Before going to find Cao Zhengyang.
Jiang Feng t Chief Feng outside the gate of Zhenbei Prison.
"Prison Chief Jiang."
Chief Feng, looking troubled, greeted Jiang Feng.
He could have left earlier, but stayed because Wang Qisheng had made things difficult for him.
"Chief Feng, earlier you ntioned that Teacher Wang was imprisoned by the Second Prince, is that correct?"
Jiang Feng asked.
"Uh... Prison Chief Jiang, I..."
Chief Feng hesitated, fearing he had misspoken.
"Don’t be nervous. I just couldn’t quite understand. Tell , how did you know Teacher Wang was imprisoned by the Second Prince?"
Jiang Feng patted Chief Feng’s shoulder reassuringly.
"When he was brought in, I was there with Commander Cao to welco him, he said so himself. He also ntioned that only by understanding the key to the ’Five Poison Grass’ will the Second Prince release him; otherwise, none of us will escape responsibility."
Chief Feng explained.
Then he tearfully added, "Prison Chief Jiang, you should ask Grand Commander Han for help! Otherwise, if we don’t satisfy Teacher Wang, we’re dood once he gets out."
"Go back for now; let think it over."
Jiang Feng nodded.
Chief Feng’s words gave him so insight.
He entered Zhenbei Prison and ca to the gate of Cao Zhengyang’s courtyard.
Cao Zhengyang, once the respected Commander of the Divine Arrow Army, lived in a luxurious courtyard outside. However, in Zhenbei Prison, he chose to stay inside, rarely going out, emulating Han Dong.
Recently assigned, he too stayed in Zhenbei Prison without venturing out often.
"Commander Cao, subordinate Jiang Feng has urgent matters to report!"
Jiang Feng saluted at the courtyard entrance.
Cao Zhengyang, not yet asleep, was reading in the study. Hearing Jiang Feng’s voice, he ca out to the courtyard, looking puzzled.
"Why are you seeking at this hour?"
He remarked with displeasure.
"Reporting, sir, I couldn’t purchase the ’Five Poison Grass.’ Here’s the silver ingot you gave , returning it to you."
Jiang Feng handed the silver ingot to Cao Zhengyang.
Cao Zhengyang smirked; the silver ingot he had given was five taels, but Jiang Feng returned ten taels.
Nonetheless, he accepted it.
And asked, "How will you explain to Teacher Wang? Didn’t he give you a hard ti?"
"Honestly, Teacher Wang erupted in anger and demanded I must find the ’Five Poison Grass,’ or else he’ll make my end miserable."
Jiang Feng replied with a pained expression.
"Then why don’t you properly explain to Teacher Wang? It’s getting late, I wish to sleep."
Cao Zhengyang, thinking Jiang Feng wanted his help, spoke gleefully.
"Teacher Wang refuses to hear my explanation and gave his identity token to take to the black market, ordering the people there to hand over the ’Five Poison Grass.’
Jiang Feng complained, troubled.
"What did you say?"
Cao Zhengyang halted.
"Sir, here’s Teacher Wang’s identity token."
Jiang Feng presented the token to Cao Zhengyang.
"Have you taken it to the black market?"
Upon inspecting the token, finding no issues, Cao Zhengyang grew tense.
"Yes, I’ve just returned from the black market."
Jiang Feng replied.
"What have you done?"
Cao Zhengyang grabbed Jiang Feng’s collar, lifting him with one hand.
"Sir, please calm down. Rest assured, it’s all handled."
Jiang Feng hurriedly said.
"Explain clearly to ."
Cao Zhengyang threw Jiang Feng to the ground.
Jiang Feng got up, bowing, saying, "Sir, no need to worry; Teacher Wang’s identity token is indeed effective. After revealing my identity at the black market, they imdiately sent soone to the Imperial City to locate the ’Five Poison Grass.’
I believe it won’t be long before soone brings the ’Five Poison Grass’ here."
Having said that, Jiang Feng looked at Cao Zhengyang with delight.
As he left the black market, he watched Wu Tianxiong hurry towards the Imperial City on horseback.
"Damn it!"
Cao Zhengyang was furious.
He kicked Jiang Feng out of the courtyard.
It was a heavy kick.
Jiang Feng was sent flying, rolling outside the courtyard, coughing deliberately to make noise.
"Damn it, did you misuse this token to throw your weight around in the black market?"
Cao Zhengyang questioned.
"Sir, I dared not; I only showed Teacher Wang’s identity token and his handwritten note to the black market folks. After reading it, they went to the Imperial City to find the book for Teacher Wang, and I returned imdiately to report!"
Jiang Feng rubbed his chest, speaking between pain.
"What do you want to report to for? Why didn’t you go to Wang Qisheng? What does the note say?"
Cao Zhengyang asked, with a string of questions.
"Sir, you entrusted the task to ; I’m your subordinate, so of course I co to you first!"
"As for the note’s contents, it says: ’I, Wang Qisheng, am the Second Prince’s ntor, I demand you release the ’Five Poison Grass’; if you dare to defy or delay, you and your family will suffer!’ "
Jiang Feng composed himself, saying carefully.
"Boom!"
Cao Zhengyang felt dizzy.
His expression twisted, he charged towards Jiang Feng.
"I’ll kill you!"
"Stop!"
Han Dong’s courtyard was nearby, she heard the commotion and ca to check, witnessing the scene.
"Grand Commander Han!"
Cao Zhengyang withdrew his hand.
Jiang Feng, enduring the pain, rose to salute Han Dong.
Han Dong glanced at Jiang Feng’s appearance, questioning Cao Zhengyang.
"Why such a fuss, wanting to kill Jiang Feng?"
"Sir, it’s my fault."
Jiang Feng quickly replied.
"I didn’t ask you."
Han Dong didn’t believe him, instead looked at Cao Zhengyang.
Cao Zhengyang replied helplessly, "Sir, the Second Prince’s teacher is detained in Zhenbei Prison again; he wants a book, Jiang Feng was sent to find it, but his failure angered Teacher Wang. I feared the Second Prince might bla us, so I was disciplining Jiang Feng."
"What book does Teacher Wang want?"
Han Dong sensed complex matters, questioned Jiang Feng.
Ignoring Cao Zhengyang’s gaze, Jiang Feng answered, "Five Poison Grass."
"Why does he want to read the ’Five Poison Grass’?"
Han Dong was incredulous.
"Did you go find it for him?"
She continued questioning Jiang Feng.
"Yes, Commander Cao gave five taels of silver, asking to buy it from the black market."
Jiang Feng nodded.
"You’re lying!"
Cao Zhengyang retorted.
"Sir, I haven’t spent the five taels of silver yet."
Jiang Feng showed the silver ingot given by Cao Zhengyang.
Cao Zhengyang nearly exploded with rage, realizing Jiang Feng had returned the extra silver not as a tribute but as leverage.
"Cao Zhengyang, don’t you know the issues with the ’Five Poison Grass’? How can you indulge Wang Qisheng’s antics?"
Han Dong instantly grasped the situation, pressuring Cao Zhengyang.
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