Chapter Nineteen: Imprisoned in the Celestial Dungeon

After Feng Yumian left, Feng Yuzhi still had no intention of letting Xu Feng go.

“You are not allowed to approach Yumian anymore, no matter the reason. She is still young and naïve. Do I need to teach you some basic principles? Have you read so much of your so-called sage books only to forget everything?”

“I can’t control other people’s thoughts. You’d better mind your own business!”

Feng Yuzhi seemed taken aback by Xu Feng’s retort, standing stunned for a long moment before reacting.

At this moment, Zuo Jincheng felt like a clown being excluded. Feng Yumian looked down on him, and now even Feng Yuzhi was keeping her distance.

All this was because of the Ghost-Masked Man. Before encountering him, things were not like this. Xu Feng’s anger was somewhat justified.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Staying here would only make him look worse, so he left without a word, but not before casting a fierce glare at Xu Feng.

He was nothing but a waste; if he couldn’t handle the Ghost-Masked Man, how could he deal with him?

Feng Yuzhi sensed something was wrong. She raised her hand to call after him but didn’t know how to start, so she let Zuo Jincheng leave.

This was unexpected. In the past, if something like this happened, Feng Yuzhi would have immediately run after her left husband to comfort him.

With only Xu Feng left in the courtyard—and even Dong’er had left without notice—she, unused to being alone with Xu Feng, quietly turned and returned to her room.

Xu Feng calmly tidied the room, when Dong’er suddenly appeared from somewhere.

“Master, such a good opportunity just now, why didn’t you have a proper talk with the young lady? I think she’s starting to change her attitude toward you. Maybe if you talk more about your relationship, you two could become closer.”

This small person truly worried herself sick for the family.

Xu Feng understood her meaning, but he had no intention of living peacefully with Feng Yuzhi. Since she had chosen Zuo Jincheng from the start, there was no need for him to break them apart. He would leave at a suitable time, giving her freedom.

“You’re small but cunning; this isn’t your concern. It’s getting late—go get ready for bed.”

Xu Feng ruffled her hair. After staying up late, he was a bit tired himself.

The night passed without incident.

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Since bidding farewell to his previous life as a corporate slave, Xu Feng had lost the habit of sleeping in and now rose early every day.

It showed that with enough rest, maintaining good energy and spirit was quite easy.

He first practiced martial arts in the courtyard, then began calligraphy, which had become his habit. Practicing calligraphy also helped his mind grow calmer.

In some respects, calligraphy and swordsmanship shared similar principles.

Drawing a sword required calmness, just as in battle, one must seize the right moment.

“Master, master, bad news! I just saw a group of government soldiers at the mansion while buying vegetables. I overheard them—they’ve come to arrest you.”

“It seems related to that Zuo Jincheng, who was leading them. You need to find a way to escape—don’t let them catch you.”

Before Xu Feng could finish a calligraphy copybook, Dong’er stumbled in. Xu Feng, however, remained calm and leisurely adjusted his clothes.

“What’s there to panic about? I have a clear conscience. Even if they want to frame me, it won’t work. No need to worry. I’m curious to see what kind of trouble these petty people can stir up.”

Dong’er was anxious; to her, her master was weak and defenseless, and being caught surely meant disaster.

But Xu Feng was confident in his own strength, so he was not alarmed. The current troublemakers would not cause him real harm.

Zuo Jincheng’s realm was higher than his, but Xu Feng was confident he could severely injure or even kill him with a surprise attack.

Not long after, Zuo Jincheng led several six-paneled gate constables rushing in.

Their leader was a captain in purple robes.

Upon entering, he pointed at Xu Feng and asked, “Is this the one you say has ties to the Ghost-Masked Man?”

“Yes, it’s him. My men witnessed him communicating with the Ghost-Masked Man, but we couldn’t catch him in the act. That guy is very cunning. Luckily, I know him; otherwise, he might have escaped.”

A blatant false accusation. Hearing the name “Ghost-Masked Man” startled Xu Feng, but he ignored the rest.

If he guessed correctly, Zuo Jincheng hadn’t discovered the connection between him and the Ghost-Masked Man. He only wanted to use this opportunity to send Xu Feng away.

Zuo Jincheng was narrow-minded; what he saw last night must have been hard for him to accept.

He couldn’t tolerate being trampled by a worthless man.

---

Unable to confront Xu Feng openly, he resorted to underhanded methods.

“In that case, take him back for a thorough interrogation. See if he knows where the Ghost-Masked Man is hiding.”

Without hesitation, the captain in purple robes ordered his men to act.

“Sir, are you arresting someone on personal grounds?”

“Whether it’s personal or not is for me to decide. Don’t talk back to me.”

It was clear he had accepted a bribe from Zuo Jincheng. In other words, the Six-Paneled Gate, the imperial investigative agency, was utterly corrupt.

Previously, the officials colluded with bandits; now they arrested people indiscriminately.

Xu Feng did not resist—not because he was afraid, but because he wanted to avoid involving others.

Besides, even if they arrested him, they wouldn’t really harm him. At worst, he would take off his disguise and fight back freely.

“Tell Second Miss not to act rashly. I will handle this.”

Before leaving, Xu Feng gave specific instructions.

Mentioning Feng Yumian, Zuo Jincheng’s face darkened further as he snapped,

“Take him away quickly. Don’t let him communicate with anyone else.”

Xu Feng had expected to be locked in the city jail but was instead taken to a secret underground chamber.

Suzhou was a large city, the economic and transportation hub within a hundred miles, and housed a stronghold of the Six-Paneled Gate. This prison was for high-level criminals.

Anyone locked in the “Heavenly Prison” was a notorious criminal. Unexpectedly, Zuo Jincheng’s influence was so great that the captain in purple robes broke rules to punish Xu Feng.

“Stay here quietly. Once the investigation is complete, you will be released.”

The cell was foul and rotten-smelling. Several prisoners shared the cramped space, some emaciated to mere skin and bones.