"Brother Bai, someone wants to go into the heavenly prison to visit a prisoner and asks for your kind assistance!"
Hearing this, Bai Han's brow twitched. "Ah, what a small matter! No problem!"
Chen Xiaobei looked at Bai Han and said with a grave expression, "But the person I need to see is no one else, it's Duobang."
Upon hearing it was Duobang, Bai Han's expression changed slightly. "Ah,驸马 Chen, Miss Liu, if you wanted to see anyone else, it would be easy. But if you want to see Duobang..."
"You two also know what crime Duobang is accused of!"
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "It is precisely because I know the crime he is accused of that I have come to ask for your help."
Bai Han pondered for a moment and nodded.
"Alright, since 驸马 Chen and Miss Liu have spoken, I will arrange it. Come tonight at the third watch. But I can only give you the time it takes to burn half an incense stick. Finish your business quickly and leave."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. Half an incense stick's time was already very generous.
As night fell, Jiang Shangpiao arrived with one of his disciples. This disciple looked like he was from the Great Cang Kingdom, at least enough to lower suspicion.
Jiang Shangpiao pointed to his disciple and said to Chen Xiaobei, "Brother Xiaobei, the person is entrusted to you. Please rest assured, it's just to meet and say a few words, and to deliver some food. I will not cause you any trouble."
The man immediately stepped forward, bowed to Chen Xiaobei, and said, "My name is Shen You. Greetings, 驸马 Chen."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "I'll take you there at the third watch. Remember, take in what you need to, but don't bring anything out. Do you understand what I mean?"
Shen You cupped his fists. "Please rest assured, 驸马 Chen. I will not cause you any trouble."
Chen Xiaobei nodded and gestured. Shen You immediately bowed and stepped aside, finding a spot in the adjacent corridor to lean against, remaining silent.
Chen Xiaobei couldn't bear to watch and said to Jiang Shangpiao, "There are rooms over there, arrange for him to go in and rest."
Jiang Shangpiao waved his hand. "驸马 Chen, please don't worry. They have all undergone rigorous training. Even in this cold weather, they can sit for three days and three nights without issue."
Chen Xiaobei had no doubt about this. The Great Tu Kingdom's winter lasted half a year. Training in such an environment meant that enduring two days of cold was indeed possible.
Chen Xiaobei bowed to Jiang Shangpiao and bid farewell, then turned to enter his room.
In the blink of an eye, the third watch arrived.
Chen Xiaobei was dressed and ready, and as he stepped out of his room, he had only walked a few steps when he saw Shen You suddenly stand up and quickly approach him, bowing.
"驸马 Chen, are we going to move?"
Chen Xiaobei nodded gently. "Yes, it's about time. Let's get going."
Chen Xiaobei led the way, with Liu Tie and Liu Ce following behind. Shen You was at the very end. The four of them exited the back door of the 驸马's mansion.
Not long after they turned a corner, two figures appeared ahead.
Chen Xiaobei quickly stopped. At this moment, Shen You, who was following behind, quickly spoke up. "驸马 Chen, don't be afraid. These people are here to deliver food to me." After speaking, Shen You stepped forward and took the food box handed over by the other person.
He then came before Chen Xiaobei. "驸马 Chen, please take a look. There are only a few dishes."
Chen Xiaobei waved his hand. Liu Tie took the box, opened it, took a look, and handed it back.
"Let's go!" Chen Xiaobei continued forward.
As they walked, he couldn't help but admire Jiang Shangpiao's meticulous planning. He had accurately predicted that they would use the back door and had even timed their route perfectly.
Meanwhile, Bai Han was already waiting at the entrance of the heavenly prison. He sat quietly in the guard post, waiting.
Long before Chen Xiaobei and his group arrived, Bai Han opened his eyes. Yes, he had already heard the movement.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei arrive, Bai Han stood up and came out. Chen Xiaobei pointed to Shen You, and Bai Han nodded, making a gesture for him to follow.
He didn't even step forward to examine the food box, which showed how much trust Bai Han had in Chen Xiaobei.
Bai Han walked towards the heavenly prison, while Chen Xiaobei, Liu Tie, and Liu Ce waited discreetly at the entrance.
The heavenly prison had three layers of guards, and each layer was secured with iron chains.
Seeing Bai Han approach, the guards unchained the locks, pushed open the prison doors, and let Bai Han in. No one spoke.
This impressed Shen You immensely. From the moment he met Chen Xiaobei, Bai Han hadn't uttered a single word, yet everything had proceeded smoothly. It was evident that he had made arrangements beforehand.
Upon entering the prison, a foul stench immediately assailed them. It was understandable, as all the prisoners held here were hardened criminals; eight out of ten were facing execution. Naturally, they wouldn't be allowed to move around their cells. In these dark and damp cells, the smell could not be pleasant.
Bai Han arrived in front of a cell and raised his hand to tap the iron chains on the door.
"Duobang, get up."
Duobang, who had been dozing, heard the commotion and rubbed his sleepy eyes.
Shen You, who was beside him, quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Captain, I am Shen You."
Hearing this, Duobang sat up abruptly. He hesitated for a moment and took a couple of steps forward.
Seeing that these two men seemed to know each other, Bai Han turned and left. Of course, Shen You and Duobang didn't notice that from the darkness of a nearby cell, several pairs of eyes were intently watching them.
Clearly, Bai Han had made preparations, sending people to disguise themselves as prisoners and blend in, to monitor this very moment.
"Captain, it really is Shen You."
Shen You said again.
Duobang quickly stepped forward, gripping the wooden bars of the cell, his expression becoming agitated. "Shen You, it really is you! It's really you!"
Shen You nodded. "Captain, let's make it quick. The head instructor sent me to see you."
"What? You mean Jiang Shangpiao is still alive?"
Shen You nodded. "Yes, the head instructor is alive, and he pulled some strings to get me in."
"What... what is going on? He?"
Shen You crouched down, started to hand the food from the box in, and then lowered his voice. "Last time, we attacked the Great Cang Emperor's celebratory feast, but for some reason, the enemy was prepared. The head instructor was severely wounded."
He sighed as he spoke, "Even now, the head instructor cannot get out of bed to move."
"With the help of his friends in the martial world, he arranged for me to come in."
Hearing this, Duobang also nodded slightly. "It seems there really is a mole within us."
This time, it was his turn to shake his head and sigh. "Damn it, damn it! I can't find this person..."
"Captain, I will be returning to the Great Tu Kingdom in the next two days. Is there anything you need me to take back?"
Duobang hesitated, then finally spoke the truth. "If possible, please check on my family. Tell them I won't be able to return to the Great Tu Kingdom for a while. If they face any difficulties, they can go directly to the Emperor."