[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s":3,"chapter-immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-chapter-95":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Immortal Through Martial Path, I Who Cannot Die Shall Ultimately Be Invincible",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2325313,4549,"Chapter 95: Drawing a Big Cake","immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-chapter-95",95,"\u003Cp>Even if some harbor selfish motives, at this critical moment, no one wants the situation to spiral out of control. If superiors come to investigate, everyone will suffer the consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Hong, who had remained silent until now, suddenly asked, “How can Brother Chen be sure the policy will loosen? I’ve heard the palace is spending heavily, and the Ministry of Revenue has not a single coin to spare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou glanced at him and said calmly, “The capital is the foundation. A bowstring stretched too tight for too long will snap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is sound reasoning,” Wu Banhead nodded vigorously, fully endorsing Chen Guanlou’s insight. He thought, Scholars really are different—speaking elegantly yet clearly. Unlike other brutes, who only know how to open their mouths and curse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Hong seemed dissatisfied. “But what if it happens?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou fixed him with a steady gaze and said solemnly, “You’d better pray it doesn’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression was so grave, his demeanor so heavy, that Shi Hong lost his voice and forgot how to retort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after Chen Guanlou left the duty room did Shi Hong snap back to reality. “What’s his problem? I didn’t even provoke him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Banhead grunted. “Brother Chen is right. You’d better pray there’s no ‘what if.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does that mean? Can you explain clearly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Banhead didn’t want to discuss it and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Banhead chuckled inwardly, patted Shi Hong on the shoulder, and said, “Think for yourself—under what circumstances would this ‘what if’ happen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How would I know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, you do know. You just never thought of it. You’ve served in the Tianlaomiao for years—you’ve seen things. Peace is worth more than anything. Less money is better than that ‘what if’ you mentioned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Wang, can you just speak plainly? I never went to school—I only know a few characters. You all speak in riddles, and I truly don’t understand!” Shi Hong felt deeply wronged. Of the four Banheads, he was the only fool. Were they all ganging up on him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one was willing to spell it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was too much!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Banhead chuckled silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Hong immediately understood. “I’ll buy drinks tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that was more like it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Banhead finally took pity on him. “There’s only one scenario in the Tianlaomiao where your ‘what if’ occurs: when the outside world starts killing people. Got it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Hong looked half-understanding—as if he got it, yet not quite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Banhead shook his head. What a stubborn fool. If not for his beautiful cousin, who he’d cleverly offered as a concubine to Fan Yucheng, he’d never have become a Banhead even in ten more years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when had Shi Hong’s mind finally opened? How had he thought of offering his cousin? Had some master guided him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Banhead resolved: tonight, over drinks, he’d get Shi Hong drunk and extract the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Yuli sighed heavily and summoned Chen Guanlou to the official office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My head aches! The superiors went too far this time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou grunted twice in agreement. Fan Yuli only needed a listener, not advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Funding has been slashed by more than half—how are we supposed to manage now? Xiao Chen, have the jailers downstairs caused trouble? The Yi-class cells have already erupted. The Yucheng is furious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, rest assured. The Jia-class cells remain calm. Everyone understands the authorities must have urgent reasons. The court is in hardship; we jailers share the same public spirit and bear the duty to ease our superiors’ burdens.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Yuli: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this really necessary? Is this really necessary? Does he really have to recite empty formalities to me? Bullshit about “public spirit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Chen, your public spirit and willingness to share your superiors’ burdens are commendable. But before me, you needn’t be so formal. Let’s just chat—casually, without restraint.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re right, sir. I sometimes get nervous,” Chen Guanlou smiled faintly, appearing young and inexperienced—deceptively so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Yuli laughed. “When I was your age, I was nervous too. Several times in the scholar exams, I panicked so badly I didn’t even read the questions properly before writing. Afraid I wouldn’t finish in time. Ah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, your depth and patience will surely carry you to the highest ranks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No use. Once you’re an official clerk, you’re one for life. In every dynasty, clerks became officials only during the founding of a new regime. Since then, the requirements have grown ever stricter. I’ve no chance left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Yuli sighed with regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he been even a few years younger, he’d never have taken this post in the Tianlaomiao—he’d have kept pursuing the imperial examinations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou cleared his throat. “Sir, don’t lose heart. Even as a clerk, you still have great potential. Many officials are imprisoned here. If you find one you like, spend time with him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean…?” Fan Yuli perked up. “Explain further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou told him: “Officials from the Jixia Academy are highly likely to be reinstated. They’ll need trusted allies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Yuli nodded eagerly. “You’re right. All officials need loyal subordinates. But how do I know which prisoner is worth investing in? And even if I do, will they even look at me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, just wait patiently. I’ll keep watch on the prisoners. When I spot a suitable one, I’ll notify you immediately. Then you can cater to his preferences…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Yuli felt as if he’d met Chen Guanlou too late. He wished he’d met him ten years earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gripped Chen Guanlou’s hand tightly, sighing repeatedly, calling him his most loyal, steadfast ally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou felt nauseated and quickly withdrew his hand without showing it. People these days had a bad habit: when excited, they clung to hands. It wasn’t a woman—two men gripping each other like this was improper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was Chen Guanlou deceiving Fan Yuli?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he saw Fan Yuli was considering plundering the jailers’ pockets. He quickly redirected his attention with promises of advancement, quelling the idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To seek advancement, you mustn’t push the jailers too hard. The prisoners interact with them daily. If Fan Yuli earned a reputation for cruelty and greed, word would reach the soon-to-be-reinstated officials—and his future would be ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reputation mattered most in officialdom. Even if you didn’t care inwardly, you had to pretend. No one wanted a corrupt, hated man as an associate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Yuli knew the stakes. In his heart, advancement always came first. If he had a chance to ally with some powerful figure and gain his favor, losing a little money was acceptable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou breathed a quiet sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as Fan Yuli didn’t go mad and strip the jailers bare, the job could still go on.\u003C\u002Fp>",1109,"2026-06-20T17:39:56.967Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","daf1c5bc9448cd0856473eea030b2c464c930dd05d8f21fd2b85e72aadb5d165","immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-chapter-96","immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-chapter-94",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimmortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-cover.jpg"]