Chapter 83: The New Jail Clerk Fan

When he got home, Chen Guanlou checked every corner to make sure no one had entered, then lay down.

[1] He returned home, checked every corner to ensure no one had entered, then lay down.

That was close!

[2] How close that was!

He nearly instinctively raised his guard to block that sword slash—nearly exposed himself. At the last moment, he realized the blade wasn’t aimed at him and pulled back in time.

[3] He nearly instinctively blocked that sword slash, nearly exposed himself. At the last moment, he realized it wasn’t aimed at him and pulled back in time.

Even more terrifying, he recognized the man on horseback—the same clothed official who had killed Duan Tianlin in the imperial prison. He was from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

[4] Even more terrifying was that he recognized the man on horseback—the same embroidered uniform man who had killed Duan Tianlin in Tianlaomiao. He was from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The swordsman surnamed Qi was actually a subordinate of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, carrying out their orders while hiding among the street gangs under a false identity.

[5] The swordsman surnamed Qi was actually a lackey of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, carrying out their orders. He blended into the fighting guild, wearing a disguise to operate more easily.

He was furious.

[6] He was restless.

He absolutely did not want to provoke the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

[7] He absolutely did not want to provoke the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

His strength was still weak; he needed a stable environment and substantial income. He wasn’t ready to give up his position at the imperial prison just yet.

[8] His current strength was weak; he needed a stable environment and a generous income. He wasn’t ready to give up his post at Tianlaomiao yet.

Wait a little longer!

[9] Wait a little longer!

Once his strength matches that of a fifth-rank martial artist, then the world will be his to roam freely.

[10] When his strength matched that of a fifth-rank martialist, the world would be vast enough for him to roam freely.

Below fifth rank, there are countless warriors; only those above fifth rank can truly be called martial masters. The higher you go, the fewer there are. If one reaches the Master level, even emperors, princes, generals, and nobles must show respect and tread carefully.

[11] Below fifth rank, there were countless; only above fifth rank could one be called a martial master. The higher one climbed, the fewer there were. If one reached the Patriarch realm, even the Emperor, Imperial Princes, Generals, and nobles would show respect and tread carefully before a Patriarch.

……

[12] …

After spending a fortune, Wan Yuli finally extricated himself from the case. His mistress came crying again, begging him to save her younger brother. Wan Yuli kicked her away, looking utterly regretful.

[13] Wan Yuli spent a fortune to extricate himself from the case. His concubine came crying again, begging him to save her younger brother. Wan Yuli kicked her away, looking as if he regretted everything.

To free himself, he nearly emptied his entire fortune—he was so heartbroken he nearly fainted. But compared to being locked in prison, spending money was worth it. The money he spent would eventually be earned back.

[14] To free himself, he nearly drained his entire fortune, and the loss made him nearly faint. But compared to being locked in prison, spending money was worth it. The money spent would eventually be earned back.

After two days of rest, Wan Yuli dressed neatly early in the morning, arrived at the imperial prison with full energy, and headed straight for the office as he had done countless times before.

[15] After two days of rest, Wan Yuli dressed early, arrived at Tianlaomiao in full spirits, as he had countless times before, heading straight for the office.

Unexpectedly, halfway there, someone called out to him.

[16] But halfway there, someone called out to him.

“Wan Yuli, Deputy Warden Fan wants to see you as soon as you arrive.”

[17] “Wan Yuli, Fan Yucheng says that once you arrive, go see him first.”

“Did he say why? I’ve been away so long—the A and B prison blocks must be in chaos. Can’t I finish my duties first?”

[18] “Did he say why? I’ve been away so long—the A-Grade Prison must be in chaos. Can’t I finish my duties first?”

The messenger chuckled strangely. “Just go when he calls you—it won’t delay your duties. After being gone so long, a day or two more won’t matter.”

[19] The messenger chuckled oddly. “Just go when told. It won’t delay your duties. After being gone so long, a day earlier or later doesn’t matter.”

Though displeased, Wan Yuli turned and headed toward Deputy Warden Fan’s office.

[20] Wan Yuli was displeased, but turned around and headed for Fan Yucheng’s office.

He walked in with energy, as if ready for battle. He walked out like a wilted eggplant after frost—a defeated rooster, head drooping, lost in thought.

[21] He went in full of energy, like he was ready to fight. He came out like an eggplant struck by frost, a defeated rooster, head drooping, spirit shattered.

Someone stood outside, smirking. “Wan Yuli, what did Deputy Warden Fan want? Did he say what’s next for the A and B prison blocks?”

[22] Someone stood outside on purpose to watch his humiliation. “Wan Yuli, what did Fan Yucheng want? Did he say what to do with the A-Grade Prison now?”

“Wan, why don’t you share your experience of living in prison?”

[23] “Wan, why don’t you share your experience of living in prison?”

“Wan, are you about to get rich? Ignoring everyone like this?”

[24] “Is Wan about to get rich? He won’t even talk to anyone.”

“Wan went to prison and now he’s all deep and mysterious.”

[25] “Wan went to prison and turned all serious.”

“I…” Wan Yuli spun around, staring at the mocking faces around him, feeling profound despair. Everyone already knew—only he had been kept in the dark. Deputy Warden Fan had stripped him of his post and banished him to the equipment room.

[26] “I…” Wan Yuli whirled around, facing grinning, mocking faces. His heart sank. Everyone knew—only he had been kept in the dark. Fan Yucheng had stripped him of his post and banished him to the Equipment Room.

This was the imperial prison, not a military camp. The equipment room was as dull and powerless as the archives—no grease, no bribes, no perks. He still got paid monthly, but the salary was pitiful—slashed to ankle level compared to his former income.

[27] This was Tianlaomiao, not a military camp. The Equipment Room was as barren as the archives—no grease, no bribes. He still got his monthly pay, but it was pitifully small. Compared to his former income, it was slashed all the way down to his ankles.

The drop was staggering.

[28] The drop was no small thing.

He was furious, biting his teeth in rage, hating Deputy Warden Fan for kicking him out after he’d given so much. As soon as trouble struck, Fan had thrown him aside without a shred of loyalty. His greed, cruelty, and ruthlessness made Wan Yuli feel like a mere worm.

[29] He ground his teeth in rage, hating Fan Yucheng for kicking him out after he’d been so loyal. The moment trouble struck, Fan Yucheng shoved him away without a second thought. His greed, cruelty, and ruthlessness made Wan Yuli feel utterly outmatched.

He couldn’t accept it!

[30] He couldn’t accept it!

……

[31] …

Chen Guanlou sat in the duty room, poured himself a cup of tea, and felt wonderfully content.

[32] Chen Guanlou sat in the watchroom, poured himself a cup of tea, and felt content.

Learning that Wan Yuli had been banished to the equipment room filled him with delight.

[33] Learning that Wan Yuli had been banished to the Equipment Room, he felt delighted.

Guards gathered in small groups, speculating who would replace Wan Yuli; some even fantasized that if they paid enough silver, they might land the position of overseer for the A and B prison blocks.

[34] The prison guards gathered in small groups, discussing who would replace Wan Yuli. Some even fantasized—could they buy the position of A-Grade Prison supervisor with enough silver?

Chen Guanlou sneered. All of them were just throwing money away. That fat, lucrative post would never go to a lowly guard—it was beyond their reach. Better to just do your job and find other ways to make money.

[35] Chen Guanlou sneered. All of them were just bribing—no exceptions. That fat post wouldn’t go to any of these guards, no matter how long they waited. Better to do their duty and find other ways to make money.

A few guards approached him. “Chief Chen, Wan Yuli’s fallen. Aren’t you going to compete for his position?”

[36] A few guards gathered around him. “Chen Tou, Wan Yuli’s fallen. Aren’t you going to compete for it?”

“I think Chief Chen has a great chance.”

[37] “I think Chen Tou has a great chance.”

Chen Guanlou chuckled coldly. “Which eye do you see that gives me a chance? Don’t flatter me—tell me honestly: Do I have seniority? Am I old enough? Do I have more money than others? So many are eyeing that post—how could you possibly think it’d fall to a lowly guard like us? Stop dreaming. Don’t waste your money. Spend it on better meals instead. Why force yourself into this mess?”

[38] Chen Guanlou chuckled coldly. “Which eye sees me as having a good chance? Don’t flatter me. Do I have seniority? Am I old enough? Do I have more silver than others? So many are eyeing that post—what makes you think such luck could fall to us guards? Stop it. Don’t waste your money. Eat better meals instead. Why force yourself into this mess?”

Xiao Jin, the seasoned veteran, understood the subtext immediately.

[39] Xiao Jin, a seasoned veteran, caught the hint immediately.

“Chief Chen, have you gotten insider info? Has someone already been chosen?”

[40] “Chen Tou, did you get inside info? Has someone already been chosen?”

“Who is it? It can’t be Li Dahong.”

[41] “Who is it? It can’t be Li Dahong.”

“Li Dahong won’t spend a single coin—he’s out of the question.”

[42] “Li Dahong won’t spend silver—it can’t be him.”

“Chief Chen, give us a hint.”

[43] “Chen Tou, give us a hint.”

“I don’t know who it is,” Chen Guanlou shrugged. “But it definitely won’t be any of us guards. Enough of this. Why waste time? Didn’t you all plan to gamble today? Did you win back yesterday’s losses? Decisions from above aren’t our concern.”

[44] “I don’t know who it is,” Chen Guanlou said, spreading his hands. “But it won’t be any of us guards. Enough. Why not do something useful? Aren’t you gambling today? Did you win back yesterday’s losses? The decision’s above us—we don’t get to worry about it.”

He waved them off, urging them to get back to real work.

[45] He waved them off. “Go do something real.”

Everyone was guessing who would replace Wan Yuli.

[46] Everyone was guessing who would replace Wan Yuli.

No matter how they speculated, they all ended up as cannon fodder.

[47] After all the guessing, they all ended up as cannon fodder.

A new official arrived at the imperial prison—directly appointed as overseer of the A and B prison blocks. He came from a powerful background: surnamed Fan, same as Deputy Warden Fan—his cousin.

[48] A new man arrived at Tianlaomiao—an appointed jailer who took over the A-Grade Prison post immediately. He had powerful connections—surname Fan, same as Fan Yucheng, his clan nephew.

All the guards: …

[49] All the prison guards: …

All the jailers: …

[50] All the jailers: …

This Fan guy is a monster.

[51] That Fan guy was a bastard.

Too much.

[52] Too much.

He toyed with everyone, took everything, and never even pretended to be polite. Such a shameless, vulgar appetite.

[53] He toyed with everyone, took everything, and no one had ever seen such a vulgar, shameless appetite.

The guards who had paid bribes privately cursed Deputy Warden Fan, cursed the new Fan overseer, cursed this rotten world.

[54] The guards who had paid bribes cursed Fan Yucheng, cursed the new Fan jailer, cursed this damned world.

Chen Guanlou said nothing—he’d expected it. If Deputy Warden Fan was playing games, it meant he’d already chosen someone.

[55] Chen Guanlou didn’t curse—he’d expected it. If Fan Yucheng was playing them, it meant he’d already chosen someone.

He was summoned to the office.

[56] He was summoned to the office.

Deputy Warden Fan was beaming, his good mood undimmed by the sweltering heat.

[57] Fan Yucheng was beaming; even the sweltering heat couldn’t dampen his mood.

“Little Chen, come here. Meet our new overseer—he’ll be in charge of the A and B prison blocks from now on. He’s just arrived; you’ll assist him and help him get things running smoothly. Any problems?”

[58] “Little Chen, you’re here. Come meet him—this is the new Fan jailer. From now on, he’ll oversee the A-Grade Prison. He’s just arrived; pay attention, assist him in handling his duties. Any problems?”

“No problems! I’ll serve Overseer Fan!”

[59] “No problem! Your humble servant greets the Fan jailer!”

“You’re Chen Guanlou? Same surname as the Pingjiang Marquis? Did you study?”

[60] “You’re Chen Guanlou? Same surname as the Hou Fu? You’ve studied?”

The new overseer was clearly a rookie—no older than thirty—with a thin mustache, deliberately stiffening his expression to project authority.

[61] The Fan jailer was clearly a rookie, no older than thirty, with a thin mustache, deliberately scowling, posturing, forcing an air of authority.

A seasoned veteran could tell at a glance: this man had little real-world experience, was rigid, obsessed with appearances, and probably so bookish he’d lost his mind. Now that he’d finally stepped into office, he was putting on airs.

[62] A seasoned veteran could tell at a glance: this guy had seen little of the world, was rigid and obsessed with face. He’d probably read himself stupid—now finally willing to work, putting on airs like a proper official.