"If we stop now, we leave this leader to gather more men and continue his crimes." Dai Xin pointed out. He hadn't reacted like the others had to the torture, but at the same time he knew that he certainly had not expected this from Liu. He hadn't thought the younger man could steel his heart so much.

"Young master, I know I am not what most would call moral," he said, turning and walking alongside Liu. "But if you felt he would not have divulged the information otherwise, you should have told me. I could have inflicted pain on him without crippling him--had it been decided that he would live to face trial--or at the very least, saved you the trouble. Things such as this can weigh on a man's mind." He folded his hands in his sleeves again, though he had to readjust somewhat because of the holes Xu Lao had cut in them. "But I do not want you to think I am scolding you. That man's own karma brought this upon him. You have nothing to be ashamed of."