Yinshan Record

Chapter 15 Torture
Su Che looked at the Qi family's wife, who was tied up in that way.

If he were to parade around like this, his reputation in Shanyin County would probably be as bad as it was in Jiankang City.

That's not okay.

"Go find the Qi family and get them a list or something, then wrap it up for me."

Su Che gave the order to Zhang San.

"My lord is truly a man who cherishes his reputation, a true gentleman. I am now at ease."

But he's a heartless monster. He's tied up like this, yet he still calls himself a gentleman?

"Then you are very wrong. Yue Buqun is my real name, Zuo Lengchan is my former name, Jiang Biehe is my pen name, Iron-Blooded Marquis is my title, and Despicable is my work ID."

Su Che spoke lines that the monster couldn't understand.

Zhang San walked out of the Qi family's house carrying an iron ruler.

"My lord, the old lady of the Qi family actually tied the father and son up in the woodshed. Should we release them, then arrest the father and son and punish them for the crime of communicating with demons?"

"You have a bright future, Xiao Zhang."

"It's all thanks to the teachings of adults."

Su Che glanced at Zhang San and remembered that according to the "Liang Law Commentary", cult of the supernatural was a serious crime. Men would be exiled three thousand miles away and their property confiscated, while women would be sent to the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution).

Heh heh, as expected of a magistrate who ruins families. If this charge is upheld, the Qi family will be wiped out in Shanyin County.

"Since you've asked me to instruct you, then I'll say a few more words. I've solved a case of demonic possession since I arrived in Shanyin County, which is certainly a merit. But what will Magistrate Jiang and Registrar Tian think? This demon has been telling fortunes for three months. Aren't they responsible for negligence?"

"Huh?" Zhang San was still in high spirits and hadn't thought of this part. After hearing Su Che's words, his interest immediately waned by more than half.

"Besides, you know I might not stay in Shanyin County for long. Once I take up my post elsewhere, what will Magistrate Jiang and Registrar Tian think of you if you're still here and you've been implicated in this demon case? Even if they don't say anything, do you think their subordinates will treat you well?"

"A major case like this, involving the use of demons, will inevitably require a search for those who told fortunes for this Qi family's wife. How many neighbors in Shanyin County will get into trouble? You know the atmosphere in the yamen; you'll inevitably have to spend some money to buy peace. All these cases combined will crush you."

Su Che's few words not only extinguished Zhang San's thoughts, but also made him break out in a cold sweat.

"Understanding the ways of the world is true learning; being adept at human relationships is true literature. Being a person is like being an official: be mindful of danger, be prepared to retreat, and be adaptable."

Su Che's last words brought a surge of joy to Zhang San's heart.

"From now on, you can stay with me without worry. I won't let you suffer any losses."

The monster listened from the side, secretly chuckling.

"He even calls himself a hypocrite. His kindness is so self-righteous that it makes people's teeth ache."

"Xuande's kindness and generosity seem hypocritical, and Zhuge Liang's wisdom is almost demonic. What do you, a little devil, know?"

Huang Tiandao's "Supreme Edict of Sealing Spirits" was indeed somewhat miraculous. Su Che remembered it well in his heart. The monster's face was extremely ugly as it traveled along. Even its sarcastic remarks were few and far between, and its voice grew softer and softer, clearly indicating that it had been tormented quite a bit.

After bringing her back to the county government office, Su Che took the Qi family woman directly to his room.

"I will be inside to hear the case, you will stay outside and keep watch."

Zhang San nodded. "Once a monster refines the transverse bone, it might even impersonate my voice, so whatever noises come from inside, don't listen to them or believe them."

Su Che had read in the Book Mountain that for a monster to cultivate, the first step was to refine a piece of transverse bone in its throat, and then learn the calls of all other birds and beasts in the world. It was only after learning eight hundred kinds that it could be considered to have entered the field. The next step was to learn to speak.

That's why a great demon said, half out of jealousy, "Heaven creates all things to nourish man, but man has nothing to repay Heaven." This means that humans are favored by Heaven and Earth, and are born with far fewer troubles than demons.

Pushing open the door, I saw the young pageboy with peach blossom eyes standing there holding three sticks of sandalwood incense.

"Young master, why are you reverting to your old ways again?"

The young page looked at the Qi family woman wrapped in a quilt and said with great sorrow.

"They probably just snatched it from someone's bed. Why didn't they even give him any clothes to wear? That's too hasty. If word gets out, it will damage your reputation, young master."

Su Che glanced at the monster who was chuckling to herself. No wonder she hadn't said much the whole way; it turned out he had overlooked something.

The young pageboy was speaking when he heard a series of noises coming from above.

"How many times has this sword case rattled since I left?"

The sword case that Su Che brought out from Jiankang City was lying on the octagonal table at the entrance. The little page had found an incense burner from somewhere, with three nearly extinguished sandalwood incense sticks inside.

"After the young master left, it stirred restlessly a couple of times, and then remained still."

Su Che took the sandalwood from the pageboy, lit it on the oil lamp beside him, and quietly inserted the sandalwood into the incense burner.

I brought quite a few treasures from Jiankang City, and when it comes to killing and protecting myself, the sword case should be ranked first.

Therefore, Su Che has been trying to completely subdue this sword all along.

The sword has a spirit. There are two ways to make it work for you: either you can display your sword skills and make the sword willingly serve you.

Or perhaps it is best to treat it with sincerity, nurturing it with the gentle care of water, allowing it to develop a sense of self-acceptance.

This is similar to going to a brothel to socialize with young ladies, either by displaying literary talent or physical prowess to seduce them and have them eagerly await the emperor's favor. Or, one could simply spend a fortune to create a brothel.

Su Che's method combines both approaches: on the one hand, he uses this sword to practice the "Ding Tian Jun Sword" to nurture the sword intent; on the other hand, he uses the traditional method of sacrificial training.

The purpose of having the young page boy light sandalwood incense every day was this.

Su Che glanced at the shocked-looking Madam Qi and formed a more accurate judgment.

"What, my lady, do you recognize my great sword?"

"Young master, you are indeed from a wealthy and powerful family. You have received treasures from the old Taoist priests of Huangtiandao and they are also relics of the previous generation of swordsmen. Although this item is hidden in the box, a pure and spiritual aura wafts through the Xuanxiao Palace. The previous sword master must have been at least at the fifth rank of swordsmanship."

The monster looked at Su Che and said, "I was wondering how you, with your lack of cultivation and crippled body, could possibly break through the one-eyed fellow's refined body. Now I see that you relied on the advantage of the divine weapon."

Su Che lifted the sheet that contained the demon, revealing the bright yellow silk rope inside.

“Sister-in-law Qi, I have a few questions for you. Answer them honestly. If I am not satisfied with your answers, I will use this crippled body to strike you with a sword, which will destroy all your years of cultivation.”

(End of this chapter)