112: Chapter 112 Handling the Aftermath and Taking Office

The Imperial Prison, Section C cell.

In the dark and damp corridor, a lingering smell of mold and blood permeated all year round.

Chen Ran carried a three-layered redwood food box, walking slowly over the bluestone floor.

Most of the prisoners in the cells on both sides were lifeless, with only a few occasionally looking up upon hearing footsteps.

After clearly seeing the brand-new official uniform on Chen Ran, they quickly lowered their heads again, some even shrinking into the corners.

In the Imperial Prison, the official uniform is the law.

Not to mention a Seventh-Grade Prison Official, which was already the highest-ranking officer in the Imperial Prison besides the Commandant.

Chen Ran stopped in front of a cell.

Inside the cell, a wizened old man was leaning against the corner, picking his teeth with a piece of straw, looking quite content.

Though he wore prisoner's clothes, they were washed clean, and there was even a chipped teapot beside him.

It was Ghost Hand.

Back when he had first entered the Imperial Prison as a low-level food-delivering jailer...

...he had obtained the "Breath Concealment Technique" from Ghost Hand, which served as his first pot of gold to start his career.

Later, as Chen Ran rose through the ranks, he had secretly looked after Ghost Hand several times.

The old man's days in prison were more comfortable than many commoners outside.

Hearing the footsteps, Ghost Hand lazily lifted his eyelids.

In the next moment, the straw in his hand fell to the ground.

"Chen... Master Chen?"

Ghost Hand rubbed his eyes vigorously, staring straight at the Seventh-Grade Prison Official uniform on Chen Ran.

He remembered clearly that a few years ago, this kid was just a low-level jailer in gray cloth clothes, timidly delivering food. Back then, Chen Ran didn't even dare to look at the prisoners twice.

How long has it been?

A Seventh-Grade Prison Official!

"What, don't recognize me?" Chen Ran opened the cell door and placed the food box on the ground.

As the lid of the food box was lifted, the aroma of roast chicken mixed with the richness of strong liquor wafted out.

Ghost Hand swallowed his saliva but didn't rush to start. Instead, he looked Chen Ran up and down and smiled bitterly, "Master Chen, this skin of yours... is truly dazzling."

"Just good luck," Chen Ran replied perfunctorily, handing over the wine jug.

Ghost Hand took the jug, took a heavy swig, and breathed a long sigh of relief.

"Good wine. Master Chen, what brings you to see this old man today? Could it be there's some task for me to do?"

"I'm being transferred," Chen Ran said calmly.

Ghost Hand was stunned, his hand holding the roast chicken freezing in mid-air. "Transferred? Where to?"

"Six Doors."

Ghost Hand was silent for a moment, then grinned, revealing several yellow teeth. "Six Doors is good. The colorful world outside is always better than this dark Imperial Prison.

With Master Chen's skills, you'll surely rise rapidly once you reach Six Doors. This old man congratulates you in advance."

Chen Ran looked at Ghost Hand and said casually, "Your crimes aren't major; another two or three years and your time will be up.

If you want to get out early, I can pull some strings for you."

With his current status and connections, getting Ghost Hand out—whose crimes were not capital—was just a matter of a single word.

Consider it a return for the favor of the "Breath Concealment Technique" back then.

Hearing this, Ghost Hand looked at the dim corridor outside the cell, then at the roast chicken in his hand, and finally shook his head.

"Thank you for your kindness, Master Chen, but... forget it."

"Why?"

"Back when I was in the Jianghu, I had many enemies," Ghost Hand laughed at himself, tearing off a chicken leg and stuffing it into his mouth while speaking unclearly.

"If I go out, I'd have to worry constantly about enemies seeking revenge. It's better here in the Imperial Prison; I have food and drink, and no one dares to cause trouble. It's peaceful."

Chen Ran watched him quietly.

"Since you've decided, I won't force you."

Chen Ran stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes. "This meal of wine and meat will be our farewell. If fate allows, we shall meet again in the Jianghu."

"Take care, Master Chen." Ghost Hand stood up and gave a respectful bow.

Chen Ran turned and left.

...

The next morning.

Six Doors Headquarters.

Compared to the gloomy and oppressive Imperial Prison, Six Doors appeared much more grand.

The vermilion gates, the towering stone lions, and the Constables coming and going with brisk, efficient steps.

Chen Ran changed into a brand-new Six Doors Martial attire.

Black fabric, silver-threaded cloud patterns on the cuffs and collar, a wide leather belt around his waist, and a standard-issue long saber hanging from it.

Chen Ran stepped through the main gate.

On the training field, dozens of Constables were standing in formation.

Standing at the very front was the valiant and heroic Lin Wan, dressed in red Martial attire.

She wasn't wearing her Flying Fish Robe today, but rather a set of casual martial clothes that facilitated movement, outlining her graceful figure.

Seeing Chen Ran approach, Lin Wan nodded slightly, then turned around, her gaze sweeping over the Constables before her.

"Quiet, everyone."

Lin Wan's cold voice echoed across the training field, and the noisy crowd instantly fell silent.

"I've gathered everyone today to make an announcement."

Lin Wan pointed to Chen Ran beside her.

"This is Chen Ran. From today onwards, he is a member of our squad."

The Constables' gazes all fell upon Chen Ran.

Observing, scrutinizing, even with a hint of pickiness.

Six Doors was well-informed; they had long heard that Lin Wan had recruited someone from the Imperial Prison.

In the eyes of Six Doors, a place like the Imperial Prison was just a "nursing home."

Besides bullying shackled prisoners, what real skills could people from there have?

"Furthermore," Lin Wan paused and dropped a bombshell, "from today onwards, Chen Ran will serve as the Deputy Captain of our sub-squad."

As soon as these words were spoken, the training field erupted into chaos.

"What, Deputy Captain?!"

"Is this a joke? Why should a jailer from the Imperial Prison be the Deputy Captain?"

"Exactly, does he even know how to investigate cases or catch thieves?"

"Boss Lin, this doesn't fit the rules!"

The Constables were indignant, their eyes filled with dissatisfaction and contempt as they looked at Chen Ran.

A few low sneers even came from the crowd.

Facing everyone's doubts, Chen Ran remained calm, acting as if he hadn't heard a thing.

Lin Wan didn't speak up to suppress them either.

She crossed her arms, took a half-step back, and stood quietly to the side.

This was part of her assessment; as long as Chen Ran's seventh-grade strength was real, being a Deputy Captain would be easy.

...

"I don't accept this!"

A gruff voice suddenly rang out, drowning out all the discussions.

Everyone looked towards the source and saw a burly man stepping out from the ranks.

The man had a buzz cut and dark skin.

Xu Bai.

A veteran of the squad.

Xu Bai strode up to Chen Ran, looking down at him condescendingly.

"Boss Lin, Six Doors has always spoken through strength and merit," Xu Bai turned to Lin Wan, his voice booming.

"He's just a jailer waiting to die in the Imperial Prison. What right does he have to ride over our heads as soon as he arrives?"

Chen Ran observed the man in front of him, then glanced at Lin Wan.

Seeing that she still hadn't moved, but instead gave him a slight nod of approval.

Chen Ran thought to himself, speechless; as expected, coming here wouldn't be that simple.

Seeing no reaction for a while, Xu Bai spoke again:

"Do you dare to come to the training ground for a contest?"

Finally, the young man opposite him reacted.

He lifted his eyes slightly and said unhurriedly:

"Of course."