129: Chapter 129 The Heavenly Silk Puppet Technique: Calm Before the Storm! (4k)

In the days that followed, life fell into an eerie state of tranquility.

Chen Ran hurried between the Six Doors and the Celestial Prison, rarely ever leaving the city.

During this period, he heard that the Black Crow Cult forces had launched a counterattack.

In a short amount of time, they had actually struck back at many of the Six Doors' hideouts, causing significant casualties.

The night was deep.

It was like a massive black curtain, tightly smothering the capital city.

Deep within the Celestial Prison, the candlelight was bright.

The firelight illuminated the entire area with a crimson glow.

Dozens of Jailers stood side by side, their expressions solemn as they lined the outer perimeter.

In front of them, four figures wearing the patterned robes of the Demon Suppression Division were conversing with each other.

One of the men, leaning on a cane, said excitedly:

“This is the first time I've seen a beheading; it's finally better than those boring daily interrogations.”

Warden Wen Ruoxu looked toward the depths of the Celestial Prison, his gaze lingering before that steel prison gate.

Chen Ran's expression was calm, showing neither sorrow nor joy.

Since becoming a Jailer, he had seen too many prisoners die.

Today's beheading was just another part of the daily routine.

However, the prisoner to be executed this time was different; he was a convict brought from the fourth floor of the Celestial Prison.

It was no wonder they were so cautious; given the Realm of the prisoners held on the fourth floor, if even one escaped, it would likely cause immense losses to the capital.

After waiting for about a few minutes, there was still no movement from the bottom of the Celestial Prison.

Unable to help himself, Warden Wen Ruoxu poked Chen Ran beside him:

“Hey, Brother Chen, who do you think the prisoner being executed this time is? I bet it's that Vice Sect Master of the White Bone Sect?”

Chen Ran shook his head and spoke plainly: “I feel it's Thread-Pulling Old Monster.”

“Why?”

“Intuition.”

Chen Ran didn't explain further, closing his eyes as if taking a nap.

Soon.

Rumble.

The black iron prison gate swung open with a clatter.

Four Black-armored Guards with somber Auras emerged, holding their weapons as they escorted an elderly man out.

“Holy crap, it really is that old fellow Liu Kuchan. Your intuition is damn accurate.”

Warden Wen Ruoxu remarked with a sigh, carefully sizing up Liu Kuchan.

In the Celestial Prison, no matter which floor's prisoner you were, everyone had a corresponding date with death.

Only a handful of prisoners could manage to stay in the Celestial Prison until they grew old.

For most others, it was simply a matter of whether you lived a bit longer or a bit shorter.

In the end, everyone would meet the conclusion of death.

This was also why most of the prisoners in the Celestial Prison eventually became crazed.

Click.

Liu Kuchan stretched his neck and gave a bored yawn, his raspy voice echoing through the area.

“It really has been... a long time since I've seen the scenery outside.”

“Shut up!”

A black-armored guard beside him barked sharply, raising his weapon.

The atmosphere in the area instantly became heavy.

The other Jailers watching from the outside swallowed hard, their expressions nervous.

They were terrified that Liu Kuchan might launch a final life-or-death counterattack.

Cases like that hadn't been unheard of before.

Fortunately, Liu Kuchan did not do so.

Perhaps he had been out of prison for too long and had lost the will to resist.

After staring blankly for a moment at the scene, he finally chuckled lowly:

“Forget it, forget it. This old man won't make things difficult for you.”

Soon, Liu Kuchan's figure, under the escort of the four Black-armored Guards, slowly walked into the night.

Liu Kuchan's execution was different from that of other prisoners.

For prisoners with high strength who had been held for a long time, most did not face a public trial; instead, they were taken somewhere by an executioner.

Chen Ran guessed they might be taken for waste utilization or human experimentation.

Regardless, given the nature of the Great Wei Dynasty, it couldn't be any easy task.

It wasn't until they watched the man disappear into the curtain of night that all the Jailers breathed a sigh of relief.

“Alright, everyone disperse.”

A middle-aged man who looked like an officer spoke, officially dismissing the crowd.

Chen Ran also finished his shift handover and returned to his living quarters.

He pushed open the wooden door, walked through the darkness with practiced ease, and finally sat down on his bed.

A few quarters of an hour later.

In his mind, that ancient and weathered [heavenly book of prison suppression] slowly flipped open.

The pages turned, making a rustling, illusory sound.

Finally, it settled on the page regarding the Jia Ward high-priority convict, Liu Kuchan.

[Detected that the prisoner Liu Kuchan has died]

[Calculating participation reward...]

[Calculation complete!]

[Obtained Reward: Three years of cultivation base]

[Obtained Reward: Heavenly Silk Puppet Technique(Entry Level)]

Looking at the golden text appearing on the page, the corners of Chen Ran's mouth curled slightly.

“Thread-Pulling Old Monster's signature skill has indeed fallen into my hands.”

He focused his attention on the newly acquired Heavenly Silk Puppet Technique.

A massive amount of complex memories regarding Puppet refinement and control flooded into his mind like a tide.

This secret technique was extremely sinister and bizarre.

It could not only control inanimate objects.

When cultivated to a high level, it could even forcibly control living people.

Turning them into killing machines that felt no pain and knew no exhaustion.

Chen Ran extended his right hand, his index finger twitching slightly.

The True Qi within his body circulated according to a specific route.

“Ssh!”

A transparent silk thread, nearly invisible to the naked eye, shot out from his fingertip.

In an instant, it pierced through the hardwood table not far away.

The cut was as smooth as a mirror, and it hadn't made the slightest sound.

“Such a sharp True Qi thread.”

Chen Ran was secretly alarmed.

This Heavenly Silk Puppet Technique was truly a Sharp Weapon for killing without a trace.

If I could get a few corpses of powerful experts to refine into Puppets... my strength would likely multiply many times over.

No wonder it's called an evil art.

...

The next morning.

As usual, Chen Ran carried his freshly bought meat buns and leisurely arrived at the Celestial Prison.

As soon as he entered, he noticed the atmosphere was a bit off.

His usually idle colleagues were now gathered in groups of twos and threes.

They were discussing something with grave expressions.

“Have you heard? The Six Doors conducted an overnight emergency interrogation and cracked the mouths of several Black Crow Cult survivors.”

“Black Crow Cult... those rats in the gutters are coming out to play again?”

“It's different this time. I heard the Six Doors found the location of the Black Crow Cult's headquarters on the outskirts of the capital!”

Chen Ran nonchalantly leaned in.

While munching on his bun, he pricked up his ears.

Just then, Warden Wen Ruoxu came limping over.

“Morning, Brother Chen.”

Warden Wen Ruoxu grimaced in pain, sucking in a breath of cold air.

“Brother Wen, your injury hasn't fully healed yet. Why didn't you rest at home for a few more days?” Chen Ran asked with feigned concern.

“Don't mention it. The old man at home spoke up; if I didn't show up for roll call, he'd break my other leg.”

Warden Wen Ruoxu sighed and limped over to a chair to sit down.

He lowered his voice and said mysteriously: “Brother Chen, you heard just now, right? About the Black Crow Cult.”

Chen Ran nodded: “I've heard a bit.”

“Let me tell you, this Black Crow Cult is not simple. I've been looking into it recently.”

Warden Wen Ruoxu leaned in closer: “I heard their leader calls himself the ‘Crow God.’ His strength is unfathomable, and even the cult's Elders have rarely seen his true face.”

“Crow God? What kind of strength does he have to dare take such a grand name?” Chen Ran's brow twitched.

“Who knows? But since he's the head of a religious force, taking a nickname is understandable.”

“True, it fits the philosophy of those fanatical cultists.”

Chen Ran nodded in agreement on the surface, but his mind became active.

Black Crow Cult headquarters?

...

At dusk.

Chen Ran finished his day's patrol and left the Celestial Prison.

He walked along the bustling streets.

The sounds of hawking and bargaining were incessant.

However, he suddenly felt a cold gaze sweep across his body through the crowd.

Chen Ran's footsteps paused slightly, and he nonchalantly walked to a candy shop.

“Shopkeeper, how much for your candy?”

At the same time, his [Skynet] talent quietly activated.

Invisible Mental Energy spread out like ripples on water.

In an instant, it covered a range of a hundred yards.

In a dark alley to his rear left, there was an extremely subtle presence.

The opponent's movement technique was superb and their breathing was long; they were an expert.

If Chen Ran's Mental Energy hadn't far exceeded those of his level, he wouldn't have been able to detect it at all.

“Someone is following me?”

Chen Ran whispered in his heart, focusing part of his attention on this person.

He saw that the other party had no killing intent, only scrutiny and observation.

Chen Ran didn't act rashly either.

“Customer, that'll be forty wen in total.”

The shopkeeper across from him handed over the packed bag, and Chen Ran took it and paid the copper coins.

He continued to wander the streets as if nothing were wrong.

He even bargained for two sticks of candied haws at a roadside stall.

It wasn't until the sky had turned completely dark that Chen Ran turned into an alley entrance.

...

Inside the dark alley.

A grey-robed old man looked at Chen Ran's departing back, his brow furrowing slightly.

“His Aura is floating and his footsteps are heavy; he's just an ordinary seventh-rank Martial Artist.”

The old man muttered to himself, a flash of disappointment in his eyes.

“His looks are handsome enough, but unfortunately he's just a pretty face. It seems the Young Miss is only looking for him as a shield to avoid the marriage alliance.”

The old man shook his head.

His figure flashed, disappearing from the spot like a wisp of green smoke.

He had to rush back to the Lin family to report this situation to the family head.

Chen Ran took a bite of a candied haw.

The sweet and sour taste spread in his mouth.

“He didn't make a move, just observed me in the dark. I wonder which power he's from.”

However, seeing that the other party had no ill will, Chen Ran let it go for the time being.

...

The next morning, inside the Six Doors.

Just as Chen Ran walked through the door,

A cold voice rang out from ahead.

“Chen Ran.”

Chen Ran looked up.

He saw Lin Wan standing not far away in a set of black martial attire, looking heroic and formidable.

A long sword hung at her waist, and her expression was solemn.

“Constable Lin, what a coincidence?” Chen Ran greeted her with a smile.

“It's no coincidence; I came specifically to find you.”

Lin Wan stared at Chen Ran, her expression serious.

“There's been a major Breakthrough in the Black Crow Cult case. We've found one of their secret strongholds.”

“Oh? Congratulations to Constable Lin for such a great achievement.” Chen Ran cupped his hands.

“Don't be so quick to congratulate. This operation is no small matter; the Black Crow Cult has ill intentions and has already attracted the attention of the Imperial Court.”

“This operation won't just involve our team; Constables from other teams will be going as well.”

“You're coming too.” Perhaps fearing Chen Ran would refuse, Lin Wan added earnestly: “This is a chance for a great merit. If you participate, you'll be able to climb the ranks quickly.”

Hearing this, Chen Ran's heart stirred.

Good heavens, so Lin Wan was using this major mission as an excuse to pad his resume?

He hadn't expected this usually unsmiling ice-cold female Constable to be so thoughtful.

But did this violate her principles?

Chen Ran stared at the ice-cold beauty across from him for a while, until Lin Wan became a bit uncomfortable.

She also seemed to know that doing this made her suspect of helping a subordinate 'go through the back door.'

Lin Wan's fair face flushed slightly as she lowered her voice: “What are you looking at? Hurry up. Good things like this don't come around often.”

“Since Constable Lin has spoken, I naturally won't refuse.” Chen Ran agreed immediately.

A flash of surprise crossed Lin Wan's eyes.

She had thought that with Chen Ran's personality, he would definitely try to decline.

She hadn't expected him to agree so readily.

“Good. Tonight at the hour of the Rat, meet at the Ten-Mile Pavilion outside the city.”

“When the time comes, follow me and don't run off. It'll likely be very chaotic that day.”

Lin Wan dropped those words and turned to leave in a hurry.

Chen Ran watched this scene without speaking.

He took one last look at his Six Doors colleagues around him; most of them looked nervous and were in the middle of intense preparations for the mission.

“Although this mission shouldn't go wrong in theory, just in case, I'd better prepare my weapon...”

Chen Ran whispered in his heart as his figure gradually disappeared from the spot.

...

In the evening, the sky gradually darkened.

In an abandoned cellar filled with dust, no one had visited for a long time.

Creak.

The wooden door swayed, making a tooth-aching sound.

A tall young man wearing a Flying Fish Robe walked in.

He first scanned the surroundings, seeing that the entire room was still completely deserted and the detection traps he'd set hadn't been triggered.

Chen Ran nodded in satisfaction.

“It's been a long time since I've used you; it's time to let you get some air.”

Chen Ran spread his fingers, and threads transformed from True Qi shot out with a swish.

The True Qi threads finally came to a stop beneath an old locust tree.

The threads formed from True Qi plunged downward, and the soil churned.

A few breaths later.

Accompanied by a humming sound, a black blade burst out from the earth and flew over at extreme speed.

Clap.

Chen Ran gripped it in his palm. The black blade was firmly fixed in his hand, its body vibrating as if expressing excitement.

“It's been a long time since you've seen blood. I wonder if you still remember the feeling from before.”

Chen Ran remarked with emotion as he looked at the black blade in his hand.

Hearing this, the black blade vibrated with quite a bit of spirituality.

Chen Ran smiled faintly and placed the blade on the ground.

Crack.

The stone floor sank abruptly, shattering into a pit.

This Meteoric Iron Black Blade he'd scavenged from the black market didn't have the special abilities of those legendary demonic or divine blades.

But it had one characteristic that Chen Ran liked very much.

That was its hardness and weight.

Especially after absorbing Evil Qi, the weight of this black blade had become much heavier than before, now nearly four thousand jin.

“In a while, I'll take you to the Mass Grave to absorb some more Evil Qi.”

Chen Ran looked at the bare back of the blade, thinking that he couldn't always just wrap it in a piece of black cloth.

“And then I'll get you a scabbard.”

This hidden location was an empty house with no one around that he'd specifically found near his residence to bury it under this old locust tree.

Chen Ran pondered, the True Qi in his hands dancing constantly before finally converging at his fingertips to form a white line that was almost visible to the naked eye.

His cultivation of the Heavenly Silk Puppet Technique was only at the entry level, yet the threads he could condense had a power that far exceeded Martial Artists of the same level by several times.

The so-called Puppet technique was essentially about using extreme True Qi control to transform True Qi into threads that could be used at will.

Then, by attaching them to the opponent, one could even manage to seize control of their body.

To an ordinary person, this might just be a common method.

But for Chen Ran, with the massive reserves of True Qi in his body.

Even condensing just a portion of his True Qi into threads was a terrifying existence, far surpassing those of the same level several times over.

Chen Ran waited quietly until the last afterglow of the sunset disappeared and the dark night completely reigned over the capital.

The night wind howled, and the woods swayed.

Chen Ran's eyes narrowed slightly. Under the enhancement of [Skynet], his perception was magnified dozens of times.

His Mental Energy field swept through the distance like ripples, finally settling on the impressive-looking group outside the capital.

“The Six Doors people are already in place; it's time to go.”

Chen Ran whispered to himself, his figure vanishing in an instant along with the night wind.