Novels online

Chapter 463: The Heavenly Lord Prize Quiz Festival

Chen Ergou, invigorated after eating his fill of steamed buns, followed Qi Cheng to the prison gates. A large crowd of able-bodied men had already gathered there.

He suddenly noticed something intriguing.

Although the prison originally held seven thousand people, only a little over two thousand were able-bodied men, meaning five thousand were elderly, weak, women, and children.

The newly arrived defectors, numbering three thousand, surprisingly had half of them as able-bodied men—fifteen hundred in total.

As an old vagrant, Chen Ergou immediately understood the implications.

It meant that the original seven thousand had been captured after losing a battle, with many able-bodied men perishing, which explained the peculiar ratio.

His own group, however, had "accepted pacification" and surrendered directly. Only the bandit chiefs and their close associates had been executed, leaving most of the able-bodied men alive, resulting in a roughly even split with the elderly, weak, women, and children.

Combined, the able-bodied men from both groups totaled nearly four thousand, representing a formidable force.

At the forefront of the Labor Reform prisoners stood a man, clearly dressed as a captive, yet radiating an undeniable air of authority, as if he were their leader. He climbed onto a wooden platform and boomed at the nearly four thousand Labor Reform prisoners behind him: "No need to speak of the old-timers, but you fifteen hundred newcomers, you don't know who I am, do you?"

"You new useless wretches, let me lay down the law upfront: in my eyes, every single one of you is a chance for merit. Especially those who like to stir up trouble, who bully fellow prisoners—you can cause all the ruckus you want. But if I catch you, there's only one word for it: beatings!"

"If I beat you, I gain merit, and who knows, I might get out of here sooner." Centurion Chen's lips stretched into a grin. "So, I absolutely *love* beating troublemakers within an inch of their lives."

Chen Ergou couldn't help but chuckle at this. He murmured to Qi Cheng, "He's someone who wants to be the boss in prison."

Qi Cheng replied, "He's not just *trying* to be the boss; he *is* the boss."

Chen Ergou countered, "Isn't he afraid someone stronger will come along and beat him down?"

Qi Cheng shrugged. "There used to be someone stronger, but that person's already been released. Now, Centurion Chen is the boss. You'd best not provoke him."

Chen Ergou remarked, "I'm not much of a fighter, so I won't provoke him. But our Liulian Army isn't without its own skilled individuals. Heh, if I'm not mistaken, someone's about to step up."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a burly man, large-boned and thick-limbed, clearly someone not to be trifled with, indeed emerged from among the new defectors. "So, you're Centurion Chen? Trying to establish your authority among us newcomers, eh? Heh, what a coincidence. I'd also like to establish mine among you old-timers."

The burly man also stepped onto the wooden platform, declaring loudly, "My surname is Wu. In the army, they used to call me Centurion Wu."

Centurion Chen chuckled, "Where did you serve before?"

Centurion Wu announced, "Ningxia!"

Centurion Chen raised an eyebrow. "Oh, the Ningxia border army."

Centurion Wu proudly retorted, "I'm not afraid of you Guyuan border army men."

With that, words became unnecessary.

Both men rolled up their sleeves, ready for a fight.

Their commotion drew the attention of the prison guards. A new guard started to intervene, but an older guard stretched out a hand to stop him, smiling. "Let them fight. A prison needs a clear boss. If we stop them now, they'll just split into two factions and keep feuding. But if we let them settle it, once a victor emerges, they'll be much easier to manage."

The new guard suddenly understood. "I see," he muttered.

As the two were discussing this, they suddenly saw Instructor He, a militia member with his face veiled, rushing onto the wall, carefully cradling a small Puppet Heavenly Lord in his hands.

The guards paused, bewildered. "Instructor He, what's all this?"

Cheng Xu announced, "Quickly, clear the best viewing spots! The Heavenly Lord wants to watch the spectacle."

Everyone exclaimed, dumbfounded.

Cheng Xu carefully placed the Puppet Heavenly Lord with both hands onto the wall's prime viewing spot. The Puppet Heavenly Lord's eyeballs swiveled around, its wooden mouth, like that of a Lu Ban automaton, opened and spoke. The wooden Heavenly Lord's voice was unlike the Clay Sculpture or silicon versions; it carried a crackling, reedy sound, prolonged and melodious: "The Heavenly Lord Prize Quiz Festival now begins! Whichever side correctly guesses the winner will share a Xi Zhi Lang fruit jelly."

Xi Zhi Lang fruit jelly was a "rare immortal realm delicacy" that the Heavenly Lord seldom bestowed. If one could get their hands on it, even if they didn't eat it themselves, selling it would fetch a substantial sum. The last time the Heavenly Lord granted a Xi Zhi Lang fruit jelly, merchants sold it in Xi'an, where a steward from the Prince of Qin's Mansion paid a hefty price for it.

The villager who sold that fruit jelly became rich overnight!

Such a valuable commodity, naturally, had to be contended for.

Cheng Xu was the first to speak. "I bet on Centurion Chen from Guyuan to win!"

Fang Wushang chimed in, "I also bet on Centurion Chen."

Zhong Gaoliang declared, "Centurion Chen!"

The prison guards echoed, "We support Centurion Chen!"

The militia soldiers chorused, "All for Centurion Chen!"

"You're all betting on Centurion Chen?" Zheng Daniu exclaimed. "Even if he wins, there won't be much to share; too many people. At times like these, you have to win by surprise to claim the spoils alone. I'm betting on Centurion Wu from Ningxia to win! If I guess correctly, the entire Xi Zhi Lang fruit jelly is mine."

The small Puppet Heavenly Lord gave a crackling laugh. "Excellent, excellent! This is how you play it for fun. Betting all on one side isn't enjoyable at all."

Everyone had placed their bets!

Below, the fight began.

Centurion Chen and Centurion Wu met with a flurry of "thumps and blows." Both were veterans of border armies, both centurions, and their martial prowess wasn't far apart. However, Centurion Chen had been in Gao Family Village for a long time, having eaten well, slept soundly, and trained diligently for several years. His physical condition now far surpassed that of Centurion Wu, who had been constantly on the move outside.

In fewer than ten moves, Centurion Chen tripped Centurion Wu, sending him sprawling to the ground. Centurion Chen then delivered a barrage of punches, leaving Wu's face swollen like a pig's head. Thoroughly subdued, Wu meekly conceded defeat and stepped off the platform.

Most of those watching from the wall had bet on Centurion Chen, and their correct guess was met with immediate cheers. Only Zheng Daniu let out a miserable wail, clutching his head and collapsing dramatically to the ground. "I'm ruined! My delicious treat is gone!"

With the hierarchy among the Labor Reform prisoners now established, Zhong Gaoliang immediately swung into action, directing the prison guards and militia members to escort the four thousand Labor Reform prisoners out of the Prison Valley.

They hadn't walked far before they reached Bai Family Fortress.

Their task was to construct the railway from Bai Family Fortress to Gao Family Village.

The newly arrived Labor Reform prisoners watched as a colossal electric train, pulling car after car of road-building materials, roared into view. This fearsome, brightly colored vehicle left them utterly speechless.