The Tian-Grade Prison beneath Yujing Terrace was eternally damp and dim—its defining traits. If nothing unexpected happened, those imprisoned here would likely never see the sun again for the rest of their lives.
The inmates held here were heinous criminals, though not quite deserving of execution. As a result, the Liyue Qixing managed the place with blatant indifference. As long as no one starved to death, that was considered sufficient.
Once the man who single-handedly built the Old Nine Gates, Rolling Blade Liu had long since lost his former swagger. Now, he passed the time by weaving crude ornaments from torn straw—anything to stave off the crushing monotony.
In the neighboring cell, a prisoner who had been locked up for eighteen years finally snapped. Gripping the bars, he howled toward the skylight above.
"I want out! You can't do this to me!"
Rolling Blade Liu had had enough. He stood and kicked the wall hard.
"Pipe down, you noisy bastard. A real man accepts the gamble he lost. Worst case, you start over next life and roam the jianghu again."
"Easy for you to say!" the prisoner roared back. "Your precious little brother still has pull on the outside—greasing palms with the guards. I've got no one! No backing at all!"
Several nearby inmates chimed in bitterly.
Which one of them hadn't once ruled the underground? Yet the moment they fell, their followers scattered like startled birds.
Only Rolling Blade Liu—also confined in this very prison—still enjoyed privileges, all thanks to his Ninth Brother outside.
No delicacies, sure—but three different meals a day. Sometimes even late-night snacks and warm wine.
How could the others not resent it?
They dared not report it—snitching only earned a beating. So they swallowed their envy and directed it at Rolling Blade Liu, who alone had such a brother.
Rolling Blade Liu chuckled, tossing aside a half-finished straw hat. He picked up his jug of yellow wine—cold as horse piss, but still the finest luxury this prison could offer.
"Can't help it," he said smugly. "My Ninth Brother lives by one thing—loyalty."
"That's two words."
"Doesn't matter. Point is, he's loyal. You lot just don't have brothers like that."
No one bothered replying anymore. No sense letting this bastard give them indigestion.
Finding no audience, Rolling Blade Liu retreated to a corner with his clay jug. After a few sips, the bitterness crept in.
Am I dragging him down…?
Next time a guard came by, he'd ask them to pass a message—tell Old Nine to live well and stop wasting effort. What more could a big brother ask for?
Just then—
"Clank… grind…"
A cable mechanism began lowering into the central pit. The grinding of metal grew sharper as a half-dome lift descended, carrying a guard.
Mistaking it for meal delivery, the prisoners barely looked up.
"Which one of you is Liu Muzhi?"
It had been years since anyone called his real name. Rolling Blade Liu froze, then rose and stepped to the bars.
"I'm Liu Muzhi."
"Liu Muzhi. You've been bailed out. Pack up and come with me."
The prison erupted.
"Damn it all—if only I had a brother like that!"
Rolling Blade Liu stood still, guilt flooding his deeply lined face. Only after the guard urged him again did he step out of the cell.
Life sentence. Bail should've cost half a palace of gold. Old Nine… you've done far too much.
No matter. First—find him.
As the lift rose, sunlight poured down. Rolling Blade Liu squinted, stunned. He'd thought he'd never see the sun again.
The lift locked into place.
Then he heard a familiar voice.
"Big Brother. Welcome back."
He looked up.
Standing ahead was Ji Ming—Old Nine. Behind him, from left to right:
Second Brother Half-Jiao Zhao,
Third Brother Zheng Old Three,
Fourth Brother Broken-Finger Chen,
Fifth Brother Bone-Skinner Yang,
Sixth Brother Blade-Scar Li,
Seventh Brother Silent Thunder Hong,
Eighth Brother Mad Dog Qing.
The Old Nine Gates had fallen long ago. Now, reunited at last—
Rolling Blade Liu, who hadn't cried since he was three, broke down. He rushed forward.
"Ninth Brother… I missed you so damn much…"
Ji Ming's smile didn't waver.
He stepped in—and without warning, punched Rolling Blade Liu square in the face.
"Your damn ideas nearly got everyone killed! Use your head next time!"
The punch wiped away much of Liu's guilt. Laughing hoarsely, he hugged Ji Ming—then each of the others.
"Good. You're all alive. That's all that matters."
Zheng Old Three bawled like a child.
"Big Brother! Old Nine got caught by a beauty trap—he's been recruited by the authorities!"
Rolling Blade Liu was stunned. The others stared at Ji Ming in disbelief.
Was that why the Old Nine Gates were released?
Bone-Skinner Yang narrowed his eyes, voice dripping menace.
"Those bastard officials forcing you? Say the word—I'll deal with them."
Half-Jiao Zhao nodded. One of the few rational ones among them, he agreed—Old Nine would never willingly side with corrupt officials.
Blade-Scar Li said nothing, just licked the edge of his knife—then froze, remembering he hadn't re-poisoned it yet, and resumed licking thoughtfully.
Mad Dog Qing, a pure action type, had already locked onto the retreating guard—warming up.
Broken-Finger Chen sighed.
"Old Nine's that age now. If it's a beauty trap, it's a beauty trap. Fourth Brother will handle it."
Broken-Finger Chen—real name Chen Huaizhang—was the strategist of the Old Nine Gates, a classic white fan. Rumor had it he came from a once-prestigious adviser family in Liyue. When that clan fell decades ago, he lost his left thumb as collateral.
Silent Thunder Hong finally spoke, shaking his head.
"Old Nine's fine."
Looking at them, Ji Ming could only think of one phrase—
When the worthy gather, stars blaze among men; when immortals assemble, they stand in endless ranks.
He sighed and came clean.
"I recently took a master. An adeptus from Jueyun Karst. My senior sister is Ganyu."
The others all sucked in a sharp breath.
Once crushed by corrupt officials, the Old Nine Gates now had Old Nine backed by an adeptus—and Ganyu of Yuehai Pavilion.
Black and white alike—wouldn't the Old Nine Gates dominate everything?
"Don't get ideas," Ji Ming cut in. "Senior Sister Ganyu doesn't know about the Old Nine Gates, and I won't drag her into my mess. So forget that."
Broken-Finger Chen nodded. If it wasn't the authorities, then there had to be another power behind him.
"Ninth Brother," he asked carefully, "if not the Qixing… then who?"
Ji Ming pulled out Fatui mask.
Gasps followed.
"I've partnered with the Fatui. I act as their eyes and hands in Liyue Harbor. They act as my bank and intelligence source."
For a jianghu gang, working with outside powers wasn't unusual—but the Fatui?
Rolling Blade Liu frowned.
"Old Nine. Do they have leverage on you?"
"No. This is my deal with the Fatui—not the Old Nine Gates'. If things go wrong, I bear it alone."
"Absolutely not," Liu snapped. "We're one body. Don't even think about cutting yourself loose—unless you don't recognize us as brothers."
At that, Ji Ming stopped arguing and changed tack.
"From today on, the Old Nine Gates are officially rebuilt. Every freak and nobody's been claiming territory lately. Our task is simple—take back Liyue Harbor."
Silent Thunder Hong nodded.
"Old Nine's got it right."
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