A mocking smirk played at the corner of Mu Feng's lips. "I'm listening. Speak directly!"
Li Daoren's voice trembled hoarsely. "Actually, everything I said before was a lie. Although I am one of the top experts in the Alliance, there are rules within the organization."
"I believe you must know this if you have even a basic understanding of the Alliance."
"Normally, members have no contact with each other. Everything is arranged by the central leadership."
"As one of their top experts, I usually have no tasks at all. This deliberate targeting of you wasn't my idea—someone approached me and asked me to take action. But I thought you were just a young man, hardly worth my effort."
"So I sent my disciple first."
By this point, a look of regret had already appeared in his eyes.
If he had known how powerful Mu Feng was, not even the Alliance's leader could have forced him to act. He would have stayed as far away as possible, avoiding any contact whatsoever.
But that regret was too late now.
His gaze turned to Mu Feng, eyes filled with pleading. "Everything I’ve said is the truth. I know very little about them, and I’ve only seen the Alliance leader once."
"That time, he wore a mask—a terrifying Asura mask covering his face. His aura was overwhelming. Standing before him, I felt like an ant."
"It was as if he could crush me to death with a single slap. You probably can’t imagine it—it was the first time in my life I felt so insignificant."
"The Alliance has existed for over a thousand years. No one knows what kind of monstrous experts they have hidden within. Mu Feng, you should give up. Don’t provoke them any further. In fact, if you joined them, you might find even greater opportunities. The Alliance leader has a soft spot for geniuses."
"If you choose to join, they will surely welcome you with open arms."
The smile on Mu Feng's lips deepened. "They and I are already locked in a fight to the death."
"There’s no need to persuade me today. I know what you’re thinking—if I join them, you might get a chance to live."
"But you won’t have that chance. The moment you made your move, your fate was sealed."
"I won’t keep a venomous snake around, much less one that might strike at me at any moment."
At these words, the last flicker of hope in Li Daoren’s eyes extinguished.
A bitter smile twisted his face.
"I knew you’d say that. But I’ve said all I could. As the saying goes, 'Facing death, a man’s words are kind.'"
"Just give me a quick death!"
"At the very least, show some respect for a martial artist who has reached the realm of a Land Immortal."
Mu Feng sneered. "You really are stubborn. Even now, you’re still spouting nonsense."
Li Daoren’s pupils constricted sharply. "What do you mean?"
"I’ve told you everything I know! Are you going back on your word?"
Mu Feng chuckled coldly. "Did I ever promise you anything?"
Li Daoren opened his mouth to retort but suddenly realized—Mu Feng had never actually agreed to anything.
It had all been his own wishful thinking.
His expression twisted into something hideous. "Then what do you want? I’ve already told you everything! Must you really torture me to death?"
Mu Feng’s smile was icy. "Did you really tell me everything?"
"Weren’t you secretly dispersing poison in the air just now?"
"Did you plan to take me down with you? Too bad you know nothing about my medical skills."
"Like I said before, you’ve misunderstood me—and overestimated yourself."
Li Daoren’s pupils shrank to pinpricks, his voice trembling with disbelief. "Impossible!"
"This poison was given to me by the Alliance leader!"
"He said that aside from him, no one in this world could concoct such a toxin. It’s colorless, odorless—even I couldn’t detect its presence."
"But this poison has bound me tightly, even..."
At this point, as if touching on something forbidden, his body began to shake uncontrollably, his eyes flooding with terror.
Mu Feng narrowed his eyes. "What you’re talking about isn’t poison. It’s a gu worm."
"Your understanding of this world is far too shallow. And to challenge me with such ignorance is your greatest mistake."
"Since you’ve made mistakes—repeatedly—you must pay the price for them."
"The pain you felt earlier won’t last long, because even your soul can’t endure that kind of torment. But I can ease it slightly, letting you savor it slowly."
"No—!"
Before Li Daoren could utter another word, agony lanced through his entire body.
That unbearable pain had returned.
Despair filled his eyes. He wanted to beg for mercy, but Mu Feng had already sealed his vocal acupoints, rendering him mute.
Mu Feng’s voice was calm. "Someone will take you away. From then on, you’ll endure this pain bit by bit. And they’ll make sure you stay healthy—you won’t die anytime soon."
"At least not until my master arrives. After all, I need that old man to see the person who wounded him all those years ago."
Li Daoren writhed in agony, but his body was as immobile as if nailed in place. No matter how he struggled, he couldn’t move an inch.
Mu Feng smiled faintly. "No use struggling. This pain will stay with you forever. And I’ve cast a spell on you."
"Even if someone rescues you now, they’ll be powerless to help. In fact, you might die even more miserably."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Li Daoren wanted to scream after him, but no sound escaped his throat. His eyes held nothing but boundless despair.
If he had to suffer like this indefinitely... what kind of torture would that be?
Fear consumed him completely.
For the first time, he truly, deeply regretted everything.