“Cry! Still crying! Cry more and I’ll beat you to death!” Just past the hour of Chen, the Ministry of Justice jailers were full of anger, shouting and cursing loudly. From the side came sobbing sounds – naturally it was Wang Yitong wailing there.

Since witnessing Qin Zhonghai, Little Wang had truly been plagued by misfortune. First arrested by constables, then thrown into the heavenly prison, now after interrogation all night, hungry and tired, his heart also worried about his family. He truly cried every three steps and wailed every five steps. The jailers dragged him along half-dead, but he would collapse and roll around squealing like a pig being slaughtered. Wang Yashi patiently advised: “Brother, stop crying all the time. Consider that you committed a serious crime and should rightfully receive severe torture. Now you can retreat with your whole body intact, relying entirely on Grand Commander Wu’s face. You should be grateful.”

“What am I grateful for! He’s a liar!” Wang Yitong cried and cursed loudly: “He also said that once I entered the big prison, he would help take care of my family! Lies! As soon as his front foot left, his back foot sent people to steal my grain tickets! Wuu wuu wuu wuu, give me back my tickets!”

Last night when Wang Yitong robbed at Hongluo Temple, his ancestors must have accumulated virtue. After being captured, he actually encountered Grand Commander Longshou judging his case.

This Lord Wu had soft ears. Hearing Wang Yitong cry a few times, he gave him a thick stack of grain tickets to let him sit in prison with peace of mind. Who knew that before the grain tickets even left Hongluo Temple, the Five Assistant Grand Scholars sent a servant to take the grain tickets away.

The most tragic thing in the world is losing and regaining. Hearing Wang Yitong wailing loudly, he felt deceived. The jailers on both sides whispered in his ear: “Boss, did Lord Wu really reward him with tickets?” Wang Yashi said lightly: “Don’t listen to this person’s nonsense. Lord Wu also came from the public service – how could he do such a foolish thing?” The jailers sighed regretfully: “Pity, pity – missed out on a windfall.”

Wang Yitong thought he was unlucky, but actually he had saved his life. Twenty grain tickets were worth a hundred taels of silver, enough to buy half a building on Chaoyang Gate Street. Looking at Wang Yashi’s monthly salary of only five taels, the senior jailers got at most two taels, the junior ones less than eight qian. If Wang Yitong had entered prison carrying great wealth, what would that situation be like?

Wang Yashi smiled bitterly, knowing all high officials had the same virtue. He had thought that since Lord Wu came from a constable background, he would surely understand prison rules. Who would have thought that once he became a high official, his head got hot and he forgot everything? He shook his head and sighed, turned the key, pushed open the door, and stepped into the first important place of the world’s legal authority: the Ministry of Justice Heavenly Prison.

Arriving at the prison cells, he saw iron railings dividing them into several rooms. The prison door iron plates were marked with the character “Bing” – Cell Block C-9, C-8, C-7. Even numbers on the right, odd numbers on the left, heavenly stems above, numbers below, arranged in sequence. Wang Yitong had never been in prison and was inevitably somewhat curious, wanting to inquire about the details. But from behind he was roughly pushed as a jailer roared: “Cell Block C-9! Get in!”

The iron railings opened and a stench of feces and urine drifted out. Wang Yitong stumbled in, but heard two “hey, hey” laughs. Before his eyes came a wall eight feet high, deep black in color with some black hair on top. Wang Yitong was greatly shocked. He looked up urgently and saw before him a black-faced strong man with a lewd smile, scratching his crotch while looking him over.

“Newcomer!” The black-faced big man said excitedly: “Welcome!” Wang Yitong’s teeth chattered as he looked around. He saw deep in the prison cell sat a fat man, bare-chested with his feet raised high, looking quite comfortable. But under his heels were not stools but two scholar-like pale-faced men kneeling on the ground, wanting to cry but having no tears.

“Boss!” A blue-faced giant man came over, rubbing his hands obsequiously: “Give me this newcomer?”

“Who says he’s yours!” The black-faced big man was furious: “He’s for my exclusive use!” Another bald strong man roared: “How many do you already have? Still so greedy?” The three men fought each other, none giving way. Suddenly came the sound of a satisfied burp. That fat man waved his hand: “Everyone who sees gets a share – don’t hurt the harmony.” The three big men made peace and grinned wickedly together as they walked toward him. Wang Yitong was frightened out of his wits and ran to the iron cage, crying and shouting: “Someone come quickly! Help! Help!”

After shouting several times, Wang Yashi came carrying his authority stick, pushed open the iron door and hurried in: “What’s wrong?” Wang Yitong cried painfully: “I don’t want to stay here! Officer Wang! For Lord Wu’s sake, put me somewhere else!” The jailers were displeased: “Brother, you’re in prison and still want to pick and choose? Stay put obediently.”

“I don’t care!” Wang Yitong cried and made a fuss: “Quickly get me out! Otherwise I’ll ram my head against the wall and kill myself! See how you explain to Lord Wu!” Just as he was about to bite his tongue and commit suicide, he suddenly saw the cell across the way was empty and couldn’t help but be wildly delighted: “Look! How empty it is over there!”

The cell across the way was empty. Looking intently at the iron plate, it was Cell Block C-6. The ground was dry and clean, and inside was even a large bed. Wang Yitong was overjoyed and excited: “I want that room! I want that room!” Before his words finished, the black-faced big man reached out and slapped Wang Yitong’s buttocks hard, laughing: “Stop making trouble – this is paradise.” Wang Yitong cried out in alarm and immediately fled from the cell regardless of everything, arriving at the opposite cell. He desperately pulled at the prison door with both hands, crying: “Quickly lock me up! Quick!”

Looking at the opposite cells, all marked with even numbers – C-4, C-6, C-8 – each was single occupancy with comfortable furnishings, cotton quilts and pillows all complete, looking like inn guest rooms. Presumably those corrupt officials, after being arrested, came here to temporarily avoid the storm. If he could live in there, that would be supreme joy.

Seeing Wang Yitong crying and making a fuss, the jailers cursed: “Kid! Stop fooling around! Go back quickly!” Wang Yitong cried: “No! I won’t go back! Lord Wu promised me! He wanted me to have a fair trial!” He wrapped his limbs around the iron railings, absolutely refusing to leave even if beaten to death.

The heavenly prison had its rules that couldn’t be violated. But Wang Yitong had the protection of the Zhengtong army Grand Commander, equivalent to having a gold medal of immunity from death. The jailers cursed quietly but feared that Lord Wu might really remember this fellow later, so they didn’t dare lay hands on him. Just as they were making a commotion, a jailer swayed forward to Cell Block C-8, opened the prison door, and said lazily: “Brother, time to eat.”

The food in Cell Block C-8 was rarely seen in the world for its excellence. Looking at the jailer holding a wooden tray with four dishes and one soup – braised chicken leg, cold mixed bean threads, mushroom stewed chicken, cabbage braised fish, plus a bowl of meat soup, three steamed buns, two bowls of rice, and most wonderful of all, a bottle of aged wine.

“Officer Wang…” Wang Yitong swallowed and said tremblingly: “Please, you must put me in there…”

Looking at that chicken leg’s sweet fragrant color, it must be well-marinated. The rice grains in the bowl were crystal bright, even more appetite-inducing. But the person in the cell was quite arrogant. Before him was all wine and food, but he never touched his chopsticks, just sitting gloomily as if in a bad mood.

Wang Yitong hadn’t had a grain of rice down his throat all day and was already starving with his front heart touching his back. Seeing the prison door wide open and the chicken leg within reach, he gripped the railings with drool flowing: “Big brother, why… why aren’t you eating?” That man didn’t reply, still hanging his head with his shoulders constantly twitching. Wang Yitong made a sound of surprise: “Big brother, you… you’re crying?”

Indeed crying. This big brother seemed to dislike the food. Looking at the crystal rice grains and fragrant chicken leg, tears flowed straight down his cheeks.

High officials normally ate fine clothes and jade food. Coming to the heavenly prison, even chicken legs didn’t suit their taste. Wang Yitong grew bold and said quietly: “Big brother, if you don’t want to eat, how about… how about giving it to me?” As he spoke, he quietly reached out his hand, planning to steal the fragrant chicken leg.

Slap! His head was severely struck. Wang Yitong cried out in pain and turned to see Wang Yashi had come. He entered the prison door, patted that man’s back gently: “Brother, eat some. You need strength for the road tomorrow morning.” He picked up the wine bottle and poured a cup for that person, treating him like an honored guest.

Wine fragrance overflowed, but that man was unwilling to take it. He supported his forehead with his hand, his face hanging low, tears falling even more profusely.

Wang Yitong was somewhat amazed and said quietly: “Big brother, what… what rank of official are you? Such airs?”

“Bastard!” A jailer behind punched down and reproached: “This is his last meal!”

“What?” Wang Yitong’s soul flew to heaven, saying tremblingly: “This… this Cell Block C-8 is… is death row?” Wang Yashi sighed and nodded: “This is the hanging room.”

Hanging was the lightest among death penalties, using rope to strangle the throat, leaving a complete corpse after death. Wang Yitong was greatly shocked and trembling. He pointed at nearby Cell Block C-6 and said tremblingly: “Then… then there?” Wang Yashi raised his hand to his neck and made a chopping motion. Wang Yitong’s head went cold and he said hoarsely: “Then… then Cell Block C-4?” The jailers glanced at his waist, hummed painfully and grimaced to show pain.

When Li Si was executed by waist-cutting, he reportedly wrote seven characters for “tragic” before he could swallow his breath and die, showing how tragic upon tragic it was. Wang Yitong screamed loudly like a rooster crowing at dawn – C-8 hanging, C-6 beheading, C-4 waist-cutting. As for C-2, presumably this could reach the ultimate. If not death by a thousand cuts, then it was dismemberment by five horses – in any case, there was heaven beyond heaven.

“Let’s go.” The jailers pulled Wang Yitong gently: “Go back to Cell Block C-9 – that’s paradise.”

“Heh heh heh…” In Cell Block C-9, a large group of fierce spirits heard the sound and stood up. Everyone scratched their crotches, licked their lips, smiled, and lined up to welcome him.

“No, no – no!” Wang Yitong’s hair stood on end as he cried loudly, hugging the iron railings and refusing to move a step. The jailers reproached: “Brother, don’t refuse the toast and drink the penalty wine. Cell Block C-9 doesn’t involve physical suffering. This is giving you a good deal.”

What the jailers said was correct. Cell Block C-9 held local thugs, pickpockets, hooligans and habitual thieves – mostly light criminals who didn’t suffer physical punishment.

Cell Block C-7 was called the whipping room – as soon as prisoners entered, regardless of their crime, they were first given a hundred lashes. Cell Block C-5 was the rod room, served with punishment rods. Cell Block C-3 was the fire room, specializing in roasting things.

Who wouldn’t fear flogging, rods, exile, and banishment? Looking at these Ministry of Justice cells, each level was crueler than the last, like the eighteen levels of hell. Wang Yitong knew nothing but crying and shouting. The jailers cursed: “Kid! Don’t force us to use violence! Get in quickly!”

Everyone was getting angry and about to beat him when Wang Yashi said: “Don’t act rashly. This kid was sent by Lord Wu. If we beat him to death, what will we use to explain?” The jailers looked worried: “Then what should we do?” Wang Yashi was extremely annoyed and waved his hand: “Send him further in first and let him pick a room himself.”

Wang Yitong won! The jailers cursed quietly but had to escort this person toward the depths of the heavenly prison.

Along the way, the heavenly prison became increasingly dark and damp. Gradually they could no longer see iron railings – everywhere were stone walls and stone barriers. Wang Yitong swallowed cold saliva and looked around, seeing an iron plate inscribed with “Block B.” The prisoners here were actually in solitary cells, unable to communicate with each other. The jailers wore sabers at their waists, pacing back and forth with extremely strict surveillance.

Wang Yitong was somewhat afraid and asked quietly: “Officer Wang, what… what kind of people are held in Block B? The security is very strict.”

Wang Yashi hadn’t yet spoken when suddenly a hand reached out from the railings, grabbed Wang Yitong’s head and laughed wildly: “A newcomer’s here!”

Bang! Wang Yitong’s head hit the iron railings. He saw that arm was thick as an iron pillar with bulging veins. Just a slight effort lifted his feet off the ground. The jailers cursed and shouted: “He Dahu! Let go! Let go quickly!” Everyone raised their authority sticks and struck that arm forcefully. Amid the banging and crashing sounds, over ten wooden sticks broke, and that arm finally retracted, not forgetting to scratch its head.

“He Dahu!” The jailers pointed accusingly: “This newcomer is entrusted to you! If you bully him! Be careful we starve you to death!”

“Heh heh heh heh heh…” The fierce villain He Dahu grinned wickedly, not forgetting to wink at his new friend to show friendship.

“Monster!” Wang Yitong was frightened out of his wits. Just as he was about to turn and flee, Wang Yashi quickly grabbed him and advised: “Brother, this He Dahu looks fierce but has a kind heart. In all of Block B, he has the gentlest temperament. We specially picked him for you – go in quickly.”

“No! No!” Wang Yitong absolutely refused to go. In panic, he stepped backward and touched the opposite iron cage. With a thunderous crash, something inside lunged forward and heavily struck the railings. The iron cage, hit by this strange force, actually creaked and groaned.

Wang Yitong was greatly shocked. Turning around, he saw a black shadow crouching in the iron cage. Its shoulders were broad – just crouching, it was taller than himself. With ox-bell copper eyes and a blood-basin mouth, it looked neither human nor ghost. While sizing him up, it swallowed lustfully and said tremblingly: “Adding dishes…”

“Help!” Wang Yitong screamed wildly, desperately hugging Wang Yashi’s thigh and crying: “Big brother, I don’t want to stay here! Please! Please!” A jailer sighed: “Now you know how serious this is? Let us take you back to Cell Block C-9?” Thinking of those bandits’ lewd smiles, Wang Yitong was at a loss and actually burst into loud tears.

Block B prisoners could wrestle bears and tigers – they were major bandits and such. Cell Block C held local thugs, hooligans, petty thieves and such. But Wang Yitong had only a few pounds of meat on his whole body. No matter where he went, it was a dead end. The jailers sighed: “Knowing this, why did you do it in the first place? Kid, with your meager skills, why did you learn to rob money?”

Wang Yitong cried loudly: “I have no money to support my family! No way out! Big brothers, please do a good deed and just kill me! Once I’m dead and done with, then I’ll be free!” Wang Yashi comforted: “Brother, cheer up. For your family, you must endure and keep the hope of reunion alive.”

Wang Yitong’s grief came from within and he cried even louder. Thinking how his mother was old, his family poor, his children young, but his wife was beautiful as a flower – how would they struggle to survive in this cold world? Seeing Wang Yitong crying bitterly, the jailers were all veteran public servants who had done good deeds habitually and didn’t want to see him suffer. They sighed: “Boss, what do we do now? We can’t just release him, can we?”

Wang Yashi was also very troubled, pacing back and forth repeatedly. He sighed: “Alright, put him in Block A.” The jailers were greatly shocked: “Wang Yashi! This kid still has a way to live! How can you…” Wang Yashi said: “Stop the nonsense. I have my arrangements.”

The jailers muttered but didn’t dare disobey, so they went even deeper underground.

Walking further, it became even darker and more ominous. The surrounding walls were even thicker, with stone blocks weighing no less than a thousand pounds each. Suddenly the jailers stopped. Before them came a thick heavy iron door, tall and massive, quite like the gates of hell. Wang Yitong’s teeth chattered: “Officer Wang, here… here is Block A?” Wang Yashi said: “Correct. In the first year of Zhengtong, the Ministry of Justice undertook major construction, changed the old system, and built this place as Block A forbidden ground.” Wang Yitong said coldly: “For… forbidden ground?”

Wang Yashi said: “Those who violate prohibitions must be imprisoned in the forbidden ground.” As he spoke, he knocked on the iron ring on the door – three long, three short. Inside the door immediately knocked back – five long, two short. Presumably it was some kind of signal.

After both sides knocked, confirming identity, the sound of keys came from inside the door. Wang Yashi nodded, knowing they were going to open the door inside, and took out his key to insert into the hole. Both sides coordinated and shouted together: “Prepare to open the door – one, two…”

As “three” was called out, inside and outside unlocked simultaneously. With a creak, the iron door slowly opened. Wang Yitong was slightly shocked. Looking intently, he saw inside the door stood a full row of constables, each with a mighty physique, young and strong, sabers hanging at their waists and carrying iron tubes on their backs with cotton fuses – these were the legendary firearms!

Looking at Block A’s strict defenses, Wang Yitong’s teeth chattered as he knew this place must hold some great demon. Just as he was thinking of turning to escape, Wang Yashi said lightly: “Brother, if you move one step, I’ll immediately send you back to Cell Block C.”

Thinking of those fierce spirits and evil demons, Wang Yitong said tremblingly: “No, no… I’ll stay…”

The constables before him were young and strong, carrying guns and wearing sabers, very different from Wang Yashi’s group of good-for-nothings. Seeing the old man arrive, they naturally had no respectful feelings and said coldly: “Old Wang, it’s not time to change shifts yet. What are you doing here?”

Wang Yashi pulled the prisoner over: “I’m escorting him to Block A on Lord Wu’s orders.” The constables were greatly surprised, looking Wang Yitong up and down and muttering: “This kid is going to Block A? What… what did he do?” Wang Yashi said: “He’s the one who robbed the incense money at Hongluo Temple.”

“It’s him?” The constables were dumbfounded, then burst into laughter: “I wondered what three-headed, six-armed expert it was? So it’s this skinny kid! Amazing! Amazing! Might as well go rob Songshan Shaolin Temple – wouldn’t that save more trouble?”

Everyone roared with laughter. Looking at Hongluo Temple as the holy land of northern martial learning, where monks practiced qi and martial arts, cultivating both internal and external skills, their reputation was only second to Songshan Shaolin Temple and on par with Wutai, Putuo, Emei, and Baoguo Temples. Who would have thought that common people would actually go there to rob? Wasn’t that completely insane?

Hearing that he was famous throughout the world and known by all passersby, Wang Yitong didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. Wang Yashi had been in public service for ten thousand years, guarding the heavenly prison for decades – he had long been accustomed to official airs. He said: “Move aside. We’re going in.”

The constables cleared the road, but inside there was still another iron door. Wang Yashi raised the door ring and copied the same pattern, knocking the secret signal again. The constables were as if facing a great enemy, all raising their firearms. As soon as the prisoners inside the iron door broke out, they would immediately fire a hundred guns together.

“Prepare to open the door! One! Two!” As “three” was called out, Wang Yitong raised the key and turned it. With a sharp click, the iron door opened. Before them was a guard post where four jailers sat gambling. Seeing Wang Yashi arrive, they all stood up: “Boss.”

Wang Yashi nodded. Before he could speak, with a thunderous crash, the iron door behind had been firmly locked.

Wang Yitong looked around and saw beds, bedding, everything complete, plus some dry food and clean water. He asked in bewilderment: “This… this is Block A? Pretty nice.” Wang Yashi said: “This is the ‘observation room’ for watching movements. Inside is what we call the ‘black room.'” Wang Yitong understood in his heart, finally realizing that Block A’s security was strict – it could truly be called prison within prison, door within door.

This observation room before them had stone walls on two sides with doors front and back – one leading to the outside, one leading to the prison. The door leading to the prison was not only thick but made of nanmu wood. The door cracks were stuffed full of cotton, and there was a peephole on the door for monitoring movements inside. It would be very difficult for prisoners to escape.

Wang Yashi walked to the door and peered into the prison cell, saying quietly: “No more trouble today?” The jailers said: “We gave them some books yesterday – much quieter.” Hearing the word “them,” Wang Yitong was startled, realizing Block A held more than one person. Just as he was getting afraid, he heard Wang Yashi ask: “Brothers, you haven’t talked to them, have you?”

The jailers panicked: “No, no! That’s a capital offense – who would dare speak to them without permission?”

Wang Yitong couldn’t contain himself and asked quietly: “Sir, why… why can’t we talk to them?” Wang Yashi pointed at the layers of cotton stuffed in the door cracks: “Guess what this is for?” Wang Yitong said blankly: “Is… is it to prevent dampness?”

The jailers laughed: “Prevent what dampness? We live underground year-round – which of us doesn’t have rheumatism?” Wang Yitong mumbled: “Then… then this cotton is…” A jailer interjected: “This is to block sound.”

Seeing Wang Yitong still looking completely confused, Wang Yashi pointed at his own ear hole: “Understand now? Demonic sounds entering the brain, confusing the mind – the power is extremely formidable.” Wang Yitong was greatly shocked and said tremblingly: “The… the people held here are very powerful?”

A jailer said: “Of course. Those who can hold knives to kill pigs go to Block C. Those strong enough to fight tigers go to Block B. What do you think are the kind of people who can rank in the top tier?” Wang Yitong’s face turned deathly pale as he said tremblingly: “What… what kind of people?”

Wang Yashi said: “Dragon-slayers.” Wang Yitong screamed and was about to flee for his life when he was grabbed. He heard Wang Yashi give orders: “Men, open the door.”

Four jailers rushed forward, removed the thick door bar, and pulled with all their might. Amid creaking sounds, the heavy iron door finally opened.

Before them was complete darkness – nothing could be seen in the heavenly prison. Wang Yitong hid behind the jailers, looking left and right. Suddenly he saw dim light in the black prison. Looking intently, he was shocked to see an old man covered in filth sitting cross-legged in an iron cage, his expression calm, quietly chanting scriptures.

Looking at this old man, covered in blood and extremely thin, he didn’t know what martial arts abilities he had to be called a dragon-slayer. Wang Yitong was somewhat curious and walked closer a few steps. He heard the old man chanting quietly: “Heaven and earth have righteous qi, manifested in various forms…”

“Below it becomes rivers and mountains, above it becomes sun and stars. In people it’s called noble spirit, vast and filling the azure void.” Wang Yitong’s whole body shook. Looking around, every prison cell had a lamp lit. The prisoners sat silently – some lowering their heads in deep thought, some looking up at the sky with tears, some writing furiously with brushes. No matter how they suffered, their eyes were gentle as jade, as if they had long since let go of their circumstances. Wang Yitong immediately opened his mouth wide, finally understanding why these people were confined here.

Block C held thieves, Block B imprisoned bandits. The sinners living in Block A violated not legal codes but heavenly law.

Their crimes didn’t arise from their hands but from their hearts. Therefore, their qi power was great enough to overturn rivers and seas and destroy the state – they were the most fierce and evil prisoners in the Ministry of Justice heavenly prison.

“The imperial road should be clear and level, harmonious and bright in the court. When times are dire, integrity is revealed, one by one recorded in cinnabar.” Listening to the chanting, unconsciously Wang Yitong was no longer so afraid. He listened silently to the Song of Righteous Qi he had memorized as a child, quietly echoing: “In Qi was Grand Historian Jian, in Jin was Dong Hu’s brush, in Qin was Zhang Liang’s hammer, in Han was Su Wu’s integrity. For General Yan’s head, for Attendant Ji’s blood, for Zhang Suiyang’s teeth, for Yan Changshan’s tongue, or for the Liaodong cap, pure conduct severe as ice and snow.”

“Looking at this unwavering spirit, gazing up at floating white clouds, my heart grieves endlessly – when will the azure heaven have limits?”

Amid the chanting, Wang Yitong’s eyes filled with hot tears. The jailers covered their ears and walked quickly, not one daring to meet the prisoners’ gazes.

Perhaps their hearts were troubled, perhaps they felt lost – in any case, everyone kept their heads down and no one wanted to speak.

Not knowing how long they walked, their feet reached the end of the road. Looking up, ahead was the last prison cell.

Wang Yitong’s mood was much calmer. He stared at the iron door and said gently: “We’ve arrived?” Wang Yashi sighed: “Yes, this is Cell A-1, commonly called ‘Number One Under Heaven.'” Wang Yitong nodded, knowing the prison cell before him was extraordinary – it was the number one prison cell in this turbid dusty world. But what kind of person was held inside? Amid creaking sounds, Wang Yashi opened the iron lock.

Slowly pushing open the iron door, facing them was a gray dark stone wall. Wang Yitong looked intently and saw the wall was mottled with bloodstains, with two large blood characters written: “Righteous Path.”

The final pass of the eighteen levels of hell bore the words “Righteous Path” written high. Wang Yitong opened his mouth wide, staring blankly at the blood characters on the wall. Turning to look at Wang Yashi, he saw him turn his head away with a trace of reluctance in his eyes.

In the complete silence, the chanting had stopped. Wang Yitong took a deep breath: “Officer Wang, you… you want me to go in here?” Wang Yashi sighed: “To tell you the truth, a very important prisoner lives here. He’s severely wounded and dying, but stubbornly refuses to eat. He hasn’t had a drop of water for several days. If he doesn’t eat soon, he probably won’t last through tonight…”

Wang Yitong understood: “You want me to go in and feed him?” Wang Yashi said: “Correct. If you can persuade him to eat, it would be a great merit. I can report to the authorities and reduce your sentence.” He brought over a food basket and opened it. Immediately fragrant aromas wafted out. Inside were ginger-shredded cold beef, cabbage braised tender chicken – six dishes and one soup, plus over ten steamed buns, a pot of thin porridge, and a bottle of fine wine. It was truly sumptuous.

Wang Yitong drooled and didn’t care about righteous path or demonic path. He said tremblingly: “Can… can I eat some?”

Wang Yashi said: “Help yourself.” Wang Yitong was overjoyed and thought: “Heaven has opened its eyes!” He immediately grabbed a piece of braised beef and chewed it vigorously. He felt the taste was delicious – the meat was fatty with tendons, indescribably chewy and tasty. He bit into a steamed bun and was about to eat another piece of beef when the bamboo basket actually grew legs and slipped into the iron door. Wang Yitong’s heart was horrified and he cried out muffledly: “Damn dog!”

They say people die for wealth, birds die for food. The bamboo basket was carried into the prison by the jailer, so Wang Yitong also chased after it directly. With great difficulty the bamboo basket stopped. He hurriedly grabbed it and was about to open his mouth to eat heartily when with a thunderous crash, the iron door had already closed heavily. He was greatly shocked and wanted to turn back to look, but seeing the full basket of food and drink, he couldn’t help but smile with relief.

What does life come down to in the end but this one mouthful of rice? Thinking how he hadn’t eaten a grain of rice all day and night, now having such good food, even if he was in hell, it should be like going to heaven. He joyfully chewed and was wolfing it down when he heard a voice from the food slot: “Brother, don’t eat it all yourself.” Wang Yitong’s face reddened, knowing the jailer was still watching from outside the door. He hurriedly put down the rice bowl and shrank into a corner to look around.

The prison cell before him was dark, gray, and quite damp. At the ceiling was an air window letting in sunlight, but this window was only half a foot long and wide – you couldn’t climb out, it only let light in. Wang Yitong sighed for a long time, then looked around again. He saw against the wall was placed a stone bed with someone lying on it covered by a large blanket – presumably this was the Number One Under Heaven prisoner that Wang Yashi had mentioned.

There were all kinds of villains in the world – some with small knives, some with fists, all relying on hands and feet to commit crimes. As for those imprisoned in Block A, they were all scholars who committed crimes with just a pen and a mouth. From this perspective, the person lying there was either one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove or the Seven Masters of Jian’an – in any case, a literary person without the strength to tie up a chicken. He’d better be careful not to anger him lest this big brother beat him to death.

Wang Yitong felt reassured and immediately swaggered over arrogantly: “Brother, I’m new here. Hello.”

That person on the bed didn’t respond – not knowing if he was asleep or dead. Wang Yitong was too lazy to think much about it. He took a bowl of thin porridge and slowly came to the stone bed. Before he could lift the blanket, he saw a hand hanging down from beside the bed, soft and powerless.

Wang Yitong was greatly comforted: “I guessed right – really someone weak and frail.” He said loudly: “Big brother, listen well! I’m ordered to feed you. You’d better obey, or don’t blame me for bullying you!” Just as he was threatening, an eye slowly opened in the darkness – bright and crystalline, very beautiful. But for some reason, the other eye remained closed.

Wang Yitong was slightly surprised. Looking at this beautiful eye, he didn’t know what this person’s background was – could it be a woman? Just as he was wondering, that eye looked him up and down, then slowly closed again with some fatigue. It was dark all around and nothing could be seen clearly. Wang Yitong was bewildered for a long time when he suddenly saw a bundle on the ground. He reached out to fumble inside and pulled out a golden locket.

“Silly or not silly, hee hee ha ha, year after year, eternally safe and healthy. Gift from Sister Juan’er.”

Wang Yitong frowned: “Gift from Sister Juan’er? Who is Sister Juan’er? In prison, men and women are separated – could it be I’m locked up together with Sister Juan’er? Wouldn’t that be good fortune?”

Wang Yitong became more suspicious. He examined that palm and saw the five fingers were slender, with no thick calluses or black dirt at the joints – it really looked like a woman’s jade hand. He swallowed and quietly reached out, wanting to touch that small hand, but suddenly exclaimed in surprise. He rubbed his eyeballs and reached out again to compare with the woman’s small hand.

This comparison truly made his hair stand on end – this palm was actually more than twice as large as his own, like a bear’s paw.

Wang Yitong opened his mouth wide. Just at this moment, that prisoner turned his back toward the stone wall. By the dim light, he saw the person’s back was covered in blood, and he could vaguely make out a tattoo – it was a picture of a fierce tiger descending the mountain, with text beside it: “Just like a fierce tiger lying in a desolate hill, hiding claws and fangs, enduring and waiting.” On the tiger’s forehead was the character “West.”

“Oh my!” Wang Yitong held his head and scurried like a rat all the way to the iron door, crying out shrilly to the outside: “Officer Wang! What kind of person is confined here?” From outside the iron door came a coughing sound: “Rage Pavilion Mountain, one of the Five Tiger Generals.”

Wang Yitong was frightened out of his wits and couldn’t help but cry out in alarm.

In the past, Wang Yitong had heard people mention that some man-eating demons lived in the northwest Rage Pavilion – each with green faces and protruding fangs, ten feet tall, eating human flesh when hungry and drinking human blood when thirsty. They often used living people’s skulls to drink wine, hardly different from monsters. Wang Yitong burst into tears, finally realizing he had been deceived. Looking at this prisoner’s refusal to eat, it must be that the food wasn’t to his taste – he had to have living people to go with his wine, or else he couldn’t eat. He desperately pounded on the iron door, crying: “Officer Wang! Please do a good deed! Let me out! I don’t want to be here! Don’t want to be here!”

After pounding for a long time, no one responded from outside – presumably Wang Yashi and the others had long since slipped away. Still crying out shrilly, he suddenly heard the loud sound of iron chains, clanging very harshly. Wang Yitong turned to look and was shocked to see a huge black shadow behind him, covered in shackles and chains, looking down at him. Wang Yitong used all his strength to kick and crash against the iron door, screaming: “Help! Someone come!”

Just as he was crying, the black shadow reached out and patted him. Wang Yitong jumped backward, hitting the iron door with his back, and cried: “You… you don’t mess around! I… I robbed Hongluo Temple – my martial arts are very powerful!”

The prison was dark and that person had his back to the light, so his face couldn’t be seen. Only his palm was turned upward as if asking for something. Wang Yitong whimpered and laughed bitterly, not expecting to encounter beggars everywhere – even in prison he could meet a few. He hurriedly searched his trouser pockets but found nothing. Just as he was thinking of taking off his pants to give as a gift, the black shadow had already reached over and took something from his left hand – it was the golden locket from before.

Wang Yitong cried out, finally realizing he had unintentionally taken someone else’s thing. He hurriedly said: “Sorry, I… I didn’t mean to steal yours…” The black shadow said nothing, just bent his back and limped back.

The iron chains clanged – this person was really tall. From childhood to adulthood, Wang Yitong had never seen such a towering person, as if one of the Four Heavenly Kings had walked out of a Buddha hall. Looking again at his whole body covered in shackles and iron chains – one end nailed to the stone bed, one end bound to his body. Those iron chains were as thick as a wrist. Presumably this person had the strength of nine oxen and two tigers for the jailers to chain him like this.

That black shadow returned to the stone bed and slowly sat down. Daylight shone on his right cheek, and he could see this person had graying temples, about fifty years old – about the same age as Lord Wu. But his appearance was far more handsome – dragon eyebrows and phoenix forehead, magnificent bearing. He was vaguely like the dashing horse-riding enemy of thousands, beloved by ten thousand, from the opera stage.

The legendary rage bandit was right before his eyes, but Wang Yitong couldn’t help rubbing his eyes. In the past when the court mentioned these rebels, they always said how fierce and strange their appearances were, as if they were all demon creatures like hungry ghosts. He hadn’t expected that seeing one today, he would be dignified and handsome. In comparison, the court’s government troops looked more like bandit armies – each with green faces and protruding fangs, ugly beyond words.

Time spares no one – the dashing horse had graying temples and become an old horse. But killing him would still be like blowing a breath. Wang Yitong didn’t dare make a sound. That black shadow also said nothing. He held the golden locket, sitting on the bed edge as if contemplating something.

Just as he was watching, Wang Yitong suddenly felt his heart tremble: “Ah, he’s injured!”

This old horse before him was covered in wounds – some knife wounds, some burns. Several wounds on his right hand were deep enough to see bone, apparently from fierce battles with the court. From this perspective, he was probably captured by Lord Wu and confined in this Number One Under Heaven cell.

For a long, long time, the old horse slowly lay back down on the bed, breathing faintly. Wang Yitong’s thoughts turned, and he suddenly remembered Wang Yashi’s words – it seemed this person had been fasting for a long time, not eating or drinking, and was also severely wounded. Perhaps he didn’t want to live anymore. Wang Yitong’s kind heart was suddenly moved and he wanted to go persuade him, but thinking of his own situation, he couldn’t help but sigh and sit down blankly again.

The sunlight was brilliant – today was a fine day. Wang Yitong looked up and saw that bit of blue sky outside the window, so deep and bright, like God’s eye looking down at Yitong in the prison.

Dawn had broken – his wife should be getting up now, right? Having not returned home all night, would she be crying with worry?

Though only a day and night had passed since leaving home yesterday morning, it seemed like he had lived through a lifetime. His wife’s and mother’s faces had become somewhat unfamiliar. Wang Yitong buried his face in his knees, closed his eyes tightly, and slowly bit his lower lip.

Life had reached this point with an uncertain future. What robbery and murder, what righteous path and evil path – Yitong didn’t want to know about any of it. At this moment, he only wished to see his wife and children once, to let them know that Yitong was still alive.

Wang Yitong’s back rose and fell as he cried silently.

The first day in the bitter kiln began. The two prisoners each had their own thoughts, neither speaking. Only the sunlight from above fell to the ground, accompanying them through this long, long time.