Senior Brother Zhao, you really are unlucky.
Inside the [Capital Skies Division] interrogation room, Lu Yang sighed as he looked at Zhao Xuhe, who was suspended in mid-air, dying, clearly having been beaten countless times.
Speaking of which, Zhao Xuhe was also a pitiful person.
After parting ways with Lu Yang, he was doing fine in the Dao Court. However, during a routine drill, he accidentally exposed the [Nine Transformations Dragon Art] he was currently majoring in.
Then everything changed. The [Capital Skies Division] arrested him that very day. After requesting instructions, experts from all sides took turns. They went up and applied a burst of "Memory Restoration Technique," opening with "Will you speak or not?" Zhao Xuhe hadn't even reacted before he was beaten into a daze—you guys didn't even ask me what to say!
But he was a Saint Sect disciple after all.
Upon learning the Dao Court's target was the [Nine Transformations Dragon Art], and seeing that they didn't directly soul search him—seemingly afraid of something—he simply gritted his teeth and held out.
No matter how you restore my memory, I just can't remember.
Because he thought very clearly—
If I speak, I'm dead. If I don't speak, they don't get the item, and I might still have a chance... After all, only I know the [Nine Transformations Dragon Art]!
Just then, the prison door opened.
Zhao Xuhe looked up and saw a young man with prominent horns. The man's aura surged like the ocean, seeming even more terrifying than his own Master.
But similar people had visited in the past few days. Zhao Xuhe took a deep breath and said weakly: "You don't need to waste your effort. I won't say anything... I'm not afraid to tell you, besides me, no one knows this method. If I die, you get nothing!"
So hurry up and offer me amnesty.
Zhao Xuhe felt excited inside. He keenly realized that the situation before him might be a crisis, but it was also an opportunity. After all, he could be loyal to the Dao Court too!
The Dao Court wanted his cultivation method so badly.
If they couldn't get it, they would definitely turn around and recruit him. With the Dao Court's nurturing, it might be even easier for him to become a Foundation Establishment Perfected One in the future!
Thinking of this, Zhao Xuhe became even more determined. Saint Sect disciples never lacked the conviction to climb upward. As long as there was hope for Foundation Establishment, he could eat any bitterness. What was mere torture? In the Saint Sect, countless people wanted to walk this path but couldn't find the way!
"You all go out."
Looking at the determined Zhao Xuhe, Lu Yang waved his hand, dismissing the accompanying [Capital Skies Division] Strongmen. Then he sat down in front of Zhao Xuhe.
Inside his consciousness sea, [Xuandu Blessed Land] trembled slightly.
Hmm, no one is watching.
Lu Yang nodded with satisfaction. Then, under Zhao Xuhe's blank gaze, he didn't ask a single word. He took out a jade slip directly and began to record.
[Nine Transformations Dragon Art]? I know it!
Not only that, I even know the higher-level [Dragon Sovereign-Ascension Scripture]! I can even write down some cultivation tips and knowledge points!
In Lu Yang's view, this was simply a great merit falling from the sky!
Therefore, he didn't interrogate at all. He wrote down the content of the cultivation method from memory, then used [Marionette] to manipulate Zhao Xuhe into signing and fingerprinting it.
Mission accomplished!
As for Zhao Xuhe? Lu Yang was kind-hearted; he really couldn't bear to see him continue suffering and being tortured. He sent him to reincarnation cleanly and efficiently.
[Tianwu Hall].
The current Son of Heaven of the Dao Court, titled Imperial Lord Who Nurtures All Things, reigning under the era name Jiayou, sat upright on the Daoist platform, reviewing memorials presented by various ministries.
Just then, Eunuch An ran in quickly.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Joyous news!"
"Oh? What joyous news..."
Emperor Jiayou opened his eyes upon hearing this. With a turn of his thoughts, he already guessed the joyous news the eunuch spoke of: "That little dragon interrogated the cultivation method out?"
"Your Majesty sees clearly!"
Eunuch An hurriedly said loudly: "Heaven and Earth are grasped in Your Majesty's hands; Your Majesty's heart is brighter than the sun and moon. It is indeed that Du Huan who established merit."
"Present it."
As Emperor Jiayou's voice fell, Eunuch An immediately presented the secret scroll of the cultivation method Lu Yang "interrogated" out. Emperor Jiayou swept it with his divine sense, and a satisfied look appeared on his face. With his cultivation, he could naturally tell the authenticity of the method at a glance. Compared to that, what was more important was—
No karma involved!
If they obtained the [Nine Transformations Dragon Art] through soul searching, it would inevitably touch the great net of karma and attract the attention of the Pure Land. That would be a fault rather than a merit.
But what was obtained through torture was different.
Because Zhao Xuhe handed it over "voluntarily," although there were karmic fluctuations, a Foundation Establishment Perfected One could easily mask them, preventing the Pure Land from being alerted.
Thinking of this, Emperor Jiayou became even more satisfied.
With a thought, Lu Yang's records in the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] appeared before his eyes, including the choice of "comprehension" when claiming his stipend.
Emperor Jiayou wasn't surprised by this.
After all, although the blessing of the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] was useless to most officials who relied on their positions, it was a supreme treasure for those who could cultivate themself.
Lu Yang's choice was within his expectations.
he wants to digest the [Wu Fire] Dao comprehensionas soon as possible? Emperor Jiayou pondered, then chuckled lightly. Since that was the case, why not fulfill his wish?
"Pass my decree."
Emperor Jiayou spoke with golden words, saying indifferently: "True Dragon Du Huan, has merit with the State. Reward three 'Yuan' of stipends."
In the Dao Court, one 'Yuan' represented one hundred years. Since the Dao Court distributed stipends once every century, Emperor Jiayou rewarded Lu Yang with a full three stipends in one sentence!
Almost simultaneously, Lu Yang inside the [Capital Skies Division] sensed it.
The [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] lowered brilliance, bringing Emperor Jiayou's oral edict and adding three stipend claiming permissions to his official account.
"Subject thanks Your Majesty for the profound grace!"
Without any hesitation, Lu Yang stood still on the spot. Flinging his right hand, with a determined expression and impassioned tone, he shouted sonorous words: "Loyalty!"
Emperor Jiayou withdrew his gaze with satisfaction.
Almost at the same time, Lu Yang saw on the panel of [The Book of a Hundred Lifetimes], the Golden Talent [Unwilling to be Subservient] lit up abruptly, emitting light.
This means the talent is activated...
[Unwilling to be Subservient: The more outstanding you are in your superior's eyes, and the more you gain your superior's regard, the more bonuses you receive when you betray your superior.]
Lu Yang realized in his heart that this talent lighting up meant he had truly entered Emperor Jiayou's eyes. If he chose to betray now, he could already receive the minimum bonus... Thinking of this, he realized immediately that this was also a tool to monitor favorability!
The brighter the talent, the more trustworthy I am in Emperor Jiayou's heart.
Conversely, if the talent is dim, it means the other party is guarding against me. I must plan ahead then... i didn't expect it to have such use!
Just as Lu Yang was pondering.
Suddenly, a warmth surged from his chest pocket. Lu Yang frowned and took out the source of the heat—it was a shimmering scale.
This is... the Dragon Lord's Scale!
Lu Yang's heart moved slightly. This was clearly given to Du Huan by the Dragon Lord far away overseas, intended to monitor the True Dragon Clan's situation in Jiangdong at any time.
And now, the Dragon Lord sent a message.
But... just right!
Lu Yang was surprised but not panicked. After all, under the effect of the [Turtle Dove Occupying the Magpie's Nest] talent, the current him was the genuine Dragon King Du Huan no matter how one looked.
Thinking of this, he activated the scale immediately.
Immediately after, layers of white mist surged from the scale, turning into a cloud of auspicious vapor.
Then, a pair of golden eyes as large as copper bells opened from within the cloud.
"Hmm?"
The next second, a look of confusion appeared in the golden eyes.
Because in his imagination, this grandson of his should be quite down and out at this moment, full of grievances with nowhere to tell, and should even hold resentment towards him.
But in reality?
What met his eyes was a heroic young man wearing official robes with prominent horns. Where was the look of unfulfilled ambition? He looked completely triumphant and successful!