He "ingratiated" himself with Chang Ji, although with a purpose, but could Chang Ji's repayment come too swiftly? Scholar Su's return favor had only come after he had personally pleaded for it. Chang Ji….
"We are short of time, listen carefully first."
"Don't rush to reply."
"Remember, you absolutely must not let that Wu discover that you're cultivating Internal Power; otherwise, not only will it be bad for me, but you... well, you're a scholar, you naturally overthink things."
Having said that, General Chang glanced at Scholar Su, who had approached after hearing their voices. He waited until Scholar Su timidly retreated before he finally said, "This internal power is called the Stony Heart Method, passed down by my Chang Family ancestors. Listen carefully now… Sit cross-legged, calm your heart, relax naturally, lightly close your lips and teeth, concentrate your divine light, reaching Heaven's Heart…"
""Knock your teeth thirty-six times, both hands embrace Kunlun, beat the heavenly drum left and right, hear it twenty-four times…""
The Stony Heart Method consisted of over five hundred words in total.
Initially, Xu Xing considered himself to have a good memory. However, he still found it somewhat effortful to memorize. Consequently, he had no choice but to use the Kunlun Mirror to congeal his [Broad Knowledge and Strong Memory] Destiny.
After strengthening his memory, he only managed to memorize the cultivation method by heart after General Chang recited it twice.
"Thank you, General Chang."
After memorizing the cultivation method, Xu Xing stood up to thank General Chang.
Their conversation was conducted in hushed voices, and General Chang's prison cell was at the end of the Sky Prison passageway. Therefore, General Chang's imparting of this method would not easily be detected by others, except for Scholar Su, who was in the cell next to Xu Xing's.
However, Scholar Su was a man of high status and good character; he was unlikely to betray them over such a minor matter.
"Do you know why this general was able to persist in Sky Prison for three years without dying? Why I'm still alive today?"
After receiving the thanks, General Chang sneered coldly, his face full of resentment.
Though he had avoided battle during the Tartar invasion from the south, that had been a measure of last resort due to his forces' inferior numbers and strength.
Afterwards, he had cooperated with the Imperial Court Army to encircle the Tartars.
But alas, because of this minor transgression, he was imprisoned by Emperor Chongming….
He was exiled to Sky Prison and completely ignored.
Was it because of this Stony Heart Method?
Xu Xing's mind stirred.
He had seen Old Li bring food to Chang Ji; the rice portions were so scanty it was more like a bowl of clear soup.
If an ordinary person ate such meals, they would likely starve to death within a few days. Yet Chang Ji had persevered, clinging to life until now.
Although Chang Ji was no longer as robust as he had been three years ago, now just skin and bones with no fat to spare, he was far from death's door.
"Indeed."
"It is precisely because of this Stony Heart Method."
Chang Ji nodded upon hearing Xu Xing's unspoken question and continued, "The Chang Family has served as generals for generations, loyally giving their all to the Imperial Court. I never expected it to end like this. While the Jianghu exists outside the Imperial Court, its so-called wandering martial artists—heh—are insignificant to a general's family. Many are practitioners of unorthodox ways, lacking even complete inherited cultivation methods."
Upon hearing this, Xu Xing had no reason to doubt it.
The reason the Imperial Court could become the empire's dominant coercive power is because they undoubtedly possess strength far exceeding that of the Jianghu. If one can become a general or a minister, why would they choose to be a wandering martial artist, drifting without a home?
People always seek security!
It is an undeniable truth that military families are stronger than Jianghu sects.
"In your first seven days of imprisonment, you looked like death warmed over, dazed and lethargic."
"But ever since that Zhao Yunniang arrived..."
Chang Ji chuckled. "You look like your days are numbered, but in reality… you've found a will to live. This general isn't sure where it came from."
"But this general need not concern himself with such things…"
Xu Xing was startled by Chang Ji's sharp perception.
He considered himself quite composed, yet this "rough and unrefined" Chang Ji had guessed his true thoughts.
Indeed, Chang Ji hailed from a long line of generals. Even if his scholarly learning couldn't compare to Scholar Su's, his years on the battlefield had given him sharp insight. Moreover, unlike Scholar Su, he was trapped in Sky Prison and had long since despaired. A person who has despaired either gives up on themselves entirely or clings to any sliver of hope for survival.
Thinking this, Xu Xing calmed down and began to consider the situation carefully.
Chang Ji might not have actually discovered his unusual state. It was more likely he was using this as a pretext, casting a wide net—just like the women of the brothels did with scholars taking the imperial examinations. If one of them succeeded, they'd strike gold.
"General Chang, you've wronged me."
"Yunniang is carrying my son. For his sake, I've been writing tirelessly, hoping to leave behind some small reputation in the world. This might lessen the pressure he'll face as the son of a convicted official…"
"Parents who love their children make far-reaching plans for them."
Xu Xing sighed and began his performance.
He certainly wouldn't leave himself open to criticism. He had received a favor from Chang Ji today, and he would repay it in the future. There was no need to give Chang Ji any leverage over him.
Chang Ji: "..."
"People say you civil officials have dark hearts…"
"Initially, this general genuinely believed you were wrongfully imprisoned in Sky Prison. But now it seems, Mr. Xu, during your tenure at the Taipu Temple, you surely lined your pockets quite a bit. The shortage of warhorses is a long-standing problem in our National Dynasty."
"But your hands are definitely not clean!"
General Chang raised an eyebrow, his tone insolent.
He observed Xu Xing; young and with only a few years as an official, Chang Ji hadn't thought him a seasoned rogue. Yet, after this one interaction, he realized the young man was slippery and hard to grasp.
"One who stays near vermilion gets stained red, and one who stays near ink gets stained black. Dodder growing among hemp stands straight without support; white sand mixed with black mud becomes black along with it."
"His Majesty is sagacious and governs with wisdom; we minor officials are, naturally, incorruptible."
Xu Xing answered evasively, his words ambiguous.
The three-hundred-year-old dynasty was hardly clean from top to bottom. Sometimes, taking money was about picking sides. After becoming an official, he had aspired to the position of Grand Chancellor—second only to one and above all others. Why would he have started embezzling heavily at the beginning of his career? At least, he'd wait until there was no hope of promotion… then he'd dip his hands into the treasury.
"Heh!"
Chang Ji closed his eyes, no longer bothering with Xu Xing.
When it came to cunning, he was no match for these civil officials.
「About half a moment later」
Wu, the book handler, returned to Room No. D24.
The moment he walked into the prison cell, he saw Xu Xing writing feverishly. Wu approached quietly and complained in a low voice, "Mr. Xu, I know you were just pretending to be asleep. Please, don't make things difficult for me. Worst case, I can bring you some good food and drink in the future…"
"A pork knuckle and a roasted chicken."
"My time is short. I just want to eat something good before I die."
Xu Xing stopped writing and stated his demands.
In the Instance World, the "him" that was separate from his consciousness could still carry on a simple, normal life. However, when Xu Xing himself descended into the Instance World, his body in Reality became almost "dead," as if it had lost its Soul. But, just as it was written on the panel of the Bronze Ancient Mirror, he had descended with his Soul. Therefore, before returning to Reality, he truly hadn't planned to trouble Wu, the book handler. But after hearing what Commander Liu later said, he realized that feigning sleep was better than being awake, so he had continued to pretend.
Yet, this mere pretense of sleep was enough to throw Wu, the book handler, into a panic. Commander Liu was a powerful figure. Any slight dissatisfaction from him towards Wu could mean, at best, the loss of Wu's clerk position. At worst… his entire family could be ruined, and lives lost!
"Yes, yes…"
Wu, the book handler, nodded repeatedly in agreement.
"Also…"
Xu Xing paused thoughtfully.
"Sir?"
"What else do you require?"
Wu, the book handler, had a woeful expression.
"Also, get me a different chair. This long bench is too hard on my backside."
Xu Xing added another demand.
He requested wine and meat because the prison officers in Sky Prison were all far too corrupt. The silver ingot Zhao Yunniang had left, weighing at least seven taels, was nearly gone after buying him just three days' worth of food and wine. Prices in Fengxi Country were not high, and silver was valuable. Seven taels were enough for a family of three's living expenses for two months. Asking Wu, the book handler, for meat would also alleviate some of the financial pressure on Zhao Yunniang.