Qiao Xue'er Had Killed Someone

Prison guards were subordinates of prison officials. They helped the officials handle trivial matters and protected their lives.

Lu Feng had once studied and trained in the Spirit Prison, so he naturally knew some of the unspoken rules among its personnel stationed outside. He immediately took out a pouch of money and secretly slipped it to the guard at the gate. "Please report this. We have business with the prison official."

Having accepted the money, the guard's attitude immediately turned fawning. After briefly learning their identities, he said politely, "Please wait a moment. I'll go in and report to the official."

After Lu Feng and Jiang Ruoyun waited outside for a short while, they were led into the inner residence.

The prison official sat upright in the inner hall, dressed in the robes of a Spirit Prison official. He flipped through case files and records in his hands, his brow slightly furrowed. Yan He's death had brought him no small amount of trouble. Whether it was Yan He or Qiao Xue'er, the forces behind them were among the foremost in Azure Dragon Town. No matter how this ended, the conflict between the Qiao and Yan families would likely be impossible to reconcile.

Where there was conflict, there would be struggle. Where there was struggle, there would be unrest. And a prison official's duty was to preserve the peace and stability of a region.

"Greetings, Prison Official." Lu Feng and Jiang Ruoyun slightly bowed to show their respect.

No matter how lowly the position of a prison official in a rural town might be, he was still the local magistrate of one region. Though he might not be able to achieve absolute fairness and justice, he played a major role in keeping the area peaceful.

"What brings you two here?" the prison official asked steadily, his voice carrying a trace of authority. Nearly fifty years old, he already looked somewhat aged, and his streaked black-and-white hair gave him an air of weathered vicissitude.

This was Jiang Ruoyun's first time visiting Prison Manor. She was still unfamiliar with a government office, and the prison official's imposing words made her rein in the urgency in her heart.

"I am Jiang Ruoyun of Jiang Manor. I respectfully ask that you permit me to see Qiao Xue'er."

Jiang Ruoyun first stated her identity, then explained the purpose of her visit. Her thoughts were orderly and her goal clear; she did not become flustered by the prison official's imposing presence.

The prison official, seated behind a stone desk some distance away, raised his head and glanced at Jiang Ruoyun. Looking at the rumored useless young miss of Jiang Manor, a trace of surprise and confusion flashed through his eyes. She seemed somewhat different from what he had imagined.

"The evidence of Qiao Xue'er's murder is conclusive. By rights, visits are not permitted," the prison official said in a steady, solid tone. "But considering the deep bond between you sisters, I will allow you to see her."

Though he said so, the prison official was calculating inwardly. If this case took a turn, perhaps the relationship between the Qiao and Yan manors could still be reconciled.

"Thank you, sir. I believe Sister Qiao would never kill anyone," Jiang Ruoyun said firmly after thanking him.

At that, the prison official sighed. He slowly rose and descended the steps, saying regretfully as he walked, "I, too, do not wish to believe that such a frail woman could be a murderer. But she admitted it herself..."

Jiang Ruoyun and Lu Feng were both shocked. Qiao Xue'er had actually admitted in person to killing Yan He?

"Come. I'll take you to the prison cells. Let her explain the details herself," the prison official called to Jiang Ruoyun.

Jiang Ruoyun nodded and set off with Lu Feng behind the prison official.

The prison official suddenly stopped, glanced at Lu Feng, and said with disdain, "A mere servant, and you do not even know this basic etiquette? Wait here!"

Jiang Ruoyun's expression darkened at the prison official's words, but Lu Feng acted as if he had heard nothing. Completely unmoved, he smiled at Jiang Ruoyun. "Go on ahead. I'll come find you shortly."

A servant standing beside the prison official saw how oblivious Lu Feng was to the situation and could not help snorting. He corrected him, "The prison cells are a vital restricted area. A lowly person like you has no right to enter."

Lu Feng continued smiling, except there was now a small black token in his hand, which he idly flicked about.

The prison official cast it a glance, and his expression immediately changed drastically. The disdain in his eyes vanished in an instant, while cold sweat inexplicably beaded across his forehead. He said to the subordinate from earlier, "Yue An, take Young Miss Jiang there first."

Jiang Ruoyun gave Lu Feng a puzzled look.

After the two left, the prison official stumbled back two steps in panic. Looking at Lu Feng with fear, he pointed at the small token in his hand and asked, "Th-this... is this the Prison Warden Token?"

Lu Feng gave a cold laugh and tossed the token in his hand to the prison official.

The prison official had still harbored a shred of luck, but after catching the token Lu Feng threw him, he was so frightened that he immediately dropped to his knees. His legs trembled violently, unable to muster even a shred of strength. He spoke fearfully, "Prison Enforcer... Prison Enforcer, I do not know whether this subordinate has committed any... any offense?"

Prison Enforcer, like prison official, was a position within the Spirit Prison. Within the Spirit Prison, the ranks from low to high were prison guard, prison official, prison envoy, prison commissioner, prison master, prison chief...

The saying "one master, three commissioners, twelve envoys" referred to the basic structure of the Spirit Prison. The "master" referred to the Spirit Prison Master. Above them was the Spirit Prison Chief, who oversaw the prison masters of every region. Prison Enforcer was the most secretive position, directly overseen by the Spirit Prison Chief and responsible for handling certain special matters.

Within the Spirit Prison, prison officials did not wield much authority. They only held the power to determine life and death, not the authority to execute. Whenever they issued a death sentence, the Spirit Prison would send an appropriate prison envoy to verify it. Once the verification found no error, the prison envoy would carry out the execution order.

The Prison Warden Token in Lu Feng's hand was an existence countless ranks above a prison official. Rumor had it that once the Prison Warden Token appeared, one's life had reached its end. No wonder the prison official was so terrified.

It was not that the prison official had never doubted the authenticity of Lu Feng's Prison Warden Token. Yet after inspecting it, he truly sensed that unique aura. There was absolutely no possibility of forgery. Even if it had been lost and Lu Feng had acquired it by chance, the Spirit Prison had special methods to destroy it, leaving no possibility of its being used by another. Therefore, Lu Feng's identity as a Prison Enforcer was beyond all doubt.

Lu Feng had obtained this Prison Warden Token by a twist of fate. He had never thought much of it before, but now that his strength had weakened, he discovered the immense authority this token possessed.

Lu Feng took back the Prison Warden Token from the prison official and said leisurely, "I merely happened to pass through this place. There is no need for you to panic."

Hearing this, the prison official let out a long breath. He slowly rose and said respectfully, "Does Prison Enforcer have any instructions for this subordinate? This subordinate will certainly assist with all his strength."

Lu Feng frowned slightly at the prison official's terrified appearance. The matter of the Prison Warden Token involved many hidden truths from the past, and he did not wish to draw attention or pursuit because of it. He had only taken it out this time for the convenience of acting. "Do not mention the matter of the Prison Enforcer to a third person. Before outsiders, act as though you do not know me."

"Yes, yes," the prison official nodded in trembling submission.

"Take me to the prison cells."

The prison official hurriedly led the way. None of his earlier superior manner remained, and before Lu Feng, he scarcely dared breathe loudly.

"Oh, and bring me the Year Chronicle of Azure Dragon Town later. I want to have a look," Lu Feng suddenly said after taking a few steps.

Year Chronicles were generally kept by Prison Manor. They were records of a town's history, and ordinary people were not qualified to consult them.

"It is in the archives room. This subordinate will have someone fetch it later," the prison official replied. The two headed toward the prison cells one before the other. Leading Lu Feng this way left the prison official deeply uneasy; walking in front of Lu Feng, he felt like an ant on a hot pan.

The prison cells were not built on a particularly large scale, but they could hold nearly a hundred prisoners at once. The modestly sized prison was divided into countless tiny cells, each too small to fit even an ordinary bed.

The entrance to the prison cells was designed to be very narrow. Even two people walking side by side would find it difficult, and it was the only entrance and exit. If something like a prison break occurred, they would only need to block this place.

Past the entrance lay row upon row of enclosed cells. Each was separated by barbed railings. These barbs had undergone special treatment; even an accidental scratch would cause pain and numbness.

Since Qiao Xue'er had only recently been imprisoned, she was held in one of the innermost cells. For security reasons, every prisoner here was confined separately, without disturbing one another.

As they walked along, the prisoners clamored and cursed without end. Some arrogantly shouted about what they would do after leaving prison, while others constantly cried injustice. Yet when they saw the prison official approaching and met his fierce glare, they all fell silent.

Under Yue An's guidance, Jiang Ruoyun had already successfully met Qiao Xue'er.

"Sister Qiao," Jiang Ruoyun called softly as she stepped forward. Her outstretched hand instinctively drew back because of the barbs on the railing.

Qiao Xue'er emerged from her meditative state. Upon seeing Jiang Ruoyun, she revealed a gentle, reserved smile. She rose and slowly approached. Just as she was about to speak, she saw the prison official approaching with Lu Feng at his side, and the words at her lips could not help but retreat.

Though the prison official's rank was low, he had decades of experience dealing with all kinds of prisoners. He caught even the slightest expression. How could he fail to understand that Qiao Xue'er was unwilling to say much because he was present?

The prison official knew clearly that if he remained here, Qiao Xue'er would certainly be unable to speak the truth openly. After some thought, he said something to Yue An and gestured for him to leave as well. Only then might they be able to break open the deadlock in the case.

"Take your time talking. When you are finished, return the way you came. I will wait in the inner hall," the prison official said before leaving. The prison cells once again became noisy.

Jiang Ruoyun was somewhat surprised by the drastic change in the prison official's attitude and curious how Lu Feng had managed to enter so smoothly. But at this moment, she cared more about Qiao Xue'er. The instant the prison official left, she urgently asked, "Sister Qiao, what exactly happened?"

Qiao Xue'er still wore that reserved smile, as though concealing something, and offered no further explanation.

Looking at Qiao Xue'er's almost tacitly admitting expression, Jiang Ruoyun said in disbelief, "Sister Qiao, stop joking with me. Whatever the reason, you cannot go to prison. If you do this, Brother Tang Yuan will worry himself to death."

At the mention of Tang Yuan's name, Qiao Xue'er froze for a moment. Her expression became somewhat unnatural as she said softly, "I haven't seen Brother Tang for nearly half a year."

Jiang Ruoyun replied, "Yesterday, Brother Tang Yuan saved my life on Azure Mushroom Mountain. There must be some hardship behind why he has not come to see you. His strength has improved so quickly over these past six months..."

"What?" Qiao Xue'er was somewhat shocked upon hearing this. After pondering for a moment, she asked seriously, "Is what you said true?"