Chen Guanlou stopped going to Master Su’s home and went instead to the Pingjiang Marquis Mansion’s private school. A single feast of meat and wine was all it took to win over the school’s Du Fuzi. He continued his routine of visiting for guidance every three to five days.
By this method, he gradually came to understand the first section of the *Ascension Record* and began to attempt its cultivation. The hardships involved are difficult to put into words.
Fortunately, he had the Longevity Dao Fruit to offset the damage to his body, which was the only reason he could persevere.
Work at Tian Prison proceeded as usual.
Deputy Warden Fan, having once been a private advisor, was truly a master of his craft. His methods were incredibly shrewd. Without making a show of it, he subtly disciplined the jailers, yet also managed to soothe their tempers, inspiring both awe and reverence.
Afterward, Deputy Warden Fan personally hosted a banquet, inviting everyone to Guanmei Building for drinks.
With a carrot-and-stick approach, he had the entire staff of Tian Prison completely wrapped around his finger, utterly convinced of his authority.
In private, Lu Datou grumbled to Chen Guanlou, "Deputy Warden Fan is far more capable than Deputy Warden Jiang. Although Jiang’s death was unjust, it wasn't entirely without reason."
Chen Guanlou took a sip of wine and probed, "Deputy Warden Jiang drowning in a river after drinking… the execution was a bit clumsy."
"It was the work of a few greenhorns. A bit of crudeness is to be expected."
Well now, from the sound of it, Lu Datou seemed to know something.
Chen Guanlou wanted to press for more, but Lu Datou suddenly changed the subject, as if he too realized he had spoken out of turn after a few drinks.
Chen Guanlou could only sigh in regret. He had wanted to find out which powerful figures were clashing, causing ripples that affected the guards of Tian Prison. That night had been perilous; he himself had nearly lost his life.
Tian Prison had been bustling recently. Dozens of people were thrown in at once, filling the cells to capacity.
The reason was that a fighting guild, hired to settle a score, had gotten into a brawl that resulted in a death.
Normally, a common civil case, even one involving a fatality, wouldn't warrant imprisonment in Tian Prison. The county yamen’s cells weren't that full.
However, this was the capital. If a brick fell from the sky and hit ten people, five of them were likely to be distant relatives of some dignitary.
If there was one thing the capital had in abundance, it was the convolutedly-related kin of the powerful. For all one knew, even the butcher selling pork on the street might have a noble relative seven or eight times removed. This story is hosted at novelping(.)com.
The two groups involved in the brawl both had backers. Once the matter was pushed up the chain, it became a massive headache for the Six Doors. In the end, everyone was locked up in Tian Prison to await trial.
What Chen Guanlou never expected was that, through some winding connection, this case would end up involving him.
This day, just as he left the yamen after his shift, a charming young lady walked toward him. It was none other than Xiujuan, the young maid from Steward Liu’s household.
"I've been waiting for you for a long time."
"What are you doing here?"
They both spoke at the same time.
Xiujuan smiled, pressing her lips together. "Young Master Chen, my master invites you to his residence for drinks. I went to your home earlier to deliver an invitation, but you weren't there. I had no choice but to wait outside Tian Prison for you. On such a hot day, aren't you going to offer me a drink of water?"
Chen Guanlou quickly led her to the tea shop next door and bought her a bowl of tea.
"You're saying Steward Liu is inviting me for drinks?"
"That's right!"
"But… why would Steward Liu invite me?" Chen Guanlou was puzzled. He had never even met Steward Liu, nor did he possess anything worth coveting. Why would the steward invite him for drinks?
"And why shouldn't he? If you have questions, you can ask my master in person when you see him. It's getting late, and my master is waiting at the mansion. Come with me."
Chen Guanlou thought for a moment. Steward Liu had done him a great favor, even if it was a trivial matter of a few words for the other party. But he had to acknowledge the debt.
No matter what this dinner was about, he had to go.
Arriving at the Liu residence once more, everything looked the same, but his state of mind was completely different.
On the way, he had specially purchased a generous gift to thank Steward Liu for his timely assistance.
After several months of twists and turns, he finally met the renowned Steward Liu. He was a middle-aged man, slightly stout, with an amiable air and a face that was always smiling. His eyes, however, were exceptionally sharp, as if concealing blades of frost and snow, ready to strike and run a man through at any moment.
Chen Guanlou composed himself and stepped forward to offer his greetings.
"Ah, Xiaolou, you're here! Come, sit down, no need for such formalities. I wasn't home the last two times you came and missed you. Today, you must have a good drink with me."
"I am honored that Steward Liu thinks so highly of me and for the great help you've given me. Allow me to toast you. I'll empty my cup first as a sign of respect." Get faster updates on novelping.com.
Chen Guanlou wasted no time on pleasantries; downing the wine was the right move.
Steward Liu watched him, looking very pleased.
"Xiaolou is a fine young man. Come, come, fill his cup."
A moment later, Liu Wanshi, dressed in a water-green gown, gracefully appeared at the table. Chen Guanlou’s gaze fell upon her, and his heart skipped a beat. He quickly averted his eyes, not daring to look too long.
Liu Wanshi smiled faintly and sat down close to Steward Liu. "So, Xiaolou is here. Still as polite as ever."
Her slender hands poured the wine, her fair, smooth fingers like silk threads that could ensnare a man's heart.
"My lord, what did I tell you? I said Young Master Chen was one of the few in the Chen family who knows how to get ahead. I was right, wasn't I?"
"Hahaha… My wife's judgment is naturally impeccable."
The couple bantered playfully as if no one else was present. Chen Guanlou kept his eyes on his cup, drinking his plain wine with a clear mind, free of distracting thoughts.
As if the performance was over, Liu Wanshi gracefully departed, leaving behind a pleasant, fragrant scent.
Steward Liu personally refilled Chen Guanlou's cup and finally got down to business.
"I called you here today for a specific matter. A group of people was recently locked up in Tian Prison. I need you to look after them for me, and don't let those crafty old-timers in the prison mistreat them. Tell them I'll provide all the silver they need, so they shouldn't try to extort the men inside. They were all just following orders."
"Does the steward mean the two groups locked up for the recent brawl?" Chen Guanlou's tolerance for alcohol was excellent, a skill honed in his past life, and his current constitution was just as resilient. After more than a dozen cups, he felt no trace of drunkenness. The moment he heard Steward Liu's request, his mind cleared completely. This matter could be big or small; he had to understand the full story and couldn't agree recklessly.
Steward Liu snorted coldly. "Ignore that bunch from the fighting guild. Whatever methods you have in Tian Prison, feel free to use them on those thugs. If you handle them well, there will be extra silver for you. As for the estate retainers and guards, you help me look after them, and you will be handsomely rewarded afterward."
This…?
Chen Guanlou took a sip of wine. "If I may be so bold as to ask, I am just a lowly prison guard with no connections or power in Tian Prison. Why would Steward Liu think of me? Also, how did the Marquis's Mansion get involved with these brawling estate retainers and guards?"
Steward Liu clapped him on the shoulder and laughed. "If you had agreed without a second thought just now, I wouldn't have dared to entrust this matter to you. I won't hide it from you—I will grease all the necessary palms with the higher-ups in Tian Prison. But you know what that place is like better than I do, being in the thick of it. As the saying goes, the King of Hell is easy to meet, but his demons are a pain to deal with. You prison guards… tsk. For now, you're the only one I can trust. You help me look after those men. If you need to spend money, just say the word, and I'll make sure your efforts aren't in vain. As for why the Marquis's Mansion is involved… do you know the reason the two groups were fighting?"