300: Chapter 294 Imprisoned, Practical and Magical Creature Classes in Preparation

Jinshui Town Government Prison.

A fairly spacious cell, with three walls of stacked stone and one side made of wooden bars. Dry straw was scattered haphazardly across the floor. No candles were lit around; only the moonlight filtered in through several small, square windows no larger than the mouth of a bowl.

Luo Xiling squatted in the corner, her chin resting in her hands, her face blank with shock.

This isn't right, this isn't right, this isn't right, is it?

I am a disciple of an immortal descended to the mortal realm. I should be majestic and awe-inspiring, with people kneeling in respect wherever I go. What's the deal with suddenly squatting in a big prison?

"Slap—"

She slapped the wall in resentment and suddenly stood up: "Brother Ye, let's fight our way out!"

Ye Ming sat by the earthen bed built against the wall, flipping through a manual.

Hearing her words, he looked up and asked curiously, "How do we fight our way out?"

Luo Xiling was boiling with passion: "Although the moon bright sword was confiscated by them, it's not far away. I can sense the mental fluctuations of the sword spirit. With just one Sword Incantation, I can..."

"By the way, Brother Ye, why did you hint for us not to do anything in the courtyard?"

As she spoke, she suddenly remembered when the middle-aged woman led the constables into the courtyard to arrest them, Ye Ming had used his eyes to stop them from resisting, which made her feel confused.

Noticing an anomaly, Luo Xiling's brain began to work rapidly, and she immediately discovered more suspicious points.

"And," she looked at the manual Ye Ming was holding and the backpack placed on the earthen bed, "why didn't they confiscate your bag?"

"That," Ye Ming turned his head to look at the backpack, "I asked the Lead Constable to let me keep it. He saw that it was just some daily necessities and books, so he agreed."

"It's that simple?"

"What else?"

Dazed for a moment, her attention returned to the previous question: "What about the hint?"

Ye Ming didn't answer directly but asked instead: "Do you think that middle-aged woman's worry for her daughter was genuine or fake?"

Luo Xiling recalled with a serious face: "It didn't seem like she was acting."

Giving her a look of approval that said "your IQ is finally salvageable," Ye Ming said, "I asked the woman who lost her daughter,"

"That middle-aged woman indeed has a beautiful daughter, whom the woman also watched grow up."

"So, the possibility of framing us is basically ruled out."

"Then, then why did she call the police to arrest us?"

"Senior Sister, you should say 'report to the officials' here," a girl's voice came from the neighboring cell. Clearly, they were also paying attention to the conversation between the two.

Ye Ming sighed: "Why report to the officials... Is there a possibility that her daughter really is missing?"

"But didn't we see her daughter before we left?"

"Yes, so the time she went missing was after we left."

"Ah?" Luo Xiling was shocked, "The Prodigy went there just as we left?"

"I suppose so."

"Wait." She wrinkled her small face, "If that's the case, the constables would know we're innocent just by asking the woman, right?"

"After all, we were with the woman the whole time after we came out. We have an alibi!"

"The constables do indeed know it wasn't us."

Hearing this, a young man among the four in the neighboring cell became excited: "Then why did they arrest us?!"

Luo Xiling also said anxiously: "Brother Ye, tell us quickly!"

Ye Ming was very melancholy: "At least let me speak, will you?"

"Oh." Realizing their mouths wouldn't stop and they hadn't given him a chance to explain, the five of them quieted down.

Organizing his words in his mind, Ye Ming began to explain to everyone: "The middle-aged woman's daughter is missing, and the Prodigy did it. We can deduce this much,"

"The process isn't complicated; the constables can naturally figure it out too."

"In fact, the moment the Lead Constable saw us, he knew we were being wronged."

"So why did he arrest us and bring us back?"

"One reason is to take the blame."

At this point, the five of them also understood.

The Prodigy's long-term crimes had caused public resentment to boil over. The Government Officials were powerless to catch the culprit and were in a frantic state, not knowing what to do.

As a result, several outsiders suddenly became involved in the case. If they didn't arrest you, who would they arrest?

Whether or not to push all the blame onto the six of them could be discussed later.

Locking people up here as a fallback plan would never be wrong.

If the Prodigy were caught later, they would naturally be cleared of the charges. If it wasn't caught... the outcome didn't need to be detailed; those who understood, understood.

Having sorted out the cause and effect, Luo Xiling flew into a rage: "Damn corrupt official, he actually dares to kill the innocent to claim credit! I'll go out and cut him down!"

Ye Ming flipped the manual over to face her: "Inflicting injury on mortals without cause results in a points deduction."

"Holy crap, he's about to make me take the blame, and that's still 'without cause'?"

"He didn't explicitly say he was going to kill the innocent to claim credit; he just has that intention in his heart. These are two completely different concepts."

She squatted back in the corner indignantly: "Do I have to wait until he's about to chop off my head before I can fight back?"

"Not necessarily. As long as his actions show such a trend, or he says it outright, you can strike him down with one sword."

"Locking me up doesn't count as a trend?"

"Right now, someone has accused us of a crime. It is reasonable and legal for him to temporarily detain us."

Luo Xiling pouted: "This is different from what I imagined. I wanted to ride a sword and fight a great battle with a Prodigy in the sky while a huge crowd below looked up in awe."

"Really... Brother Ye, is it also this troublesome when the Master descends the mountain?"

"Uh..." Ye Ming was speechless for a moment and said very subtly, "When Immortal Xu descends the mountain to do things, he generally follows his heart."

"What does that mean?"

"He does whatever he wants."

"Damn! Only the officials are allowed to light fires?!"

"You can protest to Immortal Xu when you go back."

"Let him light fires then."

Her head lowered submissively, and she said gloomily: "What do we do now?"

"How are we supposed to catch the damn Prodigy while staying in jail?"

"The Prodigy has already appeared."

"Ah? Where?" Luo Xiling and the four next door jumped up together.

"This Prodigy seems to understand the Mountain Gate rules quite well." Ye Ming flipped through the manual, "He knows that Mountain Gate disciples are not allowed to harm mortals without cause during their experience trials,"

"So, after we left the middle-aged woman's house, he kidnapped her daughter, making the woman report to the officials to have us thrown in jail and restrict our movements."

After saying that, Ye Ming felt a bit self-reproachful: "Our ancient costumes are too crude. The clothing is very different from the local style. I suspect the Prodigy saw through us the moment we stepped out this morning. I was too careless."

The concept of ancient costume is very broad.

The clothing styles of each dynasty have their own distinct characteristics, with differences so vast they can be identified at a glance. It's not as simple as wearing a robe and calling it an ancient costume.

Hearing this, Luo Xiling stood up and walked over to comfort him: "Brother Ye, don't say that."

"You've been the only one considering everything since we arrived at the town. We haven't been able to help at all."

Ye Ming shook his head and brought the topic back on track: "If nothing unexpected happens, the Prodigy has already discovered us and is probably nearby right now."

"Peeping at us?"

"Mm." He closed the manual and said with some confusion, "What exactly does the Prodigy want to do?"

"Since it noticed people from the Mountain Gate, it should either flee or give its all in a fight. What's the point of designing a scheme to lock us in jail?"

"He's Familiar with the Mountain Gate, so he should know it's impossible for us to actually be beheaded by the government. I can't figure it out..."

The young man in the neighboring cell said hesitantly: "Could it be that he's plotting something and happened to reach a critical moment where he can't leave Jinshui Town, so he's worried we'll interfere with him?"

"It's possible." Ye Ming replied with a boost in spirits, but then felt something wasn't quite right.

It was true that they were locked up and couldn't harm mortals without cause, but those were conditional.

They could stay here if nothing was happening, but if the Prodigy showed its tracks, Ye Ming would definitely order a prison break.

The Prodigy must know this too.

"What exactly does he want to do..." Ye Ming lowered his head and thought for a moment to no avail, deciding to set it aside for now. "Forget it, let's wait for someone to come."

"Wait for who?" Luo Xiling asked curiously.

"The constable. Look, he's here."

In the darkness at the end of the corridor, a thin figure slowly emerged.

The five of them looked over; it was actually the Lead Constable who had captured them in the evening.

He walked to the bars on Luo Xiling's side and cupped his hands: "I have wronged you, My Lords."

Ye Ming stood up and walked over: "Did you see the sword?"

"I saw it."

"Then it'll be easy to handle." He stood there and pondered for a while, "The Prodigy's intention is still unclear, but it doesn't matter. As long as it can't resist committing a crime, it'll have to show up sooner or later."

The Lead Constable bowed his waist slightly: "Please give your orders, My Lord."

"Tomorrow morning, announce to the townsfolk that you will execute the six Prodigys who have been plaguing Jinshui Town at the execution ground."

He thought he had misheard and subconsciously looked up, his eyes full of shock: "You are all Imperial Officials; how can this be allowed?"

"Just do as I say."

"But this..." The Lead Constable opened his mouth as if to speak but hesitated. Seeing that Ye Ming's mind was made up, he could only cup his hands. "I shall go and report this to the Lord Magistrate then."

After the man retreated into the darkness, Luo Xiling asked in surprise: "Brother Ye, what's going on?"

"Remember how I told you to draw the sword out of its scabbard a little before you handed it over?"

"I remember."

"The blade of the moon bright sword is made of crystal, translucent throughout, with spiritual energy flowing inside. As long as the constable isn't blind, he'll know it's no ordinary item."

"In that case, he naturally wouldn't doubt the note I left."

"Where did you put it? What did you write?"

"I put it in your sword's cloth wrap. It said we are from a Secret Department on a covert investigation and happened to encounter this matter, so we are taking charge of it."

Nodding in realization, she asked again: "Why did you have him announce our execution?"

"Knowing that several of us are about to be beheaded, can the Prodigy resist coming to the scene to confirm its authenticity?"

"Brother Ye is amazing!"

Ye Ming didn't care about the flattery and instead frowned: "The only thing that puzzles me... why wasn't it the Magistrate who came..."

After pondering for a good while, he was forced by the limited clues to give up on finding a result and set it aside for now.

"Let's rest." Ye Ming squatted down and gathered the straw. "You sleep on the bed. Go to sleep early; tomorrow won't be peaceful."

"Oh."

...

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Toby wove through the bookshelves in the library, while Misha sat at the long table in the middle, flipping through some book or other.

"I just asked the Administrator; these are all the books on magical creatures." Lyon emerged from behind a bookshelf, holding over a dozen thick, popular science books on magical creatures.

"Thanks." Taking half of them, Toby walked alongside him toward Misha.

The books were a bit heavy, so Lyon shifted them up: "It's been two days since we returned to school, and the Headmaster hasn't announced the start of Combat Class yet. There's also no news about the magical creatures class. What's going on?"

"The Headmaster has his own arrangements; we just need to wait."

"Alright."

The two reached the table, placed the books in the middle, and sat on either side of Misha.

Seeing them return, the little girl pressed her finger on a colored illustration of a Thunder Wolf on the page: "The book says this kind of creature lives in the forest behind the academy. I want to catch one as a pet!"

Glancing at it, Lyon said helplessly: "Although the teacher said any magical creature has the potential to be tamed, I don't think you can handle a wolf that can discharge lightning right now."

"I can turn it into a stone statue!" Misha waved the teaching rod staff placed on the table. "Then it will surely beg for mercy, and in my kindness, I'll decide to release it on the condition that it becomes my Familiar!"

"Misha, the Petrification Spell is apprentice-level magic and is ineffective against a Thunder Wolf."

Hearing this, the little girl's mood instantly plummeted: "Is there no other way?"

"Well... Ms. Rowling came back yesterday. I heard her say her birthday is coming up, and the Headmaster has already agreed to give her a magical pet as a gift,"

"Perhaps... you could try acting cute to the Headmaster?" Toby said tentatively.

Hearing this, Lyon also joined in the teasing: "With Misha's cuteness, it'll be no problem!"

Probably sensing that the two were making fun of her, Misha said with a stern face: "You can't bully children."

"We are being very sincere," the two of them said, stifling their laughter.

"Hmph." Misha gave a light snort and looked down at her book.

After they finished laughing, Toby's expression turned solemn: "Have they arrived?"

"A little later than us, they arrived the day before yesterday in the afternoon."

Replying, Lyon moved his gaze from the book page to Toby: "They seem very excited."

His words were vague, but Toby understood instantly: "The Prince intends to support them?"

"Probably. If the plan had been thwarted, they wouldn't be smiling so brightly."

"Haa—" Exhaling deeply, Toby showed a look of worry. "Her Majesty the Queen feels that internal competition should be maintained, but I'm always worried..."

"Don't worry, Her Majesty the Queen cert—"

"All first-year students, assemble in the Great Hall."

"Repeat, all first-year students, assemble in the Great Hall."

Dumbledore's voice echoed throughout the academy. The three of them immediately put the books back on the shelves and rushed to the Great Hall.

Wino and Klaisi seemed to be closer to the Great Hall than they were. When the three stepped through the doors, those two were already sitting at the long wooden table belonging to their own house.

Toby glanced at them and led Lyon and Misha to their seats.

On the stone platform in front, Dumbledore, wearing a black robe, sat behind the table, with Ms. Rowling sitting in the adjacent seat holding a video camera.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, the white-haired, white-bearded old man rose from his wooden chair: "I am very pleased with your diligence in giving up your precious vacation to return to school early, and I also understand your anticipation for the new courses."

"Since you have expressed your enthusiasm, I have decided to move up the start time for the magical creatures class and the Combat Class."

The eyes of the five students lit up, and they raised their hands to applaud.

The Headmaster pressed his hands down in the air. Once the applause died down, he said slowly: "I can understand that your curiosity for new things is very urgent,"

"But before that, I must emphasize: are you sure you are voluntarily taking the Combat Class?"

"I am willing!" The five of them stood up together, their answers resonant and powerful.

Clearly, the threat of death could not stop their desire for magic.

"I can feel your determination." The old man turned around with a smile. "In that case, follow me."

"The magical creatures class will be taught by me personally."