Chapter 5: What You Taught Me
Three days later, during a routine work shift, Chen Xue Wen clashed with another Big Brother in Peaceful City Prison. This Big Brother had bullied Chen Xue Wen before. However, after the incident with Scarface, he now avoided Chen Xue Wen at all costs. But this time, fate had other plans, and they ran into each other.
Trying to lighten the tension, the Big Brother cracked a joke. But instead of easing the situation, it ignited Chen Xue Wen’s fury. Without hesitation, Chen Xue Wen tackled him to the ground, nearly tearing off half of his ear. The Big Brother screamed in pain as Chen Xue Wen, eyes burning with rage, pointed at him and roared, “This isn’t over! I won’t let you off!”
Shaken and enraged, the Big Brother immediately gathered a few other Big Brothers that night to discuss how to deal with Chen Xue Wen. Once, they had ruled the prison, unchallenged. Now, being humiliated by Chen Xue Wen was unbearable. They knew one thing: if they didn’t put an end to him soon, none of them would have peace. Yet, despite their anger, none of them dared to take him on directly. In the end, they only agreed to work together in the future, preventing him from taking them down one by one.
After being confined for two days, Chen Xue Wen returned to his cell and immediately summoned his people—former subordinates of Scarface, who now followed him. He gave a direct order: during dinner, they would take down the Big Brother.
At dinner, as the inmates ate in the cafeteria, Chen Xue Wen slammed the table. At his signal, his men rushed forward, launching a surprise attack. The Big Brother panicked and called for his own allies. Those who had earlier agreed to unite against Chen Xue Wen also joined the brawl. A full-scale chaos battle erupted, throwing the cafeteria into disarray.
Guards, caught off guard, hurried to restore order. Meanwhile, amidst the chaos, Chen Xue Wen slipped into the kitchen and reached the designated meeting point with Old Du.
Carrying a package, Old Du greeted him with a grin. “Nicely done.”
Chen Xue Wen eyed the package warily but remained silent. Sensing his unease, Old Du remained cheerful as he swiftly opened a hidden sewer entrance. Without hesitation, he jumped down, and Chen Xue Wen followed.
Once inside, Old Du resealed the entrance. Even if the guards noticed their absence, it would take them time to track them down.
The sewer was a filthy, narrow pipeline, filled with waste and an unbearable stench. The tunnel was so tight that they had to crawl through it, half-submerged in sewage. Any lower, and the foul water would touch their lips.
It was the dead of winter. The icy sewage seeped into their bones, but Chen Xue Wen made no sound. He pushed forward with determination. This was his only chance to escape. Whether or not he could clear his name, he would at least seek justice for his parents.
After an unknown length of time and battling nausea, they finally heard rushing water. Old Du lit up. “We’re almost there.”
Before long, they spotted a dim light ahead—moonlight filtering through the sewer exit by the riverbank. However, the exit was sealed by iron bars.
Frowning, Chen Xue Wen asked, “How do we get through this?”
Old Du chuckled. “Relax, I planned for this.”
“I had my people weaken these bars in advance. Just push, and they’ll give way.”
Nodding, Chen Xue Wen crawled over and gripped the bars, pushing with all his strength. Sure enough, the bars snapped, breaking apart.
Just then, Old Du made his move.
Behind Chen Xue Wen, Old Du silently pulled out a dagger. His eyes gleamed with malice as he thrust it toward Chen Xue Wen’s heart.
Chen Xue Wen, unsuspecting, took the full force of the blade and collapsed into the sewage.
Old Du sneered. “Kid, your job is done.”
“You were so eager to die, let me do you the favor.”
He laughed as he pushed the remaining bars aside, ready to escape.
But before he could react, a splash sounded behind him.
Suddenly, Chen Xue Wen lunged at him, pinning him down. In one swift motion, he drove a dagger toward Old Du’s throat.
But Old Du was no amateur. He swiftly raised his arm to block, deflecting the attack. At the same time, he twisted Chen Xue Wen’s wrist, countering him.
With a mocking smirk, Old Du scoffed, “Clever brat. Playing dead, huh?”
“But don’t forget—I taught you everything you know. You think you can beat me?”
Before he could finish, Chen Xue Wen suddenly flicked his other hand, sending an object flying toward Old Du.
Instinctively, Old Du raised his hand to block. The object broke apart, releasing a cloud of fine powder.
The powder drifted into Old Du’s eyes, forcing them shut as he frantically tried to rub them. In that moment, a dagger silently plunged into his abdomen.
With a groan, Old Du stumbled backward, tumbling out of the sewer and onto the riverbank.
He looked down at the dagger in disbelief, then back at Chen Xue Wen.
It was only then that he realized—Chen Xue Wen’s right hand never held a dagger.
The attack earlier had been a feint. The real dagger had always been in his left hand.
Coughing blood, Old Du looked at him in shock. “You… how…?”
Chen Xue Wen loomed over him, his voice calm and deliberate. “Do you remember the first survival rule you taught me?”
Old Du chuckled bitterly. “If something seems unusual, it probably is.”
Chen Xue Wen nodded. “That’s right.”
“No one helps another for nothing. The moment you offered to help me escape, I knew you had an agenda.”
Old Du’s face paled. He gritted his teeth. “So, from the start… you were guarding against me?”
Chen Xue Wen’s eyes were cold. “Ever since you taught me the first survival rule.”
“Or rather, I no longer trust anyone in this world.”
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation