In the dungeon, Sun Daqiang and several prison guards were chatting in the dim cell.
"Big brother Daqiang, do you think little Hua can make it to the finals?"
"Hard to say. If she runs into Yang Shu from the Capture and Arrest Division team, little Hua would have no chance of winning. But if it's someone else, she has a good shot."
"The preliminary rounds should be over soon. We'll know the results when Lin Prison Chief comes back," someone said.
Before Lin Prison Chief's return, the news that Gong Xiaohua had defeated Yang Shu was already spreading through the Ministry of Justice.
Sun Daqiang knew Xiaohua was skilled, but he didn't expect her to be this formidable already.
Who was Yang Shu? He was the top fighter from the Capture and Arrest Division's first team and ranked among the top three masters in the division.
Thinking of this, Sun Daqiang and the other prison guards could no longer remain calm.
Their first thought was that Xiaohua now had the strength to compete in the national finals. Their second was, "Damn, this is so satisfying!"
Having been oppressed by the other divisions for many years, they had swallowed their grievances for far too long. This year they could finally hold their heads high.
"Ha...ha...ha! Even Yang Shu lost to our little Hua. She really gave us some serious face," Sun Daqiang said, pounding the table.
"Right on! Let's see if those folks still have the nerve to mess with us!"
"You bet!"
On the competition stage, Yang Shu had complicated feelings as he looked at the female guard who had just defeated him.
In the previous tournament three years ago, he had made it to the national finals and unluckily finished 35th.
After three years of cultivation, he had high hopes that he could place in the top ranks of the national finals this year.
Yet now, in the preliminary selections, he had been knocked out by an unknown female guard. The blow was definitely harsh. Could his years of hard work have been in vain? He was not resigned to this outcome.
"You are very skilled. May I ask who taught you martial arts?" Yang Shu asked Gong Xiaohua.
I learned this in the 22nd century forces. If I tell you, you'd probably think I'm a monster and have me burned, Xiaohua thought to herself.
So she gave Yang Shu a fist salute and said, "Thank you for letting me win, Chief Yang. As for who taught me, I'm afraid I can't tell you. Please excuse me."
Yang Shu knew the rules of this era. He could only shake his head with a wry smile, return the salute, and walk off the stage.
In the judges' area, the chief judge announced, "The first round of the preliminary wrestling tournament selections are now over. The two advancing are Gong Xiaohua from the Prison Division and He Juncai from the Capture and Arrest Division. Contestants for the next round, please get ready for tomorrow's matches."
With that, he left with the other managers to return to their offices.
That He Juncai was quite lucky. His opponent was from the third Capture and Arrest Division team. Had he faced anyone from Xiaohua's group, there was no way he could have won.
Although he would inevitably face challengers aiming to replace him in the final selections, making it through the first round as the number two seed was still quite an impressive feat.
Manager Wu was grinning from ear to ear, unable to fully close his mouth. After so many years of having to watch others take the glory year after year and bear their ridicule, his division could finally hold their heads high this time.
He waved Prison Chief Lin over. "Old Lin, the girl did well. Give her good guidance. Go to the kitchen later and have them whip up some meat dishes to reward the brothers." He placed a string of coins in Lin's hand.
Lin took the money and looked at Xiaohua surrounded below. An idea occurred to him. "Yes, Manager Wu. But all these years none of our people have ever made it past the prelims. Should we give Xiaohua a couple days off to recuperate?"
Seeing Xiaohua, their one hope to place in the national finals, Wu nodded without hesitation. "Yes, let her rest well for two days at home. Also, when she's back on duty, make sure she keeps up her training. We can't let her become lax."
Xiaohua felt a little uncomfortable being surrounded by so many people. After returning her short blade to the weapon rack, she briskly headed for the dungeons - she still had to bring the prisoners their dinner.
She had just reached the dungeon entrance when a group of colleagues led by Sun Daqiang rushed out to block her way. Sun gave her shoulders two hard pats.
"Nice going Xiaohua! You really gave us some serious face today!"
Xiaohua was slapped so hard she shrank down a few inches. She nearly coughed out her guts.
Seeing his flushed, excited face and the others laughing delightedly with all their teeth showing, bursting with energy like they were on steroids, she wondered - was it that big a deal? Did the Prison Division never have anyone make it to the selections before that they were all so thrilled?
Indeed, Xiaohua realized, ever since the wrestling tournament began, they had just been also-rans.
"Big brother Daqiang, I only made it to the selections. There's no need to be so excited, right?"
"What do you mean, only? Xiaohua, do you know who you beat? If you knew, you'd be as pumped as us!"
Xiaohua looked at Sun Daqiang in bewilderment. Could Yang Shu have had some feud with them?
"I know his name is Yang Shu. What's so strange about that?"
Seeing Xiaohua's confused expression, Sun realized she really had no idea what beating Yang Shu signified.
He gave himself a loud slap on the forehead. Caught up in the excitement, he had forgotten this girl had amnesia.
Just as he was about to explain to Xiaohua, a bellow came from ahead -
"What are you all doing blocking the way here? Think you don't need to work anymore? Get moving, now!"
Seeing it was Prison Chief Lin returned, everyone stopped their revelry and shouted "Yes!" before scattering to their stations.
Xiaohua jogged to catch up with Wang Dachui to fetch their tools when Lin called her back.
"Flower girl, come with me for a bit." He strode past her towards the stone duty hut ahead.
Seeing Lin already walking away, Xiaohua silently mouthed to Wang Dachui next to her: "Wait for me, I'll be right back."
Just then, Lin's voice carried over: "Dachui, get someone else to help with the prisoners' dinner tonight. Here's money for the kitchen to whip up some meat dishes to give the brothers a little something extra."
Wang was overjoyed to take the money. "Yes!" He hurried off.
Watching Wang's retreating figure, Xiaohua raised her brows. She followed Lin into the stone hut.
"Xiaohua, Manager Wu is very happy with your performance today. He has approved two days off for you to go home and rest."
Hearing this, Xiaohua was delighted. So making it to selections came with perks like this too.
It was just in time. Last leave she had put in an order with the Potter Uncle. The food in this world really was almost unbearable.
As for training, no problem at all for a special agent like her. It was as routine as eating.
Seeing the girl before him lost in her own thoughts, clearly not caring about her competition results at all, Lin decided not to bother explaining further. No need for her to get more arrogant and complacent the more she knew.
