114: Chapter 114 Headquarters, Murder

Demon Suppression Division headquarters, the core area of the Heavenly Prison.

On the surface of the towering black stone building,

formation patterns flickered on the walls, completely isolating the sounds from inside and out.

Chen Ran stepped over the high threshold.

Today was the day he would complete his formal transfer procedures.

The layout of the headquarters was completely different from the Outer City branch.

No wails of prisoners could be heard here, only the rhythmic, uniform footsteps of the Demon Suppression Guards.

"Brother Chen, this way please."

A Demon Suppression Guard dressed in black official uniform came forward, stepping aside slightly to give way.

A silver waist token hung from this guard's belt; his cultivation had already reached the Sixth Rank.

In the Outer City branch, such a figure would be influential enough to walk with his head held high, perhaps even serving as a prison warden.

But before Chen Ran, he maintained a friendly attitude.

Chen Ran nodded in acknowledgment.

Nominally, he was now the newly recruited "confidant" of Gold-Badge Constable Lin Wan.

Lin Wan was backed by the high-level officials of the Demon Suppression Division and was a rising star in the capital.

Along the way, most of the usually arrogant Demon Suppression Guards chose to nod in greeting when they saw Chen Ran.

The process of completing the procedures was unexpectedly smooth.

The official in charge of registration personally poured Chen Ran a cup of tea and exchanged a few pleasantries.

Afterward, a white-haired old jailer took over the task of leading the way.

The old jailer, slightly hunched, walked ahead carrying a heavy ring of keys.

"Lord Chen, the rules here at the headquarters' Heavenly Prison are much stricter than at the branch."

"Although it's also divided into Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding wards, it's ultimately calculated by floors. The first four floors are Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding; the further down you go, the more ferocious the prisoners become."

The old jailer introduced the place as they walked.

"The Jia Ward usually holds major villains, while the Yi Ward is for the tough cases."

"The Evil Qi here is more than ten times heavier than in the Outer City. An ordinary Martial Artist would suffer from decaying blood and Qi after staying for just a month."

Chen Ran listened quietly.

He could feel the chill in the surrounding air.

For an ordinary jailer, this was a life-threatening poison.

However, for him now, this Evil Qi could no longer affect him.

"By the way, it seems a death row prisoner is being transferred here soon," the old jailer lowered his voice.

"Oh? How so?" Chen Ran asked casually.

"It's that Que Wuhua." The old jailer shook his head. "This Devil Head not only killed many people but is also involved with that demonic cult, the Demon Sound Sect."

"Word came from above that he will be publicly executed at Caishikou Execution Ground in three days."

"He might be sent over from the branch in a few days."

Chen Ran's footsteps paused slightly.

Executed in three days.

He remained calm on the surface, but his mind began to calculate.

After finishing the handover, Chen Ran received his new waist token and official uniform, then left the Demon Suppression Division headquarters.

...

The night breeze was slightly cool.

Chen Ran sat cross-legged in the quiet room of his small courtyard.

He closed his eyes, and his consciousness sank into his Sea of Consciousness.

The heavenly book of prison suppression slowly flipped its pages.

The pages recorded his accumulation in the Heavenly Prison during this period.

Daily check-ins, interrogating prisoners, delivering food and water.

[Guarding the Heavenly Prison for one day: Reward of one year of cultivation base]

[Accumulated Cultivation Base: 180 years]

[Available Cultivation Base: 10 years]

Recently, some prisoners had died, and combined with the bits and pieces accumulated from daily check-ins, a massive reserve of cultivation base had gathered.

"Add points."

Chen Ran poured all of the remaining 10 years of cultivation base into the Glazed Golden Body Art and [Heavenly Net].

In the next moment, a flood of memories rushed into his mind.

The True Qi within him was as heavy as lead and mercury, yet its circulation speed grew faster and faster.

A faint, dull golden luster appeared on the surface of his skin.

The thick True Qi surged through his Meridians, making a sound like a rushing river.

His acupoints resonated in unison.

A terrifying aura erupted from his body.

Chen Ran opened his eyes.

Fourth Rank, Acupoint Condensation Middle Stage.

In his vision, the movement trajectories of tiny dust particles in the air became clearly visible.

He clenched his fist.

In the Great Wei Dynasty, a Fourth Rank Martial Artist could already be considered a local master.

In the army, one would be qualified to serve as a Lieutenant General; in the Demon Suppression Division, one could even manage to become a commander.

At the same time, a strange fluctuation came from his Sea of Consciousness.

[Your cultivation is successful. Having gained insight, the Cultivation Technique Glazed Golden Body Art (Major Achievement) → Glazed Golden Body Art (Perfection)]

[Your cultivation is successful. Having gained insight, Talent: Heavenly Net (Initial Stage) → Heavenly Net (Advanced Stage)]

This Breakthrough was a natural progression, with no surprises to speak of.

His current cultivation foundation was several times more solid than that of Martial Artists of the same rank.

With a thought from Chen Ran,

his consciousness extended in all directions like ripples on water.

Ten Li.

Twenty Li.

Fifty Li.

The coverage of the Advanced Heavenly Net quickly enveloped a radius of several hundred Li.

The yawns of the night watchmen in the streets and the lingering smell of cheap wine in the taverns were all clearly reflected in his mind.

A massive flow of information bombarded his nerves.

Chen Ran quickly adjusted his state, using the filtering function of the Heavenly Net to block out those useless noises.

He looked down upon this massive city.

He could perceive countless auras of varying strengths.

In the direction of the Imperial City, several auras were as deep as the abyss and as vast as the sea, unfathomable.

Within the Demon Suppression Division headquarters, there were also heart-palpitating experts lying in wait.

Chen Ran carefully avoided these sensitive areas and focused his attention on the common marketplace.

Suddenly, his consciousness touched a group of abnormal auras.

Inside an abandoned temple in the south of the city.

Over a dozen cold auras were gathered together.

"Disciples of the Demon Sound Sect."

Chen Ran identified the characteristics of these auras.

The Cultivation Techniques they practiced carried unique mental fluctuations, leaving them nowhere to hide under the perception of the Heavenly Net.

Inside the ruined temple, several men in black were conversing in low voices.

"The Hall Master has ordered us to rescue Senior Brother Que at all costs."

"The Demon Suppression Division is heavily guarded; charging in blindly is no different from seeking death."

"We have already set up the Bewildering Sound Array on the outskirts of the Heavenly Prison. We will strike tomorrow at midnight to create chaos."

Chen Ran withdrew his consciousness.

He didn't want to get personally involved in this storm.

Since the Demon Sound Sect dared to act in the capital, they must have something to rely on.

"I wonder if killing with a borrowed knife counts as my achievement."

"Since you want to save him, I'll send him on his way."

An idea formed in Chen Ran's mind, so he unfolded the Heavenly Net once again.

This time, his consciousness accurately probed deep into the Heavenly Prison branch.

Passing through layers of iron walls, he locked onto a burly figure.

Niu Hong.

This serious criminal, who had once been hypnotized by Chen Ran, was currently curled up in the corner of his cell, fast asleep.

Although most of Niu Hong's cultivation was sealed, his physical foundation remained.

Chen Ran's lips moved slightly.

Silent sound waves followed the connection of the Heavenly Net, crossing half the capital and drilling directly into Niu Hong's mind.

A cold voice echoed in his ear.

"Kill all the prisoners."

...

Deep within the Heavenly Prison.

Niu Hong suddenly jolted awake from his sleep.

An irresistible rhythm rang in his mind.

He actually defied his instincts directly, standing up straight as his body began to undergo a series of changes, his limbs lengthening frantically.

Crack, crack.

He let out a beastly roar, and his arms suddenly exerted force.

In his demonized state, the thick refined steel chains were snapped by brute force.

He smashed a gap into the cell door.

Under the shocked gaze of the guarding jailers,

Niu Hong rushed out of the cell and headed straight for another location.

He threw a backhand punch!

...

The next morning.

Inside the inner hall of the Six Doors.

Chen Ran held a cup of hot tea, sitting in his seat.

The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat heavy.

Several constables gathered together, discussing in low voices.

"Have you heard? Something big happened at the Heavenly Prison last night."

"How could I not? That serious criminal named Niu Hong suddenly went mad and broke free from his chains."

"Que Wuhua was torn apart alive by him, and the prisoners in the neighboring cells also suffered."

"The people at the Demon Suppression Division are fuming. They were planning a public execution in three days, and now it's all ruined."

"I heard members of the Demon Sound Sect also appeared on the outskirts of the Heavenly Prison last night, but they ended up empty-handed."

"What kind of madness did Niu Hong get into? Does he have a grudge against Que Wuhua?"

"Who knows? Everyone locked in the Heavenly Prison is a lunatic."

Lin Wan walked out from the depths of the inner hall, her expression looking a bit grim.

She glanced at Chen Ran and nodded slightly as a greeting.

The riot at the Heavenly Prison last night had kept the Six Doors busy all night as well.

Chen Ran blew on the froth on the surface of his tea and took a gentle sip.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, the heavenly book of prison suppression rustled as its pages flipped.

Several orbs of light emerged.