BONDAGE play? Shen Ji Yun didn't know what the term meant. But just thinking of the meaning of the two words making up the term, he could almost guess its meaning. Add that to the fact that Uriel mentioned it while Luo Yan was still chained on the wall and this was what he came up with; a play that involved tying people up.

Shen Ji Yun's face suddenly heated up. Because he was certain the meaning of that 'play' wasn't that innocent. Considering the teasing look Uriel currently had. Suddenly an image of Luo Yan tied in a not-so innocent way flashed in his mind. And he was sure his face just turned even redder.

Standing so close to Shen Ji Yun, Luo Yan, of course, saw all his reaction. From the initial confusion to the now blushing face. Knowing this awkward guy, he probably didn't know what 'bondage play' meant. But being a smart person, he could easily comprehend its meaning. And thus why his face was now as red as a ripe tomato.

"Ignore him," Luo Yan said.

Then he gave a warning glance to Uriel who was now walking inside the torture chamber. Silently telling the guy with his eyes to stop with his jokes because it's certainly not funny. How could he let this guy corrupt Shen Ji Yun's mind? Uriel only smiled at him. Making Luo Yan want to punch him on his perfect teeth.

Shen Ji Yun, on the other hand, just silently removed the chains around both of Luo Yan's wrists. Trying his best to clear his mind. And also to calm his heart, so that the heat on his face would slowly recede.

Duan Yu looked at Noctis' sorry state and couldn't help but comment, "What happened to you? Don't tell me the two of you really"

"Finish that sentence and I swear I will kick you so far up your ass, you'll end up vomiting your innards," Luo Yan threatened which didn't really match the sweet smile on his face.

Duan Yu wasn't able to speak for a second. Really, how could a person with such a pretty face say something so crass? And in such a classy manner to booth too? This guy was probably one of the few people who could pull that off.

He turned to YUN. "Hey, team leader, our team mate here just blatantly threatened me with physical harm. Are you not going to scold him?"

"No," Shen Ji Yun said without hesitation.

Although Duan Yu already expected the answer, he was still stumped. Earlier, when the elf cussed, YUN didn't even bat an eye. This guy probably already had some kind of rose-colored filter when it came to Noctis. Well, Duan Yu couldn't really blame him. He hadn't spent that much time with them but he could already tell that the elf had talent in manipulating people.

Duan Yu could only light a small candle for YUN. Because it's quite obvious that Noctis already had him wrapped around those dainty fingers.

He glanced down at the unconscious NPC and looked back at the two. "I take it, you guys found an important information?" he asked, going back to the much more important topic.

"We did. Apparently, it's not only the Yuexing Pavilion that has a connection to Wei Kingdom. One of Prince Lin Rong's son also does," Luo Yan said.

Duan Yu wasn't that surprised when he heard that. "Let me guess, it's the prince's second son Lin Mo."

"I take it, you also found important information?" Luo Yan said back.

"I did. But you two go on first," Duan Yu said.

"It's not really much. We confirmed that it was Yuexing Pavilion that planned to assassinate the crown prince tonight and that it was under the orders of Wei Kingdom," Luo Yan started. "But the attack on Prince Lin Rong was not part of the plan. We suspect that Lin Mo did it on his own. If we're right, then that could answer Mysteries 1 and 2. Well, at least most of it."

The ones who wanted to harm the crown prince were the people from Yuexing Pavilion. Why do they wanted to do that? Because they're working for Wei Kingdom. Considering how that country wanted to wage war against Beitang, killing the crown prince would surely only be to their favors. After all, the Emperor only had one son. That would take care of Mystery 2.

Now onto Mystery 1; who poisoned Prince Lin Rong and why? They already suspected that it was the second son Lin Mo. They just didn't know why.

"My turn. This one has something to do with Mystery 3," Duan Yu said. "Second young miss didn't hang herself. She was poisoned. And yes, by the same undetectable poison from Wei. I asked around and found out that before she was poisoned, she came running out of Xinyi's courtyard. Who is Xinyi you asked? It's Lin Mo's wife. Not only that, she's also a former courtesan from Yuexing Pavilion. Interesting, right?"

It's interesting alright, Luo Yan thought. "I say she probably discovered some important secret and that's why she's killed."

"I also thought the same," Duan Yu agreed. "And considering how Xinyi was trying so hard to put all the blame on the two cheaters you mentioned earlier, it's highly probable that she's the one who finished her off."

"All of these centered around one NPC Lin Mo," Shen Ji Yun said. "We break him, we get the answers we need."

"A bit bloodthirsty there, team leader. But I do agree," Duan Yu said.

"Then let's go and get him," Luo Yan also agreed.

Luo Yan was about to walk out of the torture chamber when Shen Ji Yun suddenly held his arm.

He turned to him. "Brother YUN?"

Shen Ji Yun raised his hand and wiped away the blood and the dirt on Luo Yan's face. And then he combed his long black hair a bit with his finger. He also removed the black outer robe he's wearing and put it around Luo Yan's shoulders. "There, we can go now."

Luo Yan looked at the obvious satisfied expression on Shen Ji Yun's face. Then he suddenly thought of the uncomfortable expression on Shen Ji Yun's face when he asked him to rip his clothes and chain him up. He must be itching since earlier to wipe the dirt and blood on his face. And also to cover his ripped robe.

"Okay," he said, he didn't even notice the small smile that crossed his lips.

Duan Yu watching on the side felt like he was, once again, just had been fed dog food.