Chapter Forty: The Overbearing Technique (Part One)

Ahead lay the cells housing the female prisoners. Zhao Li felt a strange sensation as he saw the electronic door. He had always believed that Ban Yunchan was the weakest among them, incapable of even lifting a finger, but to his surprise, it turned out that Kang Hongyuan held that unfortunate title. That meant Ban Yunchan was not the weakest, nor the second—Hans, the legless man, took that place. In other words, Ban Yunchan was tougher than Sanders?

This thought made Zhao Li break into a cold sweat. Had he really spent a night being cared for in the room of a female fiend? Yet, she didn’t seem the kind to be vicious and cruel.

Jiang Hao noticed Zhao Li’s odd expression and nudged him. “What’s wrong? Not feeling well?” Considering the injuries Zhao Li had suffered days ago, it was natural he wasn’t fully recovered.

“It’s nothing,” Zhao Li shook his head. “So, what’s Ban Yunchan’s background? What crime brought her here?” Seeing Jiang Hao hesitate, he pressed further, “Don’t tell me her case is classified too?”

“You’re sharp!” Jiang Hao raised his thumb in front of Zhao Li. “She came in with Kang Hongyuan and Hans—what do you think?”

Another mysterious prisoner. Ordinary guards didn’t even know why she was here, nor her true identity in the outside world. With Kang Hongyuan, a politician and public figure, and Hans, whose projects and calculations could be guessed at, there were clues. But for Ban Yunchan, even her identity was shrouded in mystery.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Jiang Hao cautioned, seeing Zhao Li’s persistent curiosity. “Remember who you are—a guard. Everyone here is a ruthless criminal, and a single misstep could put you in danger.” It was the fourth time he’d said this to Zhao Li, hoping he’d take it to heart.

“I know,” Zhao Li nodded, calming himself. He swiped his card, opened the door, and entered the women’s ward.

Ban Yunchan seemed deeply absorbed in a book. She looked up at their approach, smiled gently, and gave a barely noticeable nod, though both men caught it clearly. That faint smile gave Zhao Li a sense of warmth.

At first glance, Ban Yunchan’s features were ordinary, leaving little impression. But the longer Zhao Li watched, the more he found her pleasing to the eye, her beauty growing more apparent. It seemed she usually hid her charm, only revealing it to those who could appreciate her.

Though dressed in the prison uniform, her clothing was impeccably clean and tidy, without a single wrinkle. As Zhao Li drew near, Ban Yunchan stood. “You must be tired from walking—rest here a while.” She went to the side, poured two cups of water, and handed them over. If nothing else, water was always plentiful here.

Despite Jiang Hao’s repeated warnings, Zhao Li found himself accepting the water, pausing to rest. It appeared even Jiang Hao ignored his own advice.

As they drank, Ban Yunchan sat quietly at her seat, watching them. It was as if she wasn’t the prisoner at all, but that Zhao Li and Jiang Hao were. Her calm, serene expression was deeply intriguing.

Throughout the day, Zhao Li familiarized himself with the prisoners, learning their faces and names. After his fight with Sanders, everyone seemed to know his name, though few showed any particular attitude toward him. By day’s end, he’d memorized most names and characteristics—a worthwhile achievement.

He also greeted his fellow guards. As expected, there were only about eleven or twelve people in total. Each shift had just four guards—two patrolling inside, two outside. Zhao Li and Jiang Hao, both new, were assigned inside.

Modern prison management was much more convenient than the old days, when each prisoner needed constant surveillance. It was far more humane now. What puzzled Zhao Li, though, was that the prisoners received no labor punishments. Their days consisted of watching the sole entertainment channel, reading e-books, or basking in the sun in the garden. Were these prisoners, or were they guests on holiday?

But Zhao Li knew there were things he wasn’t meant to understand. If he didn’t even know their identities or crimes, how could he demand anything from them? Orders from above were to be carried out, nothing more. Maybe one day, if he gained enough authority, he’d learn the whole story.

Before their meal break, Zhao Li finally witnessed the logistics here. All food was air-dropped, managed by a dedicated staff member who assigned rations to prisoners—and to the guards as well. Perhaps due to their rank, Zhao Li and Jiang Hao ate basic wartime rations, while the prisoners enjoyed a variety of dishes, delicious and appealing.

Of course, the old warden was an exception. From the first day, Zhao Li understood the meaning of extravagant indulgence. A single meal for the warden could have fed Zhao Li’s family for decades, and that was just the beginning.

Naturally, Zhao Li now understood where Ban Yunchan got her books. Prisoners had the right to request reading material and could choose what they liked—far superior to the guards’ privileges. Zhao Li couldn’t tell if he was the one imprisoned, or if it was the others.

Serving here wasn’t particularly grueling; the only strain was remembering that the people around him were dangerous criminals, which kept him alert. Most of the time, things were relatively relaxed. From the old warden’s words and actions, Zhao Li could tell that as long as the warden was present, the place was absolutely secure.

If the warden dared to leave Zhao Li unconscious in a female prisoner’s room for her to care for overnight, it spoke volumes.

The more he thought about it, the more curious Zhao Li became about the nameless cultivation method the warden had left behind. Three days weren’t enough for a full understanding, but they had sparked his anticipation. Tonight, he planned to begin practicing it, to see its effects for himself.

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Third update of the day, aiming for the ranking, please recommend and support! Thank you all!