Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 229 Prey Becomes Hunter

"Sister Zhao, how did you get caught here too! We're doomed! They can even knock you out, so we're all finished!"

As Chen Jiyuan spoke, he grabbed the wooden fence and looked at Zhou Zhao with a look of fear on his face.

Zhou Zhao looked around and realized she was right; this was indeed a dungeon, and because of its proximity to the lake, it was exceptionally damp.

She was in a solitary cell, while Chen Jiyuan's cell contained a very handsome scholar.

He had fox-like eyes that sparkled with intelligence. Even in this prison, his wildness and arrogance remained unaffected. Calluses appeared on his tiger's mouth, clearly indicating that he was the beautiful, wild swordsman who had disappeared a couple of days ago.

"When you arrived, you were also knocked unconscious by the back of the neck. But did you see who the people who arrested you were, and how many there were?"

The arrogant young man met Zhou Zhao's eyes and was surprised to find no panic in her gaze, only such calmness. His eyes flickered, and he said to Zhou Zhao, "You're also an official of the Court of Judicial Review? The legendary female official Zhou Zhao? Are you here to save this immature fool?"

Zhou Zhao glanced at Chen Jiyuan speechlessly, "How did you get into the Court of Justice?"

Look at them, they not only have a face, they also have brains!

Chen Jiyuan blinked. "Sister Zhao, didn't I tell you? I used to come to the Court of Justice with that group of old men and women to hear cases. One of the old men recommended me so that I could go in and hear more and then tell them."

Of course, I've always wanted to work for the Court of Judicial Review, and I've studied a lot for that purpose.

Zhou Zhao silently rolled her eyes. What about the life she risked in Tianying City?
The arrogant young man sat up abruptly, pushed Chen Jiyuan aside, and pressed himself against the wooden fence between the two cells. "Hey, what are you planning? My name is Sun Zhi. I've practiced some swordsmanship, but it's all just for show. I can only deal with ordinary people."

I was walking down the street when someone knocked me unconscious. When I opened my eyes again, I was here. To my shame, I didn't even see the person clearly.

I came here yesterday. Before I arrived, there was another person in the cell where you were. She was beaten bloody and mangled. She said her name was Lin San Niang, and she had been abducted by beggars. She had been here for several days. Her superiors wanted them to entertain clients, but she refused and was beaten. She had a fever all night and died this morning.

This is probably the same ending we'll face. If you have a solution, please do so quickly.

I think tonight, it might be my turn.

Sun Zhi said through gritted teeth.

"I only thought that beautiful girls were in danger, but I never thought that beautiful boys were also in danger."

Zhou Zhao gave Sun Zhi a reassuring look.

She finally understood why Li Youzhi had asked the manager of Duobaoge where there were brothels; what he really wanted to know was this place.

There are two kinds of beauties here.

They are no different from brothels in the same city; they are either kidnapped or bought, and this type probably accounts for the majority.

Another type is like them, the "prey" chosen by the "guests." Experienced hunters, accompanied by wealthy guests, hunt together in full view of everyone. The red Gu worms are both a trick to conceal their presence and a shower of gold for the guests.

A noble lady from a prestigious family, a beautiful minor official in the Court of Justice, a famous courtesan in Chang'an... as long as the guests are pleased, they can commit secret and exciting crimes in broad daylight under the cover of thick fog.

Zhou Zhao thought that this was probably why there were two people who went to arrest her.

The person she considered a burden was one of her "guests" who had taken a liking to her.

It was truly disgusting. Zhou Zhao thought to himself, stood up, cracked his knuckles, and walked towards the cell door.

"Hey, what are your plans? Will anyone from the Court of Judicial Review come to rescue us? If they do, I'll endure the pain and wait. If not..."

Zhou Zhao looked at the arrogant Sun Zhi with suspicion, "What if you weren't there? Would you become the top courtesan?"

Sun Zhi rolled her narrow, fox-like eyes and glared fiercely at Zhou Zhao. "Of course I'd rather die sooner! Even if Consort Chen becomes the most beautiful courtesan, I won't!"

Zhou Zhao waved his hand, "I don't have any other options, I just plan to turn prey into hunter!"

Sun Zhi looked at Zhou Zhao excitedly, "How will it change..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Zhao pulled out a needle from somewhere and gently poked the lock on the cell door, opening it.

The girl, who looked no more than sixteen or seventeen years old, walked out as if taking a leisurely stroll.

Sun Zhi stared wide-eyed in disbelief until Zhou Zhao reached their cell door, at which point he rushed over.

"You're both officials from the Court of Judicial Review, how come you're so much more capable than Consort Chen?"

Upon hearing the words "Chen Meiren," Chen Jiyuan finally realized what was happening. His face flushed with excitement, "Sister Zhao, you really came to save me! You are my dear sister!"

Zhou Zhao ignored him and helped Sun Zhi and Chen Jiyuan open the cell door. She made a shushing gesture to the two of them, indicating that Chen Jiyuan should stand in the middle and Sun Zhi should bring up the rear.

Sun Zhi looked around and picked up a tree branch in the cell, using it as a weapon.

She came here to find Chen Jiyuan, and now that she has, what is she waiting for? If she delays any longer, Ah Huang will start to get anxious.

Zhou Zhao thought for a moment and walked forward quietly. There were no guards in this dungeon. At the entrance to the stairs leading upstairs, there was a sealed iron plate.

Zhou Zhao reached out and gently pushed it, but it wouldn't budge; it must be locked.

She listened intently, and it sounded like two people were talking up there.

Her eyes flickered, and she pushed again, this time with more force, deliberately making a noise.

Then Zhou Zhao lightly leaped away from the cave entrance, signaling Chen Jiyuan and Sun Zhi to step back a few steps.

"What's that sound?" came a voice from above. Then someone unlocked the door, and the iron plate was opened. A long spear was thrust straight into the hole and circled around it.

Sun Zhi and Chen Jiyuan, who were behind them, covered their mouths when they saw the spears that were almost touching the hem of their clothes, afraid that their breathing would be too loud and they would be discovered.

“There’s nothing here, but there might be rats!” The man holding the spear stopped and turned to another man.

Just then, Zhou Zhao leaped up and rushed out like lightning. By the time Sun Zhi came to her senses, there was no more movement above.

Zhou Zhao poked his head out of the hole. "Why aren't you up yet? Hurry up and come up. You two change into their clothes."

Sun Zhi and Chen Jiyuan came up with bright eyes, changed into the blue robes of the two people lying on the ground, and Sun Zhi even picked up a long sword and happily hung it at his waist.

Zhou Zhao said nothing, simply threw the two men down, and then locked the dungeon door.