The Empress’ Livestream

“I planned to end this quickly, but it seems that you want a taste of hell.” Jiang Pengji lifted him easily by grasping his collar. “And you won’t be disappointed,” she said with indifference.

Agony caused his face to turn red then pale. He was in too much pain to comprehend her, or even to command his numb limbs.

“But I will save it for a moment until you tell me everything you can.” Sharpness flashed in her eyes then vanished, leaving no trace of being there.

Host V: “I guess it’s my duty as a host to show my audience something other than usual daily life, so you’re going to watch how we make people spill the truth.”

She was using forced interrogation methods in her former world.

Some viewers were frightened yet curious, peeping through their fingers with their eyes.

Everyone who had heard about forced interrogation would shiver at the words. As the Regimental Commander of Corps Seven, Jiang Pengji was more experienced in this critical procedure than other soldiers.

Host V: “I won’t recommend you to apply it, as it can cost lives.”

Host V: “If you use it someday, don’t blame me for showing you this.”

She then wrapped her hands with two pieces of relatively clean cloth, using the man as “teaching material” to demonstrate professional forced interrogation. It appeared less bloody than the top ten gruesome tortures in Chinese history, but it was, in fact, more ruthless, as it crushed both a person’s body and soul.

Not even a well-trained, genetically enhanced soldier could withstand the whole process, let alone an ancient rascal with a frail mind. He began to lose consciousness not long after she started.

Jiang Pengji took out flintstones to burn a handkerchief. Orange-red light brightened half of her face. “What’s your name?”

“Lin Shenggou.” The man’s eyes lost their focus. Since the wig in his mouth had been removed, saliva dropped from the corners of his lips onto his clothes. Some slid down his neck and onto his collarbones, sickening the neat freaks from the other dimension.

Jiang Pengji scrutinized him. “You’re not a local. Where are you from?”

“Meng County in Cang…” His head dropped to the side, and his body shook violently from time to time. While he stared at the air blankly, his articulation was distinct.

“Cang Prefecture?” Jiang Pengji scanned through Liu Lanting’s memories.

Dongqing was divided into six prefectures and 21 counties. Cang was a prosperous region with its developed infrastructure that connected the north tribes and attracted foreign merchants for trades. Economic growth in Cang was one of the most rapid in the kingdom. Meng, its largest county, took a leading role in Cang’s commercial development.

“There are a few accomplices. Who are they? Describe their appearance and tell me where they are.” She asked the final question, which marked the impending end of the scoundrel’s life.

As he replied, Jiang Pengji’s expressions became as cold as frost. “Nice answer. I’ll let you die quickly.”

The man lay lifelessly. Jiang Pengji cleaned the scene as she was used to, then left the alley casually.

At the end of the alley stood a person. His black garment swung slightly in the wind and moonlight poured down on his shape.

Feng Jin waiting there was not a surprise. She approached him and mocked him before he spoke. “You know you’re too fragile for the cool weather.”

“…”

“It’s not my fault if you get sick tomorrow.”

Feng Jin took a deep breath to compose himself.

Dark alleys, especially those in Langlang Alley, were common spots for crimes. A gang in Hejian loved to gather there, and they would not think twice before catching their prey.

Feng Jin was afraid of gangsters hurting her, but as he remembered how Jiang Pengji murdered all bandits, he became more worried for the gangs instead.

Jiang Pengji examined him from head to toe. “Why didn’t you stay indoors and enjoy the warm, sweet air? It’s freezing here.”

“I went out for some fresh air, but then met the girls who should be staying with you. I asked for you with concern, and knew about your sneaking out… Lanting, haven’t you thought about the danger?”

Feng Jin stopped with a vexed, serious, yet gentle countenance. If his friend was a boy, the worst the gang could do was physical harm which would heal after some time. Jiang Pengji was a girl, however, whose reputation could be spoiled by any accident in a such place.

“I’m not afraid.” She snorted. “And I’m not the one to fear.”

Feng Jin paused for a second, then took a step closer and asked solemnly, “What have you done?”

“You can go inside and take a look if you dare.”

He hesitated, then lit a fire and walked in. After a while, he returned with his shock barely concealed. “You did it?”

“Either I killed him today, or he forced others to kill themselves in the future.” It was no big deal for Jiang Pengji. “Huaiyu, come with me and you’ll know why he had to die. Or maybe you can report it to the local affair office if you can’t accept my deed.”

Feng Jin pressed his lips together. Although large houses were eminent in Dongqing, influencing the court in various ways, they were also constrained by laws. Besides, undermining others’ lives was too barbarous for educated langjuns. Still, Feng Jin refrained himself from speaking his mind and waited for the evidence she mentioned, hoping she would not disappoint him.

“Where are we going?” he asked, following her. “I won’t let you get away unless you convince me.”

Her wooden slippers clopped against the ground, separating the narrow alley from the noisy, crowded world.

“To the Wei’s, where my teacher, Master Wei Yuan lives.”