Sure enough, Zhang Baishan's words drew Du An's gaze to Li Ban.
Li Ban felt that familiar, electric tingle run through him again—the sensation of an impending lightning strike.
"And?"
Zhang Baishan was clearly feeling the pressure from Du An as well. He paused for a moment before speaking. "This subordinate proposes that Li Ban take over Tree-Person B's position as a prison guard."
Standing in the back row, Wang Hua snapped his head up.
He didn't understand.
A moment ago, when Tree-Person B died, Wang Hua's immediate reaction had been that his opportunity had finally come again!
So why would Zhang Baishan propose Li Ban for the role?
Li Ban had merely brought back a corpse. He hadn't even made the kill himself. What kind of merit was that?
Liu Mu, at least, had been a servant for two years.
But Li Ban had only been promoted a few months ago!
His element definitely hadn't reached full spiritual rhinoceros yet!
Was he, Wang Hua, truly losing out to a newcomer who hadn't even reached full spiritual rhinoceros?
Li Ban was also surprised. He hadn't expected Zhang Baishan to make this proposal directly in front of so many people. Wasn't he afraid of being rejected by Du An and losing face?
"There is indeed a vacancy for a prison guard. Does anyone else have a proposal?" Du An didn't agree immediately, asking for the others' opinions instead.
Wang Hua immediately looked at Huo Jiang and Zhao Yu.
He guessed that Zhou Gu might propose Li Ban, but Huo Jiang and Zhao Yu weren't familiar with him.
He had attended to their daily needs for years. Even if only out of sentiment, they ought to nominate him.
The result, however, disappointed Wang Hua.
Huo Jiang stepped forward and cupped his fist. "Sir, this subordinate also believes Li Ban is a better fit. When the incident occurred in the Death Prison, Li Ban went to track down the enemy. He is bold yet meticulous—quite suitable."
After speaking, he even smiled at Li Ban, looking the very picture of honest simplicity.
Next, Zhou Gu also stepped forward. "Sir, this subordinate also proposes Li Ban for the prison guard position."
He didn't give a reason, but offering his opinion was enough to make his stance clear.
Hearing their words, Wang Hua's heart sank.
Only then did Zhao Yu cup his hands. "Sir, I am not familiar with Li Ban, but since the other three all favor him, he must be quite outstanding. However..."
Zhao Yu shifted his tone.
"He was only promoted a few months ago. I'm afraid he hasn't reached full spiritual rhinoceros yet, has he? Under these circumstances, he cannot be promoted again. Official Zhang, Official Huo, Official Zhou... were you unaware?"
Hearing Zhao Yu's final question, Wang Hua's heart finally settled back into his chest.
Someone had finally brought it up.
Li Ban had a fatal flaw.
He hadn't reached full spiritual rhinoceros!
Haha!
However, Wang Hua couldn't celebrate for long before Zhang Baishan spoke again.
"Sir, it is true that Li Ban hasn't reached full spiritual rhinoceros yet, but he has good talent and his cultivation isn't slow. While he isn't at full spiritual rhinoceros right now, it likely won't take him more than a few months. This subordinate believes that rather than giving the prison guard position to someone unqualified, it would be better to leave it vacant for a few months."
Zhao Yu immediately retorted, "Vacant? For a few months? A servant's position can be left vacant for years without issue, but can a prison guard's post really be left empty for that long?"
Listening to the prison officials clash, Li Ban kept his head down, his mind torn.
Should he step forward and fight for this chance himself?
As a mole, he ought to keep a low profile and avoid drawing attention.
But...
Gathering his courage, Li Ban finally took a step forward, cupping his hands and bowing deeply.
"Sir."
The prison officials could speak freely, but he needed Du An's permission.
He couldn't let Du An think him disrespectful.
"Speak."
Fortunately, Du An hadn't ignored him.
"Sir, I will definitely complete my cultivation to full spiritual rhinoceros within three months."
Zhao Yu was about to say something, but upon seeing Du An's expression, he swallowed his words.
"You have only one month. Otherwise, Wang Hua will be promoted."
Li Ban frowned instantly, but he gritted his teeth and answered.
"Yes. I will definitely cultivate to full spiritual rhinoceros within one month."
...
The first meeting since prison warden Du An's return concluded in an eerie atmosphere.
When Wang Hua heard Li Ban promise to reach full spiritual rhinoceros in a month, he looked at him like he was an idiot.
After the meeting dismissed, the last two to leave ended up walking together.
"You're crazy. Do you know how the last guy who tried to fool Lord Du died?" Wang Hua stared at Li Ban with the gaze reserved for a dead man.
Li Ban ignored Wang Hua. He was pressed for time right now.
Normal cultivation definitely wouldn't get him to full spiritual rhinoceros.
Even if he cultivated non-stop without eating or drinking, he still couldn't reach full spiritual rhinoceros in a month.
Li Ban ran straight to Zhou Gu's room.
"Sir, please help me!"
Zhou Gu hadn't closed his door after returning, waiting for Li Ban to seek him out.
Zhou Gu sat down and said, looking rather displeased, "Why did you immediately agree to one month? Zhang Baishan proposed you take over as prison guard, so you should have just let him advocate for you. Why stick your own neck out?"
And what if Zhang Baishan hadn't advocated for him?
Was he just supposed to sit there and wait for a miracle?
At this moment, Li Ban didn't regret accepting the one-month deadline.
He just needed some cover and an excuse.
Unfortunately, after suffering several setbacks, Zhou Gu seemed to have lost his spirit. Aside from complaining and scolding, his words were completely useless.
"...Go ask Zhang Baishan. See if he has a way to get you to full spiritual rhinoceros in a month."
But Zhou Gu didn't know that this was exactly what Li Ban had been waiting to hear.
"Yes. Thank you for your guidance, sir."
With Zhou Gu's word, Li Ban now had a perfectly justifiable reason to seek out Zhang Baishan.
"By the way," Zhou Gu called out just as Li Ban was leaving. "You don't need to wait for my good-grade element anymore. I've already sold it."
Li Ban hadn't expected Zhou Gu to dispose of that failed good-grade element so quickly.
Though Li Ban felt it was a pity, he also knew that eight hundred taels of silver was still an unattainable fortune for him right now.
Hearing Zhou Gu say this now, he could finally give up on that hope.
When he went to find Zhang Baishan, he discovered the man had already gone to the fourth level of the Death Prison for his shift.
Li Ban had no choice but to hurry down to the fourth level.
It just so happened that he was currently responsible for the fourth level, so he didn't need to find another excuse to head down there.
"Lord Zhang," Li Ban bowed as soon as he saw Zhang Baishan.
Zhang Baishan wasn't surprised in the slightest that Li Ban had come looking for him.
"You dared to accept an impossible task, and made a promise to Lord Du at that. You've got guts." A hint of amusement lingered on Zhang Baishan's face as he watched the show.
Seeing that smile, Li Ban knew there was still a chance to turn things around.
"Sir, I truly had no other choice," Li Ban said with a bitter smile. "Even though I'm just a servant, I want to keep getting promoted. This kid... also has some ambitions."
He remained bowed. "Sir, I once obtained the Surging Wave Technique from Gu Yueqi, which increases the speed of absorbing spiritual rhinoceros. Therefore, I figured that if there are techniques that can boost cultivation speed, could there also be other methods to accelerate cultivation progress?"
Zhang Baishan looked Li Ban up and down. "There are, but you can't afford the price for most of them."
Which meant there was a small portion he could afford.
"Please guide me, sir."
Zhang Baishan tapped his finger on the desk. "Tonight, go to Uncle Qin, pick up Lord Du's food box, and deliver it to Jingyan Hall yourself."
Li Ban jerked his head up in surprise.
If Du An felt Li Ban couldn't be promoted within a month, he could have just rejected him outright and given the opportunity to Wang Hua.
After all, in the Death Prison, not a single living soul dared to contradict his decisions.
And the Zhang Baishan standing before him clearly knew a way to increase the speed of spiritual rhinoceros absorption, yet he was pointing him toward Du An instead.
Could it be that the one-month limit Lord Du set was actually a chance for Li Ban to pledge his loyalty?
But he was merely a servant.
Why?
His heart heavy with anxiety, Li Ban took the food box from Uncle Qin at dinnertime and carried it to Jingyan Hall.
"Knock, knock, knock."
At the sound of his knocking, the doors to Jingyan Hall opened silently.
Lu Qinghe, who opened the door, saw it was Li Ban and unexpectedly stepped aside to clear a path.
"Leave the food box on the table and follow me."
This was the longest sentence Lu Qinghe had ever spoken to Li Ban.
Li Ban was led to a place that resembled a study.
Du An was inside, writing.
Seeing Li Ban, he waved his hand, dismissing Lu Qinghe.
Only when the two of them were left alone in the room did Du An finally speak.
"You brought back a prisoner's corpse. Meritorious deeds must be rewarded."
Du An raised his writing brush and pointed it vaguely at a small black box in the corner of the desk.
"Thank you, sir."
Li Ban found it strange. Why was he still being rewarded?
Still, he stepped forward and picked up the small black box.
Opening it, he saw a cylindrical piece of jade lying quietly inside.
With an air of absolute authority that brooked no refusal, Du An commanded, "This is a good-grade element, Flute Sound. After you are promoted, fuse with it first."