Inside the building, "Xinya," though bound to a cross, shouted in rage, "You bastards! What are you doing kidnapping all these poor children?!"
"I have no obligation to tell you. Tell me where those children were taken by your people, and perhaps I will grant you a way out. Otherwise... hmph," Pinshell said with a treacherous expression.
"Pah! Don't expect me to reveal a single shred of information! When my companions arrive with the police, it will be your doomsday!" Xinya responded, her spirit undaunted.
"Every power in this city is an acquaintance of mine; it doesn't matter who comes. Last chance: tell me where the children are," Pinshell threatened. Xinya turned her head away, ignoring him entirely.
Seeing that intimidation and bribery were ineffective, Pinshell turned and said, "Do it." The security personnel in the room approached, clutching sharp weapons. "Then we shall start with you," a man holding a knife said with a smirk as he approached two residents.
"What are you going to do?!" Xinya suddenly felt a sense of dread.
"Just this!" The cold, glittering blade instantly plunged into a resident's shoulder. "Ah—!" accompanied by the resident's scream. "Oops, my hand slipped. Next time, it'll be the heart," the man mocked.
"You animals—stop it!" Saiying rebuked them.
"Don't be so impatient, little sister. Now it's your turn." Another man grabbed Saiying's clothes and tore them violently. Rip! Saiying's outer garments were completely torn away, leaving her in only her underwear.
"Stop it—!" Stunned by the sudden assault, Saiying cried out repeatedly.
"If you have the guts, come at me! Don't bully a woman!" Seeing this, Ruta roared at the group's atrocities.
"Fine, fine, then it's your turn." The man with the knife approached Ruta and viciously stabbed the blade into his chest. "Ah—!" Ruta collapsed into unconsciousness from the intense pain, blood flowing across the floor.
"Ruta! You bastards, I will never forgive you!" Xinya roared frantically as she witnessed her companion's tragic state. But bound to the frame, she was powerless to resist; rage and despair intertwined within her.
"Well? Are you going to talk?" Pinshell asked indifferently while sipping wine.
"I swear I will make you pay for this!" Xinya struggled and shouted. Seeing this, Pinshell nodded to continue.
"Hehehe, don't be nervous. After I'm done with her, it'll be your turn," the lewd man said. As soon as he finished speaking, he tore away Saiying's last piece of covering. "Ah—don't come near me—!" Her privacy completely exposed, Saiying wept and begged for help. At this moment, she was like meat on a chopping block, at the mercy of others. The man, of course, did not stop and proceeded to tear away her skirt.
"God Master, please save us—!" Xinya pleaded to the heavens in despair, hoping that mysterious man would appear to rescue them.
In that instant, time and space stopped. Everything seemed to have a pause button pressed, except for Xinya, who could still look around. "This is...?" She looked in shock at the frozen people around her.
"I have come following your prayer; this God has accepted your wish." Along with a peaceful echo, Lian Kong slowly stepped out from the chaos. "Are you finally willing to look for me?" Lian Kong said with a smile.
"I beg of you, save us—!" Seeing him was like seeing a light of hope; Xinya immediately sought his aid.
"As a God, interfering in mortal affairs should be forbidden. However, since it is you who asks, I may consider it. As long as you pay the corresponding price, this God is willing to resolve your hardship," Lian Kong proposed his conditions unhurriedly.
"Please save my companions—afterward, I will agree to any condition—!" Xinya pleaded desperately.
"Since you have made a promise, this God shall redeem you all now." With a light wave of Lian Kong's hand, the souls of all the wicked men present were stripped away. The injured companions were fully restored, Saiying's clothes were returned to their original state, and the ropes binding them vanished.
"Your wish has been fulfilled. In the future, this God shall come to claim the price." Leaving these words, Lian Kong prepared to depart.
"Please wait, Great Deity! May I ask your honored name?" Xinya quickly called out to him. He turned his head slowly: "Lian Kong." After the faint words were spoken, he turned into mist and disappeared.
"Lian Kong..." Xinya firmly remembered this noble name, her face showing an expression of deep admiration.