Bloodcloak Guard prison.
It wasn't what Serena Feng had imagined—no darkness and damp, no overwhelming stench, no reek of blood. Instead, the air carried only a faint sandalwood scent.
As soon as Serena Feng stepped out of the prison cart, Commander Lucan Lu ordered her shackles removed. Now she wore only ankle and wrist chains, clanking with every step. The wounds on her ankles grew worse, leaving a puddle of blood beneath each footfall.
Step by step, blood blossomed beneath her feet. That was all there was to it.
Yet Serena Feng didn't even furrow her brow. She walked forward, one step at a time.
At first, Commander Lucan Lu didn't notice. Only when the scent of blood reached him did he turn and realize Serena Feng was the cause.
Lucan Lu frowned in displeasure. Though he commanded the notorious Bloodcloak Guard, he was not a man addicted to cruelty.
Everyone sent to the Bloodcloak Guard prison would be subjected to torture, but Lucan Lu disliked being greeted by the stench of blood and rot—such things disrupted his work.
So the Bloodcloak Guard prison stayed relatively clean. After all, it was only for holding prisoners—the real business happened deeper inside, in the Punishment Room.
And it was the Punishment Room that Serena Feng was headed for.
"You there, unlock her ankle chains." At Commander Lucan Lu's order, Serena Feng's feet were freed.
Serena Feng paused, then nodded politely to Lucan Lu. "Thank you, Commander."
"You're not afraid of me?" As the guards unlocked her chains, Lucan Lu finally voiced his question.
There were few in this world who didn't fear him.
"What's there to fear? Commander, you're just a man like anyone else. Even if I were afraid, would you let me go? You wouldn't."
Serena Feng answered herself, a hint of casual ease in her expression.
Having come this far, Serena Feng knew her only option was to save herself. If she couldn't, then the only choice left would be death.
Better to cling to life than die well. For now, she didn't want to die, and Lucan Lu was the key to her survival.
"You're honest, I'll give you that. Whether you fear me or not, I won't let you go. Anyone who enters the Bloodcloak Guard faces torture, guilty or not. There are eighteen punishments—Miss Feng, are you interested in trying them all?" Lucan Lu's eyes flashed darkly as he spoke.
Serena Feng shook her head. "I'm not a masochist. Honestly, I have no interest in any of those punishments."
With her ankles free, Serena Feng kept walking, making small talk with Commander Lucan Lu as she went.
To find a person's weakness, you must first understand them.
"Unfortunately, once you're in the Bloodcloak Guard, it doesn't matter if you're interested or not—you'll experience them all. In the past twenty years, including you, only two women have ever entered this place." Lucan Lu seemed to remember something, letting out a barely audible sigh. If Serena Feng hadn't been watching him so closely, she wouldn't have noticed.
"Is that so? Who was the other lucky woman?" Serena Feng's mind raced—maybe this woman was a clue.
"Your mother, Madame Feng." Lucan Lu didn't hide it. "She endured whipping, branding, scrubbing, and being fried in oil. Just as the Bloodcloak Guard was about to put her in a heavy cangue, your father stormed in alone and took her away."
"My mother? My father?" Serena Feng was stunned.
No way. What are the odds?
"That's right. Your mother endured four of the worst punishments without making a sound. I wonder if you can surpass her? After all, there's no fearless General Feng to save you now." Lucan Lu's voice dripped with mockery.
From the moment Serena Feng started talking to him, Lucan Lu knew what she was after. He deliberately steered the conversation this way.
Serena Feng, you performed well at the Royal Villa, but you're still just a little girl. Playing mind games with me? You're not in my league.
Serena Feng rolled her eyes in annoyance.
No one wants to 'surpass' their mother in something like this.
So sly and cunning—no wonder he ended up head of the secret police, Serena thought to herself.
"Miss Feng, stop scheming. We're at the Punishment Room. Don't worry, I'll stick to procedure." Lucan Lu gave a cold smile. Suddenly, Serena Feng caught a strong whiff of blood.
Ugh...
Even someone used to the smell of blood like her couldn't help but gag. But strangely, there were no screams.
It was as if Lucan Lu could read her mind. Before Serena Feng could ask, he explained, "Strange, isn't it? No screams, even though the cells are full. Don't wonder—all these people confessed. Their tongues are useless now, so I had them all ripped out."
"How could you—" This time, Serena Feng truly lost her composure.
Rip out their tongues!
Once you enter the Bloodcloak Guard, even if you survive, you're ruined.
Such a cruel punishment.
Serena Feng felt a chill run through her whole body, as if she'd fallen into an ice pit.
These people—they simply don't see others as human.
Lucan Lu turned and grinned, showing his white teeth. "Don't worry, Miss Feng. I like hearing women scream, so go ahead and shout as loud as you want—I won't rip out your tongue."
"You pervert!" Serena Feng couldn't hold back and cursed him outright.
"Hahaha, say whatever you want. As long as you still have the strength to curse me after leaving the Punishment Room." Lucan Lu stopped talking and halted in front of a stone chamber. The men behind him stepped up and opened the door.
Damn! Serena Feng realized too late that she'd fallen into Lucan Lu's trap, letting him control the conversation and failing to find any opening in him—instead, she'd gotten swept up in his rhythm.
Wait, what did Lucan Lu just say? He likes hearing women scream?
Serena Feng's eyes lit up. She remembered—Lucan Lu's gait was a little odd.
Serena Feng felt a surge of hope. She'd found a way to save herself.
Click!
The door unlocked. Lucan Lu turned and motioned for Serena Feng to enter, but was met with her half-smiling, half-mocking expression. He frowned, wondering what trick she was up to now—her face had changed in an instant.
"Commander, could we speak privately for a moment?" Serena Feng's gaze was clear, as if she could see right through him.
Lucan Lu felt flustered and was about to snap, when Serena Feng added, "Commander, I can solve that problem that's been troubling you. I guarantee it's more effective than anything you've been drinking."
Mostly guesswork, partly calculated—Serena Feng was taking a bold, strategic risk.
This was a matter of a man's pride and dignity. Serena Feng was sure Lucan Lu would take the bait.
Her teacher once said: doctors are a frightening profession, because patients have no privacy before them. Some unscrupulous doctors even use that knowledge to blackmail.
Now Serena Feng was playing the part of an unscrupulous doctor, using her patient's private troubles to buy herself time.
Lucan Lu was shocked, though his face showed nothing. But Serena Feng caught a tiny shift at the corner of his eye—she knew he'd taken the bait.
"Commander, I'm just a weak woman. Even if no one else is here, I couldn't escape. Why not give yourself a chance? I wouldn't dare harm you." Serena Feng smiled confidently.
Everyone has a weakness. All you have to do is find it and strike.
Lucan Lu hesitated, struggling internally. But under Serena Feng's knowing look, he finally nodded. "Fine. I'll give you a chance."
Just as Serena Feng said—he had nothing to lose.
Whew...
A chance to survive!
Serena Feng's eyes sparkled with hope!