"Six, six, six..."
It turned out that the two suns Cao Yi initially saw in the cutscene CG animation truly existed in the world of "Land of Divine Descent."
It wasn't just for flashy effects.
Cao Yi glanced around with his peripheral vision, noticing that every native seemed accustomed to the two suns in the sky.
So... there would be seven moons at night.
It must be quite bright at night...
After the sheriff's lecture, running drills, slogan shouting, and ideological education, the prisoners were all taken to the cafeteria for breakfast.
Two steamed buns, a plate of pickles, and a bowl of broth with nothing but water—this was Cao Yi's entire breakfast.
"Six, six, six..."
Cao Yi couldn't help but marvel again in his heart.
Although this stuff was incredibly unappetizing, it couldn't be helped since he was eating in a game.
Just like taking a dump in a game, it was a novel experience.
Moreover, Cao Yi was genuinely hungry, finishing the steamed buns, pickles, and broth in just a few minutes.
Cao Yi checked his physical and mental status.
Compared to before eating, there was indeed some improvement.
Especially in his core mental state.
Probably due to the feedback from the feeling of fullness, the improvement was particularly noticeable.
After breakfast, it was supposed to be time for the prisoners' labor reform.
But Cao Yi was not following the main group out of the cafeteria; instead, he was called away by the sheriff.
"You're released."
"Be careful from now on."
Zhang Yang said to Cao Yi expressionlessly.
Cao Yi was initially stunned, then expressed his "endless gratitude" to Zhang Yang.
Cao Yi couldn't even remember how many days he had been imprisoned.
Last night, he planned to establish his authority using Wang Shan, intending to "live like a king" in prison for a while.
Unexpectedly, he was released the very next morning.
But speaking of which, that Wang Shan really deserved a beating.
Even in the real world, Cao Yi would find a way to teach him a lesson.
Following Zhang Yang, Cao Yi retrieved his personal belongings from before his imprisonment, the true "beginner's outfit."
A dark, patternless coarse cotton short-sleeve, a pair of work pants, and a pair of high-top work boots.
Though equally lacking in aesthetic appeal, they were far better looking than the prison uniform.
Cao Yi changed into his clothes, took all his possessions, an old pocket watch, and a key, and left the "prison."
As for money, he had none.
It was either confiscated as stolen goods or used to pay fines.
In fact, the place where Cao Yi was held wasn't even a real prison; it was just the detention center in the sheriff's office backyard.
Only those who violated the criminal laws of the Tiannan Great State would be formally imprisoned.
Outside the sheriff's office, Cao Yi took a deep breath of the fresh air symbolizing freedom.
Goodbye, never to meet again in this lifetime.
Taking out his pocket watch, Cao Yi checked the time.
Nine fifteen.
Cao Yi discovered the biggest feature of the game "Land of Divine Descent," which was the complete lack of a beginner's guide.
In a typical online game, a series of beginner's guide tasks would be arranged for players right after "birth."
Teaching you how to operate the game character and giving you clear game objectives.
"Land of Divine Descent" had none of that.
It was like a complete replica of real life.
Hmm... perhaps it could also be called a second life.
Watching carriages travel on the concrete road, rickshaw pullers resting in the shade, a strong sense of historical weight emerged.
This feeling was as if he had truly returned a hundred years back.
Cao Yi was momentarily confused and decided to go home first.
At the very least, he needed a place to settle down in "Land of Divine Descent."
What Cao Yi called "home" wasn't a property owned by him.
Someone like Cao Yi couldn't possibly afford to buy a house in Zhuohong City.
Even if he worked diligently and hard all his life.
Cao Yi's home was a single-room "apartment" rented from his landlord Liu Guifen, who was also Zhang Yang's mother-in-law.
This "apartment" was nothing like the well-decorated, small Loft apartments Cao Yi knew.
It was just a six-story tube building.
Dirty, messy, poor, cramped, crowded.
The room had no private bathroom, no gas pipeline, no running water.
Some rooms didn't even have windows.
One floor shared a public bathroom.
You couldn't imagine how terrible the bathroom environment was.
For daily water use, you had to fetch it from the public faucet in the yard.
Yet even such a room, detested even by dogs, cost at least four Copper Marks a month.
Because these rooms were above ground.
Copper Mark was the official currency unit of the Tiannan Great State.
In Cao Yi's "memory," a young and strong dock worker could earn about three Copper Marks a week.
To rent a single-room apartment with a window and facing the sun, it would cost at least eight Copper Marks a month.
Cao Yi's monthly "income" could be around thirty Copper Marks.
If lucky, and he stole from a big target, the "income" could be more.
But this couldn't keep up with Cao Yi's high expenses.
"Son of a bi*** ..."
Turning from the main road into the alley, Cao Yi immediately felt the harshness of the slum.
The concrete road turned into a bumpy dirt road.
Garbage was piled up in every corner visible, unmanaged.
The stench of vomit, excrement, and outdoor public toilets was overwhelming...
Honestly, living in an era of material abundance, Cao Yi had never witnessed such a scene.
Emaciated old people, children with vacant eyes...
Everyone looked filthy.
Neither literary works nor films could truly recreate even a tenth of a real slum.
After just a few minutes of walking, Cao Yi felt a wave of nausea.
Make money!
He had to make money!
Cao Yi couldn't accept living in such an environment for even a day.
Why did the game have to be so realistic...
"Cao Yi, you little shit, hiding well, huh?"
In the narrow alley, Cao Yi heard a familiar, discordant voice ahead.
Looking up, he saw a tall young man over 1.8 meters with a scarred face.
[You have discovered the character Lin Long.]
Cao Yi's heart skipped a beat.
Damn, these were Viper Gang members!
The high-interest loan "Cao Yi" owed hadn't been repaid!
Cao Yi instinctively wanted to exit the alley, but turning around, he found two more young men blocking his way.
[You have discovered the character Lin Hu.]
[You have discovered the character Lin Bao.]
Dragon, Tiger, Leopard—the three Lin brothers.
The Viper Gang's low-level thugs.
Privately, Cao Yi cursed them as the "Three Beasts of the Lin Family."
Actually, Lin Long was no longer just a low-level thug; he had his two younger brothers and another five or six lackeys with him.
Barely considered a low-level leader in the Viper Gang.
Tasks like guarding places, lending money, and collecting debts were all led by low-level leaders like Lin Long.
"Fuck..."
"Still trying to run?"
Lin Long cursed, casually grabbing a wooden stick from the side.