There are 330 hours left until Feng Ju’s countdown hits zero.

The dawn breaks.

No matter how dark Lower City was last night, how many people stayed up all night, or how many people closed their eyes forever, the light of Upper City still arrives on time, illuminating the world.

Feng Mu opened the curtains, gazed at the robust and bright "behind" of Upper City, and gently said, "Good morning."

Brushed teeth, flushed the toilet, restocked the supply.

Took the Neutralizing Agent prepared by his mother and drank it in one gulp.

Everything seemed to have returned to the past.

Wang Xiuli had a hint of worry on her face.

Feng Mu knew what she was worried about, but didn’t know how to comfort her.

He was an honest son, so he softly said to his mother,

"Mom, don’t worry. It’s normal for girls to stay out when they grow up. Maybe she went to find Dad."

Feng Mu really wasn’t good at deceiving his mother, so he simply threw the problem to Feng Ju.

Seeing his mother pick up the phone to call Feng Ju.

Feng Mu stood up, skipped breakfast, grabbed a piece of bread, and left with a smile.

The familiar old and run-down community, familiar neighbors, the same familiar rancid smell permeating the air.

Walking through it again today, there was a feeling of being relaxed all over.

"Why are there so many rats, and shredded too?"

"People today are really twisted, they even target rats....."

"Exactly, I passed by a certain alley not long ago and saw a litter of kittens skinned..."

A group of people ahead crowded around the pile of rat corpses, pointing and discussing in disgust yet with eagerness.

From Feng Mu’s experience, by afternoon, no less than five versions of twisted stories would be circulating in the old and run-down community.

But none of it concerned him anymore.

He would have few chances to return here in the future.

A car with a prison license plate was parked at the entrance, Guan Chong’s casted right arm was hanging from his chest, but he still stood in front of the car door, straightening his injured body as Feng Mu walked closer.

He was supposed to be resting in the hospital, but he insisted on coming.

The job of opening the car door for the minister was something he fought hard for; how could he hand it over because of a hospital stay?

The others referred to here are not limited to Liu Yi, Song Ping’an, Jiang Li, and others.

Feng Mu got in the car and handed the bread to Guan Chong, expressing concern,

"Take a good rest if you’re injured, no need to push yourself so hard."

Guan Chong accepted the bread, solemnly putting it into his pocket; he looked as though he intended to take it home and worship it rather than eat it.

The fervor in his eyes was harder than the plaster cast:

"As long as I have one hand left, I can still hold a gun and work for you, Minister."

The car drove smoothly, Jiang Li was the driver, he discreetly glanced at Guan Chong’s pocket hiding the bread, plotting in his mind.

In the car, Guan Chong straightened his back, reporting in detail about yesterday’s operation to Feng Mu.

He ended, summarizing with a guilty expression,

"In the end, it relied on Gong Qi; otherwise, I’m far from being a match for those man-eating creatures. It doesn’t matter if I die, but if Hou Wendong got killed by the creatures with me, I would have betrayed your trust, Minister, I..."

Feng Mu waved his hand, interrupting Guan Chong.

He looked slightly serious, placing a hand on Guan Chong’s plastered shoulder, said in a deep voice,

"Every one of you in the Internal Inspection Department is my chosen confidant. Our work is just beginning, don’t casually mention death.

Remember, it’s not important if the task is incomplete, but it’s important to preserve yourself; only by living can you continue to do more for me."

Guan Chong felt a burning warmth inside, as if bathed in glorious brightness.

He nodded heavily, with his resolve to give his life for the minister growing even stronger.

He used to want to dedicate this useless life for the minister, but now he’s changed his mind, feeling that one life is not enough. If possible, he wishes to follow the minister even after death to continue serving loyally.

Jiang Li, the driver, said nothing professionally the whole time, but his heart was also warm, similar to Guan Chong’s thoughts.

Feng Mu lightly adjusted his glasses, speaking gently,

"How’s the warden’s press conference being arranged?"

Guan Chong collected his emotions, answered earnestly,

"The warden entrusted Wang Cong with it, invited some media over, mainly reporters from Light Prism TV Station. It was originally set as an interview, but we were informed last night to switch it to a live broadcast."

It’s hard to say it wasn’t inspired by the "Martial Arts Joint Examination" live broadcast frenzy.

The viewership exploded, crowned first in Zone 9 ratings.

In the future, it might be hard to surpass... uh, it’s hard to say.

The car moved steadily forward, and the outline of the prison’s high walls gradually became clear. The lights of Upper City coated the white walls in a golden edge, appearing and disappearing through the mist.

Although it was just one short night away, Feng Mu missed it intensely.

He gazed at the white towering walls, his eyes somewhat dreamy, as if he saw the "Base Vehicle" eerily unfolding, silently swallowing the entire prison.

"Home..."

He murmured softly, the smile on his lips growing tender,

"Yes, the prison is my true home!"

...

After returning to the prison.

Feng Mu changed back into his prison guard uniform, meticulously buttoning the last copper button of the uniform in front of the mirror, smoothing down the folds on his shoulder, looking like the perfect model straight out of the "Prison Guard Grooming and Appearance Standards".

As he walked through the long laser corridor, his leather shoes made a stable and unchanging rhythm on the floor.

When he entered the warden’s office, Qian Huan behind the glass wall had just put down the document in his hand, looking at his most capable subordinate.... one of them, with extreme appreciation.

"I never thought the Martial Arts Joint Examination would lead to such an unexpected incident, it really was..."

"Luckily I sent you, and your people saved Secretary Hou’s life. As a result, Secretary Hou will more strongly support the reform work of the Second Prison."

"You’ve done very well!"

It was clear Qian Huan was in a very good mood, particularly satisfied with Feng Mu’s performance.

However, Qian Huan’s indifference was ingrained, after giving work instructions, he nonchalantly inquired if Feng Mu’s family was hurt in the Martial Arts Joint Examination scenario.

Feng Mu didn’t mind, responding humbly and gracefully,

"Thanks to the warden’s service, my family is all safe and sound, we even had a family dinner last night."

Qian Huan gave a fake smile, then instructed,

"Prepare yourself, we’ll be welcoming Secretary Hou together later."

Feng Mu nodded in agreement.

As Feng Mu turned, Qian Huan casually tossed out a question, "Wang Cong suggested changing the interview to a live broadcast, what do you think?"

How could Feng Mu not be pleased with that?

He glanced subtly at Shi Wuming standing in the corner, then swept his gaze over the sofa, answering,

"Live broadcast is indeed more transparent, though it might be a bit... inauspicious?!!"