Chapter 962: Putting on a Show

Sun Daoning impatiently pointed at Zhang Yulang crouching in the corner, “This dog…”

Chen Guanlou followed his gaze; Zhang Yulang looked pitiful, curled up like a quail.

“What’s wrong with Brother Yulang?”

Sun Daoning gritted his teeth, “I wish I could kill him right now to eliminate the threat.”

“Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me!” Zhang Yulang cried out in panic, “My lord, you can’t kill me. If you kill me, you won’t escape blame either.”

“Shut up!” Sun Daoning snapped in fury.

Chen Guanlou didn’t know the full story, so he asked casually, “Really kill him? Is it that serious?” He wondered internally—had Old Sun called him here to have him kill someone quietly?

Killing Zhang Yulang wouldn’t trouble him. Just a drinking buddy.

But he wouldn’t kill someone blindly without knowing the circumstances.

“Do you think he deserves to die?”

Sun Daoning shot back.

“That depends on what crime he committed. If it’s not worthy of death, why not spare his life?”

“I didn’t commit any crime worthy of death!” Zhang Yulang cried out, seizing the chance. “Brother Lou, I’m innocent! I’ve stressed this repeatedly, but my lord refuses to believe me—he demands I confess something, then when I do, he says I talk too much and wants to kill me. He’s both man and ghost—what can I do? If anyone must die, it should be my lord!”

“Insolent!” Chen Guanlou rebuked sharply. Zhang Yulang was truly fearless—a prisoner dared speak such nonsense; his mouth truly had no lock.

“You dare slander my lord? Zhang Yulang, you still don’t grasp your status as a prisoner. Shall I take you to the interrogation chamber and show you why the flowers are so red?”

Even a fool knew the horror of the interrogation chamber; Zhang Yulang crouched in the corner, silent and trembling.

Chen Guanlou snorted again, turning to soothe Sun Daoning. “My lord, don’t take that Zhang boy seriously. Though he had a famous master since childhood, he’s fundamentally a fool—spoiled by his family into an idiot who can’t tell weight from lightness.”

“I’m not an idiot!” Zhang Yulang muttered under his breath.

Chen Guanlou didn’t indulge him—he grabbed a bald-bristled brush and threw it at Zhang’s face. “Shut up! I didn’t tell you to speak! You have no manners at all. My lord, I’ve disciplined him—calm down.”

Sun Daoning gave a sardonic smile. “Chen Guanlou, you’re a slippery one. Are you afraid I’ll ask you to kill someone, so you’re making excuses? Am I really that petty?”

Aren’t you?

Chen Guanlou said nothing.

“What’s that look for?” Sun Daoning fumed. “We’ve worked together for years—is this how you truly see me? Unforgivable! I thought of you first whenever trouble arose!”

This statement—hah—deserved some scrutiny.

Chen Guanlou didn’t bother hiding his words, speaking bluntly: “My lord, though I don’t know exactly what you discussed with Zhang Yulang, I know this is a hot potato. When there’s profit to share, you never thought of me. When trouble arises and someone must clean up, you remember me. My lord, ask your conscience—is it still there?”

“What conscience? I’m about to lose my life—what use is conscience?” Sun Daoning, enraged, openly admitted he had none. “Take him away. Assign men to watch him day and night—don’t let him die. He talks too much; choose guards who are tight-lipped and honest. Don’t let anyone slip through.”

Chen Guanlou narrowed his eyes slightly—this matter must be serious.

“Keep him alive and under watch. This task is hard, yet easy. My lord, you know the Tianlaomiao is as porous as a sieve. If you don’t explain the full story, I won’t know how to handle the balance.”

“Are you looking for death? Can’t you see I’m keeping silent to protect you? If I tell you the truth, you’re a grasshopper tied to the same rope—we all die. I keep quiet so I can keep you out of it.”

Sun Daoning was furious—his sincere intentions were unappreciated.

Absurd!

Where’s your brain?

You’re usually so sharp—why can’t you see this now? Why insist on dragging yourself in? What do you want?

Chen Guanlou pondered, then said, “My lord, you truly care for me.”

“Of course!” Sun Daoning rolled his eyes. “I may forget you when profits are to be shared, but I’d never drag you down. I’m not that heartless.”

Chen Guanlou: …

Just a tiny bit of conscience.

He clicked his tongue. “This guy really talks too much. Let’s kill him—eliminate the threat.”

“Brother Lou, we’re sworn brothers, even if not of the same blood! How can you be so cruel? I’m innocent! This bribery case has nothing to do with me—I was just dragged in! Brother Lou, don’t kill an innocent man just to protect your pitiful post as jailer! Waaah…”

Zhang Yulang cried like a true master—tears and snot everywhere. No matter how handsome his face, he looked like a clown.

Chen Guanlou was disgusted. “My lord, really keep him alive?”

Sun Daoning’s head throbbed from Zhang’s wailing. “Quickly shut his mouth and take him away. I don’t want to hear his voice—or even see him. Zhang Yulang, you know the stakes—keep your mouth shut from now on. Whoever asks, say only that you’re innocent. Not a single other word. Otherwise, no one can save you.”

Zhang Yulang sniffled, “My lord, first promise you won’t kill me.”

“If I meant to kill you, would you still be alive?” Sun Daoning snapped. Modern youth—pathetic, worse than the last generation.

Zhang Yulang thought about it—yeah, fair point.

He turned to Chen Guanlou. “Brother Lou, you promise me too—you won’t kill me.”

Chen Guanlou rolled his eyes. “Why would I kill you? If your family ever goes bankrupt and you’re penniless, maybe then I will.”

“Brother Lou, you’re so pragmatic.”

“Enough nonsense. Look what you’ve done to my lord—still making demands? Get out! Go back to your cell and lie down. Don’t you dare show your face again.”

Chen Guanlou grabbed him roughly and dragged him out, showing no mercy.

He still took a moment to soothe Sun Daoning. “My lord, I’ll take him away. Calm down, have some tea. I’ll come back soon to keep you company.”

He personally escorted Zhang Yulang back to the cell and dismissed all the guards.

Standing at the cell door, he whispered, “What did you tell Old Sun? He acted like he’d lost his life.”

Zhang Yulang was cunning. “I only told him one name—and he went mad. Do you want to know? I’ll tell you.”

“Get out!” Chen Guanlou cut him short. “Shut your mouth—or you die.”

“Brother Lou, your ability to turn cold-hearted grows ever more refined.”

“Your talent for faking tears and whining—I bow to you.”

They mocked each other, teased each other, then burst into synchronized laughter—perfectly in sync.