Prince Houyi irritatedly looked down at the bruised and miserable Bao Zhun for a long time before saying, "Look, I don't want to hurt you. Your father has shown great loyalty to my family so I would rather not kill you. Just tell me where they went and we can all put this behind us. I will even reward you."

When his heartfelt plea was met with disdainful silence accompanied with a glare, Prince Houyi let out a breath in frustration as he leaned forward and once again tried to appeal to Bao Zhun's common sense, "I don't want to hurt them. We grew up together. I would never hurt them, I just need their help - like they need my help. I am on their side, so let's end this, take me-"

"I don't know if you're deaf or just stupid. I've told you I don't know where they went! So stop wasting my time, either kill me or release me." Bao Zhun condescendingly bit out. He was not lying, he truly did not know where the Chun siblings and their uncle went.

After nursing Chun Hua's injuries for a few days, the siblings and their uncle had upped and disappeared, knowing that Prince Houyi was most likely on his way to Jui kingdom. They knew him too well to think that he would just forget about them because they escaped. And with Monk Du now gone, it would be foolish of them to stay here knowing that Prince Houyi could easily locate this place.

Bao Zhun had wanted to follow them but Chun Hai spoke sense to him and this time, Bao Zhun finally stopped to think before acting. Chun Hai had told him that Monk Du had resolved the matter with Long country.

But there were still the Zou King's orders to consider. It did not matter for the Chun siblings as they had nothing left in Zou, but Bao Zhun still had his family there. If he did not return, it could cause trouble for them. He had already done more than a friend should. It would be too foolish for him to leave his whole life behind for a woman who clearly did not want him.

Chun Hua had not even spared him a glance since that night in Prince Houyi's secret manor. She had actually been ignoring all of them since that night. It seemed the incident had left her deeply scarred. Bao Zhun was worried about her but he understood that some things needed to end. It was time to let go.

So he said his farewells, Chun Hua still refused to look at him, the uncle thanked him and Chun Hai gave him one of those little blue orbs they had used to escape Long country - Apparently, it was a 'thank you' from Monk Du for aiding his charges. Chun Hai explained that all he had to do was visualize his home, then break the orb under his foot, and in a flash, he would be home.

Still, Bao Zhun was not in a rush. Although it was simple enough, Bao Zhun was not at all confident about transporting with the blue orb on his own. Anything could go wrong. So he sent a message home advising them that he was on his way back and opted for the scenic route home.

Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, Bao Zhun encountered some of Prince Houyi's men. He fought hard but before he could use the blue orb to escape, he was overpowered and captured. They dragged him back to the Chun siblings' manor where a furious Prince Houyi was waiting.

It had been a few days since then and he had been starved, beaten, and tortured for answers he did not know. Of course, he had asked them where they were going but Chun Hai, in his endless wisdom, said that it was better if he did not know. It stung a little then, but Bao Zhun could argue it. If he did not know, then he could not go find them, and neither could he lead anyone to them.

With that one statement, he knew he would never see them again...never see her again.

"Since you continue to insist on stubbornness, then you cannot blame me for being harsh." Prince Houyi's voice brought Bao ZHun out of his thoughts. He was hauled to his feet, thrown in a chair, and then his wrist was held down on the table.

"Wait! What are you doing?!" Bao Zhun asked in a panic as Prince Houyi got up from his chair and approached him, nonchalantly appraising the knife in his hand.

"We are going to start with your fingers. One for each hour that you do not tell me where they are. If your memory still fails you, then we have your toes and other attachments...until we get to your head. At that point, I will be left with no choice but to believe you.." Prince Houyi said with a smile as he raised the knife in his hand.

Bao Zhun's eyes went wide and he struggled against the men holding him down, "Wait! Y-you can't be serious?!"

"I advise you to keep still. Moving targets are never easy even for someone as skilled as I." Prince Houyi kindly advised.

"I really don't know! I swear, I- AHHHHHHHH!" Bao Zhun's pleas were swallowed as Prince Houyi brought the knife down, severing the pinky finger of Bao Zhun's left hand.

"Anything come to mind now?" Prince Houyi asked as he wiped the knife clean with a cloth. All he got in response was Bao Zhun's anguished groans. Prince Houyi frowned, he tossed the cloth on the table and threw the knife to one of his men, "I assure you that I take very little p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e in maiming people. It is best if you cooperate early, you have one hour." He coldly said and then turned and left the room.

Prince Houyi stopped when he got outside with a deep frown on his face. He had considered the possibility that Bao Zhun did not know where they went, but the problem was that if Bao Zhun did not know then where was he supposed to go find them. This was the only home the Chun siblings had ever known. Actually, on deeper thought, there was one more place. He remembered the siblings mentioning that they had stayed with the Monk in the forest for a while before he brought them to their uncle.

But Prince Houyi had no idea what country the residence was in, much less the actual location. Bao Zhun had to know, and even if he did not, he had made himself enough of an eyesore. Besides, his death could always be blamed elsewhere.

Prince Houyi let out a heavy breath and resumed walking. Why do things always seem so complicated for him? The people who were closest to him, who he thought would always stand by him, have turned their backs on him now when he needed them most. His father has already reached a breaking point but his grandfather is still too stubborn to listen. If he went back empty-handed like this, it would not be long until the sword is driven through him.

Prince Houyi suddenly stopped as he turned the corner and saw a few of his guards leading his brother and his men, more irritatingly Bao Zhun's father towards him. The party stopped in front of him and bowed, while his brother smiled at him as he went, "I finally get to see you. You've led me on quite a journey."

"What are you doing here?" Prince Houyi asked, frowning at his brother, not at all amused.

"I was tasked with bringing you home." Prince Yul casually responded, scanning the men behind his brother and then glancing at Bao Zhun's father, who was stretching his neck doing the same - looking for his son.

"Go back. I'm busy." Prince Houyi said, brushing past them. Prince Yul blocked his way but before he could open his mouth, Bao Zhun's father beat him to it, "Um, Your Highness, I'm sorry but...where is my son?"

Prince Houyi turned to the old man with a raised eyebrow, "Your son?" He asked, it was as if he just noticed his presence

Bao Zhun's father nodded and kept his head respectfully lowered as he answered, "Yes. Bao Zhun... Your letter said he was with you."

"I am sure he's around here somewhere. Just have someone lead the way, I have a few things to discuss with him as well." Prince Yul said, smiling at his brother.

Prince Houyi's irritation ebbed a bit as he thought that this might not be too bad. Since Bao Zhun did not seem to care much about his own life, he will probably care about his father's. Although his brother here could be a problem, he would be persuaded to fall in line. After all, all he was working for was for the benefit of both of them.

"Escort the general to his son, I'm certain Bao Zhun will be happy for the company." Prince Houyi cordially said to Bao Zhun's father, "I hope for your sake you will be able to talk sense into your son General."

Bao Zhun's father knit his brows not quite understanding the situation here but still, he bowed and said, "Thank you Your Highness for looking after my son."

Prince Houyi turned to his brother and flatly said, "Follow me." As he brushed past them.

"Don't worry, I will talk to him." Prince Yul quietly reassured Bao Zhun's father with a smile, before turning to follow his brother.? after

"Thank you." Bao Zhun's father said with a bow before he was shoved in the direction of the torture chamber. When he entered the room and saw Bao Zhun, he froze as he saw his only son's battered in the corner.

"Father -" Bao Zhun inhaled in shock and then he quickly lowered his head with a frown, hiding his mutilated hand in his shirt, "What are you doing here?"

Bao Zhun's father snapped out of it and walked over with a frown, he crouched in front of Bao Zhun and sat him as he looked him over, "Look what you've done to yourself? Was it worth it in the end, huh? Were you seriously going to ruin yourself like this over some random woman? How could you fight the Prince because of a woman?!" He got angrier the more he talked, "What exactly were you thinking?!" He barked, slapping Bao Zhun's arm.

Bao Zhun grabbed his arm, forgetting his injury, "Father! I didn't do anything wrong! It's that stupid prince t- Ow!" His father slapped his head, "Be respectful! Are you not in enough trouble al- What? Your hand..." His father went still, his eyes fixed on the stub oozing blood on his son's hand.

Bao Zhun quickly remembered his situation and put his injured hand back in his shirt, hiding it and lowering his head again with a frown. It took his father a few moments to regain himself as the magnitude of the trouble his son had brought dawned on him. Prince Houyi was not a forgiving man, yet his stupid son refused to listen to reason. The man plopped down next to his son on the ground and let out a heavy sigh, "We're in trouble..."