Gu Xintang was completely baffled. He couldn't understand why Third Master Jing had suddenly become so agitated, or why he was taking such intense interest in such a trivial matter.
He still remembered — that was just a minor martial artist at the Origin Realm. After Gu Xintang had taken over the matter, he had barely bothered with it himself, simply letting his subordinates handle it.
After all, as the proud Captain of the Cold Moon Punishment Hall's enforcement detail, there was truly no need for him to personally attend to the affairs of some Origin Realm martial artist.
"Third Master, what prompted this sudden question?" Gu Xintang couldn't help but ask.
Third Master Jing's face had gone a shade pale. He covertly glanced sideways at Jiang Chen, clearly trying to gauge Jiang Chen's current attitude.
Jiang Chen's brow was tightly furrowed. "Captain Gu, what exactly is this Black Prison?"
Gu Xintang didn't think much of it. "The Black Prison is where our Moon God Sect holds its prisoners."
"Then you're saying… if that person was locked in the Black Prison, there's a chance he's still alive?" A flicker of hope suddenly appeared in Jiang Chen's eyes.
Third Master Jing kept flashing meaningful glances at Gu Xintang. But Gu Xintang wasn't reading the signals, and answered with a bitter smile, "That place — the Black Prison — claims ten or eight lives every single day. Once you're thrown in there, you're left to fend for yourself. No one survives the Black Prison for more than a few months. If someone manages to last a few months, though, they can keep going indefinitely, because it's an incredibly primitive and savage place — practically a dog-eat-dog world."
At these words, Jiang Chen's expression darkened instantly.
"Young Master Shao… you all… don't tell me you know that person?" Gu Xintang was no fool after all. Judging from Third Master Jing's and Jiang Chen's expressions, he seemed to have guessed something.
To be fair, one couldn't really blame Gu Xintang for this. After all, he was only doing his duty. Throwing the man into the Black Prison instead of simply cutting his head off on the spot was already showing considerable mercy on Gu Xintang's part.
Third Master Jing sighed. "Brother Gu, just be straight with us — what are that man's chances of still being alive right now?"
"Not great," Gu Xintang answered honestly.
"Consider it a personal favor — go to the Black Prison right now and see if you can find him. If you help me settle this matter, I, Old Third Jing, will owe you an enormous favor."
Third Master Jing was quite savvy. Knowing there were things Jiang Chen couldn't easily ask for, he took it upon himself to shoulder the entire request.
Though Jiang Chen knew Third Master Jing was putting on a bit of a show — doing it deliberately for his benefit — he still appreciated the gesture deep down.
No matter what a scoundrel Old Third Jing might have been, no matter how he had crossed Jiang Chen in the past, his posture now was humble and friendly enough.
Under these circumstances, even Jiang Chen couldn't remain entirely unmoved.
Gu Xintang pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Third Master, that person originally violated a taboo of the Moon God Sect by inquiring about Goddess Xu Meng — something absolutely forbidden here. But since you've spoken up, Brother Gu here has to give you face no matter what. I'll head back and investigate right away. If that man is still alive, I'll bring him out for certain."
Gu Xintang was no fool. He could read the situation clearly enough. If he refused at this point, it would mean directly offending Third Master Jing.
Offending Third Master Jing would be one thing, but it would also offend everyone present.
Offending the others wouldn't matter so much, but the Peerless Emperor — that was someone he absolutely could not afford to cross under any circumstances.
Offend a Great Emperor, and if the man flew into a rage, obliterating him would be as easy as lifting a hand.
Destroying a mere Captain of the Cold Moon Punishment Hall — even the Moon God Sect might not seek vengeance on his behalf. After all, the Moon God Sect had no desire to completely fall out with a rogue emperor.
Third Master Jing hesitated for a moment, then a shrewd gleam flashed through his eyes. "Brother Gu, there are no outsiders here. I won't beat around the bush. When you go — could you bring Young Master Shao and Senior Peerless along with you?"
"Ah?" Gu Xintang froze. Bring outsiders into the Moon God Sect's Black Prison Area? That was a serious taboo. For a moment, he even began to suspect — were these people really here for that Origin Realm martial artist? Could it be that some other powerful figure was locked away in the Black Prison Area?
Otherwise, would a mere Origin Realm cultivator truly warrant the Peerless Emperor personally stepping in?
At this thought, Gu Xintang hesitated without speaking. Clearly, this request was rather outrageous, and he didn't dare agree rashly.
Old Third Jing furrowed his brow. "Brother Gu, I've always admired your talent and ability. But after all these years, why are you still stuck as nothing more than a captain?"
Gu Xintang gave a bitter smile. "Third Master, I have no foundation, no backing. Being able to serve as a captain of the Punishment Hall is already more than I could have hoped for."
"But your talent is far more than enough for just a captaincy. What are you lacking? Courage! What else? Connections!"
Old Third Jing continued to work his silver tongue, pressing further. "Now is the moment that tests your courage. Opportunity is right in front of you."
Gu Xintang smiled bitterly. He wasn't blind to the so-called opportunity either. If he could curry favor with the Peerless Emperor, build a relationship with the Peerless Emperor, that would naturally be an enormous asset for him, Gu Xintang.
But this matter was far from simple. Leaving aside whether they were truly looking for that Origin Realm martial artist — even if they were, by Gu Xintang's estimation, the chances of that man being dead outweighed the chances of him being alive by several times over.
If this matter went wrong, he'd gain no favor — and might even end up offending this entire group.