There are countless experts in Dragon Capital.
But when a Second-Grade Martial Artist suddenly appeared at the Zhenbei Prison entrance, it immediately caught Jiang Feng’s attention.
Moreover, the person’s aura was deliberately withdrawn.
As if purposely concealed.
If Jiang Feng hadn’t cultivated the Tai Chi Longevity Skill, his Primordial Power immense and perception keen, far surpassing others of his Level, he wouldn’t have noticed that a Second-Grade Powerhouse was hiding at the Zhenbei Prison gate.
His steps unconsciously slowed for a moment, then he continued walking into Zhenbei Prison.
He was dressed in Little Prison Chief’s attire.
His Primordial Power hid very well, his appearance utterly unremarkable, so the other person didn’t pay him the slightest attention.
"Why would a Second-Grade expert suddenly show up?"
"Could the Court have stationed someone here to guard the prison and prevent anyone from hijacking it?"
"Or was I simply too weak before to notice?"
"But now the prison only holds ordinary criminals, and there’s a large force of Prison Army stationed here. It shouldn’t be necessary."
Jiang Feng guessed inwardly.
"If not... then he must be... one of the Second Prince’s people."
Jiang Feng immediately felt a headache coming on.
"That day, Wu Tieshan mistook me for Han Dong. With the Second Prince’s power, there must be his informants inside the prison. Anything Wu Tieshan knows, the Second Prince surely knows too."
"Moreover, Black Tiger was just killed at the prison gate by the Prison Army. The Second Prince must think Han Dong is one of the Seventh Prince’s people. That Second-Grade Powerhouse at the gate—he came for Han Dong!"
The more Jiang Feng thought, the more serious it seemed.
"How can I warn Sister Dong?"
Jiang Feng was at a loss.
He certainly couldn’t tell Han Dong the whole truth.
If he didn’t, Han Dong wouldn’t believe she’s being targeted by the Second Prince.
"Maybe I’m just being paranoid, overthinking."
Jiang Feng tried to comfort himself.
But he still couldn’t help but keep his eyes on Han Dong.
If Han Dong left Zhenbei Prison and that Second-Grade Martial Artist vanished at the same time, then it meant he’d come for Han Dong.
Thinking this through,
Jiang Feng, after swapping shifts that evening, intentionally went to find Han Dong.
"Sister Dong!"
Han Dong was practicing her breathing techniques.
Hearing Jiang Feng’s voice, she opened her eyes, her voice carrying from inside the room: "What is it?"
"I wanted to invite Sister Dong out for a drink."
Jiang Feng said.
"I don’t drink."
Han Dong refused.
"Sister Dong, someone came looking for me last night, asking about you. I’m feeling uneasy and wanted to have a few drinks with you."
Jiang Feng had guessed Han Dong wouldn’t be so easily persuaded.
"Wait for me at the door."
Han Dong hesitated, then replied.
Jiang Feng immediately headed to the entrance of Zhenbei Prison.
Not long after,
Han Dong, in plain clothes, appeared before him.
"Sister Dong, let’s go to that little tavern we went to last time."
The tavern was very close to Zhenbei Prison, only a few hundred meters away.
If anything happened,
He could alert the Prison Army at once to ensure Han Dong’s safety.
Han Dong had no objection, and followed Jiang Feng to the small tavern.
"Ah, just as I thought."
Inside the tavern, Jiang Feng brought Han Dong a set of bowls and chopsticks, sighing inwardly—sure enough, that Second-Grade Martial Artist had followed them, clearly here for Han Dong.
"Sister Dong, about those two people last night—especially that Xiao guy—I just have the feeling he’s not a good person."
Jiang Feng took the initiative to ask.
He genuinely wanted to figure out the identities of Xiao Ran and the young man in brocade.
"His name is Xiao Ran. He’s Heir of King Zhennan, known as the Little Prince."
Han Dong explained.
"What?"
Jiang Feng’s wine cup froze in midair.
King Zhennan was an Exotic King of Great Tang.
Commanding three hundred thousand troops.
An Innate Powerhouse.
Having fought on all fronts.
Countless military exploits.
Now guarding the Great Tang Gate, resisting the Turkic threat.
The Xiao Family heirs generally stayed in Dragon Capital, as per the Court’s rules; the Exotic King commands troops outside, but the heirs had to remain in Dragon Capital.
"What about the young man in brocade?"
Jiang Feng took a deep breath and asked again.
"Heir of Prince Jing, Wu Shao Long."
Han Dong answered again.
Jiang Feng’s hand pouring the wine for Han Dong was trembling.
"I explained everything to them—they won’t trouble you."
Han Dong smiled.
She didn’t want to drag Jiang Feng into this.
"Sister Dong, why don’t you like Xiao Ran?"
Jiang Feng nodded gratefully, pretending to ask.
"I can’t like him, even if I wanted to."
Han Dong downed her cup in one gulp, as if there was a story behind it.
"Feelings are too complicated. Let’s just drink."
Jiang Feng quickly shifted the topic.
"Wu Shao Long says you spent all day at the Academy studying the Tai Chi Longevity Skill. Though it’s a Celestial Level Technique, its cultivation is extremely slow—you ought to be cautious."
Han Dong didn’t wish to get stuck talking about Xiao Ran either.
"Mm. Some of the content was helpful."
Jiang Feng nodded.
"And the Loulan Slash, that Demon Sect Saber Technique. It can make people lose their minds."
Han Dong added.
"I was just comparing it to other saber techniques."
Jiang Feng explained.
"If you still want to enter the Academy, you can build a career—exchange achievements for entry. With your strength, it shouldn’t be hard."
Han Dong said, meaningfully.
"Mm-hmm."
Jiang Feng nodded.
Han Dong didn’t say anything more.
Both were tacit, letting the topic drop at the right time.
After one hour.
Jiang Feng and Han Dong left the little tavern together.
Jiang Feng headed towards Chaoyang Alley.
Han Dong toward Zhenbei Prison.
The Second-Grade Martial Artist followed right behind Han Dong.
Fortunately, the tavern was near the Zhenbei Prison gate.
Here, the Prison Army patrolled.
Han Dong only needed to call out, and countless men and horses would rush out.
The other party didn’t seem confident enough to take Han Dong down quickly, so he dared not make a move.
Once Han Dong entered Zhenbei Prison, Jiang Feng vanished into the dark.
"What can I do to guarantee Sister Dong’s safety?"
"Act and eliminate that Second-Grade Powerhouse?"
"Too risky. Even if I succeed, it’ll attract the Second Prince’s attention."
"And there’s no Fortune Point to back me up."
"Should I just leave it alone?"
On his bed, Jiang Feng was frowning deeply.
He didn’t know how to help Han Dong, yet still make sure he wouldn’t get dragged into it.
"Sister Dong got tangled up in this because of me. I can’t just do nothing."
Jiang Feng sighed.
If Han Dong hadn’t been with him that day, Wu Tieshan wouldn’t have thought Han Dong was the one who took the account book.
"Forget it—I’ll just kill that Second-Grade Martial Artist with an arrow."
After thinking it over, Jiang Feng decided that making the first move was the only way to ensure Han Dong’s safety.
He stopped agonizing over it.
"Sister Dong, I hope from now on you’ll be more careful—don’t leave Zhenbei Prison easily. I can save you once, but not a second or third time."
The Academy had been a huge gain, and since Han Dong got involved because of him,
Jiang Feng had no choice but to kill that Second-Grade Martial Artist.
As for what might happen after that, Jiang Feng couldn’t care anymore.
If Han Dong was still in danger,
he could only leave it to fate.
Under the night sky,
Jiang Feng used his Body Technique, gripped his Black Longbow, and headed for Zhenbei Prison.
He needed to find a high vantage point, making sure he could fire five consecutive arrows to end the Second-Grade Martial Artist’s life.
"Hmm? Idiot—how could I be so stupid?"
Suddenly, just as Jiang Feng was about to make his move, he thought of something, slapped his forehead hard, and quickly vanished into the darkness, heading elsewhere.