Chapter 467: Suffer a Bit More, Senior Brother Zhao
Chapter 467: Making Senior Brother Zhao Suffer a Bit More
'Ah, Senior Brother Zhao, you're truly unlucky.'
Inside the interrogation chamber of the Dutian Division, Lü Yang sighed as he looked at Zhao Xuhe, who was suspended mid-air, barely alive after clearly enduring countless beatings.
One had to admit Zhao Xuhe was a pitiful figure.
After parting ways with Lü Yang, he had been doing fine in the Dao Court—until a routine training session accidentally revealed his current primary cultivation technique: the Nine Transforming Dragon Art.
Then everything changed. The Dutian Division arrested him that very day. After obtaining authorization, experts took turns subjecting him to the "Great Memory Restoration Technique," demanding "Tell us what you know!" before he could even react. Zhao Xuhe was utterly bewildered—no one had even asked him anything!
But he was, after all, a disciple of the Saint Sect.
Upon realizing the Dao Court was after the Nine Transforming Dragon Art yet strangely refrained from directly soul-searching him—perhaps fearing something—he gritted his teeth and held firm.
No matter how much they "restored his memory," he simply "couldn't remember."
Because he understood one thing clearly:
'If I talk, I'm dead for sure! If I don't, they won't get what they want, and I might still have a chance—after all, I'm the only one who knows the 《Nine Transforming Dragon Art》!'
Just then, the cell door creaked open.
Zhao Xuhe lifted his head to see a young man with striking features enter, his aura vast as an ocean, seemingly more terrifying than even his own master.
But similar figures had come and gone these past few days. Taking a deep breath, Zhao Xuhe weakly declared, "Don't waste your efforts. I won't say anything... And I might as well tell you—no one else knows this true art. If I die, it's lost forever!"
So hurry up and recruit me already.
Zhao Xuhe's heart burned with ambition. He keenly sensed that while this situation was dangerous, it might also be an opportunity. After all, he could pledge loyalty to the Dao Court too!
If the Dao Court wanted his technique so badly...
If they couldn't obtain it, they'd have no choice but to recruit him. With the Dao Court's resources, his path to Foundation Establishment might become smoother than ever!
This thought solidified his resolve. Disciples of the Saint Sect never lacked the drive to climb higher. As long as there was hope for Foundation Establishment, no hardship was too great. What were a few torturous interrogations? In the Saint Sect, many would kill for such an opportunity!
"All of you, leave."
Observing Zhao Xuhe's resolute expression, Lü Yang waved his hand, dismissing the accompanying Dutian Division strongmen. Then he sat down opposite Zhao Xuhe.
Within his Sea of Consciousness, the [Xuandu] Blessed Land trembled faintly.
'Hmm, no one's watching.'
Satisfied, Lü Yang nodded. Under Zhao Xuhe's bewildered gaze, he asked not a single question—instead, he directly took out a jade slip and began recording.
The 《Nine Transforming Dragon Art》? He knew it!
Not just that—he even knew the more advanced 《Myriad Chariots Dragon Ascension Treasure Scroll》! He could even jot down minor cultivation tips and insights!
To Lü Yang, this was a heaven-sent opportunity for merit.
So instead of interrogating, he silently transcribed the entire technique. Then, using [Puppet on Strings], he manipulated Zhao Xuhe to sign and fingerprint the confession.
Mission accomplished!
As for Zhao Xuhe? Lü Yang had a soft heart—he couldn't bear to see him suffer further torture. So he mercifully sent him off to the cycle of reincarnation.
Tianwu Hall.
The current Dao Court Heavenly Son, titled [Long Nurturing Myriad Things Imperial Lord], reigning under the era name Jia You, sat upon the Dao platform reviewing memorials submitted by various ministries.
Suddenly, Eunuch An hurried in.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Wonderful news!"
"Oh? What news?"
Hearing this, Emperor Jia You opened his eyes. With a thought, he guessed the eunuch's report: "Did that little dragon truly extract the technique through interrogation?"
"Your Majesty sees all!"
Eunuch An promptly exclaimed: "The cosmos rests in Your Majesty's palm. Your Majesty's wisdom outshines the sun and moon! Indeed, Du Huan has accomplished this feat."
"Present it."
At the emperor's command, Eunuch An immediately offered the secret manual Lü Yang had "extracted" through interrogation. With a sweep of his divine sense, Emperor Jia You's face revealed satisfaction. Given his cultivation, he could instantly verify the technique's authenticity. But more importantly:
'No karma was triggered!'
Had they obtained the 《Nine Transforming Dragon Art》 through soul-searching, it would have disturbed the Web of Karma, alerting the Pure Land—resulting in blame rather than merit.
But interrogation was different.
Because Zhao Xuhe had "voluntarily" surrendered it, while there was some karmic fluctuation, even a Foundation Establishment True Person could easily conceal it—far from enough to alarm the Pure Land.
This thought deepened Emperor Jia You's satisfaction.
With another thought, Lü Yang's records in the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes] appeared before him—including his choice to prioritize comprehension when receiving official stipends.
The emperor wasn't surprised.
While the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes'] blessings were useless to most officials who relied on their positions, they were treasures to those capable of independent cultivation.
Lü Yang's choice aligned with his expectations.
'Does he seek to quickly assimilate the [Noon Fire]'s cultivation depth?' Emperor Jia You pondered, then chuckled softly. If so, why not indulge him?
"By Our decree."
Emperor Jia You's golden words carried imperial weight: "True Dragon Du Huan has rendered meritorious service to the state. Reward him with three stipend cycles."
In the Dao Court, one "yuan" represented a century—the interval at which stipends were distributed. Thus, with one sentence, the emperor granted Lü Yang stipends for three hundred years!
Almost simultaneously, Lü Yang sensed the change.
The [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes] radiated splendor, conveying the emperor's edict while adding three stipend permissions to his official account.
"Many thanks for Your Majesty's boundless grace!"
Without hesitation, Lü Yang stood straight, flicked his right sleeve, and declared with firm resolve and ringing clarity: "Loyalty!"
Emperor Jia You withdrew his gaze, satisfied.
At the same moment, Lü Yang saw the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] panel illuminate—the golden talent [Not Under Others] suddenly glowing.
'This talent has activated.'
[Not Under Others: The more outstanding you appear in your superior's eyes, the more they value you—and the greater the bonus when you betray them.]
Understanding dawned on Lü Yang. This talent's activation meant he had truly caught Emperor Jia You's attention. If he chose to betray now, he would already receive the minimum bonus... Realizing this, he immediately recognized its secondary function—a tool to monitor favorability!
'The brighter the talent glows, the more Emperor Jia You trusts me.'
'Conversely, if it dims, it means he's grown wary—a signal to prepare countermeasures. Who knew it had such uses!'
As Lü Yang pondered this—
Suddenly, warmth pulsed from his chest. Frowning, he retrieved the source: a radiant, glowing scale.
'This is... the Dragon Lord's scale!'
His heart stirred. This was clearly given by the distant Dragon Lord to Du Huan, allowing him to monitor the True Dragon Clan's situation in Jiangdong.
Now, the Dragon Lord was contacting him.
'But... perfect timing!'
Though startled, Lü Yang remained calm. Thanks to the [Nest Usurped by the Cuckoo] talent, he was indistinguishable from the genuine Dragon King Du Huan.
With this in mind, he activated the scale.
Immediately, layers of white mist emerged, coalescing into auspicious clouds from which opened a pair of golden eyes large as bronze bells.
"Hmm?"
The next second, those golden eyes revealed confusion.
The Dragon Lord had expected his grandson to appear miserable—full of grievances with nowhere to vent, perhaps even resentful toward him.
But reality?
Before him stood a majestic young man in official robes, brimming with vigor—the picture of success, not frustration.