Chapter 52. Can't Stand Being Uncomfortable (2)

“Ugh… I’m going to die, I’m going to die.”

Yang Honglian’s gaunt cheeks made her face quite a sight.

Although a significant portion of her internal and external injuries had been treated, her body was still wrapped in bandages in various places. However, the reason her face didn’t look too bad wasn’t because her wounds hadn’t healed yet.

Wei Honglian glanced to the side.

Xu Liang sat lazily with his arms crossed, looking quite at ease, while Ma Dongpi had his eyes closed, exuding his usual stern demeanor.

Wei Honglian’s face showed a look of disgust.

“Are you not tired, Young Master?”

“Ugh, what do you mean?”

“Interrogation.”

“What’s so tiring about it? You just have to answer the questions asked.”

“True. The problem is when the same questions are repeated hundreds of times.”

Xu Liang chuckled.

An assassin is a symbol of patience. Before his martial arts reached a certain level, his life was all about patience.

Naturally, this level of interrogation is nothing. He had once waited for a target for ten days in the same position, drinking only water, so a mere four days of interrogation was nothing.

“Well, I can understand that for you, Young Master.”

Wei Honglian’s expression turned sour.

“But why are you so relaxed? Aren’t you tired?”

Ma Dongpi opened his eyes.

There was not a trace of fatigue. Unlike Xu Liang, who hadn’t slept for four days, Ma Dongpi didn’t even have bloodshot eyes.

“It’s quite bearable.”

“Wow, you find it bearable?”

“Staying up for four days and nights to protect a client is nothing. Let alone a safe interrogation, there’s nothing to bear.”

Being an assassin and a bodyguard are completely opposite professions.

However, the common point between them is that both require extreme patience and tension.

The assassin tries to penetrate the bodyguard’s defenses to eliminate the target, while the bodyguard must be prepared for the assassin’s blade, which could come from anywhere.

Xu Liang was known as the king of assassins, and Ma Dongpi was an outstanding bodyguard. The four days of interrogation were, with a bit of exaggeration, almost like a rest for them.

Wei Honglian shook her head.

“I really can’t understand it.”

Xu Liang chuckled.

“I doubt the guys in the next room can understand it either.”

“Haha.”

Wei Honglian gave a thumbs up. Just a moment ago, she had looked like she was about to die, but now she was beaming.

“Still, I’m amazed.”

“What about it?”

“You sent those guys, or rather, the Fourth Young Master and Song Jing, packing right in front of that Seven Wei Zhang. It felt so good.”

Xu Liang glared.

“Is that the issue now? You made a situation that could have been handled smoothly unnecessarily complicated.”

“But thanks to that, you really gave them a good beating, didn’t you?”

“It was just luck.”

“It doesn’t seem like just luck. From what I saw, Young Master, your words were just deadly.”

Ma Dongpi’s eyes turned cold.

“It’s in front of the Third Young Master. Be careful with your words.”

“Got it, you boring guy.”

After giving Ma Dongpi a good ribbing, Wei Honglian turned back to Xu Liang.

Xu Liang shook his head.

“It’s not about my words. It was possible because I have the status of the Third Young Master.”

“Still, the result was good, wasn’t it?”

“That’s true.”

“What do you think will happen next?”

“I’m not sure.”

Ma Dongpi, who seemed curious, looked at Xu Liang.

Xu Liang, who had been deep in thought, scratched his head.

“I’m not sure either.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Why? Am I a fortune-teller? How can I know what will happen in the future?”

“You seem to know everything, so why not?”

“Knowing everything, my ass.”

Xu Liang drank the water on the table. The water was so cold it felt like it would freeze his throat and stomach.

“I just did my best to create the situation I wanted. If I had known the future, I would have known you would act so recklessly.”

“That’s true.”

“Just for fun, let’s make a prediction….”

Xu Liang stroked his chin, which had become quite rough from four days of not shaving.

“Hong Weimen will probably return home after the interrogation.”

The two nodded in agreement. The only difference was that while Ma Dongpi remained expressionless, Wei Honglian’s face was contorted like a ghost.

“Unless he commits treason or a crime of similar severity, the Criminal Law Hall won’t easily touch the disciples.”

“That’s true.”

Xu Liang thought it was due to the power of status, but Ma Dongpi and Wei Honglian didn’t think so.

The disciples of the sect leader had no real power, and everyone in the sect knew this. They were only high in status but had no specific duties.

However, the reason they weren’t easily punished was that they were considered chosen by the gods. Unlike ordinary sect members, they were somewhat outside the bounds of the law.

At least, that’s how it appeared on the surface.

“In my opinion, Hong Weimen is not the type to forget a grudge. He’s a smart guy, but he lacks patience. Especially since he’s been hit by me twice in a row. Once he returns, he’ll probably plan to draw his sword soon.”

Wei Honglian clicked her tongue.

“Did you not plan it before?”

“He did plan it. But this time, it will be a full-scale attack.”

“Why would he go all out?”

“Wouldn’t he? After being humiliated in front of the Joyful Sect Leader, his subordinates, and the Deputy Head of the Criminal Law Hall.”

“…”

Ma Dongpi, who had never deeply considered such relational aspects, looked puzzled.

But Wei Honglian agreed with Xu Liang.

“Public perception is important.”

Being overly concerned with how others see you can make life miserable.

But for those who aspire to power, there’s nothing more important than face. If he doesn’t show something this time, Hong Weimen will definitely lose his power.

“What was the name of the Deputy Head of the Criminal Law Hall, the one with the gold name?”

“Jin Chengzhu?”

“Right, Jin Chengzhu. He’s not worth worrying about. The Criminal Law Hall will handle it.”

“Even if not, he’s just a minor figure, so there’s no need to worry.”

“You’re right, good observation.”

“Then we only need to be wary of the Fourth Young Master?”

“Right….”

Xu Liang stopped speaking and stared at Wei Honglian.

Wei Honglian’s expression turned awkward.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“What are you doing?”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to stick with us?”

“…Huh?”

“You’ve finished your job, right? You’ve caught Song Jing and given the Fourth Young Master a good beating.”

“…!”

“The money you took will also be buried. If Hong Weimen isn’t a fool, he won’t add another petty charge while he’s already on the defensive.”

Xu Liang scratched his head.

“It seems our training is over here?”

“…”

“The drinking session was for five days, right? Isn’t it over today?”

“Well, it is….”

Xu Liang pulled a string from the ceiling.

A moment later, the door opened, and a member of the Criminal Law Hall entered.

“Did you call for me, Third Young Master?”

“Can’t we let Wei Dazhu go now?”

“Huh?”

“He’s a one-sided victim. The interrogation is over, so why make him uncomfortable? Just let him go.”

“Ah, that….”

“Moreover, the Guangma Team’s drinking session ended today. He needs to get back to work tomorrow. Why keep someone who isn’t a suspect here?”

“…”

“Talk to the higher-ups. Let this guy go. If there’s more to investigate, you can summon him later. Besides, I and the Third Squad Leader of the Law Enforcement Hall will stay here.”

The Criminal Law Hall member, deep in thought, bowed.

“I’ll report to the higher-ups. The answer will come soon. Please wait a moment.”

“Thanks, do your best.”

After the member left, a subtle silence filled the room.

For some reason, the air felt stuffy, and Ma Dongpi, who had been looking at Xu Liang, decided it wasn’t because of Xu Liang. His expression was too relaxed.

‘Then…?’

Ma Dongpi turned to Wei Honglian.

‘…’

Wei Honglian’s face was expressionless. She didn’t seem angry or particularly happy.

‘Why is she like that?’

Just as Ma Dongpi was wondering, Wei Honglian spoke.

“I can’t stand not cleaning up after using the toilet.”

“What do you mean?”

“If we started together, we should finish together. How can I just leave?”

Xu Liang chuckled.

“We started together, but our goals were different. Your fight is over, but mine is ongoing.”

“…”

“Don’t meddle unnecessarily. Leave when I tell you to. There’s no need to stay here and be tied up.”

Another awkward silence fell.

This time, even Xu Liang felt uncomfortable and glanced at Wei Honglian. She was still looking at him with an unreadable expression.

“Why? Do you have something to say?”

“…Not really.”

“Damn, you’re a complicated kid.”

At that moment, the member opened the door and entered, surprisingly quickly.

“The higher-ups have approved it. Wei Honglian, you can leave.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Honglian stood up and walked to the door.

But she didn’t leave immediately. She stopped at the door, stood there for a moment, and then turned around.

“I got quite a beating, but it was fun thanks to you, Third Young Master.”

Xu Liang waved his hand.

“I also had a good time thanks to you. It was a refreshing experience.”

“Take care of yourself.”

“You too. Train hard so you don’t get beaten up again.”

Wei Honglian bowed and left the room.

Ma Dongpi cleared his throat.

“Somehow, Wei Dazhu doesn’t seem happy.”

“You felt that too?”

“Yes, she seemed very disappointed.”

“Damn, what’s there to be disappointed about?”

“…”

“…Did I disappoint her, I wonder?”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not sure….”

Xu Liang grumbled.

“Well, if she’s disappointed, she’s disappointed. I don’t need to worry about it.”

“That’s true.”

“Let’s rest. You should get some sleep too. You haven’t slept for four days.”

Ma Dongpi’s expression turned awkward.

“Actually, I can’t fall asleep.”

“Really? That’s strange. Are you in pain somewhere?”

What was strange was Xu Liang.

How could any sect member sleep soundly in the Criminal Law Hall? Only someone as thick-skinned as Wei Honglian could even consider it.

“By the way, is Jin Hu doing well? I’m sure Yinghua treats him well.”

“He’s probably doing well.”

“Yeah, he probably is.”

The two spent some time chatting.

Creak!

The door opened, and someone entered.

Surprisingly, it was Seven Wei Zhang.

“Greetings, Third Young Master.”

“It’s been a while.”

“There’s someone who wants to see you. Will you go?”

Xu Liang tilted his head.

“Someone who wants to see me? Who?”

“The head of the main hall.”

“…!”

“And the Fourth Young Master is already on his way there.”

Ma Dongpi looked at Xu Liang in surprise.

Xu Liang smiled and stood up.

“Dongpi, you should also return to your quarters.”