Chapter 169

Chapter 169

Li Wei had expected Zhang Ru to at least try reasoning with him. Instead, she gave a cold snort.

“So what if you only have a head left? I don’t even have that. My body has already been reduced to ashes. Let me tell you something: Wang Weiwei possesses a special item capable of storing the souls of the dead. I’m attached to it right now. If I can do it, so can you. I have never given up on finding a way to return to life. If you want to stay here forever, pretend I said nothing.”

Li Wei fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

“All right. I’ll cooperate.”

Everyone had been dragged into this place after No. 1’s nightmare erupted, but Li Wei had entered a few seconds earlier than Zhang Ru. In those few seconds, he had already spent several full years here.

“I don’t know much. I only know this is the lowest level of the Nightmare Prison. If you want to leave and advance to the next level, you have to complete a game.”

“Do you know what the game involves?” Zhang Ru asked quickly.

“No. All I know is that it requires seven people. If you win, you can advance to the next level. If you lose, you’ll be sentenced to life imprisonment.”

Deep fear appeared on Li Wei’s face at the mention of a life sentence. No one could die inside the Nightmare Prison, but pain was magnified many times over. The guards had countless methods of torture at their disposal.

Anyone sentenced to life would spend eternity enduring those punishments.

Zhang Ru immediately sank into thought. Seven people were required to enter the game. She looked around. The people she knew here were Brother Liu, herself, Wang Weiwei, Li Wei, Zhang Yanyan, and Patient No. 1, Zhang Shun.

That was only six. They were still one person short.

“You seem troubled, young lady.”

A voice came from behind Zhang Ru. She turned and found Big Gold Tooth standing there.

“You’re planning to enter that seven-person game, aren’t you? Would you let me join you?”

“You?”

“That’s right. I’ve been here for more than a century, so I know far more about this place than you do. If you bring me along, you’ll have a much better chance of winning.”

“Fine!”

Zhang Ru agreed immediately. It was not that she trusted Big Gold Tooth. They simply did not have enough people, so they had to bring in an outsider regardless.

And when it came to trust, she believed in no one except Brother Liu-not even Wang Weiwei.

She could not be sure whether all the medicine Wang Weiwei had taken might have affected her soul.

When the opportunity arose, Zhang Ru explained her plan to Zhang Yanyan. The woman agreed at once. She had wanted to leave this place for a long time. And unlike Li Wei, her body in the real world still existed. It had developed a few problems, but it was still better than remaining here.

Zhang Ru then began trying to persuade Zhang Shun. She had expected him to be difficult, since his sentence was the shortest among them. To her surprise, he agreed without the slightest hesitation.

Once everyone had committed, they informed a nearby guard that they wanted to enter the game.

The guards’ faces filled with amusement. They promptly reported the matter to Mr. Huo.

Mr. Huo soon arrived. He gave Zhang Ru and the others a strange smile, then spotted Liu Ye and immediately beamed.
“Mr. Liu-”

“Talk normally.”

“Of course! Ahem. Since all of you wish to begin the game, please follow me.”

Mr. Huo led the way, and the group followed behind him.

Before long, they reached a door. Mr. Huo unlocked it with a key and gave it a gentle push. White light flashed.

An enormous casino appeared before them, fitted with every kind of gaming table and machine: slot machines, Russian roulette, blackjack, and much more.

“Welcome to my City of Dreams! This way, ladies and gentlemen.”

Mr. Huo walked to the center of a stage at the front. Behind him stood a massive screen displaying photographs of Liu Ye and the others.

Beside each photograph was that person’s prison sentence.

“First, I will explain the rules. Look at the screen. Do you see your sentences? You may exchange your remaining years for chips. Every year is worth ten thousand in chips. You must then play the games here and increase your individual totals to thirty million before you can enter the final game. Anyone who fails to earn thirty million within the time limit will be judged to have failed. Please be exceedingly careful.”

Afterward, he turned to Liu Ye with a fawning smile.

“Naturally, Mr. Liu, I have already prepared your chips. You have no need to play. If you would like to try a few games, however, you are most welcome. Whether you win or lose, you will still be permitted to enter the final game.”

Liu Ye was speechless.

So was everyone else.

Wasn’t that difference in treatment a little excessive?

“Very well. You have three days. During that period, you may purchase any goods here, and even certain services are available. In short, each of you must possess thirty million in chips before eight o’clock on the third day. I will not spoil your enjoyment any further. Please, make yourselves at home!”

With that, Mr. Huo vanished.

A masked employee approached carrying a tray. It held their chips, along with an object resembling a cell phone.

“This is the shopping catalog Mr. Huo prepared for you. If you wish to purchase anything, simply place an order through the device. We will deliver it as quickly as possible.”

The employee turned and left.

Zhang Ru and the others examined the catalog and discovered that its prices were astonishingly low. A full Manchu-Han Imperial Feast, for example, cost only one hundred.

A young lady to keep you company while you played cost a mere ten.

Big Gold Tooth immediately ordered one. Then the two of them wandered off to a corner to discuss the meaning of life.

“Strange. Something isn’t right.” Zhang Ru frowned.

“What’s wrong?” Wang Weiwei asked in confusion.

“The game requires us to earn thirty million, and anyone who falls short is eliminated. If I had designed it, I would have priced essential goods outrageously high to drain everyone’s funds. Why would everything be this cheap?”

“You’re right.”

Wang Weiwei looked at the catalog and swallowed. Then, furtively, she tapped on one of the listings.

Before long, an extraordinarily handsome man approached.

“May I be of service, beautiful lady?”

Wang Weiwei’s eyes instantly filled with hearts. She seized his hand and led him over to the slot machines.

Zhang Ru was speechless.