Tu Lingchen had been imprisoned here for over ten days.
During these days, apart from a deaf and mute old man who delivered food, no one else had appeared. The imagined torture had not materialised either.
When Sauron and Zhiyan walked in, he was lying sprawled on the ground, looking at the dark ceiling.
The so-called dungeon was truly an underground cell. There were no windows, no sunlight streaming in whatsoever. One simply could not tell day from night.
Seeing Sauron and Zhiyan, he was startled for a moment, then abruptly sat up.
But very quickly, he suppressed his excited emotions and said, “Sauron, what business do you have with me?”
Sauron said, “Prince Zhili has come to ransom you.”
Tu Lingchen said, “Ransom? Then I am truly curious. City Lord Sauron, you are the richest man under heaven. Could you possibly be lacking money? Is it because you have felt some enormous pressure?”
Sauron said, “He has the whereabouts of two people. One is my mother, the other is my illegitimate daughter.”
Upon these words, Tu Lingchen was indeed astonished.
Sauron’s mother was actually not dead, and Sauron actually had an illegitimate daughter?
Tu Lingchen immediately looked towards Princess Zhiyan and said, “Your Highness the Princess, you truly are so hungry you would eat anything. Even a scoundrel like this, you take as your pillar.”
“I do not take him as my pillar.” Princess Zhiyan said, “We are husband and wife as one. To describe it as taking him as a pillar is too weak.”
Upon these words, Tu Lingchen nearly spat blood.
Husband and wife as one? Husband and wife as one?
Just who was Princess Zhiyan?
Formerly a saintess of the Divine Dragon Temple, the most beautiful woman in this world, the woman with the strongest martial arts, the woman of highest status.
All the men of the Kingdom of Fury Waves infinitely admired her otherworldly beauty, yet no one truly dared to pursue her.
Up to now, only one Fang Qingshu had truly dared to pursue Princess Zhiyan.
This was a woman truly like an immortal maiden, a woman who made men feel unworthy.
Now, she was actually husband and wife as one with Sauron.
“No, impossible…” Tu Lingchen said, “You, Princess Zhiyan, are like an immortal maiden. How could you take a fancy to a scoundrel like Sauron? You are merely using him. Do not think I do not know.”
Then, Tu Lingchen thought of another even more important question and said, “Then what about Yan Naier? Does she know about this matter?”
Princess Zhiyan said, “Naturally she knows.”
Tu Lingchen said, “Then has Yan Naier already left in anger, severed all ties with Sauron? Sauron is truly heartless and ungrateful. He used Yan Naier to retake Tianshui City, then when he saw another high branch to climb, he cast Yan Naier aside. Yan Naier was truly blind. This is also retribution, retribution…”
“Hahaha…” Tu Lingchen felt greatly delighted and said, “That day, Yan Naier had eyes but could not see, treating me like worn-out shoes. Now she is once again abandoned by you. Truly retribution, retribution…”
Princess Zhiyan said, “Younger Sister Yan Naier is marrying Sauron together with me.”
“Eh…” Upon these words, Tu Lingchen seemed to be completely choked. His face twitched violently, completely unable to believe it.
The news he most wanted to hear was that Yan Naier was once again abandoned, that Yan Naier was far away from Sauron.
He had not expected that the two of them were marrying Sauron together.
“Impossible… this is absolutely impossible.” Tu Lingchen screamed, “Yan Naier is so fiercely proud, so self-respecting. How could she possibly share a man with another woman?”
Just at this moment, a figure walked in from outside. One could tell it was Yan Naier just from her almost exaggerated devilish curves.
“Correct, I am unwilling to share a man with another woman.” Yan Naier said, “But when my love for him surpasses my self-respect, then it is possible.”
Then, Naier came before Zhiyan and slightly bent her waist in salute, saying, “Elder Sister.”
Instantly, Zhiyan felt somewhat embarrassed.
Seeing this scene, Tu Lingchen’s heart was completely dripping blood. He desperately beat the ground and roared, “Yan Naier, you are degrading yourself, degrading yourself…”
He truly nearly spat blood!
He had regarded Yan Naier as a precious treasure, infinitely devoted.
Yet Yan Naier had thrown herself into the embrace of this scoundrel Sauron. That was one thing. After being abandoned by Sauron, when Sauron once again appeared before her, she once again threw herself into his embrace without hesitation.
Now, she was actually willing to marry the same husband together with another woman.
This blow to Tu Lingchen was truly fatal, incomparable!
In terms of status, martial arts, appearance, and temperament, in which aspect was he inferior to Sauron? Why were their fates so vastly different?
Seeing Tu Lingchen lying on the ground, already in too much pain to make a sound.
Naier said to Sauron, “Husband, I know you are unwilling for me to witness such dark matters. But I feel we should face them together. And I know he will certainly say some unpleasant words.”
Sauron gently pinched her cheek and said, “Alright, you have already vented my anger for me. The following scene is not very suitable for you to see. Go out first.”
“Alright.” Naier said, and turned to leave.
Sauron stepped forward and said, “Tu Lingchen, I only intend to exchange for my daughter. As for my mother, since she abandoned us siblings very long ago, there is no need for her to return. So I give you a choice, how about it?”
Tu Lingchen quieted down and said, “Speak.”
Sauron said, “First choice, I use you to exchange for my daughter. Second choice, I use Count Tuli Wen to exchange for my daughter.”
“First choice.” Tu Lingchen immediately said, casting Count Tuli Wen aside.
Sauron said, “Very well, then let us make another choice. Do you think freedom is important, or playing with women is important?”
Tu Lingchen’s body hair stood on end and he said, “What do you mean?”
Sauron said, “Answer me.”
“Freedom is important.” Tu Lingchen said.
Sauron said, “Fine, then I shall castrate you, then release you.”
Upon these words, Tu Lingchen’s face changed in terror. He abruptly drew his legs in and said, “You dare? Sauron, you dare?”
What is most, most important to a man, if not the three inches below the navel? Relying on it to conquer beauties, relying on it to continue the family line.
Moreover, without it, Tu Lingchen’s status as heir to the Duke of Tu Ling would not be preserved.
“Since you are unwilling to be castrated by me, then I shall release Count Tuli Wen, and exchange for my daughter.” Sauron said, “And as for you, you shall rot in this dungeon forever. After the throne-seizing great war with Zhili ends, whether we win or lose, you must die.”
Tu Lingchen trembled.
Firstly, it was impossible for Zhiyan to win this throne-seizing great war. He did not even need to do anything, merely wait for the king to pass away.
And the day the king passed away would be the day of Sauron and Zhiyan’s destruction.
At that time, he, Tu Lingchen, as a prisoner, would certainly be doomed to die.
He was unwilling to die, absolutely unwilling to die.
But if a man were castrated, what meaning would there be in living?
Sauron continued, “Rest assured, my castration technique is very civilised. It is not the kind where one blade cuts everything in two. Rather, it uses a very mysterious method to directly sever the meridians below you. Thus you lose your desires, and also lose your ability to continue the family line. On the surface, there is no abnormality whatsoever. Your father will not touch your position as heir.”
Tu Lingchen’s face changed and he said, “You, you want to use me as a chess piece to scheme against the Tu Ling family?”
“We have not reached that step yet. It is merely placing a piece in advance.” Sauron said, “Moreover, your muscle meridians I can sever, and I can also restore. In future, if you truly wish to continue the family line, we can also discuss it. Of course, you can also try to seek out the Divine Dragon Temple. I guarantee they cannot cure you, and you also dare not seek them out. You cannot let anyone know that you have been castrated, otherwise your position as heir will be lost.”
Tu Lingchen immediately fell into silence.
“How about it? Consider it?” Sauron smiled and said, “I, this person, absolutely do not force others. I will certainly seek your agreement.”
Tu Lingchen said tremulously, “You guarantee that from the surface, no problem can be seen? And that it can also be restored in future?”
“I guarantee!” Sauron said, “You should know that although I am a malicious person, my words have always counted.”
Tu Lingchen’s face trembled, his body shuddered, and he nearly collapsed onto the ground.
He knew that as soon as he agreed, his vital point would be grasped in Sauron’s hands.
Moreover, what enormous humiliation was this? Completely defiling his self-respect.
But… ever since he knelt down and begged Yan Naier for his life, he had already had no self-respect.
“Fine, I agree…” Tu Lingchen said.
Sauron said, “Speak clearly. Agree to what?”
Tu Lingchen said, “Castrate me, then use me to exchange for your daughter.”
“Done!” Sauron pulled out a document and said, “In black and white, crystal clear. Press your thumbprint on it.”
At this time, Tu Lingchen felt even more like spitting blood.
Bullying people too far. Even for castration, there must be a signed document. Bullying people too far.
And in future, when Sauron took out this document, Tu Lingchen would not only have no face to be the heir of the Duke of Tu Ling’s residence, he would probably have no face to live in this world.
But now, he had no other choice.
Looking at the humiliating words on the document, Tu Lingchen was willing to self-castrate in exchange for freedom, in exchange for a wretched existence.
He fiercely bit his thumb and pressed his thumbprint on the document.
Sauron put away the document, then said to Princess Zhiyan, “Trouble you, knock him completely unconscious!”
Zhiyan stepped forward and lightly tapped with her sword hilt.
Instantly, Tu Lingchen collapsed in a faint, unconscious.
Sauron used a dagger to cut open the back of Tu Lingchen’s neck, then cut open his own finger, letting the two people’s blood fuse together.
The Demon Star’s energy tentacles drilled into Tu Lingchen’s body meridians through the blood.
Firstly, all the meridians within Tu Lingchen’s body responsible for transmitting hormones, sex hormones, and stimulating hormones were completely severed.
Then, all the meridians within Tu Lingchen’s eggs responsible for producing life seeds were completely severed.
At this time, although Tu Lingchen’s exterior was still completely intact, he had been thoroughly castrated.
…
When Tu Lingchen awoke again, he immediately pulled down his trousers and found that indeed, everything was intact.
Then, he began desperately fantasising about Yan Naier’s figure.
Although he had never seen Naier’s body, Naier’s figure was incomparably fiery. Even wearing clothes, it was enough to ignite desire.
However, no matter how desperately he fantasised, whether in his heart or his body, there was not the slightest ripple.
Instantly, his heart grew cold. He… had truly been castrated?
Next, several warriors brought Tu Lingchen out of the dungeon, let him bathe and change clothes, and dressed him in fine silks and jade robes. He once again became a graceful young noble.
Even, Sauron had crafted a golden prosthetic hand for him.
Then, he took him to see Zhili.
…
“Count Sauron has finally thought things through?” Zhili smiled.
Sauron said, “I will only exchange for one, my daughter.”
Zhili’s gaze turned towards Tu Lingchen. He stepped forward and grasped his hands, saying, “Heir Tu Ling, you have suffered.”
Tu Lingchen knelt on one knee and said, “It is nothing, just… I have brought shame upon Your Highness.”
“It is nothing.” Zhili lightly patted Tu Lingchen’s shoulder and said, “Some people appear to have won on the surface, but in fact they have still lost. The grievances you have suffered, the revenge for your severed arm, I shall take for you. When that day comes, I shall bestow that woman Yan Naier upon you.”
Truly having torn off all pretence, Zhili’s words carried not the slightest courtesy.
Then, Zhili’s gaze turned towards Sauron and said, “Count Sauron and Zhiyan have just returned from the royal city. Indeed, our King Bian has had another incident? It seems his life is truly not long.”
Sauron’s face twitched. Although the king’s second stroke was top secret.
But Zhili did not know how many pairs of eyes he had sent to watch the royal palace. It was not strange that he knew.
Zhili said, “Sauron, how much longer can the king live? Three months, five months? Once he dies, the doomsday of your Suo Clan will arrive. At that time, it will truly not be as simple as exterminating the nine clans.”
Sauron said nothing, merely looking at Zhili.
“So, in the time that follows, eat when you should eat, sleep when you should sleep, play when you should play!” Zhili said, “Do not be polite with Zhiyan either. If you can sleep with her, sleep with her as much as possible. Otherwise, in this struggle, you will truly have gained nothing, and will have wasted your life in vain.”
Sauron smiled and said, “When did Your Highness Zhili become so boring?”
Zhili said, “My apologies. Upon learning the news that King Bian’s life is not long and that he is completely paralysed, I am somewhat excited.”
Sauron said, “Where is my daughter? If the information is false, I shall send Count Tuli Wen’s head before you.”
Zhili took out a piece of paper. On it was a map.
A small town west of White Antelope City, called Autumn Wind Gathering. There was a small Divine Dragon Cultivation Academy there.
“After the scandal of your cousin Fu Yaner and your disgrace broke out, she was driven out of her home and sent to a remote Divine Dragon Cultivation Academy at Autumn Wind Gathering. Her daughter was born inside the academy. She cultivated in quietude there, repented her sins, and also helped the nuns with their work.” Zhili said, “Although she did not suffer much abuse, her heart was nonetheless burdened with grievance. So not long ago, she fell gravely ill. Count Fu E was unwilling to bring her back, so he told me of her whereabouts.”
So that was how it was!
Count Fu E telling this news to Zhili carried two layers of meaning.
The first layer, he hoped Sauron would bring Fu Yaner and her daughter back, to avoid further suffering, or even dying in this Autumn Wind Cultivation Academy.
The second layer of meaning, Fu E did not tell the news to Sauron, but told it to Zhili. This was giving Zhili a personal favour, letting Zhili use this news to conduct a transaction with Sauron. This was also the meaning of Worship Fire City secretly pledging loyalty to Zhili.
Count Fu E truly was a good schemer. On one hand, he saved his critically ill granddaughter. On the other hand, he harmed Sauron, his own grandson. Stepping on Sauron, he curried favour and pledged loyalty to Zhili.
“Very well, the transaction is complete. Prince Zhili, please return. My Tianshui City does not welcome you much either.” Sauron said.
Zhili stood up and said, “Then I shall take my leave. The next time I come, it will be the doomsday of the Suo Clan.”
Then, he left with Tu Lingchen, under the protection of Li Chenglian and other experts.
…
That night, Sauron and Princess Zhiyan rode a griffin beast towards White Antelope City, a border city of the Kingdom of Fury Waves.
The next day, the two arrived at Autumn Wind Gathering, this quiet little town rich with exotic charm.
The Divine Dragon Cultivation Academy was at the centre of the town, the most ancient and sacred building.
Sauron’s cousin Fu Yaner, and his biological daughter, were inside!