Chapter 444: Please Listen to the Tune

The clan's schedule gave Chen Guanlou two days off.

Everything as usual—report to Tianlaomiao for duty.

The jailers were all astonished to see him.

"My lord, aren't you supposed to rest a few more days?"

"This is my scheduled leave. When my turn comes again, I'll take time off then."

"My lord, let us all join you. Even Jiang Tu can't control Tianlaomiao. We want to ease your burden."

"I appreciate your goodwill. Hou Fu doesn't lack people, and the Chen family doesn't lack them either—not yet. When we truly need help, even if you don't speak up, I'll ask you myself."

"Why is Jiang Tu acting so mad? Why is he suddenly targeting Hou Fu? My lord, I heard he's hired many martial artists, vowing to kill Chen clan members. My lord, please be careful."

"The martial artists who can kill me haven't been born yet." Chen Guanlou spoke with such arrogance because he had the strength and the confidence—even though no one present believed him.

Yet one person held absolute faith in Chen Guanlou, certain he could never be harmed. That man was Lu Datou.

He couldn't explain where this confidence came from, but he was certain mere martial artists couldn't touch Chen Guanlou.

Lu Datou leaned close to Chen Guanlou and offered advice: "If Jiang's gang can hire martial artists, why can't we? In the capital, the Three Teachings and Nine Streams—how many men do you need, Chen Ge? I'll get you that many. One-on-one, they might not match up, but those bastards never fight one-on-one—they always fight in groups. And they strike with cruel, vicious precision. Every martial artist who comes will die."

"You've thought of me. Next time, I'll treat you to a meal—don't refuse."

"Hehe, Chen Ge, you're too kind. Just call if you need anything."

Chen Guanlou pondered a moment. "Perhaps we'll need to borrow prisoners from the Bing-class cells. Are there any experts among them?"

"There are a few experts, but their meridians are sealed, their shoulder blades are pierced, and they've suffered severe punishment—they won't be usable anytime soon," Lu Datou sighed in regret.

Had he known this was coming, he'd have begged on his knees to spare those condemned prisoners.

Chen Guanlou also felt regret.

Though he'd already revealed himself, he didn't want to reveal too much.

To the world, he could fight 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-rank martial artists—but that didn't mean he could fight 4th, 5th, or 6th-rank ones, let alone the top-tier 7th, 8th, and 9th-rank masters.

Normally, he patrolled with clan members. Changing disguises wasn't hard, but it was troublesome.

What if one day an 8th-rank martial artist suddenly appeared? In that split second—would he fight? Would he fight? Would he fight?

He'd never officially fought a 9th-rank martial artist. He didn't know if he could withstand one.

He was worried.

Jiang Tu had gone mad, and Hou Fu had to go mad with him, just to please the old emperor. What a fucked-up world.

The old emperor was truly a bizarre oddity—he thrived on chaos.

Chen Guanlou spent money to have the kitchen prepare several banquets, treating the jailers to meat and wine. The jailers, out of genuine or feigned concern for his situation, had shown their care—he had to respond in kind. Nothing pleased people more than a good meal and drink, and it cost little.

Money was made to be spent.

He descended into the dungeon to visit Da Ming Wang. This was his main reason for abandoning his leave and coming to Tianlaomiao. Da Ming Wang was the crown jewel of the Jia-class cells—absolutely no mistakes allowed.

He happened upon Dr. Mu examining Da Ming Wang.

"How is he? Will Da Ming Wang live until next year?" Chen Guanlou spoke without restraint, showing no caution.

Da Ming Wang felt a pang of irritation, scowling: "Chen the jailer, rest easy. Even if I have only one breath left, I'll hold on until next spring to die."

"If Da Ming Wang has such resolve, that's excellent!"

But Dr. Mu's tone was grim: "While you were away, Da Ming Wang was poisoned—not by me. Who did it? You'll have to investigate. You'll probably find nothing."

"So he's still alive after being poisoned again?" Chen Guanlou was slightly surprised. "No one told me about this!"

"I told Xiao Jin to keep it secret. You've been busy with family matters—I didn't want to disturb you. The poison was already neutralized, and he's alive. I must say, Da Ming Wang truly has a strong life force."

"I've already spread word that Da Ming Wang was poisoned—so why is someone trying to poison him again?"

Chen Guanlou clicked his tongue, then turned to Da Ming Wang: "Da Ming Wang, look how much people hate you. How many out there want you dead?"

Da Ming Wang snorted coldly: "If you've got the guts, just kill me outright. Poisoning? That's no skill."

"Do you remember how you were poisoned?"

"How would I know? If Dr. Mu hadn't told me, I wouldn't even have known I'd been poisoned a second time."

"You felt nothing at all?"

Da Ming Wang hesitated. "My appetite isn't as good as before. Is that enough?"

Chen Guanlou: …

He had nothing to say.

No wonder he was the rebel leader who roamed the vast northern lands—this body's resilience. Any ordinary man would've been dead long ago. Indeed, those who dare rebel always have something strange about them—some extraordinary encounter, physical anomaly, or mental deviation. They must have one striking difference from ordinary people.

Da Ming Wang's body was certainly abnormal. Could he be naturally resistant to poison?

Chen Guanlou pulled Dr. Mu aside. "What do you think of Da Ming Wang's condition? Is it normal?"

"Not entirely normal, but not extraordinary either. Strange people and odd phenomena still exist in this world. You've just seen too little to have encountered them."

Chen Guanlou: …

He'd been looked down upon by Dr. Mu.

Before he could retort, Dr. Mu continued: "Actually, you yourself are a strange phenomenon. No meridians, yet you kill martial artists with nothing but swordplay. Impressive."

"You know about this?"

"It's been whispered everywhere. How could I not know?" Dr. Mu paused. "You've drawn the attention of certain people. Be careful. If needed, let Hou Fu speak for you—it's not shameful."

Chen Guanlou pressed quickly: "Can you tell me more?"

Dr. Mu shook his head. "I'm just a physician—not a court official, not a martial artist. I can't elaborate. Lately, things have been chaotic. Hou Fu and Jiang Fu are clashing, bloodshed everywhere, yet no yamen intervenes, no court cares. Da Ming Wang keeps getting poisoned—it's too unstable. Be careful. All the jailers here must be careful. But I'm here—I'll ensure Da Ming Wang lives until next spring."

"Someone approached you—how much did they offer?" Chen Guanlou asked curiously.

Dr. Mu chuckled, glancing back at Da Ming Wang. "Da Ming Wang is valuable—some are willing to pay thousands of taels for his head. But I think it's not worth it. Your worth exceeds ten thousand taels—why should I settle for just a few thousand? Better let Da Ming Wang live. We've been colleagues so long—I can't betray you."

"Thank you! Next time, I'll take you to hear music in the Flower Street."

"If you want music, go to a painted boat. Flower Street is dull."

"Fine, I'll do as you say."