Leaving Prison

Silent and desolate, cold and damp, with a musty, bloody smell permeating the air.

Walking down this long, secluded corridor, only the quiet footsteps of Xu Yuan and Xu Mengxi echoed silently.

As he walked along, Xu Yuan could clearly see the miserable state of the prisoners in the cells on both sides.

Those imprisoned in this Imperial Edict Prison were either powerful figures in their respective regions or once-prominent officials in the court.

However, these people are now somewhat mangled and unrecognizable, and their painful murmurs are blocked by the Sound-Isolation Array of the cells.

Once someone is Imperial Edict Prison, they are essentially no longer connected to anyone else.

This was Xu Yuan's first time in a place like this.

The Imperial Edict Prison, along with the Heavenly Prison and the Black Prison, are collectively known as the Three Great Prisons of the Great Yan.

The first two were government-run, while the latter was private.

It contains many important figures: powerful demons and bandits who wreak havoc on the world, officials who wield immense power, and even some members of foreign royal families.

They were highly notorious among high-ranking officials and nobles, with countless examples of their infamous acts of framing loyal officials and extracting confessions through torture.

Lost in a jumble of thoughts, Xu Yuan fixed his gaze on the slender figure before him.

A long, high ponytail swayed behind Xu Mengxi's head; she seemed very happy to have captured him and brought him to this Imperial Edict Prison.

Just like in Cangyuan, she is a classic example of a cold exterior but a warm heart, an arrogant and stunning beauty.

However, considering their past conflict, this woman is likely genuinely cold on the outside but inwardly cold on the inside when it comes to him.

Just then, Xu Mengxi suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Xu Yuan collected his thoughts and asked:

"Arrive?"

Xu Mengxi ignored him, used her key to open a cell next door, turned her gaze back, and coldly uttered two words:

"Go in."

A slightly sharp voice echoed in the long, dark corridor.

Xu Yuan glanced at the cell but didn't move.

Just kidding, how could a spoiled brat like him live in a place like this?

It was dark and damp, with a wooden table, a wooden chair, and a straw mat still stained with the dark brown blood of the previous owner.

Upon seeing this scene, Xu Mengxi's not-so-ample chest heaved twice, and she spoke in a sarcastic tone:

"Third Young Master, do you feel this place is unsuitable for your status?"

Xu Yuan glanced at the various chilling, bloodstained instruments of torture in the torture chamber, then turned his gaze back:

"I remember that your Secret Investigation Bureau is only responsible for arresting people; the interrogation and arrangement of torture chambers should be the responsibility of the Directorate of Justice in the Imperial Edict Prison."

Upon hearing this, Xu Mengxi smiled slightly at Xu Yuan:

"No need for you to worry, Third Young Master. This area along the Dragon Plain River is under my jurisdiction. If you commit a crime there, according to the Great Yan Law, I, Subordinate Fourth Rank judicial officer, have the right to detain you for three days."

"Huh?" Xu Yuan didn't quite understand the intricacies of these laws. "Really?"

"How could I dare to lie to you?"

Xu Mengxi's eyes curved into two crescent moons:

"Next, Third Young Master, you will be spending a very memorable time with me in this room."

Xu Yuan laughed, "Alright."

He strode into the torture chamber, crossed his legs, and sat down on the only chair inside, glancing back at the flat-chested woman at the door.

"Since the beauty has extended an invitation, this young master naturally cannot refuse."

Having said that,

Xu Yuan took out a bottle of Drunken Immortal Wine and two portable Bright Pattern Lamp from his Sumeru Ring, and poured himself a drink:

"Come on, help me hang it up. This place is too dark; I'm not used to it."

"Hiss!" Xu Mengxi's eyes blazed with fury.

"Stop panting, you won't get any bigger no matter how much you pant."

"."

Taking a deep breath, Xu Mengxi walked over and slammed her hand on the table, causing the fine wine in the bottle to shake. She spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Xu Changtian, this is the Imperial Edict Prison! Hand over the Sumeru Ring!"

Xu Yuan froze as he drank, blinking his eyes:

"Huh? The Imperial Edict Prison doesn't allow the use of the Sumeru Ring?"

"."

Xu Mengxi took a breath and chuckled in anger:

What do you think?

Xu Yuan nodded, slowly removed the Sumeru Ring from between his fingers, placed it on the table, and smiled gently:

"Alright, since Mengxi has said so, then I won't need it."

Xu Mengxi picked up the Sumeru Ring in one swift motion.

Xu Yuan's eyes showed a hint of surprise:

Are you sure you want to take my Sumeru Ring?

Xu Mengxi chuckled:

"If you're worried I'll steal your things, there's no need to worry. This Sumeru Ring will be kept in the Imperial Edict Prison's storeroom. If you can get out, it will naturally be returned to you."

"Alright, take it if you want. It's full of valuables and medicines anyway."

Xu Yuan gave her a deep look, then spread his hands:

"If Mengxi wants to do anything to me, she'd better do it now. If it's a quarter of an hour later, she probably won't have the chance."

"Xu Changtian, it seems you don't understand the situation."

Xu Mengxi stood by the table, the Bright Pattern Lamp on it casting a sinister glow on her face in the dim cell. "Your past actions were nothing but petty theft, but today you've interfered with matters of national importance. Do you think you can still get out?"

Xu Yuan rolled up his sleeves and rested his elbows on the desk:

"Although I didn't know beforehand, the result was the killing of an important envoy. Considering the court and public opinion from all sides, I don't think I'll be able to leave anytime soon."

Xu Mengxi smiled upon hearing this, but the next moment Xu Yuan's slow voice came again:

"But I don't think I'll live here either."

"."

Xu Mengxi clenched her fists slightly.

They have no regard for the law.

Lawless.

Of course, because of the powerful Prime Minister, this playboy wouldn't be executed even if he committed heinous crimes. But by using the pretext of killing an envoy from another country, she would at least make him suffer.

Let this spoiled brat learn a lesson he'll never forget, so that those who have suffered may never forget.

"Don't you believe me?"

Xu Yuan sighed softly, his fingers lightly tapping the table, the soft "tap" echoing.

"To prevent you from doing anything foolish to me, within a quarter of an hour, there's a high probability that a high-ranking official will come to see you. It could be the Minister of Justice of the Imperial Edict Prison, but more likely it will be your master, the Chief of the Secret Investigation Bureau. In any case, this person will tell you that he will take over this matter."

"You'll be dissatisfied, you'll feel wronged, but he'll use a strong reason like you're not qualified to handle this kind of thing to remove you from the process."

"When I see him, I will tell him that you took my Sumeru Ring. He will ask me to return it, but at this time my Sumeru Ring will lose a Solar Marrow Pill, which is not too expensive, only about 10,000 taels of silver."

"Of course he knows you won't take my things, but he'll still return them to me and take me to the best cell in your Imperial Edict Prison. That cell will be equipped with all sorts of books on formations. If I want, I can even have the jailer go to the brothel and find a few prostitutes to sing and play the flute for me."

"Why?!!"

A voice filled with anger and grievance echoed in the silent corridor.

Xu Mengxi stared at her master, whose expression was as still as water, her fists clenched tightly. "Master... Xu Changtian committed a crime in broad daylight in the street, and... we're just going to let it go like this?"

"It's not a matter of letting it go; I will personally interrogate him. You've been with the Secret Investigation Bureau for seven years; you should know how to see through things to their essence."

An elderly man with graying hair and beard spoke earnestly, "This matter involves the Great Desert Royal Court, the current Emperor, and Lord Xu. Mengxi, do you think your official rank and cultivation level are sufficient to handle the upcoming investigation?"

"."

Xu Mengxi looked at the kind-looking old man before her, and seemed to understand. She bit her lip, her voice slightly hoarse:

"Master, I didn't touch Xu Changtian's Sumeru Ring."

The old man smiled, raised his hand to stroke his apprentice's downcast cheek, and comforted him:

"Of course I know you haven't moved."

Ten days later, in the Imperial Edict Prison, in a small attic.

A gentle breeze blew in through the window, and the Source Qi overflowing from the Source Crystal filled the entire "prison." A faint sandalwood fragrance wafted slowly from the small incense burner by the bedside.

As Xu Yuan was sitting cross-legged on the balcony with his eyes closed in meditation, he suddenly heard the cell door creak open from the outside.

Opening his eyes and seeing the person who had arrived, Xu Yuan dispersed his Cultivation Method and smiled:

"What do you want from me?"

Xu Mengxi walked into the cell with a cold face and asked:

"Didn't you ask my master for that Yang Sui Pill?"

Xu Yuan was speechless upon hearing this. He got up, walked to the table, picked up the hot tea that was being brewed, poured himself a cup of fragrant tea, and watched the steam rise from the spout of the teapot.

"I don't need this, why would I bully you?"

Xu Mengxi stared at him coldly:

"Stop pretending to be a saint here. You'll never let go of any opportunity to bully others."

Xu Yuan glanced at her upon hearing this, a slight smile playing on his lips:

"You really know me. If I had this opportunity before, you would most likely have gone bankrupt and sold yourself to sleep with me."

Xu Mengxi's eyes were filled with disdain:

"Sleep with me? With your cultivation level?"

"."

Turning around, Xu Yuan glanced at the woman's slender figure from head to toe and smiled:

"Mengxi, you may not know this, but sleeping is not just one action."

"."

Xu Mengxi was taken aback, then her face flushed red, her eyes filled with embarrassment and annoyance, and one of her delicate hands unconsciously gripped the sword at her waist.

Xu Yuan waved his hand dismissively:

"Alright, enough with your level of eloquence. Don't try to outwit me. I won't ask your master for anything; I just feel it's pointless to bully someone like you."

Xu Yuan's casual tone made Xu Mengxi on the other end of the line somewhat irritated.

Like a dog, a dog that might bite at any moment.

Xu Mengxi's delicate body trembled slightly, as if she wanted to draw her sword.

Upon seeing this, Xu Yuan remained completely calm. He took a sip of his tea while watching the other person get angry with great interest, though he tried to maintain a nonchalant expression.

This female constable from the Secret Investigation Bureau isn't Big Ice Block or a saintly figurehead, and besides, he can beat her now.

After a while,

Xu Mengxi spoke again, her voice suppressing her anger:

"Xu Changtian, I hope you're telling the truth."

"Um?"

Xu Yuan didn't immediately grasp the implication of the other person's words. "What truth?"

Xu Mengxi loosened the sword at her waist and straightened her back:

"Since you find it meaningless to bully a young lady, I think you, Third Young Master, would be even less inclined to harass the common people of the world."

"."

After a brief silence, Xu Yuan suddenly grinned at the woman and patted her on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, if I'm going to bully anyone now, it'll be sects, noble Aristocratic Clan, and royalty. I won't do those pointless things I used to do."

After saying that, Xu Yuan walked directly towards the prison door.

"Snap--"

Xu Mengxi grabbed Xu Yuan's hand and said angrily:

"Xu Changtian, what are you doing?"

"Release from prison."

Xu Yuan replied matter-of-factly, "Didn't you come to this cell to get me out?"

Xu Mengxi quieted down for a moment, then took out two iron rings:

"Take this with you; I'll take you to see Lord Sikou first."

Xu Yuan extended his hand and smiled:

"Formalism."

Xu Mengxi glared at him:

"Xu Changtian, don't be so smug. I'll settle accounts with you for what happened before."

Xu Yuan, handcuffed, casually chuckled:

"As for yourself, you'll probably have to wait until you cultivate to the level of a saint before you can talk about it."

More than half a month later, the weather is clear and cloudless.

The Imperial Edict Prison was located in the southwest corner of the inner city of the Imperial Capital, in a relatively remote area. Outside the prison was a secluded and quiet alley.

Accompanied by the Imperial Edict Prison Minister and Xu Mengxi, Xu Yuan was politely escorted out.

As soon as he came out, Xu Yuan saw a Black Dragon Carriage that had been parked for a long time at the entrance of the alley:

"Since the manor has already sent a carriage, Lord Sikou, there's no need for you to escort us."

The Minister of Justice in Imperial Edict Prison was chubby and seemed very amiable; he insisted on sending him there.

"It's just a short walk. I hope you won't take offense at my rudeness in coming to the Imperial Edict Prison, Lord Xu."

Xu Yuan glanced at the Minister of Justice:

"Well, we weren't prepared. Next time I come, I'll let Mengxi know in advance so you can prepare."

Xu Mengxi remained silent with a cold expression.

The Imperial Edict Prison Minister gave an awkward smile.

His position as Minister of Justice was neither particularly high nor low.

Within the confines of the Imperial Edict Prison, he held absolute power, and many people would come to him for help.

The problem is that those who come to him for help are either death row inmates who cannot be implicated, or they are in the same situation as this young master.

His position and power were both awkward, so he was very good at understanding his place.

He took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from his chubby hands with a handkerchief.

"Third Young Master, you must be joking. These are things I should do."

"."

They traveled along the road, and were about to arrive at the Black Dragon Carriage.

The Imperial Edict Prison Minister suddenly stepped forward and bowed to the Black Dragon Carriage:

"Your Excellency, the Third Young Master has arrived."

"."

Xu Yuan was taken aback when he saw this.

His father personally greeted him upon his release from prison; wasn't that a bit too much of a show?

No wonder the fat man wanted to deliver it himself.

While the fat man bowed, Xu Mengxi stood silently to the side; as a traitor who had stolen the country, she refused to bow.

A moment later, a deep, steady middle-aged male voice came from inside the carriage:

"Minister Wang, thank you very much this time."

The Imperial Edict Prison Minister kept his head down, his voice carrying a hint of obsequious laughter:

"There's no need for thanks, Lord Xu. These are things I should do."

After he finished speaking, the alley fell silent.

After a while,

"Aren't you getting in the car? Do I have to ask you to get in?"

"."

Xu Yuan glanced at the two people beside him, nodded in acknowledgment, and then stepped into the carriage.

The interior of the carriage remained as spacious as ever, with only a middle-aged man with graying temples sitting quietly cross-legged on the soft couch.

Xu Yuan bowed:

"Father, what brings you here?"

Xu Yinhe kept his eyes closed, but his words were direct:

"The Emperor is looking for you; I'll take you there."

"."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan's thoughts instantly became active, and he asked softly:

"Is it because of that Tachao?"

Xu Yinhe slowly opened his eyes and shook his head:

"He's looking for you about your marriage to the Marquis of Martial Achievement Estate's family."