I was a mineral prospector in Chengdu, who transmigrated into the body of a mortal sword immortal.

The candlelight burned to its last flame, the final flickering struggle lasting a couple of times before extinguishing completely. The interrogation room was plunged into utter darkness. Li Bai sat in the chair, the shackles on his wrists gleaming a faint, eerie blue in the darkness. He could hear the groans coming from the distant cells, smell the damp, musty odor seeping from the stone walls, and feel his heart pounding slowly and heavily in his chest. The deal was done, the cage had been closed. But for some reason, he felt that the emperor's deep eyes were still watching him in the darkness. It wasn't a victor admiring his prey, but rather… waiting for something. Waiting for him to truly step into the trap called "cooperation," waiting for him to personally hand over the key to freedom to someone else.

In the darkness, the door was pushed open.

He was not the emperor.

It was Gao Lishi.

The Grand Eunuch of the Inner Palace entered carrying a new lantern. The dim light dispelled a small patch of darkness, but made the surrounding shadows appear even more intense. His face was half-lit and half-shadowed in the light and shadow, his expression as calm as a stagnant pool.

"Scholar Li," Gao Lishi said softly, with a formulaic respect, "His Majesty has returned to the palace."

Li Bai remained silent.

Gao Lishi hung the lantern on the iron hook beside him, walked to Li Bai's side, and reached out to untie the shackles on his wrists—not to release him, but to relock them and take him back to his cell. The clanging of metal was particularly jarring in the silence.

"The Sage says," Gao Lishi said in a voice only the two of them could hear as he worked, "you can consider it. But the Sage's patience is limited."

Li Bai suddenly looked up.

In the darkness, he couldn't see Gao Lishi's expression, but he could sense a complex emotion in those eyes. It wasn't sympathy, nor mockery, but more like a reminder.

"Until you've thought it through," Gao Lishi continued, "stay here. The Imperial Advisor will come from time to time to 'discuss' ancient mysteries with you."

After saying that, he pulled hard on the shackles.

Li Bai stumbled as he was pulled, a burning pain shooting through his wrist. He gritted his teeth and remained silent.

Gao Lishi said nothing more, simply picked up his lantern, turned, and walked towards the door. The other end of the shackles was in his hand, like leading a dog. Li Bai was forced to follow, his heavy footsteps echoing in the stone corridor.

Stepping out of the interrogation room, I returned to the cold, damp corridor. Countless eyes peered into the darkness from the cells on either side. Some muttered curses, others let out eerie laughs, and still others scratched at the walls with their fingernails, producing a sickeningly grating squeak. The air was thick with the stench of excrement, mold, and despair.

Li Bai was taken back to his original prison cell.

The iron gate slammed shut with a clang, followed by the sound of chains winding and then the click of a key turning and the lock locking. Gao Lishi's footsteps faded into the distance, finally disappearing at the end of the passage.

Li Bai was the only one left in the prison cell.

There was also a pile of moldy straw in the corner, and endless dripping cold water seeping from the cracks in the stones above.

"Tick-tock".

"Tick-tock".

The sound of water droplets falling to the ground was exceptionally clear in the deathly silence, like some kind of timer, calculating his dwindling freedom—or life.

Li Bai leaned against the cold stone wall and slowly slid down to sit on the ground.

The shackles on his wrists were still heavy, but whether it was his imagination or not, he felt that the power suppressing his spiritual energy seemed to have weakened slightly. It was a very subtle change, like a taut bowstring loosening a little over time. Deep within his dantian, the Azure Lotus Sword, which he had been nurturing, seemed to sense this change as well, trembling slightly and emitting a faint warmth.

But this is far from enough.

Li Bai closed his eyes and began to sort out everything that had just happened.

Xuanzong's proposal—

Hand over all the secrets of the secret realm.

He made a vow to his inner demons: never to betray the Tang Dynasty, never to get close to Yang Yuhuan, and to obey the court's summons at any time.

In exchange, he was pardoned, granted freedom, and promised one wish if the secret to immortality was found.

He appears magnanimous.

In reality...

"Firmly bound to the chariot of imperial power," Li Bai muttered to himself, his voice echoing in the prison cell.

Handing over the secrets of the hidden realm meant he had lost his greatest bargaining chip. The oath sworn by his inner demons meant he would never be truly free—once that oath was made, it would be imprinted deep within his soul, and the slightest violation would result in the loss of his cultivation or even the annihilation of his soul. Furthermore, the requirement to "be summoned by the imperial court at any time" turned him into a tool that could be used at any time.

As for that promise of "one wish"...

Li Bai smiled bitterly.

That was more like bait.

A lure that would make him willingly jump into the trap.

Because Emperor Xuanzong knew he could not refuse.

He needed that wish—even if there was only a sliver of hope, he needed it. For Yang Yuhuan, for Yang Xiaohuan, for that obsession that transcended three lifetimes, he needed that promise of "any wish."

but……

"Can I really believe it?" Li Bai asked himself.

An emperor might make any promise in pursuit of immortality. But what happens after immortality? Do those promises still hold true? History is replete with examples of rulers discarding their tools after the usefulness of their rulers is over, or putting away their tools once the birds are gone.

Moreover, Emperor Xuanzong's conditions explicitly excluded "involvement with Yang Guifei".

This means that he didn't even have the possibility of exchanging his wishes for Yang Yuhuan's freedom.

Then what's the point of this wish?

To protect her safety in the palace?

To ensure she has a good ending in the future?

Emperor Xuanzong could have done these things himself—if he had wanted to. Why exchange them for a wish?

and so……

"This deal was unequal from the very beginning." Li Bai opened his eyes and looked at the darkness above him. "I gave up everything, and all I got in return was a vague promise and shackles I can never break free from."

He absolutely cannot accept this.

but……

What can we do if we don't accept it?

If he stubbornly resists, he'll be forced to talk sooner or later. A mysterious figure like the Imperial Advisor is unpredictable. Soul searching, torture, drug control… there's always a way to make him talk. At that point, he won't just lose the secret, he'll lose everything, including his life.

We must find a way to get out of here.

just now.

Before the Imperial Advisor came to find him.

Before making the vow against one's inner demons.

Before becoming a complete puppet of the imperial court.

Li Bai took a deep breath and began to assess his situation.

The restraint of the shackles is weakening—this is good news. The Azure Lotus Sword is being nurtured in his dantian, its connection with him growing stronger—this is also good news. Perhaps, he could take a risk and forcefully break free of the shackles?

He closed his eyes and tried to mobilize the true energy in his dantian.

It's very difficult.

The shackles were like an invisible chain, firmly locking his meridians. His true energy flowed slowly in his dantian, like frozen river water, requiring immense effort to advance even an inch. But... it was indeed flowing.

It's much better than when I was first put in shackles.

Is it because the shackles have become less effective over time? Or is it because the nurturing effect of the Azure Lotus Sword is subtly counteracting this suppression?

Li Bai didn't know.

But he knew this was an opportunity.

He concentrated his mind, focusing all his attention on his dantian. There, a small, translucent, cyan sword floated in the center of his dantian, its blade shimmering with a faint glow. That was the sword spirit of the Azure Lotus Sword, his natal magic weapon obtained from the secret realm of the Western Mausoleum Divine Kingdom. Although the sword itself had been confiscated, the sword spirit was connected to his soul and could not be taken away.

"Help me," Li Bai murmured to himself.

The Azure Lotus Sword trembled slightly.

A faint trace of sword intent flowed from the sword soul, slowly ascending along the meridians. Wherever it passed, the locked, stagnant feeling seemed to loosen slightly. It was very subtle, but it was definitely there.

Li Bai was overjoyed.

carry on.

More sword intent was mobilized, like countless tiny needles piercing the blocked meridian nodes. Pain surged, as if countless needles were piercing his body. He gritted his teeth, cold sweat beading on his forehead, but his movements did not stop.

Little by little.

Inch by inch.

The flow of true essence became increasingly smooth.

The shackles on his wrists seemed to sense this change; their eerie blue light flickered and then grew brighter. A stronger suppressive force came, attempting to lock the meridians that had just loosened back into place.

But this time, Li Bai did not back down.

He activated the Azure Lotus Sword Soul, channeling even more sword intent into his meridians. The sword intent clashed with the restraining force of the shackles within his body, like two torrents colliding in a narrow riverbed. Excruciating pain shot through his limbs and bones; he felt as if his meridians were about to be torn apart.

"We can't stop..." Li Bai roared in his heart.

He knew this was his only chance.

If he can't break through this time, he'll never have another chance once the shackles are put back in place.

More sword intent.

A stronger impact.

"Click."

A faint, almost inaudible cracking sound came from inside my body.

It's not a broken meridian.

Instead... the restraining force of the shackles was breached, creating a gap!

It's small, but it's enough!

True energy surged forth from the crevice like a burst dam, instantly flowing throughout his body. The long-lost sense of power returned, though only a tenth of its peak strength… but it was enough!

Li Bai opened his eyes, a glint of shrewdness flashing within them.

He raised his hand, looking at the shackles on his wrists. The eerie blue light was still flickering, but the heavy oppressive feeling had lessened considerably. Now, he could mobilize at least thirty percent of his true energy.

%.

enough?

Li Bai looked at the iron door of the prison cell.

It was forged from refined iron, three inches thick, and secured with iron locks and guards. With his current strength, he might be able to force his way out, but the commotion would be immense, immediately alerting all the guards in the prison.

Moreover, there is a mysterious figure like the Imperial Advisor presiding over the prison.

The old man gave him a sense of unfathomable depth. His cultivation was at least at the Nascent Soul stage, and possibly even higher. Moreover, the Imperial Preceptor was clearly proficient in secret arts such as formations, talismans, and restrictions. The Heavenly Prison must be filled with various warning and defensive formations.

The chances of a forced breakout are extremely low.

It's very likely that he'll be stopped by the Imperial Advisor as soon as he rushes out of the cell.

At that point, not only will he be unable to escape, but he will also expose the fact that he has recovered some of his strength. Xuanzong will immediately change his strategy and use more severe methods to control him—for example, by directly searching his soul.

No.

We cannot force our way in.

We must find another way.

Li Bai forced himself to calm down and began to observe the prison cell.

The stone walls were constructed from single blocks of granite, the seams filled with molten iron, making them incredibly sturdy. The floor was also paved with stone slabs, with very small gaps between them. The only ventilation opening was overhead, no bigger than a fist, and fitted with an iron gate. An iron gate was the only entrance and exit.

and many more.

Li Bai's gaze fell on the pile of moldy straw in the corner.

Beneath the straw was a stone slab floor.

He walked over and kicked away the straw.

The stone slab was smooth and looked perfectly normal. But he crouched down and carefully ran his hand over its surface. It was cold, rough, and covered in dust and moss. He pressed down hard, but the slab didn't budge.

It seems... there is no secret passage.

Li Bai was somewhat disappointed, but he didn't give up. He stood up and began tapping along the wall inch by inch. His knuckles struck the stone, producing a dull "thump-thump" sound. The solid sound indicated that there was solid rock behind him.

There is no cavity.

There is no hidden door.

This appears to be an ordinary, sturdy prison cell.

Li Bai leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.

Could it be... that we really have no choice but to accept Xuanzong's offer?

Or should we risk a direct assault?

Both choices lead to a dead end.

Time passed by, second by second.

Water seeping from the cracks in the rocks above continued to drip. The sound was particularly jarring in the silence, like a countdown, reminding him that his time was running out.

The Imperial Advisor could arrive at any moment.

By then, he will have no other choice.

A decision must be made as soon as possible.

Li Bai opened his eyes and looked at the iron gate.

A resolute glint flashed in his eyes.

Perhaps... we have no choice but to force our way through.

Even a one in ten thousand chance is better than waiting to die.

He took a deep breath and began to mobilize all the true energy in his dantian. The Azure Lotus Sword Soul trembled violently in his dantian, and sword intent surged out like a tide, pouring into his limbs and bones. Power surged within his body, his muscles tensed, and his bones emitted a slight "crackling" sound.

Prepare.

Right now—

"Click".

A very faint sound, almost drowned out by the sound of dripping water, came from the wall.

Li Bai suddenly turned his head.

The sound came from near the ground, from the stone wall he had just struck. There, a piece of gray granite that looked no different from the other bricks and stones had suddenly slid inward a little.

A hole the size of a fist was exposed.

Behind the hole was a face.

A familiar face.

With tension, concern, and a hint of barely concealed fatigue.

—Duan Qiniang!

Li Bai's pupils suddenly contracted.

He almost thought he was hallucinating.

But that face was so real—curved eyebrows, bright eyes, lips slightly pursed in nervousness. You could even smell the faint scent of perfume emanating from her, mixed with the smell of earth and dampness.

"Taibai!" Duan Qiniang said in a low, urgent voice, "I've finally found you!"

Her voice was soft, but in the deathly silent cell, it rang like thunder in Li Bai's ears.

It's not a hallucination.

It's really her.

Li Bai opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Too many questions were stuck in his throat: How did she get in? What kind of secret passage was this? How did she know he was being held here? Were there any guards outside?

Duan Qiniang seemed to sense his shock and quickly said, "Listen, I don't have time to explain too much. I have a way to get you out, but I need your cooperation, and... time is of the essence!"

She spoke quickly and her breathing was somewhat rapid, clearly indicating that the journey had not been easy.

"This secret passage," she pointed behind the opening, "is a drainage tunnel built by the previous dynasty, abandoned for many years. I spent a lot of money to bribe a descendant of an old jailer to find out about its existence. The exit is in a deserted grave three miles outside the city."

Li Bai's heart began to pound.

Secret passage!

There really is a secret passage!

"However," Duan Qiniang's tone became more serious, "the entrance to the secret passage is mostly blocked by silt beneath the stone slabs of your cell floor. You'll need to pry open the slabs and clear the passage yourself. I've prepared the tools—"

She slipped a small cloth bag through the hole.

The cloth bag was small and carefully wrapped in oiled paper. Li Bai took it and opened it. Inside were two things: a thin, long, and extremely sharp hacksaw blade; and a small porcelain bottle with its mouth sealed with wax.

"The saw blade can cut through the edges of the stone slab," Duan Qiniang explained quickly. "The porcelain bottle contains a potent sleeping potion; a little will temporarily rob the prison dogs of their sense of smell. At midnight—that is, in two hours—I will meet you at the exit. Remember, before midnight, you must pry open the stone slab and slip into the secret passage. Otherwise, when the patrolling guards change shifts, they will find that the entrance to the secret passage has been opened."

Li Bai gripped the cloth bag tightly, his fingers turning slightly white from the force.

opportunity.

A real opportunity.

It wasn't about forcing your way in, nor was it about compromising; it was about finding a secret escape route.

"Seventh Sister," he finally found his voice, asking hoarsely, "why...why did you risk your life to save me?"

Duan Qiniang was stunned for a moment.

In the darkness, her eyes gleamed with a complex light. There was worry, there was determination, and there was also a trace of... an emotion that Li Bai couldn't understand.

"Because," she whispered, "you are Li Bai."

She paused, then added, "Besides, I know you're not a bad person."

After saying that, as if afraid she might waver if she continued, she quickly added, "Remember, midnight. I'll be waiting for you."

Then, she pushed the slid brick back into place.

"Click".

After a slight noise, the wall returned to its original state, as if nothing had happened.

The cell fell silent once more.

Only the sound of dripping water continued, "drip, drip."

Li Bai stood still, clutching the small cloth bag in his hand. The cold touch of the hacksaw blade seeped through the oiled paper, and the smooth surface of the porcelain vase gleamed faintly in the darkness.

He looked down at the pile of straw in the corner.

Beneath the straw were stone slabs.

Beneath the stone slab lies a secret passage.

At the end of the secret passage lies freedom.

And... Duan Qiniang is waiting for him.

Two hours.

He must, within these two hours, remove the stone slabs, clear the passage, crawl into the secret passage, and reach the exit before midnight.

It should not make too much noise.

Do not alert the guards.

It cannot... fail.

Li Bai took a deep breath, carefully stuffed the cloth bag into his bosom, and put it close to his clothes. Then, he walked to the corner of the wall, kicked away the straw again, squatted down, and carefully stroked the stone slab with his hand.

This time, he touched it with extra care.

There was indeed an extremely fine crack along the edge of the stone slab. It was so narrow that it was almost invisible, but you could feel it with your finger. The crack was filled with dirt and moss, indicating that it hadn't been touched for a long time.

right here.

Li Bai took out a hacksaw blade from his pocket.

The saw blade was thin but hard, with its edges sharpened to an extremely sharp point. He carefully inserted the blade into the gap and began to saw slowly, stroke by stroke.

"rustle……"

An extremely faint sound arose in the silence.

Like a mouse gnawing on wood.

Li Bai held his breath, moving with extreme care. Every few saw strokes, he would stop and listen intently to the sounds outside. The groans from the distant cells continued, and the occasional footsteps of patrolling guards echoed from the end of the corridor, but none approached.

carry on.

"rustle……"

Time slipped away little by little with each reciprocation of the saw blade.