Chapter 713 - 284: Dragon’s Roar (2)

Chen Qing cut him off. "An Unparalleled Spear Skill? My Celestial Treasure Upper Sect has stood for a thousand years. Our library of Martial Arts is as vast as the sea. Do you think we’re lacking a single Spear Technique?"

That was only half-true.

The Celestial Treasure Upper Sect certainly didn’t lack Unparalleled Spear Skills, but techniques of that caliber were extremely precious. Naturally, the more, the better.

A longer silence fell over the cell. After a long while, Fang Hui said, his voice full of resignation, "...Fine. I’ll write. I need a brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone."

Chen Qing said nothing more. He turned, retrieved the necessary items, and carefully passed them through the food slot at the base of the stone door.

He wasn’t worried about Fang Hui trying any tricks. With his current level of Cultivation in the Spear Path, he could determine the authenticity and quality of a Spear Technique with reasonable accuracy just by reviewing its diagrams and Power descriptions.

Just then, a sweet, lilting voice drifted over from a neighboring cell. It was Luo Xiangru.

"Hehehe... Brother Chen, why waste your breath on that half-dead Medicine Man?"

Luo Xiangru’s voice was laced with seduction, as if every word were a hook. "If you want something, *I* have a much better ’reward’ for you. This body of mine, though trapped in here, is still warm and soft... Just give the word, and I’m yours at any time. Besides, I was with Qi Xunnan for many years. I know a thing or two about the Demon Sect’s secrets, you know? Much more valuable than some Spear Technique of dubious authenticity..."

Chen Qing’s expression didn’t so much as twitch. He only sneered inwardly.

’This Luo Xiangru is imprisoned here, so she must have already been rigorously interrogated by the Sect’s masters.’

’If she really knew some earth-shattering secret, they would’ve pried it out of her long ago. Why would it be left for me to discover now?’

’Even if she was holding a secret or two back, why would she so easily tell a mere guard like me?’

’As Qi Xunnan’s favored concubine, her scheming had to be anything but ordinary. Who knows what venomous plots lay hidden beneath that shameless, seductive facade.’

Chen Qing was certain of it.

He didn’t even turn his head toward Luo Xiangru’s cell, replying coolly, "You’d best save your energy, Madam. I’m unworthy of your... favors. As for the Demon Sect’s secrets... if they truly have value, a Sect Elder will be interested. What business is it of mine?"

Inside her cell, Luo Xiangru cursed under her breath. ’This brat is completely clueless. Is he even a man?’

’He won’t even take what’s offered to him on a platter. What a block of wood!’

Chen Qing paid Luo Xiangru no more mind and waited in silence.

Soon, Fang Hui pushed sheets of paper covered in writing out through the food slot.

Chen Qing took them and examined them carefully.

The diagrams, stances, and instructions on Power circulation for the > were written in considerable detail.

A thought flickered through his mind, and a new line of text appeared on the panel there.

[Dragon Roar Breaking Army Spear entry-level (1/2000)]

The > was indeed an Unparalleled Spear Skill, one that followed a path of peerless ferocity and relentless, forward-driving power.

’Furthermore, its contents were flawless. Fang Hui is a smart man. He knows there’s no advantage in deceiving me. After all, even if I couldn’t see through a deception, I could always submit it to the Sect for appraisal.’

Chen Qing nodded, satisfied. "I’ll get you the desert dates you asked for as soon as possible."

"...Thank you."

Fang Hui’s voice carried a hint of exhaustion.

After leaving the Black Water Abyss Prison, Chen Qing had Zhu Yu purchase some desert dates.

It was a trivial task for him, and to get an Unparalleled Spear Skill in return was a guaranteed net gain.

The following days returned to a peaceful rhythm of Cultivation. Then, seven days later, Zhu Yu delivered a small bag of plump, wrinkled desert dates to Chen Qing as promised.

Chen Qing squeezed the coarse cloth bag, feeling the firmness of the fruit within.

He entered the second level of the Black Water Abyss Prison again and walked to the cell. He made no sound, simply pushing the cloth bag gently through the food slot.

At first, there was only dead silence from within. After a long while, a faint rustling could be heard. It was Fang Hui picking up the bag.

Chen Qing stood silently outside the door, not leaving.

In the darkness, he heard the bag being opened, followed by a faint, almost imperceptible chewing. It was slow... very slow. It was as if the man inside wasn’t tasting food, but swallowing something heavy and profound.

After another long while, the stifled, broken sound of weeping came from within.

Chen Qing looked down at his empty palm, as if he could still feel the coarse texture of the desert dates.

He thought of Fang Hui’s raspy voice, of the wind and sand of some distant, rocky desert.

Chen Qing shook his head.

He could understand Fang Hui’s feelings.

Those few pounds of desert dates represented the taste of home, a flavor long since faded from memory. It was one of the few things that kept him going.

That afternoon, a visitor arrived at Prison Peak.

It was none other than Elder Gong Nansong.

Chen Qing still clearly remembered him and Deng Ziheng presiding over the Hundred Sects selection. He was also He Shuang’s master.

"Elder Gong." Chen Qing cupped his fist in a salute.

"You are too polite, Chen Zhenchuan."

Gong Nansong returned the salute.

Just then, as if sensing something, Master of the Seven Sufferings emerged, walking slowly from the depths of Prison Peak.

"Master of the Seven Sufferings."

Gong Nansong’s expression grew solemn upon seeing the master, his deep respect for the eminent monk who served as the Defender of the Black Water Abyss Prison clearly evident.

"Amitabha Buddha." Master of the Seven Sufferings placed his palms together, his voice serene. "May I ask what business brings Donor Gong here?"

"By order of the Sect Leader, I have come to request that you release someone, Master," Gong Nansong said in a grave tone.

"Oh? And who might that be?" Master of the Seven Sufferings asked after a moment of contemplation.

"Wu Sanyuan, from the third level below," Gong Nansong said.

"Him?"

Master of the Seven Sufferings nodded. "Very well. Follow me."

Hearing this, Gong Nansong fell in step behind the master.

Just then, Master of the Seven Sufferings turned his head to look at Chen Qing. "Donor Chen, you come as well."