Xia Chen looked at Shen Xueyan, who was kneeling on the ground, and nodded.
“Rise, from now on, I am your patron!”
Upon hearing this, Shen Xueyan knelt and kowtowed in gratitude once more.
“Ding-dong! Congratulations, Player, for gathering five Prodigies! The Dynasty Hegemony version requirements have been met. Would the Player like to update?”
Xia Chen heard a crisp sound, and the System panel appeared before him.
Xia Chen glanced at it, subtly withdrew his gaze, then looked at Shen Xueyan, Zhang Wenliao, Xia Wen, and Yu Shaoqian, plus Xu Xingchen, whom he had left in the room to organize documents—exactly five individuals.
His System version was already the Spiritual Qi Resurgence version, and now it was going to upgrade again?
This was truly going to be far ahead!
“Let’s go!”
Xia Chen looked at Shen Xueyan and said with a smile, feeling extremely pleased.
His purpose in entering the prison today was for these three, but he hadn't expected such an unexpected gain.
He had successfully triggered the System upgrade condition. Speaking of which, his System should have originally been considered version 3.0, and after another upgrade, it should be considered version 4.0.
Shen Xueyan looked at the smiling Xia Chen, who was clearly in a good mood, and silently followed behind him.
This Lord, he wondered where he came from. He looked only a dozen years old, but the surrounding Lantern Bearers were clearly extremely respectful towards him. This was the Lantern Bearer Prison, known as the eighteen layers of Hell. Ordinary people who were locked up for more than a month and hadn't gotten out would either die of old age inside or be killed inside.
Yet, this young Lord could get him out with just a single sentence. His power was simply immense.
“Lord Xia!”
“Lord Xia, why have you come in person?”
As they walked, Yu Shaoqian and the other two constantly saw Lantern Bearers greeting Xia Chen, who merely nodded indifferently.
This astonished the three of them. They hadn't been out for two or three years. When did such a young important figure appear in the capital?
The outside world had truly changed!
“Li Tangzhu, I’m taking these three. I’ll personally handle any necessary procedures.”
In the hall on the first basement level of the prison, Xia Chen spoke to a middle-aged man in his 30s.
The prison was under the jurisdiction of the Youjin Division, the Sixth Division of the Lantern Bearers, and the first to third basement levels were under the jurisdiction of this Li Tangzhu.
“These three are not important prisoners. Director Xia can directly take them. I will personally handle the procedures. The release documents should be delivered to your courtyard by the time offices close in the evening!”
Li Tangzhu, who had been leisurely drinking tea, instantly sprang from his seat and cupped his hands, smiling at Xia Chen.
“Then I thank Li Tangzhu. I’ll trouble you with the procedures. The process must be formal. Another day, I’ll invite Li Tangzhu for a drink!”
Xia Chen nodded, smiled at Li Tangzhu, and without being overly polite, turned and left directly.
Yu Shaoqian and the other two behind Xia Chen heard the entire conversation. Although their identities and perspectives differed, they were undoubtedly extremely intelligent individuals.
They were inwardly shocked, having already learned Xia Chen’s identity. This Lord, who appeared to be only a dozen years old, was actually a Director of the Lantern Bearers, though they didn't know which division he oversaw.
“I’ve been imprisoned for over two years and am unaware of the changes in the outside world. What is this Lord’s true identity and background? To control one of the Nine Divisions at just over ten years old, such favor will surely lead him to become a high official in the court in the future.”
Yu Shaoqian murmured to himself. The two years in prison had significantly changed his mindset from before. Previously, he was a noble idealist.
But now, he had long understood that to save the country, relying on others was futile. One must be strong oneself, control power, and do practical things. This was the true path to saving the country.
At this moment, Yu Shaoqian was no longer a young man who only read sage books, but a pragmatic person who knew how to adapt.
“To have achieved the position of Director at such a young age, this Lord who saved me must have an even more astonishing identity. I wonder which top noble family’s son he is, to have earned such trust from Your Majesty. With this Lord’s protection in the future, my business will surely flourish without hindrance and no longer attract covetous eyes!”
Shen Xueyan thought silently, his expression growing more and more excited. His three years of waiting were not in vain; he had finally found the noble person who appreciated his talent.
He hadn't waited idly in prison for these three years. He already had a grand commercial blueprint plan in his mind, intended to showcase his value after his release.
His Dao of business had improved by several levels compared to three years ago.
“I didn’t expect that entering the Lantern Bearer Prison would turn out to be a blessing in disguise. I’ve latched onto a true powerhouse. Perhaps I also have a chance to become the important figure I once looked up to!”
Zhang Wenliao thought gleefully. At this time, his perspective was still very narrow, and he didn't have grand ambitions. Originally, according to their predetermined fate, they would have to wait another two or three years before being chosen by Yaoguang, and their destinies would undergo a great change.
Especially Zhang Wenliao, even according to his original fate, his moment of glory would have been more than ten years later…
But now, their destinies had changed again…
— — — — — —
“Boss, why are you so nervous and polite? He’s the Director of the Eagle Eye Division, and we’re from the Youjin Division. Even if his rank is higher than ours and he’s our superior, there’s no need to be so nervous, right?!”
After Xia Chen and his party left the prison, a Lantern Bearer Captain next to Li Tangzhu looked at his respectful Tangzhu and couldn't help but say.
“What do you know, kid? Didn’t you see how many people were sent to prison this afternoon? Two of them were at the same rank as me, both Tangzhu, and they were also arrested and locked up!”
Li Tangzhu glanced at his subordinate, then looked around, and only then did he whisper.
“Don’t let this Director Xia’s youth and friendly demeanor fool you; that’s just on the surface. He’s a ruthless character. Two halls, including their Tangzhu, and all their Captains and Commanders, were taken down. More than 50 Captains like you were sent here today!”
Li Tangzhu cast a glance at his subordinate, and Captain Wang immediately shrank his neck, a chill rising up his spine.
“Acting like this, aren’t they afraid of causing a mutiny among their subordinates? Wouldn’t everyone feel insecure?”
Captain Wang couldn't help but say.
“Of course, some people have opinions. This afternoon, many Captains and Commanders from other divisions felt uneasy upon hearing this and spontaneously went to Commander Ma Song to ask him to intervene!”
“And what do you think happened? Commander Ma Song kicked everyone out, and even a few Tangzhu who spoke harshly were flogged!”
Captain Wang’s expression changed again upon hearing this.
Li Tangzhu continued: “This Lord Xia is different from the other Directors. The Commander protecting him so fiercely is enough to explain everything. We are Your Majesty’s personal guards, and he is Your Majesty’s son-in-law. In the future, perhaps the entire Lantern Bearers will be surnamed Xia. So, even if he can’t currently command us, we absolutely must not offend him!”
Li Tangzhu patted Captain Wang’s chest. If this kid wasn’t his trusted subordinate, he wouldn’t have given so much advice.
…
Xia Chen led the group into his office courtyard and saw Xu Xingchen holding a brush and ink, reviewing files.
He had an extremely strong adaptability and was very intelligent. He could discover flaws in some case files just by glancing at them. His review speed was extremely fast, which even made Cui Hu on the side somewhat stunned.
“Where did Xia Chen find this person? Such a Prodigy? He can easily solve some cases just by looking at the files. Is he a divine detective?”
Cui Hu was shocked again and again!
…
PS: Brothers, today is the first day of 2025. I wish all brothers a Happy New Year, smooth sailing in the new year, and happiness every day!
I was supposed to update at 12 AM today, but I’ve been feeling unwell since yesterday evening. I’ve been having diarrhea and nausea since last night.
Then my parents started feeling unwell the day before yesterday, with the same symptoms. I suspect our family might have tested positive.
I’ve been feeling weak all day today. I don’t know what tomorrow will be like, whether it will get better or worse. But based on my parents’ symptoms, the second day should be worse, so I don’t know what to do about tomorrow’s update. If I’m really uncomfortable, I’ll take a leave tomorrow. I wanted to let you brothers know in advance. But I will definitely finish writing today, and I’ll update another chapter later. Thank you for your understanding, brothers!