Chapter 128: The Final Punishment

"By the way, what did you mean earlier when you said it was impossible to leave the camp?"

The trafficker inwardly grumbled that Zhang Xuan had far too many questions. However, the thought of receiving a "thorough beating" if he didn't answer properly made him keep his complaints to himself. "Young master, after we join, we are forced to take an oath that we will never betray or sell out the organization. We are branded on our necks. We belong to the organization in life and remain their ghosts in death. If someone is caught betraying them, they are thrown into a vat of boiling oil. I haven't seen it myself, but those who joined before me witnessed someone who informed the authorities being dragged back and tossed into the oil. They were snatched away right under the protection of the officials—it was truly gruesome."

"Show me your brand. And since you've told me so many of your secrets, aren't you essentially betraying your organization right now?" Zhang Xuan wondered how this man could share so much while knowing the brutal torture that awaited him.

"I can't show you the brand," the trafficker replied, but seeing the look in Zhang Xuan's eyes and fearing a blow, he instinctively shrank his head. "Of course, if you see it by accident, that's fine. Besides, I haven't told you any actual classified information; I don't know those secrets anyway. And I can tell you're not a gossip, young master. What’s said here stays between us, so how would anyone else know? Right?" As he spoke, the trafficker pulled up his sleeve to reveal a plum blossom-shaped brand on his arm.

"Rest assured, since you’ve been so honest, I certainly won't say anything. One last question: where is your camp?"

"Young master, are you thinking of going there to rescue people? My advice is to give up. You’re only one man; don't go, or you'll never come back. If you do, I’ll pretend I don't know you. Of course, if you fall into our hands, I’m sorry, but I’ll have to use all my 'training' methods to make you obedient. I’ve broken many stubborn people in our camp, and they all eventually bowed their heads." As the trafficker boasted of his "glorious" record, he sprayed saliva everywhere.

Zhang Xuan wiped his face, then stretched his hands. It seemed this fellow was asking for another beating. Hearing the joints in Zhang Xuan's hands crack, the trafficker immediately clamped his mouth shut and bowed his head. He knew better than to provoke him.

"You bowed your head before I even used my training methods on you. I suppose you aren't that stubborn after all!"

"What’s the point of being stubborn? I’ve seen plenty of 'hard bones,' and they just end up getting beaten the most. I’ve even seen some beaten to death—though I could never bring myself to do that."

"Stop, stop! I asked you where the camp is. Why so much chatter? And how many people are there?" Zhang Xuan was losing his patience with the man's rambling.

"Young master, I can't tell you that. I'll tell you anything else, but the location of the camp is off-limits. I don't want to end up in a vat of boiling oil!" The trafficker shook his head violently, determined to keep the secret.

"So, you've decided to be a 'hard bone' after all?" Zhang Xuan arched an eyebrow at him.

"I don't think you'll kill me, but if I tell you the location, my life is as good as over. You would definitely go there if you knew where it was. I don't think you could do much, but I'm the only one who has left the camp in the last two days, so I can't take that gamble."

"Just say you were passing by? Or don't go back at all. The world is vast, and there’s plenty of room for you in the Central Plains," Zhang Xuan coaxed.

"Young master, if I could actually survive on my own, I wouldn't be a trafficker! I actually have some conscience. I know that kidnapping children is a crime that destroys families. If caught, I’d face the Lingchi execution. I don't know exactly what it entails, but the name alone is terrifying."

"Place your hand on your heart and ask yourself: do you truly have a conscience? Does anyone in your line of work have one? If you had a conscience, why choose such a wicked trade when there are so many other professions? If you had a conscience, why would you beat and 'train' those you keep in your camp? If you had a conscience, why pursue those children so relentlessly after they’ve finally escaped? Forget it. Since you won't tell me where the camp is, so be it. Raise your other hand." Seeing the trafficker’s stubbornness, Zhang Xuan knew he had no more time to waste.

The trafficker, previously feeling a sense of shame, was taken aback by the sudden shift in topic.

"Don't want to leave?" Zhang Xuan asked, observing his hesitation. "I won't be feeding you here. I have a chicken, but it's not for you. And I certainly don't want to eat with you!"

"I want to leave! I want to leave!" The trafficker hurriedly raised his hand, terrified that Zhang Xuan might change his mind. However, his dislocated arm wouldn't move, so he only raised the other one.

Zhang Xuan gripped the man's hand and said, "This will hurt a bit, so hold on!" Before the trafficker could react, a sharp "crack" echoed through the air as Zhang Xuan dislocated his other arm.