The sky was already dark. Looking out from the majestic Celestial Palace, one could see that the clouds were gradually dispersing and there was no wind in the air. In the Central Plains, which was an important center of power, every rise and fall of power actually had a similar atmosphere.
The Tiger King did not speak quickly. He gave a few instructions to Minister Hu Ying. After a moment of silence, he said, "Because of this matter, I even sent Lou Qing to prison …" His tone was not relaxed.
Hu Ying bowed and stepped forward. He said, "Lou Shuwan can't be trusted."
"After all, she and the Inner Demon have a feud of killing her father."
"However, Lou Shuwan was also the first to form a relationship with the Inner Demon. In such a big matter, why can't she bear to kill her father? Moreover, with Lou Shuwan's usual temperament... she is the biggest suspect. "
Tian Hu was silent for a moment. "... I know what I'm doing."
After this conversation, Tian Hu waved his hand. Hu Ying bid farewell and left the Celestial Palace. At this time, Wei Sheng City was filled with people. The Celestial Palace was built on the mountain. Looking out from the window, one could see the outline of the city and the undulating mountain range in the distance. After operating for more than ten years, the man in the center of power gazed into the distance. In the places that couldn't be seen by the eyes of the people in Wei Sheng City, there were also people's matters that were happening.
Heavenly Prison.
In any regime at this time, a place with such a name was hidden in the center of power. However, it was a dark abyss that couldn't make people feel happy. Ever since the rise of the Great Jin Dynasty's regime, the laws were in a mess. All kinds of struggles were based on scheming and strength. Its prison was also filled with countless dark and bloody pasts. Even at this time, the name Great Jin Dynasty was more than enough, but the framework of order had not been successfully established. The Heavenly Prison located in the east of the city, in a sense, was still an Asura hell that could stop children from crying at night.
In the oppressive and fishy atmosphere, screams would occasionally sound from afar, faintly echoing in the prison. In the deepest part of the prison was where some important figures were placed. At this moment, in a simple cell in the deepest part of the prison, a woman dressed in grey was sitting upright on a simple bed covered with straw. Her figure was thin, and her fingers were long and slender on her knees. Although her face was pale after not seeing the sun for several days, her gaze was still calm and indifferent. Only her lips were tightly pursed, and it seemed that she was exerting some force.
This woman named Lou Shuwan was once the greatest anomaly in the State of Jin's power system. As a woman, she was deeply trusted by the Tiger King and held up half the power in the State of Jin's internal affairs.
She was a vicious and merciless person. She was strict with her subordinates and did official business in the court. She never gave face to anyone. The Central Plains was in chaos, and the people's livelihood was in dire straits. A large number of people in the Great Jin Dynasty believed in hedonism and demanded special privileges as a member of the royal family. With the support of the Tiger King, she managed to protect the farming and commercial systems of several important states and counties, so much so that these places could be used as a blood transfusion for the entire Tiger King's regime. Within a few years, she reached the highest position in the Tiger King's regime.
Now, some people called her the "Female Prime Minister", while others called her the "Black Widow" in private. In order to maintain the normal operations of the states and counties, she personally appeared a few times and used bloody and harsh methods to uproot the troublemakers, troublemakers, and even the forces behind them in the states and counties. In some people's mouths, she also had the reputation of "Female Justice". But now, all of this had become an illusion.
In the dark dungeon, human voices and footsteps could be heard approaching quickly. After a while, the light of torches spread from the corner of the passageway along with the sound. The person in the lead was the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Cai Ze, who had been in frequent contact with Lou Shuwan recently. He brought a few Imperial Prison soldiers with him and carried a thin and tall man who was covered in blood. As he walked, the man moaned and begged for mercy. The soldiers brought him to the front of the prison cell.
Lou Shuwan sat in the prison cell and watched the scene coldly.
"Lord Lou." Cai Ze cupped his hands. "Who do you think I brought today?"
Lou Shuwan stared at the thin and disheveled man with messy beard and hair. After a long silence, she said, "Useless."
Cai Ze smiled. "Your elder brother said he wanted to confront you."
"Tiger King knows very well what kind of thing my elder brother is."
Lou Shuwan's reply was cold. Cai Ze seemed unable to explain it. He pursed his lips slightly and gestured to the side. "Open the door and let him in."
The person who was brought in was Lou Shuwan's elder brother, Lou Shuheng. When he was young, he used to be a handsome man. However, over the past few years, his body had been hollowed out and he looked thin. Now, it was obvious that he had also been tortured. There were several bruises on his face and his lips were broken. He looked extremely disheveled. Facing his younger sister in the prison cell, Lou Shuheng was a little afraid. When he was pushed in, he was a little unwilling — perhaps out of guilt — but finally, he was pushed into the cell. When he met Lou Shuwan's cold gaze, he looked away timidly.
Lou Shuwan stared at him for a moment and turned to Cai Ze. "You call this torture? Lord Cai, did your subordinates not eat? "Her gaze turned to the group of repressed men." The imperial court did not give you food? You call this the imperial prison? He doesn't even need to apply medicine! "
"Lord Lou, your elder brother accused you of having an affair with the Black Flag Army."
"He is a useless person."
"Young Master Lou, speak."
Lou Shuheng's body trembled. A yamen runner swung his scabbard and hit it on the pillar of the cell. Lou Shuwan looked over. In the cell, Lou Shuheng suddenly cried. "They, they will beat me to death …"
Lou Shuwan's eyes were sorrowful. She looked at the man who was her elder brother. Outside the cell, Cai Ze snorted. "Young Master Lou!"
"You and Ning Liheng have an old relationship!" Lou Shuheng said. He paused for a moment and cried again. "You, just admit it …"
Lou Shuwan just looked at him and tilted her head. "You see, he is a useless person …"
"You, you two have an old relationship … you two are colluding …"
"Useless person."
"I am not useless person!" Lou Shuheng's feet stopped. He raised his red and swollen eyes. "Do you know where this place is? You just sit here … they will beat me to death. Do you know what it is like outside? They are beating me, not you. You, you … you are my sister, you … "
Lou Shuheng's words were filled with sobs. At this point, he saw Lou Shuwan's figure already rushing over. "Pa!" A heavy and crisp slap. The sound spread far and wide, breaking the corner of Lou Shuheng's mouth. Blood and saliva flowed down.
The woman stood in front of her elder brother. Her chest was heaving with anger. "Useless! Thing! If I am alive, you have a chance to live. If I am dead, you will definitely die. You can't understand such a simple logic. Useless person! "
"I also know …" Lou Shuheng dodged to the side. Lou Shuwan slapped him again. This slap made him stagger a step back.
"I also know …"
"Useless person."
"You are not the one going out to be punished!" Lou Shuheng roared. He looked at Lou Shuwan with bloodshot eyes. "I can't take it anymore! You don't know what it is like outside … "
"Pulling out your nails, cutting your fingers, breaking your bones, and peeling your skin. I have been to the prison more than you … "
"But I am the one being punished!" Lou Shuheng's eyes were red. He subconsciously turned to look at Cai Ze. Then, he turned back and said, "You, you … just admit it. You have a lot of ideas. Get me out. I am your brother! Or you can ask Lord Cai to be merciful … Lord Cai, Tiger King relies on my sister … Sister, you have connections. You must have connections. You can use your connections to bail me out … "
"Pa!" Another series of slaps. Lou Shuwan clenched her teeth, almost at the end of her patience. This time, Lou Shuheng was slapped so hard that he was seeing stars. He slammed into the door of the cell. Slightly sobering up, he suddenly let out an "Ah!" and pushed Lou Shuwan, causing her to stumble backward and fall into the corner of the cell.
"I am your brother! You hit me! Get out if you have the guts! You b * stard … "Lou Shuheng was almost hysterical as he shouted. For the past few years, he had used his sister's influence to indulge in debauchery and gambling. He had also done some disgusting things that were inhumane. Lou Shuwan had no choice but to hit him more than once. At that time, Lou Shuheng didn't dare to resist. However, it was different now. The pressure of the prison made him explode.
"Why are you pretending to be pure and innocent? Huh? Why are you pretending to be impartial? You are a b * stard! A b * stard who has ridden thousands of people! How many people in the imperial court have slept with you? Tell me! I am going to teach you a lesson today! "
Lou Shuheng scolded. He rushed over and reached out to grab his sister. Lou Shuwan had already stood up with the help of the wall. Her eyes were cold. She leaned against the wall and said in a low voice, "Not a single one." Suddenly, she reached out and grabbed Lou Shuheng's extended hand. Then, she swung it down forcefully!
Crack —
"Wahhhhhh —"
A blood-curdling scream reverberated through the prison cell. Lou Shuwan's attack had already broken her brother's pinky finger. In the next moment, she kicked Lou Shuheng's crotch and swung her hand towards his face. Amidst the scream, she grabbed Lou Shuheng's hair and dragged him towards the wall of the prison cell. With another loud bang, his forehead was smashed against the wall until it was bleeding profusely.
Lou Shuheng held his crotch and howled on the ground. Lou Shuwan kicked him a few more times and said, "Do you know why they didn't torture me but you? Because you are useless! Because I am useful! Because they are afraid of me! They are not afraid of you! You are useless. You deserve to be tortured! You deserve it! You deserve it … "
After a while, she retreated to the broken bed and sat down. She was a woman after all. She looked at her brother who was moaning on the ground. Her eyes were cold and sad. She stayed like that for a long time.
"Lou Shuheng … Have you forgotten what you were like in the past? In Hangzhou, you had your father and brother … You felt that you were a capable person. You were high-spirited … You were a distinguished scholar. You called your friends everywhere you went. There was nothing you couldn't do. You even dared to snatch someone's wife in broad daylight … Look at what you're like now. The world is in chaos! People like you … deserve to die. You were meant to die. Do you understand … "
The prison was a little dark. As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes. However, she tilted her head so that no one could see it. Assistant Minister Cai Ze looked at this scene and felt a little awkward. He waved his hand to the side and asked the soldiers to drag Lou Shuheng out. He coughed.
Lou Shuwan looked at him. "Lord Cai."
"Uh … Lord Lou, you too … cough, you shouldn't hit a prisoner like this …"
"The sea can accommodate hundreds of rivers. The sea is big if it is tolerant. The wall is a thousand feet high. The wall is firm if it has no desires." Lou Shuwan said softly, "His Majesty values me because I'm a woman. I have no family, no husband, and no children. I'm not afraid of offending anyone. That's why I'm useful."
"…" Cai Ze licked his lips.
"I haven't been executed yet. Maybe I'm still useful." Lou Shuwan said, "My brother is a good-for-nothing. He's also my only family member and burden. If you're kind enough to save him, spare his life. I'll remember your kindness."
"Uh …" Cai Ze deliberated over his words. "… It's my duty."
"… Thank you."
The soldiers dragged Lou Shuheng out. Gradually, the torches moved further away. The prison returned to darkness. Lou Shuwan sat on the bed with her back against the wall. She was exhausted. However, after a while, she tried her best to clear her eyes …
The intertwining of power, the ups and downs of millions of people, and the cruelty of it all couldn't be summed up by the farce that happened in the prison just now. Most people couldn't understand the repercussions and effects of so many things. Even the few people at the top of the circle couldn't predict whether these things would subside silently or suddenly turn into a huge wave.
Outsiders naturally couldn't understand it either. In Zezhou City, the seventeen-year-old You Hongzhuo had just entered the complicated pugilistic world. He didn't know that he would soon experience and witness part of a huge wave that could topple mountains and overturn seas. At this moment, he was walking in a corner of Liangan Inn, casually observing the situation in the inn.
The Liangan Inn that the three of them were staying in wasn't too big or too small. The people who stayed in the inn had two courtyards and were surrounded by a two-story building in the shape of a sun. There was a big locust tree in the front and back courtyards. The leaves were lush like umbrellas. There were many people staying in the inn. At this time, the weather was hot and noisy. Children ran around, couples quarreled, chickens and ducks that were brought from the countryside scurried around the courtyard under the pursuit of their owners.
You Hongzhuo wasn't unaccustomed to such a scene. He only found out about the news of Wang Shitong and General Sun Qi leading a large number of troops here when he overheard the merchants talking loudly in the courtyard. At this time, there might be two or three pugilistic people in this inn. You Hongzhuo secretly observed them and didn't go up to talk to them.
As a young man from the countryside, he liked this chaotic and noisy feeling. Of course, he also had his own things to think about. At this time, it was already night. There were torches lit up near and far in Zezhou City. After a while, Mr. Zhao came down from upstairs and patted him on the shoulder. "Did you hear what you wanted to hear?"
You Hongzhuo then told him about Wang Shitong and Sun Qi. Mr. Zhao smiled and nodded. "It's no wonder. Look at the city gate. Although there are checks, they don't prohibit people from the Underground Forest from entering and leaving. You know that they aren't afraid. "If something big really happens, the city will be sealed and no one will be able to leave."
He looked at You Hongzhuo and comforted him, "You don't have to worry that you won't be able to watch the show. With so many people here, they'll make a move sooner or later. "The people from the Underground Forest are unorganized and undisciplined. Although the Great Radiant Sect is secretly leading them, those who are really smart will most likely not dare to act together with them. "If you encounter those who are reckless or those who are skilled and bold, there might be people who will break out of the prison in a few nights. If you want to watch … Hmm, you can rent a house near the prison."
Mr. Zhao judged others by himself. He thought that the young man was feeling regretful that there was no show to watch, but he didn't mention that he actually liked watching a show too. After saying this, You Hongzhuo agreed. After a while, he frowned and said, "Senior Zhao, there's something I can't figure out."
"Young man, it's a good thing that you know you can't figure it out." Mr. Zhao looked at the surroundings. "Let's go out for a walk. If there's anything, we can talk as we walk."
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
