Chapter 935: Freedom Within Reach

In the gloomy prison cell, light was extremely scarce; only when the sun slanted west would a little light seep in from the tiny window hardly larger than a buttock, slicing out a small bright area in the darkness.

For the past several months, this was Kong Fang's most excited and long‑awaited moment.

It was precisely this bit of light that kept him from going completely mad.

He had always thought nothing in this world could defeat his invincible self, but in this place he lasted less than half a month, and after half a month he was already on the verge of madness.

But his pride prevented him from compromising.

As a fairly smart person, he could see that Chen Jieshuai valued him.

He believed he would not stay long in this place.

As a scholar, he strictly followed the example of his predecessors.

Scholars all know that integrity is more important than life.

After a few more days, he was taken out of the dungeon and followed the army into the mountains.

At that time Kong Fang felt he had finally reaped the rewards after his suffering.

Chen Wuji brought him along with the troops, surely intending to make use of him.

But during the two months in the mountains, he spent most of his time in the prison cell, with a dozen or so soldiers always guarding outside.

Chen Wuji neither released him nor inquired about him.

It seemed he had merely been taken out for a parade.

After the army returned from the mountains, Kong Fang was again shoved into this lightless dungeon.

At that moment he finally regretted it.

He felt like an idiot.

Chen Wuji is a pretty decent leader, but his pride—what good is integrity? Can it be eaten as food?

Can it give him freedom?

Can it give him success and fame?!

But at that time it was only regret; the habits ingrained in his bones over the years still prevented him from actively lowering his head.

In this way, waiting and waiting, self‑hypnotizing, another half month passed.

Kong Fang waited in vain for Chen Wuji, and even for someone of higher rank, until he finally broke down completely.

He realized that Chen Wuji's apparent appreciation might be only superficial, and perhaps they never truly acknowledged his talent.

Finally, Kong Fang dared not wait any longer.

He lowered his stance and began actively offering terms.

He thought anything useful should be dumped out all at once, like a clearance sale.

But still, no one came!

The cold‑eyed guards outside merely glanced at him occasionally, then nothing more.

He spent much of each day shouting about his talents, gaining only the occasional glance from the guards.

Besides that, there was no other response.

Kong Fang shut himself off completely, and even felt a desire to die.

He did not want to spend his life in this lightless place.

But aside from banging his head against the wall, he found no other way to kill himself.

But head‑banging suicide is simply too painful.

He couldn't endure it.

As for starving to death…

He held out for two days, then in his sleep he seemed to have eaten all the cold food.

This isn't his fault; his body has its own ideas.

Suddenly footsteps sounded outside.

The listless Kong Fang's ears twitched; he lifted his head and glanced outside, his empty eyes flashing with light for a moment before dimming again.

Although he didn't know what time it was, it was probably someone bringing food.

Let's eat a full meal, then after eating see if I can choke myself to death.

This method isn't so painful; it might succeed.

The torchlight illuminated the dungeon, and several silhouettes appeared outside the bars.

The leader was a thin middle‑aged man in a faded blue‑green shirt, his eyes sharp as a hawk's, imposing without anger.

Kong Fang's eyelids twitched again, and his expression instantly turned to wild joy.

He somewhat recognized this middle‑aged man as Chen Wuji's advisor, named Xu Zengyi.

He shared the same name as the once‑famous poisoner.

"Mr. Xu, are you here to send me on my way? Quick, quick, quick—please hurry, they all have knives; tell them to give me one!" Kong Fang suddenly found strength, leapt up, grabbed the bars, and shouted loudly.

He no longer cared about life or death; he only wanted to leave this damned place.

He could not bear it any longer.

Xu Zengyi's gaze was calm, he smiled faintly: "How can you think that, Young Master Kong? My lord has never intended to kill you; I've heard you are willing to offer the antidote recipe for A Furong."

"Never mind, kill me now—go ahead, kill me… wait, you just said the antidote?!" Kong Fang's mouth ran ahead; he finished speaking before he could clearly hear Xu Zengyi's words.

Xu Zengyi nodded.

"Give, give, give—I'll give anything, as long as you let me out, or you can kill me!" Kong Fang shouted urgently, "In short, as long as you don't keep me here, everything else is negotiable."

"Young Master Kong, don't get agitated—you will certainly be able to leave, but we need to discuss a few things first." Xu Zengyi paused, then added, "This is also what my lord intends."

"The antidote, right? Bring paper and pen—I'll write it now!" Kong Fang waved his right hand and shouted urgently.

To hell with restraint and integrity!

Laborers now either die, or be free!

Everything else is nothing but sons of bitches.

"Kong Zi, won't you mention a condition?" Mr. Xu asked with a light smile.

Kong Fang immediately shook his head, "No conditions, my condition has just been said: let me go, or kill me."

"But my Family Head seeks talent as if thirsty." Mr. Xu said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Seeking talent like this is somewhat rash.

But he never expected Chen Wuji to actually forget Kong Fang.

Kong Fang's expression froze slightly; he stared at Mr. Xu, uncertainly asking: "Mr. Xu, do you mean… that Commander Chen still wants me to serve before his tent?"

"Yes."

Kong Fang grabbed several handfuls of his disheveled hair.

Having been a prisoner for over three months, his appearance naturally couldn't be good.

His current sour stench should be enough to firmly crush the Beggar Gang Elder.

"Mr. Xu, may I ask a bold question: Did Commander Chen lock me up just to suppress my temper?" Kong Fang Shìhòu asked.

Mr. Xu did not answer.

He could not possibly betray his own lord, so the answer could only be this one.

Seeing Mr. Xu's reaction, Kong Fang instantly relaxed, his eyes bulging with intense longing, he said urgently: "Mr. Xu, I'm willing to do anything now. Please tell Commander Chen that from now on, I, Kong Fang, will be the sharpest……pen in his hand!"

Mr. Xu's gaze turned slightly cold as he gave Kong Fang a once‑over.

He now somewhat suspected that Kong Fang had developed some problem from being imprisoned.

Three months ago, he was noble and lofty, like clouds in the high heavens—how has he become like this now?