Chapter 69

Hu Zhixian's eyelids twitched, and the smug expression on his face instantly turned gloomy. Leaning back in his chair, he stroked his beard and said, "Xue Lang, you don't need to beat around the bush. Just say what you have to say."

Xue Lang leaned forward slightly and said, "Sir, this opportunity is indeed a good chance to make some money. The Su family is wealthy, and if we can use this opportunity to get some tribute from them, it would be a pleasant matter. However... Sir, to be honest, I feel that the brat's background is unclear. After the incident in Liu Family Village, I secretly sent people to investigate. Chu Huan suddenly disappeared eight years ago, and everyone thought he was dead. But he recently returned... Since his return, his behavior has changed dramatically, and he has excellent martial skills. He doesn't even take the Eight Li Hall seriously, and he even crippled three of my men. Sir, what did this man do during those eight years? We have no clue at all... If he is a bandit, and we release him just to get a bit of silver from the Su family, the consequences could be disastrous!"

Hu Zhixian remained silent, lost in thought.

...

...

The A-numbered cell in the county prison was for serious criminals. As the stone door opened, a putrid smell wafted out. This place, which never saw sunlight, was dark and eerie.

Chu Huan remained calm, his hands bound. Pushed by several guards, he was brought to the guard room. The big-bearded man quickly followed, sat down, and took a brush and a register, saying, "Name!"

"Chu Huan!"

The big-bearded man wrote Chu Huan's name in the register, then stood up and walked around Chu Huan, grinning. "How does it feel to be tied up? Uncomfortable, isn't it?"

Chu Huan just glanced at him coldly without a word.

"What, you still不服气 (unwilling to admit defeat)?" The big-bearded man sneered, pointing to the instruments around the room. "You should know, this isn't a place for you to act wild. I've heard you're quite a fighter outside, and you've broken several legs in the Eight Li Hall... hehe, you won't be able to show off here. If you act up, I'll break your legs first!"

The guard room was filled with various instruments of torture, many still stained with blood. The air was not only putrid but also had a lingering smell of blood. This was definitely a sinister place.

Chu Huan smiled faintly. "If you dare to touch a single finger of mine, I promise I'll deal with you when I get out!"

Upon hearing this, the big-bearded man and the guards were first stunned, then burst into laughter. This was the funniest joke they had ever heard. A serious criminal in prison daring to threaten the head guard—such a thing had never happened before.

After laughing, the big-bearded man's face turned cold. "It seems this fellow doesn't understand our place. Everyone, show him what this place is like."

Two guards stepped forward, one of them swinging a thick wooden club the size of an arm, ready to strike Chu Huan's head. As the club descended, Chu Huan dodged, and the guard missed. Just as he was about to strike again, a cold voice called out, "Stop!"

A man in black civilian clothes entered, and the guards immediately bowed. "Second Master!"

"Second Master" was a respectful title for the county magistrate's assistant, who was the second-in-command after the county magistrate. He was appointed by the emperor and selected by the Ministry of Personnel. In this county, the county magistrate was the top official, and the assistant was the second-in-command. Therefore, the lower-ranking officials in the county office usually called him "Second Master."

This assistant was named Zhao Yinhai, who was subordinate to Hu Zhixian. The power in Qingliu County was in Hu Zhixian's hands, and Zhao Yinhai had little authority.

However, as an official appointed by the emperor, the lower-ranking officials dared not offend him.

"Are you going to use private torture?" Zhao Yinhai, with a dignified appearance and a square face, glanced at Chu Huan and said coolly, "Has this person been convicted yet?"

The big-bearded man hurriedly smiled. "Second Master, it's so late, why are you here?" He didn't know that after Liang Fangzhu left the county office, he felt the matter wasn't handled properly, so he secretly went to see Zhao Yinhai. His purpose was to smooth things over with more people, so he could boast to Lin Lang later.

Zhao Yinhai, who had been in the county office for many years, knew the rules. Knowing that Chu Huan would be beaten in the prison, he came to check after receiving the silver. He happened to see the guards about to beat Chu Huan.

"I just passed by and came to take a look," Zhao Yinhai said. "This person hasn't been convicted yet. Don't use private torture... If this gets out, you won't have a good time, and it might even implicate the county magistrate!"

The big-bearded man quickly replied, "Second Master is right, we won't dare!"

Zhao Yinhai glanced at Chu Huan a few times and slowly said, "This person is from He Sheng Quan, which has some influence. If you injure him before his case is decided, and He Sheng Quan comes to cause trouble, it won't be easy to handle." Without saying more, he turned and left.

After Zhao Yinhai left, the big-bearded man sneered. "You lucky brat, go to the A-numbered cell...!"

Two guards led Chu Huan out of the guard room. Another guard immediately came over and whispered, "Boss, this brat is so arrogant, even here he dares to act up. Are we just going to let it go?"

"Let it go, my ass!" The big-bearded man stroked his messy beard. "Don't worry, in this place, we're in charge. If we can't deal with a brat like this, we might as well eat shit!"

The guard laughed. "Boss, what do you mean?"

"We don't need to do it ourselves." The big-bearded man beckoned, and the guard leaned in. The big-bearded man whispered a few words, and the guard immediately grinned. "Boss, you can count on me, I'll take care of it right away!"

...

The A-numbered cell was in the deepest part of the dungeon. In inns, the A-numbered room was usually the best, but in the dungeon, it was the most terrifying cell.

The dungeon corridor was stuffy and stinky, with dim lights on the walls. At the A-numbered cell, the inside was dark through the wooden bars. Through the gaps, you could see about seven or eight people lying haphazardly inside, dark and motionless. Despite the commotion, they didn't even look up, as if they were all asleep.

"Fat Fan, new prisoner, take good care of him." The guard opened the cell door and pushed Chu Huan in, grinning. "Don't go too far!" He then locked the door and left with his companion.

As soon as the guards left, the prisoners who had been lying on the ground immediately got up, all looking at Chu Huan with strange and unfriendly eyes. None of them seemed to be good people.

A fat man sitting on a pile of hay in the corner slowly sat up, a piece of hay in his mouth. No one dared to get close to him. The cell wasn't large, but he occupied a significant space, clearly having a special status.

Chu Huan knew this must be the Fat Fan the guards mentioned.

Fat Fan sat up, spat out the hay, and asked, "What's your name? What did you do to get in here?"

The other prisoners stood up and surrounded Chu Huan.

"Got anything on you? Any food?"

"Got any silver?"

"Fat Boss is here, and you're still standing? Get down on your knees, do you know the rules?"

Chu Huan, dressed in simple clothes, looked quite innocent and frightened. He said pitifully, "Big brothers, my name is Chu Huan. They say I killed someone... so they brought me in!"

Everyone was startled. After all, a murderer was not someone to be trifled with. Although the A-numbered cell was for serious criminals, none of them had actually killed anyone. A few prisoners stepped back, looking uneasy.

"Shit!" Fat Boss was first stunned, but then he saw Chu Huan's appearance and immediately said, "You? Killing someone? Do you have the guts? Killing a pig is more like it."

Chu Huan grinned. "I don't dare to kill, but they say I did, and I can't argue... By the way, big brothers, where do I sleep?" He pointed to where Fat Boss was sleeping. "Is it there?"

"Damn, you want to sleep in Fat Boss's place?" A prisoner cursed. "Look at yourself, what are you? Get down on your knees...!" He kicked Chu Huan's leg, trying to force him to kneel.

But as soon as he kicked, Chu Huan flew up and delivered a perfect side kick. Before anyone could react, the man was hit in the chest and flew into the corner, landing in a bucket of feces. A foul smell spread, and the man lay on the ground, covered in shit and urine, unable to move.

As everyone stared in shock, Chu Huan shouted loudly, "Help! Someone's been killed! Help!"

The two guards heard the shouting, exchanged glances, and ignored it, walking away.

Chu Huan shouted a few more times, then turned to the prisoners, grinning. "What did they mean by 'take good care of me'? I didn't understand!"

At this point, everyone realized that this guy was not to be underestimated. His shouting was actually a ploy to lure the guards away.

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