.

Ming Yu laughed heartily, “Rest assured, I keep my word. I’ll make sure you get your revenge!” He nodded to the guards.

The guards understood and soon returned, tossing a bloodied head at the young assassin’s feet—it was Qiu Lei’s.

“Here’s another thing: I gave Qiu Lei two choices. Die from my torture or eat well and then be killed swiftly. He chose the latter,” Ming Yu winked at the young assassin.

Hearing this, the assassin immediately spat a mouthful of blood.

“You—you’re so cruel, so wicked! Damn you, little bastard, you lied to me! I’ll haunt you even as a ghost!” The young assassin shouted fiercely, hysterical and wild.

“See? I keep my promises. I gave Qiu Lei a quick death and promised you revenge. You’ve killed many from Prince Qin’s household; killers must be killed. This is just collecting interest!” Ming Yu laughed loudly, feeling a great relief, finally avenging the servants and guards.

Then he waved to the guards, “Give him a quick end too.”

The guards, harboring intense hatred for these assassins who had slain many brothers, could no longer hold back. Drawing their swords, a flash of steel, and a head rolled, blood splattering everywhere!