Before he could finish speaking, Lang Yu’s brow furrowed. “You…”

His expression darkened at once, his brow knitting tightly.

“What did you just feed me? Hurry! Give me the antidote, or I’ll kill your entire family!”

It had only been a moment since he’d swallowed the pill, and already Lang Yu’s face had flushed a deep red.

“Young Master Lang Yu, have you forgotten? You already killed Mister Bao’s three wives, and his child too,” Lei Ming said coldly.

“Hot! It’s so hot! Give me the antidote!” Lang Yu was past caring about Lei Ming’s words.

“Worthless wretch, give me the antidote now, and I… I’ll spare your life!”

Lang Yu desperately wanted to claw at his own body, but couldn’t break free of the shackles binding his hands, his expression growing ever more pained.

“Give me the antidote! Or I’ll kill you! Hurry! Give me the antidote!”

Watching Lang Yu writhe in such agony, Lei Shenbao’s mood seemed quite good.

“Little brother Lei, what exactly did you feed him?”

“Master Lei.” Feng Jiu’er stood up and cupped her hands. “I gave the pill to Mister Bao.”

“To show off my meager skills in front of Master Lei — I really do apologize.”

“Sit!” Lei Shenbao waved a hand at Feng Jiu’er. “Doctor Long, you may speak from where you’re seated.”

“My thanks for Master Lei’s leniency.” Feng Jiu’er cupped her hands once more and sat back down.

Several servants entered, bringing wine, fruit, and pastries for everyone.

By now, the cries of agony from the man in the prisoner’s cart grew louder and louder.

Lei Shenbao glanced at Lang Yu and waved his hand with an air of disdain.

Lei Ming, Lei Shenbao’s deputy general, cupped his hands in acknowledgment, pulled out a handkerchief, and went over to stuff it into Lang Yu’s mouth.

The spacious hall fell silent at once.

Lang Yu kept struggling, his face and neck burning crimson, his whole body drenched in sweat.

“What medicine was Doctor Long researching, may I ask?” Lei Shenbao said, ignoring the man in the cart entirely.

It was as though, even if Lang Yu died, he wouldn’t be entirely indifferent to it either way.

“Mister Bao’s three wives were all burned alive in a fire. This medicine is nothing more than letting this man, who shows such disregard for life, feel a tenth of the suffering they endured.”

Feng Jiu’er glanced at Lang Yu, twisting in agony.

She’d seen arrogant people before, but never one quite this arrogant.

Even though she couldn’t recall the faces of those wives, or the maids and guards who had died, she still felt it deeply unfair on their behalf.

Qiao Mu still lay in bed, suffering through her own ordeal.

And to think this man, the very cause of it all, showed not a shred of remorse — he deserved to die ten thousand deaths!

Lei Shenbao glanced at Lang Yu and nodded, looking thoroughly satisfied.

“Excellent! Excellent!”

“My lord.” Lei Ming cupped his hands toward Lei Shenbao. “I’m afraid Lang Yu won’t be able to endure much longer.”

“How should this be handled?”

Lang Yu, true to his name — meaning “fine jade” — had been coddled like a piece of jade since childhood. When had he ever suffered like this?

His whole body now felt as though it were on fire; he couldn’t even speak anymore, only able to let out muffled groans.

Lei Shenbao raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze landing on Feng Jiang.

“Lei, what do you say — how should this be handled?”

“This matter is for Master Lei to decide,” Feng Jiang said, picking up his teacup and taking a sip.

“As for me, those who died were merely a few people who shared a roof with me. The ones Lang Yu killed were all Master Lei’s own people, weren’t they?”

If what Feng Jiang said wasn’t the truth, then he would have been far too cold-blooded.

But the truth was, the entirety of Bao Manor, and every single person within it, belonged to Lei Shenbao.

Bao Lei was said to be the master of Bao Manor, but in truth he was nothing more than a lodger there.

Ordinarily, he and the people of the household never exchanged a single unnecessary word, because he understood very well that his every move would reach Lei Shenbao’s ears.

“Lei, are you reproaching me?” Lei Shenbao’s brow creased, his tone growing several degrees heavier.

“I wouldn’t dare.” Feng Jiang set down his cup and shook his head.

Lei Shenbao glanced once more at Lang Yu and waved a hand. “Take him down. Once the drug in his system wears off, feed him two Tendon-Splitting Pills.”

“My lord.” Lei Ming cupped his hands. “Given Lang Yu’s current state, whether he can even hold out until the drug wears off is in question.”

“The pain of the Tendon-Splitting Pills is three times worse than what he’s enduring now. I’m afraid…”

“Afraid?” Lei Shenbao’s face turned displeased. “When have I, Lei, ever been afraid?”

“My lord, that’s not what I meant. I only worry…” Lei Ming hastened to explain.

“There’s nothing to worry about!” Lei Shenbao cut him off. “He dared to toy with poison against me — does he think he can leave here alive?”

“A mere Yongshan City — I don’t even put it in my eyes.”

“If he can’t hold on, give him a Soul-Restoring Pill, to keep him conscious at all times — let him properly enjoy the experience!”

“Yes.” Lei Ming gave one final cupped-hand salute, turned, and waved a hand.

Two guards came and wheeled the prisoner’s cart away.

Lei Shenbao gave his steward a look, and the steward bowed and led everyone out of the hall.

In the great hall, only Feng Jiu’er, Feng Jiang, Jian Yi standing guard not far off, and, in the main seat, Lei Shenbao and his chief general Sun Yishi, remained.

“Little brother Lei, given our relationship now, since you’re not fond of having my men trailing you all the time, I won’t insist on it anymore,” Lei Shenbao said, looking at Feng Jiang with a smile.

“It’s nothing,” Feng Jiang replied softly. “They’ve done fine. It’s just that, for now, I have no thought of taking a wife.”

“On that matter, Master Lei needn’t trouble himself on my behalf any further.”

“What’s the issue with that?” Lei Shenbao shrugged and waved a hand. “If little brother Lei doesn’t want a common, ordinary woman, then so be it.”

“By the way, Lei, I do have a matter I need you to handle. I wonder if you’d be interested in becoming my protégé?”

“Master Lei, there’s no need to be so formal.” Feng Jiang picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup.

“I eat your food and wear clothes you’ve provided — how could I refuse your business?”

“And besides, I’ve grown rather tired of this arena work. I was actually hoping to ask whether I might switch to a different line of duty.”

“You mean that?” Lei Shenbao looked at Feng Jiang, his face full of smiles.

Feng Jiang nodded and picked up his teacup. “Whatever the task is, just say the word. If it’s within my ability, I’ll devote myself fully to it.”

“Good!” Lei Shenbao slapped the table. “Little brother Lei is straightforward, just as I expected!”

“Here’s the matter — there’s been some trouble lately at the breeding grounds, and I need someone I can trust to go take a look.”

“Lei, you’ve been working at my side for quite some time now. You’re diligent, you don’t covet power, and you’re not greedy for wealth — you’re the most suitable candidate.”

“And as luck would have it, heaven has brought us Doctor Long at just this moment.”

“Doctor Long isn’t only skilled in medicine, she’s also well-versed in poisons. If the two of you work together, things are bound to go twice as smoothly with half the effort.”

“What do you say? Lei, Doctor Long — are you willing to go to the Black Lands in my stead and take a look?”

“It’s nothing.” Feng Jiang set down his cup. “I’ve been wanting to get out and about anyway.”

He had just lost three wives in one stroke, and yet he remained as cold and indifferent as ever.

Was it that he felt nothing, or that his grief ran too deep for words? Aside from himself, only Feng Jiu’er at his side could see through to the truth.