Chapter 216: Inside and Outside the Dungeon (3)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
At the same time, above the dungeon…
Countless constables of the Black Office were standing at the entrance of the dungeon with weapons in their hands. Because none of the higher-ups who could fight were around, although there was no chaos, no one dared to enter the dungeon, where the situation was unknown, without permission. They were only discussing.
“What should we do? The mechanism seems to have activated on its own. If we delay any longer, everyone in the second basement will die…”
“They won’t die so quickly. I’ve already gone to invite Imperial Physician Wang. It shouldn’t be a problem to save them…”
“We haven’t even figured out the situation in the dungeon, so how would we dare to let Divine Doctor Wang come over? The lives of those people are not as precious as a finger of Divine Doctor Wang…”
While they were discussing in low voices, footsteps sounded from the side of the Black Office.
The constables turned around and saw Qiu Tianhe emerging from the corridor, carrying a rice bucket and looking around.
The constable Xiao Wang, who was respectfully addressed as ‘Backdoor Spear’ by his colleagues, was shocked when he saw this. He quickly ran forward to stop him. “Hero Qiu, hurry up and stay in your house. If you stand here now, not only will us brothers be nervous, but you might even be killed by the sirs.” Qiu Tianhe knew that people had broken into the prison and specially came over to take a look. Seeing that everyone was standing outside the entrance, he frowned and said, “People are breaking into the prison below. Aren’t you going to do anything?”
Xiao Wang waved his hand and said, “The dungeon was designed by skilled artisans with untold efforts. The cells of the first basement are blocked with door-sealing stones. If anyone dares to touch the cell doors, tens of thousands of arrows will be fired into their cell. The entrances of the holes in the second basement are sealed with black stones, and Poisonous Dragon Miasma spews out from inside. The faster they move, the faster they will die. They will die before they can run out of the capital.”
Qiu Tianhe was surprised. “There’s such a setup in the dungeon?”
Xiao Wang smiled and said, “You’ve only been here for less than a year and have never experienced rebels breaking into the prison. Naturally, you don’t know. This is the strongest prison in Great Wei. It would be a problem if there were no protective measures. If the people inside dare to run, let them run. We can just find the corpses tomorrow. Those who stay obediently can just wait for Divine Doctor Wang to detoxify them later.”
Qiu Tianhe felt that this design was really inhumane, but anyone who could enter the second basement of the dungeon was punishable with death. He couldn’t blame the Imperial Court if they didn’t look at them as humans. He thought for a moment and sighed. “Fortunately, 1 came out quickly… No, Earth Room No. 2 is my former residence. The two newcomers inside have serious injuries, and their martial arts skills are average. Are you sure they can withstand this service?”
Xiao Wang’s expression changed when he heard this, and he patted his head lightly. “It’s over. We forgot about these two. Yesterday, I heard that the two Wang brothers of Yan Province tried to kill Her Highness’s that person. They committed a crime so heinous that the prison warden was afraid that something would go wrong, so he specially locked them in the safest cell. Now, it’s troublesome. I’m afraid the Wang brothers won’t be able to withstand it…” Qiu Tianhe felt that it was unrealistic to ask the constables to risk their lives to save the condemned prisoners. He thought about it and sighed. “Last night, 1 sent food over and gave them an extra scoop. This can be considered a full meal before they die…”
While they were talking, a white figure silently passed through the rain and landed in front of the dungeon.
Seeing this, the constables present hurriedly stood up straight and faced the dark entrance of the dungeon with solemn expressions.
Qiu Tianhe greeted, “Sister Meng, it’s been a long time.”
The White-Haired Diting was more than ten years older than Qiu Tianhe. In the past, when Great Wei hunted down Qiu Tianhe to save the imperial concubine, this still-as-charming-as-ever white-robed goddess constable was part of the team. She had had to run all over Jianghu because of him, so their relationship was not too good.
The White-Haired Diting ignored Qiu Tianhe. She only dragged her long white hair and stood in front of the dungeon with a serious expression, looking into the depths of the entrance.
Qiu Tianhe walked over with the rice bucket and asked, “Is the person imprisoned in the third basement Cao Qiansui? It’s been half a day. He’s probably long gone.”
The White-Haired Diting frowned and said, “It’s best if he ran away. If he hasn’t run away, it will be very difficult to end things well today.”
Qiu Tianhe knew what status the ‘Great Palace Gate God’ Cao Qiansui had in the Jianghu. He asked, “Didn’t you give Cao Qiansui dozens of golden needles?”
“He has practiced the three pictures of muscles, bones, and skin. The golden needles can’t enter his flesh, and even if they do, they can’t seal his meridians. We can only rely on the secret medicine concocted by Divine Doctor Wang to dissipate his internal energy and reduce food to weaken his physical stamina. The rebels made such a big scene. There might be an antidote.”
Qiu Tianhe nodded and looked around. “Qin Wenli, Chen Miao, and Tu Jiuji aren’t coming over? Sister Meng, if you stop them alone, I reckon Cao Qiansui won’t even pay attention to you.”
The White-Haired Diting said, “The rebels chose the right time. Half of the people aren’t around, and something happened in the west of the city. We have to deal with that side first.”
Qiu Tianhe frowned. Seeing that the Imperial Court didn’t seem to have enough manpower, he thought of his indefinite confinement outside the prison and hesitated for a moment before saying, “Cao Qiansui must be trying to recover his internal energy. If we don’t stop him now, when he recovers to his peak, 1 don’t think anyone in the capital can stop him. Sister Meng, why don’t you pull out my golden needles and return my saber to me? 1’11 help you stop Cao Qiansui and atone for my crimes. Afterward, can you return me my freedom?” ?
Hearing this, the Black Office constables beside him turned their faces, feeling that Qiu Tianhe was a little ridiculous.
After all, no matter how fierce Eunuch Cao was, he was still someone who had been locked up for ten years and had his internal energy dissipated. He was incomparable to his peak. Moreover, if he came out, it meant that he wouldn’t run away. It would only take a lot of time to lock him up again.
As for Qiu Tianhe, he had been eating and drinking outside for a month and had become fat. With the golden needles pulled out and the Heaven Equaling Saber, he might not have a chance of winning if he charged into the palace head-on, but who could stop him if he fled with all his might?
Qiu Tianhe felt everyone’s speechlessness and said helplessly, “I, Qiu Tianhe, have been wandering around for thirty years, but I’m still famous for being a hero. Now that I’ve finally relied on Ye Jingtang to clear my name, I have a chance to walk Jianghu openly. But if I turn around and run away, it will cause him to take the blame for me. Do you think I, Qiu Tianhe, will do such a stupid thing?”
Everyone thought about it and felt that it made sense. The only case Qiu Tianhe had committed in his life was to break into the marriage envoy team for his friend, destroying half of his life. Although he had a close relationship with the Pacifying Heaven Cult, the reason was that the Pacifying Heaven Cult had saved his life. In essence, he was a Jianghu knight-errant who valued relationships and righteousness.
Meng Jiao thought for a moment and said, “If you do your best, I will ask Her Majesty for permission for this matter. Even if Her Majesty doesn’t allow it, Her Majesty will give you an identity and let you enjoy the remaining half of your life in wealth in the capital.”
Qiu Tianhe only had the title of Saber Chief in his heart and didn’t care about position and fortune. However, no matter how much he didn’t care, it was better to be able to eat well, drinkwell, and live well than to deliver food in an alley. He immediately put down his rice bucket. “Alright. If 1 can only return to my peak this once in my life, at least with Cao Qiansui as my opponent, my life in Jianghu will not be in vain… However, if I’m beaten half to death, the Imperial Court still has to arrange for Imperial Physician Wang to save me. You can’t treat me as a consumable.”
“Don’t worry. With Ye Jingtang around, the Imperial Court won’t treat you badly..”
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