Volume One, Chapter Eight: The Bewitched Prison Guard

The next morning, Zhang Ming was dragged out by the prison guards and executed.

At lunchtime, the page in the "Warden’s Demon Codex" concerning Zhang Ming suddenly vanished. Lin Yun’s heart leapt with joy—he could now draw a prize.

“Draw!”

Without hesitation, Lin Yun activated the draw. Countless glowing orbs surged forth from the Codex, and Lin Yun immediately grasped the largest one.

“Boom!”

In an instant, a tremendous energy surged into his consciousness, flooding his mind with countless images like a tidal wave.

He seemed to transform into a fierce warrior, wielding a pitch-black supernatural blade, slashing through mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Wherever the blade passed, the wails of lost souls echoed.

[“Slaughtering Asura Blade” (Level 4 Supernatural Skill): Mastery (689/1000).]

“A Level 4 blade technique!”

Lin Yun’s heart jolted. The "Slaughtering Asura Blade" he obtained from Zhang Ming was two levels higher than the "Swift Swallow Steps" he had previously acquired.

He was somewhat puzzled, shaking his head. “Unfortunately, it’s only the basic inheritance, and the realm only reaches the third tier.”

The "Slaughtering Asura Blade" comprised three parts: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. When combined, it could evolve into a top-tier Level 1 supernatural skill.

Zhang Ming had only mastered the lowest level of the beginner inheritance.

Even so, the power of this blade technique was terrifying enough.

It thrived on slaughter—the more it killed, the stronger its added power became. When brought to perfection, it could even surpass Level 3 blade techniques.

“To kill one is a crime, to kill thousands is heroic, to kill millions is the hero among heroes!”

Lin Yun couldn’t help but sigh. Zhang Ming, a bloodthirsty fiend, had honed his skill to mastery, with the souls under his blade numbering not ten thousand but at least several thousand—death well deserved.

He slowly drew his specially made police knife. This was no ordinary weapon; forged from special materials, it could weaken the power of supernatural beings. Only a few specialized units in the city were equipped with such blades.

“Swish!”

The blade flashed, its sharp supernatural aura tainted by murderous intent, spreading like a storm. As the blade swept through the air, countless restless souls seemed to wail.

“What a domineering blade technique!”

Excitement flickered in Lin Yun’s eyes. The power of the "Slaughtering Asura Blade" far exceeded his expectations.

“Although I’m only a mid-level supernatural user at Rank 3 now, I’ve seen many Rank 9 mid-level supernatural criminals whose power is less than half mine. They probably wouldn’t withstand this single strike!”

Confident, he sheathed the knife, and the murderous aura vanished without a trace.

“Just over 200 experience points away from promotion to Rank 4, and Rank 5 is only a few days away.”

Lin Yun calculated, realizing that mere level wasn’t enough—he needed to raise the proficiency of his supernatural skills as well.

---

After suppressing his fierce supernatural aura, he returned to the guise of a harmless, unassuming prison guard.

Now, at last, he had enough strength to somewhat protect himself.

In the days that followed, he continued his routine duties—standing guard, delivering meals.

Yet, with Cell Number One’s inmate, Leng Cang, he remained extremely vigilant.

Since Lin Yun stopped paying attention to Leng Cang’s honeyed words, the old fiend seemed to lose interest in him and no longer spoke with sarcasm during meal deliveries. He had become silent.

At first, Lin Yun thought Leng Cang had turned over a new leaf and become honest.

But after watching secretly, he discovered the old devil had shifted his focus onto other prison guards.

“Clack—slam—”

The door to Cell Number One closed.

A guard emerged, humming smugly, carrying a meal bucket as he walked back.

Rounding the corner, he suddenly froze.

There stood a young, handsome guard, expressionless, silently staring at him.

“Lin… Lin Yun…”

The guard’s proud smile vanished instantly; stammering, he said, “You scared me—I thought I saw a ghost.”

Lin Yun casually glanced behind the guard and smiled, “I noticed you’ve been delivering meals for a while now. Uncle Wang and the others were worried something might happen, so I came to check on you.”

“Just delivering meals, what could go wrong…”

The guard’s eyes flickered nervously as he waved his hand, feigning ease. “I’m heading over now; my buddies are waiting for me to brag.”

Lin Yun nodded, watching him leave.

Only after the guard’s figure disappeared at the corridor’s end did Lin Yun’s smile fade, his gaze turning icy.

Dai Ping—the youngest guard on the first floor of the supernatural prison, aside from Lin Yun himself.

Lin Yun had observed at the corner for some time, seeing Dai Ping sneak into Leng Cang’s cell and whisper with the old fiend for a long while.

“Dai Ping has probably been corrupted. This is going to cause big trouble.”

Lin Yun shook his head silently.

Leng Cang—a Rank 9 super supernatural user. Even with his powers sealed, he remained a ruthless villain who devoured people whole.

Cunning, cruel, and merciless, manipulating an impulsive young man like Dai Ping was a trivial task.

Lin Yun had warned Dai Ping before to stay away from Leng Cang, but the kid seemed possessed, stubbornly walking into the tiger’s den.

“Ah, whatever. I’ve said all I needed to.”

---

Lin Yun shook his head. It wasn’t his problem; he had no reason to provoke such a brutal old devil for a mere acquaintance.

Silently wishing himself luck, he turned and left.

---

Three days after Zhang Ming’s execution, Lin Yun received his reward and was officially promoted to full prison guard.

Apparently, Captain Ren had successfully found the treasure. Whether he reported it or not was no longer Lin Yun’s concern.

“Brothers, tonight it’s on me. You pick the place!”

Lin Yun announced generously.

“Hahaha, Lin Yun, you’ve hit the jackpot? We won’t hold back then!”

“Tiankang Foot Bath and Wine House! We won’t leave until drunk!”

A group of veteran guards excitedly gathered around, chattering noisily, the scene livelier than a New Year’s celebration.

Amid the noise, one guard said sourly, “Lin, little brother, impressive! You got promoted in just a few days!”

Another chimed in, “Yeah, Lin Yun, you’re not secretly Captain Ren’s illegitimate son, are you?”

The others looked at Lin Yun with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

A month ago, Lin Yun had arrived quietly, unnoticed, spending his days either working hard or sleeping—utterly invisible.

No one expected Captain Ren to suddenly announce his promotion today.

It must be known that the difference between auxiliary guards and official prison guards is vast, despite the slight difference in title.

Prison guards have established positions, generous benefits, and even compensation for families in case of death on duty.

Auxiliary guards, on the other hand, are essentially temporary workers, doing the hardest jobs for the lowest pay, with no protection whatsoever—dying on the job meant dying in vain.

On the first floor of the supernatural prison, some old-timers had been auxiliary guards for decades, their hair already turning white, yet they remained auxiliaries.

Lin Yun, a newcomer, was promoted immediately—a cause for envy.

Of course, beyond envy, many sought to cozy up to him.

After all, the matter was suspicious—who knew if Lin Yun had some unfathomable background?

Maybe he was a quiet relative of some high official.

Lin Yun paid no mind to such speculations.

What he wanted, he had already obtained. What else was there to care about?