Kong Ming then turned to Tama's wife, the extraordinary Jing. Her dark hair shone with reflections of the torches and candles lighting the room, and her eyes flashed with anger. Although a mother, her figure was lean and girlish, with high firm breasts and a flat belly.

"Jing, wife of former King Tama, former Warlord Tama, your defense of the castle was spirited and intelligent. You distributed your troops well, in places they might not be expected. They fought bravely, inspired by your leadership, and took many of my best men with them when they died."

"But you have lost, Jing, and now it is time to give up your husband's ill-gotten gains. The treasury you have acquired was stolen from many poor people; it is my responsibility to return it to those from whom it was taken."

"Tell me where you put it, Jing. Or I will have my torturer do the questioning, and your husband will watch you suffer and die, if needed. Where is the treasury? And where is the famed Cleo?"

Jing, as Tama before her, stood mute.

Kong Ming waited a decent time, then with some reluctance, said, "Guard! Fetch the Torturer."

Some moments later, a quiet man in a fairly ornate Yi, which he removed after bowing to his King. "How may I serve the mighty Kong Ming?"

"Teo Zhuang, this woman and man, formerly the king and queen of this kingdom, are hiding things from me. Their treasury, stolen from poor people, is gone; we must find it and return it whence it came. Their daughter, a beauty of great honor in this kingdom, is also missing... and I am beginning to suspect that should we find one, we will find the other. I have sent out ships and troops to search, of course, but we can save further efforts if you will make them talk."

Teo Zhuang, the torturer whose given name was "Great", did not use those names; rather he still used his 'milk name', The Ox. His men always referred to him in the third person, of respect. Beneath the silk Yi he had worn, he had a most simple ru (shirt) and shang (skirt) made of plain peasant weave hemp, while his shirt was ramie.

"My friend The Ox, use your skills as carefully as you can. If you can get the information without damaging her beauty, I will be most grateful. However, if you must cut her into tiny pieces and feed her to the fishes to get her husband to give up the answer, do so." With that, Kong left the chamber.

The Ox turned to Tama and Jing. "So, my friends. How must we proceed from here? You have heard the Mighty Kong Ming direct me to use all my skills... and The Ox has skills which are famed from the China Sea to the mountains of far India. A small, effective sample." Ox walked to Jing and grasped her breast through her simple clothing. "I will now twist your wife's breast, Tama, until she screams. I will not stop until she begs me to with promises of sexual favors. Are you anxious to hear her?"