Chapter 234

Knowing that the cultists planned to break into the prison, Chen Guanlou ordered iron chains to be placed on Zhang Daohe.

The jailers couldn't understand—it was rare for prisoners in the Jia-class cells to be chained. First, it was unnecessary; official prisoners had no reason to attempt escape. Those detained in the Tianlaomiao had far greater chances of reinstatement than those in the neighboring Zhaoju. Escape meant sealing one's own career and the lives of one's nine clans—too costly, with a return so abysmally low it was outrageous.

Second, there was no tradition of chaining prisoners in the Jia-class cells. Even death row inmates weren't chained. How could a mere cultist warrant such treatment?

Chen Guanlou's order left the jailers stunned.

Chen Guanlou explained: "Those cultists are insane. We must prepare for the worst."

"So you mean the cultists will break in?"

"We can't afford to ignore it. Have you heard about the Yaowang Temple case? It's said to be their doing."

The jailers were startled—they'd never heard this claim before.

Chen Guanlou continued: "Rumors say the cultists have gathered in the capital specifically to break into a prison—whether it's the Zhaoju next door or our Tianlaomiao, we must prepare. Extra precautions mean extra safety. You don't want Zhang Daohe snatched away, do you?"

"Those cultists are really that insane!"

"Even more insane! I have relatives in Dongzhou—they're the worst hit by cultists. They don't fear death, abandon homes and livelihoods, and donate all their wealth. If anyone in the family refuses to join, they're killed outright. Some kill their own children, wives, even mothers to join. They've done every evil under heaven. They're completely possessed."

The jailers erupted in a chorus of shocked exclamations—they'd never seen anything like it. Cultists always stirred up trouble every ten years or so, but here in the capital, they were rare, nearly invisible in daily life. Most rumors were hearsay, too distant from their lives to be real—no wonder they were so stunned.

As the saying goes: good omens never come true, but bad ones always do.

At midnight, Chen Guanlou was fast asleep when he was suddenly awakened by loud banging at the courtyard gate.

"Coming, coming! Stop knocking!"

The gate opened, and Liu She was frantic, his words stumbling.

Chen Guanlou calmed him, offering a cup of water.

After drinking, Liu She regained his composure: "Chen Tou, it's bad—someone broke into the prison."

Chen Guanlou froze for a moment—so soon. Then he sighed. He'd expected this. It had finally happened.

"What's the situation? Are the cultists responsible? Has Zhang Daohe been taken?" He asked as he pulled on his coat, locked the door, and hurried back to the Tianlaomiao with Liu She.

"Zhang Daohe—he's been taken," Liu She said, lowering his head, fearing punishment.

Chen Guanlou glanced at him. "How about the men? Any casualties?"

Seeing Chen Tou wasn't blaming him, Liu She's courage surged. "Report, Chen Tou: a few injured, all minor wounds."

"As long as no one's dead, that's fine."

Hearing this, Chen Guanlou relaxed.

All Tianlaomiao jailers had a natural instinct to avoid danger. When a prison break occurred, none would truly fight the criminals—they'd just pretend. The jailers in the Jia-class cells were sharper than those in Yi- or Bing-class cells; if they moved fast enough, the criminals couldn't kill them.

The criminals were focused on escaping. If the jailers didn't rush out to stop them, the criminals had no interest in killing for revenge—it wasted time and risked drawing the guards. Escape was the priority.

Chen Guanlou asked Liu She: "Zhang Daohe was chained. How did they manage to free him?"

"Report, Chen Tou: one of the criminals was a lockpick expert. The chains were useless."

So all that effort was wasted.

Chen Guanlou rushed to the Tianlaomiao and learned that the disturbance here was minor—the real chaos was next door at the Zhaoju, where even palm-thunder bombs had been used.

Standing at the gate, Chen Guanlou watched the Embroidered Uniform Guards streaming in and out, patrols racing through the night, shaking the entire capital. The situation was dire.

No one could have imagined the cultists would dare break into the Zhaoju.

"The last time the Zhaoju was breached was fifty years ago," said Niu Yucheng, suddenly appearing.

Chen Guanlou immediately bowed. "My lord. One prisoner escaped from the Jia-class cells. I beg your punishment."

"Not your fault. Even the Embroidered Uniform Guards couldn't stop the cultists—our failure is expected. The higher-ups won't blame you. But I never imagined these cultists would cause such a commotion—daring to raid the Zhaoju."

"Is this like poking a hornet's nest?" Chen Guanlou murmured.

Niu Yucheng chuckled. "More than a hornet's nest. The Embroidered Uniform Guards have their hands full. Pick two sharp men and go next door to check on them—find out how many cultists escaped from the Zhaoju."

Chen Guanlou understood—Niu Yucheng was eager to watch the Embroidered Uniform Guards suffer.

As long as the Zhaoju lost more prisoners than the Tianlaomiao, the Tianlaomiao would remain unscathed—and might even earn a reward.

Chen Guanlou added: "My lord, rest assured. Only one prisoner escaped from the Tianlaomiao. The Zhaoju certainly can't have fewer."

"Hahahaha…" Niu Yucheng was delighted. The neighboring office's misfortune made everyone in the Tianlaomiao laugh.

Chen Guanlou learned Lu Datou was on duty tonight and sent for him.

Lu Datou mingled with all kinds of people—he was perfect for gathering intelligence next door.

Lu Datou patted his chest. "Chen Tou, leave it to me. I know several men in the Embroidered Uniform Guards—we've gambled together. By dawn, I'll bring you the exact number."

Chen Guanlou handed him twenty taels of silver. "Don't be stingy. Go boldly."

"Yes!"

With silver in hand, Lu Datou was brimming with confidence. He took two subordinates and rushed toward the Zhaoju. Dressed as a jailer and known to the guards, he faced no resistance and slipped inside easily.

Chen Guanlou descended from the Tianlaomiao. The Jia-class cells were in chaos after the break-in; the official prisoners couldn't sleep, all whispering about what had happened.

He stood before Zhang Daohe's cell. The lockpick expert had worked without effort—no damage to the cell, no trace of forced entry. Zhang Daohe had been taken as easily as breathing.

He asked Xiao Jin: "Do you know how the criminals got in?"

He'd observed on his way in—the two gates were intact, no signs of axe or blade damage.

Xiao Jin pointed to a distant window. "They came through the window."

Chen Guanlou followed his gaze and frowned. "How did they know that window was closest to Zhang Daohe's cell?"

Xiao Jin's face turned pale. "You mean… there's a traitor among us?"

"Definitely."

Chen Guanlou had another question: the Zhaoju had erupted in chaos, yet the Tianlaomiao remained eerily quiet. Many jailers claimed they didn't even notice the criminals entering—only realizing Zhang Daohe had escaped once he was already out of his cell.

He suspected a feint—the raid on the Zhaoju was real, but the true target wasn't next door. It was the Tianlaomiao. The chaos at the Zhaoju was meant to conceal Zhang Daohe's true identity.