I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 269 Something's not right, is it?
Just as Chen Ming became wary, he seemed to sense something and suddenly looked up to see a man in prison clothes walking in with his head held high.

The newcomer stared intently at him with eyes like a hawk. "These past few days, I have been grateful for Young Master Gu's care and attention, and I have come to repay that kindness."

As he spoke, he revealed a set of white teeth, and his tone carried a sinister undertone.

"Zhou Yuan?"

Chen Ming was somewhat surprised, but he could vaguely discern the person's identity from their features.

The prisoner was in no hurry to act, and said leisurely, "It's kind of you that Young Master Gu still recognizes me."

It really was him.

When I met him a few days ago, he was a man in his fifties or sixties. Now that his cultivation has been restored, he has become much younger and looks like a robust man in his forties.

It seems that after reaching the first rank of cultivation, one can even regain youth; that's truly amazing.

Seeing his calm and composed demeanor, Zhou Yuan admired his courage. "That man surnamed Tang isn't here today; you're all alone. Aren't you afraid of me?"

Chen Ming said, "You're stalling for time, aren't you? Worried I'll run off to report? I bet you've only recovered about 30% of your strength at this point. Why should I be afraid?"

Zhou Yuan chuckled, "Truly ignorant of your own limitations. With only thirty percent of my power, killing you would be as easy as killing a chicken!"

After saying that, he suddenly took action.

As Chen Ming drew his sword, a thought involuntarily surfaced in his mind: "I really am incompatible with prisons. If I stay in one prison for too long, something bad will happen."

……

The third level of the prison is divided into two areas: one for outlaws and the other for dignitaries. The environments and management styles are completely different between the two.

Princess Lingyu noticed that there was a problem with the restrictions in the prison and immediately realized that there was a conspiracy involved.

However, confident in her martial arts skills, she wasn't too worried.

She wasn't sealed off by the "Dragon-Sealing Needle," and those first-rank prisoners who had been imprisoned for a long time didn't even register in her eyes.

The only concern is that the restrictions on the Heavenly Prison have malfunctioned for no apparent reason, which must be part of a conspiracy.

This is what she needs to be wary of.

"Who could they be targeting?"

Princess Lingyu considered the other seventeen people, and the first three that came to mind were, "Is it General Gong? Or the young imperial uncle, or Lord Feng?"

Of these three, the one with the most distinguished status is [name missing].

General Gong was originally the marshal guarding the northern frontier, but after last year's crushing defeat, he was imprisoned. Perhaps his subordinates came to his rescue.

The young imperial uncle lost the struggle for the throne to the current emperor more than a decade ago. The emperor was soft-hearted and did not kill him, but has kept him imprisoned ever since.

Perhaps some ambitious people want to rescue the young prince?
As for Lord Feng, he was originally an important minister in the cabinet. He angered the emperor by submitting a memorial to abolish the empress and was imprisoned in the imperial prison.

Given the emperor's good temper, the fact that he directly issued an edict to send the person to the imperial prison shows that he was truly enraged.

This matter is not so simple; it involves a power struggle between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

Princess Lingyu was pondering which force was responsible for the strange events in the Heavenly Prison when she suddenly heard her fourth sister say, "Eldest sister, could you help me save someone?"

"Rescue?"

Princess Lingyu asked curiously, "You have friends imprisoned here? Which cell are they in? Just send someone to fetch them."

Princess Mingyu said anxiously, "It's not a prisoner, it's the seventh young master of the Gu family. He came to the prison to spar with those first-rank prisoners..."

"The seventh young master of the Gu family?"

Princess Lingyu had never heard of this person before and asked, "What is his cultivation level?"

"Just broke through to the second rank."

Princess Lingyu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "To challenge those desperate criminals in the Heavenly Prison right after entering the second rank, you do have some guts."

Princess Mingyu said urgently, "This person is very important to me. Please help me, elder sister. If we are late, I am afraid he will be in danger."

If, during a sparring match, one discovers that the opponent has recovered their cultivation, a moment's inattention could lead to death. Especially since today, by sheer coincidence, Tang Shouzhen didn't come along.

If he dies, it will be even harder to find Ziyi in the future.

Seeing her anxious expression, Princess Lingyu asked curiously, "Could this person be your lover? Then it's worth saving. Come, follow me."

With her hands behind her back, she led Princess Mingyu out of the gate and casually said to the jailers guarding outside, "The restrictions on the Heavenly Prison have malfunctioned. Find a place to hide so you don't get killed."

As they spoke, they disappeared into the depths of the passage with Princess Mingyu, moving at an astonishing speed, as if they had shrunk the distance to an inch.

The two areas are separated by a door.

Princess Lingyu ordered the jailers to open the gate, and the jailers dared not disobey. After opening the gate, they found the jailers lying dead on the ground.

It seems that some people have already broken free and escaped from their cells.

It was faster than she had expected.

Judging from the marks left on the door, the prisoner in this cell must be a master of hypnosis, causing the jailer to open the cell willingly. Otherwise, even a peak-level first-grade expert couldn't open this seemingly impenetrable cell in such a short time.

She said, "Your lover is probably in grave danger."

Those first-rank prisoners had been imprisoned for a long time, and like tigers fallen into the plains, they were bullied by dogs. They were humiliated by second-rank martial artists, and they must have been holding back their anger. The first person they wanted to kill was probably that Gu Qi.

As she spoke, her ears twitched, already sensing the aftershocks of the battle.

"what?"

One is a first-rank official, the other is a second-rank official. That kid's still alive?

interesting.

Princess Lingyu and Princess Mingyu took a step and arrived outside a cell with its door open. The vibrations of the Qi energy were coming from inside.

She looked inside, and the scene was vastly different from what she had imagined.

A ridiculously young man, wielding an unparalleled divine weapon, was seen dominating the first-rank prisoner who had already been forced to use the "Dragon-Sealing Needle".

Her eyes lit up. "Is that your lover? His swordsmanship is so advanced!"

"That movement technique—"

Suddenly, Princess Lingyu saw the young man's figure disappear from the spot, piercing the prisoner's chest with a sword. Her pupils contracted, and her face showed shock.

The speed of his movements was so incredible that even her divine sense couldn't catch it.

Then, a blush rose to her cheeks, her eyes gleamed with excitement, and she asked, "What did you say his name was again?"

Princess Mingyu was stunned when she saw Chen Ming killing someone, her face full of surprise and doubt, as if she had not heard what she said.

"Xiaosi?"

It wasn't until his ears rang and he was jolted back to his senses that he stammered, "Huh? What...did you say?"

"What's his name?"

Gu Xianyu.

"Gu Xianyu, I will remember you. I never expected that such a young master would emerge in the capital after only a few months in prison."

At this moment, after confirming that the first-rank official was dead, Chen Ming turned to look at the two women outside the door and saw that they were Princess Mingyu and another elegant and noble young woman.

One of the women looked at him with unusual excitement.

The other one, however, was distracted.

His heart skipped a beat; he truly hadn't expected Princess Mingyu to appear here.

"Is our identity about to be exposed?"

No, it seems that Yuan Ziyi has never made a move in front of Princess Mingyu.

Thinking this way, he felt much more at ease and said, "Your Highness, what brings you here? And who is this gentleman?"

Princess Mingyu recovered and introduced, "This is my eldest sister, Princess Lingyu."

Chen Ming cupped his hands and said, "Gu Xianyu of the Gu family greets the Princess."

Princess Lingyu asked, "Why are you in the prison?"

The prison cells weren't large, definitely not a good place for sparring. So it was strange that he was there.

Chen Ming said matter-of-factly, "I discovered that the restrictions on the Heavenly Prison were malfunctioning, and some first-rank prisoners had already escaped and were killing people everywhere. After killing two of them, I was worried that the prison wouldn't be able to hold these first-rank experts, so I decided to strike first. I opened the prison and killed them all. Otherwise, if they escaped together, I wouldn't be able to withstand their combined attack."

"good idea!"

After hearing his idea, Princess Lingyu clapped her hands in admiration, feeling that this person's personality suited her taste perfectly.

Princess Mingyu, standing to the side, couldn't help but think of the potential dangers involved.

These criminals haven't even escaped yet; killing them like this is definitely against regulations. If the higher-ups blame him, he'll be in big trouble.

The best course of action is actually to go to the next area to find her.

At this moment, Chen Ming said, "Your Highnesses, there is no time to lose. I need to proceed to the next room. Please keep watch for me."

Princess Lingyu readily agreed, "Okay."

Princess Mingyu wanted to try to persuade her, but seeing her elder sister's enthusiastic expression, she sighed inwardly, knowing that she couldn't change her mind, and had no choice but to give up.

……

Chen Ming said this because he was worried that "Princess Lingyu" would steal his kills.

Having finally encountered such an opportunity to openly and legitimately kill these first-rank criminals, he didn't want anyone to steal his experience.

Even a princess is not acceptable.

This "Princess Lingyu" is clearly a warmonger. Luckily, he told her beforehand to "stand by his side." Given her status, she probably wouldn't dare to steal his kill.

And so, Chen Ming fought his way through.

Princess Mingyu watched as he slaughtered four or five people with ease, and felt something was amiss. She asked in a low voice, "Have these first-rank cultivators not recovered yet?"

Princess Lingyu replied, "It has recovered about 20% to 30%."

Princess Mingyu swallowed hard. "Even a first-rank cultivator with only two or three tenths of their strength shouldn't be this weak, right?"

That's a top-tier expert!

Let alone two or three tenths of his strength, even if he only had one tenth of his strength, it wouldn't be something a second-rank cultivator could handle.

There is a fundamental difference between the second rank and the first rank!
This is common sense.

But what did she see now?
A second-rank cultivator killing a first-rank cultivator like killing a dog. Even if that first-rank cultivator only had two or three tenths of their strength, something was still very wrong.

Princess Lingyu said excitedly, "Your lover's strength is probably already comparable to that of a first-rank official. I wonder how strong he will be once he reaches the first rank."

(End of this chapter)