Chapter 107: Narrating the Cage (4)

I need to figure out what's in this book first.

Li Cheng stood the hardcover book upright and shook it up and down, left and right, clearly hearing a clicking sound coming from inside, as if something was hidden within.

He set the book down thoughtfully, glanced around the room, and his gaze settled on the faucet of the sink.

It was made of brass, with a spout shaped like a trumpet—narrow at the top, wide at the bottom—and could be pulled out like some kitchen vegetable wash faucets. Between the two temperature-control handles was a small, delicate dial.

He pulled out the faucet, and instantly a cartoon-style animation popped up on the mirror before him: a big-headed, tiny figure dressed in the same prison uniform said in an enthusiastic tone, "Dear prisoner, welcome to use Handsome Smart Furniture."

This product is part of the hot eco-series bathroom equipment; the faucet does not emit water but uses warm, moist airflows for cleansing. The central dial can adjust the airflow intensity.

The toilet uses pressure differentials between inside and outside to generate suction for waste disposal. Overall water-saving rate reaches 99%."

As it explained, the animated figure demonstrated how to use the bathroom equipment—accidentally turning the airflow too high might blow out your teeth while brushing, or suck your ass into the toilet while defecating.

"What kind of genius designed furniture this brutal, seriously? Shou Gong Geng?"

And why the hell are we still worrying about environmental protection in the space age? There must be trillions of tons of ice asteroids floating around out there!"

Li Cheng grumbled, picked up the faucet, and tested it—the moist airflow was surprisingly strong, perfect for brushing teeth and washing his face. That explained why he hadn't seen a toothbrush or towel.

Life tip: a plastic toothbrush, after cutting off its top, can serve as a dagger for carrying out assassinations in prison. A wet towel can be used as a water torture tool or twisted to bend prison bars.

A useless piece of trivia flashed through his mind. Li Cheng picked up the book and carefully rinsed the sticky black gel on its back with the faucet.

As the moist airflow gradually intensified, the black gel slowly peeled away under continuous washing. Li Cheng stopped while ahead and turned off the faucet.

The contents on the book's back were now fully revealed—a message etched with a fine needle.

682: one digit correct and in the right position. 614: one digit correct but in the wrong position. 206: two digits correct but both in wrong positions. 738: no digits correct.

Li Cheng raised an eyebrow—this message likely corresponded to the book's password lock, requiring him to deduce the three-digit code.

Fortunately, after years of training, he didn't even need to activate parallel thinking—his mind raced instantly, "No, there's a missing clue."

If the password lock had a usage limit, there must be another clue missing.

His gaze shifted to the mirror. Warm steam rose in the room, blurring the mirror's surface.

"Wait…"

His eyes lit up. He leaned forward and exhaled several times onto the mirror. Sure enough, letters appeared in one corner.

【870: one digit correct but in the wrong position】

"Aha!"

Li Cheng grinned and immediately turned the book's dial lock, entering the code: 042.

Click.

The digital lock opened with a snap. Li Cheng exhaled in relief and, keeping his distance, used his 170 straightblade to flip open the book—the book was clearly left behind by a former prisoner, who might have set a trap inside, like a dual-password system that releases lethal gas if the wrong code is entered.

No gas emerged when he opened it. Inside the book, a large section had been hollowed out, revealing a hand-forged, rough-textured key and a strangely shaped pistol.

At the same moment, an item description popped up before Li Cheng's eyes.

【Item Name: Final Redemption】

【Type: Weapon (Consumable)】

【Quality: Perfect】

【Attack Power: High】

【Effect: Violent Penetration. Upon pulling the trigger, it fires a powerful particle beam that annihilates everything along its straight-line path. Only one use remains.】

【Consumption: None】

【Cooldown: None】

【Usage Condition: Just have a hand】

【Note: Originally named "Stable Superheavy Element Particle Emission Gun," crafted by the legendary forger Baladin, famed across the stars, later purchased by interstellar pirate captain Isaac Lord as his personal sidearm. Unfortunately, for some reason, the superheavy element particle containment unit on the gun's side has been damaged; after firing its final shot, it will self-destruct.】

【Note: The path to redemption lies within.】

The pistol had a distinctly futuristic sci-fi design, its color deep green, the triangular barrel covered in scratches—clearly having endured many battles with its owner.

On the gun's side was mounted a shattered glass sphere—presumably the damaged 【Stable Superheavy Element Particle Containment Unit】.

"Hss…"

Li Cheng's eyebrows shot up. This was the first time he'd ever encountered a genuine Perfect-quality item up close—and worse, it was a weapon, the very type every player chased after.

"Even damaged and usable only once, this gun still has a Perfect rating—its power must be immense. If sold on the black market, with good luck, it could fetch 8,000 game coins easily, maybe even 10,000."

Considering he still had an emergency escape card unused in his inventory, he almost considered taking this item and using the card to exit the mission and return to reality.

"Huh, calm down."

He shook his head, pushing aside his chaotic thoughts. "The Killing Ground tailors its scenarios to each player's condition. Because I have the escape card, the system was generous enough to place a Perfect item in this room.

It's both a temptation and a hint—the next part of the mission holds an even greater reward."

Of course, it might also mean greater danger.

After careful consideration, he still took the pistol named Final Redemption from the book—it was heavy, and its concealment method was straight out of Xiao Shenke.

The gun had no safety mechanism. Li Cheng carefully placed it on the bed, muzzle pointing outward, then examined the book's contents, searching for clues—perhaps background information about this mission.

Unfortunately, the book titled "Chai Jing" was nothing but a religious scripture—and a deeply unorthodox one at that. Its contents were bizarre.

【Sacred Chai Revelation·Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, the Loving Father created heaven and earth, light and darkness, divided the waters above and below, naming them sea, land, and sky, and created birds and beasts, bringing prosperity to the world. And so it was. The Loving Father cherished His creations and chose His closest, most trusted Sacred Chai as His earthly emissary.】

【Sacred Chai Revelation·Proverbs 2:1 The more your enemies accuse you, the more you're right. The more your friends support you, the more you're right. A stranger accuses you? He's your enemy. A stranger supports you? He's your friend.

A friend accuses you? He's your enemy too. Even your enemy supports you? Then you're even more right.】

【Sacred Chai Revelation·Wisdom 2:9 Fried chicken with cola, then watch se se. Do three anal lifts daily, avoid hemorrhoids.】

【Sacred Chai Revelation·Prophets 3:5 Childhood sweetheart can't beat a girl from out of nowhere—it's a universal truth. This is also recorded in the Ancient Records.】

【Sacred Chai Revelation·Gospel 2:8 If jerking off hurts your body, why not help others jerk off?】

"What the hell is this garbage?"

Li Cheng stared blankly. Outside the pistol-shaped recess, the book's content had that surreal vibe—seemingly profound at first glance, but utterly illogical upon closer inspection.

"This thing can really become one of the best-selling religious books in the entire universe? And grant readers earth-shattering wisdom?"

He closed the book, and in a daze seemed to hear the shameless voice-over of a publisher: "Don't worry about wisdom or not, just tell me whether it's earth-shattering or not."

Smacking his lips, Li Cheng put the scripture and the handgun all into his backpack slot, picked up that hand-polished key (probably polished by Isaac Lord himself), walked to the door, and with a click opened the cell door, breathing in fresh air.

(End of chapter)