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On the streets

The ox-cart moved along the streets hastily. The prison was situated at the western end of the city, and was surrounded by solid concrete walls. There were viewing posts in all four directions of the prison, with a guard standing and ensuring that nobody could escape. From the viewing post, he had a bird’s eye view of the entire prison.

The ox-cart came to a halt directly outside the prison, and a constable exited the vehicle and walked into the prison.

The prison was extremely dark, its foundation were made of stone. In the middle of the prison was a single passageway. There were cells on both sides of the passageway, which were neither big nor small. Each cell was divided by a wooden partition.

Once a person enters the prison, he could immediately smell a foul stench. In every cell there was a pail, which acted as a latrine for the prisoners. Pungent smells of urine and fecal matter were emitted from these pails.

Ji Dan was extremely bothered by this foul smell within the prison walls. Although he had been a constable for such a long time, he still couldn’t get used to this smell. He thus walked straight down the passage. A bailiff saw him walking down the aisle and immediately bowed and greeted him, "Your excellency."

Hearing the greetings, Ji Dan looked across and asked him, "Where’s Prison Warden Tian?"

When the bailiff heard that the constable was speaking to him, his face turned pale in fear, almost as if he was extremely terrified of the man standing before him.

"Constable, the Warden is the interrogation room with several criminals." The bailiff’s face turned white. Ji Dan frowned before replying him, "Take me to him."

"Yes, constable." The bailiff then overtook Ji Dan and led him to the interrogation room. The bailiff then saluted, "Your excellency, we’re here."

Ji Dan glanced at the door before pushing it open. The bailiff who was standing next to him hurriedly walked away, and didn’t want to be there for longer than was required.

When Ji Dan entered the interrogation room, another wave of fishy, pungent stench perforated his nostrils. This stench however, wasn’t the same smell of human waste. A smell like this could make a person vomit his guts out just by catching a whiff of it.

A pair of convicts were slumped on the floor, unconscious. The amount of blood each of them had bled out was so substantial that their own clothing had stuck to their bodies. Their wounds were still open, and several maggots were crawling within the blood and pus on their wounds. A man who was binded was begging, "I give up, I give up. Your excellency, please kill me. I beg you, please kill me."

Hearing these words, the blade gently pressed into his wound once more, and was followed by a shout of agony. There was a laugh, "Oops, I’m sorry, looked like I cut out another piece. At last you give up, I was thinking of playing with you for longer. Such a pity."

When Ji Dan looked across, he felt his stomach turn in revolt. The criminal had the skin on his arms and legs flayed off. Red patches of flesh were exposed and bleeding profusely. He had been subjected to repeated scraping of skin, removing pieces of flesh, bit by bit. He hadn’t died yet, and he was drooling uncontrollably, begging to die.

"Take down the names of his accomplices. If anything’s wrong, we shall have more fun with him later." The Warden looked to be not older than twenty years old, and was considered very young. He spoke to the bailiff next to him, who trembled when he heard his instructions.

"Tian Hong!" Ji Dan spoke softly.

Tian Hong turned around to see the man behind him, "So it’s his excellency Ji who has come. Let me wash my hands, then we can have some wine and meat while we talk."

Ji Dan looked at the man before him, before sighing, "Carry on. I shall wait for you outside."

Ji Dan then turned around. Such cruel punishment and torturing methods made him shiver and the hair on his back stand. Although he had seen and experience a great deal in his numerous years in service, this still disturbed him. Ever since his old friend, Tian Hong went through that crisis, he had changed completely. He even gained a notorious reputation in prison.

Within the leisure room of the prison, there were several dishes which included pork and a jug of wine on the table. A lamp was placed at the edge of the table as well, the flame within it was flickering.

Ji Dan didn’t pick up his chopsticks. Soon after, Tian Hong came and joined him at the table. He immediately picked up his chopsticks and started consuming the dishes on the table noisily.

Tian Hong looked like he hadn’t seen the sun in ages, his complexion was deathly pale and his lips were dry and thin. His knuckles closed into a fist before he picked up his wine cup and drank a deep gulp. He belched, laughed and exclaimed, "That’s good!"

"Brother Tian, why do you have to do all these?" Ji Dan asked, as he saw the cheap pork meat placed on the table.

Being an official and leading troops into battle would see a steady career progression. Being in charge of a prison however, differs greatly. The salary of a Warden was miserable, and he had to think of ways to control the prisoners day and night. Should anything go wrong in the prison, if an outbreak of sickness happens, his career would end immediately.

Tian Hong didn’t do any of these for money. Although he was just a mere prison Warden, they were in similar positions, for their ranks were not high enough to become officials. Unless they produced outstanding results, or do something extraordinary, they would remain in this position all their lives. (Prison Wardens were of the ninth rank.) However, it seemed like Tian Hong wasn’t the least interested in getting a promotion.

As long as he could personally interrogate or torture the criminals, that gave him immense satisfaction.

Ji Dan then sighed, "Ever since his father had been killed, he decided to take up his father’s old job. He used this position of authority to take his hatred and frustrations out on the criminals by torturing them."

"Are you sure that he will come?" Ji Dan looked at Tian Hong and asked softly. He leaned his body forward, closer to Tian Hong, his entire face was full of curiosity.

At this point Tian Hong picked up the wine jug and refilled his cup. In a single gulp, he drained the contents again. He then replied, "I’ve checked up on his agenda, and there seemed to be a pattern. Ying Prefecture, and Yong Prefecture have all already been attacked by him. The proficient fighters of White Hill Clan were all murdered, and not a single person was spared. All the neighboring prefectures have been preparing for him to show up. Since he’s here in Liang Prefecture, it must be that he’s here for me."

"Tian Hong, you should leave an heir behind. Regardless of whether he succeeds in life or not. If not, the old Tian family will die out." Ji Dan looked at Tian Hong and spoke gravely.

"Hm, should I leave an orphan and widow behind for the rest of the world to bully? Then wouldn’t I just be like my irresponsible father? People like us, whose life verge along the threshold of life and death don’t have the right to fall in love with someone else. What right do I have to fall in love with someone, and break her heart upon my demise, and leave her to a lifetime of suffering?" Tian Hong asked coldly. "You look unnaturally upbeat and happy today. Could it be that your mistress gave you a son?"

"It’s nothing like that. You’ve been cooped up in this place for too long, that you’ve turned evil and vicious. If only uncle Tian were here to see you this way..." Ji Dan laughed as he shifted the topic. Even before he could finish speaking, Tian Hong interrupted, "Brother Ji, drink up."

Ji Dan’s sentence had been broken off halfway. He looked deep into Tian Hong’s eyes before sighing. He then raised his glass.

"Bottoms up!" Tian Hong spoke as the both of them drained their cups in one gulp.

Tian Hong had drank a little too much, and his face was flushed red. He looked at Ji Dan and spoke, "You and I are different. You’re an upright subject of the crown. Why have you turned to such a muddy affair, and hope to catch up? The last time you wrote to me, you said you really enjoyed his poems, and now…."

"It’s one thing to like a poem. Since he’s flouted the law, as a constable, I have to do my part for the nation and uphold the law. Hence, I have to catch him no matter what and see that justice is served. Whether I live or die, is beside the point. I have to make this world a better place, as that’s my job." Ji Dan paused for sometime before speaking loudly.

Hearing Ji Dan’s words, Tian Hong laughed coldly, "What kind of justice is this. In one moment the Crown Prince decided to confer a title upon his family, and in the next King Lu ordered the death of the same person. Soon after, you were ordered to arrest him. Isn’t there a conflict between your sense of righteousness and your job?"

Realizing that Tian Hong was going overboard with his words and tone, Ji Dan slammed the table with his fists, "How dare you! Tian Hong, don’t you know that’s very disrespectful? No doubt, because of that matter, both of us brothers quarreled and a conflict arose. But now we serve King Lu, can you not argue with me on this?"

"As for matters above, even if we were esteemed officials, it’s not up to us to speak of such matters. If we speak privately and in full confidence, it can be forgiven. But if such words get out, we might be killed for it."

"That’s more like it. Don’t show me your selfless facade. After all we’re good friends!" Tian Hong’s face was still stoic as he listened to Ji Dan berate him.

Seeing the expression of Tian Hong, Ji Dan turned pensive. He then picked up the jug of wine on the table and filled their cups to the brim before sighing. "Don’t blame anyone. You knew of the situation back then. This man abducted uncle Tian and escaped prison. Once a criminal escapes prison, the jail Warden and all his men would be charged for a crime. As long as the higher-ups pass the command, all of you would be killed instantly…. Forget it. Let’s not discuss this matter anymore. Drink up, drink up."

"Cheers!" The both of them were upset but drank their wine bitterly.

A night passed, and Ji Dan was seated on the wooden bench. Hearing the crow of the rooster he opened his eyes, "Pei Zi Yun, you didn’t come at night. You probably will not show up in broad daylight as well."

"Hm, this jail is becoming like a fortress ready to capture the tiger. If he really has the guts to show up, when he realized the ambush outside, even he will cower in fear."

"I just don’t believe that we can’t catch him." Ji Dan said fiercely.

"Stop thinking anymore. Let’s rest in the prison today." Tian Hong spoke.

"This prison reeks of pungent smells. I can’t take it any longer. Forget it, I shall come back here again at night." Ji Dan then walked out.

An ox-cart was waiting outside the prison. The minute he walked out, a bailiff hurriedly approached him. This bailiff was personally groomed by him. He had solved several cases by himself and was a good student.

That was how the Ji family rose to prominence and earned a job as a constable all these generations. Apart from the fact that they were actually skilled in apprehending criminals, they also constantly received disciples so as to foster good relations with people. That’s how they managed to pass on the job of the constable from one generation to the next.

As soon as he sat down and felt the ox-cart moving off, Ji Dan dozed off to sleep.

All of a sudden, Ji Dan felt a numbness on his waist. He then knew something was not right. As he tried to move, he realized that all his muscles were weak. At this point, he forced himself to remain calm as he opened his mouth, "Top Scorer Pei?"

"It’s me." Pei Zi Yun appeared and had an expression of neither laughter nor anger.

"Even if you’re a Top Scorer, and have scholar status, it’s not right to abduct a constable right?" Ji Dan spoke out loudly.

It’s just that nobody was nearby to listen to Ji Dan’s shout, and thus nobody responded to it. At this point Ji Dan was stumped by his predicament. He could feel the ox-cart still moving, and he assumed that everyone outside had been slaughtered by Pei Zi Yun.

Pei Zi Yun ignored whatever he spoke, "You are a constable with a fearsome reputation. Naturally I would make preparations when dealing with you? Tian Hong was only a bait for me to get to you. Since I’m here now, you can cease your shouting, as nobody can hear you."

"Master Top Scorer, you are a Top Scorer, and received the blessings of the Imperial Court. You must not flout the law, especially after knowing the law. I know you’ve been set up, but that’s not a reason for you to commit a crime. If you have any grievances, I’m sure the Imperial Court will give you justice. You can count on my reputation and trust my words." Ji Dan still looked extremely calm at this point, and spoke sincerely to Pei Zi Yun, who looked as if he believed him.

"Your reputation is one of an impartial and selfless man who would uphold the law. But both of us are smart men as well. That goes without saying. If you wish to speak of the Imperial Court, fine. I know for a fact that the Imperial Court didn’t convict me of any crime. You set a trap and planned for the people outside to ambush me. All these was a ploy by King Lu to kill me!" Pei Zi Yun looked at Ji Dan and spoke plainly.

"Pei Zi Yun, you are indeed crazy. You have no regard for the laws of the country. You’ve killed countless of people from Ying, Yong and Liang Prefectures. You left a trail of a hundred and thirty four dead bodies in your wake, murdered single-handedly by you. Your guilt is immense. Even if I had troops around to ambush you, and even if King Lu had a hand in this, the fact remains that you’re guilty of a crime. By arresting you, I’m doing my part for the country and upholding the law." Ji Dan didn’t care if nobody heard him at this point, he was overcome with emotions and shouted out at Pei Zi Yun angrily.

"You’re a vile bandit who’ve committed atrocities. Don’t tell me I should let you go? Even if I’m dead, there would be hundreds and thousands of me coming for you. Do you really think you can rebel against the Imperial Court?"

"Haha!" Pei Zi Yun was extremely intrigued by this and started laughing.

"Ji Dan, you’ve spoken so much. Do you have a warrant of arrest from the Imperial Court? Or do you have any documentation from the constable’s office to prove my guilt? If not, what right do you have to make representation for the constables and the Imperial Court? What right do you have to represent the name of justice?"

"Where did your sense of righteousness come from? Hahaha!" Pei Zi Yun laughed till tears rolled down his cheeks. He fished out a piece of cloth and wiped the tears away.

Seeing such an attitude, Ji Dan’s hair stood on its edge. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He revealed a look of fear.