Innate Great Emperor

Chapter 3: Earth Escape Talisman

After gaining Ye Jin's favor, the little thing grew bolder. It flew and danced everywhere. The small, dark cell became its playground.

It was completely fearless. It kept jumping on Ye Jin's bed, biting the pillow, and shaking it around wildly. Sometimes it bounced outside the window, pulled up grass, or grabbed a dog's tail flower, and stuck them in Ye Jin's hair. Ye Jin didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

After playing with the little mute thing for a while, Ye Jin grew tired. He practiced Tai Chi in the dark, venting his excess energy. Then he sat cross-legged and began to meditate.

For some reason, this meditation felt fast. His mind relaxed quickly. His whole body loosened up. He entered a trance-like state, half-asleep, half-awake, completely forgetting himself.

After meditating like this, the dark thoughts and resentment in his mind always faded. He felt refreshed. The dark cell didn't seem so unbearable anymore. Then he saw it. A thumb-thick green snake, flicking its red tongue. A triangular head, staring at Ye Jin with blood-red eyes.

Ye Jin screamed. He shot up from the ground and scrambled to the corner. He yanked off his shoe and swung. Smack. The little snake's head was crushed.

Ye Jin cautiously walked over and nudged it with his boot. He let out a sigh of relief. It was a harmless grass snake.

"Chirp chirp... giggle giggle..." The Little Green Sprite bounced on the bed, rocking back and forth, laughing happily.

"You little s**t! You got nothing better to do, so you start messing with me!" Ye Jin's nose twisted in anger.

"You little thing!" Ye Jin raised his hand to smack it. He looked at Mumu's little face. Then he dropped his hand. He couldn't do it.

After tiring itself out, Mumu was covered in sweat. It zipped into Ye Jin's palm, rubbing against him affectionately, making sweet cooing sounds.

Ye Jin glared at it. He opened the Pet tab and clicked "Recycle Pet." Mumu was sucked back into the pet space. It yawned widely and fell fast asleep.

Inside, only two useless items remained. A Recording Jade Slip and a stack of twenty-eight Earth Escape Talismans.

"I didn't keep a single piece of my green or yellow gear! But this stack of junk I crafted is still here!" Ye Jin's eyes lit up at the stack of twenty-eight Earth Escape Talismans. He pulled one out, pinched it, and stomped his foot. "Escape!"

"Conditions not met. Cannot use Earth Escape." "f**k! Still doesn't work." Ye Jin slapped his forehead and let out a weak groan.

The dungeon floor was paved with royal kiln tiles. Sky-blue, mirror-smooth, hard as iron. Each square tile was three feet wide and weighed over eighty pounds.

They were quenched with tiger blood and inscribed with runes. The tiles absorbed earth energy, growing stronger with use. No rats, roaches, or lice. Not even wandering spirits could linger here.

"f**k it. I don't care anymore." Ye Jin got ruthless. He pulled the Silver Dagger from his inventory and started prying at the tile gaps.

The Silver Dagger lived up to its name. Ye Jin carved two holes on either side of the tile. He reached in, grabbed hold, and used his legs and back to lift. The whole tile came up, revealing hard-packed earth below.

Ye Jin touched the dirt, then jumped into the hole. He clicked the Earth Escape Talisman in his inventory. "Use this talisman?" "Yes!"

The talisman shattered in his palm. It turned into a yellow light shield, forming a giant bubble around Ye Jin. He stood on the hard-packed earth. Then he began to sink. Like sinking into quicksand.

The packed earth layer was tough to move through. Like dog-paddling in a river. But once he passed it, movement became smooth.

Ye Jin looked around in awe. The dirt parted like ocean waves, letting him pass. He could see through the earth to the surface. It was like looking through a yellow veil. He couldn't see far. But the soil structure was crystal clear.

Outside the cell, two guards stood watch. One leaned against the door, dozing lazily. The other sat under a tree, holding a pornographic book, clicking his tongue in appreciation.

Ye Jin spat. He slipped right between them. He headed for the estate. Moments later, he passed the dungeon. Following his memory, he headed for his own courtyard.

Over the years, Madam Wan didn't completely control the Ye estate. But she had bought off most of the servants. Still, Ye Jin had one loyal confidant.

As the eldest son, Ye Jin's courtyard wasn't huge. But it had everything—pavilions, towers, intricate eaves. Flowers and trees dotted the area. It looked elegant and grand. A testament to the Ye Clan's deep heritage.

Ye Jin circled around. He peeked out from the garden. In his courtyard, a young servant in uniform was carefully sweeping.

"Yo, busy, Brother Si?" A grating voice came from the gate. Two lazy thugs swaggered in. They looked at the clean-cut boy with malicious grins.

The boy ignored them. Kept sweeping. The tall, skinny thug sneered. "Yo, little Si still sweeping? Heh. You really think your young master is coming back?"

"What did you say!" The boy threw down his broom. His face flushed red. He clenched his fists, glaring at the fat and skinny pair. The two thugs wore nasty, malicious grins.

"A Si." The burly thug sneered. "Hehe. The young master is done for. His reputation is ruined. Either he gets executed by family law or kicked out of the clan. You should apologize to the Second Madam while you can. Maybe she'll spare you."

The skinny thug chimed in. "You never listened to the Second Madam. Look at you now. With the young master down, your good days are over."

This boy was A Si. A servant adopted by Ye Jin's mother. He grew up with Ye Jin. He was fiercely loyal. Madam Wan tried to buy him off several times. He refused every time.

The boy roared, "Bullshit! The young master is innocent!"

"Tsk. Innocent? The elders already convicted him. What are you, A Si? Nothing."

"You're dead!" The boy's face burned red. He couldn't hold back his rage. He roared and charged. He fought both thugs at once. The boy was agile. His steps were steady. He clearly knew martial arts. But he was outnumbered. In moments, the two thugs threw him to the ground.

"You little s**t! You dare hit me? I'll cripple you today!" The burly thug took a few punches. His eyes flashed with violence. The skinny thug stopped him.

"Wait. Forget it. Once Ye Jin is kicked out, this brat loses his backing. We'll have plenty of time to play with him later."

"You bastards! Just you wait! When the young master comes back, he'll deal with you!" The bruised boy struggled to his feet. He spat.

Hiding underground, Ye Jin saw this. Warmth filled his heart.

Ye Jin emerged from behind. He tapped the boy's shoulder. The boy spun around. Seeing Ye Jin smiling, he jumped. Then his face lit up. "Young Master! You're out!"

"Quiet! A Si, there's a hidden door in the cell. I escaped. I have to go back soon!" Ye Jin grabbed him.

"Young Master, you've suffered." A Si's eyes reddened. His voice trembled.

"Don't cry. I'm not dead yet!" Ye Jin said calmly. "That Second Madam wants me dead? Not so easy! A Si, what's my father been doing these days?"

A Si's eyes reddened further. "Young Master... the Master has locked himself in his room. I went to beg him. He threw me out! The Second Young Master cries all day."

Ye Jin lowered his voice. "A Si, long story short. My father is useless now. The clan elders are worse! Only you can save me!"

"Just tell me what to do, Young Master!" A Si's face hardened. He gritted his teeth. "If it comes down to it, I'll find a thief outside the estate to pick the lock! Get you out of here!"

"A Si, don't be rash! If I could run, I would have already! You don't understand how deep the Ye Clan's power runs!" Ye Jin said calmly. "If you do that, I'm dead for sure! A Si, listen. Go to the market and..." He leaned in and whispered.

"Will that work?" A Si asked, stunned.

"Are you scared?" Ye Jin's face turned cold.

"I don't even want my life anymore! What's there to fear!" A Si looked insulted. His face burned red. "Young Master, rest assured! I'll ask the hunters! By tomorrow at the latest, I'll bring it back!"

"A Si." Ye Jin gripped his shoulder. "Whether I get out or not depends on you. Tomorrow, same time. I'll be here."

A Si nodded, gritting his teeth. He went back to his room, took out all his savings, and headed out of the estate.

Ye Jin sat down heavily on the ground. He let out a long breath.