Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Art of Dissolving Power?

Xu Boqing carried banknotes in his bosom and wore the waist token of the 'Chief Steward of the Cining Palace' at his side as he once again departed the Imperial City.

The prison guard on duty at the Heavenly Prison happened to be the one he had encountered a few days before. Upon seeing him, the guard greeted him respectfully and led the way, addressing him as 'Eunuch Xu' at every turn.

Before they reached the warden's quarters, Hu the Warden, who had already received word of his arrival, came out beaming, cupping his hands in greeting, "I did not know Eunuch Xu would visit today. Forgive me for not welcoming you from afar—please pardon my oversight."

"You are too polite, Warden Hu," Xu Boqing replied, returning the gesture with a meaningful smile. "The conversation we had a few days ago was most enlightening, and I found myself reflecting upon it ever since. I hope you will not find my return visit bothersome."

"Eunuch Xu flatters me," Hu the Warden replied, his heart swelling with joy. He turned to the escorting guard and said, "Go to Haixiang Tower and tell the manager I am entertaining a distinguished guest. Have them prepare a banquet and send it over—make sure the dishes are of the highest standard. And bring along two jars of aged Chunfeng Zui."

"Yes, sir!" The guard, happy to be given such an errand, hurried off with a grin. Only then did Hu the Warden turn to Xu Boqing and gesture invitingly, "Eunuch Xu, please."

"Warden Hu, after you."

The two sat once more in the warden's quarters. Seeing Hu the Warden diligently preparing tea, Xu Boqing did not bother with niceties. He took four banknotes of a thousand taels each from his bosom and laid them on the table.

"The guidance you gave me a few days ago left me restless and uneasy. In the end, I managed to borrow some funds from an influential person. Warden Hu, please take a look."

Hu the Warden's eyes brightened at the sight of the four thousand-tael notes, but he restrained his excitement, poured the tea, and picked up the notes, giving them a shake. "Eunuch Xu, surely you jest. These are official banknotes; there’s no need to inspect them."

Years as warden had made him expert in telling real from counterfeit at a glance.

He smiled, then took a purse from his own bosom and pushed it toward Xu Boqing. "Four thousand taels is enough to redeem Inspector Xu and his family. Here is the eight hundred taels deposit you left earlier—I have not touched a single coin. I now return it to you in full."

"Money that leaves the pocket rarely returns," Xu Boqing said, sipping his tea without a blink, and pushed the purse back. "Consider the extra eight hundred taels a token of gratitude for your care of my second uncle's family these past days."

"Ah, this..." Hu the Warden's gaze flickered.

He had served as warden of the Heavenly Prison for over ten years, always cautious, never believing in windfalls. And if such a windfall did come, it surely would not land in his lap.

Thus, hearing of this eight hundred tael reward, his first reaction was not joy but apprehension!

He knew well that money, though appearing the same, can be of several kinds: some can be taken, some cannot, some bring trouble if accepted, and some, if taken, may cost one’s life...

He shook his head resolutely. "Eunuch Xu, I dare not accept reward without merit. Eight hundred taels is not a trifling sum—I cannot accept it lightly."

"Oh?" Xu Boqing uttered in surprise, seeing Hu the Warden’s sincerity and gaining newfound respect for him.

"Warden Hu, you are more prudent than most," he said.

"Warden Hu, please, allow me to explain," Xu Boqing said after a brief pause. "I do have a small matter in which I hope you might assist or advise."

"Please, speak freely," Hu the Warden replied, feeling relieved. "My position is minor, but within the Heavenly Prison I can speak with some authority."

"It concerns the prison," Xu Boqing explained. "In the palace, I have gained the favor of Chief Huang. He has taught me martial arts and intends for me to succeed him in future. You must know Chief Huang has been a master of the Xiantian realm for over twenty years; his knowledge is profound. He taught me a technique called the 'Great Art of Dissolving Power,' which, when mastered, can dissolve another’s internal energy unseen—invincible among equals, truly miraculous. But there is a great difficulty: the early stages require subjects with internal energy to test the effects of 'dissolving power.' There is no one suitable in the palace, so I thought of your prison, which holds many martial artists..."

Xu Boqing had noticed this on his previous visit and asked the guards about it: the lower cells housed many powerful martial artists of the postnatal realm!

Those skilled in cultivating their energy fared better and suffered less; those of poor temperament, especially the lawless, criminal strongmen, were shackled and beaten by the guards.

Some, gaunt and starving, begged for a bowl of thin porridge, having lost all dignity.

Some were condemned prisoners, but most were those whose crimes fell short of execution, doomed to rot in prison for the rest of their lives.

If he could use them to test the 'Star-Absorbing Demon Art,' wouldn’t that be ideal?

Hu the Warden drew a sharp breath, astonished. "I have never heard of a martial art that can dissolve another’s internal energy!"

He had trained in martial arts as a boy, but lacking the aptitude and patience, he achieved little and eventually gave up.

Yet after over ten years as warden, he had seen many martial artists, and many of his guards were of the postnatal realm; his experience was considerable.

This 'Great Art of Dissolving Power' and its ability to dissolve internal energy, though surprising, was credible, given its origin with Chief Huang, a Xiantian master.

"The world of martial arts is vast; who can claim to know it all?" Xu Boqing said, cupping his hands again. He took out another thousand-tael note, placing it beside the eight hundred taels. "Can you facilitate this, Warden Hu?"

Eighteen hundred taels!

Hu the Warden’s breath caught.

There were indeed many idle criminals in the lower prison—condemned prisoners came and went quickly, but those lingering, half-dead, occupied space and resources, some for decades, forgotten even by themselves.

The guards rarely treated them as human; if angered, they beat them, and if one died, the inspectors turned a blind eye, unconcerned with their fate.

They had no value.

Why not let Eunuch Xu use them for martial practice and earn a fortune in the process?

Eighteen hundred taels! Though he'd received four thousand taels before, most went to the Ministry of Justice; only two hundred taels at most reached his own hands. Now these eighteen hundred taels could be pocketed directly—a difference beyond measure.

Hu the Warden’s gaze flickered. He asked, "Eunuch Xu, forgive my bluntness. Do you only need those idle criminals for your experiments? Any other requirements?"

"None," Xu Boqing replied with a slight smile, knowing the matter was nearly settled. "I simply wish to test the 'Great Art of Dissolving Power.'"

"How many postnatal realm prisoners do you require?" Hu the Warden rubbed the eighteen hundred taels, smiling. "If the number is small, I can easily arrange it."

"And if the number is large?"

"If the number is large, it may be more difficult, but not impossible," Hu the Warden explained. "The deaths of prisoners must be reviewed by Inspector Wang and reported annually to the Ministry of Justice. Though my relationship with Inspector Wang is close, if too many die in a short time, it would be troublesome and draw unwanted attention."

He said nothing directly about raising the price, but every word implied 'higher payment' was needed.

Xu Boqing smiled. "Rest assured, Warden Hu. I have yet to try whether such prisoners are suitable for practice. If they are, we can cooperate long-term, and you will find the payment most satisfactory..."

No longer hesitating, Hu the Warden pocketed the eighteen hundred taels and called out, "Bring me the register of the lower prison!"