Chapter 0037: The World Is a Treacherous Place

Night fell.

Outside the stone hut, a person spoke out of the blue, which startled Yang Wu. This was especially so when he had yet to regain his senses after opening the acupoints on his palm and forcing out the remnant energy from the Spiraling Waves Splitting Palm.

Who’s there?” he exclaimed in fright.

There weren’t many who were familiar with him in the prison, even fewer who would address him as good nephew.” The speaker seemed to know him well, which led him to think of a particular person he had met this morning. Still, he was not entirely sure.

Just as I expected! the young man exclaimed inwardly when the man walked into the hut.

The man looked at Yang Wu and teased, What’s the matter? Don’t you recognize Uncle Meng anymore?”

The young man replied with a somewhat disgusted frown, I wouldn’t dare claim a connection with Commander Meng!”

The visitor was none other than the Eagle Knights’ third-in-command, Meng Helang.

Not taking the young man’s sarcasm to heart, the senior merely replied impassively, It looks like you still blame Uncle Meng.”

Looking away, Yang Wu said, I don’t have the courage for that. I’m just a lowly prisoner while you’re the third commander of the Eagle Knights. My life would be forfeit at your command!”

Meng Helang mocked himself, I know what you’re blaming me for. You fault me for not standing up for your family when the Yangs met with trouble, right?”

I wouldn’t dare!” The young man continued to speak without looking at him.

Hah…do you really think I would abandon the brotherhood with your father, my sworn brother?” Meng Helang heaved a sigh before continuing solemnly, The disaster was totally unexpected. It was too late by the time I found out about it. I wanted to go to the imperial court to plead for leniency for your family, even at the cost of my position. However, your father told me not to involve myself when I met him. Furthermore, he also hoped I could look after the two of you down the road. I can only lament the loss of your brother’s top scholar title and the waste of his talent!”

Yang Wu stared at Meng Helang as the latter spoke, trying to determine the truthfulness in the older man’s words.

Since my father told you not to get involved, do you have any news about my younger brother now?” he asked.

The reason I didn’t visit you at the soonest chance was that I was looking after Little Wen all along. Besides, you were on the enemy’s watchlist, so your uncle here did not dare to stand up for you openly. You can only blame your poor fate if you die inside here; the Yang Clan’s only hope is Little Wen, so it is vital to preserve his safety!” the senior explained with sincerity. He paused before adding, But after seeing you today, I believe you aren’t any worse off than your brother. Who knows, the Yang Clan may have a chance to rise again because of you two.”

It was obvious that Meng Helang held Yang Wen in much higher regard than he did the older sibling.

Although Yang Wu was known as a cultivation genius in Royal City, he paled in comparison to his younger brother, who was held up as a star scholar.

In this land, talents for cultivation and scholarly pursuit were equally treasured. There was a saying that deemed studying easier than cultivation. In reality, those who became sages through scholarly pursuits commanded more respect and left a legacy.

Yang Wen had long been seen as a sage in the making, due to his ingenuity in this area. Even the emperor of the Xia Dynasty had been prepared to betroth his beloved imperial princess to him. Alas, his older brother was caught in a shameful fiasco that implicated the whole family. Disregarding the emperor’s favor, Yang Wen had asked the court to spare his brother’s life in exchange for his top scholar title. If not for him, Yang Wu would have been executed instead of being consigned to Smoke Signal Mountain Prison.

When Yang Wu thought of his brother, his eyes turned wet with guilt.

Uncle Meng, thank you for looking after my younger brother. As long as you promise to keep him alive, I’ll do anything for you!” Yang Wu said as he gave the senior a deep bow.

The young man had never bowed to anyone since entering the prison. The very sight of him, a proud man, bowing for the sake of his younger brother showed the depth of their kinship.

The gesture seemed to comfort Meng Helang. Giving the young man’s back a light pat, he said, You brothers are the same. He, too, asked me to ensure your safety. Now, both of you are begging me to keep the other safe and sound; do you really think I won’t look after your family like real kin? Do I look like I take swearing brotherhood with your father as a game?”

I misunderstood you, Uncle!” Yang Wu said with remorse.

He had known Meng Helang since he was a young boy. At that time, the senior would regularly visit his residence to drink with his father. However, after the man got a few promotions with his father’s recommendation, the visits had become few and far between. When the Yang Clan met with the latest crisis, he did not see this man standing up for them, either. Hence, he held a grudge against the senior, considering him a self-centered person who put his own interests above all others. Now, the young man realized that he had wronged Meng Helang.

This is a small matter. Coming to Smoke Signal Mountain Prison is a coincidence. Since you’re not in any precarious situation here, you can decide: do you want to stay put here to temper yourself, or do you want Uncle Meng to take you away for a fresh start in life?” The senior gave the young man two options.

I’d better stay here and temper myself. I want to get rid of my prisoner status openly, and I’ll surely vindicate myself in the coming days. I refuse to admit to what I haven’t done!” Yang Wu immediately replied with certainty.

Little Wu, put aside the desire for vindication. You know very well that the one you’re fighting against is powerful, right?” Meng Helang warned with a sigh.

Uncle Meng, you need not worry about this matter. I know what I have to do and won’t be impulsive,” Yang Wu replied calmly.

Alright. Then, tell me more about that King. Now, we have to serve him like a lord.” Meng Helang changed the topic.

Oh well, this matter had a strange start. Big Sister Lanxin and I were worried about Uncle Wan’s safety, so we barged into the bloody pit….”

Yang Wu shared his encounter inside the bloody pit with the senior. He kept his story simple, omitting details as necessary, but explained all the key points to the other man without falsification. At the same time, he surreptitiously observed Meng Helang’s demeanor, so when he saw the other man’s eyes flicker with jealousy, his guard went up instantly.

It seems that Uncle Meng cannot be fully trusted! he cautioned himself inwardly.

After Meng Helang got the full story from the young man, he said, It looks like the King must be a felon, too, or he would not have been trapped under cellblock 8. I have to report this matter to the imperial court immediately. You stay safe here for now, and let the guards know if you need anything. I’ll instruct them to take good care of you.”

After saying that, he left without waiting for the young man to speak.

As Yang Wu watched him depart, he felt mixed emotions. The world is a treacherous place!” he couldn’t help lamenting to himself.

This is indeed a silly, young man. Does he really think he can stay here in peace because his cultivation is intact? How naive!” muttered Meng Helang to himself as he mounted his eagle.

Soon, the man disappeared into the dark night.

The night passed quickly, and Yang Wu was able to absorb a wisp of morning propitious energy while seated outside the stone hut. This strand of morning propitious energy was much denser and stronger than before, which meant the energy it contained was of extraordinary quality. The energy did a round inside his dantian before circulating to the twelve major and one minor meridians, sharing the pure energy with all the acupoints.

The young man got up to practice the Spiraling Waves Splitting Palm. He had a good grasp of the technique by now. If he combined this technique with the Dragon Turtle Water Suppression Stance, he would reach the Established stage for this combat art.

Just then, a prison guard went up to him and barked, Yang Wu, you have to stay in block 7 from now on.”

What is to happen has to happen! the young man sighed to himself before nodding in response to the guard. Got it.”

Smoke Signal Mountain Prison had a total of sixty-eight blocks. The higher the cellblock number, the more dangerous the felons held inside the block. The first seven blocks were criminals who were killers, sadists, and perverts. The average prisoner would end up dead or crazy after entering any of these blocks. In other words, block 68 was like heaven when compared to the hell of these seven blocks.

Xiaoman, who was never far from Yang Wu, walked over to him timidly and said, I’ll go to block 7 with Young Master.”

Skinny Monkey, who had rushed over from nearby, followed suit. Big Brother, let me go to block 7 with you, too.”

The young man smiled at the two of them with gratification. Both of you stay put here and stay out of trouble; that’ll be good enough for me.”

Young Master, I’m your servant. I’ll follow you wherever you go,” Xiaoman told him with a resolute expression.

Yang Wu caressed her petite face and laughed, Haha, don’t worry. This young master will take you away soon enough.”

When the prison guard saw the young man’s intimacy with Xiaoman, he got goosebumps and shuddered. I didn’t know this guy here has a liking for men!

If Yang Wu had heard the guard’s thought, he would have taught the latter a lesson.

Skinny Monkey, be good and stay in block 68 for now. In the meantime, take good care of Xiaoman and accumulate sufficient Scarlet Steel Rock as soon as possible. Don’t worry about me!” After giving some instructions to his sworn brother, he followed the guard to block 7.

As Yang Wu disappeared from Xiaoman’s sight, tears rolled down her face. Young Master, you’ve got to take good care of yourself!” she cried out with that sweet voice of hers.

As for Skinny Monkey, his eyes turned red, and he could only clench his fists tight while muttering, Collecting fifty tons of Scarlet Steel Rock is no big deal. I can easily break down a hill with a glance. There is no fear of not finding it for Big Brother, is there?”

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The two of them did not notice a little black shadow in hot pursuit of the young man.