Meng Yu's attitude was very good.
"It's like this, while I was awaiting trial, I read a lot of news about prisons. The Immortal Sect is very humane to everyone, but there have always been many misunderstandings on the outside, such as inmates being abused inside, prison reforms being ineffective, and many prisoners who are actually innocent getting out of prison with bad habits, and so on.
I think these are slanders. The officers are also people of flesh and blood, who hope for the best for everyone, but outsiders don't understand, so, there needs to be a few people inside the prison to put up a good face, to let people know how hard the officers work."
"Ah?"
The Prison Warden was taken aback, but then he stopped talking.
As the Prison Warden, he always acted by the book. He wouldn't be swayed by things like bribery, but now, what Meng Yu said had indeed intrigued him.
This flattery was skillfully done, and besides, prison, prison - it's a place for punishing past mistakes, warning others, treating illnesses, and saving people. Every year, they must follow-up with those who were released from prison, including regarding their reform situations.
"What do you mean?"
He asked.
"Officer, before I was imprisoned, I was a high school junior. Although I broke the law and was expelled from school, I still enrolled in online correspondence courses. Correspondence students have their own student ID; they are also high schoolers. Therefore, next year, I still want to take the online college entrance exam.
I believe I can achieve a good ranking. My case still attracts public attention, and when I participate, I will definitely be interviewed. I will tell the reporters that the prison officers have treated me well, have always cared for me, provided me with a place to study, and even paid out of their own pockets to provide resources for me. When they heard that I wanted to compete, they actively helped me and opened up a green channel for me.
Moreover, if I manage to get a good ranking, say, within the top five hundred, wouldn't that be even better publicity?"
Meng Yu looked at the Prison Warden, speaking earnestly, very earnestly.
The Prison Warden gazed at the sixteen-year-old boy in front of him and suddenly smiled.
You see, this person sure knew how to speak, turning something that would normally need approval into a win-win situation.
"Let's go, let's see just how good your swordsmanship is."
"Thank you, Uncle Li, thank you."
This time, Meng Yu didn't call him Prison Warden but affectionately called him Uncle Li instead.
If you are outstanding enough, you can easily find someone willing to sponsor you, even inside a prison.
The Prison Warden was a Qi Cultivation Great Perfection expert, but he didn't go down to fight Meng Yu. Instead, he found a guard from the prison.
The guard, in his forties, was somewhat puzzled. Competing with someone who was only at the third level of Qi Cultivation, was this young guy so arrogant?
But as a swordsmanship expert at the sixth level of Qi Cultivation, he didn't mock Meng Yu but steadily engaged in a swordfight with him. He was surprised to find right from the start that he couldn't suppress Meng Yu. Around the twentieth exchange, he couldn't even block him.
Although his True Qi was much stronger than Meng Yu's, Meng Yu's swordsmanship was clear and precise, controlling the rhythm and the situation, completely overwhelming him.
It was like a bird of prey in flight, attacking the game on the ground time and again.
"Switch to another one."
This time, it was a skilled practitioner at the seventh level, wielding a long spear. His spear thrusts were like dragons and he had the power of thousands of pounds in his arms. Yet, he only lasted to the fortieth exchange under Meng Yu's exquisite swordsmanship.
Both men were stronger in True Qi and experience than Meng Yu, but they had to admit that Meng Yu's sword technique was brilliant, moving like the wind.
And Meng Yu was only at the third level of Qi Cultivation. The two guards looked at Meng Yu differently now, and the Prison Warden was also very astonished.
"Have you realized the complete Sword Intent?"
The Prison Warden, who had been very surprised by Meng Yu's talent when he looked at his file, was truly shocked after seeing Meng Yu's duel with the swordsmanship expert.
He had thought Meng Yu had grasped the edge of inspiration, merely touching upon the corner. Yet, he hadn't expected it to be completely different.
"Hmm."
A light cyan wind encircled Meng Yu, and with the White Crane Swordsmanship, once Meng Yu had understood the Sword Intent of the Wind, it flowed smoothly and deftly, so much so that even the Prison Warden couldn't help but applaud it.
One could even say that if based solely on swordsmanship, Meng Yu would have been able to secure a place within the top thousand in the high school competition.
"Your swordsmanship is, well, passable, but if you want a good ranking, it'll be tough!"
The Prison Warden frowned, clearly troubled.
In the college entrance examination online competition, Meng Yu had the right to participate, provided he hadn't violated any rules in prison; he had this opportunity.
But what if something went wrong?
"Uncle Li, actually..."
Meng Yu sighed once, then again.
"I have always lacked access to good resources, and I have faced many difficulties. Therefore, my progress in both Qi Cultivation and Sword Training has been limited."
If you want someone to help you, you not only have to show your value but also convince the other person that you're a diamond in the rough.
"After my parents passed away, I grieved for a while, which cost me a lot of time. I was harassed by others, and my Martial Training was also neglected. It wasn't until half a year ago that I started to pick myself up and realized... I truly am a sword training genius."
In his eyes, there was a kind of confidence stemming from the depths of his heart, a radiance akin to that of a diamond.
"I spent a year retraining the White Crane Swordsmanship, and after that, with accumulated knowledge and sudden insight, I achieved the Sword Intent of the Wind. And now, Uncle Li, rest assured, I will further enhance my abilities before the competition. By that time, my strength will more than double."
"Hmm."
The Prison Warden tepidly replied.
"Uncle Li, you can trust me, first of all, I will not attempt to escape during the competition.
Back then, my lawyer gave me three options, whether serving in the Hanhai Legion or working in the Black Forest, both were better choices. If I wanted to cultivate, there are masters from the Taibai Sword Sect in the legion. If I wanted to escape, it's very easy to do so in the Endless Sea.
However, I refused them all. I wanted to punish myself. I couldn't get over the guilt of having killed so many innocents.
But the moment I was incarcerated, I had an epiphany. I just need to live my life well, that's all.
Uncle Li, I don't need you to provide any resources for me. I'll do the normal work in prison. I just hope that one year from now, you'll give me an opportunity. Thank you."
If you ask for help, it's better to lower your stance a little more.
"Alright, let me think about it."
The Prison Warden watched Meng Yu, deep in thought.
That's right, when the outside world interviewed Meng Yu, he had responded the same way; he wished for redemption.
Logically speaking, if Meng Yu hadn't come to him, he would still be able to apply normally for the college entrance examination online competition after half a year.
"I can help promote the prison, assist everyone in generating income; the Shaoyang Mysterious Skill corresponds to wood, which is just perfect for the Red Maple Wooden Sword. By then, if I achieve a good ranking in the competition, the prison's Red Maple Wooden Swords will definitely become more widely known."
Most of Hongye Prison's finances relied on allocations, but they also had performance tasks.