Chapter 118 Secret Room
Chapter 118 Secret Room
Qu Dacheng snorted coldly and said disdainfully, "Prefect Yin? He may be fair, but he's not in Cangzhou City right now. How can he uphold justice for you? Besides, how can someone without eyes, ears, tongue, or hands defend themselves? The Zhao family's crimes are already irrefutable. Even if Prefect Yin returns, he won't be able to overturn this case. Just give up!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Si's last glimmer of hope flickered like a candle flame, almost extinguished.
He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, but the pain was not as intense as the despair in his heart.
Qu Dacheng's words were like icicles, piercing his last shred of illusion.
Zhao Si took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and coldly looked at Zhao Tingxiao: "You wicked beast! The Zhao family has raised you for many years, and you have become a scourge today. Do you know that the Zhao family's century-old foundation has been destroyed in an instant, all because of your insatiable greed and utter lack of conscience! You have let down your ancestors and are even more unworthy of your deceased mother!"
Zhao Tingxiao remained expressionless, letting out a cold laugh: "The Zhao family's legacy? It's nothing but a pawn in my hands. Our ancestors? They're long gone, reduced to dust. My mother died because of you! If you hadn't mentioned her, things would have been better. But now that you've brought her up, I feel even more vengeful, wanting to tear you apart, skin you alive, and drink your blood!"
Zhao Si's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He tried to lunge forward, but his hand was held down firmly by the soldiers beside him.
Zhao Tingxiao's eyes were sinister as he approached step by step: "Today, I will let you witness the tragic fate of the eldest son!"
Zhao Si struggled in vain, his heart filled with grief and indignation. He cried out in a sorrowful voice, "I regret it! I regret it so much!"
He regretted not being able to control his lust, regretted not being able to detect Zhao Tingxiao's wolfish ambitions, and regretted not acting sooner to nip Zhao Tingxiao in the bud.
However, it's too late now. One wrong step leads to another, and the whole game is lost.
Zhao Si watched helplessly as everything collapsed, his heart filled with regret like a tidal wave, but he was powerless to change anything.
Qu Dacheng chuckled and ordered, "Tingxiao, whether you can become my dog depends on you."
In a frenzy, Zhao Tingxiao severed the upper limbs of the two brothers, Zhao Bochao and Zhao Zhongchao. Not only that, he also gouged out their mouths, eyes, and tongues.
The bloody scene was chilling; Zhao Si felt as if his heart was being torn apart, and tears streamed down his face.
Qu Dacheng watched coldly, a cruel smile curling at the corner of his lips: "Fine, very well! I'll take you in, you dog!"
"Woof, woof, woof!" Zhao Tingxiao's face was contorted with rage, like a demon from hell, having completely become Qu Dacheng's lackey.
Zhao Si closed his eyes in despair, lamenting in his heart, "Heavens, how unfortunate is the Zhao family!"
Zhao Tingxiao's maniacal laughter echoed in the empty hall, while Zhao Si's tears mingled with blood.
Zhao Tingxiao, carrying a knife, wanted to inflict the same cruel punishment on Zhao Si, but Qu Dacheng stopped him, saying, "Hold on, he's still useful."
Under Zhao Tingxiao's questioning gaze, Qu Dacheng said in a gloomy tone, "Keeping him around will make you more devoted to serving me and become my most obedient dog."
Zhao Tingxiao took a deep breath, a hint of resentment and anger flashing in his eyes, but he still bowed his head and obeyed.
Qu Dacheng sneered and ordered his men to take Zhao Si into the dungeon and keep him under strict guard.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Si gave a bitter smile, his eyes dimming as if his soul had been ripped away. He lowered his head helplessly, letting tears mingle with blood and drip down, his last struggle extinguished.
Only then did Qu Dacheng slowly speak: "Later, I will order someone to submit your testimony along with the confessions of Zhao Si and the others to the government office. At that time, Zhao Si and the others will be convicted and will never be able to turn their lives around."
A sinister glint flashed in Zhao Tingxiao's eyes as he coldly said, "Thank you for your kindness, sir."
After saying that, he asked in a low voice, "Sir, why hide the ox-tail knife? If I'm not mistaken, the weapons of your soldiers are far superior to that ox-tail knife."
Qu Dacheng glanced at him and sneered, "The ox-tail knife is just a smokescreen; the real weapon is yet to come."
Zhao Tingxiao felt a chill in his heart; it was as if he had asked a question he shouldn't have.
Qu Dacheng's laughter was full of disdain. "Come on, let me show you the real killing weapon."
Zhao Tingxiao wanted to say he didn't want to watch, but he knew he was just a dog in Qu Dacheng's hands and had no right to refuse. He could only lower his head and follow, secretly wondering what the so-called "weapon" was.
Qu Dacheng led Zhao Tingxiao through a dark corridor to a secret room.
Zhao Tingxiao was stunned. He had lived in the Zhao family for many years and had never known there was a secret room here.
How would Qu Dacheng, an outsider, know this?
Moreover, Qu Dacheng seemed quite familiar with the Zhao family.
Zhao Tingxiao was filled with doubts and couldn't help but shiver.
Qu Dacheng smiled contemptuously, pushed open the door to the secret room, and a cold light could be faintly seen flashing in the darkness.
The scene before him made Zhao Tingxiao gasp. What had he seen?
In the center of the secret chamber stood rows of exquisite crossbows, their bolts gleaming coldly, exuding a murderous aura.
Qu Dacheng gently stroked one of the items and sneered, "These are my true trump cards, enough to annihilate any opponent."
Zhao Tingxiao was shocked, knowing that he was already deeply mired in a quagmire and could not extricate himself.
He suppressed his fear and asked in a trembling voice, "Sir, why are these crossbows at the Zhao family's residence?"
Qu Dacheng glanced at him and said calmly, "You don't think I took over the Zhao family on a whim because you owe me 100,000 taels of gambling debt, do you? Everything here has been under my control for a long time. As long as you are content to be my dog, I will guarantee you wealth, honor, and many children."
Zhao Tingxiao felt increasingly cold inside, knowing that he was completely under her control and could not escape.
He lowered his head and remained silent, but his heart was in turmoil, filled with countless thoughts.
Every word Qu Dacheng pierced his soul like a sharp blade, making him realize that he was nothing more than a pawn in this game of power struggles, his life and death controlled by others.
Seeing this, Qu Dacheng snorted coldly and continued, "Remember, betraying me is courting death."
Zhao Tingxiao gritted his teeth, feeling unwilling but able to silently accept this cruel reality.
Qu Dacheng turned and walked into the depths of the secret room, with Zhao Tingxiao following closely behind.
At the end of the secret room, rows of hidden compartments came into view. Qu Dacheng opened them one by one, revealing various strange and hidden weapons, each exuding a chilling aura.
Zhao Tingxiao grew increasingly terrified, realizing that Qu Dacheng's power far exceeded his expectations.
Qu Dacheng turned around, his gaze sharp, and said coldly, "Look carefully, these are not only weapons and hidden weapons, but also your shackles."
Zhao Tingxiao's body trembled, and he remained silent.
Qu Dacheng smirked and continued, "However, if you can be used by me, these can also become your weapons."
Zhao Tingxiao felt a chill run down his spine. He took a deep breath, forced himself to remain calm, and nodded in agreement.
Qu Dacheng nodded in satisfaction, turned and left, leaving Zhao Tingxiao alone in the cold, secluded room, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.
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