Online: I Can See Health Bars Chapter 1280 - 568: Self-Rescue (Part 2)

"Everything listens to Brother Tian’s arrangement!"

Such an obedient Ding Hui is a rare sight indeed...

A carriage was procured, carrying aboard the boxes and luggage.

"Giddy up!"

With a swift lash of the whip, the duo set off towards the Forest Snake Gang’s stronghold.

...

Inside the grim confines of the Foolish Underworld prison cell.

"Cough cough cough!"

Humblebane Plague, afflicted by the sudden illness, grimaced and stifled a weak cough with his hand shielding his mouth.

"Master?!"

Zhao Wutian, his eyes red-rimmed, remained close by his side.

"Shh!"

Humblebane Plague’s sharp gaze fell upon his disciple, though it was already too late.

Several individuals who had been feigning sleep suddenly stirred, their gazes fixing upon their position.

This was a communal cell, its inhabitants a mosaic of interwoven factions and complex allegiances. Even Humblebane Plague couldn't ascertain how long he might endure under the scrutiny of these perilous individuals.

Two months? One month? Or perhaps... merely a dozen days?

It was conceivable that one morning, he might find his throat slit by the denizens of this cell, meeting a silent end within the prison's brutal embrace.

Should he perish, his disciple would undoubtedly be left with no path to survival.

Humblebane Plague held no fear of death itself, but he dreaded the prospect of his future hope, his devoted disciple nurtured through trials and tribulations, being permanently trapped in this bleak, lightless prison.

"Wutian, we must fight to the death... Even if it means a final confrontation, I will get you out of this cell!"

"Master!"

Tears streamed down Zhao Wutian’s face. He seethed at his own powerlessness, lamenting his lack of strength which rendered him incapable of altering their grim circumstances.

"It’s all... It’s all that demon’s fault!!"

His spirit churned with resentment.

He clenched his fists in secret, channeling the oppressive weight of his own incompetence onto his adversary.

Only through this outlet could he find a modicum of relief from his crushing despair.

"Wutian, get behind me!"

As Zhao Wutian grappled with these thoughts, his master, Humblebane Plague, abruptly rose, scanning their surroundings with a face etched with apprehension.

The figures previously inert in the cell's corners had, by some unseen means, drawn nearer, slowly encroaching upon them.

Gulp!

Zhao Wutian balled his fist, his heart pounding with extreme tension...

At this precise moment.

Tap tap tap.

A series of distinct footsteps echoed from beyond the cell door.

The shadowy figures who had been advancing instantly reverted to their previous positions, lying down like dormant creatures conserving energy, utterly still.

"Whew—"

Humblebane Plague exhaled a long breath, the tension in his nerves finally beginning to dissipate.

However, as the measured footsteps drew nearer, Humblebane Plague’s brow began to furrow in concern.

"Over here! All of you, mind yourselves!"

It was a guard from the Foolish Underworld, escorting new inmates into their midst.

A flicker of opportunity ignited within Humblebane Plague’s heart.

The instant the guard unlatched the cell door, he could seize the chance to escape with his disciple.

Yet, in the vast expanse of the Foolish Underworld, what avenues for survival would they truly possess once free?

His simmering agitation subsided as the cell door swung open, courtesy of the guard.

"Get in there!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three individuals were unceremoniously tossed into the cell.

One among them reacted with surprising speed, appearing both terrified and exhilarated. They hastily retreated to a corner, pulling their knees to their chest, trembling and emitting faint sounds of sobbing.

A woman?

Humblebane Plague registered a moment of surprise.

Following her were two others. Though visibly unnerved, they displayed a composure far exceeding the woman's. These two moved in tandem, silently claiming a spot to sit, their integration into the prison's grim tableau seamless, betraying no indication of being new arrivals.

"All of you, behave yourselves!"

Once the guards had departed, sealing the cell door behind them, a voice suddenly cut through the quiet.

"Hey! You! It’s you! I recognize you!"

Humblebane Plague recalled hearing this voice before; it belonged to the young man addressed as Brother Tian at the inn.

Given that Brother Tian had been apprehended along with his entourage, his presence in prison suggested he commanded a degree of influence, capable of intimidating others, thus affording him temporary respite from immediate trouble.

At this moment, observing the newly incarcerated cellmates, he, accompanied by a subordinate, advanced directly towards one of them.

Humblebane Plague observed with keen interest; Brother Tian’s attention was not directed towards the more imposing figures in the new trio, but rather towards the one emitting a fainter aura of strength.

"Lacking perception."

Humblebane Plague averted his gaze. Regardless of the specifics, the arrival of these new individuals had undeniably altered the cell's dynamic, granting him a crucial window of opportunity. He needed to regain his strength expeditiously to maintain his fighting capacity, thereby ensuring his and his disciple's safety.

Yet, unbeknownst to Humblebane Plague, Brother Tian was not merely observing; he was initiating a critical discussion about escaping the prison!

"Little Locksmith [Cao Fubi]! It truly is you!"

Brother Tian lowered his voice, his tone brimming with excited recognition.

The thief appeared utterly perplexed.

Who are you? Do I know you?

"Brother Cao might not recall an insignificant fellow like me, but Brother Cao, do you not wish to escape this prison alive?"

Of course, I do!

Cao Fubi directed a glance at the stoic Meng Huoke beside him. Noticing the lack of any reaction, he turned to Brother Tian and inquired in a hushed tone.

"Do you possess a method?"

"Not I, but rather you who holds the key!"

What was that supposed to mean?

Me?

Cao Fubi found himself utterly bewildered.

He shifted his gaze between Meng Huoke and Brother Tian once more.

"How could I possibly have a means to escape...?"

"Absurd! You most certainly do! I am aware of Brother Cao's renowned abilities; it is said you can pick the locks on even a wealthy household's treasury and abscond with their riches. Surely, you can manage this trifling prison lock?"

Cao Fubi was left without words.

Was that even comparable?

A mere wealthy individual possesses a modicum of wealth. He would choose a propitious time, sneak in under the cover of a dark and windy night, bypass the lock, seize the valuables, and make a swift departure.

Yet, this was the formidable prison of the accursed Foolish Underworld!

What use would picking the lock be? With countless officials standing guard outside, how was one expected to flee?

Perceiving Cao Fubi's apprehension, Brother Tian spoke softly.

"Brother Cao, harbor no worries. Simply pick the lock; the remainder shall fall to me! Provided the lock is disengaged, I give you my solemn guarantee that we shall escape!"

Brother Tian's unshakeable conviction left Cao Fubi utterly perplexed. He looked once more toward his superior, Meng Huoke, who now displayed a flicker of nascent interest.

They were affiliated with the Rebel Army, their operations inherently in opposition to the Official Office. An escape would, naturally, be the most desirable outcome; remaining confined here was akin to awaiting a certain demise.

Fortunately, following their apprehension by Jinfang Zai, he was suddenly afflicted by a backlash from his demonization, falling into a momentary frenzy as if a demon had lost its senses. He rapidly regained his composure but promptly retreated to his quarters to recover, instructing his men to keep the prisoners alive until he could personally conduct an interrogation.

Had this not transpired, they might have already met their end in the very streets.

Before Cao Fubi could voice further reservations, Meng Huoke interjected, acting as their spokesperson.

"What is the extent of your confidence? What is the precise plan? And when can we initiate this action?"

Brother Tian responded with a confident smile.

"We can execute our plan tonight! I shall elaborate on the detailed strategy with you later!"

Meng Huoke and Cao Fubi exchanged glances.

"Very well! We shall entrust ourselves to your arrangements!"

The Foolish Underworld's prison was no ordinary establishment from which just anyone could abscond; a multitude of factors required careful consideration. Meng Huoke could only resort to a gamble, placing his very life on the line.

After all, he could not possibly rely on the Rebel Army to storm the Foolish Underworld prison and orchestrate a rescue; such an endeavor was entirely unrealistic.

As for this Brother Tian, though his cultivation wasn't overtly potent, his self-assured discourse implied he might have been meticulously planning this escape for years while incarcerated, merely awaiting the crucial element – the locksmith?

This thought prompted Meng Huoke to feel a twinge of fortune. He cast a sideways glance at a woman huddled in the corner, silently weeping with her head bowed.

He hesitated, a frown creasing his brow, before ultimately sighing.

Ultimately, they were all members of the Rebel Army. If the plan proved successful, it would be prudent to include her in their escape.

Meng Huoke remained convinced that he had encountered an exceptionally seasoned prison breaker.

However, in reality, Brother Tian had not been confined for significantly longer than Meng Huoke himself.

"Brother Tian, with the lockpicking obstacle resolved, what about the actual escape?"

A subordinate inquired discreetly.

Brother Tian cast a chilling gaze.

"What is the urgency! I have my own methods! Maintain your vigil for me; I shall take a brief repose."

The term "nap" was, in fact, coded language for logging off from the game.

The subordinates naturally understood its implication.

Brother Tian promptly succumbed to sleep.

And in the real world, he sprang up from his actual bed.

"Hurry, hurry!"

"The world stands in dire need!"

"Clap clap clap clap clap!"

He rapidly typed on the illuminated screen of his computer.

"Urgent summons for help from across the globe! Thunder City extends lucrative bounties to adept rescuers! Enormous rewards!!!"

He dispatched the headline initially, then swiftly refined the accompanying text, deliberately inflating the offered compensation to entice participants, before considering any further details.