Chapter 269 : This Doesn’t Seem Right?
Chapter 269: This Doesn’t Seem Right?
Just as Chen Ming felt a surge of vigilance, he suddenly sensed something and looked up sharply.
A man dressed in a prison uniform strode in proudly.
The newcomer’s hawk-like eyes locked firmly onto him.
“These past few days, thanks to Young Master Gu’s care. I’m here today to return the favor.”
As he spoke, a row of white teeth flashed in a sinister grin, and a chilling tone laced his words.
“Zhou Yuan?”
Chen Ming was slightly surprised—he could vaguely recognize the man’s face.
The prisoner didn’t strike immediately. He said leisurely, “It’s rare for Young Master Gu to still remember this old man.”
It really was him.
Just a few days ago, this man had appeared to be a frail old fellow in his fifties or sixties. Now that his cultivation had recovered, he looked much younger—like a vigorous man in his forties.
So, after reaching the First Grade, one could actually rejuvenate? Incredible.
Zhou Yuan noticed Chen Ming’s calm and unflustered expression and couldn’t help but admire his courage.
“That Tang fellow isn’t here today, only you. Aren’t you afraid of me?”
Chen Ming replied, “You’re stalling for time, aren’t you? Afraid I’ll run out to report it? I’m guessing you’ve only recovered about thirty percent of your strength. Why should I be afraid of you?”
Zhou Yuan sneered. “Truly ignorant of heaven and earth. With thirty percent of my power, killing you is no harder than slaughtering a chicken!”
The words had barely fallen before he attacked savagely.
When Chen Ming drew his sword, a thought flashed across his mind:
“I really am cursed with prisons. Stay long enough in one, and something always happens.”
——
The third floor of the Celestial Prison was divided into two areas—one for common outlaws of the martial world, the other for nobles. The environments and management between the two were completely different.
Princess Lingyu immediately realized something was wrong when she sensed that the prison’s restriction had been disrupted.
However, confident in her own martial prowess, she wasn’t overly concerned.
She wasn’t sealed by the Dragon-Sealing Needle, and those First Grade prisoners who had been locked up for years didn’t concern her.
The only troubling matter was that the prison’s formation malfunctioned for no reason—there must be a conspiracy behind it.
That was what she needed to guard against.
“Who could they be targeting?”
Princess Lingyu mentally went through the seventeen other nobles imprisoned here. The first three she thought of were, “General Gong? Or the Little Royal Uncle, perhaps Lord Feng?”
These three held the most prominent statuses.
General Gong had once been the Marshal guarding the Northern Frontier, but after last year’s crushing defeat, he was thrown into prison. Perhaps his subordinates were here to rescue him.
The Little Royal Uncle had vied for the throne over ten years ago but lost to the current emperor. Out of mercy, the emperor hadn’t executed him but imprisoned him ever since.
Maybe some ambitious faction was trying to free him?
As for Lord Feng, he had been a cabinet minister who offended the emperor by petitioning to depose the empress—hence he was sent to the Celestial Prison.
For someone as mild-tempered as the emperor to imprison him directly, it showed he was truly enraged.
That matter wasn’t simple—it involved the struggle between the Empress Dowager and the emperor.
As Princess Lingyu pondered which power might be behind the disturbance, she suddenly heard her Fourth Younger Sister speak.
“Elder Sister, could you help me save someone?”
“Save someone?”
Princess Lingyu asked in surprise, “You have a friend imprisoned here? Which cell? I’ll send someone to fetch him.”
Princess Mingyu said anxiously, “He’s not a prisoner. He’s the Seventh Young Master of the Gu Family. He came to the Celestial Prison to spar with some of the First Grade criminals…”
“The Seventh Young Master of the Gu Family?”
Princess Lingyu hadn’t heard of him before. “What’s his cultivation?”
“He just broke through to Second Grade.”
Princess Lingyu raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. “To challenge death-row First Grade criminals right after entering Second Grade—quite bold.”
Princess Mingyu said urgently, “He’s very important to me. Please help me, Elder Sister. If we’re late, he might be in danger.”
If during his sparring, one of the prisoners had regained some of their strength, he could easily die in an instant.
Especially since Tang Shouzheng hadn’t accompanied him today.
If he died, it would be even harder to find Purple Shadow later.
Seeing Mingyu’s anxious expression, Princess Lingyu’s curiosity deepened.
“Could this man be your lover? Then he’s certainly worth saving. Come, follow me.”
With hands clasped behind her back, she led Mingyu toward the gate. Casually, she told the guards,
“The prison’s restriction has malfunctioned. Find a place to hide—don’t get yourselves killed.”
Before the guards could reply, the two figures vanished down the corridor at incredible speed—like Shrinking the Earth into an Inch.
The two sections were separated by a single gate.
Princess Lingyu ordered the gate opened. The guards dared not refuse, and once they did, they saw the corpses of fellow wardens lying on the ground.
It seemed some had already broken free.
Faster than she had anticipated.
Judging by the traces at the door, the prisoner must have used some kind of hypnotic art to make the guard open the cell himself. Otherwise, even a First Grade Peak could never have broken that unyielding prison so quickly.
She said coldly, “Your lover might already be dead.”
Those First Grade criminals, having been locked away for so long and humiliated by Second Grade warriors, surely held a grudge.
The first person they’d want to kill would be that “Young Master Gu.”
As she spoke, her ears twitched—she sensed the lingering fluctuations of battle.
“Hm?”
One was a First Grade aura, the other… Second Grade.
That boy was still alive?
Interesting.
With a step, Princess Lingyu and Mingyu arrived outside an open cell. The turbulent Qi inside confirmed the source of the clash.
Looking in, the scene was utterly different from what she’d imagined.
A strikingly young man wielded a Peerless Divine Weapon, pressing a First Grade prisoner, who had already forced out his Dragon-Sealing Needle, into total suppression.
Her eyes lit up. “That’s your lover? His swordsmanship is extraordinary!”
“His movement—”
Suddenly, the youth vanished from sight and reappeared before his foe, piercing the man’s chest clean through.
Princess Lingyu’s pupils contracted, astonishment flashing across her face.
Such speed! Even her divine sense couldn’t track it.
Then her cheeks flushed slightly, eyes shimmering with excitement.
“What did you say his name was again?”
Princess Mingyu stood frozen at the sight of Chen Ming killing a man, disbelief and shock written all over her face, as if she hadn’t heard the question.
“Little Four?”
The loud buzz in her ears snapped her back to her senses. She stammered, “Ah? You… what did you say?”
“What’s his name?”
“Gu Xianyu.”
“Gu Xianyu. This Princess shall remember that. I’ve only been in this prison for a few months, and already the Capital has produced such a remarkable young expert.”
At this time, Chen Ming confirmed that the First Grade criminal was dead, then turned to the two women at the doorway—Princess Mingyu and another elegant, noble lady.
One looked at him with curious excitement; the other seemed absent-minded.
His heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected Princess Mingyu to appear here.
“Could my disguise be exposed now?”
No—Yuan Ziyi hadn’t fought in front of Princess Mingyu before.
Thinking that, he relaxed and said, “Your Highness, why are you here? And this lady is…?”
Princess Mingyu recovered and introduced, “This is my elder sister, Princess Lingyu.”
Chen Ming cupped his hands. “Gu Xianyu of the Gu Family greets Your Highness.”
Princess Lingyu asked, “Why were you inside the cell?”
The prison cells were cramped—hardly a good place for sparring. His presence inside was suspicious.
Chen Ming replied naturally, “I discovered that the prison’s restrictions were compromised, and some First Grade criminals had already escaped and started killing. After slaying two of them, I worried the cells wouldn’t hold the rest, so I took the initiative to open the cells and kill them all—before they could break free and surround me.”
“Excellent idea!”
Princess Lingyu clapped her hands in praise, clearly pleased—his temperament suited her perfectly.
Princess Mingyu, however, frowned slightly.
Those prisoners hadn’t escaped yet. Killing them preemptively was against regulation. If the higher-ups investigated, he’d be in serious trouble.
The wiser move would’ve been to find her first.
At that moment, Chen Ming said, “Your Highnesses, time is precious. I must proceed to the next cell. Please assist me from the rear.”
Princess Lingyu agreed instantly, “Very well.”
Mingyu wanted to dissuade her, but seeing her elder sister’s eager expression, she sighed helplessly. There was no stopping her.
——
The real reason Chen Ming said that was to prevent Princess Lingyu from stealing his kills.
This was a rare opportunity—he could openly slay these First Grade criminals and earn experience.
Even a princess couldn’t take that from him.
From her demeanor, Princess Lingyu was clearly a battle maniac. Fortunately, he’d already told her to “cover him.” With her status, she probably wouldn’t snatch his prey openly.
Thus, Chen Ming pressed on, cutting down enemy after enemy.
Princess Mingyu watched as he slew four or five prisoners as easily as chopping vegetables.
Something felt off. She whispered, “These First Grade criminals… haven’t they recovered?”
Princess Lingyu replied, “About thirty percent of their strength.”
Mingyu swallowed nervously. “Even with thirty percent, they shouldn’t be this weak…”
These were First Grade experts!
Even with just ten percent of their power, a Second Grade warrior shouldn’t stand a chance.
There was a fundamental gulf between First and Second Grade—that was common knowledge.
But what was she witnessing?
A Second Grade killing First Grades like slaughtering dogs. Even if they’d only regained thirty percent… something wasn’t right.
Princess Lingyu, on the other hand, said excitedly,
“Your lover’s strength must already rival the First Grade. When he truly steps into that realm, I can’t imagine how powerful he’ll become.”