Chapter 391: Removing the Shackles, Zhao Yulong's Arrival

Chapter 391: Removing the Shackles, Zhao Yulong's Arrival

January 25, 2025

The third level of the County Prison.

A rustling sound echoed through the silence.

The two individuals searched around for a while.

"Big Brother, I can't find the mechanism!"

"Don't panic, keep looking!!"

In the blink of an eye, half an hour had passed.

"It's no use, I can't find it!" The man's voice rang out.

"Big Brother, what should we do now?" The woman's voice followed suit.

"No need to rush! It's normal not to know how to open the fourth-level cell door. We came here to get a general idea. Later, we'll ask a guard in the dark."

"Alright, then we'll follow your lead, Big Brother!"

Suddenly, a clanking sound reverberated.

The dull clanking of the iron chains was distinctly audible in the quiet third level of the County Prison.

"Who's there?!" The man's voice was filled with alarm.

"Could it be that prisoner from earlier?" The woman's voice hinted.

Jiang Ning heard the footsteps of the two approaching.

The footsteps stopped outside the cell, and silence ensued.

At the same time, he felt two pairs of eyes on him.

"Boss?" The woman whispered.

As her voice fell, the two pairs of eyes instantly turned cold and vicious.

Whoosh!

Two sharp sounds of piercing the air instantly reached his ears.

Ding!

A flash of firelight.

The sound of silver needles striking the iron chains echoed.

"He's definitely not asleep!"

"In that case, he must die!"

The words were laced with murderous intent.

Hearing this, Jiang Ning let out a long sigh.

"Why bother?"

He lifted his finger, and true essence burst forth, piercing through the darkness.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

In the darkness, the two individuals stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with disbelief.

They never imagined that a powerful fifth-rank cultivator like themselves would meet such an easy end in the dark confines of the prison.

In their final moments, they couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.

Plop!

Plop!

The next moment, the two figures standing tall suddenly collapsed limply to the ground.

Their vitality rapidly drained away, and a stream of red and white fluids flowed from the holes in their foreheads.

In the blink of an eye, they were lifeless.

"Letting them go would only lead to more bloodshed!" Jiang Ning silently shook his head, recalling their earlier conversation.

Then, a thought crossed his mind.

He directed his gaze downward.

"According to what those two said, the Grandmaster locked up below is Long Xingyun, a descendant of one of the Eighteen Dragon Heads from a hundred years ago. He possesses the Secret King's Treasure Map!"

His mind raced.

He pondered for a moment.

"If he truly has the Secret King's treasure map, Xiao Bieli would have found it by now!"

"The most likely scenario is that he hid the treasure map somewhere only he knows!"

Jiang Ning couldn't help but speculate in his mind.

Then, he shook his head again.

"It's not certain! If one wants to hide something, there are many places on the body that can be used."

Instantly, his mind recalled the various smuggling methods he had learned in his previous life. There were countless ways, limited only by imagination.

At this thought, he focused his gaze on the burly man, instantly seeing through his entire body.

"Indeed!"

His expression turned solemn as his vision pierced through flesh and bones, revealing an anomaly within the man's body.

In his heart, a small jade plaque rested.

The jade plaque was only an inch in size.

"A jade plaque, not the treasure map?" Jiang Ning's eyes revealed a hint of confusion.

Then, realization dawned on him.

"Of course! The treasure map was just what those two claimed!"

"Even if there is a Secret King's treasure, it may not be in the form of a map."

"And this jade plaque, even if it's not the Secret King's treasure map, must be something of great importance!"

"Otherwise, why would a Grandmaster hide it in his heart?"

As he pondered, Jiang Ning couldn't help but admire the burly man.

Hiding a one-inch jade plaque in his heart was truly daring.

Even for a Grandmaster with robust vitality, the heart was no longer a fatal weakness.

But hiding something of this size in the heart would not only cause unbearable pain but also limit their strength.

In the pitch-black fourth level of the county prison, where day and night were indistinguishable, one of the harshest punishments in the world was being carried out.

This punishment was so severe that death would be a relief. Yet, this burly man managed to remain silent, a feat beyond mere toughness.

"If this jade token is the key to the Secret King's treasure, I must find a way to get my hands on it!"

"The True Dragon's Blood, imbued with the essence of heaven and earth, is a rare key to the Heaven Human Grandmaster's realm!"

At this moment, Jiang Ning had made up his mind.

However, he wasn't in a rush.

With the arrival of those two earlier, there would surely be some commotion in the prison tomorrow.

He decided to observe the situation discreetly first.

The Grandmaster had been imprisoned on the fourth level for many days, and he wasn't in a hurry to act within the next day or two.

In the darkness, Jiang Ning's gaze fell once more on the two corpses lying before the cell door.

"Should I destroy the bodies and erase all traces?" He pondered this question.

After a long silence, he slowly shook his head.

"There's no need for that! When I obtain the secret treasure from Long Xingyun, the forces behind these two will be the perfect scapegoats!"

Having made up his mind, Jiang Ning no longer gave any thought to the two corpses lying at the cell door and turned to sleep.

After several days of continuous practice without rest, he now felt a sense of fatigue in his body.

The mortal body, after all, was still mortal.

As for the two corpses at the door, they would have to wait until the next day when the prison guards came to deliver meals and clean up.

In the blink of an eye, he fell into a deep sleep.

In the prison, there was no distinction between day and night.

Until the familiar sound of the massive prison gate reverberated.

Jiang Ning was startled awake.

A loud rumble echoed.

Hearing the commotion from the heavy cell door leading to the second level of the county prison, he instantly understood.

It was time for breakfast.

He quickly got up.

Clang, clang, clang! The heavy chains clanked against each other, producing a dull sound.

The next moment,

Chaotic footsteps approached from a distance, growing louder.

"What's going on here?!" A voice filled with anger echoed.

Standing before the cell at this moment were none other than Zhao Yulong, Bai Luoyu, and the Deputy Prefect of the Inspection Office, Su Zhi.

Behind them were Zhao Dai and another man.

Upon seeing Jiang Ning bound by chains in the cell, Zhao Yulong's usually gentle expression instantly ignited with rage.

Not a single word was uttered, and his eyes blazed with fury.

The atmosphere became heavy in an instant.

Zhao Dai's breath caught in his throat, as if a divine mountain had suddenly appeared above him.

"Sir, this is Xiao Bieli's doing!"

"Xiao Bieli? Go and bring him to me!" Zhao Yulong said calmly.

"Yes, sir!" Zhao Dai quickly lowered his head in response.

He then turned and left without hesitation, clearly not wanting to stay any longer.

"You too, go!" Bai Luoyu said to Zhao Dai's colleague.

"Yes, Inspector Bai!" The man's face showed gratitude as he handed over the breakfast he had brought and then turned to leave.

"Lord Zhao! Lord Su! Brother Bai!" Jiang Ning rose from his bed, a smile on his face.

"He's really causing trouble!" Zhao Yulong's face darkened, and he waved his hand.

Clang!

The iron lock on the cell door snapped, breaking into several pieces that fell to the ground.

He then opened the heavy cell door and stepped inside.

"General Jiang, you've endured a lot!" Zhao Yulong spoke, his face showing a hint of guilt. "This is my fault. I didn't expect Xiao Bieli to treat you like this!"

"No worries!" Jiang Ning smiled calmly. "With these shackles, I can still practice my martial arts!"

"Indeed, it doesn't hinder your practice. Your immortal physique is becoming more and more evident!" Zhao Yulong praised.

"Brother Jiang, you have a great attitude!" Bai Luoyu added from outside the cell.

Hearing this, Jiang Ning smiled.

At this moment, Bai Luoyu glanced at the two corpses on the ground and then stepped into the cell, following Zhao Yulong.

Su Zhi, standing behind them, also looked at the corpses and then entered the cell.

"General Jiang, please extend your hands," Zhao Yulong said as he approached Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning extended his hands, understanding what was needed.

The heavy chains in his hands clanked against each other, producing a loud, dull sound.

The next instant,

Clang!

A flash of fire, and the chains snapped, breaking into several pieces that fell to the ground.

Clang!

The broken chains hit the ground, creating a dull echo.

"Thank you, Lord Zhao!" Jiang Ning bowed.

"And the shackles on your feet!" Zhao Yulong added.

As Jiang Ning cooperated,

Clang!

Another flash of fire, and the shackles binding his feet also snapped, shattering into pieces.

"This is much better!" Jiang Ning stretched his limbs, a smile on his face.

"Brother Jiang, even in the depths of the third level of the county prison, you still manage to maintain such good condition. That's truly remarkable!" Bai Luoyu exclaimed.

Jiang Ning smiled, "With you, Brother Bai, and the two lords supporting me, I feel secure even in prison. I know that you and Lord Zhao are working to resolve this matter!"

As they spoke,

He grabbed the shackles on his left wrist with his right hand and exerted force.

The heavy shackles were instantly snapped in two.

Then, he switched hands and repeated the action.

Zhao Yulong witnessed this scene before Jiang Ning, and his pupils couldn't help but twitch slightly.

Having just personally cut off Jiang Ning's shackles, Zhao Yulong was well aware of the sturdiness of the material.

Even he had to exert some strength to break them.

Among the grandmasters in Dongling City, only a handful could shatter such shackles with their bare hands.

But at this moment, Jiang Ning effortlessly tore off the shackles from both hands with casual ease.

"No wonder they chose him as a candidate for the Inspector General. His talent is truly astonishing!" Zhao Yulong was inwardly amazed.

Then, Jiang Ning lifted his legs and effortlessly snapped the shackles on his ankles as well.

Since Zhao Yulong had arrived and made his stance clear, Jiang Ning saw no need to cooperate with Xiao Bieli anymore.

After freeing himself from the shackles, Jiang Ning felt a surge of lightness throughout his body.

"Would you like to join me for breakfast, Your Excellencies?" Jiang Ning asked.

"No need!" Zhao Yulong shook his head.

Seeing Jiang Ning's faint smile, he said, "With such a mindset, I'm relieved for you, Jiang Commander!"

"Indeed, Jiang Ning's mental fortitude is remarkable. His unwavering determination and fearlessness in the face of adversity explain his achievements today!" Su Zhi also praised.

"Jiang Ning, what's the matter with those two corpses at the entrance?"

"Those two!" Jiang Ning opened the food box, grabbed a large meat bun, and took a bite, "They were thieves who came last night, attempting to harm me. I had no choice but to fight back!"

"How could there be thieves in the third level of the County Prison?" Zhao Yulong glanced outside, his gaze sweeping over their attire and appearances, "These two must have had a motive for coming here, but this is not within the jurisdiction of the Inspection Office. It's better to let Xiao Bieli investigate on his own."

"That makes sense!" Jiang Ning nodded, quickly finishing the meat bun.

Then, Jiang Ning asked, "Your Excellency, when do you think I'll be able to get out?"

At this moment, his thoughts turned to Long Xingyun on the fourth level of the County Prison.

He needed to obtain the token hidden in Long Xingyun's heart before leaving the prison, and this was the best opportunity.

The third level of the County Prison was unguarded.

As for accessing the fourth level, although he didn't know how to enter, he could potentially use his advanced water escape technique to pass through the door crack by condensing water.

If he left the prison, it would be much more challenging and noticeable to re-enter.

That's why he took the initiative to ask this question, allowing him to make the necessary arrangements.

Upon hearing Jiang Ning's question, Zhao Yulong assumed he was eager to get out of prison, so he replied, "Don't rush! Regarding this matter, Wang Shouyi, the County Governor, has also stepped in to support you."

"However, this incident involves the Qinghe Commander, a noble, and Xiao Qiuyue, as the third wife of the Qinghe Commander, died in front of your mansion."

"The nobles of Guangning Prefecture are united and take this matter seriously. They have chosen to send the future heir of the Marquis of Guangning to personally investigate the truth behind this incident."

"As for the young marquis, I will personally intervene, and I believe he will give me this face!"

"Once the matter is resolved, Xiao Bieli will have no choice but to release you!"

"I will personally come to take you out!"

After hearing Zhao Yulong's words, Jiang Ning said, "In that case, please accept my gratitude, Your Excellency!"

"No need for that!" Zhao Yulong's expression had returned to its usual gentleness, "As the Prefect of the Inspection Office, it is my duty to protect those within my jurisdiction. Moreover, you are truly innocent in this matter. It's clear that Xiao Qiuyue's death was not at your hands!"

"She had already lost her sanity due to the pain of losing her son and couldn't distinguish right from wrong!"

Jiang Ning remained silent, offering no comment.

Then, he asked, "Your Excellency, have you heard of the Eighteen Dragon Heads?"

"The Eighteen Dragon Heads?" Upon hearing Jiang Ning's question, Zhao Yulong's expression turned to one of surprise.

He glanced at Jiang Ning and nodded, "Of course, I have! The Eighteen Dragon Heads were legendary figures from a hundred years ago, once serving under the Rebel King, Mi Wang."

"It is said that each of the Eighteen Dragon Heads absorbed the blood of a true dragon, and they were all top-tier Heaven Human Grandmasters in their time!"

As Zhao Yulong spoke, he looked at Jiang Ning with a thoughtful expression.

There must be a reason why he suddenly brought up this topic, and it was likely related to the two people outside the prison cell!

The fourth level of the County Prison.

Could it be that Xiao Bieli has captured the descendant of one of the Dragon Heads?

This could be a huge problem!

If the surviving Dragon Heads were to find out about this, even Dongling City would be in danger!

I should thoroughly investigate this matter.

The remnants of the Eighteen Dragon Heads have been a persistent threat to the Great Xia Dynasty for the past hundred years.

It falls within my jurisdiction.

At this moment, hearing Zhao Yulong's confirmation, Jiang Ning became even more determined to find an opportunity to enter the fourth level of the County Prison.

The treasure of Mi Wang.

The blood of a true dragon.

The key to the Heaven Human Realm!

Now that he was aware of it, Jiang Ning didn't want to let this opportunity slip away.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end