Now that Chen Guanlou had some money, he became quite generous. That very night, he invited Xu Fugui to a theater to enjoy some music.

A new girl at the pleasure house was not only beautiful but also skilled at charming men. Paid for her services, she had Xu Fugui utterly delighted.

Chen Guanlou seized the opportunity to pledge his loyalty. He claimed that all the guards in Cell Block C were hoping Xu Fugui would become the Deputy Warden, so they could all benefit from his promotion. Then, as if by accident, he let it slip that Zhang Wantong had found a new backer and had already been promised the position.

Xu Fugui fell silent.

He then said viciously, "That scoundrel Zhang Wantong has no sense of propriety, daring to latch onto Jailer Zhang. Hmph, I’ve disliked him for a long time. Once I’m promoted to Deputy Warden, he’ll be the first one I deal with."

Chen Guanlou feigned surprise. "But I heard that Zhang Wantong is one of Wan Yuli's men. He was hanging around Cell Block A all day today. Everyone's saying he wants to be transferred there. After all, the pickings are much richer, and you get to rub shoulders with officials."

"What? Are you certain?" Xu Fugui pressed.

Chen Guanlou immediately feigned panic. "I—I don't know! It's just something I overheard. Uncle Xu, you know how it is, the guards are always spouting all sorts of nonsense. I can't tell what's true and what's not. But it is true that Zhang Wantong was hanging around Cell Block A all day. I heard he lost a lot of money, too. Usually, when he loses, he looks like death. But today was strange. He lost, but he was still smiling. Uncle Xu, what do you think he was smiling about?"

"What else could he be smiling about? Damn it, that bastard! Little Lou, you've done well. This information is very timely." Xu Fugui had clearly taken Chen Guanlou's words to heart, his mind already filling in the blanks.

"I'm just glad the information is useful to you, Uncle Xu. So, about the Deputy Warden position... there won't be any problems, right?"

"Success depends on human effort. Don't you worry, Uncle Xu will remember this favor. As long as I have food to eat, I’ll make sure you get your share. From now on, keep an ear out for the guards' chatter. Information like this about Zhang Wantong is incredibly useful."

Xu Fugui fumed for a while, but with a beauty to console him, his mood quickly improved.

He had intended to feign modesty and politely decline to stay the night. But upon learning that the thoughtful Chen Guanlou had already paid the overnight fee, he readily followed the woman into her room, repeatedly promising that he would not forget Chen Guanlou when the time came to share the spoils.

Chen Guanlou was speechless.

*Best to just let his words go in one ear and out the other. Only a true fool would take them seriously.*

The piece had been played, the seed of suspicion planted. How much of an effect it would have, Chen Guanlou couldn't be sure.

All he could do was his best and leave the rest to fate.

He refused to believe that Wan Yuli was some chosen one, capable of leaping from a mere jailer to a deputy warden in a single bound, crossing a major social stratum.

...

Zhang Wantong was convinced the god of misfortune had taken up residence in his home. These past few days had been nothing but bad luck.

First, he was tied up in the middle of the night. Then, he lost all his money at cards. And now, Xu Fugui was looking for trouble, making his life difficult at every turn. "A higher rank can crush you." He could try to ignore Xu Fugui, but as his superior, Xu Fugui had countless ways to make his life a living hell. This was unbearable.

Chen Guanlou remained an observer, watching every development. He only hoped the waters would grow murkier. Only in troubled waters could one fish for opportunities, and only then would the higher-ups be forced to pay attention.

Wan Yuli was trying to exploit a loophole, to get promoted from a jailer to the Deputy Warden. He was betting on the fact that their superiors didn't care about Tian Prison, or the post of its Deputy Warden. That indifference was what gave him room to maneuver.

This was the conclusion Chen Guanlou had reached after several days of contemplation. In his past life, he'd been in sales. Your earnings depended on the business you brought in, and with territories and clients divided, there was rarely any direct conflict of interest between colleagues. He was an expert at wining and dining, but a novice at infighting, with little experience. Now, faced with the struggles of officialdom, he had to rely on the "wisdom" he'd gleaned from watching countless movies in his past life. The only way was to blow the situation up, get more and more people involved, until the officials above were forced to deign to look. He just needed that single glance to ruin Wan Yuli's plan. As long as it wasn't Wan Yuli, he didn't care who became Deputy Warden.

No matter how chaotic their struggles became, he stuck to his routine, patrolling Tian Prison according to the duty roster.

The Vice Minister of War was furious, and so the Flower Thief's case was swiftly judged: execution without delay.

Only then did the Flower Thief realize he was truly done for, with no hope of reprieve.

Before he died, all he wanted was a few good meals.

Unfortunately, the prison guards had already squeezed him dry; he couldn't even afford a flask of wine. Knowing that Chen Guanlou liked to collect secret manuals, he decided to trade his unique martial art for some final comforts.

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"I'm a dead man anyway, so this manual is useless to me. I ask for nothing else. Just take care of me for these last few days, little brother. Give me some good food and wine, so I can go to my death on a full stomach."

Chen Guanlou agreed.

He was always willing to show a little extra consideration for a condemned man. It was a small kindness, well within his power to give.

The unique skill the Flower Thief offered in trade was a lightness art. For years, he had deflowered countless women and successfully evaded capture by the authorities, all thanks to his exquisite lightness art. He even boasted that his skill ranked among the top ten in the entire Jianghu.

"If you don't believe me, little brother Chen, just ask Mr. Kongkong in the next cell. He knows my reputation in the Jianghu."

Mr. Kongkong confirmed the Flower Thief's claim. "Among those below the 5th Rank, his lightness art could just barely squeeze into the top ten. Above the 5th Rank, however, is a completely different realm. He wouldn't even qualify for a ranking."

"Above the 5th Rank? Does that mean you enter a whole new domain of martial arts?" Chen Guanlou asked, his curiosity piqued.

Mr. Kongkong replied with a sigh of regret, "I am only at the 2nd Rank, so I am not qualified to even imagine the terrifying power of those above the 5th Rank. But I once witnessed a duel between two 6th-Rank martial artists. The scene was apocalyptic, like the heavens thundering and the earth splitting, their power like a force that could topple mountains and overturn seas. The shock was indescribable. You may not believe me now, but if you ever have the chance to witness a master above the 5th Rank in action, you will understand what I mean."

After the trade was complete, the Flower Thief threw in a formula for a knockout incense as a bonus.

"Don't worry, little brother Chen, this formula is clean," he assured. "It's not for... *that* sort of thing. It's an essential item for murder and robbery."

"I'm a prison guard. I don't murder or rob people."

"In any case, it's better to be prepared. I'm dying anyway. These are all my exclusive formulas; it'd be a shame for them to go to the grave with me."

"You violated countless decent women. You should have expected this day would come. But fine, I'll accept your 'goodwill'."

Though his words were disdainful, Chen Guanlou's hands moved quickly to accept it. *An essential item for murder and robbery...* While he had no intention of harming anyone, he needed to be on guard against those who might harm him. This stuff could be very useful.

The prisoners in Tian Prison were truly a talented bunch. Every one of them was a smooth talker and had real skills to boot.

Since he started this job, he had been very satisfied with what he'd gained in Tian Prison. His decision to take this "iron rice bowl" job had been absolutely right.

He was a man of his word.

For the next few days, he took care of the Flower Thief's meals, providing him with meat and wine twice a day. The other prison guards found out but said nothing.

The Flower Thief was about to be beheaded anyway. If he wanted some decent food before he died, and Chen Guanlou was willing to be the good guy who provided it, then so be it.

Even Zhang Wantong, who normally loved to throw his seniority around and order people about, was too overwhelmed by his recent string of bad luck to bother with Chen Guanlou's actions. He merely cursed, "Fool!"