Feng Jue's screams sent shivers down one's spine. His cries were a mixture of terror and madness, like someone in a daze, wanting to pour out their heart but unable to utter a single word.
The guards flinched at his screams, their necks retracting despite being accustomed to them. Each time they heard it, it still felt chilling.
"I really don't know what this old fellow has been through to howl like this."
"Look at his face, he doesn't seem like a good person."
"Stop talking, it'll only cause trouble!" the man added. "We need to watch him closely, so it doesn't happen like last time."
Last time, Feng Jue had escaped, alarming the entire government office. Moreover, his escape had resulted in the deaths of at least five or six people.
Hearing this, the other guards wore solemn expressions. "What if he tries to break out again later?"
"With so many of us, can't we restrain him?"
"His martial arts aren't strong, there's nothing to fear. But don't forget, this man is covered in poisons. One touch and we'll end up bleeding from all seven orifices."
The leading guard seemed to recall something and quickly reached into his chest. "I almost forgot. These are antidote pills from Master Jia. He told us to take them first to prevent poisoning."
"That's great. Gao ge, why didn't you bring these out sooner?"
"Who would have thought he'd have an episode today?"
The men divided the pills and swallowed them directly.
It seemed they trusted Master Jia implicitly, showing no suspicion towards the pills.
Inside the room, Feng Jue's thrashing intensified. He dreamt of his childhood, of being picked up by a certain person and then placed into a large vat.
The vat was filled with countless poisonous insects and snakes, swarming towards him, biting and stinging him until he was almost dead from pain and itching.
But he was resilient and did not die. Although he survived, he felt a life worse than death. He had become that man's test subject. Every time a new poison or venomous creature was discovered, he would be thrown into the vat to experience endless torment.
Feng Jue's eyes blazed with fire as he roared, trying to break free from the recurring dream.
Only by waking up could he be the all-powerful, revered Ghost Doctor Feng Jue, not the pathetic child being tortured and gnawed by venomous creatures.
Alas, no matter how hard he struggled, the scene before him never changed. Even though he clearly knew he was Feng Jue, he still saw that man's face and heard that man's mocking laughter.
It was too terrifying, too terrifying.
With a desperate cry, Feng Jue kicked open the door. The guards outside were nearly scared to death, instinctively tightening their grip on their weapons.
Feng Jue let out another shout and lunged at one of them. In his hand, he held a long thorn, about as thick as a child's finger, which he plunged towards the guard's body.
Fortunately, the guard was wearing armor. The thorn failed to pierce it, giving the others an opportunity to swing their scabbards and strike Feng Jue hard on the back of the head.
Feng Jue's body stiffened. He even managed a smile before he collapsed unconscious.
Fearing he would fall, the guards quickly caught him. "What is this all about? He wants to kill us, and we have to protect him."
"Alright, hurry up and get him back inside."
The men quickly escorted Feng Jue into the room and emerged, drenched in sweat.
"That scared me so much I broke out in a sweat."
"Me too," the guard said, swallowing hard. "Ever since I've been on guard duty here, I've had nightmares almost every night when I go home."
"You're quite the worrier," the squad leader chuckled. "Alright, no matter what, he's quiet now, and we can get some rest in the latter half of the night."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Some leaned against the walls, weapons in hand, dozing off.
Li Man'er finally understood. These people were not guarding Feng Jue to protect him, but to prevent him from running off.
He was like someone possessed, and when he went mad, he could harm others. He knew everything but couldn't control his own body. That must be a terrible feeling.
Li Man'er knew her chance had arrived.
While the guards were half-asleep, Li Man'er quickly deployed her treasure: the "Fainting Trio."
Within the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the guards were slumped over, fast asleep.
After confirming that they were indeed unconscious, Li Man'er emerged. She even helped two of the guards who had fallen to the ground to lean against the pillars by the wall, making it look as if they were just sleeping.
Li Man'er quietly entered the house and made her way to Feng Jue's room. She found him securely bound and still unconscious.
Without a word, Li Man'er directly collected Feng Jue into her spatial realm.
Heh heh, once in the spatial realm, whether he was Feng Jue or dead Jue, he would have to lie down obediently.
She was the owner of the realm, its master. Any living creature that entered the realm, their life or death was within her thoughts.
After collecting Feng Jue, Li Man'er began searching the surroundings. This old man must have many possessions. Whether good or bad, anything useful, she would take it all first to be used later.
She found boxes filled with medicinal herbs and porcelain bottles, and collected them! She found boxes filled with medical books and annotations, and collected them!
Jewelry boxes and banknotes were also collected.
It could be said that she was like a goose being plucked.
In total, Li Man'er collected quite a few valuable items before she stopped.
Her trip had been very fruitful. She wondered how surprised and enraged Xiao Qiniang would be when she discovered Feng Jue missing the next morning.
Li Man'er carefully cleaned up any traces of her presence. She retreated outside, closed the door, and then sprinted back to the small courtyard.
Liu Ya tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She waited and waited, longing for Li Man'er's return.
"Miss, you're finally back."
Li Man'er made a shushing gesture, changed her clothes, let down her hair, and instructed Liu Ya, "Sprinkle the antidote. These two will wake up slowly. We'll talk about everything tomorrow."
Liu Ya nodded, got up, and sprinkled the antidote by the door. Li Man'er took this opportunity to store all her night-traveling clothes into her spatial realm.
The mistress and servant understood each other tacitly and lay down, preparing to sleep.
The guards at the door slowly woke up, mistaking it for a mere nap. He leaned closer to the door, listening carefully to the sounds inside. Finding only two even breaths, he finally relaxed.
This was the government office, the Xiao family's territory. They wouldn't dare run away.
The guard yawned, shrugged, and continued his post.
Li Man'er finally felt at ease and closed her eyes.
Whatever it was, they could discuss it tomorrow.