10: Chapter 10: The Prison Riot!

After Captain Wang's death, the Cell Block D of the Heavenly Prison did not fall into chaos.

On the contrary, it welcomed a "great philanthropist."

The new Captain was surnamed Li, a smiling tiger.

He had a kind and benevolent face, greeting everyone with a smile. He was completely different from Captain Wang, who had kept a stiff, deadpan expression all day as if he wanted to carve the words "I am a bad guy" onto his forehead.

On Captain Li's first day in office, he gave out benefits to the jailers of the Cell Block D.

Each person received two taels of silver, plus a meal of good wine and food.

He called it: "Everyone has worked hard. From now on, we are brothers; we shall share the blessings."

The jailers were moved to tears, one after another expressing their willingness to go through fire and water for Lord Li.

Only Chen Ran, holding those two taels of silver, felt suspicious in his heart.

"Offering unearned favors—there's either a hidden motive or a crime afoot."

In a place like the Heavenly Prison where people are devoured whole, the sudden appearance of a great philanthropist was, in itself, the ultimate horror story.

What made Chen Ran even more vigilant was that this Captain Li seemed to give him "extra special care."

Not only did he excuse him from the grueling chore of emptying night soil, but he also specifically arranged for two veteran jailers—He Wan and Liu Haifeng—to assist him in guarding Cell No. 7.

The reason given was: "The Red Lotus Witch is a major criminal. It's too much work for you to guard her alone. With two more people looking out, I can rest easy."

Listen to that, how considerate.

If Chen Ran didn't have the [heavenly book of prison suppression] protecting him and a mindset as steady as an old dog, he probably would have been moved to tears and bowed down in gratitude long ago.

But now...

This wasn't 'looking out' for him; it was clearly surveillance.

...

The night grew deep.

In the corridors of the Cell Block D, the oil lamps flickered dimly.

Chen Ran sat cross-legged on the bed in the jailer's room, eyes closed, resting his spirit.

He Wan and Liu Haifeng stood guard at the door of Cell No. 7, chatting idly.

He Wan was a slippery old veteran who had hung around the Heavenly Prison for over a decade; his greatest skill was slacking off.

As for Liu Haifeng...

Chen Ran opened his eyes slightly, his gaze passing through the crack in the door to land on that somewhat agitated figure.

Liu Haifeng was a young man who had been on the job for less than three years.

Usually, he was quiet and taciturn, but these past few days, something was off about him.

His eyes were shifty, he was restless, and he would glance toward Chen Ran from time to time as if guarding against something.

"Brother Chen."

Just then, Liu Haifeng suddenly walked over and stood at the door, rubbing his hands with a fawning expression.

"Not asleep yet?"

Chen Ran opened his eyes and looked at him.

"Is something the matter?"

"Well..."

Liu Haifeng hesitated for a moment, seemingly organizing his words.

"Can we... swap shifts tonight?"

"Swap shifts?"

Chen Ran raised an eyebrow.

The shifts in the Heavenly Prison were fixed. The first half of the night belonged to He Wan and Liu Haifeng, while Chen Ran took the second half.

It had only just passed the Hour of the Pig; it was still early for the shift change.

"It's like this, my... my stomach is feeling a bit off. I want to head to the latrine, and it might take a while."

Liu Haifeng clutched his stomach, feigning a look of pain.

"You know how heavy the Yin Qi is in this prison; my old ailment has flared up again."

"So I wanted you to cover for me for a bit. When I get back, I'll take the entire second half of the night so you can get a good sleep."

This excuse was absolute garbage.

Looking at those flickering, uncertain eyes, Chen Ran understood everything clearly.

Stomach ache?

I think you have a ghost in your heart.

However, Chen Ran did not expose him.

Since someone wanted to act, he would play along.

Besides, he wanted to see what kind of medicine was being sold in this gourd.

"Sure."

Chen Ran agreed readily.

"Since Brother Liu is unwell, then go quickly."

"One's health is the capital of revolution; don't hold it in and cause yourself harm."

Liu Haifeng clearly hadn't expected Chen Ran to be so easy-going. He froze for a moment, then became overjoyed.

"Many thanks, Brother Chen! Many thanks!"

"I'll buy you a drink another day!"

With that, he turned to leave.

"Wait."

Chen Ran suddenly called out to him.

Liu Haifeng's body stiffened. He turned back, his smile a bit forced.

"Brother Chen, is there something else?"

Chen Ran stood up, walked to him, and reached out to pat his shoulder.

"Brother Liu."

Chen Ran's voice was very soft, yet in this silent night, it sounded exceptionally clear.

"The paths in this Heavenly Prison are slippery. When walking at night, you must be careful."

"Don't accidentally slip into a pit and find yourself unable to crawl out."

Liu Haifeng's pupils constricted sharply, and he squeezed out a smile that looked worse than crying.

"Brother Chen must be joking. I'll be careful."

With that, he fled the scene.

Watching Liu Haifeng's panicked, retreating back, Chen Ran shook his head.

"Good advice cannot save a ghost determined to die."

He sat back down on the bed and closed his eyes.

Since someone wanted to seek death, he would let them.

Regardless, as long as it didn't affect his own low-key development, if the sky fell, the tall ones would be there to prop it up.

...

Time passed bit by bit.

The Hour of the Rat had passed.

The Heavenly Prison grew even more silent; even the rats had stopped moving.

He Wan was leaning against the wall, already snoring.

Chen Ran sat cross-legged and looked at the System panel.

[Current Cultivation: 30 Years]

[Cultivation Techniques: Cloud-Turning Palm, Cloud Water Step (Proficient), Breath Concealment Technique]

These were the rewards he had gained from "cultivating" over the past few days.

At this moment, thirty years of cultivation surged through his Meridians like a great river, flowing endlessly.

Although it was just a basic Internal Skill, with such profound cultivation backing it, its power was not to be underestimated.

Suddenly.

*Snap.*

An extremely faint, crisp sound reached Chen Ran's ears.

It sounded like a bone snapping.

Chen Ran snapped his eyes open.

A sharp light flashed through his pupils in the darkness.

It's starting!

He didn't get up immediately. Instead, he held his breath and circulated the Breath Concealment Technique, completely withdrawing his presence.

At this moment, he was like a lifeless stone, blending into the darkness.

"Ugh..."

A short, muffled groan came from outside the door, followed by the sound of a heavy object hitting the floor.

That was He Wan's voice.

Next came a rustling sound, like someone searching a body.

A moment later, footsteps rang out.

Light and hurried.

Heading toward the depths of the Heavenly Prison.

Chen Ran waited for a while until he was certain there was no more movement outside before he rose soundlessly.

He pushed open the door and walked out.

The corridor was filled with a faint scent of blood.

At the door of Cell No. 7.

He Wan lay on the ground, his eyes wide open, unable to rest in peace.

There was a thin line of blood on his throat, and fresh blood was gurgling out, staining the stone floor beneath him red.

A single slice to the throat.

Clean and efficient.

Chen Ran crouched down and examined the wound.

"A ruthless strike."

"Looks like an inside job."

He Wan hadn't even drawn his sword before he died, clearly having no guard against the killer.

And in the Cell Block D, the only people He Wan would have no guard against, besides Chen Ran, were...

Liu Haifeng.

"As expected, a mole."

Chen Ran stood up and looked toward the depths of the corridor.

That way led to the passages for Section C and Yi Ward.

Liu Haifeng had killed He Wan and taken the keys, clearly not for a simple prison break.

He was going to release the prisoners.

*Boom!*

Just then.

A massive explosion echoed from deep within the Heavenly Prison.

Immediately after, there were earth-shaking battle cries and the wild laughter of prisoners.

"Hahaha! I'm finally out!"

"Kill! Kill all these dog officials!"

The riot had begun.

Chen Ran stood in place, listening to the distant clamor, his face showing not a hint of panic.

"Even faster than I imagined."

He turned his head to look at Cell No. 7.

The Red Lotus Witch, Jiang Mengli, was still sitting in her cell, seemingly deaf to the commotion outside.

But Chen Ran could feel that the aura around her had changed.

"It seems your companions have come to fetch you."

Chen Ran walked to the bars and spoke flatly.

Jiang Mengli opened her eyes and looked at Chen Ran.

"You aren't running?"

"Run?"

Chen Ran shook his head.

"Why should I run?"

"This is my territory."

"And..."

He paused, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth as he whispered in his heart:

"I haven't collected today's reward yet."

Chen Ran looked into the distance, and his figure gradually vanished from the spot.

...

A set of hurried footsteps came from the other end of the corridor.

Several prisoners dressed in prison garb and holding snatched weapons rushed over with ferocious expressions.

"There's a jailer here!"

"Kill him!"