Chapter 57: The Detonation of the Thunder-Cracking Device and the Lifting of a Heavy Burden

Inside the Celestial Prison

“What should we do, Uncle?”
“What should we do...”

Little Tuanzi stood behind the screen, pacing back and forth before Lu Qing’s bed, muttering incessantly as if performing a ritual.

“Ah, stop pacing and stop talking, you’re giving me a headache,” Lu Qing said, rising from the bed. Passing by her, he stretched out his hands and cast a spell. A golden light streaked swiftly from his fingertips, piercing the opposite wall and tearing open a small, round portal in midair.

“Uncle?” Little Tuanzi ran forward, eyes wide with surprise at the torn opening.

Lu Qing turned to her. “Everyone’s gone searching for Bai Yan. That means the guards here in this dungeon will be more relaxed.”

“I’ll stay inside the dungeon. You go out and see if Han Mo of the Snake Clan is still around.”

“He must have news of Bai Yan.”

Little Tuanzi nodded blankly. “Okay, I—I’ll go ask the big snake about White Radish’s situation.”

“Good. If anything happens, remember to send me a message with the Sound Transmission Spirit.”

“…Okay.”

“You only have half an hour. After that, I’ll reactivate the formation, so remember to return through this exit the same way you came.”

Little Tuanzi nodded vigorously. “Okay, Uncle, don’t worry.”

Lu Qing nodded but couldn’t quite put his mind at ease, looking at her frail, small frame.

“Here,” he said, taking a treasure from his spatial spirit ring and handing it to her. “This is a Thunderclap Device. It can harm others and will explode. Keep it for self-defense.”

Little Tuanzi took the small, round black sphere, staring at it for a while before asking, “How… how do I use it?”

“Throw it from a high place. It explodes upon hitting the ground.”

“Got it.” Little Tuanzi clenched the Thunderclap Device, thinking it wasn’t so difficult—it was pretty much like the explosives from their underworld.

“Be careful—it will also explode if you squeeze it tightly,” Lu Qing warned softly beside her.

“Ah?!” Startled, Little Tuanzi dropped the device, which flew out of her hand.

“No—!!”

Lu Qing’s eyes widened as he watched the Thunderclap Device hurled away.

The next moment—

“Boom!”

A tremendous explosion erupted inside the Celestial Prison, shaking the entire underworld with its roar.

“What was that noise?”
“Where did it come from?”
“Hurry! It’s the Celestial Prison!”
“Quick, quick! The little prince is still inside!”

A crowd of malicious ghosts rushed toward the dungeon—ghost servants, ghost generals, both male and female. The scene was grand and overwhelming.

It was as if the entire underworld’s ghosts were pouring out in force.

Thick smoke billowed in one corner of the dungeon. As the faint light and warm breeze trickled down the wall, the smoke gradually dispersed, and the vision cleared.

“Cough, cough, cough...” Little Tuanzi rubbed her eyes, coughing a few times before opening them fully.

“U-Uncle?”
“Uncle, where are you?”

She called anxiously until a tall figure appeared in her sight.

Little Tuanzi’s eyes widened in astonishment. “U-Uncle, your face—”

So dark.

And your clothes are so black too.

Lu Qing’s face was blackened as he looked at the dissipating black smoke before glaring at the culprit, gritting his teeth. “You really learned fast, huh?”

All the explosion went on him.

Look at his clothes—so black!

Even his little white bow shoes!

If he hadn’t dodged, the Thunderclap Device would have exploded right on him!

Was she trying to blow him up!?

“I-I’m sorry,” Little Tuanzi hurriedly apologized, bowing in regret.

“I-I didn’t mean it, Uncle. Are you… are you hurt?”

“I—” Lu Qing was about to answer when the dungeon door behind him was suddenly flung open.

He quickly waved his hand, and a white spell shot toward the opened portal, cloaking it with a veil of illusion.

Then, “clack”—the door was pushed open urgently.

“Little Prince!” Cao Fu was the first to rush in. “What happened? What’s going on with the Celestial Prison? Why was there an explosion?”

As she entered, a crowd followed, chattering as they surveyed the dungeon.

“Is that the scent of a Thunderclap Device?”
“Yes, such a loud blast could only come from that or our underworld’s explosives.”
“Is anything damaged? Go check quickly!”
“Yes, yes, go see.”

Lu Qing hurriedly signaled Little Tuanzi to stop them; the dungeon’s portal was still open.

Little Tuanzi nodded and stepped forward to block them. “No need to check. Nothing’s damaged. I accidentally threw the Thunderclap Device while practicing, which caused the loud noise.”

“So that’s it. Little Prince, are you hurt?”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“That’s good.”
“Alright, you all can leave and tell the others not to panic.”

“Yes, servants understand.” The group saluted her and turned to leave the cell.

“Wait.”

Suddenly, a cold voice came from outside the cell, followed by the arrival of Meng Hui and Lady Meng Po.

Everyone was startled and quickly bowed. “Greetings, Lady Meng Po. Greetings, Lord Meng Hui.”

“No need for formalities.”
“Thank you, Lord Meng Hui.”

The two approached Little Tuanzi and bowed. “Greetings, Little Prince.”

Little Tuanzi took a fearful step back. “N-No need for formalities.”

This is bad.

They’re probably going to find out now.

Lu Qing glanced at them without emotion, then at the hidden exit behind him, feeling a sinking despair.

Lady Meng Po looked up, glanced at Lu Qing, then at Little Tuanzi, and smiled gently. “Little Prince, are you comfortable here?”

Little Tuanzi nodded. “I-I’m used to it.”

“That’s good. I heard from Meng Hui that a criminal immortal was lost from this dungeon, so I came down to take a look.”

“I-I see…” Little Tuanzi’s voice trembled.

“That immortal hasn’t been found yet. Little Prince, you must stay vigilant and not be led astray by villains into doing anything harmful to the ghost clan.”

“I-I understand.” Little Tuanzi lowered her head, looking obedient and repentant.

Only Lu Qing, who hadn’t spoken, darkened his expression. Their words were clearly a veiled warning directed at him.

Meng Hui waved his hand and commanded, “Everyone, inspect this dungeon thoroughly. Don’t let anything slip by.”

Little Tuanzi suddenly looked up, panicked. “M-Meng Hui sister?!”

“If anything is damaged, replace it immediately,” she said, her gaze flicking to Little Tuanzi before sweeping coldly over Lu Qing. “This is urgent.”

“Yes, servants understand.”

Lu Qing: “...This is over.”

Little Tuanzi lowered her head in distress, certain she was doomed. Meng Hui sister and Lady Meng Po must have discovered something.

Lady Meng Po strode toward the patch of wall behind Lu Qing, her steps resolute with no hesitation.

“Lady Meng Po!!” Little Tuanzi rushed over nervously. Under her calm yet inscrutable gaze, she anxiously asked, “W-Why do you have time to come down here? I-I thought you were always busy.”

“I’m not busy today,” Lady Meng Po smiled gently. “Besides, with such a major incident in Hell, it’s only right that I come down to check.”

“I-I see...”

“Yes, when you get out, Lady Meng Po will prepare a basket of carrots for you to celebrate your freedom, okay?”

“Okay,” Little Tuanzi smiled happily at the thought of carrots. “Are there all kinds of colors?”

“Of course. Your favorites—green radishes, orange carrots, white radishes—are all here.”

“So many?”

“Yes...” Lady Meng Po responded kindly, then stepped past her toward the wall. A spell flew from her fingertips into the unseen corner, penetrating the wall.

“Lady Meng Po!!” Little Tuanzi didn’t notice at first and suddenly saw her reaching toward the already opened wall.

“What is it, Little Prince?” Lady Meng Po touched the wall and withdrew her hand, smiling as she turned to her.

At that moment, Little Tuanzi nearly stopped breathing—and Lu Qing was no different.

But seeing that Lady Meng Po found nothing, Little Tuanzi immediately relaxed and smiled more sweetly and naturally. “Nothing. I just wanted to ask if my father knows about the missing white radish?”

“He does. Lord Yan Wang has assigned General Hei Chang to search for it.”

“Hei Chang?”

“Yes,” Lady Meng Po nodded.

“What if he can’t find it?” Little Tuanzi asked cautiously.

Lady Meng Po smiled faintly, speaking calmly, “Then the general’s duties will be taken away and entrusted to someone more reliable.”

“What?”

“A general who can’t guard the criminals in the dungeon is no good general.”

“How could that be...” Little Tuanzi was shocked, her fingers trembling.

“Lord Yan Wang tolerates no uselessness, and not just anyone receives such leniency and forgiveness—only someone like you, Little Prince.”

(End of chapter)