Chapter Eighteen: The Prison Break

I know, after reading the end of the previous chapter, many readers will recall that classic scene: the protagonist delivers a devastating blow, then gazes at his hands in astonishment and wonder, exclaiming, “Wow, have I truly mastered such power?” Of course, I wouldn’t write it that way—Ye Pei isn’t starting out as some hapless novice.

Ye Pei looked at his right hand, silently recalling and sensing the flow of strength that had just surged forth in his palm. Gradually, he felt an intangible connection forming between himself and the power within his body; it seemed almost like an extension of his own limbs, entirely at his command. That energy, too, sent forth signals of delight as it coursed through him—swift, steady, and joyful.

“I’ll call it inner force!” Ye Pei was truly elated; at last, he had gained control over this mysterious energy. He felt his martial prowess had already reached a plateau, and now a whole new path had opened before him. He guided his inner force through his body twice, then hurriedly opened his eyes to check on his partner.

Lei Ting was sprawled on the ground, not because his injuries were grave, but out of embarrassment. As Ye Pei drew near, he saw Lei Ting’s face pale, eyes wide and staring blankly at the sky. Noticing Ye Pei’s approach, Lei Ting promptly sprang to his feet, coughed, and said, “Master Ye, your martial skills are indeed remarkable.”

Seeing that Lei Ting was not seriously hurt, Ye Pei clasped his hands in salute. “Thank you for going easy on me.”

Lei Ting blushed at this, thinking to himself, “I know you’re just being polite, but that last blow—I really couldn’t withstand it…”

Lei Ting said, “Well then, Master Ye, with your prowess, defeating Lu Chengguang will be no problem. Let’s proceed as planned.”

With that, Lei Ting seemed eager to leave, brushing dust from his clothes and straightening his collar before departing the courtyard without a backward glance.

And thus, the basic plan for the prison break was set. Shi Yuheng’s build was similar to Ye Pei’s, so Ye Pei would don Shi Yuheng’s uniform to create a momentary confusion—just enough to swiftly eliminate the guards at District Two’s gate. Once inside, he would launch a frontal assault, sowing chaos within, paving the way for Lei Ting to arrive and free Meng Huaicheng. Afterwards, Ye Pei would use his agility to escape on his own.

In truth, it was a classic feint, but Lei Ting’s position made it both easier and more feasible. As for Shi Yuheng, according to Lei Ting’s plan, he would “fall in battle” during the rescue and afterwards accompany Ye Pei to live in the Snow Country. Though Shi Yuheng was a low-ranking but patriotic soldier, he knew that being drawn into such a significant upheaval meant there was no returning to his former life.

Three days later, the prison break commenced as planned.

Starlight City, at dusk, was bathed in golden afterglow. Farmers, carrying their tools, walked home in small groups; some reached out to embrace their children sprinting toward them, others waved with smiles to wives waiting nearby. Merchant caravans entered the city at a leisurely pace, and prosperous shopkeepers greeted neighbors with cupped hands, faces radiant.

Even the finest jade bears a few indelible blemishes. Scattered courtyards stood ten miles outside Starlight City, lifeless despite the impartial rays of the setting sun. That barren land seemed to reject the sunlight, attracting circling crows overhead.

Bathed in golden light, a tall, uniformed youth strode unhurriedly toward the area, a faint smile playing on his lips, though his eyes betrayed a hidden intent to kill.

Ordinary passersby wouldn’t know those inconspicuous courtyards were the entrance to Xinghe Prison, nor that the farmers coming and going were its elite guards.

The courtyards were spaced neither too far nor too close. As Ye Pei entered the small courtyard of District Two, his military attire drew no attention from the guards in Districts One and Three, who saw him from afar. Upon entering, the District Two guards immediately surrounded him, blocking his path. “Password or token!” they demanded.

To enter, one needed either the day’s password or the warden’s token. Had Ye Pei not worn the uniform, he would have been stopped at all three entrances the moment he stepped into the area.

Ye Pei’s smile deepened as he reached for his waist. “No need to rush, gentlemen. The token is right here.”

He showed no signs of carrying a weapon; only a belt adorned his waist, so the two guards remained unsuspecting.

But in the next instant, Ye Pei’s hand flashed with metallic gleam, and before they could react, the two guards lay decapitated. After all, a belt suddenly transforming into a weapon was far beyond their expectations.

Ye Pei’s smile vanished. In his hand was a weapon with blades at both ends and a grip in the middle. Hearing two muffled thuds behind him, he lowered his right hand, and the strange weapon gradually morphed into a black longsword as he entered the hut and stepped into the formidable underground prison.

“Do you sense it, Chenxue…” he murmured as he descended the tunnel, “It’s been so long since I felt this thrill before a battle…”

As his thoughts and words flowed, strands of inner force connected Ye Pei to his Demonic Iron sword, Chenxue. Infused with his power, the blade seemed to sense its master’s heart, glowing even more intensely black—unmistakable even in the pitch-dark tunnel.

Below lay District Two of Xinghe Prison. At the tunnel’s exit was a hall twenty meters square, facing two passageways with cells arranged in a zigzag formation beyond.

Ye Pei had barely stepped out before the guards below heard movement in the tunnel. Normally, only the warden would enter or leave. The warden was present; footsteps in the tunnel meant something was afoot. A new prisoner arriving was the best scenario; worst—and least likely—was an enemy attack.

Thus, as Ye Pei emerged, two standard long swords greeted him, accompanied by a sharp shout: “Who goes there!”

At this point, any hope of passing himself off with his uniform was gone—their swords drawn, his own weapon in hand. Still, he tried the tactic; perhaps being rebuffed would have some dramatic effect… No, perhaps it might even work.

“Gentlemen, haha, we’re all colleagues here…” Ye Pei began, but it felt utterly awkward. His mind was set on rescue; there was no room for tricks. “Let’s just fight!”

Before the words had faded, his sword spun upward, a streak of black light shot toward the two guards. They were ready for battle, reacting quickly and countering with their blades, but their vigilance only delayed their defeat by a few seconds.

Within Xinghe Prison, the distance between guards was short. Though only two stood in the hall at the tunnel exit, patrolling soldiers in the passages had already heard the commotion. Almost as soon as Ye Pei slew the guards, more arrived to investigate.

The first to emerge drew his sword and charged, shouting, “Enemy attack!”

In such a confined space, the shout was deafening. Guards throughout the prison drew their weapons and rushed to the hall—three hundred elite soldiers in all. In the second chamber, Lu Chengguang had been resting with eyes shut; hearing the shout, his eyes snapped open, cold light flashing, as his sword leapt from the table and his robes swept the air at the door.

Meanwhile, in the hall, Ye Pei was already locked in close combat with the guards. Handling a few was easy for him, but these soldiers, trained together, coordinated with uncanny synergy—their combined strength greater than the sum of their parts.

In moments, Ye Pei was surrounded, his Demonic Iron weapon now transformed into his favored spear, sweeping through the ranks with a roar like a tiger, its force unstoppable.

As chaos erupted, Districts One and Three were alerted. To guard against diversion, the warden of District Three, Zhang Zhi’ang, ordered his men to hold position and increase vigilance. Lei Ting, after issuing similar orders, took a bundle and led Shi Yuheng toward District Two.

“Who are you, boy? Do you know where you are?” Lu Chengguang had arrived, sword in hand, dispersing the guards and engaging Ye Pei directly.

From the first exchange, Ye Pei sensed Lu Chengguang’s strength lagged behind Lei Ting’s, mainly lacking in power. Lu Chengguang, however, realized he’d met a formidable adversary—the youth’s abilities were terrifying.

Unable to gain the upper hand physically, Lu Chengguang resorted to words. “Young pup, still wet behind the ears, trying to break into a great prison? You’ll die here!”

Ye Pei spun his spear, laughing heartily. “Old fool, let me borrow that seven and a half pounds atop your neck to test my spear’s edge!”

Lu Chengguang’s vocabulary was limited—he’d not read much—so he found himself bested in words and fell silent, concentrating on the fight.

As they battled, Lei Ting and Shi Yuheng arrived. Lei Ting drew his machete and shouted, joining the fray. Ye Pei, understanding the plan, spun and struck Lei Ting’s blade with his spear, propelling himself backward. Shi Yuheng, prepared, met him with sword drawn, but Ye Pei swept it aside with a powerful blow. Shi Yuheng took the hit full force, blood spurting from his mouth as he staggered back and collapsed, unconscious.

“Why is this kid so ruthless… If I hadn’t padded my clothes with layers of soft armor, I’d have been beaten to death by this merciless brat…” Shi Yuheng, playing dead, cursed inwardly.