For three consecutive days, the prisoners went on a hunger strike, each of them weak and listless from hunger, yet refusing to compromise. This earned them a grudging admiration from the warden and the guards, mixed with intense frustration. However, when soone starved to death on the fourth day, the warden made a point of visiting the surveillance center to observe. Seeing that the prisoners still showed no signs of compromise, faces resolute as if prepared to die, he grew deeply concerned. If all the prisoners perished, his own good days would be over.
Facing various pressures, on the fifth day, the warden had no choice but to concede once more and imdiately sent food to the prisoners. With assurances from the prison authorities, the inmates all breathed a sigh of relief and laughed. Their resistance had won yet again, and occasionally, they cast glances of awe at Luo Zheng, who was reading in his cell.
Today was ti for yard ti again, and the iron doors were opened. The prisoners could freely roam and rush about. It was the first ti this order was issued, and the guards were on high alert, stationed at every strategic passageway, guns loaded, watching as countless curious inmates moved about—so making provocative and bizarre gestures, which turned the guards' faces an angry shade of blue.
Luo Zheng also started moving around and discovered he was on the third floor, with two floors above and below him. However, every floor was identical, with the stair doors leading to the courtyard open, but all other doors tightly shut, leaving no way out. After thoroughly scouting the premises, Luo Zheng returned to his cell, only to find Jeff waiting. "What's up?" he asked.
"We've successfully completed this step. What do we do next?" Jeff asked earnestly, his face showing additional respect for Luo Zheng. A man who could outmaneuver the prison deserved Jeff's admiration.
"Don't rush. We'll stabilize for two days. Everybody hasn't eaten for days, it's good to recover physically. Go now, I'll look for you in three days," Luo Zheng said seriously. They were only allies in this, and many details couldn't be revealed until the very last mont.
Jeff agreed and left. Soon after, Madman ca over cautiously, speaking in a hushed tone, "How is it looking?"
"Not too promising. Every floor is basically the sa. It won't be easy to get out; there's nowhere to take advantage of. It seems we have no choice but to make a hard push," said Luo Zheng, sowhat helplessly.
"We should not resort to such a drastic plan until the last mont," Madman mused.
Luo Zheng looked at Madman peculiarly. Was this the sa man known for his wild actions? According to the Honor Room records, Wei Changfeng was an expert among the Elite Soldier Kings, strong and formidable. Although he was physically impaired and had been imprisoned for thirty years, which had worn down his spirit sowhat, would his style of action change so quickly?
Just as he was pondering this, Madman suddenly said, "Then let's follow the original plan after all. However, we'll need to organize it well, designate who will attack the source of the guards, who will pry the doors, who will start the fire. It would be best to set this place ablaze. When the thick smoke drifts out, the outside world will beco aware. Even if we can't escape, the incident here will beco known. Then when they send people to investigate, maybe there will be a chance for special intervention."
"Big brother, you always go big," Luo Zheng chuckled. This was indeed Wei Changfeng, the man known for his wild actions. Having been together for so long and being from the sa unit, the two had beco as close as brothers.
"It's not about the scale; you must have considered this plan too. I can tell that you're quite tactically savvy, knowing how to utilize your own strengths. Let ask you, if you were in my shoes, with any sign of trouble likely resulting in death, would you still be so brazen?" Madman laughed.
"If I didn't have a secret to protect, I definitely would. It's better than living a stifled life. I don't want that. But you're bound to live by an important secret, honestly, I admire you for enduring thirty years in this hellish place. If it had been , I wouldn't have lasted half a year," Luo Zheng said seriously, his face showing sincere respect.
"Let's not talk about that. I can see that each of your moves is well thought out, planned thoroughly. The chances of you getting out of here alive are high. Now, I'm going to tell you the secret, hoping you won't disappoint ," Madman said earnestly, with a serious expression on his face.
Luo Zheng paused, then said with a grave expression, "No, your secret must be known only to you. After we return, tell the nation. There's no way they'll let you off the hook. Don't worry, I will definitely bring you back alive."
"Hear out, this is no joke," the lunatic urged urgently. Seeing Luo Zheng about to object, he straightened his face and said, "I am a lieutenant colonel. What's your rank?"
"Captain," Luo Zheng replied.
"Eh?" The lunatic did not expect Luo Zheng to be so young and already a captain. In the National Blade Special Combat Team, everything relied on military achievents. To beco a captain, how many ritorious deeds must he have accomplished? What kind of ability must he possess? With this realization, he suddenly beca overjoyed. Seeing that no one was around, he lowered his voice and said, "Great, I surely didn't misjudge you. My secret is a national treasure, a treasure hidden by that Japanese executioner when he pillaged Nanjing. You must recover it and hand it over to the nation. Among them are many invaluable rare items."
"Ah?" Luo Zheng was stunned by the revelation of the lunatic's guarded secret.
"What's with the 'ah'? According to the rules of battle, my rank is higher than yours, so you must obey . This is an order. The trove consists mainly of cultural relics, and they are in..." The lunatic continued, leaning in to whisper into Luo Zheng's ear.
Before Luo Zheng could react, the lunatic's words had already etched themselves in his mind, unforgettable. He looked at the lunatic and saw a man who seed to have been relieved of his burdens, having carried the secret for thirty years. Now with soone else to carry on the legacy, the lunatic exhaled deeply in relief. Luo Zheng, however, beca depressed and said with a wry smile, "Old guy, you feel lighter with nothing to worry about now, while I've got trouble on my hands."
"The skilled have to shoulder more tasks. At most, I'll do this—I'll pass on my unique technique to you," the lunatic said with a laugh.
"What?" Luo Zheng asked curiously. Since he couldn't escape the situation anyway, getting so benefits in return wouldn't hurt.
"Invisible Blade Skill," the lunatic said earnestly, puffing up his chest, an air of confidence radiating from him.
Luo Zheng's eyes lit up, and he smiled, "That sounds quite impressive. Is it hard to learn? We don't have much ti left."
"The Invisible Blade, the Invisible Blade, a formless single stroke—not focused on techniques but on the spirit of the blade. Our Fighting Skill also includes blade tactics. I believe you have the basics already. The key is the spirit of the blade. Three days should be enough for you to grasp my blade spirit. Once you know how to wield the blade, you can create your own techniques. Techniques are rigid; the spirit of the blade is fluid," the lunatic explained seriously, his face beaming with the confidence of a powerful individual.
Seeing the lunatic exude a unique aura of an indomitable warrior, Luo Zheng felt elated and imdiately smiled, saying, "Alright, since there's nothing better to do, thank you, old brother."
"No need to thank . This blade skill was passed down to by a predecessor from National Blade, he was once the Strongest Soldier King. To have soone continue the legacy fulfills one of my wishes," the lunatic said sowhat wistfully.
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