Xia Country, Dragon Gate Island.
On this little-known island stood nine interconnected prisons known as Number Nine Celestial Prison. Imprisoned within were over a thousand criminals, every single one of them guilty of monstrous crimes and utterly heinous deeds.
Yet the strangest part was that these nine prisons did not have a single prison guard, nor were there any heavy mechanisms to prevent the inmates from escaping! There was only a single young man guarding the place...
"Stepping outside the prison gates means regaining a new lease on life and stepping toward freedom. Why doesn't a single inmate dare to break out?"
"Because they don't want to leave!"
Outside the gates of the central prison, a group of people in military uniforms appeared. The two middle-income men leading them both wore a single star on their shoulders.
Yang Zhian asked, utterly puzzled, "Old Huang, don't pull my leg. How could prisoners not want to leave?"
Huang Zhonghu nodded gently. "It's not that they don't like freedom; it's just that there is no place freer than here."
"Old Huang, your words leave me completely baffled!"
Yang Zhian was completely lost, utterly unable to fathom what kind of freedom could possibly exist inside a prison.
Huang Zhonghu explained with deep meaning, "Here, people are not divided into social classes, nor is there backstabbing, scheming, or deceit!"
All beings are equal—these words were fully embodied in Number Nine Celestial Prison!
No matter what status you held in the outside world, the moment you arrived at Number Nine Celestial Prison, it meant you were on equal footing with everyone here. You did the same work, ate the same food, wore the same clothes... No worries, plenty to eat and drink, living in peace and stability.
The authorities had once sent people to investigate, and the happiness index here could be called the highest in the world!
Yang Zhian frowned, disbelief written all over his face as he said, "Human hearts are unpredictable. Even if someone has established such an order, why are the inmates all willing to follow the rules?"
"Because of him!"
As he spoke, Huang Zhonghu reached out and pointed toward the top of the gate tower.
At that moment, a young man on the city tower stood with his hands behind his back, looking down condescendingly at the situation inside the prison.
"Master, I have sinned, please forgive me!"
A plump middle-aged man stood behind the youth, bowing at a ninety-degree angle.
The young man turned around and asked indifferently, "Fatty, what is your sin?"
Thud! The middle-aged man knelt on one knee on the ground. "Reporting to Master, my second brother gathered a group of people outside in an attempt to break me out of prison, but I stopped it. Furthermore, I gave that idiot a severe beating, and he guaranteed he would never dare set foot on Dragon Gate Island again for the rest of his life!"
The young man wore an expression that said 'this one can still be taught'. "This matter is not your fault; no punishment is needed."
"Thank you for your forgiveness, Master."
......
Below the city tower.
Yang Zhian wore a look of shock, exclaiming, "Isn't that guy who just knelt down Liu Wenhan of the Paoge Society? The authorities spent quite a hefty price back then just to bring him to justice!"
Huang Zhonghu replied, "It is indeed that grand overlord."
"Old Huang, just who on earth is the young man Liu Wenhan is kneeling to? Could he be..."
At this, Yang Zhian had a sudden flash of insight.
Seeing Huang Zhonghu nod slightly, he felt a surge of awe and respect. "Xu Lang, style name Wudao. This fellow has guarded Number Nine Celestial Prison single-handedly, and for three years, not a single mishap has ever occurred!"
......
Inside the prison, the top floor of Building Number Five served as Xu Lang's private territory.
"Yamete... Oh, kimochi ii (Ah, it feels so good)..."
The sultry cries of a woman echoed from inside the room, lasting for a full hour.
When he saw Xu Lang walking out of the room pulling up the waistband of his shorts, Liu Wenhan, who had been waiting outside, hurried forward and smiled ingratiatingly, "Master, were you satisfied with those two chicks?"
Xu Lang clicked his tongue in praise. "Their skill in serving people is not bad, I can use them occasionally!"
"Then I'll leave them here for Master to use occasionally." Liu Wenhan caught his drift, then abruptly changed the subject. "By the way, Master, a group of people from the authorities have come to see you."
Hearing the word 'authorities', Xu Lang curled his lip and flatly refused, "Just say I'm busy, make them leave!"
"Master, the officials who came this time hold high positions." Liu Wenhan pointed at his shoulder. "Two of them are wearing a single star."
Xu Lang showed a look of disdain. "What, you think a single star can scare me?"
Liu Wenhan hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no, no. I mean, since Master, you don't have much going on anyway, you might as well go meet them and see what nonsense they're on about."
After pondering for a moment, Xu Lang said reluctantly, "Then I'll go meet them."
Five minutes later.
Xu Lang arrived at his office. The moment he pushed the door open, the few people waiting inside stood up as one.
"Mr. Xu, long time no see!" Huang Zhonghu stepped forward and proactively extended his hand in a friendly gesture.
For a moment, Xu Lang didn't recognize him. "And you are?"
Huang Zhonghu reminded him, "Three years ago when you came to the Imperial Capital, we met at Long Lord Manor. I was sitting right behind the Chief Counselor at the time."
"Oh~~~ No impression!" Xu Lang's words instantly made Huang Zhonghu rather awkward.
Click!
Xu Lang lit a cigarette, sat down in his office chair, and crossed his legs. "When I agreed to old man Qi's request to come here and guard this place for three years, there was still a month left until the term expired. Could it be that you want to take over early?"
Hearing this fellow casually refer to the current Long Lord as 'old man Qi', the corners of Yang Zhian's mouth twitched fiercely.
"Mr. Xu has misunderstood. We are here today to ask for a favor."
Huang Zhonghu finished speaking and shot a look at one of his subordinates.
That man had just stood up when Xu Lang directly waved his hand to cut him off. "No need to say it, I'm busy!"
Huang Zhonghu couldn't help but emit a bitter laugh. "Mr. Xu, you don't even know what it's about yet."
"It won't be anything good anyway." As if completely certain of it, Xu Lang adopted a resolute attitude. "Wherever you came from, go back there. I won't see you out."
Even though the order to evict the guests had been given, Huang Zhonghu and the others showed no intention of leaving.
Yang Zhian stepped forward. "Mr. Xu, this matter is very difficult for others, but for you, it should only count as a small trifle."
"Hehehe." Xu Lang laughed at himself. "You guys think too highly of me."
Lowering his posture, Yang Zhian made a solemn promise. "As long as Mr. Xu agrees, any conditions are open for negotiation."
Xu Lang took a drag of his cigarette and shook his head. "I appreciate your good intentions, but I have no desires or demands."
Seeing this, Yang Zhian cast a glance at Huang Zhonghu, seemingly asking: What now? This kid is completely impervious to reason!
"Mr. Xu, at least let me finish what I have to say."
Huang Zhonghu stepped forward with a smile, then produced a letter from inside his coat and handed it to Xu Lang. "The Long Lord asked me to pass this on to Mr. Xu. He said that once you read it, you won't refuse anymore."
Seeing the other party's unbothered and confident demeanor, Xu Lang felt a sudden wave of curiosity, so he unwrapped the envelope to take a look.
Inside the envelope was a photograph of a young woman in her early twenties, with delicate features and exquisite facial contours.
Huang Zhonghu explained in a low voice, "Mr. Xu, the Long Lord has been searching for this person for a very long time!"
Xu Lang put down the photograph, his breathing turning slightly hurried.
"Speak, what do you want me to help with..."