AUBTN -Chapter 33 Prison Break

In the past, he was a commander of the Jinyiwei, while Shen Jue was the Chief of the Eastern Depot.

They had clashed head-on in court, intercepting each other’s moves in the streets and alleys, wishing the other would drop dead on the spot.

But now, in this sunless underground passage, in this darkness both farthest from and closest to imperial power, they had somehow become each other’s only support.

“There’s a fork ahead. Turn left,” Shen Jue’s voice suddenly rang out.

“Don’t step on that raised stone. There’s lamp oil connected underneath it.”

Lu Yan stepped over it as instructed and couldn’t help asking, “Where does this path lead?”

“To the Hall of the King of Hell. Do you believe that?” Shen Jue scoffed, though he didn’t slow his pace.

“Lu Yan, sometimes I really envy your wooden brain. All you think about is loyalty to the emperor and service to the country. Unlike me—I spend every day calculating how to stay alive.”

Lu Yan fell silent for a moment before asking quietly, “When you investigated that old case from years ago… was that also to stay alive?”

The figure ahead paused slightly.

“That was to let the dead rest in peace.” For the first time, Shen Jue’s voice lost some of its mocking sarcasm and carried a faint, almost imperceptible heaviness.

“Su Hewan was right. When the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold. If Prince Ning doesn’t die, whether it’s your Jinyiwei or my Eastern Depot, we’ll all end up buried with him.”

“So this time, we have to join forces.” In the darkness, Lu Yan reached out and steadied Shen Jue, who had nearly slipped.

Shen Jue’s body stiffened, clearly unaccustomed to such contact. Yet he didn’t shake Lu Yan off, only snorted awkwardly.

“Take your hand away. It reeks of blood—stinks to death.”

Though his words were full of disdain, his pace slowed deliberately.

These two men, once as incompatible as fire and water, had—for the first time on this dim secret path toward freedom—cast aside their identities, their positions, and their prejudices.

No longer the Commander of the Jinyiwei, nor the Chief of the Eastern Depot.

Just two comrades walking side by side through the darkness, fighting for the same goal, for that small flame in their hearts that had yet to be extinguished.

After who knew how long, a faint glimmer of light finally appeared ahead.

The exit was on the wall of an abandoned dry well.

When the two of them climbed out of the well, the horizon was already turning pale with the first light of dawn.

The chilly morning wind, carrying the scent of dew, rushed toward them. Lu Yan took a deep breath.

The foul heaviness in his chest finally seemed to dissipate a little.

This was an extremely secluded residence. The surroundings were silent, with only a few early-rising sparrows hopping on the branches.

“Where is this place?” Lu Yan asked, scanning the area warily.

“Relax. It’s not under the Eastern Depot’s name, nor is it my personal property. It was purchased under a dead man’s identity.” Shen Jue straightened his disheveled robes, once again resuming the aloof bearing of a high-ranking chief.

“Besides me and Su Hewan, no one knows about this place. In other words—hidden right under the lamp.”

Lu Yan looked at the refined yet unostentatious courtyard before him, secretly astonished.

A cunning rabbit has three burrows. Shen Jue’s scheming mind was truly unfathomable.

If not for this cooperation, the Jinyiwei might search until death and still never discover this place.

“There’s medicine inside, and clean clothes too. Deal with your wounds yourself.” Shen Jue pointed toward the main house, his tone as casual as if he were dismissing a beggar.

“For the next few days, stay here and recover honestly. I’ll have someone bring news from outside. Remember—don’t show your face. If you get caught, don’t expect me to save you a second time.”

Lu Yan nodded without saying much. A great kindness needed no words; right now, he truly needed to lie low.

“Oh, right.”

As Shen Jue reached the courtyard gate, he suddenly stopped and turned back with a half-smile.

“That Yu Qing girl is making a fuss at the Eastern Depot, insisting on setting up a memorial tablet for you. If you don’t show up soon, you might end up eating the offerings made to your own spirit in a few days.”

Lu Yan’s lips twitched, and a helpless smile actually appeared on his pale face.

“Tell her I’m not that easy to kill.”

Shen Jue waved his hand, his figure quickly disappearing into the morning mist.

Lu Yan stood in the courtyard, watching the sky gradually brighten, his gaze slowly turning firm and cold.

The day fully broke.

The capital’s common folk opened their shop doors as usual, preparing to begin another day’s livelihood.

However, today the place seemed to be filled with an unusual tension.

A thunderous roar suddenly shattered the quiet of the Court of Judicial Review.

“Bastards! A bunch of useless fools! Worthless trash!”

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review knelt on the ground, trembling like a leaf, not daring to even breathe loudly.

In front of him, Prince Ning’s face was livid. The teacup in his hand was violently smashed onto the floor, shards scattering everywhere. Tea splashed onto the minister’s official robe.

“Where is he? Huh? A living, breathing man just vanished right under your noses?” Prince Ning pointed at the empty cell, his chest heaving with rage.

Inside the cell, only the two opened shackles lay lonely on the ground, as if silently mocking their incompetence.

As for the real prison guard who had been knocked unconscious—he still hadn’t woken up.

“Y-Your Highness… please calm your anger…” the minister stammered, his voice shaking.

“Last night… there were no signs of anyone breaking in. Except… except for the guard who came during the shift change…”

“Investigate that guard immediately!” Prince Ning’s eyes were dark and terrifying.

Lu Yan dared to deceive him! Secretly having people follow him, investigate him—did he think Prince Ning didn’t know?

He never expected that the dignified Commander of the Imperial Guard would also be such a two-faced hypocrite!

Since that was the case, then he shouldn’t blame Prince Ning for being ruthless.

“He was severely tortured—he couldn’t have escaped far! Someone must be helping him! Investigate the Eastern Depot!”

“B-But… the Eastern Depot says that Overseer Shen spent the entire night in his residence listening to music and never left…” a strategist beside him said cautiously.

“Listening to music? Hmph! That eunuch dog only knows these cheap tricks!” Prince Ning flicked his sleeve angrily, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

“Well done, Lu Yan. Shen Jue. I really underestimated the two of you—daring to pull off such a cicada-shedding-its-shell trick right under my nose!”

His original plan had been flawless.

As long as Lu Yan died in prison, the Imperial Guard would be leaderless, and he could rightfully take control of the capital’s defenses.

By then, sidelining the young emperor and eliminating the Eastern Depot would be as easy as turning his hand over.

But now, Lu Yan had escaped.

It was like a thorn driven deep into Prince Ning’s heart.

A living Lu Yan lurking in the shadows was more terrifying than ten dead ones.

Because he knew too many secrets—and behind him stood the fiercely loyal Imperial Guard.

“Transmit my command!”

Prince Ning took a deep breath, forcing down the fury in his heart. His voice was icy and bone-chilling as it echoed through the prison.

“Commander of the Imperial Guard Lu Yan attempted to assassinate a high court official, then fled in fear of punishment with intent to rebel! His crimes are unforgivable! From this moment on, the entire capital is under lockdown! Close the Nine Gates—entry allowed, exit forbidden!”

“Mobilize the Jinyiwei and the patrol battalions. Search house by house! Dig three feet into the ground if you must—find him! Anyone who shelters him will share the same crime as a commoner—execute them without mercy!”

As the order was issued, the entire capital instantly erupted.

On the streets, the synchronized marching of soldiers shattered the calm of the morning.

Armored troops roughly kicked open the doors of shop after shop. Chickens scattered, dogs barked, and cries rang everywhere.

“Open up! We’re searching for a fugitive!”

“Search this house!”

“Over there—tear apart that haystack!”

The tense atmosphere pressed down like dark storm clouds over everyone’s heads.

Meanwhile, atop a tall building within the Eastern Depot, Shen Jue stood with his hands behind his back, looking down through the window lattice at the capital streets that had descended into chaos.

In his hand, he idly played with a smooth jade thumb ring, a bloodthirsty smile curling at the corner of his lips.

“Go on. Make trouble,” he murmured. “The bigger the commotion, the better.”

Su Hewan stood quietly behind him, her gaze also fixed outside the window, her expression calm and sharp.

“Prince Ning is getting anxious,” she said softly.