[{"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-971":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},2326189,4549,"Chapter 971","immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-chapter-971",971,"\u003Cp>“Congratulations, Master Wang! You’re free to leave prison!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou stood at the prison gate, signaling the jailer to open it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Wang family steward is waiting outside, my lord—please step out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Huaimin put down the book in his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In recent days, the atmosphere in Cell Block Jia had been suffocating. Every day, officials implicated in the bribery case were dragged out for public execution; everyone held their breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Huaimin had once feared he too would not escape this fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never imagined he would actually be released.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked: “Has His Majesty issued an edict of clemency for us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou slowly shook his head. “Those who deserve to die must die. But you, Master Wang, are an exception—you have an excellent mother-in-law. Right now, countless convicted officials envy you, wishing they could take your place. Go, don’t delay—slip out quietly, don’t cause a commotion. You know well: the officials sentenced to immediate beheading have been seething with resentment lately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Huaimin grunted, walked out the prison gate with a blank expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a mother-in-law who could save him at a critical moment, yet he showed no particular joy—as if it were all natural, as if he’d expected it all along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking down the long corridor, the light was dim. Chen Guanlou studied his profile sideways and asked curiously: “You’re free—why aren’t you happy, Master Wang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I’m out, my official rank is surely gone. Chen Jailer, no need to call me ‘my lord’ anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Huaimin seemed perfectly clear-headed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou chuckled softly. “Are you grieving the loss of your rank? Would you rather face the execution ground than lose your position?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Losing rank usually means permanent disqualification from office. You’ve never walked the civil service path—you don’t understand my thoughts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I truly don’t understand. I only know: as long as the green mountains remain, there will always be firewood. As long as you live, there’s hope. Ask those sentenced to immediate beheading behind you—ten out of ten would trade places with you in a heartbeat. What’s a mere official rank, compared to life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Huaimin said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked in silence until finally exiting Cell Block Jia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After completing the release paperwork, signing and sealing the documents, washing up briefly, and changing into clean clothes, Wang Huaimin bowed to Chen Guanlou, then followed the family steward out of Tianlao Prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou called after him: “Don’t look back—looking back means a second imprisonment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Huaimin didn’t turn, but stopped and said: “I actually hope for a second imprisonment—that would mean I can return to office.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou burst out laughing. “You don’t need to be an official to get a second imprisonment. Become a bandit, become a rebel, kill a few more people… as long as the Ministry of Justice gets involved, you qualify for a second imprisonment. Master Wang, staying alive is fortune enough—don’t dig yourself into a corner. People should live with clarity—it benefits everyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Huaimin smiled, waved his hand, and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, he never looked back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, he still feared the notion of a second imprisonment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Changling’s swift and decisive action worked well—soon, Cell Block Jia was emptied, the case closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the case settled, Zhang Yulang, who had been bedridden with illness at home, recovered and insisted on going out to enjoy himself—no one could stop him. The Zhang family doted on him, willing to pluck the stars and moon from the sky for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he wanted to go out and enjoy himself, of course they indulged him—though now he was accompanied by twice as many servants and guards as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fellow had been cooped up so long he was nearly driven mad. As soon as he stepped out, he headed straight for the brothel, like a fish returning to water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou met him at the brothel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed at him: “Are you this desperate? The case just ended—the heat is still on—can’t you show a little discretion? Who are you trying to kill?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Chen, you overstate it. The case is closed. Given Xie Changling’s nature, as long as he’s in court, no one dares reopen this bribery case. I’ve suffered terribly these past days—look at me, I’ve lost two rounds of weight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve gained two rounds of weight.” Chen Guanlou snorted. “You rushed out so eagerly, clearly signaling to everyone that your release had strings attached. If someone investigates, my side is clean—no loose ends. But yours? You’ll have plenty of problems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Chen, you underestimate me! What problems could I possibly have? Even if you don’t trust my abilities, you should trust the Zhang family’s.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Zhang family spoils you to the heavens. I believe your family has power in other matters—but regarding you? Hmph. You’re the biggest vulnerability.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Chen, you speak like that and I’m not pleased. How am I the biggest vulnerability?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou grew deeply displeased; their conversation turned sour, and they parted abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou immediately went to another brothel to amuse himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yulang stayed at the brothel, indulging for three straight days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yulang died!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He died in the brothel!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the brothel girl who attended him, they had been carousing until midnight and he was perfectly fine then. This was confirmed by Zhang Yulang’s servants and guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the morning, since Zhang Yulang had instructed her the previous day to wake him for his return to the Zhang residence, she lifted the covers to call him—no response. When she checked his breath, she found he was already dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl screamed, instantly alerting everyone in the brothel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first person to rush into the room was the Zhang family’s gatekeeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jingzhao Prefecture received the report. Upon hearing Zhang Yulang was dead, they dared not delay a moment—arriving immediately, they sealed off the entire brothel. All guests who had spent the night were confined inside, none allowed to leave until cleared of suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhang family was devastated, insisting on taking Zhang Yulang’s body away, threatening that if the brothel didn’t hand over the murderer, everyone inside would die with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brothel madam was frantic, blisters forming on her lips, crying out in protest: “Innocent! I’m innocent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one yet knew how he died—the brothel was cursed, the brothel was wronged!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, when the coroner examined the body on-site, he found no obvious external injuries—not even a mosquito bite. His appearance was perfectly normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he was dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No bones were broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cause must lie within his internal organs!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coroner said: to determine Zhang Yulang’s cause of death, an autopsy was required.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhang family refused outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To dissect a corpse after death—what kind of heartless, vile soul could conceive such a thing? Clearly, they were incompetent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhang family directly pressured the Jingzhao Prefect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prefect’s head ached—trying to seek help from the Ministry of Justice, which flatly refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Daoning would never take this hot potato!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a hunch about Zhang Yulang’s cause of death—and a hunch about who wanted him dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could this case be investigated?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Investigate it, and you step into a fire pit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was mad if he’d take the blame for the Jingzhao Prefect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He refused outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He refused to meet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He refused to listen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He refused to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be safe, he took two days’ sick leave and stayed home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jingzhao Prefecture bore all the pressure. With no leads, they resorted to the three-strike rod—surely, under three blows, someone would reveal a useful clue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The serving girls, servants, even the pimp—all suffered terribly. Once inside the yamen, they lost half their lives within moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they truly knew nothing—even if beaten to death, they couldn’t fabricate a murderer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only person who even slightly looked suspicious was Chen Guanlou—three days ago, the two had argued, and many had seen it.\u003C\u002Fp>",1314,"2026-06-20T17:40:00.288Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c4ae2c8237d1e8aa8eae139b977b87299a92bff103aa3a2551986092176beaa2","immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-chapter-972","immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-chapter-970",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimmortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-cover.jpg"]