Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Gentle Criminal (Part One)

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In his sleep, Zhao Li seemed to be dreaming. He dreamt that he had thoroughly beaten up the old warden with the sinister grin, and then returned to his hometown to teach a harsh lesson to the man who had injured his father. However, that man wielded considerable influence, and soon a crowd had surrounded Zhao Li, beating him mercilessly. Though he fought back with all his might, he still took many blows.

His whole body ached, from head to toe, and he doubted whether he had been crushed by a steamroller and then pieced back together. He couldn't help but let out a soft groan.

"You're awake?" A gentle, tender voice sounded, one Zhao Li had never heard before. His head throbbed painfully, and all his muscles were convulsing from the ache.

Before he even opened his eyes, a cool, damp towel was placed on his forehead, bringing waves of refreshing relief and gradually clearing his mind.

He remembered fighting with Sanders, hearing him admit defeat, and then everything had gone black. Where was he now? This didn’t seem like his tiny cell; it resembled one of the high-end prison suites.

A woman sat beside him. She looked familiar—he was certain he had seen her before, yet he couldn’t recall her name. He glanced at his surroundings and finally understood. Of course—the only female inmate in this prison. Her surname was Ban, a rare name that had left a deep impression on Zhao Li.

This must be the women’s quarters, and, to his surprise, he was lying in a fragrant, comfortable bed. How had he ended up here? Alarmed, his body reacted instinctively and he sprang upright. All his muscles rebelled at once, and a chill ran over him. Looking down, he realized he was wearing only a pair of briefs. Mortified, he hurriedly ducked back under the covers.

A soft chuckle escaped the woman’s lips, making Zhao Li’s face burn with embarrassment. After a while, he managed to ask, “How did I end up here?”

She picked up the towel that had fallen during his sudden movement, went to the bathroom to rinse it, then placed it back on his forehead. This time, Zhao Li didn’t dare get up and obediently accepted her care. The cool towel indeed eased the pain in his head.

“I’m the only one here with professional medical training. The warden arranged for you to stay here,” she said softly, tucking in his blanket with great care, wary of hurting him further.

Her voice was enchanting, carrying an unusual charm. Listening to her speak was a pleasure in itself, and Zhao Li found himself drawn in, unable to resist her mysterious allure.

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His entire body ached, and he couldn’t imagine what he looked like now, though he could guess he was covered in bruises. When he had jumped out of bed earlier, he thought he had glimpsed a patchwork of blue and purple, and doubted his face looked much better.

“The warden has lifted the seal on your internal energy. Now that you’re awake, you should practice your cultivation—it will help ease the pain,” the woman said, handing him a glass of water with a straw, relaying the warden’s instructions as she helped him drink.

“Thank you!” Zhao Li felt compelled to express his gratitude, perhaps moved by her earlier kindness. She only smiled in response and left his sight.

Fighting through the pain, Zhao Li sat upright and assumed a meditative posture, beginning his exercises. In this state, the healing effect of his foundational body-strengthening technique far surpassed his combat skills. Soon he slipped into a state of deep meditation.

When he awoke again, night had fallen. Yet he felt much better; the headache was now barely noticeable, and the soreness in his muscles and bones had greatly diminished. He stood up and moved around a bit, finding himself unimpeded.

The woman was nowhere to be seen. Not far away lay his military uniform, freshly washed and neatly pressed, waiting for him. Zhao Li hurried to get dressed—he couldn’t bear the thought of being seen in nothing but his briefs again.

Once dressed, his stomach began to growl in earnest. It was hardly surprising—he hadn’t eaten since the fight, and after such strenuous exertion, hunger was inevitable.

“Have something to eat!” came her voice from his left, startling Zhao Li. How had he not heard her approach? Looking down, he realized the floor was covered with tatami mats, muffling all footsteps.

“Thank you!” Zhao Li said, for the second time. The woman placed a tray on the nearby dining table. “This is a specially prepared nutritious meal—try it!” she said, moving to tidy the bed Zhao Li had left in disarray.

He blushed with embarrassment, having made a mess that someone else now had to clean—especially as this was her space, explaining the faint, pleasant fragrance lingering in the air.

Yet, the aroma of the dishes on the table was even more irresistible. Zhao Li dashed over, grabbed a spoon, and took a hearty mouthful.

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The first bite made his eyes widen with delight. It was delicious beyond belief; he hadn’t tasted such wonderful food since joining the army. He devoured everything in a frenzy, wishing he could lick the plates clean.

Licking his lips to savor the lingering flavors, he exclaimed, “It’s so good—absolutely amazing! Did you make it?”

The woman, having finished tidying the bed, smiled at his voracious enthusiasm. She nodded. “I’m glad it suits your taste. If you want more, I’ll cook for you again when I get the chance.”

After this meal, Zhao Li felt fully revived, filled with boundless energy. The foundational body-strengthening technique truly was remarkable for healing, and in his weakened state, it seemed he had even made further progress in his practice—or so it felt, though perhaps it was just his imagination.

“The warden said, if you’re able to move on your own, you should report to his office—he has something to say to you.” Her gentle voice retained that unique allure, making Zhao Li relax. “Be careful, though—the warden seems rather angry. Don’t give him a reason to take it out on you.”

“How long have I been here?” Zhao Li asked before leaving, eager to know how much time had passed.

“Just over ten hours. You spent six of those meditating,” she replied succinctly. Zhao Li felt reassured—at least he hadn’t overstepped.

Adjusting his uniform, Zhao Li left the women’s quarters. He saw no one else along the way and wondered what everyone was occupied with. Standing outside the warden’s office, he composed himself, then knocked on the door.

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Three chapters completed. Seeking recommendation votes—thank you all for your support!