With the stone removed from his mouth, Li Mao'er was finally able to cry out in pain.
"You are Li Mao'er?"
Since he could scream, he could likely speak. Han Mo coughed lightly and asked directly.
"That's right, I am Li Mao'er! Good sir, spare my life! Spare my life! If you let me go, I'll give you whatever you want, all my money!"
Having endured such torment throughout the journey, and with his vital areas still bleeding, the strange sensation was driving Li Mao'er's spirit to the brink of collapse.
"What good sir? This is Lord Han, the magistrate of Neihuang County!"
Seeing the fellow talking nonsense again, Yue Fei, without a second thought, unleashed a flying kick.
Although the kick landed on Li Mao'er's backside, the pain caused Li Mao'er to instinctively move, reopening his wounds. He immediately let out a pig-like scream.
"Logically speaking, a beheading involves only a nod of the head. I ask, and you answer. If you cooperate properly, I will not only find someone to treat your wounds but also ensure you suffer less. But if you don't cooperate, you'll have to personally experience all the methods of torture used in the prisons!"
Han Mo understood perfectly that such a scoundrel could not be treated with any kindness. The more you pleaded with them, the more arrogant they became.
Conversely, if you appeared indifferent, they would cherish the opportunity more.
Li Mao'er also understood that in his current condition, being captured and brought to the county yamen meant certain death.
Han Mo's words actually made him a little tempted.
If it were before, he might have blurted out something like: "A big head means a big scar, and in eighteen years, I'll be a good fellow again."
But now, his last shred of dignity as a man had been directly severed by Yue Fei's blade. He had no courage left to defy Han Mo.
"This humble one is willing to cooperate! This humble one is willing to cooperate!"
Seeing the ferocious expression on Yue Fei's face, Li Mao'er agreed without hesitation.
From last night until now, the torment of this journey had been worse than death for him.
To maintain secrecy, Yue Fei had taken only the narrow paths along the way.
In these times, even the official roads were full of potholes, let alone the narrow paths that had fallen into disrepair over the years.
He was tied up tightly, his mouth stuffed with two stones, and his large body crammed into a small burlap sack.
Thick straw was piled on top of him. In this weather, it was a miracle he hadn't died of heatstroke along the way.
He truly wished Han Mo would just give him a quick death rather than endure such torment from Yue Fei.
He had thought it all through on the way here. Given the crimes he had committed over the years, beheading was too light a punishment; slow slicing would be more fitting.
Since death was inevitable, he preferred a swift end to a drawn-out torment.
"I ask you, how did you collude with Zhou Ding, Zhang Huai, and Li Chong? How did you contact each other? Who brokered the deal? Tell me the truth!"
"I'll tell you! I'll tell you!"
With things having reached this point, Li Mao'er had no reason to hide anything. He spilled everything he knew as if emptying a bamboo tube of beans.
After hearing his confession, even Han Mo couldn't help but feel fortunate. He was glad he had acted decisively that night, otherwise, it was uncertain who would have emerged victorious.
"Sir, you were looking for me? Li, Li, Li..."
Upon hearing that Han Mo was looking for him, Lü Ying hurried over.
However, as soon as he entered, he saw Li Mao'er kneeling on the ground and was so shocked he couldn't speak.
"Alright, I'm leaving him to you. Find a place to hold him in solitary confinement, find someone to treat his injuries, and keep the news of his capture strictly confidential. No one must leak it!"
Having obtained Li Mao'er's confession and had him sign and stamp it, Han Mo breathed a sigh of relief and instructed Lü Ying.
"Yes, sir!"
Lü Ying took a deep breath, finally managing to stabilize his emotions.
Looking at Li Mao'er's fearful eyes and then at Yue Fei standing opposite Han Mo, Lü Ying's gaze towards Yue Fei changed.
He had felt strange before, wondering why Han Mo valued Yue Fei so highly. Now he understood: it was the young man's exceptional martial arts!
"You have been of great help to me in this matter. Without you, I would have had to expend considerable effort to resolve this current crisis."
After Lü Ying took Li Mao'er away, Han Mo said sincerely.
"Sir flatters me. If you hadn't come to our aid last time, we would likely still be eating prison gruel."
Yue Fei also clasped his hands towards Han Mo and said earnestly.
"Your martial arts are so extraordinary. Have you ever considered joining the army?"
Seeing such a strong asset right before him, Han Mo couldn't resist.
If one person could be this formidable, imagine if he could train the Back Guard of the Yue Family Army. They would be a veritable machine for accumulating military merits in future battles!
"This youngster has indeed considered it, but my father's health is poor, and my mother these past years..."
Yue Fei's expression turned troubled as he spoke.
Han Mo immediately understood. It seemed that even heroes were not immune to the burdens of family.
"Have you considered what I mentioned to you last time? If you are willing, you can move your families here. As for land and deeds, you don't need to worry about that!"
Han Mo might not be able to handle other matters, but when it came to household registration and land, he was confident he had ways.
"If we could move here, it would naturally be the best. However, this matter..."
"In that case, you may return and await news. Within three to five days at most, I will have everything settled for you! Oh, and regarding the reward of three thousand strings of cash I promised Li Mao'er, you may present this token to claim it at any time!"