His entire body was covered in black scales, while sharp black spikes jutted out from his elbows and his knees. His entire back was lined with a row of sharp spikes coming from his spine. And his eyes had turned a dark golden color. Just seeing that cold, dark, golden set of eyes staring at him was enough to terrify Duke Patterson.

Who arewho are you? Duke Patterson was so terrified that his face was ashen white. His mouth flapped for a long while before he managed to say these words.

What was this monstrosity in front of him?

Who am I? Linleys cold gaze was fixed on Patterson.

Squeak, squeak. The sounds of bones chattering emanated from throughout Pattersons body, as Linley continued to apply force through his iron-whip-like tail in constricting Patterson. No matter how hard Patterson struggled, he couldnt budge at all.

Pain began to spread from his arms to the rest of his body.

You are from another plane? Pattersons eyes were filled with terror. From what he could tell, based on Linleys current appearance, only a different species from another plane could do what Linley had just done. Linley, I beg you, spare me, spare my life. I definitely will keep your secret, definitely.

Transfixed by Linleys dark golden gaze, Patterson had totally lost his equanimity.

Spare your life? A hint of a cold smile appeared on Linleys face. Thats not impossible. I want to ask you something. Around twelve or thirteen years ago, did you send some people out to kidnap a woman.

Patterson was startled.

He immediately frantically tried to recollect the affairs of twelve or thirteen years past, but twelve or thirteen years was an extremely long period of time. Most importantly Linley, no, Lord Linley, II cant remember. Patterson said frantically.

That was a long time ago, and I often would have women I took a fancy to captured and brought to my mansion. I dont know exactly which one you are talking about.

That murderous intent in Linleys heart began to grow.

This Patterson actually often abducted women?

From Linleys face, Patterson had no idea as to the transformation that was currently occurring in Linleys heart. Having completely undergone the Dragonform, Linley appeared totally cold and emotionless, terrifying sinister.

A woman who had just given birth not long beforehand, who had just finished a pilgrimage to the Radiant Temple, and then returned to her hotel. Linley still stared icily at Patterson. His voice didnt rise at all.

Hearing Linley say these things, Pattersons entire body went stiff. And then he stared at Linley in astonishment.

You remember now? Linley said coldly.

Of course Patterson remembered now. Throughout all these years, he had only abducted women who had just given birth on two occasions. His memories of these affairs was quite keen. Especially that one time, thirteen years ago. That time, the person whom had instructed him to act had severely warned him to maintain secrecy.

I really cant remember. Patterson said, terrified. Lord Linley, I beg you, spare me. I really dont know. You must be mistaken.

Linleys dark golden eyes flashed.

You want to die? Linleys voice grew even colder.

Ahhhh! Pattersons screamed in terror as Linleys tail increased the pressure around him. This greater pressure was causing all of the bones in Pattersons body to moan in protest.

Clatter. Clatter. The sound of bones nearly cracking was enough to make ones heart shudder.

But Linley still only stared coldly at Patterson.

Crunch!

Ahhhhh!

The crisp sound of a bone snapping, mixed with the tortured screams of Patterson. His left arm bone had actually been snapped clean by this terrifying pressure.

Not bad. Linleys lips quivered slightly. As though he were smiling.

But Patterson didnt view it as a smile. Under the Dragonform, the slight curve of Linleys lips only filled Pattersons with even more fear.

You know what matters and what doesnt. The vast majority of your battle-qi has been used to protect your vital organs. Only a small amount of battle-qi was used to protect your arm. Its true. A broken arm isnt a life-threatening condition. But if your organs were to rupture, then you really will lose your life. Linleys voice was very calm.

Patterson felt his throat go dry.

He had never imagined that Linley would have such a terrifying side.

Now, do you remember yet? Linley asked again.

Patterson really wanted to answer him, but when he thought about the punishment which would await him if he spoke, he couldnt help but shudder. His face growing still more pitiful, he cried out miserably, Lord Linley, I beg of you, dont torture me. I really dont know. Even if you kill me, I still dont know.

Patterson firmly believed that, with this affair having been over thirteen years ago and Linley being so young, there was no way Linley could be certain about what had happened.

Most likely, Linley had received some sketchy details and was not absolutely certain. As long as he clenched his teeth and refused to speak, perhaps Linley would believe him in the end.

Lord Linley, if I knew, I wouldve told you long ago, and avoided all this suffering. Lord Linley, I beg of you, please investigate this matter clearly. Tears began to pour out of Pattersons eyes, and his face was a picture of sincerity. If it werent for the fact that Linley had read that letter from his father, he might really have hesitated.

Staring at Patterson, Linleys lips began to curve upwards even more.

Pattersons heart felt a sudden chill.

Good. Wonderful. Linleys tail was still wrapped around Patterson. Suddenly, the draconic tail sent Patterson smashing directly, viciously into the stone floor. Fortunately, though, Linley smashed Patterson feet-first, rather than head-first.

Linley gave full reign to the power of his draconic tail!

Pattersons two legs smashed against the stone floor.

Crush!

The sound of bones splintering instantly, mixed with Pattersons terrifying, high-pitched howls of agony.

On Pattersons left knee, the shattered white bone was visible to the eye, piercing both through his leg and his pants. His right leg, even worse off, simply lay limply on the ground, while blood stained his pants around the ankles in particular.

Ahhh! Ahhhh! Ahhhh! Patterson was screaming nonstop.

This level of pain was killing him. Fortunately, though, his organs had been protected by his battle-qi, and so his life was not yet in danger.

Demon. Demon. Patterson was cursing nonstop in his heart. He knew what a tremendous force Linley was using. Based on his strength as a warrior of the seventh rank, he was only just barely able to protect his internal organs with his battle-qi, and couldnt protect the rest of his body.

Patterson didnt want to die.

Crippled legs?

Not a problem. With enough money, he definitely could invite an Arch Magus of the ninth-rank of the Radiant Church to use the Song of Life on him. As long as he didnt already die, any wound, no matter how serious, could be healed!

Do you remember yet? That woman you abducted? Linleys voice was still very calm, not rising in the slightest.

But the terror in Pattersons heart was growing.

I remember. I remember. Beads of sweat were flowing down Pattersons face. Not from pain. From fear.

Patterson knew very well that in this sealed underground room in which he and Linley were currently in, nobody outside could hear anything, no matter how loud the screams. Perhaps someone directly outside, leaning against the stone door, could just barely hear something.

But who would be outside of this secret little room, pressing their ears against the stone door?

No matter how loud he screamed, no one would know.

If you said so earlier, wouldnt you have suffered less? Linleys dark golden eyes stared peacefully at Patterson. Speak, then. Explain what happened to me.

Patterson hurriedly nodded. Lord Linley, that year, that woman was extremely beautiful. I was bewitched, and hatched an evil plot to abduct that woman and bring her back to my place. I wanted that woman to sleep with me, but she was too headstrong. She committed suicide by ramming her head against the stone wall.

Stuttering as he spoke, Patterson looked at Linley.

In Pattersons opinion, there were very few people who knew what had really happened to that woman. Linley shouldnt have had any clue.

You continue to lie!!!

Linley finally grew angry. Those dark golden eyes seemed to slowly turn red. Using his draconic tail, Linley brought Patterson directly before him. Linley all but pressed his face directly against Pattersons, coldly staring into his eyes.

Pressed against Linley, seeing Linleys black scales and the black horn on his forehead, Patterson grew even more terrified.

Im not lying! Im not lying! Patterson hurriedly said.

Linleys hands, already transformed into claws by the Dragonform, suddenly delivered a mighty slap to Pattersons face.

THWACK! Five pieces of flesh were ripped from Pattersons face, and blood began to flow out in a steady stream. Fortunately, Linley wasnt trying to kill him. Otherwise, he wouldve crushed Pattersons brain to a pulp with this blow.

Sobsobsob Patterson was in so much pain that his voice changed.

Linley stared coldly at Patterson. Patterson, listen closely. I already know very much about what had happened, which is why its best for you not to lie to me. Otherwise, the torment you will suffer definitely will not be limited to just this. Let me tell you this. The woman that you abducted was my mother!

Mother? Patterson was stunned, even forgetting his pain for the moment.

I am very clear about what happened that day with my mother, and I have been investigating this entire time. Thus, its best if you tell me everything about what happened to my mother. Otherwiseyou will definitely die. Linleys voice grew even more freezing.

Actually, no matter what Patterson said, he was still definitely going to die.

Because Linleys father had been pursued and heavily injured by Pattersons men, and had died as a result. Patterson didnt yet know that the person he had sent people out to hunt and kill was Linleys father. If he had knownperhaps Patterson would be reacting in a totally different way.

Tell me. Who did you give my mother to? Linley stared at Patterson.

You knew? Pattersons face turned pale.

Linley actually knew that he had given the woman away to someone else?

Tell me his name, but youd best not lie to me. If I discover that you have lied to me, I will make your life worse than death. Linleys voice was very calm again, not rising in the slightest.

Patterson hesitated for a moment.

Theres no use for me to tell you. You cant kill him. Patterson said in a low voice.

Cant kill him? Linley stared coldly at Patterson. Patterson, listen to me. All you have to do is tell me who that person is. As for whether or not I can kill him, thats none of your concern. Do you think you know what my real level of ability is?

Hearing these words, Patterson secretly agreed.

The Linley in front of him was too terrifying. The power he had previously displayed had already made others believe he was an absolute genius. But apparently, Linleys real power was far greater than that of a warrior of the seventh rank. In front of Linley, he didnt have the slightest ability to resist.

Patterson began to furiously calculate in his mind.

Linley didnt rush him, only fixing Patterson with his dark golden gaze.

After pondering a long time, Patterson gritted his teeth and looked at Linley. Linley, Ill tell you who he is, but you have to guarantee that you definitely wont let anyone know that I was the one who told you! And, you have to promise you wont kill me.

Linleys face was still as cold as ever. Fine. I guarantee that I will not tell anyone that you were the one to tell me. And, I guarantee I will not kill you.

Only now did Patterson secretly let out his breath.

About twelve years ago, on one occasion, we members of the royal clan of Fenlai went to pay a visit to the Radiant Temple. Within the Radiant Temple, we saw your mother. Afterwards, I sent people to abduct your mother. Patterson immediately said, But that wasnt actually my own intent. I was obeying the orders of another.

Who? Linley asked.

Patterson glanced at Linley. He slowly said, The orders came from my elder brother. The current ruler of the Kingdom of Fenlai. King Clayde.

Clayde? Linley was startled.

The pride of the Kingdom of Fenlai, the Golden Lion, Clayde? The warrior of the ninth rank, Clayde?

Yes. It was Clayde. Patteron said with certainty. But I know that Clayde valued your mother highly. He even told me that no matter what, I couldnt let this information out, as if I did, I would definitely die.

Linley looked at Patterson.

He should be telling the truth. Doehring Cowarts voice rang out in Linleys mind. I can sense the vibrations of his soul.

Linley made up his mind.

Patterson looked beseechingly at Linley. Linley, can you spare my life? I guarantee that I definitely wont say a single word about what happened today to anyone. Pattersons eyes were filled with hope.

Fine. Ill keep my promise. Linleys draconic tail loosened.

Pattersons body dropped to the floor. A look of wild joy appeared on Pattersons face, and he looked at Linley with eyes filled with gratitude.

Right at this moment, a black blur flashed by.

Crunch.

The little Shadowmouse, Bebe, bit Pattersons neck. Patterson stared with terror at Bebe. He had just escaped from deaths door, but now, he could already seem to feel the call of the Netherworld. Patterson could tell that the little Shadowmouse was the one which was always on Linleys shoulders.

Disbelievingly, Patterson stared at Linley.

I said I wouldnt kill you. But I never said my magical beast wouldnt kill you. Linley looked coldly at Patterson, whose throat was spurting out blood. Let me tell you something else as well. Several months ago, there was a man who snuck into your Dukes mansion. Afterwards, you sent people after him to kill him. And that manwas my father!