Chapter 1

Jingzhou, known as an important stronghold of the southeast.

This majestic city stands tall upon the earth, like a dragon coiled and a tiger crouched; houses line both sides of the city, and at sunset, cooking smoke rises continuously.

Yet to the west of the city lies a large mansion, lacking this lively atmosphere.

One sees walls built of blue bricks, layers of iron bars, a tightly shut wooden door, an oversized iron lock on the door, and eight sword‑wielding officials before the bars—all showing strict vigilance.

This is merely a corner of the Jingzhou Prefecture jail, where order is upheld, justice administered, and serious criminals imprisoned.

"Bang bang bang..."

Only the sound of fists and feet striking flesh could be heard, coming from a deep cell far away, rising and falling. Following a cold laugh, everything fell into silence.

This cell is a large stone house containing two dark silhouettes: one sits cross‑legged, the other curled up, facing opposite directions—one to the east, the other to the west.

At that moment, the person lying on the ground opened his bright eyes.

As soon as he opened his eyes, a foul stench rushed into his nose and mouth, he couldn't catch his breath, and fainted again.

Since ancient times, prison conditions have never been good, especially in antiquity—dark, damp, a paradise for cockroaches and mosquitoes, and for humans, nothing short of hell.

Feng Yi's head felt as if it were splitting open; when he opened his eyes again, everything was dark and murky, and he had no idea where he was. He tried to rise, but his whole body was wracked with pain, leaving him with no strength. He thought, "Where am I? Could a night of heavy drinking have blacked me out?"

Thinking of this made his head hurt a little more; Feng Yi raised his hand to rub his forehead, but moving his right arm produced a faint "clang," and he felt something cold binding his hand. When he reached out with his left hand, it too gave a "clang" and was bound.

He was startled; feeling his left hand again, he realized a thin iron chain was attached to it, and a slight movement of his feet revealed that his ankles were also chained.

Through a sliver of weak light from the ventilation window, he saw it was a large stone chamber about six or seven square meters, its walls and floor built of large stone blocks, and the air reeked of stench and mildew. He thought, "Damn! Have I been kidnapped? I'm penniless—what could anyone possibly want from me?"

He immediately shouted, "Hey, which big brother is joking with me? Buddies, pals, did you grab the wrong guy?"

Feng Yi shouted several times, but heard nothing in reply; no one paid attention. He reached up to scratch his head and felt a full head of long hair, instantly increasing his panic—where had his short crew cut gone? A thought struck him: had he time‑traveled? Could such a trashy plot become real? Not bad—Feng Yi came from Earth; just the night before, he'd been drinking beer with his buddies at a barbecue stall, admiring a few long‑legged hotties, feeling sentimental, when suddenly his vision went black and he found himself here.

Could it be just because I glanced a second time at that short‑skirted, long‑legged girl and said a few flirtatious remarks to those nearby?

This is absurd! Yet thinking again, if I were to die suddenly now, my browsing history wouldn't be in incognito mode—if Ah Sir saw it, the saying goes "people leave a name, wild geese leave a sound," and I'd want to leave a clean reputation in this world! I…

While Feng Yi felt embarrassed and annoyed, he suddenly heard a cold laugh from nearby: "Heh heh, nice kid, you're really tough—still alive after all that?"

The words were icy and devoid of emotion; Feng Yi's body jerked—there was someone else in this room? He turned toward the sound and saw, in the western corner, a pair of icy, piercing eyes glowing like sharp arrows, fixed firmly on him.

Feng Yi rubbed his eyes; his vision had already adjusted to the dark. He saw the man's face covered in a beard, his hair long and hanging down to his neck, his clothes torn and ragged—like a wild man from the mountains. He wore handcuffs and leg irons just like Feng Yi, but his shoulders bore two extra iron chains, making his condition far worse.

Feng Yi instantly realized—this isn't the "piercing the pipa bone" torture used in novels against martial arts masters? He just sat there motionless; if not for the cold words just spoken, he'd seem dead.

As Feng Yi was about to respond, a wave of memory surged into his mind like a tide. Chaotic fragments flooded in—this process was simple and brutal, with no warning, completely disregarding whether one could bear it.

"Ling Tui Si, Ding Dian, Lian Cheng Jue."

After Feng Yi sorted his memories, an unimaginable sorrow and absurdity filled his heart. He couldn't help muttering, "Damn, this time‑travel is great! Really great!"

Feng Yi already knew he had crossed into a world where everyone is wicked, the world of the "Linked City Secret."

Back on Earth, he knew the novel and TV series "Linked City Secret" inside out, though he only remembered the famous characters and the general plot.

The likes of the "Barbecue King" Hua Tiegan, the "Wall‑building Expert" Wan Zhenshan, the "Disciple‑Seller, Daughter‑Abandoner" Qi Changfa, the "Love‑Sick Fool" Ding Dian, and the "Blood‑Blade Evil Monk" Di Yun—we'll leave them aside for now.

This "daughter‑burying" Ling Tui Si holds a double identity: openly, he is the prefect of Jingzhou; secretly, he is the chief of the Longsha Gang, a man of extreme greed and insanity.

Most terrifying of all, the original owner—and thus my present self—was a minor leader of the Two Lakes Longsha Gang.

This original body's father had been a member of the Longsha Gang; years ago, in a clash with the Dongting Gang, he was hacked to death.

As gang leader, Ling Tui Si naturally couldn't let his life‑risking subordinates feel resentful; he provided for them, so the original owner grew up well, learned a few martial arts from a master, proved competent at work, earned Ling Tui Si's favor, and was promoted to a minor leader of the Longsha Gang.

Ding Dian was captured by Ling Tui Si four years ago. To obtain the secrets of the "Divine Illumination Classic" and the "Linked City Secret," Ling Tui Si not only severed Ding Dian's leg tendons but also pierced his pipa bone, subjecting him to brutal punishment every fifteenth of the month—yet Ding Dian never yielded.

Finding himself at a loss, Ling Tui Si sent an undercover agent to share Ding Dian's cell, hoping they'd become friends and thus extract the secret.

But Ding Dian came from a martial‑arts family; aside from being a bit foolish in love, he was otherwise sharp, naturally saw through Ling Tui Si's scheming, and beat to death every underling the gang had sent.

This original owner was the last to enter as a "makeup scout"—after all, Ling Tui Si had promised that upon success he'd be promoted to an official position, giving him a formal post.

Seeing that Ling Tui Si was both a gang boss and an imperial prefect, the original owner revered him like a deity; despite knowing the danger, he entered the jail full of hope—only to have Ding Dian pummel him from head to toe for no reason, then beat him again when his hands got restless; it was a continual torment.

How could the original owner withstand such blows from a martial‑arts expert like Ding Dian? In less than a week he died, making way for the Earth‑born Feng Yi to take over via transmigration.

Feng Yi let out a light breath; as soon as he shifted his body, sharp pains shot through him, and he thought darkly that although he had gained a miraculous second chance, the situation was deeply cruel, and he might end up dying in this miserable jail with no one to bury him.

"【Beep】"

Suddenly, an electronic synthesized voice rang in Feng Yi's mind: "Martial Path to Sainthood System loaded."

His heart jolted; he instantly recognized this as the exclusive cheat granted to transmigrators, and it had arrived.

Next, a panel appeared in his mind: "【Host: Feng Yi"

Age: 21; Identity: Minor leader of the Longsha Gang; Achievement points: 0; Internal energy: none; Martial arts: Opening Mountain Palm (Initial Glimpse of the Threshold) + Lightness Skill Lifting and Pursuing Technique (Initial Glimpse of the Threshold) (Note: martial arts stages are Initial Glimpse of the Threshold, Minor Accomplishment, Great Achievement, Furnace Fire Pure Blue); Mission: Escape the jail alive (uncompleted).

Reward: unknown.

Enemy: anyone who prevents the host from escaping.

Achievement points: 0 (Note: achievement points can be used to increase martial arts experience).

"【Hiss—】"

Feng Yi couldn't help sucking in a breath of cold air.

Who could resist the temptation to grow stronger?

Feng Yi couldn't help muttering: "What kind of name is 'Martial Path to Sainthood System' for this thing? I'd call it a 'Killing Becomes Demon System' instead!"

Feng Yi thought that, yet he also asked in his heart, "System, isn't there any beginner's gift pack?"

But he got no response from the system at all.

Feng Yi silently cursed: "Can I even kill anyone in my current state?"

While he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard several clanks of fetters; Ding Dian flexed his arms and stood up, coldly saying: "Kid, since you're not dead, take a few more punches from me and see how long you can last."

Feng Yi suddenly realized he had the system, but the danger remained; if he didn't deal with Ding Dian first, he'd just get beaten to death.

That would truly be dying before even setting out…

Feng Yi instantly gritted his teeth against the pain, scooted his butt back two steps, raised his hand and said: "Sir Ding, beating a drowning dog won't show your tiger's might. The real tiger of Jingzhou City—why don't you unleash your power on him?"

Ding Dian, upon hearing Feng Yi speak, was stunned, and said: "What did you say?"

Feng Yi knew the urgent priority was to survive Ding Dian's hands first; escaping the prison and dealing with Ling Tui Si, that beast‑hearted fellow, could wait. He hurriedly said, "Yes, I'll honestly tell you—I am indeed a spy sent by Ling Tui Si to worm out your secret. But what good does beating me do?"

Ling Tui Si sent me; how could I refuse? Even if you kill me today, he'll find another way to send someone. Do you have time to match wits with him?

Feng Yi wouldn't be stubborn like the original owner, claiming he was wronged or cursing Ling Tui Si in a rage.

Because he knew that in the original plot, before Di Yun entered, Ding Dian had already beaten to death several undercover agents.

Ling Tui Si regards human life as grass; as long as he can extract the secret, any number of deaths means nothing to him, but Feng Yi cherishes his own life and absolutely refuses to die pointlessly under a flurry of fists.

Ding Dian listened to his rapid-fire account and thought, "How did this brat openly admit his identity? A few days ago he was still stubborn, claiming he was an innocent victim framed by Ling Tui Si. Ah! He's using a retreat‑as‑advance tactic!"

Having that thought, Ding Dian couldn't help but sneer, "You're young but full of schemes, yet such petty tricks—heh—before me..."

Feng Yi curled his lip and thought, "What are you boasting about? You're a pedantic fool; even if your martial arts were unrivaled under heaven, you'd still be useless! Being toyed with by Ling Tui Si only shows your incompetence in my eyes!"

But Feng Yi naturally dared not say those words.

Seeing Ding Dian not step closer, he breathed a sigh of relief; he feared this idiot would lash out immediately, but as long as they could talk, he had a chance to fool him.

Feng Yi propped himself up with his arms, shifted his body, leaned against the wall to make himself as comfortable as possible, a self‑mocking smile flitting across his face, and said softly, "Senior Ding, what tricks could someone as insignificant as an ant possibly play on you? Your martial arts are superb, and your Divine Illumination Skill is peerlessly powerful..."

Before he finished speaking, Ding Dian's body moved like a released arrow, both hands lunging for his shoulders.

Feng Yi still tried to dodge, but Ding Dian struck like wind, seized his shoulders, lifted him up and slammed him against the wall, barking coldly, "Where did you learn of the Divine Illumination Skill? Speak!"

Ding Dian had practiced the Divine Illumination Classic for seven years; though not yet perfected, his accumulated inner strength and martial prowess were such that few in the martial world could match him.

Gazing at Ding Dian's face bristling with a beard, his shoulders aching to the bone, Feng Yi strained with all his might to break free, but Ding Dian's hands were like forged iron; his utmost effort was like a mayfly trying to shake a tree.

The original owner had studied martial arts for a few years under Ling Tui Si's instructors; even among the several‑hundred‑strong Longsha Gang he wasn't weak, considering himself a notable figure, but facing Ding Dian he finally realized his supposed skill was merely a speck in the vast ocean—not even a hundredth of Ding Dian's.

Feng Yi, unable to contain his pain, anger, and shock, shouted, "All you do is bully me—if you're capable, go kill Ling Tui Si! Even without mentioning your Divine Illumination Skill, I know the secret of the Linked City Treasure!"

Hearing this, Ding Dian loosened his grip, took his hands off Feng Yi's shoulders, yet snarled, "You'd better give a clear answer! I'll smash your head to pulp and see if you're still alive. Before I was just playing with you, holding back my inner strength; today, if you don't speak plainly, you won't live to see tomorrow!"

Feng Yi certainly knew Ding Dian's words were no lie; after taking a few deep breaths, he said, "Senior Ding, why are you here? Think of Senior Mei's renown in the martial world—who doesn't know what he possesses? Why am I here? Knowing the Divine Illumination Skill is nothing strange."

Ding Dian's brows rose, then his expression eased instantly; his face alternated between grim, furious, and sighing, as various thoughts surged forth.

In the past, when Ding Dian traveled, he saw on the Yangtze River the "Five Clouds Hand" Wan Zhenshan, the "Earthly Divine Dragon" Yan Daping, and the "Iron Chain Across the River" Qi Changfa three men besieging his benefactor, the Jiangnan martial arts hero "Iron Bones and Ink Sepal" Mei Niansheng.

Though his martial arts were modest, he risked his life to save Mei Niansheng.

Seeing Ding Dian's upright and righteous nature, Mei Niansheng, on his deathbed, passed both the Linked City Secret and the Divine Illumination Classic to him, urging him to uphold justice and benefit the suffering masses.

Grateful for Mei Niansheng's kindness, Ding Dian did not want him to die in obscurity, so he chose a auspicious burial site, laid him to rest, and erected a stele to preserve his name.

But Mei Niansheng was such a figure—his Divine Illumination Skill and Linked City Sword Technique shook the martial world. Someone, based on that tombstone, sought out Ding Dian; thereafter the entire martial world hunted him, ruining his family, hounding him everywhere, and forcing him to tend cattle and sheep beyond the frontier for several years.

Even to this day, Ding Dian has secretly resented himself: he clearly witnessed his disciples murder their own master for wealth and the Divine Illumination Skill, yet he failed to awaken, bringing this calamity upon himself.

Utterly foolish!

(End of chapter)