Chains of Fate

"Heavenly Zen Power": Ralph's Risky Experiment with Inner Power

The Heavenly Zen Power, an internal cultivation method taught to Ralph by Roderick Evans, was no ordinary technique; it was a mid-tier inner power method—not the kind one would find in common places.

One day at home, Ralph decided to give the internal technique a try.

As he expected, without a martial vein, his body rebelled quickly against the practice. Instead of feeling progress, he experienced searing pain, especially in his internal organs, which felt as if they were being crushed by an immense force and could explode any moment.

Fortunately, he possessed the rare Longevity Essence, which healed his body instantly as long as he could still breathe. Without it, this attempt at practicing internal cultivation would have left him seriously injured.

This experience, however, only strengthened his resolve. While others might be unable to cultivate inner power, Ralph, with the Longevity Essence, didn't fear life-shortening side effects or internal injuries—he could force his way through with determination.

From then on, Ralph adopted a new routine: a day of slacking off at work followed by intense cultivation.

Knowing he was immortal and might forget the present, he started a journal to keep a record of events.

Taixing Year 45, April 18, Clear

Blake lost in gambling again and asked me for a loan. Where would a poor guard like me get the money to lend him? I treated him to a bowl of beef noodles instead.

Year 45, April 25, Light Rain

Heard Bartlett and Warden Zhang are at odds, both vying for Prison Chief Jiang's favor.

Year 45, April 28, Overcast

Saw the bastard who took my position—Warden Mann, head of Section Alpha, the richest unit that holds officials. He recognized me too. He's clearly well-connected, so best to avoid him for now. Once I...

Year 45, May 1, Clear

What luck! Today is payday: two taels for base salary, plus an eight-tael bonus. I'll hold on to this "iron rice bowl" no matter what. Even if the King himself tries to take it from me, I won't let go.

Time to celebrate. Tonight, I'll go to the theater for some music!

Year 45, May 2, Light Rain

Bought a gift for the Su family. Old Madam Su, as usual, was polite to my face but still showed her favoritism. Still, for my sister's sake, I'll keep up the gestures.

If gifts keep her from mistreating my sister, then it's worth it.

Year 45, May 3, Rain

Went to deliver a gift to the Liu family. Unfortunately, Mrs. Liu wasn't home. The maid, Juyuan, was nice, although she tends to get a bit too... familiar.

Year 45, May 10, Overcast

Chief Inspector Jiang made a rare appearance to inspect the prison today. Unusual.

Year 45, May 12

Night shift. Slacked off.

Year 45, May 14

Night shift. Slacked off again. Left eye twitching for wealth, right for disaster. Right eye's been twitching all day—not a good sign.

Year 45, May 18, Light Rain

Damn!

During night patrol, holding my baton, I started my rounds down the long corridor of Section C, doing a headcount and checking for signs of life to ensure everything was in order.

It's a task I know well. Other than a few new prisoners, I'm familiar with everyone here. But in Cell 13, I still haven't seen the prisoner's face.

After completing my rounds, I was about to head back to the guard post to rest.

Halfway there, I stopped.

Silence.

The prison was unusually quiet tonight, eerily so. Even late at night, there should be some noise from the prisoners. The long corridor should have echoed with sounds from the guard post. Usually, it's lively at this hour. So why was it so silent?

Something was definitely wrong.

No matter what it was, I couldn't afford to sit around and wait.

Without hesitating, I quickly unlocked the nearest cell, slipped inside, and locked the door behind me.

The prisoner inside reeked of filth; his hair and beard were wild and unkempt, covering his face like a tangle of weeds. He opened his eyes just slightly, and I signaled him to keep quiet.

If he helped me this once, I'd repay him someday.

The prisoner hesitated, as if weighing his options. But finally, he closed his eyes again, pretending nothing had happened.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I buried myself under a pile of straw, hiding.

I had no idea what was happening outside, but I trusted my instincts. I wasn't going to be cannon fodder. Lying low and waiting for the situation to clear up was my best bet.

The prison was dead silent, like a haunted realm. It seemed the other prisoners had already caught wind of whatever was happening; each one was lying utterly still, faking death with alarming precision.

Not a single guard was in sight; only I, a lowly newcomer, hid beneath a pile of straw.

Then I heard footsteps.

It wasn't just one person.

Peeking through a crack in the straw, I caught sight of something that made my blood freeze. I couldn't risk looking twice.

A group of figures had entered the prison, each one wearing a black cloak and a mask in the shape of a demon's face.

This was unmistakably the work of Ghost Gate.

Ghost Gate—heard of but never seen. Nobody had ever laid eyes on their members, yet everyone knew of their deadly reputation. Wherever they went, destruction followed.

What nerve! They dared to break into the royal prison!

The Ghost Gate figures stopped two cells ahead, and one of them pulled out a thin piece of metal, expertly picking the lock within seconds.

Inside that cell was a prisoner who'd only been brought in last month, accused of stealing tax silver. He'd been tortured to near death and was left in his cell to recover. They didn't want him to die without revealing the location of the stolen money.

One of the cloaked figures stepped forward, personally assisting the prisoner out of his cell.

"All hail the Hall Master!"

Each member of Ghost Gate bowed in respect.

One of them presented the Hall Master with a mask, cloak, and a pair of soft-soled shoes.

Watching from my hiding spot, I was stunned. I had assumed he was just another lowly bandit, but here he was, the infamous Hall Master of Ghost Gate.

The question was, why would the Hall Master risk himself over stolen tax silver and then get himself captured by the Six-Fold Guard?

I held my breath, making no sound. I feared for my life.

To be cut down before achieving immortality—that was not something I could allow.

Ghost Gate moved quickly. After rescuing their leader, they swiftly retreated from the prison.

I remained hidden, not daring to move until half an hour had passed. Once I was certain the danger had passed, I pulled the straw off myself and quickly made my way back to the guard post.

The floor was littered with blood and bodies, and all three gates had been flung open. The prison was as quiet as a grave. I had no idea what the situation was like outside.

One thing was clear: I couldn't walk out of here unscathed. To do so would mean death.

Clenching my teeth and steeling myself, I took a deep breath, then rammed my head into the wall, promptly knocking myself out cold.