Chapter 135: Chapter 135: Without Strength, What Are You Jumping Around For?
The moment he saw Chen Ping’an, Zhu Qirong was completely stunned.
And the words that Chen Ping’an spoke next sent goosebumps crawling over his skin.
’I’ve been discovered?’
’No! Impossible!’
Terror seized Zhu Qirong’s heart.
’What I’m doing now is nothing to be proud of. If I’m exposed, the consequences will be dire.’
’No!’
But Zhu Qirong was a ruthless man. The fear in his heart lasted only a moment before he forcefully dispelled it.
’My face is covered. There’s no way he could have recognized me.’
’And even if he did, what can Chen Ping’an do without concrete proof?’
Regardless of his thoughts, Zhu Qirong had already attacked the instant he saw Chen Ping’an. His strike was swift and decisive, holding nothing back of his full Martial Dao strength.
It had to be said, to have secured the position of Vice Prison Chief of the South City Prison, Zhu Qirong truly had some skill.
His Qi Blood surged, a faint, scorching heat radiating from him like a furnace.
Zhu Qirong leaped high into the air, striking down toward Chen Ping’an with a full-power palm.
’Either way, since we’ve run into each other, the priority is to get Chen Ping’an under control. Otherwise, this whole thing will go south!’
Seeing Chen Ping’an standing there, stock-still as if paralyzed by fear, Zhu Qirong sneered internally.
’All show and no substance, just as I thought! What’s the use of a high Martial Arts Realm? When push comes to shove, his heart is filled with fear. How much of his power can he possibly use now!’
Truth be told, in that instant, killing intent stirred in Zhu Qirong’s heart.
’If I can just take this chance and get rid of him here... as long as I clean up properly, even if there are suspicions later, Lord Fu Yuanming will protect me. No one else would go to war with me over a dead man who’s worth nothing anymore.’
As his Palm Power was about to land, a cruel smile spread across Zhu Qirong’s face.
THUD!
Zhu Qirong’s palm slammed viciously into Chen Ping’an’s chest. But the immense power of his Palm Technique vanished as if a clay ox had sunk into the sea—gone without a trace.
"How is this possible!"
Zhu Qirong’s eyes bulged, his face a mask of utter disbelief.
Before he could process it, a sharp pain shot through his shoulder. He didn’t even have time to grunt before agonizing pain erupted in his chest, waist, and abdomen in quick succession.
"Iron Elbow!"
"Iron Knee!"
"Iron Leg!"
The series of powerful blows sent Zhu Qirong stumbling backward frantically.
Chen Ping’an’s figure blurred, giving him no opportunity to recover.
Legs, knees, fists—every strike a heavy blow!
Pfft!
Under the relentless barrage, Zhu Qirong was beaten to the ground. His Qi Blood was in disarray, and he couldn’t stop himself from spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood.
Chen Ping’an closed the distance and stomped down hard.
The impact almost knocked the wind out of Zhu Qirong. Then, Chen Ping’an ripped the black cloth from his face.
"Zhu Qirong! It really is you!"
With one foot planted on Zhu Qirong’s chest, Chen Ping’an looked down on him.
"You have no power. What were you hoping to accomplish by jumping out like this?"
"Chen Ping’an!"
Zhu Qirong’s eyes were filled with utter disbelief.
’I lost!’
’I actually lost!’
’And I lost so completely, so decisively!’
"You’ve hidden your strength so well!"
Bloody foam bubbled from his lips as he spat out the words with hatred.
Chen Ping’an just smiled, saying nothing.
CRACK!
Stomping down hard again, Chen Ping’an shattered every bone in Zhu Qirong’s chest.
The shattered bones created Bone Spikes that pierced his lungs, making it incredibly difficult for Zhu Qirong to breathe.
GURGLE! GURGLE!
A sound like air escaping a punctured bellows came from Zhu Qirong’s mouth.
But Zhu Qirong paid it no mind. He stared fixedly at Chen Ping’an, his eyes filled with despair, disbelief, and bitter resentment.
The huge commotion finally roused the Prison Guards, no matter how drunk they were. One by one, they stumbled out of the guardhouse.
"Lord Chen."
One of the Prison Guards who ran out froze when he saw Chen Ping’an, and then his eyes fell upon the scene before him.
"What is..."
Staring at the black-clad figure at Chen Ping’an’s feet, the Prison Guard was scared witless.
’Was someone trying to stage a prison break?’
More and more Prison Guards emerged from the guardhouse.
By now, someone had gotten a clear look at the person beneath Chen Ping’an’s foot.
"Is that... Lord Chu?"
The Prison Guards who had been drunk just moments ago sobered up instantly at the sight.
Chen Ping’an lifted his foot from Zhu Qirong’s chest. His expression was placid as he scanned the crowd and spoke in a calm voice.
"Send a message to the South Town Garrison Command at once. Someone was plotting a prison break. I have apprehended him!
Furthermore, assemble everyone. We’re having a meeting!"
"Yes, sir."
Some of the Prison Guards were so frightened their legs turned to jelly, but they scrambled off to call the others. Another guard ran out, heart pounding, to deliver the news to the South Town Garrison Command.
Others simply stood rooted to the spot, trembling, completely unsure of what to do.
Some of the guards who had been drunk kept their heads bowed low, not daring to even glance at Chen Ping’an.
They knew that, from this moment forward, the South City Prison was in for a major shake-up!
...
The morning sun shone down, bathing the Prison Guards of the South City Prison in light. But its warmth could do little to dispel the chill in their hearts.
On the ground floor of the South City Prison, all the Prison Guards and Squad Leaders stood in respectful silence. Chen Ping’an sat in the main chair at the front, regarding them with a lazy expression.
Several of the prison’s Constables stood cautiously behind Chen Ping’an, their faces taut with tension.
The news had already spread.
Zhu Qirong, the Vice Prison Chief of the South City Prison, had been seized by some madness and had attempted a prison break. Last night, he was caught in the act by Prison Chief Chen Ping’an and summarily suppressed.
In the process, their Lord Chen had demonstrated overwhelming, devastating strength.
"All of you who were drunk last night, step forward on your own."
Chen Ping’an said nonchalantly, his gaze sweeping over the men.
Upon hearing his words, a few Prison Guards in the crowd shifted, but after exchanging glances with one another, ultimately, no one stepped forward.
"Oh? So no one was drunk last night?"
Chen Ping’an tilted his head up slightly, his gaze sweeping across the crowd.
One Prison Guard, unable to withstand the psychological pressure when Chen Ping’an’s gaze passed over him, finally broke and stepped out from the crowd.
Once the first one moved, a second followed. A dozen or so Prison Guards trickled out from the crowd.
"Is that all? Are there any others?"
Chen Ping’an sat up a little straighter.
Another seven or eight Prison Guards emerged from the crowd.
"Any more?"
Chen Ping’an asked again.
This time, there was no response.
"It seems there’s no one else."
Chen Ping’an let out a long sigh. Some people were still holding onto a sliver of hope, refusing to step forward.
"Since no one else is coming forward, I’ll have to point them out myself,"
Chen Ping’an said flatly.
The moment he finished speaking, the hearts of several Prison Guards still in the crowd instantly seized with tension.
"You! You! You!... and you!"
His eyes swept around, and in just a few moments, he had pointed out six or seven men.
The men he pointed to turned deathly pale, their composure completely shattering.
They had thought that by refusing to confess, they could escape this ordeal. They never imagined they would have to face the consequences after all.
