Yongfeng County.
To the southwest of the city, there lies a mountain called Centipede Mountain. It earned its name due to its undulating, interconnected peaks—over ten mountains of similar size stretching in a single line with a distance of 48 li from end to end. If one were to traverse Centipede Mountain, factoring in its rises, falls, brambles, and ravines, that distance would easily multiply three to five times.
Six years ago.
Great Chu was thrown into upheaval.
The 'Lishui Gang,' entrenched in Shi'an County, seized the opportunity to rise. Gathering their forces, they defeated the local garrison, capturing Lingchuan, Yangshuo, Yongfu, and other counties, including Yongfeng County.
Four years ago.
The Wusheng Sect emerged in Lipu County of Shi'an County, gaining momentum and forcibly wresting control of Muhua County and Yongfeng County from the hands of the Lishui Gang.
The 'Black Prison,' located within Centipede Mountain, was also seized by the Wusheng Sect.
From then on, a mountain fortress was constructed along the terrain.
Over the years, it gradually took shape, earning the name: Wusheng City.
On this particular day.
At the southern gate of Wusheng City, on the outskirts of Centipede Mountain.
Eight soldiers in Black Armor escorted sixteen Black Prison mine slaves out of the gate. The scene was immediately bathed in dazzling sunlight—brilliant and scorching—a wave of freshness rushing to greet them. This stood in stark contrast to the oppressive, suffocating, dark, and damp conditions of the Black Prison.
A gust of mountain wind blew through, carrying the heat in its wake.
The miners, who had long grown accustomed to the rancid stench clinging to their bodies, now suddenly found it overwhelmingly pungent and unbearable.
"I—"
"Is this—"
"Really outside?"
Sun Fei, Shen Liang, and the other miners were a miserable sight. In the depths of the Black Prison, they hadn't noticed their condition, but under the sunlight, their disheveled hair, filthy attire, and the pervasive stink were glaring. Years of being mine slaves had ravaged their bodies, and the recent deterioration from sickness made them appear even more wretched.
But none of them seemed to care.
They greedily soaked in the sunlight, hungrily took in the vibrant world around them, and breathed in the fiery yet refreshing air.
Utterly enthralled.
For a moment, they even forgot to feel excited.
Their minds went completely blank.
After being confined and enslaved in the Black Prison for so long, the abrupt return to the outside world sent them into an almost drunken stupor.
"The sun."
"It's so warm."
Chen Shaohu felt it too.
At the age of ten, he had been imprisoned in the Black Prison alongside his father and brother. Six years later, he was finally out. It truly felt like a lifetime had passed.
He stood there in a daze.
It wasn't just Sun Fei, Chen Shaohu, and the other Black Prison mine slaves.
Weii Guan, Zhou Dafeng, and Chuu Mingrui were the same. They had been in the Black Prison for three months already and could barely endure it. Their entire bodies seemed as though they were rotting away.
Now that they were outside, they appeared almost rejuvenated by the sunlight.
Everyone was elated.
Except for Chen Jichuan.
"We're out."
Seeing the blazing sun in the sky, Chen Jichuan knew they had indeed escaped the Black Prison.
Although he had been in the Black Prison for over six years, his recent excursions to the Great Yann World, where he had glimpsed the normal world, had dulled the impact. The physical relief of being outside could not shake Chen Jichuan's composed mind. Instead, he immediately began surveying his surroundings.
What he saw first.
Was a massive freight plaza.
Paved with Qingshi stone.
On either side stood tall warehouses, storing grain and ore. Roads were constructed, one extending to the east and the other to the south, leading to unknown destinations.
At the city gate.
Around twenty ordinary soldiers were stationed.
"The stench—disgusting!" Upon seeing Chen Jichuan and the others, they pinched their noses and turned away in disdain.
Apart from them.
No other soldiers were in sight.
Chen Jichuan looked up, but due to the angle, he couldn't see if there were soldiers stationed atop the city gate. The area ahead was wide open.
If there were even a few dozen archers positioned high above and firing together—
Chen Jichuan was confident he could evade the attack, but as for Chen Shaohu—
"Wait a little longer."
Chen Jichuan steadied his mind and refrained from making a move.
Weii Guan and the others, returning to the familiar Wusheng City, grew sentimental and delighted.
After lingering at the gate for a moment, Weii Guan exchanged some documents and then led the group of miners in another direction. After roughly forty to fifty steps, Chen Jichuan could see more clearly. It was a long stretch of city wall, extending endlessly in both directions.
Judging by Weii Guan's demeanor.
It wasn't clear where they intended to take them.
Looking around.
Perhaps because this was the Black Prison's entry and exit point, no civilians were in sight. Additionally, today didn't seem to be a day for transporting ore out or bringing grain in. The area was eerily silent and deserted.
The warehouses on either side might have people inside, but they were far away, and Chen Jichuan couldn't see clearly even when squinting into the distance.
Making a move here.
As long as it was swift enough, even those atop the city wall might not notice. Chen Jichuan's thoughts moved quickly. He was aware of the danger, but hesitating any longer might cause him to miss the opportunity.
His mind made up.
"Move!"
Once Chen Jichuan settled his resolve, he first signaled to Chen Shaohu, who had been waiting eagerly, with a glance, then began making the first move himself.
Sun Fei stood right next to Chen Jichuan and his brother.
Having just come out of the Black Prison, he was filled with joy, marveling at the sky and the earth without much concern for where the Wusheng Sect might take them next.
As he observed—
He saw Chen Jichuan stride toward them.
"Huh?"
He watched curiously.
And looked ahead to Chen Jichuan.
Only to see the fourth son of Yongfeng's smiling tiger march up to the four Black Armor soldiers at the front, urgently saying, "Sirs, my stomach can't take it anymore—I need to step aside and take care of it."
Clutching his stomach, Chen Jichuan put on an act, standing in front of Weii Guan.
Weii Guan, seeing the filthy, hunched, foul-smelling mine slave approach, looked utterly repulsed and spat, "Hold it in!"
"What, you think this is the Black Prison?"
"No matter what, you'd better hold it. If any of you pull something, you'll regret it!"
Weii Guan barked at Chen Jichuan, and feeling it wasn't enough, he shouted at Sun Fei and the other miners too.
"Worthless scum!"
Zhou Dafeng, eager to finish the handover in Wusheng City and then head east to Yongfeng County for some leisure, grew annoyed when he saw Chen Jichuan delaying them with this nonsense. He raised his foot, ready to kick Chen Jichuan.