113: Chapter 113 Don't you recognize me?

Six Doors, drill grounds.

Dozens of Constables stood in a circle, watching the two men in the center.

"How many moves can the kid from the Sky Prison last?"

"Xu Bai's Mountain-Cleaving Saber style is so heavy it's overkill for even chopping wood."

"I bet he'll be on his knees within three moves."

"Three moves? What real skills can you learn in the Sky Prison besides delivering food to prisoners? One move!"

A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.

Xu Bai stood in the center, cracking his neck with a series of pops. As the aura of a newly attained Seventh Grade spread, several nearby Constables instinctively took a half-step back.

"Kid, blades have no eyes." Xu Bai drew a wooden training saber and pointed the tip at Chen Ran's nose. "Surrender now and go back to your Sky Prison, and you might spare yourself a beating."

Chen Ran didn't draw his blade.

He simply rested his hand on the hilt, not even lifting his eyelids. "Please."

"You're asking for it!"

Xu Bai roared, lunging forward like a bear as he kicked off the ground.

The long saber whistled through the air, cleaving straight down toward his head.

The strike was heavy and powerful, cutting off all avenues of retreat.

Suddenly—

Chen Ran moved.

He shifted his body slightly, sliding past the blade's edge to enter Xu Bai's inner guard.

It was too fast.

To Xu Bai, it was a mere blur; Chen Ran was already right in front of him.

Then, Chen Ran slammed his hilt directly into the junction of Qi pathways beneath Xu Bai's ribs.

Bang!

A muffled thud echoed.

The True Qi surging through Xu Bai's body instantly dissipated.

Before he could even register how Chen Ran had struck, he was sent flying backward.

Boom!

Xu Bai crashed into a weapon rack at the edge of the grounds, the sound of splintering wood grating on the ears.

He tumbled to the ground, clutching his ribs, unable to get up for a long time.

The drill grounds fell silent.

Everyone stood agape, staring at the young man in the center who had barely even changed his stance.

One move?

Xu Bai, the best fighter in the squad, was taken down just like that?

Chen Ran withdrew his hand and brushed the dust off his sleeves, his tone indifferent. "Thank you for the match."

No one responded.

The Constables who had been jeering just moments ago now felt their faces burning. When they looked at Chen Ran again, their eyes held nothing but wariness.

No words were needed.

That single move was the ultimate rule.

Standing at the back of the crowd, Lin Wan raised an eyebrow.

She knew Chen Ran had some skill, but she hadn't expected him to win so decisively.

"Good!"

Lin Wan clapped her hands, breaking the silence.

She walked into the center, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Now, does anyone else have an objection to Chen Ran serving as vice-captain?"

No one uttered a sound.

"Since there are none, it's settled." Lin Wan turned to Chen Ran. "vice-captain Chen, come with me."

Chen Ran nodded and followed her.

One after the other, they crossed the drill grounds and headed toward the inner hall of the Six Doors.

Along the way, Chen Ran quietly observed his surroundings.

It was a far cry from the Sky Prison, where the sun never shone, the atmosphere was gloomy and oppressive, and even the air reeked of blood and decay.

The buildings of the Six Doors were spacious and bright, exuding an air of solemnity and majesty.

The bluestone-paved ground was swept spotless, the sentries along the path stood straight as arrows, and the passing Constables moved with hurried efficiency.

"Now this is a place for normal people."

Chen Ran sighed inwardly.

After being in the Sky Prison for so long, he felt a bit out of place suddenly basking in the sunlight.

As they passed, the Constables who had been watching from a distance stopped in their tracks.

The crowd parted like it was being pushed by an invisible hand, automatically clearing a wide path.

The Six Doors was a place of rules, but even more so, it was a place of strength.

"This kid... what's his background?" someone whispered, their voice filled with disbelief.

"He took down Xu Bai in one move?"

"How can a hellhole like the Sky Prison produce a monster like this?"

"Shh, keep it down. He's vice-captain Chen now. We'll be working together from now on; don't go looking for trouble."

Hearing the deliberately lowered voices around him, Chen Ran's expression remained unchanged.

He knew well that while keeping a low profile was important in a new environment, showing his fangs at the right time would save him a lot of unnecessary trouble.

...

Six Doors, inner hall.

Once the door closed, all outside noise was cut off.

Lin Wan walked to the desk and sat down, pointing to the chair opposite her. "Sit."

Chen Ran pulled out the chair and sat down, his back straight. "What are your orders, Lord Lin?"

Lin Wan didn't speak immediately. She sized Chen Ran up, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

"vice-captain Chen, you've been hiding your light under a bushel."

"You flatter me, my Lord. Having spent so long in the Sky Prison, I simply practiced a few self-defense moves to stay alive," Chen Ran replied smoothly.

"Self-defense moves?" Lin Wan chuckled. "Taking down a Seventh Grade in one move is no ordinary feat."

However, Lin Wan didn't press the matter; given Chen Ran's previous conduct, it was normal for him to have hidden his strength.

She paused, then suddenly leaned forward. Her cold, aloof aura vanished, replaced by a tone of familiarity.

"vice-captain Chen, don't you recognize me?"

Lin Wan leaned back against her chair, her tone casual. "Back in the Sky Prison, you certainly didn't hesitate to order your 'apprentice' around."

Chen Ran was stunned.

He looked at the face before him, his facial muscles stiffening slightly.

"You... you're not that..."

Chen Ran stood up abruptly, pointing at Lin Wan, and finally blurted out, "Lin Xiaowan?!"

"What, surprised?" Lin Wan was quite pleased with Chen Ran's reaction.

Chen Ran took a deep breath, his expression shifting through several emotions before settling into a bitter smile.

He sat back down and rubbed his hands together. "Lord... Lord Lin, you've taken this joke too far. If I offended you in any way back then, please be magnanimous."

Seeing Chen Ran so flustered, Lin Wan nodded in satisfaction.

"Ignorance is no crime," Lin Wan said, waving her hand as her tone turned serious.

"I went undercover in the Sky Prison to investigate a case. I've transferred you here now because I value your abilities."

Chen Ran quickly cupped his fists. "Thank you for the promotion, my Lord. I will do my utmost!"

"There's no need for you to risk your life."

Lin Wan opened a drawer, took out a scroll, and spread it across the desk.

"I need you to help me find someone."

Chen Ran looked down.

On the portrait was a Young Master dressed in fine brocade.

His eyes were deep, and a faint, knowing smile played on his lips.

Chen Ran looked at the portrait, and the corner of his eye couldn't help but twitch.

Who was this a painting of?

Who was this flashy noble Young Master?!

"This man goes by the name 'Shan Jun.' He is a master of the saber with exceptional skill," Lin Wan said, her tone grave.

"Shan Jun... could it be the Saber Master who made a move a few weeks ago?"

"Yes. He acted in secret within the capital, and his strength is unfathomable. I suspect he has ties to the Sky Prison."

Lin Wan looked at Chen Ran and instructed, "You've been in the Sky Prison for a long time and have many connections. I need you to use those ties to investigate his background in secret."

"Remember, this man is extremely dangerous. Just look for clues; do not alert him under any circumstances."

Chen Ran looked at the overly elegant "himself" in the portrait and cursed inwardly.

Investigate himself?

And he couldn't alert "himself"?

Chen Ran suppressed the twitch at the corner of his mouth and stood up abruptly, cupping his fists with a solemn expression.

"Don't worry, Boss! Even if I have to turn the Sky Prison upside down, I'll drag this 'Shan Jun' out for you!"

"Very good." Lin Wan nodded in satisfaction. "Go. Report back as soon as you have any clues."

"Your subordinate takes his leave."

Chen Ran rolled up the portrait, tucked it into his robes, and turned to leave the secret room.