The "Important Person" Next Door

Days passed steadily under Xu Qian's methodical and cautious "meal-delivery strategy." Block E had practically become the "model block" of Zone D. Even Zhou Kang enjoyed several rare days of peace and quiet, and Xu Qian looked more and more pleasing to his eye.

Yet the Heavenly Prison had never been a truly peaceful place. Before clocking off that day, Xu Qian was about to wash the food buckets when an unusual commotion arose from deeper inside Block E, mixed with heavy footsteps and the grating screech of dragging chains. It seemed a new prisoner was being escorted in—and the disturbance was no small matter.

That was uncommon in Zone D. Those imprisoned here were usually "long-term residents" whose cases had already been settled, or people with minor charges awaiting judgment. It was rare for someone to be brought in under such a grand escort.

Xu Qian's heart stirred. He slowed his washing and quietly turned his gaze toward the source of the noise.

Several guards dressed differently from ordinary prison wardens, Standard Long Sabers hanging at their waists and cold expressions on their faces, were escorting a prisoner. Under Zhou Kang's personal guidance, they entered the innermost empty cell in Block E—the one with relatively better conditions, at least a little drier—E-98.

It was considered better because it lay farther inside, away from drafts and piles of filth. Even its cell door seemed thicker and heavier.

What made Xu Qian's pupils contract slightly was the prisoner being escorted.

He was a young man in his early twenties. Though he wore prison garb, was covered in wounds, and bore bruises and bloodstains on his face, though his steps were unsteady... his posture remained straight. Even restrained by shackles, he still carried the bearing of fine upbringing. His skin was fair, his fingers long and slender; he clearly did not look like someone accustomed to hard labor. Most of all, his eyes—though now filled with exhaustion, pain, and a trace of barely concealed humiliation—would occasionally lift, revealing a sharpness and... defiance belonging to one accustomed to high station, utterly at odds with this filthy environment.

Through the vision of Xu Qian's Qi Gazing Technique, the aura around this young man was even more extraordinary!

Gray-white qi representing injury and weakness coiled around him, along with the black baleful qi inherent to the Heavenly Prison. Yet deep within that tangle of gray and black, an extremely faint but exceptionally pure and noble current of pale violet qi flowed with stubborn persistence!

That pale violet current was incredibly thin, as if it might extinguish at any moment. Yet its very nature carried an air of dignity, solemn and inviolable! It was completely unlike the aura of every prisoner Xu Qian had seen before!

This man is absolutely no ordinary prisoner! His background is likely enormous! Xu Qian reached his conclusion in an instant. That violet noble qi was not something an ordinary official's son could possess. It was more like... imperial kin, or the descendant of the most powerful nobility?

The guards roughly shoved the young man into the cell and locked the heavy door. After quietly giving Zhou Kang a few instructions, they turned and left without expression, never once sparing Xu Qian a second glance.

Zhou Kang stood outside the cell, staring at the young man inside, who leaned against the wall with his eyes closed and said nothing. His brows were knotted tight, and his face looked particularly grim.

He stood there in silence for a moment before turning around. He happened to spot Xu Qian in the distance "earnestly" washing the food buckets.

Zhou Kang walked over, his steps heavy.

Xu Qian hurriedly set down the bucket, rose to his feet, and respectfully said, "Captain Zhou."

Zhou Kang said nothing. He first glanced toward E-98, then lowered his voice until only the two of them could hear it. In an exceptionally grave tone, he warned, "Did you see the one they just brought in?"

Xu Qian honestly nodded. "I saw him."

"Listen." Zhou Kang's gaze was sharp as a blade as he fixed Xu Qian with a deadly stare. "That's a hot potato! He was sent here under direct orders from 'above,' an object of special 'attention'! Remember this well: when you deliver his meals from now on, use the lowest standard. Set it down and leave. You are not allowed to have any contact with him! You are not allowed to ask about anything concerning him! Don't even waste your time looking at him twice! Do you hear me?!"

Xu Qian's heart turned solemn. For Zhou Kang to be this nervous and use phrases like "above," "special attention," and "hot potato," this young man's identity was likely even more troublesome than Xu Qian had imagined. He immediately put on a frightened, obedient expression and nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, yes, Captain Zhou, I understand! I absolutely won't look at him twice or say another word!"

Seeing Xu Qian's proper attitude, Zhou Kang's expression eased slightly, though he still added gravely, "Some people aren't meant for small fry like us to get involved with. Once you touch them, you might not even know how you died. Keeping yourself in check is the greatest wisdom. Understand?"

"I understand! Thank you for the advice, Captain Zhou!" Xu Qian spoke sincerely. He knew that although Zhou Kang's words were unpleasant, they were genuine survival wisdom. He was protecting Xu Qian, and protecting himself as well.

"Good. As long as you understand. Go on." Zhou Kang waved a hand. He looked somewhat weary as he turned toward the Guard Room, and even his back seemed to have stooped a little more.

Xu Qian watched Zhou Kang leave, then looked from afar once more at the now-silent cell E-98. Waves churned in his heart.