Chapter 131: The Demon

“How did you know about the payment? Were the three of you nearby just now?” The supervisor sat on the ground, panic evident in his eyes as he looked at Nie Zheng, Zhang Xuan, and Yang Zaixing. They had overheard the conversation he had just had with the others.

Zhang Xuan also glanced at Nie Zheng. Wasn’t Nie Zheng lying far away? How could he have known about the payment? When the traffickers were discussing among themselves, their voices were quite low. Nie Zheng, from his spot, could only catch a few words. But then the supervisor arrived, standing close to where Nie Zheng was, who moved a few steps forward. Moreover, the conversation between the supervisor and the traffickers became louder. Nie Zheng only heard fragmented content, but unfortunately, the part about the payment was exactly what he caught.

The supervisor then looked at Zhang Xuan. “So you know about the payment too.”

Zhang Xuan noticed the gaze. “How much is the six-month payment? Looks like I’m more important in your eyes, much higher than the other two. Should I thank you for valuing me so highly?”

“So you also know I’m the camp supervisor?”

Zhang Xuan and Yang Zaixing nodded simultaneously. It was the first time Nie Zheng heard this. So this was the person behind the camp. No wonder no one interfered when people were taken from the prison cells. Remembering that Anzi had been taken by this very man and died a tragic death the next day, Nie Zheng grabbed the fallen knife and stood up, ready to stab this heinous man.

As Nie Zheng stepped toward the supervisor, Zhang Xuan moved to block the way. Nie Zheng looked at Zhang Xuan. “Brother Xuan, don’t stop me, please, let me kill him! Let me kill him!”

Zhang Xuan forcibly took the knife from Nie Zheng’s hand. “Big brother, you lead Nie Zheng away for now. It’s going to get really brutal here soon. It’s better not to watch.”

Yang Zaixing came over, reluctantly pulling Nie Zheng aside. “You continue. We’ll watch from here. Don’t worry about us.” He covered Nie Zheng’s eyes with his hand.

Zhang Xuan smiled. “If you can’t stand it, just turn around. Oh well, suit yourselves. Just don’t get overwhelmed later!”

The supervisor, hearing Zhang Xuan’s words, felt the cruel fate awaiting him. “You said you wouldn’t be like them! Please spare me! You’ve already broken both my hands. Please, spare me!”

Zhang Xuan approached the supervisor and half-crouched before him. He slid the knife gently across the supervisor’s cheek and said coldly, “Don’t worry, you won’t be like them. Otherwise, how would you uphold your identity as the supervisor? Besides, you want to train me? Before that, I’ll train you first. Let me ask you a few questions. If your answers satisfy me, I’ll go easy on you. Understand?”

The supervisor nodded, his eyes filled with terror, as if he were staring at a demon. Even Yang Zaixing, standing nearby, felt the same way. He hesitated, tempted to look away, but curiosity won out — how would Zhang Xuan deal with this collapsed man? He loosened his grip on Nie Zheng’s eyes, leaving a narrow slit open.

“First question: How many guards watch over the children in the camp? And how many children are there?”

“Usually, about twenty guards watch over the children, but the number changes daily. Sometimes people from the camp take some children out for sale, and sometimes those responsible for abducting children rest inside, even staying for days. As for how many children there are, I really don’t know.”

“You don’t know? Sounds like you’re not being honest.” Zhang Xuan struck the supervisor’s left hand with the knife, piercing it through. A heart-wrenching scream tore from the supervisor’s throat.

“I really don’t know. Please, master, spare me! I’ve told you everything I know. I really don’t know how many children are in the camp. Maybe thirty or forty, but I’m not sure!”

“Thirty or forty? And you say you don’t know! Don’t you often count the numbers at midnight?”

“How do you know I go at midnight…” The supervisor cut himself off, afraid to speak further. He didn’t know what kind of torment he’d face if he revealed his true intentions. After all, his deeds were monstrously evil.

“Speak! Admit you don’t count the children every night, but just take away the ones you’ve already selected during the day! Isn’t that right? How can a person stoop so low as you?”

“How do you know!” The supervisor immediately regretted speaking. Wasn’t this a confession? He turned his head, unable to meet Zhang Xuan’s gaze.

“How many children have you harmed in total?” Zhang Xuan asked calmly.

The supervisor lowered his head, sensing the quiet fury beneath Zhang Xuan’s calm words. He dared not answer.

Zhang Xuan snorted coldly and targeted the supervisor’s right hand with another stab. Another agonized scream filled the air.

Cold sweat poured down the supervisor’s forehead as he shook his head. He had never suffered such pain before — he was always the one wielding the stick against others, never the victim like now.

“Just kill me already! Give me mercy! I don’t want to answer your questions anymore.”

“Don’t rush. This is only the beginning. I have many questions. Take it slow. I’ve only stabbed you twice. You still have many intact parts. No hurry!”

“You’re a demon! Please spare me! Or just put me out of my misery!”