Chapter 41: Return to the Dungeon, The Game Intensifies

Chapter 41: Return to the Dungeon, Escalation of the Game

Night had deepened, and the torches flickered outside the cell, casting shifting shadows across Minister Zhang’s face, rendering it ghostly and menacing. The cold smile at the corner of his lips, to Lin Shiya, was more terrifying than any instrument of torture within these walls.

Surrounding her were guards, wolves in human guise, their swords and knives gleaming cruelly in the firelight as they closed in, leaving her not even a sliver of space. The air was thick with the stench of blood and rot, nauseating and oppressive.

Lin Shiya gripped the document in her hand so tightly her knuckles turned white, yet her gaze remained unwavering and resolute, without a trace of fear.

“Scholar Lin, what brings you to the Ministry of Justice’s dungeon so late at night?” Minister Zhang’s voice was laced with mockery and disdain.

Lin Shiya did not flinch. She met his eyes coldly and replied, “I am here under imperial orders to investigate the Lin family’s injustice and gather evidence. I need not explain myself to you, Minister Zhang.”

“Imperial orders? Hah! Scholar Lin, you have some nerve, daring to trespass into the Ministry’s dungeon!” Minister Zhang barked, his eyes flashing with malice. “Guards, seize Scholar Lin!”

The guards moved forward instantly, blades raised, advancing upon her. Lin Shiya’s figure darted aside, narrowly evading the attack, clutching the document protectively to her chest. Her sharp gaze swept over them like a leopard watching its prey.

“Who dares to touch me?” Her voice, though not loud, carried an undeniable authority. The guards were stunned by her imposing presence and, for a moment, hesitated to move.

Minister Zhang’s fury grew. He snatched a long sword from one of the guards and pointed it at Lin Shiya, growling, “Lin Shiya, do not refuse a toast only to accept punishment! Hand over the document, and perhaps I’ll spare your life!”

Lin Shiya met his gaze without fear and sneered, “Minister Zhang, are you trying to extract a confession by force?”

Minister Zhang’s expression changed, but he forced himself to remain calm. “I am only acting according to the law. Please cooperate, Scholar Lin.”

“Cooperate? And how exactly does Minister Zhang wish me to cooperate?” Lin Shiya’s tone was laced with sarcasm.

“Hand over the document!” Minister Zhang pressed closer, sword pointed at her throat.

Lin Shiya stood her ground, her eyes icy. “Minister Zhang, are you certain you want to do this?”

His hand trembled slightly, but he gritted his teeth. “Seize her!”

With that, he lunged at her with the sword...

Lin Shiya sidestepped swiftly, her eyes flashing. From her sleeve, she drew forth a bright yellow scroll and unfurled it with a flourish—it was a legal decree bestowed by the Emperor.

“Minister Zhang, the law stipulates that no one may obstruct an imperial official investigating a case. You are defying imperial authority—an offense that will incur an even graver punishment!” The golden scroll blazed in the gloom of the dungeon, a sacred light illuminating the shadows in Minister Zhang’s heart.

He was stunned by this sudden turn of events, his sword frozen midair. He could never have imagined Lin Shiya would carry an imperial decree.

The guards exchanged uneasy glances, afraid to act rashly.

They served Minister Zhang, but dared not openly defy a royal command.

“You… you…” Minister Zhang’s face turned livid, his lips trembling, unable to utter a complete sentence. He had expected to subdue Lin Shiya easily, only to be outmaneuvered by her.

Lin Shiya rolled up the decree, casting a cold glance at him. “Minister Zhang, may I enter now?”

He clenched his teeth, but at last stepped aside, unwillingly, glaring fiercely at her.

Lin Shiya passed through the crowd, heading straight for the cell where Lin Da was held.

The door opened, and dim light fell upon Lin Da’s haggard face. He wore tattered prison garb and his hair was tangled, yet his eyes retained their steadfast resolve.

“Brother!” Lin Shiya called softly, her voice carrying a quiver of emotion.

He looked up, surprised. “Shiya, why are you here? It’s dangerous—leave quickly!”

She approached him and grasped his hand tightly. “Brother, I’ve come to take you out!”

Lin Da shook his head with a bitter smile. “It’s useless, they’ve already…”

“Shh!” Lin Shiya interrupted, glancing around and lowering her voice. “We’ll talk in a moment.” Her gaze fell upon a particular brick in the corner of the cell, its color slightly darker than the rest.

“Brother, look at that brick…”

Her eyes locked onto it, intuition telling her it held a secret. She knelt and brushed her fingertips over its surface, feeling its faint markings. Suddenly, she touched a nearly imperceptible protrusion—a tiny, droplet-shaped mark.

A thrill ran through her; she was nearly certain something was hidden behind the brick.

She glanced around quickly, ensuring no one was watching, held her breath, and pushed with all her strength.

The brick did not budge.

Her brows furrowed; she tried again, but nothing happened. She examined the gaps around it—perfectly sealed, without any flaw.

Clearly, the mechanism was well concealed.

At that moment, Minister Zhang’s chilling voice sounded from behind. “Scholar Lin, what are you doing?”

Lin Shiya’s heart jumped. She spun around to find him standing at the cell door, his expression dark and foreboding.

He had clearly noticed her actions.

“Nothing, Minister. I was merely examining the cell’s construction for its sturdiness,” she replied, feigning calm and subtly positioning herself to block the brick from his view.

Minister Zhang gave a cold laugh, moving closer, eyes fixed on the wall behind her. “Scholar Lin, so interested in the cell’s structure? Have you discovered something?”

“You jest, Minister. I was merely…” Before she could finish, he suddenly shoved her aside and lunged for the brick.

“Stop!” Lin Shiya cried, hurling herself toward him in an attempt to intervene.

But Minister Zhang, prepared for her, dodged her attack and struck the brick with his palm.

With a loud crack, the brick shattered.

“No!” Lin Shiya watched helplessly as it crumbled to dust, agony twisting in her heart.

Yet, behind the shattered brick, a hidden compartment appeared.

Minister Zhang’s expression changed abruptly as he reached for its contents.

Lin Shiya was quicker. She seized his wrist, her voice sharp and commanding, “Minister Zhang, you would do well not to act rashly!”

Her grip was like iron, locking his wrist in place. Her gaze was steely, her tone cold as blade. “Minister Zhang, you should not touch what lies within this compartment.”

He was daunted by her presence, pain shooting through his wrist, but he refused to yield and glared at her. “Lin Shiya, are you set on opposing me?”

She sneered and, with a sudden twist, forced his wrist to release.

Seizing the moment, she grabbed what lay in the hidden compartment—a letter wrapped in cowhide, dust still clinging to it.

She carefully opened it. Inside lay a thin sheet covered with dense writing. Upon closer inspection, it detailed the entire process by which the Lin family had been falsely accused, complete with the signatures and seals of the perpetrators.

Minister Zhang’s face turned as pale as death. He knew now that he was utterly finished—the evidence was irrefutable; there would be no escape.

Lin Shiya stowed the letter safely, turned to Lin Da, and spoke with unwavering determination, “Brother, I have the evidence. I will clear your name!”

Lin Da’s eyes grew moist as he looked at his sister. He knew she had grown strong—strong enough to challenge the darkness of the court.

Lin Shiya then faced Minister Zhang, a hint of mocking smile at her lips. “Minister Zhang, do you have anything left to say?”

He collapsed to the floor like a man whose spine had been snapped, muttering, “Impossible… this can’t be… how could I lose to you…”

Lin Shiya paid no heed to his delirious ramblings. She had to deliver the evidence to the Emperor as soon as possible to fully vindicate the Lin family.

“Brother, let’s go!” She took Lin Da’s hand, ready to leave this grim cell.

But as she reached the doorway, a strange rustling sound echoed—a sibilant hiss, like a serpent flicking its tongue, piercing the silence of the dungeon.

She halted instantly, her body tense as a poised leopard, gaze sweeping sharply across the shadows…