257: A day trip to the prison

The pie was too big, and I ate a bit too much.

Shen Bei scoffed at this.

The journey had been a long and tiring one.

By the time they arrived in Shen City, it was already bright daylight.

Originally, Shen Bei planned to find a place to get off and head to Shencheng Martial Arts University for his report.

In Shen Bei's understanding, the military should be located in the suburbs for convenience.

But what Shen Bei never expected was that the military headquarters in Shen City was actually on a street behind the Provincial Capital Martial Arts University.

This military headquarters was different from others; it was a secluded small red building, not directly on the street, surrounded by a large courtyard, with no sign, and serious-looking, heavily armed soldiers standing guard at the entrance, requiring identification for entry and exit.

In other cities, such a unit would surely be a place people would hurry past, not daring to glance at it, but in Shen City, which was an even larger city than Lingnan City at the end of the Universe, and also the location of the military district of the three northeastern provinces, it didn't attract much attention.

Everyone working or visiting here had stern faces, walked with hurried steps, and spoke in hushed tones, as if walls had ears, making the entire courtyard appear very quiet.

Now it was morning, and people from the building came to work or finished their shifts, entering and exiting together, only then would the main entrance become lively for a while.

Large military-green commuter buses, with their military-green curtains drawn, would be parked by the roadside at the entrance, bringing people in and taking them out, so apart from the sentries, you would hardly see anyone working in the building.

Only occasionally would a Red Flag sedan with military plates enter or exit, stopping at the guard post, where the window would be rolled down, the sentry would look inside, then wave them through; if Bai Wei was inside, the sentry would salute and watch the car drive into the building's underground parking lot.

Miller's mission was complete, and he had to return to guard the Luan County Earth Cave, so after a quick verification, he left.

As for Shen Bei, led by Bai Wei, he got out of the car but didn't leave the underground parking lot directly; instead, he followed her through a heavy iron gate. Behind that gate was a spacious tunnel, like an air-raid shelter, with a few low-wattage incandescent bulbs hanging from the ceiling, casting a dim, yellow light into the deep passage.

Several guards meticulously carried out identity verification again; they not only carefully checked documents and photo information but also used advanced computer imaging technology for comparison and confirmation. Shen Bei couldn't help but feel a doubt: "We already verified our identities upstairs, doing it again now, isn't it a bit too cumbersome?"

Bai Wei looked at Shen Bei with a gaze that was both mocking and playful, and said with a smile, "You mean to say these are just formalities and a waste of effort, right?"

Shen Bei quickly waved his hand, clarifying with an air of not being involved, "I didn't say that; don't put words in my mouth."

Bai Wei's smile remained, and she patiently explained, "Entering different areas requires corresponding identity authentication; this is the rule."

Shen Bei tried to correct her, "My point is, as a Martial God and the boss here, is there really nowhere you can't go?"

"I can naturally pass through unimpeded, but you can't right now," Bai Wei said frankly, "I'm currently processing the relevant procedures for you."

Finally, she's getting to the point!

Shen Bei rubbed his chin, full of suspicion: "But I never said I wanted to follow you deeper; I still have to go to school. Why are you helping me with the procedures…"

Bai Wei was speechless. After a brief pause, she shrugged and led Shen Bei further into the tunnel: "It's always right to let you familiarize yourself with the route first."

Shen Bei was utterly confused: "Are you assuming I'll follow you? I haven't agreed to join the military."

Bai Wei walked ahead, a wisp of her hair fluttering, and said leisurely, "Joining the army might lead to three years of regret, but not joining might lead to a lifetime of regret."

Shen Bei, however, responded with firm resolve: "I don't have that choice."

"You really don't want to join the army?" Bai Wei pressed.

"Am I not starting as a platoon leader?" Shen Bei emphasized with a questioning tone.

Bai Wei was slightly taken aback: "That's true, but even as a starting platoon leader, you must begin from the grassroots…"

Shen Bei sneered, "What are you feeling guilty about?"

Facing Shen Bei's skepticism, Bai Wei's expression seemed a little awkward, but she maintained her smile: "You've definitely never had a girlfriend, have you? You speak so sharply."

"I'm truly sorry," Shen Bei said with a touch of pride, grinning, "My father-in-law and I have already discussed it; he's giving me a million as a dowry, and I don't have to pay a single cent."

Bai Wei suppressed her surprise, trying to smile, but couldn't, letting out a strange tone: "A live-in son-in-law?"

Who's serving foot-washing water… Shen Bei spread his hands: "I conquered my father-in-law with my charm, understand?"

"Roughly… I understand."

Bai Wei's mouth twitched.

She suspected Shen Bei had beaten up his father-in-law with his strength, which was why he didn't need a bride price.

In this world, whether commoner or Martial Artist, marriage always required a bride price for the woman.

It was just a matter of how much, but it was always required.

She had never heard of a father-in-law paying the dowry.

You, Shen Bei, are somewhat outstanding, but only somewhat.

After walking for a while, the soldiers ahead opened a windproof door.

After stepping through, they turned a corner.

Bai Wei asked with interest, "I noticed Miller's report mentioned that you not only killed a Five-Rank Martial Artist but also counterattacked a Six-Rank Martial Artist, and successfully survived under the absolute suppression of an Eighth Rank Martial Warrior?"

Shen Bei gently rubbed the bridge of his nose, responding with a touch of helplessness, "I already told Miller to handle these matters discreetly, not to let people know about my so-called heroic deeds, otherwise others might get so jealous their teeth would itch."

"Your modesty isn't quite natural and smooth; I'll give you a 9 out of 10 for now," Bai Wei teased.

Shen Bei chuckled, easily responding, "That's not bad then, are you deducting a point because you're worried I'll get arrogant?"

Bai Wei narrowed her eyes slyly, staring at him intently: "The perfect score is one hundred, you know."

Shen Bei laughed wryly, not taking the bait.

At this moment, Bai Wei's eyelids were slightly curved, her eyes clear, and a faint smile played on her face as she continued, "Crushing opponents of the same rank is good; killing those of a higher rank indicates that your true attributes account for a very high proportion of your surface attributes, a clear win. But how did you survive under an Eighth Rank Martial Warrior? Miller said you used some kind of Yin and Yang Tai Chi effect Martial Skill? Why have I never heard of such an effect Martial Skill?"

"Want to know?" Shen Bei became enthusiastic.

Bai Wei nodded.

Shen Bei laid it all out: "Give me your teleportation Martial Skill."

Bai Wei wrinkled her nose and pouted fiercely: "You're dreaming even when you're walking; you're really something."

Shen Bei shrugged.

Not long after.

The two arrived at a place resembling a prison.

Cold concrete floor, dim light.

Rusty steel bars cut through the space, forming oppressive and cramped steel cells, and one could see a considerable space filled with dozens of such cages.

In the cages, one after another, numb-faced prisoners were confined.

The air was filled with a decaying and unpleasant smell—blood, sweat, excrement—a mixture of odors that strongly stimulated one's sense of smell.

Shen Bei was a bit surprised; seeing a prison cell wasn't uncommon.

But the hygiene conditions…

Shen Bei frowned: "It should be cleaned."

Bai Wei snorted, a hint of disdain in her words: "Give criminals a good environment? Do you think this is Northern Europe, where living in prison is a vacation?"

Alright, Shen Bei had been a bit prejudiced, after all, military personnel liked cleanliness and maintained tidiness.

He had thought the cells would also be very clean, with fresh air.

Bai Wei was right.

What good environment do criminals need? They should suffer.

Upon entering the prison cell,

The first thing that caught Shen Bei's eye was a prisoner being savagely whipped by two soldiers in military uniforms with long whips.

The prisoner's upper body was bare, and his hands and feet were tightly bound to a wooden stake with thick chains.

Moreover, long bone nails had been driven into vital areas such as his shoulders and arms.

He was heavily muscled and robust, yet there wasn't a single piece of intact skin on his entire body.

His flesh was already a blur from round after round of whipping.

Shen Bei couldn't help but twitch his eyebrow: "This… this is a bit too cruel."

"Cruel?" Bai Wei shook her head and smiled, "If you knew what he had done, you wouldn't say that."

"This man is named Tong Kui."

Bai Wei stared at the brawny man being tortured, as if examining livestock, saying, "He is extremely vicious, and he's also a Six-Rank Martial Artist."

"He was arrested five days ago in the Luan County Earth Cave."

"When they caught this guy, he violently resisted arrest and almost injured the soldiers Miller brought with him."

"What crimes did this person commit?" Shen Bei asked out of curiosity.

At the same time, Shen Bei also knew that although Luan County did not belong to the Northeast, it was under the jurisdiction of the Northeast Military Zone.

"What crimes?" Bai Wei narrowed her eyes, saying with a teasing tone, "Don't be scared when I tell you."

"He was originally a civilian Martial Artist in Chaoyang County, seemingly honest and law-abiding on the surface, but secretly incredibly malicious."

"A few years ago, this guy somehow picked up a Martial Skill in the Earth Cave that allowed him to nourish himself by eating people. So he began to kill and eat people to Cultivate his Martial Skill."

"Over the years, who knows how many murder cases he committed?!"

Eating people?!

Shen Bei immediately felt a discomfort in his stomach, and his brows furrowed.

Is this a damn Earth Cave Stranger (alien/otherworlder)?

He wondered what Martial Skill this guy had Cultivated, that relied on eating people to increase his strength?

Then he heard Bai Wei continue:

"But this guy was extremely cunning and was never discovered."

"It wasn't until seven days ago that the Martial Arts Management Bureau received a report transferred from the Patrol Bureau, saying that a family's daughter was missing. This finally caught the attention of the Martial Arts Management Bureau, and they eventually uncovered this guy."

"And, ultimately, in his backyard, they dug up no less than thirty human skulls!"

"Hiss--"

After hearing what Bai Wei said, Shen Bei immediately gasped.

He had eaten over thirty people!

Truly horrifying!

"The final clue revealed he had already entered the Luan County Earth Cave, which led to his arrest."

Bai Wei continued, "The Earth Cave is no longer under the Martial Arts Management Bureau's jurisdiction, so we took over this case. We're interrogating him about any other victims; if he's stubborn, we'll make him wish he were dead."

"How about it? Do you still think we're being 'cruel'?" Bai Wei tilted her head, asking with a smile.

Shen Bei shook his head.

He felt that for such extremely vicious individuals who had lost all humanity, even beating them to death would not be excessive.

Shen Bei said fiercely, "He deserves a brutal beating, the kind that rips out his heart and lungs."

"Very good." Bai Wei seemed quite pleased: "Your moral compass is very standard."

"That's not a good compliment," Shen Bei rolled his eyes.

That's like saying you're a good person.

The two continued to walk inward.

Bai Wei pointed at the prisoners in the cells: "Not a single good one among them."

This was pure nonsense; good people wouldn't be locked up here, no need for your reminder, thank you.

At the end of the cells were individual rooms.

The single rooms were small, barely five or six square meters.

The outer wall was a one-way mirror.

Inside, there were seats.

Upon arriving here, Bai Wei's gaze became even more angry and heavy, and she pointed to one of the rooms, saying:

"This person is responsible for handling computer data maintenance."

Shen Bei said, "Oh, so efficient, they've already dug out the mole."

"Not a single one will escape!" Bai Wei said firmly, "If they don't reveal their superior, they'll be tortured, wishing they were dead!"

They walked around the small rooms.

Shen Bei even saw several Eighth Rank Martial Warrior moles who had been arrested.

Clearly, this time's harvest was considerable.

Such interrogation work didn't require Bai Wei to personally intervene.

If she were to get involved, it would definitely be a heaven-shattering event.

The two walked around once and then returned to the surface.

"Any thoughts?"

Bai Wei's hair fluttered wildly in the wind as she asked eagerly.

"I see you're still up to no good," Shen Bei retorted.

Aren't you just trying to use the current situation to inspire me to join the army, to shed my blood and sacrifice my life?

Go to bed and dream.

Bai Wei: ???

No… if you talk like that, will you really have a girlfriend?

I seriously doubt it!