ICAWZ Chapter 117

Just now, what happened?

Orlott, unexpectedly, was disabled by a male zerg?

In Blackstone Prison, red badge heavy criminals are recognized for their strength. Orlott could dominate the Second Sector to some extent, showing some strength. However, just now, in less than a minute of exchanging blows, he was overturned by Xu Cenfeng and knocked to the ground, momentarily overturning the country’s perception of female dominance and male weakness.

In the cafeteria, all the inmates were left wide-eyed and speechless. Even the prison guards on duty nearby didn’t react in time; the baton in their hands clattered to the ground.

Feiwen and the others stood dumbfounded not far away. They couldn’t believe that Xu Cenfeng, who looked frail and weak, could actually fight so well. With an incredulous tone, Feiwen muttered under his breath, “Damn, is he really a male zerg?!”

The golden-eyed female zerg rubbed his eyes vigorously to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. He nodded firmly and said, “He’s not just a male zerg, he’s also one with a white badge.”

The white badge group consists of the old, weak, and sick, who struggle with even sweeping floors. When did such a capable fighter appear among them?!

Xu Cenfeng knew well that prisons housed only the most vicious criminals, and it was necessary to instill enough deterrence. Otherwise, trouble would continue to come his way endlessly. That’s why he didn’t hold back at all during the fight just now.

He stood alone in the middle of the arena, calmly surveying his surroundings with a gaze that wasn’t fierce but rather serene, yet it carried a chilling and indifferent aura of intimidation. Many female zergs found their restless thoughts dissipated upon meeting Xu Cenfeng’s gaze.

Orlott was one of the leaders in the Second Sector, naturally commanding more than just a few underlings. Seeing Orlott beaten to a pulp, the other inmates angrily slammed down their trays and shouted:

“Damn him! He dared to beat up our boss. Teach him a lesson!”

“He actually dares to disrespect the Second Sector!”

Feiwen quickly reacted and stepped forward, delivering a kick that knocked down the inmate who was leading the charge. His action seemed like a signal, prompting inmates from the Third Sector to rush forward and join the fray against the Second Sector. Plates flew and obscenities filled the air:

“Damn it! So what if you beat us up! It was your sector that crossed the line first!!”

“If you want to fight, come on! Watch me disable your damn hands!”

Once a fight broke out in the prison, it typically escalated into a brawl due to the lack of individual accountability, as additional sentences would be burdensome. Dozens of guards on duty nearby reacted by blowing their whistles loudly, rushing into the fray to separate the fighting leaders from both sides. They drew their guns and shouted angrily:

“Everyone, stop right now! If you keep fighting, you’ll all be sent to solitary confinement!”

“Get down on the ground with your hands behind your head. Anyone who moves will be shot!”

“Notify the patrol team immediately!”

In Blackstone Prison, where chaos reigned supreme, rules were almost non-existent. Instances of inmates being shot on the spot were not uncommon. Under the intimidating presence of the dark gun barrels, the inmates who were fighting moments ago finally ceased their brawl. They separated into distinct groups, begrudgingly acknowledging the situation, their expressions filled with dissatisfaction.

Such group fights occurred almost daily. The guards pulled out a few ringleaders from the Second Sector and beat them with batons as a warning, deducting a significant portion of their sentence credits. Then they yelled at the remaining inmates:

“Sit down and eat your food! If you don’t want to eat, go mine in Blackstone Mountain!”

Soon, the chaotic cafeteria quieted down instantly. The inmates, carrying their trays, returned to their seats in groups of three or four. Some ate their leftovers while others could only watch their fellow inmates eat.

According to the cafeteria rules, each zerg could only eat once. Except for a few heads who received special treatment, the rest of the inmates were treated equally. They watched as Orlott and others were carried by the patrol to the infirmary, while the male zerg who caused the conflict stood calmly next to the dining table. The prison guards opposite him were whispering something to him in low voices.

The inmates from the Third Sector whispered among themselves:

“Do you think the guards will deduct his sentence credits?”

“He started the fight, so if they don’t deduct his credits, whose will they deduct?”

“Ah, what a pity. Those Blackstone dogs aren’t known for their compassion or fairness.”

Unexpectedly, the guards not only didn’t deduct Xu Cenfeng’s sentence credits but also brought him another serving of food, treating him with utmost politeness and respect. This left the secretly watching inmates completely astonished.

“Your Excellency, resources are limited here. Please bear with us and enjoy this for now.”

Xu Cenfeng, though not hungry, nodded in thanks. “I’m sorry for causing trouble earlier.”

The guard waved his hand. “No need to apologize. These inmates fight every day, we’re used to it. Captain Simon specifically instructed us to take good care of you. There’s only half an hour left until mealtime ends, so please go ahead and eat.”

Xu Cenfeng did not refuse and accepted the meal. Carrying his tray, he returned to the same table he had been at before. He noticed that the white-badge inmates were looking at him with fear in their eyes. Pretending not to notice, he gently pushed the meal towards the other side of the table, where the old female zerg who had been knocked down earlier was sitting.

“Please, go ahead and eat.”

The old female zerg was also greatly surprised. He hadn’t expected Xu Cenfeng to be such a capable fighter, and it seemed he had a close relationship with the guards. Flustered, he waved his hands and said, “No… Your Excellency… this isn’t right…”

However, Xu Cenfeng insisted, “It’s okay. Please eat. There’s only half an hour left until mealtime ends.”

In prison, time is strictly observed, and inmates must return to their cells promptly. If they miss mealtime, they’ll go hungry. These elderly inmates usually have to scavenge leftovers from the cafeteria for food and spend their days mining in Blackstone Mountain. Their physical strength can’t keep up with the demands, and hunger is a constant companion.

The old female zerg, hearing this, felt he couldn’t refuse any longer. He lowered his head and began to eat hungrily. Xu Cenfeng glanced at his badge, which displayed a short series of numbers—much shorter than those of regular inmates, indicating he had likely spent decades in the prison.

Xu Cenfeng asked, “What crime did you commit to end up here?”

The old female zerg hesitated upon hearing the question, unsure how to respond. One of the nearby inmates volunteered an explanation, “Your Excellency, Old Henry here is quite old and doesn’t remember much of his past anymore. He got caught up in the political upheaval back in the year 2711, and we all came in together with him.”

Xu Cenfeng paused for a moment and asked again, “What was the charge?”

The inmate replied, “There was no charge. During the power struggle among the military elites of Hossburgh at that time, the losing faction’s entire family was implicated. We are from a collateral branch, so we were also imprisoned.”

Xu Cenfeng asked, “When will you be released?”

Old Henry, forgetting much else but remembering his release date clearly, lowered his head and counted on his fingers, saying, “Three years and five days from now, we’ll be done serving our sentence and released.”

Another inmate shook his head self-deprecatingly. “Yeah, once we’re released, we might as well go straight into the coffin. Then a new batch of inmates will come to take our place. I heard they recently brought in a new inmate to the First Sector, a deputy leader from the northern territories. Hossburgh doesn’t seem too stable these days.”

Upon hearing about Hawke being in the First Sector, Xu Cenfeng’s ears perked up. “Will we encounter them tomorrow when we’re mining?”

One of the elderly inmates, well-versed in the ways of survival within the prison, couldn’t help but quietly advise Xu Cenfeng, knowing his good temperament, “Your Excellency, it might be better for you to fake illness and rest tomorrow instead of going to Blackstone Mountain. Orlott has many underlings, and you’ve offended him today. Tomorrow could bring trouble.”

Old Henry also advised, “Blackstone Mountain is full of tunnels, and many inmates have died there. It’s the most dangerous place.”

Xu Cenfeng smiled faintly. “It’s alright. I’m looking for a friend who might appear in Blackstone Mountain.”

Old Henry cherished the last morsel of food on his plate. Once a frail secretary in his youth when he was imprisoned, now with graying hair, he remained composed and knowledgeable. Trembling slightly, he asked, “Who are you looking for? Perhaps I can help you look when we mine tomorrow.”

Xu Cenfeng shook his head. “Thank you, but I’ll find him on my own. Once I locate him, I’ll try to help review your charges.”

The prison held many violent criminals but also numerous innocent victims of wrongful accusations. For Faeus to successfully seize power in the future and fully reform the disorder and rules in the North, Blackstone Prison would need thorough investigation.

Xu Cenfeng finished speaking, then seemed to recall something else and added, “If anyone else here has been wronged, you can also tell me. Perhaps in the future, I can help them too.”

His words plunged the surroundings into a sudden silence—not because the inmates were too moved to speak, but because they started to wonder if Xu Cenfeng might have lost his mind.

Xu Cenfeng, despite being a rare and handsome male zerg with excellent skills, was still just another prisoner in Blackstone Prison.

As the saying goes, “All crows are black,” implying no one is inherently superior to another. Some might wonder, if Xu Cenfeng is truly that capable, why would he be incarcerated alongside them? Is he exaggerating his abilities?

The other inmates exchanged glances upon hearing this, unsure how to respond without offending Xu Cenfeng. Awkwardly, they chuckled in unison, “Yes… thank you.”

Xu Cenfeng nodded earnestly, “You’re welcome.”

The inmates: “…”

After finishing dinner, all the inmates returned to their respective cells in order. Unlike the earlier contempt and disdain, their gazes towards Xu Cenfeng now carried a hint of fear and astonishment, silently speculating about his background.

They’ve seen plenty of male zergs and even handsome ones, but a male zerg as handsome and capable as Xu Cenfeng was a first for them. Where did Xu Cenfeng come from, exactly?!

Even Feiwen and the others couldn’t help but pay more attention to this new inmate. As they returned to their cells, they called out to Xu Cenfeng directly, “Hey! Inmate number 57366!”

Xu Cenfeng had already reached the door when he heard this. He paused, turned around, and saw the group of red-tagged heavy offenders from cell number 5. “Is there something you need?” he asked.

Feiwen stepped forward directly, scrutinizing Xu Cenfeng from head to toe, and finally uttered coldly, “Tomorrow during mining, come with us to see the boss.”

Upon hearing that Feiwen and his group were only the leaders of a small section, with someone more formidable above them, Xu Cenfeng paused. “Is this also a rule of the prison?”

However, Feiwen ignored him and simply turned back to his cell. Beside him, the golden-eyed female zerg patted Xu Cenfeng on the shoulder, offering an explanation. “You’re lucky, kid. Be smart tomorrow. If you manage to please the boss, your time in this prison will be much easier. Otherwise, those guys like Orlott won’t let you off easy.”

Cell number 5 extended an olive branch¹, as typically inmates who could fight were often recommended to the boss, leading to better treatment.

Seeing Feiwen and his group leave without further words, Xu Cenfeng turned back to his cell and rested, planning to assess the situation the next day.

The night passed quietly.

The next morning, after finishing breakfast, all the inmates were escorted by the prison guards to Blackstone Mountain. It was just dawn, and the surroundings were bitterly cold, with a piercing chill as it was the coldest part of the day. The younger inmates managed alright, but some of the older ones were already shivering uncontrollably from the cold.

Xu Cenfeng stood out conspicuously among the elderly, weak, and sickly inmates, his posture erect and striking. Seeing Old Henry shivering with cold, he promptly took off his own jacket and handed it to him. Xu Cenfeng wore only a white short-sleeved shirt, showcasing smooth muscular lines on his arms that sharply contrasted with his delicate facial features.

Nearby female inmates couldn’t help but swallow hard at the sight: “Damn, this male zerg has such a great physique. It’s a shame such a gem is wasted in prison. He’s like a thorned flower—pleasant to look at but not to touch.”

Meanwhile, the guards were busy counting the inmates and, after confirming the numbers, distributed mining tools like pickaxes to each zerg. When it came to Xu Cenfeng’s turn, however, he was handed a red supervisor armband instead: “You’ll supervise their work from the sidelines. You can rest in the nearby tent when you’re tired.”

This is blatant favoritism. When new prisoners arrive, they’re given the toughest and most exhausting tasks to toughen them up. Being a foreman is a plum job, usually reserved for the big shots.

Xu Cenfeng could clearly feel the envious and jealous gazes behind him. He took the armband and said, “Thank you,” then carefully put it on his arm. He planned to take advantage of his duties later to wander around and look for Hawke.

Inside the Blackstone Mountain lies a rare type of jade, highly valued in the market due to its scarcity. After breaking open the outer shell of Blackstone Mountain with machines, the remaining part can only be painstakingly chipped away by hand with hammers. This process ensures the integrity of the jade and serves as a torment for the prisoners.

When the guards ordered them to start working, the surroundings immediately filled with the clinking sounds of stone being hammered. Some prisoners were responsible for transporting the stone, while others were tasked with selecting the materials—each person with their designated role.

Xu Cenfeng had been assisting Old Henry with a cart full of stones when Feiwen and the others suddenly approached. From a distance, they called out, “Xu Cenfeng, come over here! Let’s go see the boss!”

Upon hearing this, nearby prisoners instinctively paused their work and looked at Xu Cenfeng with surprise. However, he simply removed his dusty gloves and calmly walked past Old Henry’s concerned gaze.

Approaching Feiwen, Xu Cenfeng spoke up, asking, “Who’s the boss?”

Feiwen remained as taciturn as ever, turning to lead the way ahead. “The boss is the boss,” he said curtly. “He oversees all four cell blocks, including Orlott who you sent to the infirmary yesterday.”

Another prisoner, with golden eyes and a likely opinion of Feiwen’s demeanor, spoke up to explain further. “Our boss is named Sang Ya. He’s the toughest prisoner across all four blocks, but he doesn’t usually get involved in the day-to-day. If he vouches for you, Orlott’s boys won’t dare trouble you again.”

After finishing his sentence, he muttered something under his breath, perhaps remembering something. “But with that guy around, Sang Ya might end up being second in command in a few days.”

As they spoke, they had already arrived at a secluded corner. Xu Cenfeng noticed ahead a low rock formation where two prisoners were seated.

Golden-eyed prisoner gestured towards one of the fair-skinned zerg among them. “He’s our boss, Sang Ya.”

The fair-skinned zerg, who had been sitting on the rocky hillside observing the scenery, turned upon hearing his name mentioned. Unlike the dark tones of the northern zergs, his skin was paler than snow, with delicate and indifferent features that exuded a striking beauty. His gray hair was braided and tied high in a ponytail, and his eyes were an exceptionally unique silver-gray, reflecting a cold and mineral-like gleam under the rising sun.

Xu Cenfeng was slightly surprised. “Is he a zerg from the West?”

The golden-eyed zerg raised an eyebrow and denied, “No, he’s from the southern Yinchatait… Do you know the South? The zergs of that tribe possess the most beautiful wings bestowed by the Zerg God. Many perverse male zergs want to collect a pair.”

Xu Cenfeng caught the implication in his tone. “What do you mean?”

The golden-eyed zerg explained, “In the past, a powerful male zerg forcibly removed Sang Ya’s wings. Sang Ya killed that male zerg in retaliation, which led to him becoming an exile. So, please, don’t bring up anything related to wings when you talk to him later.”

After finishing his sentence, he gestured towards the zerg next to Sang Ya, speaking cautiously, “You better not mess with this zerg. He’s only been in prison for a few days and already beat up all the bosses, even Sang Ya became his follower. Yesterday, Orlott was sent to the infirmary by you, and shortly after, this zerg crippled his legs and left him half-dead.”

Xu Cenfeng heard the words and instinctively looked over. The zerg also happened to turn and meet his gaze, revealing a completely unfamiliar, stern expression. His bronze-toned skin appeared unusually sensual under the sun. He wore his gray-blue prison uniform with all buttons neatly fastened, and between his fingertips was a cigarette, a rarity within the prison. Thin lips exhaled a wisp of pale smoke, silently stirring the heart.

The zerg flicked the ash lightly, almost smiling, and in a low voice, he uttered two words to Xu Cenfeng: “Come here.”

The author has something to say:

Faeus: (〃’▽’〃) Darling~~ Come here~~