I Only Stomp on Weaklings

Just as Chen Ming became alert, he suddenly sensed something and looked up. He saw a person wearing prison clothes striding in confidently.

The newcomer fixed him with hawk-like eyes, "These past few days, I’ve been under the care of Young Master Gu, and today I’ve come to repay you."

As he spoke, he flashed a set of white teeth, his tone carrying a chilling undertone.

"Zhou Yuan?"

Chen Ming was a bit surprised, but managed to vaguely recognize the person’s identity from his features.

The prisoner was in no hurry to make a move and leisurely said, "It’s noteworthy that Young Master Gu still recognizes this old man."

It really was him.

Just a few days ago when they met, this person was still a small old man in his fifties or sixties. Now, with his cultivation restored, he looked much younger, appearing only to be around forty.

It seems that once one reaches the First Grade of cultivation, they can regain their youth. Truly remarkable.

Zhou Yuan saw that he remained calm and composed and couldn’t help but admire his courage, "Today, that Tang fellow is not here, and it’s just you. Aren’t you afraid of this old man?"

Chen Ming said, "You’re stalling for time, afraid I’ll run out and raise the alarm? I guess you’ve only restored about thirty percent of your power. Why should I fear that?"

Zhou Yuan chuckled scornfully, "You truly don’t know the immensity of heaven and earth. Even with thirty percent power, killing you is like killing a chicken!"

With that, he attacked boldly.

As Chen Ming drew his sword, a thought involuntarily crossed his mind, "I really must be at odds with prisons; whenever I stay in one for too long, trouble arises."

...

The third level of the prison is divided into two areas, one for ruffians of the martial world and one for nobles. The environments are completely different, as are the management styles.

Princess Lingyu sensed that the prison’s restrictions had malfunctioned and immediately realized there was a conspiracy.

However, she trusted in her martial arts skills and wasn’t too worried.

She wasn’t sealed by the "Dragon Sealing Needle," so those First Grade criminals imprisoned for a long time were of no concern to her.

The only thing to worry about was the mysterious malfunction of the prison’s restrictions, which certainly involved some scheme.

She had to guard against this.

"Who could it be targeting?"

Princess Lingyu considered the other seventeen people, initially thinking of three individuals, "Is it General Gong? Or the little prince, or Lord Feng?"

These three had the most distinguished identities.

General Gong was once the marshal guarding the northern frontier. After a crushing defeat last year, he ended up in prison. It could be his subordinates coming to rescue him.

The little prince lost the battle for the throne to the current emperor over a decade ago. Out of mercy, the emperor didn’t kill him and merely imprisoned him.

Perhaps some ambitious individuals want to rescue the little prince?

As for Lord Feng, he was originally a minister of the cabinet. He was imprisoned in the heavenly prison for proposing the abolition of the empress, which angered the emperor.

Given the emperor’s usually mild temper, it was clear that such a decree to imprison him showed genuine anger.

The matter wasn’t simple, involving the power struggle between the Empress Dowager and the emperor.

While Princess Lingyu pondered which faction the prison’s anomaly stemmed from, she suddenly heard her fourth sister say, "Elder sister, could you help me save someone?"

"Save someone?"

Princess Lingyu asked curiously, "Do you have a friend imprisoned here? Which cell? Have someone bring them over."

Princess Mingyu said anxiously, "Not a prisoner, it’s the seventh son of the Gu Family. He came to the heavenly prison to spar with those First Grade criminals..."

"The seventh son of the Gu Family?"

Princess Lingyu hadn’t heard of him and asked, "What’s his cultivation level?"

"He just broke through to the Second Grade."

Princess Lingyu raised an eyebrow, showing interest, "Challenging those desperadoes in the heavenly prison just after entering the Second Grade takes some guts."

Princess Mingyu said urgently, "This person is very important to me, please help, elder sister. If we’re late, I’m afraid he’ll be in danger."

If, during his sparring, he finds out that the other party has restored their cultivation, a mere mishap could be fatal, especially since Tang Shouzheng happened not to be here today.

If he dies, it would be even harder to find Zi Yi later.

Seeing her urgency, Princess Lingyu was curious, "Could it be, this person is your lover? Then he’s worth saving. Come, follow me."

She walked out the door with her hands behind her back, leading Princess Mingyu, casually telling the prison guards outside, "The heavenly prison’s restrictions have malfunctioned; find a place to hide to avoid being killed."

As she spoke, she and Princess Mingyu disappeared quickly into the depths of the passageway, their speed incredibly fast as if they had shrunk the earth beneath their feet.

The two areas are separated by a door.

Princess Lingyu had the prison guards open the main door, and they dared not disobey. Upon opening the door, they saw the corpse of a prison guard lying on the ground.

It seemed someone had already broken free and escaped from the cell.

Faster than she had anticipated.

From the traces of the opened door, it seemed the prisoner in that cell must have been adept in hypnosis, making the guards open the cell voluntarily. Otherwise, even a Peak of First Grade couldn’t have opened this indestructible cell in such a short time.

She said, "Your lover is probably out of luck."

Those First Grade criminals had been imprisoned for so long and, like tigers fallen to the plains bullied by dogs, had likely been holding a grudge, hoping to kill that Gu Qi first.

As she spoke, her ears twitched as she sensed the aftermath of a battle.

"Oh?"

One is at First Grade, the other is at Second Grade.

That kid is still alive?

Interesting.

Princess Lingyu led Princess Mingyu, taking a step, to a cell with an open door, where the shockwaves of Gang Yuan were emanating from inside.

She looked inside, the situation was vastly different from what she imagined.

She saw an overly young man, holding an Unparalleled Divine Weapon, pressing the First Grade prisoner, who had already unleashed the "Dragon Sealing Needle," in battle.

Her eyes lit up, "Is that your lover? His swordsmanship is remarkably profound!"

"This Body Technique—"

Suddenly, Princess Lingyu saw the young man’s figure vanish from his place, and with a sword, pierced the prisoner’s chest, her pupils shrank, showing a look of astonishment.

The speed of this Body Technique was unbelievable, even her Divine Sense couldn’t catch it.

Then, a flush rose on her face, her eyes shining, she excitedly said, "What did you just say was his name?"

Princess Mingyu witnessed Chen Ming killing, stunned on the spot, full of surprise and suspicion, as if she hadn’t heard her speak.

"Xiao Si?"

Only when her ears buzzed, startled back to reality, did she stammer, "Ah? You said... what?"

"What is his name?"

"Gu Xianyu."

"Gu Xianyu, I’ve remembered. Unexpectedly, I just entered the sky prison for a few months, yet such a young expert emerged in the Capital City."

At this moment, Chen Ming confirmed the First Grade was dead, turned his head towards the doorway, seeing Princess Mingyu and another elegant young woman.

These two women, one was looking at him with unusually excited eyes.

The other was absent-minded.

His heart skipped a beat, truly not expecting Princess Mingyu to appear here.

"Could it be time to be exposed?"

No, it seems Yuan Ziyi hasn’t acted in front of Princess Mingyu.

Thinking this, he instantly felt relieved, saying, "Your Highness, what brings you here? And who might this be?"

Princess Mingyu recovered and introduced, "This is my elder sister, Princess Lingyu."

Chen Ming cupped his hands, "Gu Family’s Gu Xianyu greets the Commandery Princess."

Princess Lingyu asked, "Why are you inside the cell?"

The prisoner cell isn’t large, definitely not a good place for a duel. Therefore, him appearing in the cell was indeed odd.

Chen Ming responded naturally, "I noticed the sky prison’s restrictions were faulty, a First Grade prisoner had already escaped, killing people everywhere. After I killed two of them, worrying this cell couldn’t confine these First Grade experts, I decided to strike first. Proactively opened the cell and killed them all, to prevent them from escaping together and surrounding me."

"Good idea!"

After hearing his plan, Princess Lingyu couldn’t help but applaud and praise, feeling his character suited her taste.

Princess Mingyu, on the side, couldn’t help but think of the hidden danger.

These prisoners hadn’t escaped yet, killing them like this definitely wasn’t according to protocol. When accountability falls upon him, it’s big trouble.

The best approach is actually to run to the neighboring area to find her.

At this moment, Chen Ming said, "Your Highnesses, there’s no time to delay, I need to continue to the next room. Please assist me."

Princess Lingyu readily agreed, "Okay."

Princess Mingyu wanted to advise, but seeing her elder sister’s enthusiastic look, she sighed inwardly, knowing she couldn’t persuade her, so she had to give up.

...

Chen Ming said this to prevent the "Princess Lingyu" from stealing his kills.

Finally encountering such an opportunity to openly kill these First Grade prisoners, he didn’t want anyone to seize his experience.

Not even a Commandery Princess.

This "Princess Lingyu" was clearly a battle enthusiast, fortunately, he earned her "assistance", with her status, she probably wouldn’t be shameless enough to snatch his kills.

Thus, Chen Ming slaughtered his way through.

Princess Mingyu watched him cut through them like vegetables, consecutively killing four or five people, feeling something was off, quietly asked, "Aren’t these First Grades still not recovered?"

Princess Lingyu replied, "Recovered by two to three-tenths."

Princess Mingyu swallowed, "A First Grade with two to three-tenths of their strength shouldn’t be this weak, right?"

That’s a First Grade expert!

Not to mention two to three-tenths, even with a tenth of their strength, they shouldn’t be manageable by Second Grade.

Between Second Grade and First Grade, there’s a fundamental difference!

That’s common sense.

But what was she seeing now?

A Second Grade killing First Grades like dogs. Even if the First Grades only had two to three-tenths of their strength, it still seemed too odd.

Princess Lingyu excitedly said, "Your lover’s strength alone might already rival First Grade. When he steps into First Grade, who knows how formidable he will be."