THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS
Chapter Twenty-Seven — Interrogation

Before dawn fully broke, Zhuo Fan returned to the courtyard carrying two beautiful young women in his arms.

The Hidden Dragon Pavilion guards at the entrance stared for a moment in surprise.

After all, Steward Zhuo had vanished for more than ten days.

Then understanding spread across their faces almost simultaneously.

One of them even shouted loudly:

“Steward Zhuo, looks like you had a busy night!”

At that exact moment, Long Kui happened to pass nearby.

She glanced at Zhuo Fan.

Then at the two exquisitely dressed women in his arms.

Her brows furrowed instantly.

With a cold snort full of contempt, she turned and walked away as though she had seen nothing.

But Zhuo Fan still caught her muttering under her breath.

“Men are all the same.”

He knew perfectly well what they misunderstood.

He simply did not care.

Carrying the two women into his room, Zhuo Fan kicked the door shut behind him, tossed them onto the floor without gentleness, and casually pulled over a chair to sit down.

“Ow!”

Xiao Cui woke first after hitting the ground, rubbing her eyes groggily.

“Where are we—”

Then she saw the black-clothed woman lying motionless beside her.

“Miss!”

The black-clothed woman remained stiff on the floor, unable to move. Her curved body was displayed completely before Zhuo Fan without resistance.

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly and flicked a finger.

Immediately, the woman regained control of her body.

The instant she could move again, she sprang upward.

Her hand flashed toward her ankle.

A dagger appeared in her grasp from nowhere.

The blade cut directly toward Zhuo Fan’s throat.

Clang.

The dagger stopped less than an inch from his neck.

The black-clothed woman froze once more.

Zhuo Fan chuckled softly.

“Good reflexes.”

He nodded with genuine praise.

“But they’re useless against me.”

He plucked the dagger casually from her fingers.

“I invited you here because I have questions.” His tone remained calm. “Answer honestly, and I’ll let you go afterward.”

Then his eyes drifted over her body slowly.

“Also…” He smiled slightly. “You aren’t hiding any more dangerous weapons on you, are you?”

As he spoke, he reached forward as though preparing to search her personally.

The black-clothed woman’s face flushed red instantly.

“You dare?”

Zhuo Fan’s hand stopped halfway.

Then he looked directly into her eyes.

“Whether I dare or not depends entirely on how cooperative you are.”

His expression changed instantly afterward.

Cold.

Sharp.

“What’s your name?” he asked. “And why are you in Windforest City?”

The woman turned her face aside and remained silent.

Without hesitation, Zhuo Fan flicked a finger.

Snap.

The black belt around her waist fell loose instantly.

“Aah!”

The woman cried out in humiliation and fury, glaring at him as though she wanted to kill him on the spot.

Zhuo Fan remained completely expressionless.

“What’s your name?” he repeated calmly. “And why are you in Windforest City?”

“Bastard!”

Xiao Cui rushed forward angrily, swinging a tiny fist toward him.

“How dare you bully our miss!”

Slap.

Zhuo Fan caught her wrist effortlessly.

Then his other hand casually tugged at the ribbon around her waist.

Xiao Cui gasped and stumbled backward immediately, clutching her clothing tightly as tears gathered in her eyes.

Zhuo Fan’s face did not change at all.

“What’s your name?” he asked again. “And why are you here?”

The black-clothed woman bit down hard on her lip.

Still silent.

Rip.

With one sharp motion, Zhuo Fan tore away her black outer robe completely.

For a moment, her pale body was revealed beneath the shredded cloth, with only a strip of embroidered red fabric covering her chest.

Tears finally rolled down her cheeks one by one.

Yet she still refused to speak.

Zhuo Fan slowly reached toward the final piece of cloth.

His voice remained cold and steady.

“You’re beautiful.” He looked directly at her. “This is your last chance to preserve your dignity.”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“If you still refuse to answer…” He gestured toward the door lazily. “There are more than a dozen hungry men outside.”

“Monster…”

Her entire body trembled with rage.

Zhuo Fan ignored the curse completely.

“I’ll count to three.”

His fingers tightened around the red cloth.

“One.”

The woman bit her lip until blood nearly appeared.

“Two.”

Her shoulders shook.

“Three—”

“Stop!”

At last, her voice cracked.

Tears streamed openly down her face now.

“I’ll talk.”

Zhuo Fan released the cloth immediately and leaned back into his chair.

The transition was so smooth it almost felt mechanical.

No lust.

No excitement.

Only purpose.

The black-clothed woman stared at him with lingering fear.

For the first time, she felt that the man before her did not resemble a human being at all.

He felt more like a cold instrument wearing human skin.

“I…” She lowered her eyes slightly. “My name is Lei Yuting. I’m the adopted daughter of the Black Wind Mountain chief.”

Her voice trembled faintly.

“We came to Windforest City to destroy the Luo family.”

“How?”

“Nether Valley promised to lure away Hidden Dragon Pavilion’s guards. We would use the opening to attack the estate.”

Zhuo Fan nodded calmly.

Everything she said matched what he already knew.

This interrogation had never been about basic information.

It was about breaking her psychological defenses first.

Now came the real questions.

“What relationship does Black Wind Mountain have with Nether Valley?” he asked. “What benefit are they getting from helping you?”

Lei Yuting hesitated.

Then slowly shook her head.

“I don’t know.”

Zhuo Fan studied her eyes carefully.

She was telling the truth.

“How did you establish contact with Nether Valley?” he continued. “Who arranged it?”

Lei Yuting’s eyes flickered slightly.

Then she closed her mouth again.

Zhuo Fan already had guesses.

But guesses were worthless.

He wanted certainty.

Rip.

Her inner shirt tore apart as well.

Lei Yuting’s body shook violently.

Only the final red cloth remained across her chest now.

She stared at him with hatred and humiliation, tears continuing to fall silently.

Zhuo Fan placed a hand lightly over the remaining fabric.

“Answer.”

His voice was flat.

“Or I remove this too.”

Lei Yuting clenched her teeth and said nothing.

“Impressive courage.”

Zhuo Fan nodded faintly.

Then his fingers tightened.

“Don’t!”

Xiao Cui finally broke first.

“Please don’t bully Miss anymore!”

Tears streamed down her face too as she hurriedly shouted:

“It was Senior Brother Yang! He handled everything with Nether Valley!”

Lei Yuting’s eyes widened instantly.

But before she could stop her—

Zhuo Fan snapped his fingers lightly.

Her voice vanished again.

“Who is Senior Brother Yang?” Zhuo Fan asked with a smile.

Xiao Cui lowered her head miserably.

“He’s the mountain chief’s direct disciple. Yang Ming.”

Her voice grew quieter.

“The chief arranged an engagement between him and Miss. But on the same day…” Her fists clenched. “The Luo family patriarch, Luo Zhennan, ambushed the chief and crippled him.”

Zhuo Fan’s brows rose slightly.

“So Black Wind Mountain attacked the Luo family for revenge.”

Xiao Cui nodded.

“We weren’t strong enough to break through Cloudbound Villa ourselves. But Senior Brother Yang contacted Steward Sun inside the Luo family and turned him into an informant. That’s how we broke the Luo family defenses.”

Her voice shook harder now.

“Afterward, the Luo young miss escaped, and we lost track of her. Recently, Senior Brother Yang discovered the Luo family was hiding here and contacted Nether Valley for assistance…”

“Enough.”

Zhuo Fan raised a hand.

Everything finally connected.

Then he asked quietly:

“How do you know Luo Zhennan ambushed your chief?”

“Senior Brother Yang saw it happen himself.”

“And the Returning Dragon Palm supposedly curing your chief’s injuries…” Zhuo Fan’s eyes narrowed. “Yang Ming told you that too, didn’t he?”

Xiao Cui blinked in surprise.

Then nodded quickly.

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly.

Everything was clear now.

He finally removed his hand from Lei Yuting’s chest.

But at that exact moment—

Bang.

The room door flew open.

“Zhuo Fan, what exactly are you doing in here?”

Luo Yunshang stormed inside.

Behind her came Luo Yunhai and Commander Pang.

Then all three froze.

Completely.

Two beautiful young women sat half-undressed on the floor.

Zhuo Fan’s hand was still hovering suspiciously close to Lei Yuting’s chest.

Luo Yunhai’s eyes widened so far they nearly popped out of his head.

Commander Pang looked between Zhuo Fan and the women twice before slowly revealing a deeply understanding grin.

Luo Yunshang’s face turned crimson instantly.

“Commander Pang!” she shouted furiously. “Take Yunhai back to his room immediately!”

Commander Pang nodded repeatedly while dragging Luo Yunhai away.

But before leaving, he still managed to give Zhuo Fan a vulgar grin full of male solidarity.

“Steward Zhuo!”

Luo Yunshang rounded on him angrily, even using his formal title.

“This is still Hidden Dragon Pavilion territory. How can you behave like this here?”

Zhuo Fan shrugged calmly.

“I’m doing this for the Luo family.”

“For the Luo family?”

Luo Yunshang almost laughed from anger.

“You drag strange women back into your room and spend the entire night fooling around, and now you say it’s for the Luo family?”

Her voice rose higher.

“Weren’t you the one talking about becoming stronger? About leading the Luo family beyond the Seven Houses in ten years?”

She pointed at him furiously.

“This is how you plan to do it?”

Zhuo Fan blinked slightly.

Normally, Luo Yunshang maintained elegant composure no matter how angry she became.

Yet today she looked genuinely furious.

Interesting.

“If you knew who they were,” Zhuo Fan said lightly, “you wouldn’t be saying this.”

Luo Yunshang frowned.

“They’re Black Wind Mountain bandits,” Zhuo Fan explained calmly. “I was interrogating them.”

Her expression froze instantly.

“H-Black Wind Mountain?”

The moment she heard the name, killing intent erupted from her body.

Without hesitation, she struck toward Lei Yuting.

“Give me back my father’s life!”

Slap.

Zhuo Fan caught her wrist immediately.

“Calm down.”

His eyes narrowed.

“I don’t think the conflict between Black Wind Mountain and the Luo family is that simple.”

He released her slowly.

“I suspect the Seven Houses are manipulating both sides.”

The room fell silent.

Lei Yuting and Xiao Cui both stared at him in shock.

In their eyes, families like the Luo family and forces like Black Wind Mountain were nothing compared to the Seven Houses. If one of the Seven Houses wanted them destroyed, they could erase them effortlessly.

So why bother creating such a complicated scheme?

Truthfully, Zhuo Fan did not fully understand either.

Which was exactly why he needed answers.

He turned toward Lei Yuting and restored her voice again.

“Miss Lei.” Zhuo Fan cupped his hands politely. “I have a request.”

Lei Yuting glared at him coldly.

“I want you to take me to Black Wind Mountain.”

She frowned immediately.

“You think I’d let an outsider infiltrate our mountain?”

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly and turned toward Luo Yunshang.

“My lady,” he said, “please lend me the Returning Dragon Palm manual.”

Though confused, Luo Yunshang still retrieved a jade slip from her ring and handed it over.

She knew Zhuo Fan would never covet a mere Spirit-grade technique now that he could casually arrange fifth-grade formations.

Zhuo Fan tossed the jade slip directly toward Lei Yuting.

“This is the Returning Dragon Palm your people wanted.”

Lei Yuting caught it instinctively.

“But understand something,” Zhuo Fan continued calmly. “It’s only a martial technique. It cannot heal your mountain chief’s injuries.”

He stepped closer.

“I only want to visit Black Wind Mountain and uncover the truth.” His gaze sharpened. “Because I suspect Yang Ming has been deceiving all of you from the beginning.”

Xiao Cui immediately shook her head.

“Senior Brother Yang would never lie to us!”

Zhuo Fan ignored her completely.

He looked only at Lei Yuting.

“Yang Ming convinced a Luo family steward of decades to betray his masters.” His voice lowered. “He established connections with Nether Valley effortlessly. And now he manipulates Black Wind Mountain into attacking the Luo family.”

He paused.

“Miss Lei… are you certain you truly understand your fiancé?”

Lei Yuting lowered her eyes.

For the first time, uncertainty appeared there.

After a long silence, she finally nodded slowly.

The Luo family had already handed over their ancestral martial art.

There were too many suspicious points now to ignore.

And besides—

Black Wind Mountain was her territory.

Even if Zhuo Fan came alone, what could he possibly do there?

Seeing her agreement, Zhuo Fan smiled with satisfaction.

Then, after a pause, he coughed awkwardly.

“Miss Lei.”

She looked up.

“You may want to put on more clothing next time.” His smile turned shameless. “It helps prolong negotiations.”

Lei Yuting froze.

Then her entire face turned scarlet again as rage nearly exploded from her eyes.

At the same time, Luo Yunshang and Xiao Cui shoved Zhuo Fan directly out the door together.

“Get out!”

Bang.

The door slammed shut behind him.

Inside the room, the three women looked at each other.

Then unexpectedly—

All three laughed.

Only for a moment.

Then they quickly remembered they were technically still enemies and straightened their expressions again.

Outside the room, Zhuo Fan’s lazy voice drifted through the door one final time:

“Miss Lei… seriously. Wear more layers next time.”

Inside, Lei Yuting’s face turned even redder.

And her murderous aura nearly burst through the roof.

[End of Chapter Twenty-Seven]

Chapter Twenty-Eight — Into Black Wind Mountain

The mountain road was too quiet.

A black-clothed woman walked through the dense forest beside an old man who looked well past eighty.

The woman was tall and graceful, her face bright as a rare flower beneath moonlight. Even with anger sitting cold in her eyes, every movement carried a faint fragrance that drew insects from the trees and sent butterflies circling near the path.

The old man beside her had silver at his temples, a thin goatee, and cloudy eyes that looked dull until the light caught them wrong.

Then something sharp flickered underneath.

When they reached the foot of the mountain, Lei Yuting looked toward the distant peak, then narrowed her eyes at the old man beside her.

“Zhuo Fan,” she said coldly, “you had better behave. If I see even the slightest sign that you mean harm to Black Wind Mountain, I won’t let you leave.”

The old man threw back his head and laughed.

“Miss Lei, please relax. This old man came to uncover the truth, not take revenge.” He spread his hands. “Besides, I came alone. What could I possibly do?”

Lei Yuting snorted and turned away.

“And if Xiao Cui loses even one hair, I won’t spare you either.”

“Don’t worry. I kept Xiao Cui as a hostage for two reasons.” Zhuo Fan’s smile thinned. “First, we don’t trust each other yet. I need a way to protect myself.”

He glanced at her sidelong.

“Second… it’s for your own good.”

“For my good?”

Lei Yuting frowned at him.

But Zhuo Fan only shook his head and said nothing more.

Her questions remained unanswered as they continued climbing.

Neither spoke much after that.

By the time they reached the mountainside, the first Black Wind Mountain checkpoint appeared.

“Who goes there?”

A large man in black stepped out and blocked the path.

The moment he saw Lei Yuting, he immediately bowed and withdrew to the side.

“Miss, you’re back? Weren’t you supposed to be in Windforest City? Why—”

“I had business to handle.”

Lei Yuting lifted her chin and walked past without sparing him another look.

Zhuo Fan’s voice drifted quietly beside her.

“That man belongs to Yang Ming.”

Lei Yuting froze for half a breath.

“You told me your mission in Windforest City was highly secret,” Zhuo Fan continued. “So how does a low-level mountain guard know where you went?”

Lei Yuting’s brows drew together.

Once, she would never have questioned something like this.

But over the past few days, Zhuo Fan had forced her to think about things she had always ignored.

Small details.

Wrong timing.

People knowing things they should not know.

Now, even this insignificant guard suddenly looked suspicious.

“Watch,” Zhuo Fan said with a faint smile. “By the time we reach the mountain gate, Yang Ming will already be waiting to welcome you.”

He walked ahead, his pace quickening.

Lei Yuting stared at his back, conflicted and uneasy, then followed.

They passed several more checkpoints without difficulty. With Lei Yuting leading the way, no one questioned the old man’s identity.

At last, the gate of Black Wind Mountain appeared before them.

And just as Zhuo Fan had predicted—

A figure stepped out from inside.

He was tall, handsome, and dignified at first glance. But there was always a faintly sinister smile on his face, as if kindness were something he wore because it suited the moment.

Zhuo Fan needed only one look to know.

Yang Ming.

“See?” Zhuo Fan murmured, raising an eyebrow at Lei Yuting as if he had just won a child’s game. “Your movements were reported perfectly.”

Lei Yuting did not smile.

Her face grew more serious.

On the way here, Zhuo Fan had already told her his theory.

Yang Ming was likely Nether Valley’s hidden piece inside Black Wind Mountain.

She did not want to believe it.

This man was the fiancé her adoptive father had personally chosen for her. Everyone trusted him. Her father trusted him.

How could such a person be planted here to destroy Black Wind Mountain from within?

And yet everything she had seen on the road matched Zhuo Fan’s predictions.

One piece after another.

She bit her lip and forced herself forward.

“Yuting,” Yang Ming said warmly, stepping toward her. “Weren’t you supposed to be in Windforest City? Why did you suddenly return?”

Then his gaze shifted toward Zhuo Fan.

“And this is?”

Lei Yuting hesitated.

Then, testing him, she said, “Senior Brother, Hidden Dragon Pavilion is not easy to provoke, and Nether Valley is unreliable. This operation is too dangerous. I ordered the others to hold position for now and wait.”

Yang Ming’s face changed.

Only slightly.

But Zhuo Fan saw the killing intent flash deep in his eyes.

“Yuting,” Yang Ming said gently, “Master treated us with kindness heavier than a mountain. For his sake, what is one life worth? How can we shrink back like cowards?” His voice hardened just enough. “And his revenge — can we leave that unpaid?”

“I know that,” Lei Yuting said, frowning. “But we can’t ignore the lives of our brothers either.”

She gestured toward Zhuo Fan.

“This man is a second-grade alchemist I found. If he can heal Father, then we can wait until he recovers before taking revenge.”

Zhuo Fan immediately stepped forward and cupped his hands.

“This old man has wandered the world for many years,” he said grandly. “External wounds, internal injuries, strange illnesses, stubborn diseases — with my medicine, all are—”

“Hmph.”

Yang Ming cut him off with a flick of his sleeve.

“If you truly had that kind of skill, some clan would have raised you like a treasure long ago. You wouldn’t be wandering around cheating people.”

His eyes turned toward Lei Yuting.

“Junior Sister, injuries caused by the Returning Dragon Palm can only be healed by the Returning Dragon Palm. Do you not trust me?”

Lei Yuting hesitated.

Memories rose unbidden — years of familiarity, concern, small kindnesses, the gentle patience Yang Ming had always shown her.

Zhuo Fan stepped between them before those memories could settle too deeply.

“Young man,” he said earnestly, “at least give this old man a chance. I really am quite skilled at treating injuries.”

“Get lost.”

Yang Ming struck with one palm.

The wind from the blow was sharp enough to cut.

Zhuo Fan could have dodged.

He did not.

He gritted his teeth and took the strike head-on.

Boom.

The palm slammed into his chest.

Yang Ming had used no formal martial technique, but he had already stepped into the Bone Tempering Stage. The force threw Zhuo Fan more than thirty feet backward.

He hit the ground and spat blood.

“If you don’t want me to treat him, then don’t let me treat him,” Zhuo Fan said weakly, struggling upright. “Why hit an old man?”

He coughed and spat another mouthful of blood.

“At my age, I can’t survive many palms like that. Miss, I’m not taking this job anymore. Bandit business really is dangerous.”

“What did you say?”

Yang Ming’s face darkened, and he raised his hand again.

Lei Yuting stepped in front of him immediately.

“I invited him here. If you want to hit him, hit me first.”

“Hmph.”

Yang Ming lowered his hand with visible anger.

“If you insist on letting this wandering fraud treat Master, then do as you like. But if he harms Master in any way, I won’t forgive you.”

With that, he turned and strode inside without looking at her again.

Lei Yuting watched him leave, frustration and hurt crossing her face.

Then she turned angrily toward Zhuo Fan.

“This is because of you. Senior Brother is angry with me now.” Her eyes reddened slightly. “I shouldn’t have believed you. He cares so much about Father. How could he possibly hurt him?”

“Miss Lei,” Zhuo Fan said, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, “did your adoptive father never teach you how to judge people?”

She froze.

He smiled faintly.

“Then again, perhaps he didn’t know either.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t judge people by what they say,” Zhuo Fan said quietly. “Judge them by what they do.”

He glanced toward the gate.

“When I first suggested treating your father, Yang Ming stopped me because he didn’t know my ability. Then he struck me. After testing my strength and deciding I was weak, he suddenly allowed it.”

His smile became thin.

“So tell me. Is he worried about your father… or not?”

Lei Yuting stood there silently.

She replayed everything.

This time, she ignored Yang Ming’s words.

Only his actions remained.

And sure enough, every movement matched Zhuo Fan’s conclusion.

She even remembered something else.

When Yang Ming turned away, there had been the faintest trace of a smile on his face.

No.

Her chest tightened.

She did not dare think further.

If she did, the pain might make her lose control.

And if she confronted Yang Ming now, both she and Zhuo Fan might die here.

Zhuo Fan saw everything on her face.

He pushed himself upright and patted her shoulder.

“Come on. Let me see your adoptive father’s injury.”

“You fraud,” Lei Yuting muttered, her voice already rough. “You’re acting. Do you really plan to examine him?”

Zhuo Fan shrugged.

“If we’re acting, we should act properly.” He started walking. “Besides, the scene isn’t over yet.”

Lei Yuting drew a deep breath and followed.

Even though what waited ahead was something she did not want to see.

They walked through the stronghold under hundreds of eyes.

Normally, those eyes belonged to men who respected her.

Today, they felt different.

Like surveillance.

Like judgment.

Like hands closing around her throat.

At last, they reached the mountain chief’s room.

Inside, Yang Ming was already there.

He sat beside the bed, holding a bowl of thin porridge and feeding an old man spoon by spoon.

The old man lay motionless, unable to speak or move.

When Yang Ming saw them enter, he slammed the bowl down on the table and glared.

“Wandering fraud. If anything happens to my master, you answer with your life.”

Then he moved aside and gave up the space beside the bed.

Zhuo Fan laughed inwardly.

He slowly approached the old man and began checking his condition.

The moment his fingers touched the old man’s pulse and sent a strand of origin energy inside—

He paused.

Then everything became clear.

“Your master has no external injuries,” Zhuo Fan said slowly.

Yang Ming rolled his eyes.

“That much is obvious.”

Zhuo Fan’s fingers remained on the pulse.

“Nor does he have internal injuries.”

Yang Ming’s hands tightened.

The motion was small.

But Zhuo Fan saw it.

At first, Yang Ming had assumed Zhuo Fan was nothing more than a Qi Gathering Stage Four nobody with no real skill.

But now this “nobody” had identified the truth.

That meant he had to die.

For the first time, killing intent flashed clearly in Yang Ming’s eyes.

Lei Yuting frowned.

“No external injuries, no internal injuries?” she said. “Then why can’t Father move or speak?”

Even now, part of her believed Zhuo Fan was only acting.

But if he was acting, this was a poor performance.

How could a strong Bone Tempering expert suddenly become paralyzed without any injury at all?

Zhuo Fan touched his nose lightly.

A strange smile appeared on his face.

“I found the problem.”

The room went still.

“It’s a foreign object inside his body.”

Crack.

A corner of the table snapped off in Yang Ming’s grip.

On the bed, the old chief’s eyes widened violently.

He stared at Zhuo Fan with desperate intensity, as if trying to scream something his body could no longer say.

But no sound came.

Only the truth, finally surfacing, burned in his eyes.

[End of Chapter Twenty-Eight]