Chapter 135: Interrogating Members of Iron Hammer Sect
“Oh, I simply… froze them,” Xia Bingling replied casually. “Each and every one of them. They stand as statues in the courtyard, a chilling reminder of what happens to those who dare to threaten the Xia Family.”
A grin spread across Wang Li’s face. “Brilliant!” This was a much better outcome than he’d anticipated. “Those frozen fools can be more valuable assets than corpses. We can use them to our advantage.”
Xia Bingling raised an eyebrow in question. “How so?”
“Simple,” he explained, his voice taking on a calculating tone. “We can use them to interrogate them, to learn the location of Iron Hammer Sect hideouts, their trade routes, and their allies.”
“And perhaps,” he added, a glint of mischief in his eyes, “discover which supposedly righteous families are secretly harboring this demonic scum.”
Xia Bingling’s smile widened at the possibilities. “An excellent plan, Li,” she purred, her voice dripping with approval. “When do we begin?”
Wang Li chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “Hold on, my love,” he teased, his eyes lingering on her enticing form. “Let’s indulge in a bath first. You must be exhausted after your ordeal.”
She raised an eyebrow, a playful challenge in her gaze. “Oh, I have plenty of energy, Li,” she purred. “But perhaps a bath wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
A slow, sensual smile spread across his face. “However,” he countered, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, “I wouldn’t mind having you use some of that energy to… bathe me.”
Xia Bingling’s smile widened, a knowing glint in her eyes. “A bath, you say?” she echoed, amusement dancing in her voice. “Of course, Li. Anything to make you comfortable.”
With a playful tug, Xia Bingling pulled him towards the bathroom, the steam rising from the tub a hazy curtain around them. Inside, the roles shifted. Xia Bingling, her curves accentuated by the wisps of steam, took on the role of maid, her every touch a caress.
She lathered the soap, her hands skimming over his chest, sending shivers down his spine. As she washed his back, her large breasts brushed against him, a delightful reminder of their earlier encounter. Every movement was deliberate, a dance of sensuality that left him breathless.
Wang Li reveled in the feeling, basking in her ministrations and the warmth of her touch. He closed his eyes, letting out a contented sigh as the tension from the battle and the passionate night melted away.
As they finished their bath, a playful energy crackled between them. This was more than just cleansing; it was a reaffirmation of their bond, a reminder of the power they wielded together – both in cultivation and in the bedroom.
Emerging from the bathroom, renewed and invigorated, they were ready to face their next challenge. The Iron Hammer Sect wouldn’t know what hit them. Xia Bingling’s newfound power, coupled with Wang Li’s cunning schemes, would be a force to be reckoned with.
Once invigorated and their playful tension released, they donned elegant robes. Wang Li’s short blonde hair and piercing emerald eyes stood out against the crimson of his robe, while Xia Bingling’s long blonde tresses flowed down her back, contrasting beautifully with the sapphire robe that clung to her curves. Leaving the chamber, they exited into the cool night air and made their way to a secluded courtyard within the Xia Family estate.
With a flick of her wrist, Xia Bingling channeled the immense power of her Soul Integration Realm. Tendrils of spiritual energy pulsed outwards, reaching out and gathering all the frozen Iron Hammer Sect disciples into an empty field within the courtyard. Their forms, previously suspended in time, clattered to the ground, their faces frozen in expressions of terror or confusion.
One by one, Xia Bingling gently lifted the icy spell. The first few disciples, unaware of their fate, babbled about their loyalty to the Iron Hammer Sect.
Wang Li, however, showed them no mercy. Each answer deemed insufficient resulted in a brutal display of his ruthless nature.
Tendons were severed with a sickening snap, screams ripped through the air as skin was flayed from trembling bodies. Swords plunged through flesh, each agonizing cry a testament to his unyielding fury.
The punishment for ignorance was swift and brutal, their lifeless bodies laid out as grim reminders for those who followed.
Their resolve crumbled by the tenth disciple. He stumbled out of the ice, his eyes wide with terror. The sight of his fallen comrades, their faces contorted in eternal screams, broke him.
He spilled everything – hideouts, trade routes, even the names of cultivation families who had secretly aligned themselves with the demonic sect.
His information was valuable yet limited. He was a mere foot soldier in the Iron Hammer Sect’s grand scheme, his knowledge confined to the lower rungs. Wang Li granted him a swift end, a mercy denied to those who came before him.
The process continued – interrogate, torture, kill. Eleven, twelve, thirteen… each disciple a drop in the well of their growing knowledge.
Finally came the turn of the three elders frozen in time. Unfreezing them one by one, Wang Li and Xia Bingling witnessed the elders’ terror deepen with each new revelation of their comrades’ fates. Unlike the disciples, the elders held crucial knowledge.
The first elder, a gaunt man with deep wrinkles etched around his eyes, confessed everything under the cold interrogation. He revealed hidden locations he only knew existed as legends – forgotten strongholds, hidden training grounds, and stockpiles of potent demonic artifacts. He even surrendered their most prized possession – their sect’s core cultivation techniques and combat manuals, coveted knowledge of a top-tier demonic sect.
The remaining elders followed suit, their fear of Xia Bingling’s immense power and Wang Li’s ruthless methods dissolving all resistance.
One by one, they confirmed the information gleaned from the disciples, adding their own depth and detail. However, there was one question that remained unanswered – Ye Fan’s whereabouts.
The elders and disciples seemed genuinely ignorant. Apparently, only the Second Elder maintained contact with the Young Master, a detail that sent a shiver down Wang Li’s spine.
Frustration simmered in the air, a counterpoint to the satisfaction of accumulating information. Xia Bingling, with a flick of her wrist, froze the elders back into icy statues. “This Second Elder of the Iron Hammer Sect,” she mused, her voice a low rumble. “He holds the key to Ye Fan’s location.”
Wang Li nodded, a cold glint in his emerald eyes. “We’ll find him,” he growled, the promise a dark echo in the moonlit courtyard. “And when we do, he’ll wish he’d joined his disciples on the ground.”
A cold, calculating smile spread across Xia Bingling’s face. “Indeed,” she agreed. “But before we focus on Ye Fan, we have a lot of work to do.”
~~
A week later.
The Xia Family mansion buzzed with activity, a hive of nervous anticipation. Elaborate silk banners adorned the courtyards, shimmering in the warm sunlight. Fragrant incense spirals filled the air, mingling with the tantalizing aromas wafting from the kitchens. Today, the Xia Family hosted a grand banquet, an event designed to send ripples through the entire cultivation world.
Guests began arriving in a steady stream. From the Jade Lotus Palace sect, the ethereal beauty of Palace Mistress Jiu Lan captivated the onlookers. Her flowing emerald robes accentuated her slender figure, and her piercing blue eyes scanned the crowd with an air of quiet authority. By her side stood Liu Xue, her personal and core disciple, her youthful face betraying a hint of nervous excitement. Accompanying them were several renowned elders of the Jade Lotus Palace, their jade green robes signifying their allegiance.
The Azure Peak Sect arrived with a powerful delegation led by the imposing figure of Sect Master Deng. His weathered face bore the marks of experience, and his booming laugh resonated through the courtyard. Flanking him were a contingent of elders, their faces etched with years of cultivation. Among them stood Elder Su, his long white beard flowing in the gentle breeze, and Elder Hu, his eyes radiating a fierce intensity.
A flurry of colors announced the arrival of the Emerald Sea Palace. Palace Mistress Gao Ming, renowned for her unmatched beauty and unparalleled water-based cultivation techniques, walked with a serene grace. Her sapphire robes shimmered in the sunlight, and her gentle smile warmed those around her. Her entourage included a retinue of captivating elders and promising disciples. Among them, Shi Feiyan, a rising star within the Emerald Sea Palace, attracted admiring glances with her elegant movements and mesmerizing aura.
Other sects sent their most esteemed representatives. The Golden Bell Temple and the Crimson Rock Sect, unable to attend themselves, dispatched powerful elders and core disciples to signify their importance.
The cultivation families were well-represented. Song Jingyan, the captivating Matriarch of the Song Family, commanded attention with her fiery red dress and confident stride. Her entourage exuded an aura of competence, hinting at the Song Family’s growing power. Every guest, from the esteemed leaders to the promising young disciples, was eager to make a positive impression on the Xia Family, particularly the newly-minted Soul Integration Realm cultivator, Xia Bingling.
As the banquet commenced, the air vibrated with conversation and laughter. The guests marveled at the Xia Family’s hospitality, their exquisite culinary delights, and the breathtaking displays of musical prowess. Yet, beneath the festive facade, a sense of anticipation hung heavy in the air.
Finally, the moment everyone was waiting for arrived. With a confident smile, Xia Bingling strode to the center of the stage, her majestic presence silencing the chatter. Her powerful aura, imbued with the newfound strength of the Soul Integration Realm, filled the room. She raised a crystal goblet filled with a shimmering jade-colored wine, her voice ringing out with a captivating clarity.
“Esteemed guests, honored friends,” she began, “I, Xia Bingling, Matriarch of the Xia Family, stand before you today not only to celebrate this auspicious occasion but also to share momentous news.”
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. This was the reason for the extravagant banquet – a revelation significant enough to warrant the presence of the most respected figures in the cultivation world.
Xia Bingling continued, her voice filled with pride, “Firstly, I am honored to announce that by the grace of the heavens, I have successfully ascended to the revered Soul Integration Realm!”
Cheers erupted, the sound echoing through the courtyards. Reaching the Soul Integration Realm was a feat reserved for only the most exceptional cultivators, and achieving it independently solidified Xia Bingling’s position as a force to be reckoned with.
“Furthermore,” Xia Bingling added, a playful smile gracing her lips, “I am delighted to announce the upcoming marriage of my beloved daughter, Xia Qingwu, to the esteemed Wang Li, Patriarch of the Wang Family.”
This announcement sent a fresh wave of excitement through the gathering. Xia Qingwu, a budding cultivator with immense talent, was a coveted match. Her marriage to Wang Li, a leader known for his ambition and leadership, signified a powerful union.
Congratulations poured in from all corners of the room. Guests praised Xia Bingling’s wisdom in securing such an exceptional match for her daughter and offered blessings to the happy couple.
Both Xia Qingwu and Wang Li, standing side by side, blushed at the sudden attention.
However, Xia Bingling wasn’t finished yet. A glint of determination flickered in her eyes as she raised her hand for silence.
“However,” she began, “this celebration marks another significant event – the dawn of a new era for our families.”
A hush fell over the crowd. All eyes focused on Xia Bingling, eager to hear her next statement.
