A Realistic Mount & Blade Game

Outside the west side of the city wall, the burned wooden furniture and corpses still emitted a foul odor.

Amidst the billowing black smoke, faint sparks flickered and burned within the wooden furniture in the moat, releasing even more nauseating stench.

"Be careful not to ignite your spears!"

"Over there! Pay attention!"

"Forget about the furniture, just pull out the corpses!"

Bandak was still directing the Swadian light infantry to pull the corpses attached to the city wall down and pile them to one side.

After all, burning corpses on these wooden frames was just like roasting meat.

If left unattended, the smell would be unbearably torturous.

Moreover, so many pig-headed men and spirit realm creatures had died, and outside the city wall, arrows, crossbow bolts, and various javelins and throwing spears were scattered everywhere like thatch.

It was necessary to carefully clean the battlefield.

Recover what should be recovered.

Dispose of what should be disposed of.

These tasks required someone with a meticulous and steady character, and the ability to endure hardship, to personally supervise.

Bandak was such a trustworthy person.

"Lord Shen Mu."

As Bandak stood on the city wall, directing the Swadian light infantry with his spiked mace, he heard footsteps behind him.

Turning his head, he saw ten Holy Tree Knights escorting Shen Mu towards him.

He immediately straightened up with a solemn expression, then bowed with a hand over his chest and said, "The smell here is quite unbearable, Lord Shen Mu. With your noble status, you shouldn't be in such a terrible place."

"I came to take a look."

Shen Mu stood beside the crenellation, looking at the battlefield that was almost cleared, and nodded in praise, "Well done."

"Thank you for your praise."

Bandak humbly lowered his head and quickly reported:

"We have been collecting some useful iron products and putting them aside separately. After the temperature cools down, we will wash and wipe them slightly, so that when the merchants come, they can directly take them away to sell."

"Yes, very good."

Shen Mu nodded again.

Leaving this place to Bandak was indeed a wise choice.

However, Shen Mu really didn't want to stay here any longer.

The dense black smoke carried an unbearable stench, making Shen Mu feel that the pungent smell was almost drilling straight into his nostrils.

Compared to the unbearable bloody smell existing where the corpses were piled up,

the smell here was even more pungent.

After a brief chat, Shen Mu turned and left.

Inspecting his territory in the morning, although it felt quite proud, like a lion surveying its territory,

it was better to leave as soon as possible when it involved such an unbearable smell.

Moreover, in the castle area's prison, those Blue Star humans who chose to surrender last night were being guarded by Fatis.

Arriving at the castle area, next to the main castle building, which was now over ten meters high with three stories,

ten Lake Rat Gang Destroyers were leaning on their jagged spears, standing guard at the prison entrance with blank expressions.

Seeing Shen Mu approaching, they quickly straightened up and respectfully said:

"Greetings, Lord Shen Mu!"

"Mm."

Shen Mu nodded, listening to the sounds coming from inside the prison, and asked, "Is Fatis already inside?"

"Yes, Sir Knight Fatis is interrogating the prisoners."

The Lake Rat Gang Destroyer replied.

Shen Mu nodded.

But just as he was about to speak, a new dialogue box suddenly appeared before his eyes.

【Ding! The system has detected an event! Temporary mission issued—Subdue the Prisoners.】

【Mission Briefing: You have obtained 17 surrendered prisoners in the previous battle. These prisoners are all Blue Star humans, and many of them are very familiar with your enemy, their former employer, the Diesel Company. Now, you may be able to subdue these prisoners to pave the way for the future conquest of the Diesel Company.】

【Mission Requirements: Subdue 0/16 prisoners and make them choose to submit to you.】

【Mission Reward: For each prisoner who submits, you will receive 1000 dinars.】

It was the dialogue box for the temporary system mission.

"Subdue the prisoners?"

Shen Mu raised his eyebrows slightly, carefully reading the content above.

A hint of amusement appeared in his eyes.

A total of 16 prisoners, and just subduing one would give him an extra 1000 dinars in rewards.

If he subdued them all, he would get a total reward of 16,000 dinars.

This was too important for Shen Mu, who was currently desperate for money.

It was a mission he had to complete.

"Open the prison gate."

Shen Mu looked inside the prison, and because there were windows and iron bars, he could vaguely see many figures flickering inside.

He couldn't wait to complete the mission.

"Yes."

As the Lake Rat Gang Destroyer opened the gate, Shen Mu led the knights inside.

The prison gate was divided into two.

The one that was opened was the outermost prison gate, and after entering, there was a small room of about 5 square meters.

Inside, there was a table and a chair, and a Lake Rat Gang Destroyer was sitting there.

On the table were candles, parchment scrolls, quills, and ink, obviously a clerk responsible for registering visitors and maintaining daily prison records.

"Lord Shen Mu."

Seeing Shen Mu enter, this Lake Rat Gang Destroyer immediately stood up and respectfully saluted and greeted him.

And quite sensibly, he shouted to the iron gate on the inner side of the room, "Open the iron gate! Lord Shen Mu is going in!"

"Understood!"

As a response came from inside, the second inner iron gate was pulled open with a creaking sound, and a Lake Rat Gang Destroyer holding a torch appeared inside, respectfully saluting Shen Mu in the dim light.

"Mm."

After Shen Mu entered the second iron gate, he finally entered the inside of this castle prison.

It was a huge prison cell of about 200 square meters, divided into small single rooms by iron and wooden fences, totaling about a hundred.

And in the location just inside, there were also various wooden stakes, branding irons, whips, chairs full of iron thorns, and other torture instruments.

They looked rusty and bloodstained, making people shudder.

Fatis was wearing a robe, hugging his chest, and coldly looking at the several Blue Star humans who were tied to the wooden pillars in front of him, with an unhappy expression.

And beside him, two Lake Rat Gang Destroyers with ferocious smiles were each holding a whip soaked in water, looking eager to try, and tentatively swinging them, obviously ready to whip them hard as soon as Fatis gave the word.

In the surrounding prison cages, there were more than 20 Lake Rat Gang Destroyers, holding their woodland axes, looking at the scene in front of them with arrogant faces.

Not only did they not have any pity, but they all looked like they wanted to go up and torture these prisoners themselves.

After all, the Lake Rat Gang family was originally a bunch of villains and robbers.

Words like pity, compassion, and empathy were impossible to associate with them.

On the contrary, torturing prisoners, grinding down enemies, and taking pleasure in the miserable appearance of enemies during punishment,

was their most adept and enthusiastic entertainment activity!

Of course, when they saw Shen Mu walking into the prison, they all put away this expression on their faces and stood in formation very respectfully.

They all saluted in unison, saying:

"Lord Shen Mu."

"Mm."

Shen Mu nodded, as a response.

Sweeping over these miserable-looking captives, several ideas formed in my mind.

So, I turned my gaze towards Fatis.

“Sir, I am currently interrogating these captives, asking for specific information about the faction called the Diesel Company.” Fatis immediately understood why Shen Mu was looking at him.

He immediately reported in a deep voice: "However, according to the information I have obtained, our previous defeat of their attack did not completely eliminate their armed forces."

“Yes, I know.” Shen Mu possessed the memories of his predecessor and had a deeper understanding of the Diesel Company.

He also knew the Diesel Company's foundation.

Relying solely on killing over 1,000 of the main force's pig-men and these 2,000-plus spirit realm servant soldiers was indeed not enough to inflict a huge, devastating blow on the Diesel Company's armed forces.

However, looking at these Blue Star humans who were obviously weak and without any signs of torture on their bodies.

Shen Mu feigned concern and asked, "What's wrong with them?"

“Oh, it's like this, they haven't eaten anything or had any water since they were captured yesterday.” Fatis replied.

There was no guilt in his tone.

For captives, it was common practice to starve them for two days or conduct simple interrogations.

Even if Fatis disagreed with torturing captives to death, he only disagreed with torture to death.

If it was a normal execution, Fatis wouldn't say anything.

Since they were captives, that meant they were enemies.

They only became captives because there was no other way.

They only chose to surrender because they were defeated.

If they hadn't been defeated, if there had been a way, then they certainly wouldn't be captives.

Even if the other side had won, those of us who had no way out would probably become their captives.

What would happen then was another matter.

So, even though Fatis also belonged to the good-aligned knights, at this time, he still believed that normal interrogation should exist and must involve punishment.

At this moment, it seemed that these Blue Star humans tied to the stakes noticed Shen Mu's arrival.

One by one, they weakly raised their heads.

Because they had just fought a fierce battle and hadn't replenished food and water, they were now dizzy with hunger, and their mouths were dry from lack of water.

In addition, they had been locked up in a cold cell last night, and the Lake Rat Gang thugs would occasionally walk by and mockingly tap on the bars of the single cells with their woodland axes, making it impossible for them to sleep well. Each of them was now mentally exhausted and unable to speak.

Even if they noticed a big shot coming, they could only barely raise their necks and look at Shen Mu with a dazed expression.

“Pa!”

But at this moment, a Lake Rat Gang thug who was nearby immediately rushed forward and slapped each of these Blue Star humans who dared to raise their necks, as if they wanted to see clearly who had come.

The slaps rang out crisply, making these Blue Star humans even more dizzy.

Even their parched mouths began to ooze red blood.

“Woo woo… don't hit… don't hit me…”

Some Blue Star humans even struggled to let out faint cries for mercy, which was particularly miserable.

“Don't raise your heads!” At this time, the Lake Rat Gang thug coldly said: “When we ask you something, you better explain it clearly to me! Otherwise, you will know what cruelty is!”

This was a blatant threat.

This was also to cover up Shen Mu's upcoming interrogation.

After all, if someone played the bad cop, then someone had to play the good cop, so that they could quickly break down the enemy's psychological defenses and make them say everything they should and shouldn't say.

A very common trick.

“I'll talk… I'll talk!” A Blue Star human was already begging there: “I'll say anything!”

“That's right! We'll all talk!” The other Blue Star humans tied to the stakes also had snot and tears streaming down their faces, constantly begging for mercy: “I'll say anything!”

And in front of Shen Mu, the dialogue box popped up again.

【Current number of surrendered captives: 1 / 16 people.】

【Current number of surrendered captives: 2 / 16 people.】

【Current number of surrendered captives: 3 / 16 people.】

The effect was very significant.

And these 3 Blue Star human captives who were tied up on the stakes also shone with a faint light.

Only Shen Mu could see it.

This should symbolize psychological surrender, which was reflected as feedback in the system.

“Not bad.”

At this, Shen Mu's lips curled up slightly, looking at these miserable Blue Star humans, and he also thought of the guy who had taken the lead in stabbing his companion to death and surrendering.

So, he looked at Fatis and asked, “Where's the one who surrendered first?”

“Still in the cell.” Fatis replied.

And he pointed to the deepest part, where Zhang Caidong was curled up in a pile of tattered rags, not daring to say anything.

At this time, Zhang Caidong discovered that Fatis was pointing at him, and even the other human soldiers who had tortured him quite a bit last night were looking at him.

Immediately, this Zhang Caidong, who had already been frightened out of his wits, began to shiver even more.

He closed his eyes, his face full of despair.

But there was no way around it.

He also understood.

Since he had chosen to become a captive, then whatever he would encounter next would be entirely up to the other party.

For example, this kind of torture of not giving food or water, and not giving long periods of rest.

Including the more tragic torture that might appear later.

That was all possible.

“Sir, this guy has been quite cooperative and has said everything he knows.” Fatis added at this time, next to Shen Mu.

His tone was considered satisfied.

“Yes, then in that case.” Shen Mu said after pondering slightly: “Give him food and water, let him eat first, as a reward.”

“Understood.” Fatis immediately nodded.

Then he waved his hand at those Lake Rat Gang thugs and said casually: “Give that guy something to eat.”

“Yes.” Immediately, a Lake Rat Gang thug took the leftover wheat porridge and vegetable soup from his morning meal in a wooden bucket, scooped it into an unwashed wooden bowl, and walked over.

“Eat it.” He handed it to Zhang Caidong.

“Ah… thank you! Thank you!”

Zhang Caidong's eyes lit up at this time, and he immediately felt a new force surge through his body. He quickly scrambled over, reached out and took the dirty wooden bowl, and began to eat it in large gulps.

There was wheat porridge and vegetable soup inside, so it could be considered something to eat and also replenish moisture.

He was so hungry and thirsty that he couldn't wait to lick the wooden bowl into his mouth.

And this also made the dozen or so Blue Star humans scattered in the surrounding cages swallow the very little saliva they secreted, and their eyes were filled with envy.

“This is your reward, as long as you are willing to cooperate, then there will be many rewards.”

Shen Mu then spoke in a faint tone, which could also be said to the other Blue Star human captives in the prison: “And those of you, if you are willing to choose to cooperate, I can also give you some small rewards.”

“We are willing to cooperate! Willing to cooperate!”

In the prison, the other Blue Star humans were originally temporary workers.

They were originally forcibly coerced by the Diesel Company to participate in the temporary convoy, following the pig-men of the Diesel Company's main force to attack Shen Mu's town.

So now, they had no good feelings or loyalty to the Diesel Company, since their spirit realm followers had been slaughtered.

How could they still be willing to grit their teeth and not open their mouths?

So, in front of Shen Mu, a new dialogue box popped up again.

【Current number of surrendered captives: 4 / 16 people.】

【 Current number of surrendered prisoners: … 10 / 16 people. 】

The number of prisoners choosing to submit has directly skyrocketed to 10 people.

“Not bad.” Shen Mu’s lips curled slightly, but his gaze flickered slightly.

Because through the system's markings, he had easily discovered that within the prison, there were still 6 people who did not have a faint glow.

Moreover, Shen Mu’s eyes carried a playful look, especially when he looked at Zhang Caidong, who was still gobbling down the food in the wooden bowl, and even licking the soup on it after he had finished.

He did not see the glow appearing on this guy's body.

This meant that he was surrendering on the surface, but in his heart, he had no intention of submitting at all, only pretending to submit due to the situation!

“Interesting.” Shen Mu stared at Zhang Caidong, and the corners of his lips curled up even more brilliantly.

He liked this kind of rebellious person.

“My lord, do you need me to use some methods?” Fatis, who was beside him, saw the playful smile on Shen Mu's lips, and following Shen Mu's gaze, he also saw Zhang Caidong, whom he thought was quite good and cooperative, and his brow furrowed subconsciously.

“Of course.” Shen Mu did not reject Fatis’s suggestion, but instead slightly raised his chin and pointed to the Blue Star humans in the other cages: “And them.”

“I understand.” At this moment, a cold chill arose in Fatis’s eyes.

He really understood.

In his heart, Shen Mu was a being who could perform miracles.

Now, he had pointed out these 6 prisoners in such a playful manner.

Could he, Fatis, not understand?

“Go!” Fatis said in a deep voice.

“Yes!” The Lake Rat Gang destroyers beside him, who had long been eager to move, walked forward quickly without saying a word and opened the cages of those 6 guys.

“You… what are you going to do?!” Zhang Caidong was still licking the wooden bowl at this time, and was complacent about his feigned surrender and pretense of cooperation.

After all, what he said was true.

It was all to gain trust, and then if there was a chance, he would escape immediately.

Not only escape from here, but also escape from the Diesel Company.

Even escape from Balihe Street!

Zhang Caidong knew very well how profound the price he had paid for personally killing Fu Jian, the deputy director of the Transportation Department of the Diesel Company, was.

So much so that he could not even survive in Balihe Street.

He had to go to other streets, or even other districts, to hide, so as not to be discovered and suffer the most violent revenge from the Diesel Company.

“What I said is true! It’s true!” But now he was being dragged out of the prison by the Lake Rat Gang destroyers.

And he and the other guys who had been relatively close to the Diesel Company before, and had only chosen to surrender on the city wall, and had not used weapons to attack other official employees of the Diesel Company, were tied to wooden stakes.

This made Zhang Caidong a little anxious.

“My lord, what I said is true!” Zhang Caidong still wanted to argue.

‘Pa!’ But before he could finish speaking, a Lake Rat Gang destroyer directly reached out and slapped him in the mouth, and he was once again reduced to a state where he couldn't say anything.

“So talkative.” Fatis glanced at him at this time, and then looked at the other 5 Blue Star humans tied to the wooden stakes.

Looking at their listless and pale appearance, he nodded to the side again:

“Give them some water!”

‘哗啦!’

Then, a Lake Rat Gang destroyer who understood Fatis’s intention picked up a wooden bucket filled with water and splashed it on them.

The cold Crescent Moon Spring water immediately made these 6 Blue Star humans shiver.

The spirit of the whole person also seemed to recover in this instant.

“I am willing to speak! I am willing to do anything!” Immediately, 2 Blue Star humans cried and shouted at this time.

The feedback in front of Shen Mu also turned into a dialogue box, as well as the glow that appeared on his body.

【 Current number of surrendered prisoners: … 12 / 16 people. 】

This made the smile on Shen Mu’s lips even more pronounced.

“Okay, untie the two of them, help them to their cells, and give them some food.” Shen Mu said lightly.

At the same time, he pointed to the other prisoners who had surrendered and casually ordered: “Give everyone food.”

“Understood.” Those Lake Rat Gang destroyers immediately took action, picked up the wooden bowls filled with leftovers, walked over, threw a wooden bowl to each person, and put the sparse wheat porridge and vegetable soup mixture in the wooden bowl, which was considered a meal.

These Blue Star human prisoners, who were already thirsty and hungry, directly ate it in big gulps.

The eating manners are the same ugly.

Even when they ate to the end, they licked the remaining juice in the wooden bowl with their tongues, just like Zhang Caidong just now, which was quite embarrassing.

And it's laughable.

“Ha!” At least the Lake Rat Gang destroyers, who loved to torture others, were very happy one by one.

It's just that the situation is not so easy in the execution room.

With a look from Shen Mu, a Lake Rat Gang destroyer next to him directly carried a whip forward, and with a ‘pa’ sound, he whipped out a burst of whip flowers in mid-air, and walked towards the 4 Blue Star humans with a grin.

However, when he was still 2 meters away, Shen Mu reached out and stopped them.

He said in a faint tone: “I need an inside man to open the city gate to the Diesel Company. If you are willing to do this, then I will choose to let you go. What do you think?”

Speaking, Shen Mu showed a light smile:

“I only need you to temporarily submit to me. After solving the Diesel Company, you will gain freedom.”

“We…” Zhang Caidong swallowed the blood in his mouth at this time, and opened his mouth to say something.

But Shen Mu interrupted him again.

“Listen to me.”

Shen Mu raised his hand, looked at Zhang Caidong and the other 3 Blue Star humans who were obviously shaken, and said seriously:

“You are not employees of the Diesel Company, but only temporary workers. Why should you risk your lives for the Diesel Company? As long as you agree to my request, you will not only get a lot of food, but even the Spirit Realm imprint fragments and corresponding safety, I can guarantee it.”

After a slight pause, Shen Mu said again in a deep voice: “After all, the commander of the Diesel Company was killed by you personally. The Diesel Company will not let you go.”

The 4 people tied to the wooden stakes hesitated and looked at each other, and they all saw the hesitation in each other's eyes.

But Zhang Caidong suddenly showed a miserable smile at this time: “I am willing to submit!”

At the same time, he also looked at the others beside him and said sharply: “That’s right! Fu Jian was killed by me! But do you think you can get rid of the Diesel Company’s revenge? Don’t you know what they are like?!”

These words were spoken in a hoarse voice, close to breaking.

But at this moment.

In front of Shen Mu, the dialogue box appeared again.

【 Current number of surrendered prisoners: … 15 / 16 people. 】

【 Current number of surrendered prisoners: … 16 / 16 people. 】

【 Your mission has been completed. 】

【 You have received a reward of 16,000 dinars. 】

【 Temporary mission issued — Assault the Diesel Company! 】