Something to Live For (Li Wang)

[Tony Stark]

It had been a few years since Zhao Fai left his home in Jian Xia. The memories were to thick in Jian Xia. The darkness of his past was too heavy to wade through. Fai's future, in his opinion, would stay just as dark if he stayed in Jian Xia. Having left his home with scarcely any gold to his name, Zhao Fai lived off of what he could make. The occasional body guard work, the occasional tournament, and the occasional farming. Once the most promising prospect to come out of Jian Xia, he was now almost a homeless beggar. How the Gods had frowned upon his fortune...

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Well, this must be Jian An. looks like I've made it.[/color]

Having spent a year wandering southern China, Zhao Fai seemed to have made it to Jian An. His raven black hair was tied up loosely atop his head, and he carried his armor in a large burlap sack stuffed with cloth to help reduce the noise. His swords were at his side and was the only sign that this man could have once been something important and worthwhile. Every step he took was like walking through thick mud; he had been walking for 12 hours straight, and by this time his legs were on fire. Beneath his leather armor was the cloth outfit of a commoner, drenched in sweat. The sun was just setting.

He approached the front gates, and he was met by two guards who eyed him with suspicion. One guard unsheathed his sword ever so slightly, just in case Zhao Fai was an undesirable. He was the one to speak first.

"May we help you?"

Zhao Fai smiled as politely as possible, but his body was too tired to muster any sort of false respect.

"I am just a traveler looking for work and a place to rest my head. "

"Where are you coming here from?"

"I've been through most of southern China. My last place of residence was Cheng Sha."

"Is that where you're from?"

"No. I am from Jian Xia, but there was nothing for me there. I hope to create my future in a new city, which has brought me to Jian An. I have heard marvelous things about Wu, and I hope to find a job here."

Zhao Fai thought about also mentioning raising a family, but he didn't want to lie to these men. Zhao Fai had no intention on ever raising another family. The new would never live outside the shadow of the old. The two guards looked at each other, nodded, and granted Zhao Fai entrance. Perhaps they were in a good mood, or perhaps the slight shake in Zhao Fai's voice brought out a sense of pity from them. Either way, Zhao Fai was now in the city.

There was an old inn and tavern located about 100 meters away from the front gate, and Zhao Fai saw the sign right away. As he made his way there, Fai could feel the stares from the politicians, the blacksmiths, and even the children. Who was this sweaty sack of shit that the cat dragged in? Fai had grown used to it. He was comfortable being looked down upon, because in truth he looked down upon himself.

Fai, you need a drink.

He entered the tavern and was greeted by an elderly woman who immediately asked if he needed a room.

"Yes, ma'am, I would like to rent a room for a month. However, I would ask that my down payment be the ten gold I have to my name. I am looking for work tomorrow, and will pay you the difference as soon as I am able."

No fancy talk. No big words. Just the honesty of a man who had lost it all.

Fai handed the ten gold to the woman and was lead to his room. She showed him where the toilet was, as well as the wash area. The first thing Fai did was take a cold bath; he then soaked his sweaty clothes while he dressed in his second set. Once he had combed his hair, he rung his wet clothes out and set them on the desk to dry as he made his way down to the tavern.

It wasn't too packed in the tavern. There were a few people at the bar and a loud, obnoxious group of young soldiers in the corner. Fai hoped that their presence was not foreshadowing a conflict later in this post.

Fai grabbed a stool at the bar and motioned for the bartender.

"I'll be starting a tab for room 11. Give me your cheapest drink."

Fai was given a cup of cheap wine, but the answers to his problems weren't in the bottom of that drink. So, he tried looking for them in another... and another... and another...

Soon, Fai had a formidable buzz, and the noise from the group of soldiers was starting to irritate him. Fai got up from his stool and walked over to the group, and tried to resolve the conflict in a nice, peaceful manner.

"Say, would you guys mind maybe keeping it down a little bit?"

The soldier's looked at each other, and laughed. The soldier closest to Zhao Fai was the one to respond.

"How about if you get on the ground and beg like a dog, we'll consider it."

"Um... or you could just be quiet."

"Now I'm not asking you. I'm telling you... beg."

Zhao Fai was not about to be told off by seven soldiers who were almost 8 years younger than he was. Zhao Fai didn't take shit like that from anybody. Especially when he was drunk.

"Listen, poppy face, I'll tell you what. You meet me in that clearing outside of Jian An in 10 minutes and we'll settle this like men. I will fight each and every one of you butt pirates, and if I win, you never come back to this bleeping tavern again. If you win, then I'll beg."

This made the men laugh even harder. "Listen, you don't know who you're dealing with."

"I guess we could up the stakes... if you win, I won't fornicate your sister again."

The men didn't laugh this time, and the man who Zhao Fai was talking to didn't like the joke.

"You watch your mouth. My sister is only 16, you will not talk about her like that."

"I figured as much. She was a little tight to be 18."

"Alright, that's it. We'll see you there in 10 minutes. And I'm going to kill you."


Zhao Fai strutted away and up to his room to grab his weapons. Was that the smartest thing he had ever done? No, probably not. He really didn't have any idea who he was dealing with. Those men could be generals in Sun Ce's army, and Zhao Fai could have just signed his death warrant. But Fai would take his chances. He'd at least go out with some swords in his hands.

Fai exited the city to find the men waiting there for him. The same guards, too, were present as they stood at their post.

"What are you guys doing?"

"Well, this guy is mad that I fornicated his sister so we're gonna fight about it. As long as we're not in Jian An it's cool, right?"

"... As soon as I see more blood than necessary, I'm stepping in and you're all going to jail."


Zhao Fai did not have a chance to respond to the guard, because the man Fai had been verbally berating was on him like a wolf. With only the light of the torches to go off of, Fai drew his Jian with his left hand and began his defense.

Even drunk, Fai was able to match this soldier blow for blow. His Jian darted around his body like lightning, smacking his opponent's sword away left and right. As relaxed and apathetic as his body looked, he was still standing on the balls of his feet, retreating in a circle as his attacker continued to press the assault. Fai was waiting for his opponent to make a mistake... there it was.

Fai's opponent took one step forward too many, and Fai thrusted his right shoulder forward and threw his right hand down towards his Dao. Immediately his attacker retreated, assuming Fai would draw his second weapon, but it was not so. It was simply a faint, and the man fell for it. It was Fai who was now on the attack.

Fai attacked this man from all angles, spinning and wheeling as his weapon flew at his opponent as if Fai were dancing a ballet. Each motion and movement seemed to mesh together fluidly. Fai attacked with the same tempo that his opponent had attacked with. His opponent would simply assume that this was his maximum pace, until...

Fai pumped up the tempo and his opponent could not keep up. Unable to focus on Fai and the terrain at the same time, Fai's opponent had been maneuvered in front of a log,and took one step backwards too many. Fai's opponent tripped over the log, and fell on his back; Fai pounce immediately, and was on top of the man with his sword at his neck.

He stayed there motionless for a few seconds just to be dramatic.

"You guys aren't ever coming back to that tavern, are you?"

"...No."

"Yeah, that's what I thought. Now call me daddy."

"... yes, daddy."

"Mmm... I like that. Now get out of here."

Fai stood up and addressed the other soldiers watching.

"Listen, if any of you guy want to fight, feel free to come at me. But know that the more people I fight, the less likely I am to leave any of you alive."

While it was obviously a dry threat, the other men didn't want to take any chances with this drunken berserker. They picked up their friend as quickly as possible, and left. Fai sheathed his sword, and walked back into Jian An... but was stopped by the guard he had talked to earlier.

"You said you were looking for work...? You have skills that shouldn't be wasted doing menial tasks. Go to the palace, say Cai Da sent you. You'll find work worthy of those skills."

Fai nodded drunkenly to the man, and walked back to the tavern. After having a couple more drinks he went to bed, so that he could get up early and make it to the palace the next day.

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"Cai Da sent me, he said I would find some work here?"

"Yes, Cai Da said you would be coming. We informed Li Wang of your arrival, please follow us."


Zhao Fai, after showering and shaving, had made his way to the palace. Hopefully he would find some good work here in Jian An. Hopefully fortune would smile on him once more.

[Li Wang]

OOC: Lu Fei's right. Try to keep it PG13 (with innuedos placed in such a way that those who shouldn't get it don't). As for the time frame, I'm going to start off with this occurring one week before the march to Wu, as I'm in Wu at the moment and can't be in two places at once.
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Chapter 1: The Dilemma

One week ago

It was crunch time for the military of the Sun clan; in two weeks, the army would be marching towards Wu to conquer the land in the name of Sun Ce. Or Yuan Shu, depending on if you were a vassal of the false emperor or not. Li was not.

This night, Li sat in his quarters (the rather lavish commander's quarters in the military district, secondary only to those Prefect Huang Gai occupied in the government building) reviewing reports from a menagerie of different sectors; blacksmiths, who claimed they needed more iron to make the weapons the military needed. Granaries, who affirmed that the campaign would come close to exceeding the maximum allotted food for military ventures. Seamstresses who wanted to be paid more for the uniforms. And, most important of all, reports of saboteurs dismantling all the siege weapons. Li cursed as he thought of them; there would be no time now to rebuild them.

Of course, the only city significantly large enough to use them on is Shou Chun. Damn! Shou Chun will still fall!

Li Wang sighed as he reread that particular report; of course the saboteurs were Yuan Shu's. Liu Biao and Sun Ce had a sort of uneasy truce at the moment, whereas Sun Ce was a vassal of dubious loyalty to Yuan Shu; Sun planned to kill Yuan at a later date, but Yuan seemed to have just recently begun to suspect this. Well, Li would just have to make certain those spies did not escape the city. He hurriedly summoned his aide, Captain Dailai Zangzhuo.

Captain, ride immediately to Jian Ye. Inform our lord Sun or whoever is in charge that the border between Jian Ye and Shou Chun is to be closely guarded, and all who attempt to leave are to be interrogated pending results of interrogations here. Li paused for a moment as Dailai confirmed his order. And send in Colonel Huangfu on your way out.

Yes! With that, the man made his exit. Li knew that he would reach Jian Ye within 2 days, and already knew there were saboteurs in the region. Dailai would be careful.

You summoned me, sir? His executive officer, Huangfu Liang, stood in the doorway. He would quickly be sprinting out of it.

Seal the gates. Nobody is to leave the city by dark. Lit torches are to be placed so that the wall is brightly illuminated, and guards are to be stationed everywhere. After that, inform the border guards between us and Liu Biao that the border is to be sealed. Do it immediately, colonel; there are spies in Jian An. Li Wang's voice carried such a sense of urgency that the man did not even stop to salute him; as soon as the words were out of Li's mouth, Huangfu was sprinting out of his quarters, heading straight for a group of four officers assembled outside a lit house. Within seconds, Huangfu and three of them were sprinting to each gate, while the fourth man went into the house to relay news to the officers within. In short order, the whole officer district was busy, some headed to the walls, others to the barracks to pick guards. Li Wang barely gave it a thought as a new report, one from a gate guard named Cai Da, mentioned an impressive warrior who'd just made short work of the best swordsman of the enlisted ranks, and Cai suspected he'd be a match for many of the officers as well. He said that Li could expect to meet this man soon. Li was intrigued.

Perhaps this man can help me with my dilemma. Li thought; he could either let the spies continue to sabotage Jian An's military and in result lead a less effective fight against Shou Chun, or he could take action against them and possibly alienate one of the two people the Sun clan could not afford to get on the wrong side of at the present. But if a man not yet in the employ of Sun Ce did this... Li eagerly set off to the palace to await the warriors arrival, and happened to arrive in his office moments before the warrior did so.

As the warrior was brought in, Li immediately noticed that the man had just showered and shaved, judging by the complete lack of facial hair on his unusually pink face; it seemed to be used to being grimy. Good, he's accustomed to a rough life, but could show tact where needed. He also noticed that the man appeared to be in his late twenties, compared to Li's youthful face of twenty. Let's just hope he doesn't take offense to taking orders from a general 10 years younger than him he mused as he rose to greet him.

Greetings, warrior. I am Tiger General Li Wang, as these gentlemen escorting you have probably informed you. What might your name be? He mentally winced; that was the one bad thing about his youth; he always sounded to eager to please. He hoped the man standing across from him didn't notice that.


Related subplot: A Strained Relationship

[Tony Stark]

The man in front of him was young, perhaps in his early twenties. He looked energetic, full of life... he reminded Fai of himself when he was younger. So full of potential before he and alcohol became good friends. If this man was a General... yes, this was what Fai had been waiting for. The chance to fight again, a chance to find something to believe in. Fai bowed politely as the man introduced himself.

"My name, General Wang, is Zhao Fai. I am a former captain in the Jian Xia militia, but I would promise you that my skills exceed that of my former rank. I am a veteran of many battles, and while it has been a few years since my last former battle, I would again make the promise that my abilities are not rusted in the slightest. I was told I would be able to find work here. Anything would be greatly appreciated."

Fai bowed again, enjoying the irony of bowing to someone many years younger than he was. But then again, to become a General at such a young age, one must possess talent and drive, and Fai would gladly bow to that.

[Li Wang]

Chapter 2: The Assignment

General Li listened intently as the man, Zhao Fai, he'd said, told of his former rank and current skill; as if he'd needed to. According to Sergeant Cai Da at the west gate, he'd displayed great skill with twin blades, disarming one opponent and intimidating seven others into inaction. It was quite a feat, and he was definitely not a common soldier; Zhao hadn't needed to tell him that after his display. Perhaps he wasn't yet General material, judging by the alcohol on his breath, but he would certainly make a good officer.

In that case, I'll start you as a major, and you may work your way up from there. Your first job will be to to organize a force to capture and interrogate your spies. He paused, reflecting on the man's combat abilities I hope you'll be able to help us prepare for the campaigns to come, Major. Another pause, this time to reflect upon the absurdity of a twenty year old general giving orders to a thirty year old captain... in fact, just the absurdity of a twenty year old general. Li was suddenly self conscious about his youth, despite the fact that he was beginning to feel closer to the captain's age.

My life is easier now for having met you, Major. Report back tomorrow for your next task. He smiled and shook hands, then bent back down to continue poring over his reports, a silent yet respectful dismissal; he did not wish to appear rude by dismissing a man at least 10 years his senior.

[Tony Stark]

Fai shook the General's hand, and bowed once more.

"The day is still young, sir. I will return tomorrow with not just a force, but with at least one spy."

True, it was a bold claim, but it wasn't even noon yet. That was 12 hours to find someone who may know something about the undesirables within the city walls, and to make contact with one. He reached the front doors of the palace, but then Fai asked something a bit strange of the guards.

"Would you two fine men mind throwing me down the front steps?"

The two men, although puzzled, agreed. The threw open the doors, grabbed Fai (who struggled beautifully), and flung Fai down the stairs. Fai, who was prepared, was able to catch himself as he fell; to the plain eye, it would have looked as if somebody was on Wu's wrong side. Fai got up, spit on the front steps, and gave the two guards a quick wink. He then strutted off back to the tavern to begin his task.

[Tony Stark]

INSERT "TO CATCH A PREDATOR" HERE[/I]


It was 8 o' clock in the morning. Fai had been up all night, but he was still full of energy. He had ran down to take a quick bath the night before while the spy he had subdued slept peacefully in a drug and alcohol induced black-out. Fai was now dressed in his battle armor, dressed from head to toe like the Major he was. He had gone to the drug dealer's room (the one who had given Fai the Ma Huang) and returned the stash. He hadn't, however, given the man any money. He had also gone down to the guards and said that there may or may not be a bunch of drug addicts coming into the tavern to buy drugs from Fai's room. Fai would probably need to find a new place to stay.

Once he got back to his room, he slapped his captive in the face, and the spy jolted awake.

"Wha-? Where am I?"

"My name is Major Zhao Fai with the Wu army. You, sir, are under arrest for espionage. Anything you say can, and will, get you punched in the stomach."

"Yeah, well fu-"

Fai proceeded to punch the spy as hard as he could in the stomach. The spy shut up immediately, gasping for air.

"Now that we understand each other, I will escort you to the palace, sir."

Fai hefted the man up and out of the room. He escorted his prisoner all the way to the palace, where he was met by two guards.

"Major Fai, may we ask who you are bringing into the palace?"

"I don't know his name, but he's a spy. I need to bring him to Li Wang. If you could open the- thank you, sir. Have a nice day.."

Fai then brought the man to the door of Li Wang's office, and knocked twice.

[Li Wang]

Chapter 3: The Shadow Is Brought To Light

6 days ago

The Tiger General jolted awake as the knock came on his door; apparently, he'd fallen asleep after finishing poring through the reports. He checked the position of the sun; it was approximately 8 o'clock. Though Li did not know it, he'd fallen asleep at 4 in the morning, bringing his spree of sleepless nights to an end. He determined to work quickly today; he needed to rest before the battle.

The General shook himself from his reverie and looked at the door, wondering who could possibly be coming to deliver a report this early. That was when he remembered his newly recruited major's brash promise from the night before. No way... he thought. If this man had already caught one of the spies, he personally see to it he was rewarded. With some sort of armor or shield or something... ale? Eh, whatever he wants (within reason, mind you), he'll have it. But what he said aloud was:

Come in! He used one hand to rub the sleep from his eyes as the other attempted to reorganize the stack of reports.

[Tony Stark]

After the brief pause, Zhao Fai was called into the room. He opened the door and issued his captive forward. He forced the man into a chair close to the wall, and then Fai stood at attention.

"Sir, I present to you one of the spies within the walls of Jian An. I have not asked his name, but I know that he is here to bring information to Yuan Shu. If you wish for assistance in his interrogation, it would be an honor to help with this process. If not, then I await further orders, sir."

[Li Wang]

Chapter 4: Consumed By Dark

The Tiger General took one look at the spy, then crossed around the desk to examine his face. The man was certainly more terrified than confused, enough proof that he was guilty of something the military would care about. Oddly, Li did not question Major Fai's assessment that the man was a spy; he had not brought a man in just to satisfy the conditions of his bet. Though, admittedly, he is about 8 hours late. But this certainly was good.

Li finished studying the man, then without the least bit of warning, struck out with the heel of his palm, pushing it into the spy's nose, breaking it with the least effort. The spy howled with pain as he toppled backward, and howled again when his head struck the wall, bouncing him onto the ground on his side. Li let him lie there, writhing in pain as the spy attempted to bring his bound hands to his face.

Good job, Major. Get him on his feet, then follow me. Li waited for Major Fai to hoist the spy, then walked out his open door, where the pair of guards were studiously pretending not to have seen Li break the spy's nose. Sergeant, help the good Major with our "guest." Corporal, go get some one to clean up the mess; it seems that his nose is a magnet for walls. Then inform the Captain of the Guard that the both of you are to have the rest of the day off, and that he'd better rummage up some replacements for the day. The General had grinned charismatically and winked confidentially as they hurried to accomplish their assigned task, barely suppressing laughter.

Li led the Major and the Sergeant down to the palace dungeon, stopping when they reached a small room of stone, dried blood splattered on some of the walls. He stood aside, a clear gesture for the men to hurl the spy inside. He would enter once they did so. The Tiger General had a whole list of questions for the spy, who would hopefully see the wisdom in answering truthfully. If not... his nose would be the least of his worries.

[Tony Stark]

Fai hoisted the spy up firmly by the shirt, and almost had to drag him along to the room. The room was small and cold, with dry blood painting a picture across the walls of the past undesirables who had entered the room. There was a small table about 5 feet away from the chair which sat in the center of the room. On the table was a clean, white cloth with a plethora of tools used in torture (or in this case, an interrogation.)

Fai dragged the man in, and tied him down in the chair. Then, he walked over to the table. He was almost surprised by the amount of tools present; everything from the thumbcrusher to an appliance that could be used to rip off fingernails and pull out teeth. Fai slowly removed his armor, making sure that the spy was able to watch. Once Fai had removed his armor and set it up against a wall, he picked up a set of brass knuckles and put them on his left hand.

As he examined and admired how well the brass knuckles fit on his hand, he walked over to the man. He then drove his left fist into the man's forearm. He held back, making sure he didn't break the man's arm... just gave him a severe tissue bruise.

"When I was in Jian Xia, we called people like you "the undesirables". And, honestly, I like to think that we disposed of the undesirables in Jian Xia in very unique ways. We would fill vats with acid, and then set up two poles for their legs to rest on while they laid above the vat. Eventually they couldn't hold themselves upright anymore, and their upper body would fall into the vat, and they would die from chemical burns. Another technique we used, and this was my favorite, was that we would hang them over three, maybe four bamboo plants, which were sharpened. Eventually, the bamboo would grow and force itself into the undesirable's body, and they would die. I also once filled a man's anus with fire ants. That one was interesting..."

Fai backhanded the spy with his left hand, and the man cried out in pain as his bloody spit covered the floor.

"We can do this the easy way, or the fun way. The easy way involves you answering whatever questions we ask you. The fun way involves us working the questions out of you. And I have some ideas that I've been wanting to try out. I know you've been trained against these types of situations..."

Fai drove a heel into the man's crotch. He began to dry heave.

"But you've never had to deal with Zhao Fai before. General, your turn."

[Li Wang]

Chapter 5: The Incentive

Wang frowned a little at the excess brutality, but he made sure to do it when neither the prisoner or the Major could see it. The last thing he needed was a prisoner exploiting the benefits of an interrogator who had to hold back.

Wang moved over to the man after a quick Thank you, Major. Now that Fai was done with the preemptive beating, Li took a moment to examine the man. Bloody lip and a bruised forearm, but otherwise alright. Wang made sure to make eye contact when he asked: I think you and I both agree that the Major here was very clear what he'd do to you if you refuse to cooperate. However, I think you should know that if you're not afraid yet... Wang seized the spy's larnyx in the blink of an eye, squeezing with enough force that he'd soon be in danger of suffocating the man. Once he got to the point that the spy panicked, he made sure to add a little extra taste of pain; he took his other hand and slammed his hand into the man's crotch, and then squeezed as hard as he could, sending pain shooting up the man's nervous system. The spy began to cry, and after that went on for a few seconds (and Wang began to worry he might crush the man's larnyx), he released him.

The spy howled, trying to get free of the chair judging by his thrashings, his crotch hurt worse than his throat.

Now, do you understand me? Are you going to cooperate?

The spy tried to spit in his face, but only succeeded in choking on his own blood. Fu... Fu... you, asshole!

Now, need I remind you what happens so soon after that last incident? Wang threatened as he carefully selected a tool from the tray on the table. The one he chose was a rather thick spike. This particular instrument, if applied correctly, will sever muscles and you will lose the use of whatever those muscles are attached to. Wang paused for effect. Now, what's your name?

Ma Huang. The spy could barely keep from laughing, but even if he'd kept a straight face, Wang would not have been fooled. Without even stopping to pick up a mallet, Wang drove the spike into the spy's left hand.

Major, I leave him to you. I'll check in tomorrow.

Wang walked out the door, where the same guards from earlier stood waiting. How on earth did the second one find me... The Blood Trail he whispered.

Sergeant, Corporal, get a squad together. We're going to the market district. Wang did not pause, and sprinted straight to Prefect Huang's office.

[Tony Stark]

"Thank you, General. I will have the information you need by the end of the night."

With that, The General left the room. As the guards within the room were about to leave as well, Zhao Fai flagged for one of them to stay.

"I might need something later today. Come back in about 2 hours, but not after you bring me a jug of wine and about 30 candles. You are dismissed."


With that, Zhao Fai was left in the room alone with the prisoner. The room was as dark, and only the screams of the prisoner filled the room. Fai paced around the room silently, and occasionally would clap, or snap his fingers. It echoed softly within the room, and only gave the prisoner a small guess as to where Fai was. Once the guard returned with the wine and the candles.

He used the one lit candle he had to light the rest of the candles lining the walls. Although he was silent, the screams of the prisoner echoed within the room. Once all the candles were lit, the room had a very creepy, very dangerous feel to it. The prisoner had finished screaming by this time, so Fai walked over to him and removed the hammer from his hand. He took the hammer, and set it on the lower level of the table. He then walked back to the prisoner. He leaned on his knees until he was at eye level with the prisoner.

"I don't think Ma Huang is your name. However, I will give you one more chance to tell me your name. Otherwise, I will continue this torture."

The prisoner just looked at Fai, silently. There was a sense of horror in his eyes, but he was still a patriot of his country. He would not say a word until it was all he could do to survive.

Fai stood up, nodded slowly, and walked over to the table. He grabbed a set of pliers, and walked back over to the prisoner.

"Tell me... have you ever had a fingernail ripped out?"

The man didn't say a word. He only looked at Fai with a determined sense of honor. However, his lower lip was quivering slightly; this was a good sign. Fai was starting to get somewhere.

"Well, I guess there's a first time for everything.

The first fingernail to go was his thumb nail. The screams were loud, and Fai punched the man again.

"Unless the noise coming out of your mouth is the answer to my questions, you will make no sound."

The second nail to go was his index finger. As the man muffled his screams, Fai was halfway through ripping off his middle finger's nail before the spy screamed out.

"Yuan Kai! My name is Yuan Kai!"

Fai stopped ripping out his nail, and looked at the spy.

"Yuan Kai, huh? Interesting..."

Fai finished ripping out the man's nail, and he did so extremely slowly. Yuan Kai's muffled screams of agony would have made Zhao Fai cringe... if Fai had any sort of respect for this man.


Once he finished ripping out the man's three nails, he slapped Yuan Kai in the face.

"Open your mouth... are you hungry? I'll feed you something."

Fai then forced Yuan Kai's mouth open, shoved Kai's fingernails into his own mouth, and made him swallow. Yuan Kai looked on the verge of throwing up, so Zhao Fai walked back to the table. He picked up a candle, and walked back to the table, and stood in front of Yuan Kai.

"How long have you been in Jian An?"

Yuan Kai was breathing heavily and was turning a little pale. Zhao Fai, however, wanted an answer to his question. He tipped the candle at an angle and began to drip hot wax where the man's fingernails used to be. In between his screams, Yuan Kai blurted out answers.

"3 months!"


"Hm... you've been here quite a while. How many more are there with you. Since you're not going to answer, I'll give you an option. Do you want me to cut off fingers from your right hand, or your left hand?"

"Well, my left hand is already fucked..."

Fai punched Yuan Kai in the face., knocking out a few teeth this time.

"I want direct answers. Right hand it is. Next time, be specific."

Fai walked back to the table and grabbed what looked like a miniature butcher knife. He then walked over to Yuan Kai and began to toss the knife up and down slowly.

"You'll get 11 chances to answer this question. Each wrong answer is a finger, and the 11th wrong answer will be your genitals. Ready?"

Fai walked over to Yuan Kai's right side, and leveled the knife over yuan Kai's hand.

"How many more are there?"

It took 4 fingers before Yuan Kai answered.

"2 more... please, no more..."

"You could have saved yourself some time and fingers if you would have just answered the first time."

Fai grabbed another candle and dripped wax on the nubs of where his fingers used to be.

"As painful as this seems, I'm stopping the blood flow. I'm just keeping you alive longer... well, long enough to get my answers. Now, what information did you come here for?"


Yuan Kai wasn't putting up much of a fight anymore. "Military information... the city layout... guard schedules..."

"Sounds like Yuan Shu was planning some sort of an invasion. Anything economic?"

"... Not my job."


"What where the other's doing?"

"One was doing economy, another was in the military.... getting troop information."

"How do I know you're not lying?"

"I like my hands."

"They're already messed up. That's not good enough."

Fai punched Yuan Kai straight in the face, slamming his head into the back of the thick wooden chair.

"Are you lying?"

"...No..."

Fai punched him again in the face, and spoke more firmly.

"Are. You. Lying."

"please... stop..."

Fai punched the man as hard as he could, and the screamed at him.

"ARE YOU LYING TO ME?"

Yuan Kai began to sob now. At that point, there was a knock on the door. Fai spit on Yuan Kai, and then went to answer it. He opened the door quickly and spoke courtly.

"Bring me two rats. Preferably hungry. you have two minutes."

The guard bowed and ran off to find two rats. Zhao Fai then turned around and began to speak to Yuan Kai again.

"One more question. You guys must have a meeting spot. When and where do the three of you meet?"

"... I will not answer that question."

"Do you know what I'm planning to do with those rats? ... I'm judging by your silence that you have no idea. I intend to split you down the stomach, and stick those two rats inside of you. Then, I am going to seal you back. The rats will eat you alive from the inside out. Now, I will ask again. When and where do you three meet?"

"...The Pak Do tavern. Friday nights at 8."

"Makes sense. It's the busiest then, so everyone will be to drunk and busy with their own business to listen or care to what you three have to say. Interesting."

The guard returned, knocking on the door. Fai opened to find him holding two rats by their tails. Fai took the rats and whispered information in the guards ear. "This information is everything I've learned from this meeting. Relay this information to General Li Wang, and then take the day off. You are dismissed."

Zhao Fai walked over to the table, and grabbed the sharpest knife on it. He then walked over to Yuan Kai, and cut a slit in the man's stomach; the screams were almost unbearable.

"Don't worry. Not only is this knife sterile, the cut's not deep enough to kill you. Only deep enough to do this."

And with that, Fai stuck the two rats inside the man's stomach. He then grabbed a candle, and covered the cut with wax. After holding the cut closed for a minute, the wax had sealed it. Fai could see the rats inside the man, eating everything within their grasps.

"Thank you, Yuan Kai. We will send your head back to your homeland once we find the other two."

Fai walked out of the room, closing the door. He would return in 3 hours to have the body removed, and once General Li Wang returned they would decide what to do with the body. Oh, how Zhao Fai was beginning to enjoy his job.

[Gong]

How......disgusting haha. Yes, you were right, it was quite graphic. Still enjoyable to read, did cringe at a few bits. Maybe a tone down on the language, mainly swearing..after all PG13 and all ;D




Rewards



The Higher Officials who wished this matter to be shunned become displeased when hearing of how the information was distracted, but it was too late to speak out. Information gained can be delt with how both parties involved wish, though word spread of a missing person....not to mention the possible alarm of the aforementioned other two comrades..


Li Wang:

+ 10 Reputation


Zhao Fai:

+ 55 Reputation Points