16: Chapter 16: Fifty Years of Skill, Interrogating Lei Laohu!

Cell Block D, jailer's private room.

Chen Ran sat cross-legged on the hard wooden bed, his eyes tightly shut.

The skin all over his body took on a strange, dull metallic luster, a sign of blood and qi condensed to the extreme.

Inside his body, Internal Energy surged like a great river.

[Stationed in the Heavenly Jail for one day, gained 1 year of power.]

[Current accumulated power: Fifty years.]

As the System notification faded, a strand of extremely pure energy appeared out of thin air within his Dantian.

His already saturated Internal Energy instantly began to boil.

Chen Ran frowned slightly as muffled rumbles of thunder echoed from deep within his bones.

That was the Internal Energy crashing against the barrier of the Seventh Grade Bone Forging Realm.

Every impact caused his body to tremble slightly, sending visible ripples through the surrounding air.

The flame of the oil lamp on the table flickered wildly before finally going out with a "pfft."

In the darkness, Chen Ran's breathing became heavy and powerful.

The Internal Energy circulated frantically through his Meridians, attempting to tear through that invisible obstruction.

However, whenever the Internal Energy reached the depths of his bones, he always felt an inexplicable sense of emptiness.

That was the lack of a Cultivation Technique.

A basic Internal Skill like the "Changchun Skill" simply couldn't support the qualitative change from Body Refining to Bone Forging.

"Crack."

Unable to withstand the pressure, the bedboard split open with a gap.

Chen Ran snapped his eyes open, two cold glints flashing deep within his pupils.

He let out a long breath, and his Internal Energy receded into his Dantian like a tide.

Although he hadn't achieved a Breakthrough, fifty years of Internal Energy cultivation had already placed him at the absolute Peak of the Eighth Grade.

Even in terms of pure explosive power, he was no longer inferior to an ordinary Seventh Grade Martial Artist.

Chen Ran raised his hand and suddenly clenched his fingers.

A crisp explosive sound rang out in the air.

He activated the Tortoise Breathing Art, and the suffocating pressure dissipated instantly.

He reverted to being that pale-faced, unremarkable Cell Block D jailer.

"Cultivation Technique..."

Chen Ran looked at the faint morning light outside the window.

Those imprisoned in the Cell Block D were all low-level thugs; to get high-level Cultivation Techniques, he had to go deeper.

...

Early morning, the Heavenly Jail corridor.

Heavy footsteps broke the dead silence.

The newly appointed Commandant Li Changfeng, accompanied by four fully armed confidants, strode into the Cell Block D area.

The Black Iron Token at his waist clinked crisply with every movement.

The jailers changing shifts bowed one after another, not daring to breathe loudly.

Li Changfeng stopped in front of Chen Ran.

He was of sturdy build with eyes like a hawk, scanning Chen Ran up and down.

"Chen Ran."

Li Changfeng spoke, his voice echoing in the empty corridor.

Chen Ran bowed, keeping his posture very low.

"Your subordinate is here."

Li Changfeng stared at him for a long while before suddenly laughing.

"Last night there was a riot in the Cell Block D; two jailers died, and over a dozen prisoners escaped."

"Only in the area you're responsible for was not a single one missing, and you even killed three serious criminals attempting to escape on the spot."

He patted Chen Ran on the shoulder with significant force.

A Centurion from the Demon Suppression Division personally inquired about this matter, saying you are a promising talent.

Li Changfeng leaned in closer, his tone carrying a hint of testing.

"With your merit, if you wish to seek a position in the Demon Suppression Division, I can provide a recommendation."

"Though it is dangerous there, the resources and status are far beyond what this gloomy Heavenly Jail can offer."

The surrounding jailers cast looks of envy and even jealousy.

The Demon Suppression Division was a place Great Wei Martial Artists dreamed of.

Chen Ran, however, did not hesitate, bowing even deeper.

"The Commandant overestimates me."

"I have been timid since childhood; I just want to earn a living in the Heavenly Jail and feel at peace guarding these few cells."

"As for the twists and turns of officialdom, I'm simple-minded and really can't wrap my head around them."

The trace of wariness in the depths of Li Changfeng's eyes quietly vanished.

His greatest worry was that his subordinates would want to climb up after gaining merit, threatening his own position.

Since Chen Ran was sensible, he naturally wouldn't be stingy with rewards.

"Haha, 'at peace,' well said."

Li Changfeng pulled out a Black Iron Token engraved with the word "Leader" from his robe and slapped it directly into Chen Ran's hand.

"Since you like guarding cells, I shall grant your wish."

"From today on, you are the jailer Leader of the Cell Block D, commanding all the jailers in this area."

"Additionally, Section C hasn't been very peaceful lately and lacks an overseer."

"You will concurrently hold Oversight Authority over Section C, responsible for daily inspections and food delivery."

Chen Ran took the token, its cold touch stirring his heart.

Section C.

Those imprisoned there were all serious criminals above the Seventh Grade.

"Thank you for the promotion, sir. I will certainly do my utmost."

...

Section C area.

The environment here was several times worse than the Cell Block D.

The air was thick with the scent of blood and decay, and the water seeping from the walls was dark red.

The cells here were all made of fine iron, with bars covered in runes meant to suppress qi.

Chen Ran carried a heavy food bucket, walking along the slippery corridor.

Two jailers newly assigned to him followed behind, their faces pale and palms dripping with sweat.

"Boss, the Evil Qi here is too heavy. Let's finish the delivery and get out quickly."

One jailer muttered in a low voice, his teeth chattering.

Chen Ran didn't speak, just continued walking calmly.

He could feel that the auras coming from the cells on both sides were more than a level stronger than those in the Cell Block D.

He stopped in front of a specially made high-security cell.

In the center of the cell, Lei Laohu was bound by four chains as thick as a man's arm, suspended in mid-air.

His Black Wind Fortress bandit attire was already shredded, revealing a torso covered in scars.

The bone-deep saber wound on his chest had already scabbed over, looking hideous and terrifying.

[Name: Lei Laohu]

[Realm: Seventh Grade Peak (Heavily Injured)]

[Sin Value: Deep Red (Slaughtering civilians, plundering merchant caravans)]

Hearing the commotion, Lei Laohu slowly raised his head.

His bloodshot eyes held a terrifying ferocity.

He suddenly yanked at the chains, creating a piercing grinding sound.

"Unlock these damn chains for me, then get me two pounds of cooked beef and a jar of Shaodaozi."

"When I get out, I'll make sure you become the Fourth Chief of Black Wind Fortress. Gold, silver, and women will be yours to pick."

"Otherwise, I'll be the first to chop you tender-skinned brat into pieces and feed you to the dogs!"

Chen Ran set down the food bucket and looked at him expressionlessly.

"Chief Lei, it seems you haven't figured out the situation yet."

He turned his head and looked at the two trembling jailers behind him.

"The rule of Section C is that when a serious criminal enters the jail, they must first go through three rounds of torture to break their spirit."

"I see Chief Lei is in such high spirits; presumably the previous torture implements weren't strong enough."

Chen Ran pointed to a row of barbed hooks hanging on the wall.

"Add two more 'Bone-Stripping Hooks' to help Chief Lei relax his muscles and bones."

The two jailers froze for a moment, then reacted and hurriedly stepped forward to take down the torture implements.

"You dare!"

Lei Laohu roared, his muscles bulging as the iron chains were pulled taut.

However, with his cultivation crippled and his heavy injuries unhealed, such struggling appeared weak and futile before the runic chains.

"Ah—!"

A blood-curdling scream instantly echoed through the entire corridor.

The barbed hooks pierced into his flesh, bringing out a spray of blood.

Chen Ran stood at the cell door, watching coldly.

He could feel that as Lei Laohu was tortured, the participation level on the heavenly book of prison suppression was slowly climbing.

"Chen Ran! You just wait!"

Lei Laohu screamed while cursing madly.

"My brothers from Black Wind Fortress have already entered the capital!"

"They will definitely come to rescue me! When that time comes, I'll kill your entire family!"

Chen Ran listened to these threats, his heart completely unmoved.

He even hoped those people would actually come to raid the jail.

Because only the higher the participation level, the more generous the rewards.

He turned around, picked up the food bucket, and continued walking deeper into the corridor.

"Raid the jail?"

Chen Ran's voice sounded exceptionally clear amidst the screams.

"Let them come."

"In this Heavenly Jail, we're just missing a few more companions."