Chapter 2: Prison Break!
Liang City County Yamen Prison.
Ji Qing, with disheveled hair and dressed in a prisoner's uniform, was escorted into the prison by a jailer.
The jailers were now on high alert.
The warden had already warned them not to let anything happen to Ji Qing in the prison.
Ji Qing's case had already caused a sensation throughout Liang City, and if anything happened to Ji Qing in the county yamen prison, all the jailers would be in deep trouble.
"Brother Zhang, this Ji Qing is Mister Ji's only son, and I heard he even has a Xiucai degree. How could he commit such a heinous crime?"
"Ji Qing was personally brought to the yamen by Mister Ji. Mister Ji only has this one son, so it can be said he chose righteousness over family, which shows how monstrous Ji Qing's crime is, truly infuriating both men and gods."
"Now that the evidence is conclusive and such a heinous villain has appeared in the county, the magistrate is extremely furious. We must guard Ji Qing well."
Ji Qing naturally heard the jailers' discussions.
But he didn't say anything.
As for crying injustice?
He had already told the magistrate during his interrogation that Yun Niang was a demon, but the magistrate didn't believe him.
The magistrate ordered the coroner to examine the body.
The coroner's examination proved that Yun Niang was human and died from a potent poison.
With this, the evidence was conclusive, and with both human and material evidence, Ji Qing was immediately thrown into death row.
He would be executed once the Ministry of Justice in the imperial court verified the case.
Ji Qing didn't pay attention to the jailers' discussions.
He sat in the corner of his cell, his attention focused on the "demon record" in his mind.
Ji Qing "opened" the first page of the demon record in his mind.
Ji Qing: Unranked Martial Artist
Jade Skill: Beginner (Third-rate Martial Art)
Thirteen Road Fast Saber: Beginner (Third-rate Saber Technique)
source point: 1
The first page of the demon record listed Ji Qing's personal information.
Both the Jade Skill and the Thirteen Road Fast Saber were learned by Ji Qing a few months ago from a martial arts master when he wanted to practice martial arts.
The effect was mediocre.
After several months, the Jade Skill had barely reached the beginner level, and he had only managed to cultivate a meager amount of internal energy.
The internal energy was as thin as a strand of hair, almost useless.
The Thirteen Road Fast Saber was quite proficient, but every move was overly mechanical and lacked spirit, probably not good enough for killing.
As for the source point, Ji Qing remembered that he only obtained one source point after poisoning Yun Niang.
source points could be used to directly improve martial arts.
Ji Qing wasn't in a hurry; instead, he continued to turn to the second page of the demon record.
On the second page appeared a ferocious demon image, along with a detailed description.
"Skin-painting demon, skilled in concealing its aura, with numerous clones, and cunning in nature. Only those with high magical power can see through it!"
"Skin-painting demon clone, already slain."
Ji Qing suddenly understood.
Yun Niang was a "Skin-painting demon" clone.
It was skilled in concealing its aura, and without powerful magical ability, it was impossible to see through it.
"Magical power... it seems there are immortal cultivators in this world. However, since there are demons, it's normal to have immortal cultivators. It's just that I seem to be a martial artist right now..."
Ji Qing reopened his eyes.
What if he was a martial artist?
Martial artists could also kill demons!
Ji Qing had a basic understanding of the demon record's function.
As long as he killed demons, he could gain source points, which he could then use to improve his martial arts and enhance his strength.
"Improve Jade Skill!"
Ji Qing thought for a moment. Jade Skill primarily cultivated internal energy, and its improvement would lead to a more significant increase in strength.
Therefore, he unhesitatingly used his only source point on the Jade Skill.
"Boom."
Ji Qing's mind buzzed.
A series of images appeared in his mind, seemingly depicting his long years of practicing Jade Skill.
Perhaps three years, perhaps five years.
His Jade Skill improved significantly, directly from beginner to "minor accomplishment," and his internal energy also surged dramatically.
Ji Qing: Third-rate Martial Artist
Jade Skill: Minor Accomplishment (Third-rate Martial Art)
Thirteen Road Fast Saber: Beginner (Third-rate Saber Technique)
source point: 0
Ji Qing gently circulated his internal energy to his palm, then lightly pressed it onto the ground of the death row cell.
"Crack."
Immediately, the stones on the death row floor instantly cracked.
"A third-rate martial artist, according to the martial arts master, is already considered a master, capable of traveling the jianghu and opening a school to teach disciples!"
The martial arts master was a third-rate martial artist.
Although called "third-rate," they were by no means weak.
Many people practiced martial arts their entire lives and might not even become a third-rate martial artist.
Yet, Ji Qing became a third-rate martial artist with just one source point.
Time slowly moved into the evening.
Ji Qing's "cellmate" in the adjacent cell was an old man.
The old man couldn't help but ask, "Hey, you look like a refined, well-educated scholar, and I heard you're a Xiucai. How could you commit matricide?"
Ji Qing opened his eyes, looked at the old man in the next cell, and retorted, "I committed matricide, do you believe it?"
"Don't mind whether this old man believes it or not, but the magistrate believes it, and the people outside believe it. Can you tell this old man what actually happened?"
"I killed a demon! It's just that the demon was very good at disguising itself. It wore my stepmother's skin and deceived the world, and because of that, I became a sinner guilty of matricide."
"A demon? Are there really demons in this world?"
The old man's eyes widened.
He had clearly never seen a demon and didn't quite believe Ji Qing's statement.
Ji Qing didn't explain further.
For those who didn't believe, further words were useless.
"Scholar, if you can get out, what do you plan to do?"
The old man asked again.
"That demon isn't actually dead. Perhaps it's still bewitching my family. If I can get out, I will naturally kill the demon!"
Ji Qing's tone was resolute!
"Alas, Scholar, you are now guilty of matricide, a heinous crime, and will most likely be beheaded. To get out? It's as hard as ascending to heaven."
The old man stopped talking.
In the old man's opinion, Ji Qing was doomed.
Matricide was a grave crime; even if the emperor granted a general amnesty, those who committed matricide would not be pardoned.
After the yamen reported it to the imperial court for verification, Ji Qing would be escorted to the execution ground and publicly executed.
However, Ji Qing was very calm.
He couldn't just sit idly and wait for death.
He was waiting.
Waiting for an opportunity.
Even if he had to fight his way out of death row, he would slay the Skin-painting demon!
An hour later, night had completely fallen.
"Mealtime."
A jailer carried a large bucket and began distributing food to the prisoners.
When he reached Ji Qing's death row cell, the jailer scooped a full bowl of thick porridge.
"Bah, you're getting off easy."
The jailer wasn't being kind to Ji Qing; it was because Ji Qing's crime was too great, and nothing could happen to him in prison.
Just as the jailer, carrying the bucket, turned to go to the next cell.
"Whoosh."
Ji Qing moved.
He instantly reached out and grabbed the jailer's neck, his internal energy giving a slight tremor.
"Thump."
The jailer's head violently slammed against the iron bars, and he instantly fainted.
Ji Qing immediately took the keys from the jailer's waist and opened the cell door.
"You... you're escaping prison?"
The old man in the adjacent cell watched Ji Qing confidently walk out of the cell, his eyes wide with shock.
"Do you want to leave?"
Ji Qing asked.
"No, this old man is too old, I can't handle such a commotion."
The old man shook his head repeatedly.
What a joke, he wasn't on death row.
Once he escaped prison, he would be killed on sight. He'd be crazy to escape.
"Scholar, if you escape prison, even if it's eventually proven that your stepmother really was a demon, you'll probably still be convicted..."
Ji Qing naturally understood.
From the moment he entered death row, he could never go back to an ordinary life.
"At worst, I'll live as a fugitive..."
Ji Qing changed into the jailer's clothes, lowered his head, and carried the wooden bucket, walking towards the outside of the prison.
"Old Liu, there's still so much food left today? It seems some prisoner didn't know better and offended you again, tsk tsk..."
Jailers had several ways to punish prisoners, and withholding food was one important method, which the jailers were long accustomed to.
Ji Qing spoke vaguely, not daring to engage in conversation.
"Hmm? Old Liu, you seem a bit taller... no, you're not Old Liu..."
Ji Qing knew he had been discovered.
Although he hadn't learned any light footwork, his internal energy was now profound. Circulating his internal energy, he pushed hard with his feet, and his entire body shot out like an arrow from a bowstring.
Behind him, the jailer was already shouting, "A prisoner has escaped!"
The sound grew fainter, and Ji Qing had already disappeared into the night.
PS: New book opening, please collect and follow!