The two Martial Monks outside the prison cell exchanged glances. It was the first time they had encountered such a situation and didn't know what to do, so one of them went up to find someone.
Soon, a kind-faced middle-aged monk came down, carrying a candle. When he saw Ben Zhi in the cell, he sighed repeatedly, "Alas, alas, is this the retribution of cause and effect?"
"Despite your young age, both of you are brave and resourceful. We failed to recognize your worth. Chengxin, Cheng Hui, open the door, please."
The Martial Monk was shocked, "Uncle Master, if we open the door, these two young rascals will definitely escape!"
"These two are naturally connected in thought, able to exchange awareness with each other, hence they see through the traps of Ciji Institute. It's clear they're not ordinary beings. It's better to resolve feuds than to create them," the middle-aged monk explained. "This time, they have hostages in hand; let's admit defeat and let them go."
"Dear guests, upon regaining your freedom, please remain silent so that everyone can peacefully go their separate ways. If you intend to cause trouble for An Guo Temple, no one will believe you, and you certainly can't stay in Chang'an City forever. Open the door, open the door, let the esteemed guests leave!"
An Liu watched the middle-aged monk speak, and only when he paused did An Liu slowly say, "We won't leave."
"Why won't you leave, benefactor?" The middle-aged monk looked bewildered, "Weren't you here to rescue your twin brother?"
"Stop pretending, baldy. Even if you can get out of this cell, what's the point? The outside world, An Guo Temple, is a gigantic cage. The baldies over there have long told us that if anyone escapes, you'll seal the entire An Guo Temple. We can't destroy the buildings; capturing us again is only a matter of time."
The Martial Monk became anxious, "I didn't say anything... Uncle Master, I really didn't say anything!"
An Liu said, "You never intended to let us go; you just wanted to trick us into clearing the path to release Ben Zhi."
The middle-aged monk's expression didn't change, "Benefactor, you're overly suspicious, but if you don't leave, what will you do? Stay here forever?"
"Yes." An Wu and An Liu blocked the cell door together, "We'll block the door here. Even if we can't handle you baldies, we'll starve this accomplice Ben Zhi!"
A look of surprise crossed the middle-aged monk's face. Watching for a while, he confirmed An Liu was serious, and couldn't help but laugh, "Starve? Hahaha, wait a few days until you're too weak to move. By then, don't say hold the door, you won't even be able to stand!"
"Alas, what was hoped to be rare siblings in mutual understanding turned out to be two fools. Fine, fine, let them block the door. A few days of hunger won't kill them, and eventually, they'll have to sleep. At that time, seize the opportunity to let Ben Zhi out."
The Martial Monk showed a vicious expression, "Why not simply..."
The middle-aged monk snorted coldly, flicking the candle in his hand, its dripping wax burning the Martial Monk's body, causing the latter to twitch at the corner of his mouth yet daring not to avoid.
"Kill, kill, kill; we are monks, not killers! With so many hostages inside, what if they perish together with others? Important friends want goods, but we have none, are you going to take the blame? Moreover, Ben Zhi is the best at deception, more useful than both of you combined!"
"Also, even watching a prison, you dare speak out of turn; is your tongue not precious to you?"
The two Martial Monks quickly knelt, "Uncle Master, calm your anger! We will never dare again!"
"Keep an eye on them, find an opportunity to rescue Ben Zhi!"
The middle-aged monk glanced at An Wu and An Liu, "Two hard-headed ones... but that's fine, the harder they are, the more the esteemed ones appreciate..."
Once the middle-aged monk left, the two Martial Monks who had been scolded together looked at An Wu and An Liu, showing resentment on their faces.
"Enjoy causing trouble, huh?" Each picked up a candle, flinging candle wax towards An Wu and An Liu, "See what trouble brings!"
An Wu and An Liu weren't foolish enough to take it; seeing them fling candle wax, they dodged. But this move only made the Martial Monks more vigorous.
"Dodge? Let's see how long you can keep that up!"
"Exhaust your stamina, then let's see if you still hold the door!"
"Two imprisoned fools thinking they can block the cell, never seen such idiocy!"
An Wu and An Liu didn't respond, continually dodging and blocking the door.
Suddenly, a faint voice came from behind them, "Stop it."
"If you continue, you'll soon lose strength. If you're planning to escape, conserve your strength and look for a chance outside..."
An Liu turned his head, seeing a young master with sword-like brows and starry eyes speaking softly, seemingly not wanting the monks to hear. An Liu smiled at him and said, "Don't worry, we're alright."
"And we will definitely escape."
The young master didn't understand why An Liu was so determined, nor who 'we' referred to in An Liu's assertion...
But soon enough, they would realize An Wu and An Liu were indeed holding on—when the Martial Monks changed shifts, despite An Wu and An Liu enduring a whole night without water or food, they were still energetically blocking the doorway, even their dodging steps becoming more agile!
...
...
"You've mastered 'Basic Footwork,' currently level 7!"
Upon waking, Yan Qing glanced at the game console, discovering An Wu and An Liu's basic footwork had reached level 7. He hadn't anticipated that having the Martial Monks as sparring partners would yield such effects.
He checked the underground prison environment again—candle, kerosene, Martial Monks, hostage, An Guo Temple...
Dragging Ben Zhi into the prison wasn't just for revenge; it ensured the monks wouldn't dare torch the place. If it were only the victims lured in, the monks might ruthlessly act, but Ben Zhi was one of their own, causing them to hesitate.
Preventing a fire was crucial because Yan Qing needed An Wu and An Liu to keep the monks' focus, holding it for three days.
He had a plan, one that could render their theft seamless, with An Wu and An Liu playing a crucial role.
Additionally, there was another motive. Previously Yan Qing had overlooked, but now knowing the cell held deceived victims, he refused to allow them to be taken by the Martial Monks; they had to continue blocking the door.
They might either be saved by Yan Qing's plan, or face an accelerated demise.
Regardless, Yan Qing vowed never to feel remorse for merely standing by.
Switching to "Ye Si" account, just before entering the "Zheng Shan Secret Realm," this journey turned out smooth. Gai Louxian personally led the group and briefed him about the secret realm's precautions, and Yan Qing gathered 1800 Spiritual Jade, a Basic Saber Mastery Secret Manual, a White Iron Straight Saber Token, and some Blood Replenishing Pills—looks like the White Iron Straight Saber is a guaranteed drop from the boss, with various potential mastery manuals dropped.
In Yan Qing's plan, gains from the Ping City Secret Realm were an essential puzzle piece. Seeing better-than-expected gains, he relaxed from his previous anxieties.
By noon, Black Wolf, White Fox, and Red Snake returned; as they settled down, Yan Qing preemptively struck.
"I've positioned people within An Guo Temple; someone will assist us in closing the hall door."
"I've got complete plans for closing doors, opening the gold cabinet, escaping pursuit."
"If any of you have better plans, propose them."
"If not, follow my arrangement."
This untransformed mortal spoke so to three second-tier messengers.