NOVEL NEXT Chapter 67: The Dungeon
Chapter 67: The Dungeon
Xu Lian was escorted to the dungeon in the magistrate’s office.
The chief constable casually opened a cell and pushed Xu Lian inside. His menacing expression vanished, replaced by a sigh. ” What a pity, a fine young man like you. Think about your actions here. Hopefully, the magistrate’s precious son will be too busy enjoying his debauchery to remember you.”
Xu Lian couldn’t help but give the chief constable a second look. The constable seemed to be a decent person. “The magistrate’s precious son?”
The chief constable was a bit speechless. “You still don’t know who you insulted?”
Xu Lian shook his head. “I was just walking around when I saw a carriage driving recklessly and the driver whipping innocent civilians. I couldn’t help but stop it.”
The chief constable was silent for a moment before speaking. “Did you even think? A carriage that can drive recklessly through the streets – do you think it belongs to just anyone? The magistrate has had eight daughters in a row, and his only son, Gu Yanming, is his beloved child. He’s known as a notorious troublemaker in the county. How could you not know that when you work as a servant in the Lin family?”
Seeing that Xu Lian still had questions, the head constable waved his hand and turned to leave. “I can’t talk to you too much here. If the jailer sees us and it gets back to Gu Yanming, I’ll be implicated too.”
Xu Lian slightly bowed his back, not daring to ask more.
“I will stay here for a few days, endure some hardships, and then stir up some trouble to get the magistrate’s attention. Once I reveal my identity and demand compensation, I’ll have the cultivation resources I need, including the Condensation Pill.”
He had never actually done this before, but he had seen it happen enough times to know the general process.
He went to a corner and sat down on a pile of dry straw.
Suddenly, he heard a scream coming from the straw. He got up quickly and noticed someone inside.
A disheveled, dirty young man emerged from the straw, rubbing his chest and glaring at him. “What’s wrong with you? Can’t you see?”
Xu Lian looked closely. The young man didn’t look very old, more like a skinny teenager. “Sorry, I didn’t notice anyone in the straw. Why are you hiding in there?”
The young man replied, “To avoid mosquitoes, of course.”
Well… Xu Lian looked around and noticed that there were indeed a lot of mosquitoes.
The young man brushed his hair out of his face and looked at Xu Lian. “How did you end up here? What did you do?”
Xu Lian said, “Nothing much, I just beat up Gu Yanming’s carriage driver and stopped his carriage on the street.
The young man’s eyes widened. “You have a lot of courage, you dare to insult Gu Yanming.”
Xu Lian gathered some dry straw and sat down, padding it for comfort. “I didn’t know that the carriage belonged to Gu Yanming.”
The young man went to the corner. “Stay away from me. If Gu Yanming comes to the dungeon and beats you, he might hit me too.”
There was such a thing… Xu Lian moved a little further away.
The young man continued, “Since we’re in the same cell, I’ll give you some tips:
Be careful when using the toilet. Don’t splash everywhere. This place is small and we need a place to sleep.
Don’t use the toilet right before you eat. The smell is too strong. It’s best to go early in the morning and late at night.
When you fart, do it facing the outside. The air doesn’t circulate well in here.”
“…”Xu Lian realized that even being in a dungeon was a skill. “I’ll remember that, but I won’t be here for long. I’ll be out in a few days.”
The young man was astonished, then laughed. “You offended Gu Yanming and still think you can leave? You’re too naive. People who come here either die or get beaten within an inch of their lives. I’ve never seen many people leave.”
Xu Lian said, “You’ll see in a few days.”
The young man scoffed. “I’ll be waiting to see.”
Xu Lian asked, “What did you do to end up here?”
The young man replied, “I was caught tomb raiding.”
Tomb raiding… Xu Lian understood. This was a man who profited from the dead. With so many wealthy families in the county, each with wealthy ancestors, grave robbers were probably the most hated.
After some casual conversation, Xu Lian learned that the young man’s name was “Qin Liu,” though it was probably not his real name. People in his line of work rarely used their real names.
In the evening, two guards came to bring food.
One of them took two black pottery bowls from a wooden bucket and threw them on the ground.
The other scooped a ladle of food from another wooden bucket and poured it into the two bowls.
Qin Liù pounced on his bowl like a starving dog, clutching it with both hands and gulping it down.
The gruel was topped with a few wilted vegetable leaves. Xu Lian glanced at it and felt no appetite, and he was also worried about the possibility of being poisoned or drugged by someone sent by Gu Yanming. If he lost his strength and vitality, it would be a serious problem.
“Not eating?”
Having finished his own portion, Qin Liu stared at Xu Lian’s bowl and asked.
Xu Lian said generously, “You can have it.”
“Thank you.”
Qin Liu ate happily and said, “Actually, everyone who just comes in can’t eat. After two days of hunger, the food starts to taste good.”
Xu Lian frowned. This was indeed a problem.
He couldn’t stay hungry for days.
He decided to leave tomorrow.
Spending one night here was enough to make his point before he could demand compensation from the magistrate.
“Xu Lian, right? Someone’s here to see you.”
A jailer led two people to the cell, unlocked the door, and then left.
Xu Lian saw that it was Lin Chengyu and Xiao Yu, which surprised him.
He had only met Lin Chengyu once and shared a drink with him on a boat. He didn’t expect Lin Chengyu to visit him. This Lin family heir was indeed someone to be respected.
Xiao Yu placed a food box in front of Xu Lian and opened it layer by layer. “Eat quickly, it’s still warm from home.”
Qin Liu’s eyes widened at the sight of the chicken and beef. He swallowed his saliva but didn’t dare to approach, knowing from Lin Chengyu’s attire and demeanor that he was no ordinary person.
Xu Lian gestured for him to come over and eat.
Qin Liu hesitated for a moment before joining them.
Lin Chengyu glanced at Qin Liu but said nothing. Then he turned to Xu Lian, “Xiao Yu told me that the carriage you stopped on the road belonged to the magistrate’s son, Gu Yanming.”
Xu Lian nodded, “I already know.”
Lin Chengyu continued, “Before I came here, I went to see Gu Yanming. He refused to release you.
However, he promised me that he wouldn’t harm you.
Stay here for a few days. If Gu Yanming comes and tortures you, just admit your mistake to appease him.
When my father returns in a few days, I’ll ask him to talk to the magistrate.
My father and the magistrate have a good relationship, so he should be able to get you out.”
Qin Liu’s eyes were filled with envy. He couldn’t believe that Xu Lian had such connections and would really be able to leave.
This Lin family heir was indeed reliable… Xu Lian said, “I have already caused you trouble by being a guest in your house. I can’t bear to cause you any more trouble. Actually, you don’t need to do this. I have my own way to get out.”
“This is Pingyang County, not Green Bamboo Town.”
Lin Chengyu looked deeply at Xu Lian. He couldn’t figure out Xu Lian’s background. From various signs, Xu Lian wasn’t just a simple mine manager, but he couldn’t think of any connections Xu Lian might have in Pingyang County on his first visit.
Xu Lian nodded, “I understand.”
However, Xiao Yu was worried. “Why are you so stubborn? The young master is here to save you, and you’re still being stubborn.”
Xu Lian didn’t want to explain and just started eating.
Lin Chengyu didn’t say anything and left with Xiao Yu.
At the dungeon entrance, Xiao Yu pleaded, “Young master, don’t listen to his big talk. He’s just a country bumpkin. What can he do to get out? When the master returns, please ask him to speak to the magistrate.”
Lin Chengyu thought for a moment. “That’s a good idea.”