"Commander Cao!" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Commander Cao carries himself with great presence. With you here at Zhenbei Prison, we are truly fortunate."

...

At the gates of Zhenbei Prison.

A crowd was assembled to welcome Cao Zhengyang’s arrival.

Chief Hu, two other newly appointed supervisors, and a group of captains were all present.

As the Little Prison Chief of the third floor, Jiang Feng dutifully patrolled his level.

As for the matter of Cao Zhen.

During these past few months, Cao Zhengyang hadn’t caused him any trouble.

Just as Han Dong had said.

Perhaps Cao Zhengyang believed Jiang Feng was only fulfilling his duty, stepping in promptly to minimize the damage, and harbored no intention of blaming him.

Or perhaps Cao Zhengyang simply never learned that the leak about Cao Zhen had come from Jiang Feng, who revealed it to Han Dong.

In any case, during these past months.

Cao Zhengyang hadn’t given Jiang Feng any trouble, and Jiang Feng too appeared to have forgotten about him.

But unexpectedly, this man was transferred from the Divine Arrow Army to Zhenbei Prison, taking over Yuan Tiangang’s position, and this left Jiang Feng somewhat unsettled inside.

Cao Zhengyang had become his superior.

If he ever wished for revenge, it would be far easier than before.

Even if he was magnanimous and did not blame past wrongs.

Even if he didn’t attribute Cao Zhen’s situation to him.

Should he suddenly recall it someday, or if in a bad mood, he could easily use his authority to trip Jiang Feng up; that possibility was always there.

So Jiang Feng dared not let his guard down.

All he could do was work diligently and wait for things to unfold.

Soon, the third floor had grown considerably livelier.

Cao Zhengyang had entered, with the three supervisors and a group of captains trailing behind him. Once he entered Han Dong’s courtyard, they all returned to their posts.

Jiang Feng overheard Chief Hu and the other two supervisors organizing a banquet, inviting Cao Zhengyang for drinks at Sun and Moon Building tonight.

Cao Zhengyang did not decline.

Ever since Yuan Tiangang and Lei Laohu had gone drinking at Fengyue Building and were shot dead by Jiang Feng, the colleagues at Zhenbei Prison considered Fengyue Building unlucky and no longer patronized it.

The Sun and Moon Building, newly opened at the start of the year with two courtesans holding court, had recently become wildly popular.

Colleagues from Zhenbei Prison now frequented the place for entertainment.

Half a month later.

Vernal Equinox.

Snow was still falling in Dragon Capital.

Inside Chaoyang Alley, Jiang Feng checked his panel information.

Name: Jiang Feng

Fortune: 9967

Cultivation Technique: Prison Guard Health Care Skill (Perfection)

Skills: Prison Guard Long Fist (Minor Achievement+) Divine Arrow (Mastery+) Monkey Escape (Great Success+)

Realm: Fourth Grade (Essence Refining)

Divine Power: Immortality

Through this half month.

Ever since Cao Zhengyang became Deputy Commander of Zhenbei Prison, he hadn’t made trouble for Jiang Feng. Jiang Feng’s Fortune Points increased slowly by the day, gained mainly by keeping his subordinates in line and ensuring no trouble arose, thereby earning a small daily increase.

But at this current pace and difference,

Jiang Feng estimated that in about ten days, his Fortune Points would reach ten thousand.

By then, he should be able to break through and become an Upper Third-Grade Martial Artist.

Back at Zhenbei Prison once more.

Chief Ma, who was on duty, looked sullen, as if he had run into some problem.

Upon seeing Jiang Feng, he immediately said, "Prison Chief Jiang, the Second Prince’s teacher is here again. Commander Cao is tending to him. That old man, heaven knows what has gotten into him. He wants us brothers to get him a copy of the ’Five Poison Grass.’ Last time, when he wanted a collection of martial arts stories, I could at least buy it for him. But what is this ’Five Poison Grass’? Where am I supposed to find it?"

"Wasn’t he just released not long ago?"

Jiang Feng asked in confusion.

"I heard this time the Second Prince put him inside."

Chief Ma lowered his voice.

"Just do your own job. Don’t worry about the rest."

Jiang Feng reminded him.

"Understood!"

Chief Ma nodded, then began fretting over how to find a ’Five Poison Grass’ book for the old man. He deeply regretted giving him those martial arts stories; if only he hadn’t done that last time.

Originally, Chief Ma thought that once the old man left Zhenbei Prison, he might receive some favor. But not even a fart came of it; now that he’d been locked up again, he just kept ordering him around, insisting on a ’Five Poison Grass’ and speaking harshly, as though failure would be met with dire consequences.

Jiang Feng did a round of inspections.

He deliberately avoided the cell where the Second Prince’s teacher was held.

A small fry trying to curry favor with the powerful was never easy. Chief Ma thought a few books could please the old man, but instead, it had landed him in a heap of trouble.

Yet this was between Chief Ma and the Second Prince’s teacher; Jiang Feng didn’t want, nor could he, get involved.

Whether Chief Ma could find the ’Five Poison Grass’ or not was his own business; how the Second Prince’s teacher would deal with him in the future—again, none of Jiang Feng’s concern.

All Jiang Feng needed to do was make sure to keep up with his own duties and avoid offending the Second Prince’s teacher.

He had a hunch that maybe by tomorrow, his Fortune Points would break ten thousand.

"Prison Chief Jiang, Commander Cao wants to see you."

Suddenly, Chief Wang came over and said.

"Alright!"

Jiang Feng was surprised; this was the first time Cao Zhengyang had summoned him since becoming Deputy Commander of Zhenbei Prison.

Cao Zhengyang had his own little courtyard in Zhenbei Prison, much like Han Dong, and used it as his office.

When Jiang Feng arrived, Cao Zhengyang was making tea in the courtyard.

"Subordinate Jiang Feng pays respects to Commander Cao."

"Sir, you called for me?"

Jiang Feng entered the courtyard and saluted.

"The Second Prince’s teacher is being detained in your cell. He wants to read a copy of the ’Five Poison Grass.’ I’ve checked; this book is difficult to find on the open market—only the black market might have it. I want you to go to the black market right now and buy a ’Five Poison Grass’ for him."

"Thunk!"

After speaking, Cao Zhengyang tossed a silver ingot at Jiang Feng, who caught it in his hand—five taels of silver.

"Sir, what if even the black market doesn’t have it?"

Jiang Feng asked.

"Then report to Teacher Wang that the ’Five Poison Grass’ can’t be found and he’ll just have to bear it."

Cao Zhengyang replied.

"Understood!"

Jiang Feng sensed trouble, but could only nod respectfully and quietly step back out.

Watching Jiang Feng leave, Cao Zhengyang smiled, sipping his tea alone in the courtyard.

Jiang Feng changed his clothes and left Zhenbei Prison, heading for the black market.

He sighed inwardly.

Though Cao Zhengyang hadn’t given him overt trouble, he was still using his authority to make things difficult for him.

It seemed Cao Zhengyang remained bitter over Cao Zhen’s death.

Otherwise, why else send him to the black market for a ’Five Poison Grass’?

What’s more, he was ordered to leave on the spot, with no preparation at all.

But Jiang Feng had no choice; Cao Zhengyang was acting in the open. As Deputy Commander of Zhenbei Prison, ordering a prison chief to the black market to buy a book for the Second Prince’s teacher was hardly out of line.

And the real problem stemmed from the Second Prince’s teacher.

Jiang Feng could already foresee that even the black market probably wouldn’t have the ’Five Poison Grass.’

When he returned empty-handed, how was he supposed to face the Second Prince’s teacher?

Should he anger the man,

He’d inevitably face repercussions once the teacher was released.

And if he did find the ’Five Poison Grass,’ who knew what other unreasonable demands would follow?

Jiang Feng had initially thought this was Chief Ma’s headache, but now, with just a word from Cao Zhengyang, the trouble had landed squarely on his own shoulders.