In the oppressive, cramped woodshed, a boy tied to a pillar screamed incessantly as he was tortured by his own parents. His cries were so pitiful that even Li Huowang found them difficult to listen to.
After a while, the iron frame they were pulling on finally loosened. The boy's head slumped to the side as he took the rare opportunity to gasp for air.
The brightly dressed couple hastily crouched down, scrutinizing their son's lower body.
"How is it? Did it work?" the woman asked.
The man carefully measured with his fingers, then his expression grew disheartened. "It's no use! We can't delay any longer. We have to use the lock, or it will be too late!"
The child, his hair soaked with sweat, was startled by the words and pleaded through his sobs, "Dad, I don't want the lock! I don't want the lock!"
