26: Chapter 26 Rewards Settlement: Power Level Soars!

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their attention over.

After seeing the appearance of the person Zhang Yulong was talking about, the expressions of several prison guards shifted slightly.

"Insolent! Is that any way to speak to Chief Chen!"

Zhang Yulong kicked wildly, dragging the two Demon Suppression Division lieutenants until they were unsteady.

"Let go! You bunch of lowly lackeys!"

"It seems you are the leader here?"

The expensive cloud-brocade robe on his body was already covered in mud and water, and the hair crown that had originally been tied neatly was now tilted to one side.

"I am not as formidable as you say."

Chen Ran looked composed as he walked over.

The two lieutenants were drenched in sweat; one of them saw Chen Ran and looked as if he had found a savior.

"Chief Chen, this Young Master is truly too rowdy. Lord Lin ordered to lock him in Section C first."

Chen Ran nodded, "You've worked hard. Leave the rest to me."

He stepped forward, blocking Zhang Yulong's path.

Zhang Yulong suddenly raised his head:

His bloodshot eyes stared fixedly at Chen Ran.

"And what kind of thing are you? How dare you block this Young Master's path?"

"Let me tell you, if you treat me well, I won't hold you accountable for this dereliction of duty."

A mouthful of thick phlegm was spat near Chen Ran's feet.

Chen Ran lowered his eyelids.

He ignored the filth on the ground.

He reached out, precisely grabbing Zhang Yulong by the collar, and then gave a sharp tug.

Zhang Yulong's frail body was lifted up like a sack, his feet leaving the ground, and his complexion instantly turned from red to purple.

"Follow me."

Chen Ran's tone was blunt.

Without a ripple of emotion.

Zhang Yulong struggled desperately, his hands clawing at Chen Ran's arm, but it felt like grabbing onto a cold iron pillar.

He opened his mouth to curse, but his throat was constricted by his collar, allowing only a "heh heh" sound to escape.

Passing through the dark corridor.

Chen Ran brought Zhang Yulong to a cell at the deepest part of Section C.

This cell leaked water year-round, and the floor was piled with foul-smelling sludge that reached the ankles; in the corner, one could even see the carcasses of a few rats gnawed down to white bones.

The iron lock slid across the iron rail.

Emitting a harsh, grating sound.

Chen Ran threw him in casually.

Zhang Yulong slammed heavily into the sludge, splashing filth all over himself.

"This Young Master will kill you... My father is a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue... I will have your entire clan wiped out!"

Zhang Yulong scrambled to get up and rushed to the iron bars, shaking them frantically.

Chen Ran locked the iron gate with an expressionless face.

He looked down at Zhang Yulong.

His gaze was as if he were looking at a pile of rotting meat.

"Here, your father cannot save you."

Zhang Yulong still wanted to curse.

From the distance came a burst of rapid footsteps.

Lin Wan arrived with several constables, her expression grave.

The red clothes on her body were somewhat disheveled, and fine beads of sweat hung on her forehead.

She walked straight toward the cell where Zhang Yulong was held.

When Zhang Yulong saw Lin Wan, his arrogant Aura not only didn't diminish but grew even stronger.

"You surnamed Lin! You bitch! How dare you arrest me!"

He gripped the bars tightly.

"What does the Official Silver Case have to do with me? I just helped my father process some old accounts!"

Lin Wan snorted coldly.

"Zhang Yulong, that five hundred thousand taels of official silver from the Ministry of Revenue disappeared without a trace after passing through the underground bank you handled."

She suddenly drew the saber at her waist, the tip pressing against the iron bars.

"Speak, where is that batch of silver hidden now?"

Zhang Yulong suddenly laughed.

Laughing extremely maniacally.

"Silver? That silver has long since turned into tickets leading to high positions in the capital!"

He lowered his voice, his tone icy and bone-chilling.

"Lin Wan, don't think your father can protect you. The people involved with that silver are more than you can imagine. Keep investigating, and be careful you don't even know how you died."

Lin Wan's hand holding the saber trembled slightly.

"Take him away, interrogate him strictly!"

Lin Wan turned around and waved to the constables behind her.

As she passed by Chen Ran, her footsteps paused.

"During this time, watch him well. Don't let him die, and don't let anyone approach him."

She was also afraid of a repeat of the incident where Lei Laohu was attacked.

"I will do my best."

Chen Ran cupped his hands.

He watched Lin Wan leave.

Chen Ran said to the few subordinates following by his side,

"Shackle him; no one is allowed to approach without permission!"

"Yes."

Chen Ran nodded slightly and walked straight toward the depths of the prison.

At this moment, his mind was no longer on the Official Silver Case.

About ten minutes later,

Chen Ran looked at the entire row of the Cell Block D that was almost packed full.

Here, it was all his untapped wealth.

The cells were full of newly imprisoned inmates; among those arrested, there were people from all walks of life.

There were wealthy merchants with substantial assets, highly skilled guards, and even accompanying chefs, bandits...

It was unknown what big trouble that Zhang Yulong had caused to make Lin Wan so furious.

Arresting so many people directly.

But now, it was all to his benefit.

Chen Ran picked up the wooden bucket nearby.

Starting a new round of "inspection."

"Eat."

Chen Ran walked to the first cell.

The prisoner here was a burly, ferocious bandit.

Chen Ran scooped up a ladle of swill, and before the other party could speak, he poured it directly into the broken bowl.

He also reached out and patted the person's iron cangue.

A piece of information appeared before his eyes.

[Your Karma participation level has increased]

The second one.

The third one.

Chen Ran walked very slowly.

At every cell, he would pause for a moment, either threatening with cold words or suppressing with violence.

Every detail was constantly raising his Karma participation level with these heinous criminals.

[Participating in prisoner Karma, reward settlement in progress...]

[Participation level increased...]

After completing the round.

Chen Ran returned to his narrow room.

Outside, the sky had long since turned completely dark.

The cold wind poured in through the ventilation holes, blowing the oil lamp's flame until it flickered wildly.

Chen Ran sat cross-legged.

He held his breath and focused his mind.

In his Sea of Consciousness, the heavenly book of prison suppression shone with golden light.

[Stationed at the prison today, rewarded with one year of Internal Energy.]

[Due to participating in large-scale prisoner Karma (totaling forty-eight people), the participation level is extremely high]

[Additional reward settlement: five years of Internal Energy.]

Six years of Internal Energy!

Boom!

A surge of heat, vast and almost violent, erupted from the depths of his Dantian.

That was a full six years of pure Internal Energy.

The bones inside Chen Ran's body emitted bursts of overwhelming cracking sounds, and the Internal Energy that had already reached its Peak expanded wildly once again.

His Qi and blood became viscous like mercury, beginning to boil like a river.

Between breaths, the surrounding air even faintly displayed subtle distortions.

[Accumulated Internal Energy: 64 years]

[Accumulated Internal Energy: 65 years]

...

[Accumulated Internal Energy: 69 years]!

Chen Ran opened his eyes abruptly; a terrifying Aura flashed by, then quickly dissipated and merged into his body.

At this moment, he was only one step away from the legendary Inner Breath Realm.

Just one step away.