Clash of Chaos Chapter 101: The Master Within the Prison

At present, Li Qiutong was confined within a cold, dark prison. The surroundings were eerily silent; shadows of prisoners flickered in the dim cells, yet there was no sign of life or vitality.

“Hey, I heard this is a death cell, is that true?” Li Qiutong asked the figure opposite him, a man whose face was obscured by a wild mane of hair.

The man did not look up, merely replied in a low voice, “More or less.”

“Then how are you still alive?”

A disdainful laugh escaped the man’s lips. “They’re too afraid to let me out.”

“Why? How did you end up here?”

The man seemed to take an interest. “It’s been years without anyone to talk to. Well, now I have you—let’s have a proper chat.”

“You probably don’t know my name; back in the day, I was a legendary assassin feared throughout the martial world—known as Shadow. Back then…”

Before Shadow could finish, Li Qiutong interrupted, “How exactly were you captured?”

“I... I was too strong. Framed by an enemy family, I was helplessly seized by the soldiers. But these guys fear my Shadow Techniques so much, they won’t dare let me out of this No-Energy Prison.”

“What’s a No-Energy Prison?”

“As the name suggests, within this space, no martial energy exists. It reduces every warrior below peak martial level to an ordinary person. Can’t you feel it?”

Li Qiutong tried to summon his martial energy but felt nothing. “Yeah, I didn’t notice before.”

The man sneered, “A low-level martial artist like you locked in this death cell—what crime did you commit?”

Li Qiutong pondered. “A rival framed me for taking the princess’s purity, and Tang Zong wants me dead.”

Upon hearing this, the man suddenly perked up. “You took the princess’s purity? How was it?”

“Nothing to feel. I was asleep; I didn’t know anything.”

The man sighed deeply. “I sympathize with you, brother—doing something so thrilling and then forgetting it. How many days till your execution?”

“Five or six. I’m not sure.”

“Don’t you regret it?” the man pressed.

“Regret? Why? I’ll be leaving soon anyway.”

“Leaving? Indeed, soon. Let me say goodbye to you for the next life.”

Li Qiutong fell silent, no longer disputing.

After a long pause, the man suddenly asked, “By the way, brother, do you know the current state of the continent? I’ve been here for years.”

“Uh, it’s chaotic. Qin and Han are at war, and recently, the Song Kingdom was conquered by the Heavenly Kingdom,” Li Qiutong summarized briefly.

“What? The Song Kingdom fell?” The man exclaimed in shock.

“Yes. Are you from Song?”

The man’s emotions surged as he dragged his shackled feet closer. “What about the Lin family—the Lin family of Song? Are they still around?”

Li Qiutong was taken aback. “Do you have a connection with the Lins?”

The man sighed helplessly. “I was once the heir to the Lin family head. But back then, I was arrogant and confident, going alone to Tang as an assassin. I thought I could live freely, but one failed mission left me like this. For years, my only concern has been my sister. I regret leaving without a word. Now Song is gone; I wonder if she’s safe.”

“Is your sister Lin Ai?”

The man’s eyes widened. “You know little Ai?”

Li Qiutong nodded. “Calm down. Lin Ai is fine, living well.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Here—this jade pendant she gave me. Do you recognize it?”

Li Qiutong pulled the jade pendant from behind and handed it over carefully.

The man gently stroked it. “This is indeed her personal pendant.”

“See? I have a decent relationship with the Lin family. Before—” Li Qiutong began, but was cut off as Lin Hai grabbed his collar.

“Tell me, what’s your relationship with Ai? This pendant is personal to her; why would she give it to you?” Lin Hai’s voice grew sharp. Then a thought struck him, and he barked, “She wouldn’t have married you, would she? You’re already married, yet you dared to lay hands on the princess? Scoundrel! How can you face my sister?”

Li Qiutong pushed him away. “No, we’re just partners. You’re overthinking.”

Then, Li Qiutong recounted their cooperation with the Lin family and the affairs of the Autumn Grass Alliance. Upon hearing the truth, Lin Hai calmed down, though his gaze toward Li Qiutong remained slightly wary.

“So that’s how it is. Poor Ai—caught up in such matters.” Lin Hai’s heart was heavy with guilt. If he hadn’t fled, his sister wouldn’t have been forced to take the family head’s position; if not desperate, she wouldn’t have had to rely on the Heavenly Kingdom.

“Enough. Lin Ai is safe now. When we get out, you should talk to her properly,” Li Qiutong comforted.

“Get out? You must be dreaming. You’re to be beheaded in a few days, paraded for all to see. Thinking of escape? With your current situation, Li Yuanba will probably escort you personally. How do you plan to run? That guy may be dumb, but his strength is formidable.”

Li Qiutong remained confident. “I have my ways. In a few days, we’ll escape this place.”

“I don’t believe it.”

“Let’s make a bet. If I get you out, you stay by my side as my aide for a year. How about that?” Li Qiutong smiled.

“No need for a year. If you can get me out, my life is yours. Whatever you ask, I’ll do. The Lin family is in Ai’s hands now; I’m not much use back home,” Lin Hai agreed.

“Then it’s settled.”

“A promise not lightly broken.”

---

At the Prime Minister’s residence, Yun Luoxuan and her party arrived in Chang'an and went straight to the home of Wei Zheng, the current Prime Minister. Wei Zheng had studied in the Heavenly Kingdom and was once a classmate of the former Heavenly Emperor, making him well-disposed toward the Heavenly Kingdom.

Wei Zheng headed directly to the reception room upon returning home, where Yun Luoxuan awaited.

Seeing him, she immediately stood. “Uncle Wei, how is it? Has Prince Tang Zong agreed to see me?”

Wei Zheng shook his head. “I couldn’t even bring it up to His Majesty today.”

“Did something happen?” Yun Luoxuan’s concern deepened as she noticed Wei Zheng’s serious expression.

“Last night, a Northern General, drunk, forcibly took advantage of His Majesty’s beloved little princess. Coupled with previous conflicts, His Majesty was in a foul mood all day and refused to see me,” Wei Zheng explained helplessly. The alliance with the Heavenly Kingdom against Qin was crucial, yet petty issues were causing delays.

“The Northern General? Was his name Li Qiutong?”

“That’s right. Do you know him?” Wei Zheng looked at Yun Luoxuan curiously.

Hesitating, Yun Luoxuan replied, “No, but I’ve heard people mention a martial prodigy in Tang named Li Qiutong.”

Wei Zheng sighed. “He is indeed a promising young man but far too arrogant.”

“Uncle Wei, can you tell me more about him?” Yun Luoxuan asked with curiosity.

“Well, I suppose I can. He was recommended by General Qin Shubao and is distantly related to the Li family of Tang. He himself is a top martial prodigy—before twenty, already a Saint Warrior. I heard he once fought the Overlord, a peerless talent of the era. Prince Tang Zong favored him greatly and wanted to make him a king, but decided to let him mature and assigned him to Beitong Pass.

“When the Mongols invaded, I learned that Prince Ming personally sent someone to Beitong Pass. I thought it was to have Li Qiutong lead troops for glory and earn a rightful kingship. Instead, he sent his sworn brother Yang Ruiyun. I even asked General Qin about this.

“Yang Ruiyun’s record justifies the choice; he nearly repelled the Mongols single-handedly. The prince favored Yang, promoted him, and married his beloved Jingning to him. But Yang was arrogant, insulted the prince by refusing the marriage outright, and left with his troops back to Beitong Pass without a word.

“Li Qiutong never responded to this. If not for Generals Qin and Xue staunchly defending Beitong Pass, the prince would have already dispatched troops.”

“What about this time? Li Qiutong returned to Chang’an himself—is he seeking something?”

“I heard General Qin sent him back to apologize to His Majesty to lighten his punishment. But then last night happened. That’s enough for now, Luoxuan. Get some rest. Once His Majesty settles this, I will introduce you to him,” Wei Zheng said before leaving.

Yun Luoxuan sat quietly, pondering. Li Qiutong had said he no longer wished to stay in Tang. Yet he chose to come to Chang’an alone while severely injured—that was puzzling. She believed Li Qiutong was a man of integrity and wouldn’t do such things out of spite. Besides, he had been captured; if he’d known of this, he would have fled long ago, not be imprisoned now.

Just then, Xu Yang and Xu Yue returned.

Yun Luoxuan recounted everything she’d learned from the Prime Minister.

“What do you intend to do, Miss?”

“I feel this matter is more complicated. I want Brother Xu to investigate.”

Xu Yang agreed. “Alright, I’ll go right away. If you don’t mind, I can visit the Qin residence to speak with Lady Qin and Rose. Rose, as the leader of the world’s third-ranked assassin group—the Phantoms—must know more.”

Yun Luoxuan suddenly recalled the beautiful woman who always wore a blank expression. “She’s the divine-level assassin, Rose.”

Xu Yang nodded. “Yes. The night we fought the Dagger Assassins, I recognized her. But since you were with Li Qiutong, I didn’t mention it.”

Yun Luoxuan wasn’t sure how to respond, so she changed the subject. “Very well, Brother Xu, it’s in your hands.”

“No problem. Leave it to me.” Xu Yang turned and left.

“Miss, do you really think Master Li would do such a thing?” Xu Yue asked quietly.

“He’s not that kind of person,” Yun Luoxuan affirmed.

“Miss, could it be you’ve fallen for Master Li?”

Yun Luoxuan paused, then shook her head. “Love? It’s not so easy.”