An Jing changed into a loose, dark blue night cloak and directly slipped into the Yu State City prison.
For the prison in Yu State City, most people might not be familiar, but An Jing knew a few things.
If the prisoners in the prison fell ill, they also needed timely treatment. Responsible for this was the arrest officer of the Imprisonment Department, Qin. Because An Jing had once helped Sima Jian and was somewhat famous for his medical skills in Yu State City, every time there was a need, arrest officer Qin would go to Jishi Hall to invite An Jing to treat those prisoners.
Through these interactions, An Jing became familiar with the Yu State City prison.
A person who could deduce the heavenly secrets was definitely extraordinary, and ninety percent would be held on the second level of the dungeon, where the top-tier prisoners were kept.
The top-tier prisoners in Yu State City were equivalent to the prisoners in the Heavenly Prison of Yujing City.
It was said that the Heavenly Prison of Yujing City had eighteen levels, holding important offenders of the court, Jianghu demons, and extremely corrupt merchants. Being held in the Heavenly Prison indicated that their identity was extraordinary, as they were all prisoners personally ordered to be imprisoned by Emperor Yan.
The top-tier prisoners in Yu State City were undoubtedly significant.
However, An Jing doubted whether there were truly top-tier prisoners on the second level. Could such esteemed individuals exist in Yu State City?
But if the Earth Book's indication was true, then it must be on the second level.
"There should be many experts on this second level."
An Jing sneaked into the second level, his heart growing cautious, and took out a piece of Confusing Fragrance from his waist.
This Confusing Fragrance was specially made by him, refined from the original Enchanting Fragrance with added materials like mandala flowers and Staggerweed. As long as someone inhaled this special Confusing Fragrance, any expert below the Fifth Grade would instantly pass out.
"Hoo..."
An Jing lightly blew the Confusing Fragrance, its ethereal scent wafting through the entire second level of the dungeon.
Soon, sounds of people collapsing were heard.
"Next is the dungeon's covert sentinels."
An Jing ground the burning Confusing Fragrance into powder, then strode deeper into the second level of the dungeon.
There were covert sentinels in the dungeon, but avoiding them was not difficult for someone of An Jing's ability.
This special Confusing Fragrance was extremely potent. Many heavy punishment prisoners on the second level of the dungeon were also knocked unconscious, leaving only a few with cultivation above the Fifth Grade who retained a sliver of consciousness.
"Is there a master here to break the prison!?"
Someone saw a black shadow flash by, their heart greatly shaken, thinking they had seen things.
"The Earth Book's sense is getting stronger, it seems that the person is inside."
In the next moment, An Jing arrived at a cell door, the Earth Book incessantly flashing in his mind.
Whenever close to an opportunity, the Earth Book would continuously signal.
Peering through the gap, he saw iron chains coiled like dragons inside the cell, with a disheveled-haired person standing in the center.
Could it be this person?
"Cao Anmin, you've used these tricks several times already, still want to use them?"
Jiang Sanjia raised his head, a slight sneer on his lips.
An Jing's brow furrowed, and he said, "I don't know about your underhanded dealings with Magistrate Cao, but it looks like you're the person I'm looking for."
He knew Cao Anmin, the Magistrate of Yu State City.
But An Jing had no good impressions of the Magistrate of Yu State City. All the citizens knew that Cao Anmin was a great corrupt official, but it seemed someone was backing him.
"Who are you? I don't know you at all." Jiang Sanjia lifted his head coldly.
"Now, we've come to know each other."
With that, An Jing placed his palm on the cell door.
Could this person be here for a jailbreak!? Is he here to save me!?
Jiang Sanjia was greatly shocked inside. Despite the myriad questions in his heart, the man before him was his sole glimmer of hope.
"This is the prison of Yu State City!" Even though Jiang Sanjia was unbelievably excited, he still whispered.
"You must be from the Ghost Valley Sect, right?"
An Jing smiled faintly and asked.
"I am Jiang Sanjia from the Ghost Valley Sect." Jiang Sanjia found it strange; did this person not know his identity?
So it was that famous diviner in Jianghu. It seemed his opportunity lay with this person.
An Jing's heart quivered.
The name "diviner" was renowned in Jianghu. He was from the Ghost Valley Sect and proficient in face reading, divination, and other Ghost Valley arts, capable of perceiving all things and glimpsing a hint of heavenly secrets. Rumor had it he previously served at the Qintian Bureau of the Great Yan but entered Jianghu for unknown reasons after resigning.
Once in Jianghu, he gained fame and status with his Ghost Valley heritage and divination skills, making a name for himself. Two years ago, he disappeared for unknown reasons, only to be found imprisoned in the dungeon of Yu State City.
An Jing wasn't interested in why the diviner was imprisoned here and straightforwardly said, "Hand over the Bodhi Bead, and I can rescue you."
Jiang Sanjia suddenly understood; this person came for the Bodhi Bead.
The Bodhi Bead was a sacred Buddhist treasure, once enshrined at the Leiyin Temple in the Western Regions, placed in the Great Hall and venerated by the masses, enjoying millennia of incense.
But a few years ago, the master of the Great Sun Temple, tempted by the Demon Sect's Ghost-faced Buddha, attempted to defect with the Bodhi Bead. He was ultimately besieged and killed by several top experts of the Western Regions in the Heavenly Stone Cave, but the Bodhi Bead's whereabouts became unknown.
The Bodhi Bead contained not only the power of Buddhist incense but also revered Buddhist qi accumulated over thousands of years, making it an invaluable treasure.
Jiang Sanjia said solemnly, "I don't know about the Bodhi Bead you mentioned, perhaps we can discuss other terms."
"Then there's nothing more to say."
An Jing waved dismissively. He came here specifically for the golden opportunity of the Bodhi Bead. Without it, he had no reason to waste time here.
An Jing walked firmly without the slightest hesitation, not intending to negotiate.
"Wait... wait a moment."
Seeing An Jing's unorthodox approach, Jiang Sanjia hurriedly called out.
An Jing paused his steps.
Jiang Sanjia took a deep breath and said, "Though I don't have the Bodhi Bead, I know its whereabouts, and it's easy to find."
"Tell me," An Jing said.
"May I know your name?" Jiang Sanjia pondered for a moment before asking.
"Zhou Xianming," An Jing said.
Jiang Sanjia raised an eyebrow without speaking.
"What, don't you believe me?" An Jing said lazily.
"I believe you."
Jiang Sanjia sighed, "I have to believe what you say."
"Alright, tell me the Bodhi Bead's whereabouts quickly, I'm pressed for time."
"No, you must first get me out of here."
"Impossible. If I get you out and you trick me, what then?"
"But if I tell you and you leave, wouldn't I be left with nothing?"
"I can swear."
An Jing extended three fingers, pledging earnestly.
"Oaths are useless to someone like you."
Jiang Sanjia said hauntingly.
An Jing's face darkened. His true plan was that once this old man told him the whereabouts of the Bodhi Bead and he verified it, he would leave immediately. Saving this person might attract a lot of trouble.
What he feared most was getting entangled in trouble.
And he didn't believe this Jiang Sanjia, even if he was from the Ghost Valley Sect.
Jiang Sanjia naturally had his calculations. The Bodhi Bead was what he intended to restore his vitality with. If he told this person, once freed he would still be heavily injured, likely to be captured again.
He had reserved a secret technique; once the chains loosened and the cell door opened, he could escape and use the Bodhi Bead to heal. But it seemed his opponent wouldn't fall for his trap.
Both harbored ulterior motives, calculating against each other, neither speaking for a moment.
"Then how can you trust me?" Jiang Sanjia broke the silence first.
Now, he had to make the person before him believe him, as he was his sole chance.
An Jing pondered for a while and said, "Say 'Yan people don't deceive Yan people,' and I'll believe you."
"I am Jiang Sanjia from the Ghost Valley Sect, how could I deceive you?" Jiang Sanjia frowned and said seriously.
"Then say 'Yan people don't deceive Yan people.'"
"If you are doubtful, you can inquire about my character in Jianghu."
"Then just say it," An Jing sneered, "'Yan people don't deceive Yan people.'"
Jiang Sanjia: "..."