Chapter 367

Chen Guanlou's expression was half-smiling, half-sneering; Yang Dudou's face was as dark as water. One appeared calm and composed, the other nervous and vicious.

The two sides stood locked in stalemate; the atmosphere grew ever more tense, the air itself seeming to freeze.

Several prisoners in nearby cells woke up, yet all silently chose to pretend sleep. But pretending sleep was still pretending—it couldn't escape Chen Guanlou's ears.

He let out a soft laugh, feigning reprimand: "What's going on? What's going on? We're brother units—no need for any trouble! The Liushanmen brothers braved the cold, coming all the way in the dead of night to interrogate prisoners. Such dedication deserves our learning—got it?"

"Got it!" the jailers shouted in unison. All had been trained—Chen Guanlou often held assemblies to lecture them, always on uplifting topics, and the jailers had learned well how to be proper cheerleaders: loud voices were always right.

Chen Guanlou turned again to Yang Dudou: "It's so hot this weather—making you all travel for nothing in the middle of the night. How about this: I'll have the kitchen prepare some late-night snacks. Brother units—we shouldn't draw swords over this, ruining our goodwill. Don't you agree?"

He had offered the man a way down—yet he didn't know if the man would take it.

Courtesy first, force later—this was always correct.

Yang Dudou narrowed his eyes; emotions flickered across them, his rough cheeks twisting into a vicious sneer: "So after all this talk, Prison Warden Chen refuses to make things easy."

Chen Guanlou shook his head: "Even brothers must settle accounts clearly. Though we're brother units, the proper procedures must still be followed—if superiors investigate, neither of us can escape blame. I worked too hard to become a prison warden; I won't give anyone grounds to remove me. This post in Tianlaomiao is such a good one—losing it would be a shame. Don't you agree?"

"Prison Warden Chen has the Hou Fu backing him—why fear being removed?"

"The Hou Fu is the Hou Fu; I am I. My connection to the Hou Fu is beyond five generations of kinship—I'm just a nobody, nowhere near their influence." Chen Guanlou sighed heavily, wearing the face of a man enduring endless hardship.

When chatting, never boast about how good you are—you must complain! Complain, and all troubles retreat: those wanting loans stay silent, those showing off feel ashamed, and you draw closer to others.

Only suffering brings people together; happiness only breeds envy.

Short version: Don't show off!

Yang Dudou clenched his molars, silently scanning the surroundings, weighing how likely he was to snatch Liu Xiang from the jailers' hands.

He even glanced at the keys in the jailers' hands.

Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze dismissive.

Yang Dudou truly didn't regard the Tianlaomiao jailers as anything.

He suddenly reached out and slapped Yang Dudou on the shoulder.

Before Yang Dudou could react, a crushing weight descended like a mountain falling from heaven—he couldn't move. He snapped his head toward Chen Guanlou, eyes wide with disbelief, shock, utter astonishment.

The pressure came fast and vanished just as quickly, leaving him dazed—had that been real? Or was it an illusion?

"Yang Dudou, don't make things hard for your brothers!" Chen Guanlou smiled warmly. "This is Tianlaomiao—dark, cramped, unsuitable for fighting. If anyone gets hurt, neither of us can answer to our superiors. Don't you agree?"

Yang Dudou gritted his teeth: "Prison Warden Chen practices martial arts?"

"Of course! I train daily, never slack off. Ask these jailers—they all know."

"Our superior loves collecting martial arts manuals," the jailers chimed in.

Yang Dudou frowned slightly: "Prison Warden Chen has trained for years—surely you've achieved something."

"Ah, nothing worth mentioning," Chen Guanlou waved his hand dismissively. "No martial vein—I'm just a lowly martial peasant, showing off a few fake moves. Can't compare to your Liushanmen brothers, each one a master of combat. Whether Jianghufeilei or city bullies, you all capture them effortlessly. We enjoy peace thanks to you—Liushanmen deserves the greatest credit. If rewards were given, Liushanmen would rank first."

Chen Guanlou showered praise on them without cost; the Liushanmen men's expressions visibly softened. They all stole glances at Yang Dudou, waiting to see whether he'd press on.

Yang Dudou gritted his teeth, forcing a fake smile—halfway through, his face darkened again: "Fine. Official business, then. Next time I'll come with official documents. Then, Prison Warden Chen, you'll have no excuse to stop me from taking the prisoner."

"As long as you have documents, follow procedure—the prisoner is yours anytime. Someone, show Yang Dudou and his men out. It's the middle of the night—we're all exhausted. Dismissed, so you can get a few more hours of sleep."

The jailers obeyed: "Gentlemen, this way, please."

Yang Dudou chuckled: "Prison Warden Chen—I'll remember you."

"To be remembered by Yang Dudou is my honor! Safe travels—I won't see you off!"

Chen Guanlou waved them off—finally rid of these plague-bringers.

He turned back and asked the clever jailer: "What's your name?"

The jailer remained calm: "Reporting to my lord, this servant's name is Huang Ye."

"That name…" a bit half-hearted.

"I was born at night, so my parents named me Huang Ye."

"Alright, I'll remember you. Do your duty well—I'm watching."

Huang Ye, unable to hide his excitement: "Thank you, my lord! This servant will serve with all diligence!"

"Go. I'll speak alone with Liu my lord."

Huang Ye took the hint and left.

Chen Guanlou tapped the prison bars: "Liu my lord, tonight I risked offending Liushanmen to protect you. Next time they come with documents, I'll have no reason to stop them from taking you."

"Thank you, Prison Warden Chen—I'll never forget this life-saving grace."

"Then tell me—what's really going on? Why did Yang Dudou come in the middle of the night to interrogate you? I checked the case file—your case was simple, no key figures involved. Or… are you hiding something, Liu my lord?"

Chen Guanlou's expression was half-smiling, half-sneering—he'd underestimated these provincial officials. City officials, when they erred, still held back—after all, this was the Son of Heaven's domain, with countless oversight bodies, and few came from ancient noble lineages.

Provincial officials, once they broke the law, had no restraint at all—anything they dared to do. Their motto: the emperor is far away; money solves everything.

Censors? Embroidered Uniform Guards? All bought off with cash. Taking lives was child's play.

"I am innocent!" Liu Xiang's face twisted in misery. "I don't know why Liushanmen came to interrogate me at night. I've already confessed everything. I'm just an insignificant nobody."

"Of the ten officials who enter Tianlaomiao, nine and a half cry 'innocent.' In the end, nine and a half are proven guilty. Liu my lord, playing games with me—is this how you repay me? If you're going to play games like this, next time—"

Chen Guanlou cut him open without mercy: Ungrateful fool!