Chapter 146: Space-Time Mercenaries

"Is that so? I'm afraid that's not up to you. I don't want to resort to harsh measures against you, but I know you brought interrogation equipment along as well, didn't you?"

Looking at the armed men, one of them handed a compact interrogation device over to Si Xueyi. Although small in size, everyone wore an expression of absolute confidence. After all, very few people could endure such brutal instruments without breaking their silence.

"All of you, step outside first."

Si Xueyi addressed the dozen or so men. In an instant, only the two of them remained in the room.

"I don't want to make things terribly unpleasant. This device can destroy your brain, making you wish you were dead. Death itself isn't truly terrifying; the real horror is that feeling of wanting to die yet being completely unable to do so."

Si Xueyi did not wish to use this contraption, which was why she was still trying to reason with him calmly.

In truth, her hands possessed the exact same trait as Si Nuosang's, having inherited the capacity for a powerful electrical current.

Si Xueyi had tied Yuan Qianlv up, though she hadn't subjected him to any cruelty—well, not yet. She was giving Yuan Qianlv a chance to choose to speak, though it was unlikely he would ever desire such an opportunity.

"Let me remind you once more, you may not be able to withstand this kind of agony."

She was inwardly conflicted over whether to cross that line. After all, she was merely a lawyer. She had almost no exposure to interrogation, and certainly no formal contact with it in her original era. Yet if she were to hand Yuan Qianlv over to the men outside for questioning, he would undoubtedly face certain death.

Still, what did his life or death matter to her?

When all was said and done, Si Xueyi blamed herself for lacking a ruthless heart. She simply couldn't bring herself to do it.

"Is that so? Then let's try it."

Yuan Qianlv wore a look of utter indifference, as if he completely failed to take her seriously.

"You really are as stubborn as a dead duck. Since that's the case, don't blame me." Without further ado, she attached the device directly to his head and pressed the activation button. Instantly, Yuan Qianlv's face flushed bright red. He had anticipated that it would be painful, but he had never imagined that the torment would far exceed anything he had conceived.

It felt as though countless ants were endlessly gnawing and chewing on his entire brain. Yet even so, Yuan Qianlv still did not utter a single syllable.

Si Xueyi was deeply dissatisfied with his performance.

She switched off the machine, then reached out to grip his chin tightly.

"Yuan Qianlv, you think you're pretty tough, don't you? Are you testing my limits?"

"If you have any other tricks, just use them and let's see if I make a single peep."

Yuan Qianlv took ragged, heavy breaths, glaring at Si Xueyi with an expression of unwavering defiance.

"You will talk."

Si Xueyi tore back her sleeve, deliberately baring her arm. She gently peeled away the outer layer of her skin covering, then turned off the micro-device she wore.

"What are you doing?"

"What do you think? Oh, I forgot to tell you. Our Si family possesses a rather strange genetic trait. Both Si Nuosang and I harbor a very peculiar electrical current within our bodies. Anyone who touches us goes out of their minds, completely losing control of their brains. It's somewhat similar to that machine you just experienced, but the torment is dozens of times more intense. Since you felt that the previous toy was completely useless, let's try this instead."

"Are you joking with me? I've clearly touched you before, and nothing happened at all."

"That's because we want to live like normal people. That's why we always wear a device on our bodies that regulates human electrical currents, allowing us to blend in like ordinary individuals. But do you understand what electricity is? After trying that machine just now, you should have a rough idea by now."

Si Xueyi explained it to him in meticulous detail, though it was evident he still didn't quite believe it. That was precisely why Si Nuosang had kept this secret hidden as well.

Yuan Qianlv fell silent once more. If it was going to be dozens of times more terrifying than what he had just endured, he would undoubtedly prefer death. A genuine flicker of fear stirred deep within his heart.

"Actually, even though you've been quite cruel to me, I don't wish to be that cruel to you. I merely want to know the way to the capital. Even if you refuse to say, we can still find it by simply going out and asking anyone we meet. Why force it to this point? In the end, your refusal doesn't change the outcome; it only means I'll find my way regardless."

Si Xueyi's remarks seemed to make Yuan Qianlv realize something.

"Very well. Since that's the case, I should know when to yield. I agree."

"Huh?"

Si Xueyi was taken aback. For Yuan Qianlv to agree just like that was utterly unexpected. Could there be some hidden trap in this?

"Yuan Qianlv, don't try any games with me." She pulled back her hovering hand and glared at him in warning.

"What kind of games do you think I can play with people like you? I can't possibly escape the palm of your hand, can I?"

Gazing at Si Xueyi, Yuan Qianlv was simply stating a fundamental truth. What they possessed was terror and destruction.

He was not arrogant enough to think his cleverness could alter the situation, so compromise was, in truth, the best option for him. Even so, he would never betray the Prince.

"True, you certainly can't escape. Especially now that I have their help. However, Yuan Qianlv, I know you certainly didn't agree so readily out of genuine willingness; you must be plotting something in your heart. But right now, I no longer care what you're thinking. As long as you can lead me to the capital, everything else is fine. It doesn't matter to me."

Despite saying those words aloud, Si Xueyi was no fool; she wouldn't let down her guard against this man entirely.

She walked out to the door and informed the mercenaries that the matter had been settled. Those men looked somewhat fearful of Si Xueyi—naturally, anyone would be terrified once they learned what kind of person she truly was. Only these ignorant men of antiquity would dare to provoke her.

Si Xueyi's mind worked faster than anyone else's. Even if these people hadn't come here, she would have found a way to escape on her own. Utilizing her feminine allure was one of her greatest specialties.

"Alright, get yourselves ready. We can set off now. Where are your horses?"

"Over there." The leader pointed toward a nearby large tree, where the reins were tied to the trunk and the horses were grazing.

"Good. What's your name?"

"Alex," the man replied.

"Alex, pleasure doing business with you." She extended her hand toward Alex. Alex looked slightly bewildered for a moment, but he quickly reached out and shook Si Xueyi's hand.

"Pleasure doing business, Counselor Si."

The moment the handshake concluded, Alex hurriedly pulled his hand back. He could distinctly feel the faint electrical current radiating from her palm. The boss had not been lying: members of the Si family possessed a unique ability, their entire bodies brimming with electricity that had to be balanced by machinery. Yet once unleashed, it would be utterly terrifying.

"Are you afraid of me?"

Si Xueyi looked directly at Alex and asked without beating around the bush.

"Yes."

"Good. We can get moving now. Assign a horse to me, and the rest of you can work out the arrangements amongst yourselves."

"No problem, a horse has already been prepared for you."

Alex answered without hesitation. Si Xueyi hadn't expected them to be so prompt and to have made preparations so flawlessly, as if they operated entirely within their own territory.