Chapter 117: A Fate Worse Than Death

Zhou Qi and his companions had departed.

Life in Black Prison continued, though it felt a bit quieter now. Over the past two or three days, Qin Yang had been training incessantly. The recent conflict had taught him a harsh lesson, and he was determined to improve himself. After arriving home, Zhou Qi and the others had all sent word that they had arrived safely. In a few days, they would be reporting for work. A few had teamed up and moved to Jianghai City, where, thanks to the references provided by Qin Yang, they had secured easy jobs. They were living fulfilling lives, savoring the rhythm of sunrise and sunset. As for the others, Cheng Mu had gone to Haitian City. Being a man who couldn't stand loneliness, he reported that he was working at a security firm. However, Qin Yang knew full well that this was one of the security companies established by Ji Liehu and his associates. If Cheng Mu hadn't wanted to get involved in the underworld, he certainly would have had plenty of other career paths to choose from.

Two others had found work back in their hometowns—one as a security manager for a company, the other as a mold designer in a factory. Both were preparing to start their jobs. Their families were shocked and overjoyed by their "resurrection," and the men stuck to the official explanation provided for their return. As for what that explanation was, the rest of the Black Prison inmates didn't know, nor did they care—they were just glad their friends were doing well.

However, a few days later, some of them began sending back complaints.

Unable to communicate with their colleagues and suffering from the aftereffects of their past experiences, they found it difficult to settle into ordinary life. After receiving their calls, Qin Yang followed Yuwen Rounu’s advice and dictated several prescriptions to them that would help calm their minds. He urged them to take the medicine on time and suggested they buy books on social interaction to integrate into normal life as quickly as possible.

Learning from their experience, Qin Yang began preparing the remaining inmates in Black Prison. He had Xiao Ran purchase hundreds of books on social skills, communication, and workplace etiquette, along with various web novels. He placed them in the library and required everyone to read for two hours a day. Although the guys were more interested in urban entertainment or celebrity gossip, these books would at least lay a foundation for their future lives outside.

Wei Boyang was highly supportive of this initiative.

He even risked insubordination to bring in communication experts to lecture the inmates. Judging by the rewards from the military’s last operation, it was clear they were slowly planning to phase out Black Prison, meaning everyone here might eventually be released. On the fifteenth day after Zhou Qi and the others left, the butler brought him some bad news: the number of spirits in the nearby graveyard was dwindling. Qin Yang was forced to rely on two ghost soldiers to replenish their ranks.

He felt helpless about this development.

However, the two ghost soldiers had secretly crossed the border and begun a series of assassination missions abroad. After the recent battle, their power had increased significantly. They didn't target high-level experts, but they were more than happy to deal with various pieces of human trash. Furthermore, Qin Yang could often project his consciousness into their bodies to hone his assassination skills. Many times, while his physical body remained locked in Black Prison, his spirit was thousands of miles away, dealing death. The name of the "Dark Night Assassin" began to circulate in the Middle East, though it remained relatively obscure, as they were only eliminating petty criminals.

There was one slightly better piece of news: after the last conflict, Qin Yang's prowess in the CS Black Prison squad had gradually improved, and he had gained a reputation online. After all, the name of the Black Prison squad was already legendary. Qin Yang was technically an examiner for the squad, though it was a hollow title since the team had no intention of recruiting anyone. They had only opened an examination department because they couldn't stand the relentless pestering of online enthusiasts, but no one had ever passed. Qin Yang eventually grew bored of CS and moved on to CF. In this gunfight game teeming with players, the name of the Black Prison squad quickly spread. Everyone accused them of cheating and reported them incessantly, even taking the complaints to the official website's homepage. The site administrators could only reply with frustration that they had indeed confirmed no hacks were being used.

Qin Yang would then generously wave his hand and have Wei Xiaoran use the money in their account to equip everyone with perfect gear, making every other player green with envy. They all clamored to join, but ultimately, they only served as entertainment for Qin Yang.

"Damn it, Lao Liu, I told you to plant the bomb, not to flirt with that female character! Good grief, she’s already dead—you’ve got some seriously twisted tastes! Somewhere thousands of miles away, some nerdy shut-in is probably cursing you out right now."

"Quick, quick, kill these bastards! They’re definitely hacking!"

"Hahaha, I am a genius commander! What WCG world champion? In front of me, they're all just trash."

Qin Yang was currently having fun engaging in a sniper duel with someone who had come for their *n*-th attempt at the entrance exam, while Wei Xiaoran sat by, bored, browsing websites and watching movies. Seeing Qin Yang’s lewd laughter, she couldn't help but roll her eyes.

He easily took care of the guy with the ID "Field Battle Under the Moon."

The kid started a new game but didn't rush to attack.

"Brother, big brother, I beg you, please go easy on me! I really want to join the Black Prison squad. I've challenged you thirty-seven times now; if I do it again, it'll be thirty-eight. Brother, I’m begging you!"

Qin Yang replied cheekily, "I’ve already gone easy on you several times. You’re just too slow."

"I’m slow?" Field Battle Under the Moon was clearly incensed. "Why don't you admit you're too brutal? No matter where I hide, you find me! Brother, I beg you, just let me in. My skills are top-tier in any other squad; I definitely won't embarrass you!"

"How about this? This is the thirty-eighth match. If you can kill me five times within fifty matches, I’ll let you join."

"Deal! But I need to practice. I'll challenge you again next time."

Qin Yang was about to close the game, as Wei Xiaoran was getting impatient and wanted to take over to play cards, but before she could, a voice came from outside: "Qin Yang, someone is here to see you."

"Hm?"

Zhao Wu, who had been studying tactics, looked up. Qin Yang frowned and muttered, "That’s not right. It’s not time yet. There shouldn't be any issues; it’s too early."

"Let’s go see," Zhao Wu said.

Qin Yang nodded and walked to the reception room, only to find Liu Yan sitting there, her face pale. He couldn't help but find it amusing. "Oh? Why are you here?"

"I came just to say I'm sorry." Liu Yan sounded exhausted, her voice lacking its usual vitality.

Qin Yang shrugged and waved his hand. A prison guard brought a glass of water. He took a sip and said slowly, "Do you have an agenda? If so, I suggest you keep it to yourself."

"I have no agenda." Liu Yan shook her head, bit her lip, and said, "I have agreed to marry Jiang Nanyan, and the condition was that he release you."

"You’re certainly generous." Qin Yang pressed his hands on the table and sneered. "Jiang Nanyan has been quite arrogant lately, hasn't he?"

"He has always been that way," Liu Yan replied. "Qin Yang, what I want to say is that I never conspired with Jiang Nanyan to frame you again. You might not believe me, but I came to tell you that in one month—one month from now—you will be able to leave. Jiang Nanyan wouldn't dare break the agreement."

"Hmph, how is General Jiang doing lately?" Qin Yang asked indifferently as she rose to leave.

"He's doing well, currently resting and recuperating," Liu Yan sighed.

"Is that so? That’s good." Qin Yang smiled. "I won’t see you out."

After she left, Qin Yang sighed.

"If it were me, I’d be absolutely furious," Zhao Wu said, walking over from the doorway with a cold smile.

Qin Yang shrugged, downed the rest of his water in one gulp, and said, "Impulse is the devil."

"Spare me. You’ve been impulsive more than once during our missions," Zhao Wu rolled his eyes, then added with a grin, "Your fiancée is truly beautiful. Can you really bear to hand her over to that bastard Jiang Nanyan?"

"I will make Jiang Nanyan learn what it means to wish he were dead," Qin Yang said with a thin, sharp smile.