Du Wenyan thanked him and began eating Su Jin’s portion.
After two mouthfuls, he looked up. "It’s the only meal today. Are you sure you don’t want it?"
"I have food of my own. Don’t worry about me."
Su Jin answered politely, but he was hungry. Without thinking, he reached into his hidden pocket and pulled out a strip of beef jerky.
Du Wenyan froze, bowl in hand.
In the dim light, he had seen Su Jin take something dark and dried from his crotch, put it in his mouth, and chew with obvious pleasure.
Nausea rose sharply in Du Wenyan’s throat.
His face twisted. He opened his mouth and vomited into his bowl.
Su Jin looked at him, baffled and disgusted.
The half-empty bowl was full again, with even more variety than before.
A strange smell drifted through the air.
Du Wenyan stared at it, struggling with himself.
At last, he raised the bowl again.
Su Jin’s brow twitched as he watched.
The bowl reached Du Wenyan’s lips, and he swallowed.
"Urgh!" Su Jin vomited across the floor.
At that, Du Wenyan could no longer hold on.
He vomited again.
The two took turns being sick in the cell.
"How hungry are you? You threw it up and then ate it again!" Su Jin shouted, wiping his mouth.
"You eat shit, and you have the nerve to criticize me?" Du Wenyan shouted back, shaking with anger.
"And I thought you were a gentleman." Su Jin gave a disbelieving laugh, retreated to his corner, and rinsed his mouth with bottled water.
Du Wenyan said nothing. He could no longer eat.
He set the bowl by the door, then sat cross-legged against the opposite wall.
They did not speak again.
...
Su Jin curled up, watching the time and thinking through his plan.
Other prisoners were snoring.
It was past two in the morning, but Du Wenyan was still awake.
He showed no sign of sleeping. Su Jin would have to knock him out.
Now was the time.
He was about to rise.
A cold draft came at him from behind.
Su Jin jerked his head aside. A dagger passed over his shoulder.
Without thinking, he activated the doubling ability.
His right hand shot back like a snake and closed around his attacker’s throat.
He turned and pinned the man beneath him.
Du Wenyan made a strange sound, his eyes full of disbelief.
"Why did you try to kill me?" Su Jin whispered.
"You’re... not an ordinary man?" Du Wenyan barely managed to say.
"Why?" Su Jin repeated coldly. "I won’t ask again."
"I... need to escape..." Du Wenyan’s eyes reddened as he struggled to breathe.
Escape?
So Du Wenyan had the same idea. Otherwise, attacking a fellow prisoner made little sense. But why would a man of his standing need to?
Su Jin eased his grip. "Why escape?"
Du Wenyan drew a breath and spoke quickly. "I offended Tanyu Temple. I can’t stay in the capital, and I’ve made enemies elsewhere too. I have to leave."
"I meant to threaten you and choke you unconscious. Since you caught me, I have another offer. Help me, and we can escape together. The drinking charge is minor; even an escape can be settled afterward."
"I’ll pay you and make sure nothing comes of it."
"Escaping makes you a criminal. Where will you go? And you tried to kill me. Wouldn’t murder make that worse?"
"People die here all the time. The guards will hide it rather than cause trouble. But I really didn’t mean to kill you..."
"I’m going to Jiuzhao City. Shen Yufeng is my friend. He can give me an official post, and a drinking charge and escape mean little to the Zhenguo Estate. Come with me. I have official papers for the checkpoints," Du Wenyan said as Su Jin tightened his grip again.
"They’re eager for capable people. They would welcome a fighter like you. Why remain an ordinary citizen here?"
"What use are your papers if you’re under arrest?"
"News from the court travels slowly. Trust me!" Du Wenyan said.
After some thought, Su Jin let go and smiled.
Du Wenyan was probably telling the truth.
Tanyu Temple answered to the emperor. Lu Mingxuan was spoken of in the same breath as Shen Yufeng, so his standing must be high.
Du Wenyan seemed to have connections among the nobility. Offending Lu Mingxuan could indeed ruin his future in the capital.
"Interesting. Do you know the way to Jiuzhao City?"
"I know the layout of every town in Suyuan," Du Wenyan said, catching his breath. "Shen Yufeng will receive me. I’m telling the truth."
"Fine. I wouldn’t mind an official post myself. Let’s go together." Su Jin stepped back and picked up the fallen dagger.
"Your skills are extraordinary. Where did you train, and what should I call you?" Du Wenyan asked.
"Wu Zihao. I trained myself. I’ve never been assessed. What Vein level do you think I’d qualify for?"
"I don’t know. Official assessment is complicated, and I’m no fighter."
"Yet you dared attack me? You have nerve." Su Jin gave a cold laugh.
"I had no choice. I hope you can forgive me, Brother Wu." Du Wenyan bowed without a blush, as if nothing had happened.
"How did you bring a dagger in?" Su Jin looked it over. "This is a fine weapon."
"The guards didn’t search me. It’s a family treasure. Could you return it? Thank you." Du Wenyan hurriedly tucked it into his belt.
"If you have standing outside, how could you eat that slop?" Su Jin finally asked.
"I came from little and have known hunger. I’m not picky," Du Wenyan said.
"You’ve come up in the world but haven’t forgotten your roots," Su Jin said, amused.
"How could I? In times like these, after one meal, who knows where the next will come from?" Du Wenyan sighed.
Then he asked, "And you, Brother Wu? How does a man with your abilities end up here over a little alcohol?"
"And why did you eat... shit? Won’t it make you ill?"