Transcending the Nine Heavens

"Please proceed this way." Chu Yang said as he led Tie Bu Tian’s group towards the prison. After Cheng Zi Ang opened the door, only Chu Yang, Tie Bu Tian and the other two people walked in. Everyone else remained outside.

It was completely different from the usual prison cell which was dark and damp. This place was dry and clean. In a corner, Tang Xin Sheng was chained to a steel pole with a width as large as a person’s waist. The moment he saw Chu Yang, he smiled unexpectedly...

Being tied up in such a manner was not any less comfortable compared to lying in his bed at home. The appearance of Tie Bu Tian instantaneously caused Tang Xin Sheng to move back into the character of a handsome thirty-year-old scholar.

Tie Bu Tian clasped his hands behind his back and slowly began to walk up. His eyes continually held a cold stare at Tang Xin Sheng without even blinking.

Tang Xin Sheng calmly smiled and acted as though he was just at another gathering at the royal court with Tie Bu Tian.

"Official Tang, what is your relationship with Diwu Qing Rou?" Tie Bu Tian walked up slowly towards a table in the back and sat down in one of the chairs.

Without even asking whether he was a spy, instead, he chose to directly question him about the relationship that he had with Diwu Qing Rou. This choice in the questions in which he asked gave off the impression that he had already full grasped Tang Xin Sheng’s situation; also indirectly telling him that there was no need for denial!

"Your majesty’s question seems a little presumptuous." Tang Xin Sheng laughed, "I, Tang Xin Sheng, might be a prisoner, but I am not the type that can be coerced to confess!"

"So you are really Great Zhao’s spy?" Tie Bu Tian closed his eyes.

"Even though I would not like to admit it, but ever since your first bluff, I thought about playing a little dirty trick... I have cultivated a strong state of mind. However, I still hate losing..." Tang Xin Sheng smiled comfortably, "But at this point can I still deny any of it?"

Tie Bu Tian sighed as he said, "Official Tang, you are a highly capable person and also a great tactician. I have always thought highly of you. I even considered making you the prime minister of Iron Cloud after the country became peaceful... Hahaha, I placed my hope in you and I still can’t believe that you had me fooled for a whole decade..."

Tie Bu Tian’s words were very sincere... They made Tang Xin Sheng remember the cheerful days he had between emperor and official and said, "It is true that your majesty has treated me very well. However, with the two countries at war, each man has their own master. The entire situation has made me sad."

Tang Xin Sheng paused for a while before he smiled and said, "The truth is that when I first joined Iron Cloud, your majesty was still very young and not able to see through my cover. Moreover, because of my encounters with you when you were younger, I was able to cultivate a deep relationship and foster trust with you. This was one of the reasons why I was able to live with you peacefully for over a decade. If I had just joined Iron Cloud, I am sure that your Majesty would have seen through my plans in an instant."

He laughed painfully and continued, "Your majesty is intelligent and has a clear understanding of the world and its affairs... You will no doubt make a great king. However, it is unfortunate that you were born in the wrong time and have to clash head to head with Diwu Qing Rou. Regardless of how good you might be, you will be obliterated in the end."

"Diwu Qing Rou?" Tie Bu Tian took a deep breath. His voice was sentimental, but his eyes were sharp as he spoke, "It is true that Diwu Qing Rou is worthy of his fame. It is because of this that I need to know everything Official Tang knows. Is that clear?"

"I shall never divulge anything. Your Majesty has already known my answer beforehand." Tang Xin Sheng smiled warmed, "Your majesty, I hope you will take into account that I have not done any substantial damage to Iron Cloud and let me have some dignity in my last moments."

"Dignity?" Tie Bu Tian’s countenance changed. With mixed emotions, he sighed, stood up and walked out. He paused at the door and said casually, "Make him talk!"

Then he waved for Chu Yang and walked out without looking back. Tie Bu Tian had finally shown his fierce Iron blood side.

Chu Yang followed Tie Bu Tian out. However, when they were shoulder to shoulder, he could feel the heaviness which was weighing down on the prince’s heart...

Inside, a series of strange sounds rang out. It was then followed by the tragic scream of Tang Xin Sheng, "Kill me!"

"Ah... ah..." After that, there was a series of painful cries, mixed with Tang Xin Sheng’s cursing, "Tie Bu Tian, shouldn’t you feel embarrassed of yourself? Using such means to torture a powerful person. I just want to die peacefully, and you won’t even allow it?"

Tie Bu Tian stood still there; his face did not show any emotion.

"Senior Chu, I am truly angry at this person." Tie Bu Tian clasped his hands and quietly said, "I truly admired his ability..."

Chu Yang rolled his eyes and said, "That is only natural; an enemy that we feel sorry for is the most dangerous enemy of all! If he was someone whom we looked down upon, how could he create such big waves..."

"Yes." Tie Bu Tian slightly nodded, and said, "Torturing a powerful man, a genius, like this is something I really don’t want. But I must know the information in his head. If that was not the case, I would happily give him a peaceful death."

Chu Yang was silent for a moment, then he said, "There are some things in life that cannot be forced. There are also people who would never open their mouths even if you broke and removed all their bones. Tang Xin Sheng is that kind of person. The moment I caught him, I already did not have any hope of getting anything from him. I am afraid your majesty will be disappointed."

Tie Bu Tian was silent for a long while. Then he suddenly said, "I am not certain it will turn out as you have said. It could be said that my two bodyguards came straight out from hell... I have absolute faith in their methods. However, with Tang Xin Sheng, they have to be a little crueler."

Chu Yang smiled and said, "Your majesty, just wait and see."

Tie Bu Tian laughed slightly, "Would Minister Chu like to make a bet with me?"

Chu Yang smiled, "Could it be that the prince is a gambler? What would your majesty like to bet?"

"We will bet whether or not Tang Xin Sheng will talk." Tie Bu Tian said, "I bet that he will talk; if I win, Minister Chu will have to remain at Iron Cloud. I would like to work with you to bring prosperity to Iron Cloud!"

At that moment, Tie Bu Tian turned around and looked at Chu Yang sincerely. The last time he talked to Chu Yang, Tie Bu Tian had thought that such a talent not staying in Iron Cloud was truly regrettable.

And Chu Yang’s recent actions had left Tie Bu Tian even more restless!

Now, Tie Bu Tian was making another effort at it.

"I am afraid your majesty will have to be disappointed." Chu Yang smiled and slightly moved his gaze, "Good. I agree. But if I win, I want to enter the palace’s medical repository and treasury to pick out a few things."

Chu Yang had never forgotten that Mo Qing Wu’s injury needed another half of a Nine Tribulations Pill.

Chu Yang’s condition seemed incomparable to that of Tie Bu Tian... but they both knew that each of these things was important in one way or another to the other person.

"Good! It’s a deal!" Tie Bu Tian was elated. He raised his hand to seal the deal with Chu Yang. But Chu Yang was startled when he saw Tie Bu Tian’s hand. Apart from the fact that it was white and extremely small and slender, it was probably just half the size of his hand.

This is a man’s hand?

When Tie Bu Tian saw that Chu Yang was staring at his hand, his countenance slightly changed. And with that emotion, he said, "Do you want to make the bet or not? What are you waiting for?"

Chu Yang immediately came to and smiled in embarrassment. At the same time, he raised his hand and clapped against Tie Bu Tian’s hand.

Bam... The two hands clapped against each other.

The moment they touched, Chu Yang not only felt that Tie Bu Tian’s hand was extremely soft, but also very tender. He could not help but smile and say, "Your majesty is has maintained his body very well."

Tie Bu Tian was a little startled and pulled back his hand at the speed of lightning. He grunted coldly, "This clap is our oath. Even in death, there will be no regrets. Minister Chu, you must keep your promise."

Chu Yang laughed loudly, and said with certainty, "I definitely won’t lose!"

The two looked at each other; Tie Bu Tian looked at Chu Yang’s fierce mask and smiled, "Your mysterious pretense, how is that working out?"

Chu Yang smiled; instead of answering he asked, "What does your majesty think? I never shoot an arrow without a target!"

Tie Bu Tian laughed.

After a long time, the cries in the prison cell became softer and softer; but it turned into more of a trembling sound...

After a while longer, a shadow gently walked out. His face was pensive, and his eyes had a hint of anger.

"How is it?" Tie Bu Tian did not look back but asked confidently.

"Mouth of steel, cannot be opened." That shadow said shamefully.

"Huh?" Tie Bu Tian turned in surprise, "Nothing worked?"

The shadow nodded. With anger and admiration in his eyes, he said, "Such stubbornness is rare."

Tie Bu Tian said quietly, "Let’s go in and see."

They reached the entrance and glimpsed inside... Even with Chu Yang’s fortified mind, he felt a little nauseated. These two shadows really did come from hell... Tang Xin Sheng no longer had a human form.

His whole body was raw with his skin peeled off. His veins popped out like a snake wrapping around Tang Xin Sheng’s body. A few tendons even came loose and wiggled back and forth as if they had a mind of their own... If the chains were tightened even slightly, they would have broken his body into pieces...

The sound of chains pulling continued. Tang Xin Sheng’s eyes were crazed, and his moans were barely heard. But every now and then there was an arrogant look in his eyes.

Lightning Body-Severing and Bone-Moving Method! Chu Yang was startled. This was the most horrible punishment in the world. Those who suffered from these torture techniques would rather die a thousand times. A person under this sort of punishment would go crazy and kill himself!

And yet, Tang Xin Sheng hung on until now!

At this moment, Chu Yang had heartfelt admiration for this spy. He might have been an enemy, but such a good man was rare!

Tie Bu Tian’s face reddened. He was clearly disturbed as he bit his teeth and asked, "Are there... any other methods?"

The two shadows silently shook their heads.

Tie Bu Tian sighed hopelessly... he blurted out, "Good man!"