Scumbag Chapter 138 The Reformed White-Eyed Wolf General (4)

"Father, Mother, please go rest and plug your ears with something. I’ll be interrogating them tonight, and I don’t want to disturb you."

Mingting politely escorted them back to their room, then when he turned around, his face changed.

The men in black didn't expect them to be caught, let alone walk straight into Mingting’s hands.

‘Didn't they say that Count of Dingyuan was still on the way? How did he reach Ji County so fast?’

"I know, if I start by asking who sent you, you won’t talk. Loyalty to your master, I get it. So I won’t ask, and you don’t need to speak. I'm a rough man, so let’s just get straight to business."

Mingting randomly pointed at three men and ordered his subordinates to light the charcoal.

"You’ve probably had roast meat before, right? Grilled lamb, beef, pork, even venison. But I bet none of you know that human flesh tastes similar to pork when roasted."

He picked up a glowing-hot coal with tongs and pressed it directly onto one man’s chest.

The sizzling sound of fat and the smell of cooked meat filled the room. The man’s mouth was gagged, so his screams were all trapped in his throat.

Mingting didn’t pause and roasted the other two in turn.

Throughout this, he didn’t say a word or ask any questions. He chose one of the simplest torture methods, scrubbing human skin with an iron brush.

After just a few strokes, someone begged for mercy.

"Old Wu, separate all ten and interrogate them individually. If even one account doesn’t match the others, start cutting their fingers."

"Anyway, a person has ten fingers and ten toes. Even if they are all cut off, there are still ears, noses, and even their family jewels. Once everything’s gone, I’ll eventually get the answers I want."

Mingting looked at these people with cold eyes, as if they were no more than ants.

His words terrified the black-clad men.

They had heard before that Count of Dingyuan killed enemies without blinking an eye on the battlefield, but they never expected him to be so bloodthirsty in person.

"We’re here to avenge General Zhao!"

One of them shouted.

The ‘General Zhao’ he was talking about was the leader of another rebel army who had been defeated by the Emperor. Back then, it was the original owner who took the other party's head.

That was also the battle where the original host distinguished himself, catching the Emperor’s eye.

‘It has been so many years since that happened, and now they are dragging out a dead man’s name to make excuses?’ Mingting didn't believe it and slashed the man’s shoulder with his sword.

"Trying to coordinate your stories? Fine! I don’t care. I’ve got plenty of time anyway."

"I’ve got twenty questions here! If even one answer doesn’t match, everyone gets punished. Old Wu, let’s see your skills!"

"Don’t worry, my lord! When it comes to interrogation, I’ve never lost to anyone…"

By dawn, Mingting had his answers.

The mastermind behind this was Prince of Han, Yang Qi, the fourth son of the Emperor, who had previously tried to recruit Mingting.

The reason why Yang Qi did this was to eliminate Mingting’s in-laws so he could marry his sister-in-law to him.

Yang Qi’s plan was clever. After all, as long as they became brothers-in-law, he could firmly tie Count of Dingyuan to his faction.

After all, among the military generals, Mingting was the youngest, as he’s only 24 years old.

The older generals were either too aged or plagued by injuries, while Mingting was the most likely to become a great general and had the brightest future.

‘When failing to recruit someone, the solution was to kill their in-laws and wife, then marry off a sister-in-law to them?’

Mingting rubbed his temples, feeling speechless.

It was true that many men abandoned their wives after gaining wealth and status. Nowadays, plenty of officials had cast aside their humble wives to marry beauties, so Prince of Han’s idea wasn’t unusual.

Unfortunately for Prince of Han, Mingting had arrived.

"My lord, what do you plan to do?" Old Wu asked.

"Keep a close eye on them. Make sure they’re fed and don’t die." Mingting grinned, his smile dark and sinister, "After handling things here, I’m going to the palace to file a complaint with the Emperor!"

Since this matter involved a prince, Mingting didn’t report it to the authorities. Instead, he had the men secretly held elsewhere. Then, with ten men, he rode to Pudu Temple to pick up Huiniang.

Huiniang was the eldest daughter of the Liu Family and the same age as the original owner.

She married Wei Mingting at fifteen, but not long after their wedding, he took his bandit brothers down the mountains to join the rebel army. The couple spent very little time together, and after many years of marriage, they still had no children.

Five months ago, the original owner returned briefly. And a month after he left, Huiniang discovered she was pregnant.

This time, Huiniang came to Pudu Temple partly to pray for her husband’s safety and partly to seek blessings for the child in her womb, hoping that the baby in her belly would be a boy.

At his age, most men already had several children. Huiniang’s pregnancy came late, and as a very traditional woman, she would have loved a daughter, but she hoped even more for a son.

That way, her husband would have an heir to continue the Wei Family’s line, and she would face less pressure about bearing children.

"May the Buddha protect my husband and bring him home safely!"

Huiniang was pregnant, so she struggled to kneel properly.

After kneeling for too long, Huiniang felt dizzy when she tried to stand. She was about to call for her younger brother when a large hand steadied her.

"Thank you…"

Huiniang quickly let go and took several steps back once she regained her balance.

Propriety between men and women was important, and with her husband away, she had to be extra cautious.

"Huiniang, it’s me!" Mingting stepped forward and took her hand, "I'm back!"

"Hus… band…" When Huiniang looked up and saw Mingting, her eyes suddenly turned red, "Is it really you?"

Noticing Huiniang’s prominent belly, Mingting quickly helped her sit down. He placed a hand on her stomach, his expression full of excitement.

"You’re pregnant! Our parents didn’t even mention this happy news when I came back. Oh heavens, I’m going to be a father! Huiniang, thank you…"

Mingting's joyful look made Huiniang feel relieved.

After so many years of marriage, her husband had never been particularly affectionate. Their relationship was more one of mutual respect, and Huiniang had always felt Mingting didn’t truly love her.

But now, seeing him so excited about the child, she felt somewhat relieved.

No matter how her husband treated her, he would probably be a good father. As long as he loved their child, that was enough for her.

"Huiniang, I have been conferred the title of Count of Dingyuan by the Emperor. From now on, you’ll be a Countess. I’ve come to take you, our parents, and A-Cheng to the capital. Are you happy?"

Mingting held Huiniang’s hand, "In the future, our family will never be separated again!"

‘Never be separated again?’

For some reason, Huiniang that this time her husband came back, he was not the same as before. The way he looked at her was gentle, no longer as indifferent as it once was.

But the thought of going to the capital and becoming a Countess made her uneasy.

She was just the daughter of a wealthy landowner. Back when Mingting was a bandit, an orphaned mountain bandit, her status had been more than enough for him.

But now, their positions had reversed. He is a founding hero of the dynasty, would he look down on her?

After all, she wasn’t well-educated. She had never learned poetry, music, or painting… she was just an ordinary woman whose only notable skill was accounting.

If she became a Countess and had to socialize with other noblewomen, would her background embarrass Mingting?

As soon as he saw Huiniang's expression, Mingting knew exactly what she was thinking. Pregnant women, in particular, tended to overthink things.