Chapter 105: Chapter 92: Spiritual Qi Obtained
Chen Sheng knew full well that mere verbal threats would be far from enough to make Xu Shenzhi willingly hand over his exceptionally precious Innate Spiritual Qi.
He had to strike where Xu Shenzhi was most vulnerable, to prey upon the deepest fears of his soul. Only then would he succeed.
This little drama of threats and temptations was his meticulously designed psychological ploy.
Sure enough.
"I find Miss Han... to be quite a beauty..."
The casual remark was like a spark to a powder keg. Xu Shenzhi’s eyes instantly turned crimson, his sanity teetering on the brink of collapse. How could he not understand the vile insinuation behind those words?
"No... Don’t, Chen Sheng... Don’t you dare!"
Xu Shenzhi let out a beast-like roar and thrust his neck forward recklessly, allowing the sharp blade to slice into his skin and draw beads of blood as he struggled to charge forward.
However, the moment he moved, a heavy blow struck the back of his knee.
THUD!
He let out a muffled grunt and collapsed heavily to his knees, dust soiling his magnificent brocade robe.
"Watch and see if I dare," Chen Sheng sneered, his voice as cold as ice.
Held fast in Chen Sheng’s iron grip, Han Ling’Er also understood the implication. Her beautiful eyes instantly flooded with immense terror and despair.
She immediately began to struggle, tears of supplication welling in her eyes. Her voice was distorted with fear:
"Lord... Lord Chen... I... I admit my guilt... I beg you... please have mercy... don’t..."
Chen Sheng paused and turned, his gaze sweeping over the trembling prey in his hands like an icy searchlight. A smile that might have seemed gentle touched his lips, but to Han Ling’Er, it was more chilling than the most vicious snarl.
"Since you’ve admitted your guilt, I shall be especially magnanimous and grant you a choice."
His voice was level, yet it held an unquestionable authority.
"First, I can respect your integrity. I can guarantee your name remains pure by sending you on your way immediately, preserving your honor."
Chen Sheng paused, his gaze sweeping over Han Ling’Er’s instantly ashen face before he continued.
"As for the second option... if you wish to live, then... I’m afraid Miss Han will have to suffer a little indignity and adapt to the circumstances."
Though he didn’t finish his sentence, the meaning was perfectly clear.
Would she choose to die a noble death, her purity preserved?
Or would she suffer the humiliation to survive, paying an unimaginable price?
Han Ling’Er’s body trembled violently. Her face was ashen, her lips quivering, but she couldn’t utter a single word.
’Surrender my honor? I can’t.’
’But to die just like this? I refuse.’
’I’m only twenty-two, and my martial journey has just begun. How can it end like this?’
The overwhelming fear and internal conflict were almost suffocating.
"My patience is limited."
Chen Sheng’s tone turned abruptly cold, like a biting winter wind.
A shiver ran through Han Ling’Er. She instinctively lowered her head, the tension in her body easing slightly as she abandoned her last shred of resistance. Though she said nothing, her posture made it clear—she had surrendered.
"No—Ling’Er... Don’t!" Xu Shenzhi watched the scene unfold, agony ripping through his heart. He let out a heart-rending roar, his eyes webbed with blood, looking like a man possessed.
Chen Sheng turned a deaf ear to the impotent fury behind him. Gripping Han Ling’Er, he continued his slow walk toward the shadowy inner hall.
As the figure in the dark official’s robe was about to vanish into the shadows of the doorway, Xu Shenzhi’s final mental defense shattered completely. He no longer cared for his family duties or his Innate foundation. He screamed until his voice was raw:
"Lord Chen, stop! If... if you just spare Ling’Er, I... I, Xu Shenzhi, will pay any price. Anything at all!"
Han Ling’Er was the fiancée he adored, the indispensable light of his life. He couldn’t bear to imagine that unbearable scene happening before his very eyes; it would drive him completely mad.
Hearing this desperate cry, the faint curve of Chen Sheng’s lips finally became more distinct. His steps into the inner hall halted. He turned his head slightly, glancing out of the corner of his eye at the kneeling Xu Shenzhi, his tone laced with amusement.
"Any price?"
"Yes, any price!"
Xu Shenzhi clung to this last straw of hope, promising eagerly, "No matter what Commander Chen asks of me, I’ll walk through fire and brave a mountain of blades. I won’t even flinch. I only beg you... to let Ling’Er go."
"Hah."
Chen Sheng shook his head slowly, his tone filled with undisguised contempt. "With your level of skill, I really can’t think of anything I would need to trouble Young Master Xu for."
Xu Shenzhi’s face froze, as if doused with cold water. He understood Chen Sheng’s meaning—as a defeated man, he was utterly worthless in the other’s eyes.
His gaze instinctively fell to the shimmering, turquoise ’Cyan Furnace’ Treasure Sword at his side. A flash of extreme anguish and reluctance crossed his eyes. The sword was the Xu Family’s heirloom Treasure Soldier, an exceptionally precious artifact he valued as much as his own life.
"This sword... is called ’Cyan Furnace.’ It is... a high-grade Treasure Soldier, worth a fortune," Xu Shenzhi said through gritted teeth, his voice trembling. "I... I will trade this sword for Ling’Er’s safety."
For Han Ling’Er’s sake, he was willing to pay this terrible price.
However, Chen Sheng merely sneered at his words and slowly shook his head. "Have you been frightened out of your wits, Young Master Xu? This ’Cyan Furnace’ Treasure Sword is a spoil of war, seized by my men. When did it become your bargaining chip? Using my own property to trade for the person in my hands... is there such a ridiculous notion anywhere in this world?"
’Chen Sheng’s spoil of war?’
Hearing this, Xu Shenzhi stared blankly, almost believing he’d misheard. How could the Xu Family’s heirloom Treasure Soldier, treasured for generations, become Chen Sheng’s spoil of war in the blink of an eye?
