Chapter Fourteen: Explanation

Su Yuanbai glanced back at Xi Chunxue, who had been swept away by the sudden surge of water, then turned to observe Duan Lingqi, whose once rebellious demeanor had transformed into the respectful manner of an old servant.

“You may not know, but I was once a yellow python on East Desolation Mountain. There, I encountered a Daoist who preached atop the mountain. Bathed in the auspicious purple mist, I was fortunate enough to awaken my intelligence and thus embarked on the path of cultivation.

Sadly, my bloodline is thin. Though I have survived calamities by luck and lived for a thousand years, gaining some demonic power, I have only managed to shed my form and become a flood dragon, capable of summoning storms across ten miles.

Naturally, I have sought opportunities to transform myself. Once, I competed with that little beast from Cloud Cave Lake for a dragon skeleton—an attempt to seize fortune.

But this matter—if it were not for you and her opening this bronze door—I would never have known there was a beast of the Bi’an kind imprisoned here.

It's true that creatures of the dragon lineage could purify my blood, but to be honest, if I had known there was a Bi’an here, I would have killed it long ago. How could it be left to die just today?”

Duan Lingqi hurried to explain as Su Yuanbai looked his way.

“Heh… Its corpse was only found today, but it didn’t die today. The stench of rot alone proves it’s been dead for some time.”

Xi Chunxue spat blood, then gave a cold laugh as she pushed herself up from the ground. The iron chains around her wrists clanged, and her soaked prison garb clung tightly to her alluring figure, exuding an unexpected, enchanting aura.

“If it had died only recently, it would be impossible for me to have killed it.”

Duan Lingqi snorted softly, his cold vertical pupils staring indifferently at the woman in prison garb. If not for his uncertainty about Su Yuanbai's relationship with her, he would have killed her already.

How dare a mere human speak so boldly in his presence.

“Heh! Why is it impossible? Haven’t you been inside this dungeon all along?”

Xi Chunxue threw her head back and laughed, her bright eyes glaring fiercely at the indifferent flood dragon.

“What does it matter to you?”

Duan Lingqi tilted his head slightly, his tone suddenly calm. “Do you want him to kill you?”

Su Yuanbai raised his eyes, gazing at Xi Chunxue in the distance. He could sense the death wish emanating from her.

When Su Yuanbai spoke, Duan Lingqi fell silent at once, the murderous indifference in his gaze dissipating as he lowered his head respectfully.

As long as the conversation did not center on him, all was well.

“To be slain by a demon is preferable to being crushed by a fabricated crime,” Xi Chunxue replied with a bitter smile.

“Once you die, everything is lost,” Su Yuanbai said quietly.

“If I live, it is the same—nothing remains,” Xi Chunxue’s eyes grew dim.

“Will it always be like this?” Su Yuanbai asked softly.

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“In the future… no one can leave this prison. Besides, I have no future,” Xi Chunxue’s bloodied teeth showed as she opened her mouth, ending with a tragic smile.

“He has already left once,” Su Yuanbai said, looking down at Duan Lingqi.

Duan Lingqi looked up in astonishment.

Why had the master suddenly brought this up?

Qu Hanchen, standing nearby, opened his eyes wide in surprise. He patrolled the cells daily and had never seen this prisoner with eagle claws leave. Was this handsome fellow spinning tales to deceive the woman?

“So the future is uncertain,” Su Yuanbai said calmly to Xi Chunxue.

“I dislike sermons,” Xi Chunxue replied after a moment’s silence, gazing into Su Yuanbai’s dark, tranquil eyes. She took a deep breath, spat more blood, and said, “Has anyone visited the dungeon recently?”

Su Yuanbai sensed her urge for death had lessened, and turned to Qu Hanchen, whose eyes were wide.

“Before the Warden left the island, he visited once, and the three deputy wardens each came once during the week. You—you already know this,” Qu Hanchen said, compelled by Su Yuanbai's commanding tone, reminiscent of the Warden presiding from the high seat.

“That Zhang Warden visited the dungeon?!” Duan Lingqi asked in sudden shock.

Su Yuanbai glanced at him, surprised to see such an expression on the old man's face.

“You may not know, my spell of concealment was taught by a local practitioner from Lingxiu County at the foot of East Desolation Mountain. He used an ancient book called ‘Immortal Tricks.’

Unfortunately, my comprehension is poor. Though he taught from the book, he said I mastered barely one-tenth. Should I face someone skilled in illusion, my tricks would be easily seen through.

The Warden here, Zhang Kai, is such a man. He has suppressed several riots in the prison.”

Duan Lingqi lowered his voice as Su Yuanbai glanced his way.

“He sounds formidable,” Su Yuanbai nodded slightly.

“But with you here, nothing is a problem,” Duan Lingqi said obsequiously.

“Am I more formidable than he?” Su Yuanbai asked with a smile.

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“He is no match for you,” Duan Lingqi replied respectfully.

“Don’t be swayed by this flood dragon’s flattery. The Warden is far more formidable than you imagine. When I was first imprisoned, I glimpsed him from afar.

His aura was saturated with blood and killing intent. He walked without touching dust, his movements elusive, his eyes shining with spiritual light—these are marks of a cultivator at the Spirit Roaming stage.

A Spirit Roaming cultivator can choose any mountain, river, or blessed land among the twelve provinces to found a sect, build temples, and establish a school,” Xi Chunxue said solemnly, leaning against a distant cell door.

Duan Lingqi glanced at her sidelong.

“So for him to kill the Bi’an would be effortless?” Su Yuanbai asked, nodding slowly.

“Naturally,” Duan Lingqi replied.

“What about the three deputy wardens—what are their backgrounds?” Su Yuanbai asked Qu Hanchen.

“I only know one is surnamed Lin, one Li, and one Shen…” Qu Hanchen replied softly.

He had only been here three years and considered it an achievement to know the names of these figures, let alone their origins.

“The one named Lin is Lin Lan. He has served in this prison for fifty years, his appearance unchanged, likely due to a technique for preserving youth.

He seems focused on longevity, but his abilities are mediocre. Ten years ago, he was kicked by a demon prisoner,” Duan Lingqi interjected.

“You seem to know everything,” Su Yuanbai remarked, eyeing Duan Lingqi curiously.

But Duan Lingqi looked even more puzzled, his expression strange as he said, “All these prison affairs were occasionally recounted to me by you. The one who should know best is you…”

“I forgot,” Su Yuanbai admitted honestly.

His candid admission was tinged with a certain righteous tone, leaving Duan Lingqi at a loss, forced to bury the deepening doubt in his heart.