Chapter 30

Bryan's heart was filled with a burning rage. Although he had spoken very respectfully to He Ping just now, the murderous intent in his heart had never subsided. He Ping was truly despicable, killing Chris, kidnapping him and his father Wolfgang, and now not only showing no intention of letting them go, but also wanting to find out the location of the treasures of the Wolfgang lineage from him. How could things be so easy?

Bryan remained silent, but He Ping didn't seem to mind. This was just a bonus for him, and whether or not he got it wouldn't have much of an impact. However, seeing Bryan's reaction, He Ping felt a bit entertained. He smiled and said, "Don't want to talk? You have some backbone, I see. But why didn't I notice that earlier? However, do you really think you have the choice to speak or not?"

"Hmph! I advise you not to have such delusions. Let me tell you, our Wolfgang lineage does indeed have treasures, and quite a few good ones. But I will never reveal where they are hidden. You killed my brother, and now you want to kill me and my father. You are our family's sworn enemy. Even if you tell me, you won't let me go. So why should I tell you? If you want to kill me, do it quickly. This time, even if I die, I won't yield!"

Listening to Bryan's words, He Ping's smile grew even wider. He shook his head and said, "Death? You want to die? Ha, you're thinking too simply. How could I let you off so easily? That would be too lenient for you. You're known as the Poison Wolf, and you know what you've done. I've heard some of your stories. I think you should know that in this situation, you are at my mercy. If I want to make you suffer, it would be extremely easy!"

Bryan's expression changed. He Ping's words hit a nerve. The three Wolfgangs—Wolfgang, known as the Wolf King, was always cunning and ruthless in battle, executing prisoners, deserters, and even civilians without hesitation. But outside of battle, he had no devious mind. Silver Wolf Chris was straightforward, clever in battle, and ruthless in killing, but that was all.

Only Bryan, known as the Poison Wolf, was different. On the battlefield, Bryan was a killing god, but most of his notoriety came not from his battlefield performance, but from his twisted nature of enjoying torture. He had deeply studied how to make someone feel pain while remaining fully conscious. In short, he was an expert in making life worse than death!

If their positions were reversed, and He Ping was the captive while Bryan was the interrogator, Bryan believed he had countless ways to make He Ping beg for death, and countless ways to make him reveal everything he knew, even things he hadn't been asked about. He would even tell Bryan the age he last wet the bed. Bryan, judging others by his own standards, knew that if he could do it, others could too. Seeing He Ping's constant smile, he didn't find it surprising that He Ping might have the same skills. Thinking about this, Bryan's cold sweat, which had already started, intensified, and the chill on his back was almost unbearable.

"Ah, right!" He Ping seemed to remember something. He sneered and said to Bryan, "Don't think about playing any tricks. Don't think a simple lie will get you through. If the answers I get from you are wrong, or if I get no answers at all, I will go to Wolfgang for the real answers. If you don't want your father to suffer, you'd better speak up. Maybe, I'll give you a quick death!"

Wolfgang, who had just opened his mouth, closed it again. Just before He Ping's warning, he had indeed intended to lie. The Lance Province, operated by the Lance family for so many years, had many secrets unknown to outsiders. Bryan's original plan was to take He Ping to a hidden place of the Lance family. Once the traps were activated, it would become a sealed-off dead end, from which even He Ping couldn't escape. This way, although they would die together, it would be a great revenge!

But now, with He Ping bringing up Wolfgang, Bryan didn't want his father to suffer. The most critical point was that He Ping wouldn't give them the chance to collude. If he interrogated them one by one, He Ping could easily determine if they were lying. This would result in both of them suffering and failing to trick He Ping into the dead end, a lose-lose situation that no one wanted.

He Ping continued, "For you, your greatest enemy is undoubtedly me, but you have no way to deal with me. But think about it, who do you hate the most after me? If I'm not mistaken, it's either Zhao Zheng of Qingyang or Lord Trevor of Lance, right? Have you thought about it? If you tell the truth and I empty the Wolfgang lineage and the Lance family's treasuries, the Lance family will surely fall into internal strife. Then, those two people you hate the most besides me might start fighting each other."

Bryan was a bit conflicted, and He Ping was a bit pleased. In college, he had taken a psychology elective for a semester. Although he often skipped classes, he had attended a few and read a few books. Now, he was putting what he learned in that elective to the test. Clearly, Bryan's psychological defenses were weakening, and it was time for the final blow!

"Have you ever thought that Qingyang and Lance Province don't have deep-seated grudges? The conflict between the two families started because the previous Lord Lance broke his word. Now, Zhao Zheng's revenge is complete. If I kill you and Wolfgang, Trevor will have no worthy enemies in the army. He will surely consolidate the entire Lance Province and take full control. Once that happens, do you think Zhao Zheng and Trevor will reach a truce?" He Ping's voice echoed in Bryan's ear.

Hearing this, Bryan's expression changed. He suddenly realized that Zhao Zheng and Trevor had always been on good terms. They were friends even before the war. After the war, apart from the incident involving their fathers, there had been no significant conflicts. If Trevor's lineage took control of all the power in Lance Province, the possibility of Zhao Zheng and Trevor making peace was over 80%. Moreover, there was a crucial point: Bryan knew that when Zhao Zheng's father, Zhao Long, was invited to negotiate with Charlemagne, he was ambushed and killed. There was actually another hidden detail...

[PS: Third update today! See you tomorrow!]