Xiao Jin heard this and sighed. Wan Lei had always wanted to accumulate a thousand merit points for an official position; he knew this, and he also knew where Wan Lei wanted to go.
"Brother Wan, are you really going to take a position in the prison? Honestly, with your aptitude, combat power, and status as the strongest disciple, you'll definitely be heavily cultivated by the sect. Taking a position in the prison is too much of a waste!"
Wan Lei heard this and chuckled. He took out a cigarette, offered one to Xiao Jin, lit his own, and after exhaling a puff of white smoke, said leisurely,
"Brother Jin, you know why I came to the Five Elements Hall. It's to investigate the truth. The other people in the Five Elements Hall asked her, but she wouldn't say. Only if I ask her might she tell me.
Moreover, if I take a position in the prison, won't I be able to look after her more? At least she won't be bullied inside."
"Alas, for Brother Wan, such a heavenly talent, to have become such a sycophant... ah no, a devoted lover. I truly admire you. I don't know when I'll be able to meet my destined maiden, to make me have the impulse to sacrifice everything for her."
Wan Lei looked at Xiao Jin with surprise.
*Little brother, your thoughts are very dangerous.*
"That's it for now. I'll contact Qi Heng tonight and ask him out for a talk."
After Xiao Jin left, Wan Lei was alone in the cave tending to his injuries. Towards evening, he called Qi Heng and asked him to meet for a chat.
After it was completely dark, Wan Lei got up, changed his appearance, and disguised himself as another disciple. He went to the restaurant he had visited before, booked a private room, ordered food and drinks, and waited for Qi Heng to arrive.
Qi Heng was also very punctual. After work, he came directly here.
By now, Wan Lei had reverted to his true appearance. When Qi Heng saw Wan Lei, he laughed heartily and gave Wan Lei a bear hug.
"Brother Wan, you're incredible now! I hear about your deeds every day at work. You're truly amazing.
First, you investigated a sage and brought back his head, then you challenged five hundred Water Hall disciples in a continuous battle, and recently you've broken through a hundred levels in a hundred days without a single defeat. The title of the strongest disciple of the Five Elements Hall is well-deserved."
"Brother Qi flatters me too much. Please, sit down. Today, my brother and I will drink heartily."
"Good, good, good."
After witnessing Wan Lei's strength and status, Qi Heng became even more respectful of Wan Lei, and the arrogant demeanor he had before was gone.
After clinking glasses with Wan Lei, Qi Heng said with a smile,
"You don't know, but for the past three days, every morning before work, I've gone to the Tower of Creation to watch your battles.
I haven't missed a single one. There's nothing much to say about your fights with Xing Chen and Lei Ting; they were basically crushes. If I had to say which was exciting, it was your last fight with Jian Fanchen."
Qi Heng worked from nine in the morning to nine in the evening, also enjoying the "996" blessed labor. However, dawn usually came around five or six in the morning, when Wan Lei's matches began, giving Qi Heng ample time to watch.
Both sides unleashed their full techniques, countering each move and parrying each blow. The dazzling array of divine abilities captivated the onlookers, leaving them exhilarated. Especially the dramatic turn of events where Wan Lei, who had seemingly died, suddenly reappeared behind Jian Fanchen, directly igniting Qi Heng's excitement.
After witnessing the full-power battle between Wan Lei and Jian Fanchen, including Qi Heng himself, many Tai Heng Realm disciples of the Five Elements Hall realized that they too couldn't defeat these two Tai Xu Realm experts.
In the future, there would surely be many fierce battles between these two.
Qi Heng was also very fortunate that Wan Lei had approached him back then, and their relationship had developed well. With Wan Lei's talent, his future would undoubtedly be brilliant.
After a bit more flattery, Wan Lei picked up a peanut, shelled it, and put it into his mouth. He put away his smile and said with a serious expression,
"Brother Qi, I've completed two purgatory-level missions, and coupled with the merit points I earned from beating those Water Hall disciples, I've accumulated a thousand points.
I believe Brother Qi hasn't forgotten what he said before, right?"
Qi Heng was startled by this, then sneered,
"You mean the matter of me recommending you to the prison? What's up? Have you made up your mind?"
"Yes, I've made up my mind. This matter requires Brother Qi's help in mediating and putting in a lot of effort."
As Wan Lei spoke, he placed a spatial storage bag on the table.
*Oh, this damned sense of familiarity...*
Qi Heng's eyes lit up, but he didn't rush to take it.
"Brother Wan, logically speaking, I was the one asking you to do this. But now you're giving me money, it seems like you're actively wanting to go.
Is it for that Fang Xiaoyu?"
Wan Lei smiled, a little shyly, just like a young man in love who is too embarrassed to admit it.
"Alas, is it worth it? To give up your bright future for a woman."
Qi Heng shook his head and sighed.
"At least I can be closer to her, or see if I can find out who taught her the forbidden arts. That way, I can find that person and have them come out to testify."
"However, your actions will seem abnormal to outsiders. Think about it, the strongest prodigy in the Tai Xu Realm of the Five Elements Hall, with Origin-level aptitude, has a future that is as bright as it can be. Suddenly becoming a mere guard in the prison?
That place is usually assigned to people who are neither here nor there and have no great achievements. In our terms, we are the prisoners sent there.
Someone like you suddenly going there voluntarily will make anyone suspicious. Will the warden assign you to me?"
Qi Heng raised his doubt.
Wan Lei chuckled, tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and said leisurely,
"What do you mean I went to the prison voluntarily? It was you, Qi Heng, who valued my aptitude and kept coming to my cave dwelling, begging me to go.
And our relationship is quite good. I couldn't refuse due to politeness, so I reluctantly agreed."
Qi Heng, though rough around the edges, was meticulous. He immediately understood Wan Lei's meaning.
"You mean, you want me to put on a show with you?"
"Yes. Tomorrow morning, you go find your warden first. Say that you have a good personal relationship with me, that we've had drinks together. Then, talk about how awesome I've been recently, and that I've gathered enough merit points and want to take up a post.
Then ask him for some benefits, saying it's a gift for me, and then bring gifts to my cave dwelling every night. Remember to let others see.
Do this for a few days, and then I'll apply to take up the post in the prison, and it will be logical, won't it?"
Hearing this, Qi Heng sneered,
"Yes, this way, no one will know that you're actively going to the prison, but in reality, you're going to break someone out. And the prison won't guard against you."
"I'm not planning to break anyone out, damn it. I don't want to die yet."
Wan Lei's forehead was covered in black lines. *Can you please not mention breaking anyone out?*
Qi Heng took a sip of wine and said leisurely,
"Your idea is good, but it's difficult for me, Qi Heng, to give up my dignity and beg you every day. After all, everyone knows that I, Qi Heng, am a person who values face."
"So..."
"I need more money."