Chapter Sixteen: Gathering Food

From Xiuming's perspective, it seemed nearly impossible to leave this place within two days.

The view outside the window remained unchanged.

Although some progress had been made in exploring the house, it was still far from understanding the place fully.

And even if they did understand it, would that guarantee an escape?

Everyone knew that the two-day limit Gao Yi mentioned was due to the lack of food.

At this moment, Xiuming was in Feixin's room, eating a packet of shrimp crackers.

In a state of hunger, he chewed each cracker slowly, savoring every bite to absorb as much nutrition as possible—every bit counted.

"You seem different," Feixin said, watching Xiuming.

This woman's insight was terrifyingly sharp.

Xiuming looked up, meeting Feixin's gaze; her face could captivate any man.

"You've been sharing a room with her all this time. Haven't you had any thoughts? Don't you like her? Given our situation, shouldn't we enjoy ourselves while we can? Maybe Feixin thinks the same."

Did Feixin really think that way? Cui Kaixuan's words in the attic echoed in his mind.

"What's wrong?" Feixin frowned, her expression turning wary.

It seemed he'd overthought.

"I suspect Gao Yi will soon search our rooms, so it's best to hide the food," Xiuming said.

"So that's what you were thinking?" Feixin visibly relaxed.

"Alright, let's clear the taste from our mouths first."

Soon, there was a loud knocking from outside.

They exchanged glances; the visitor had come quickly. Feixin tossed the plastic wrapper into the fire, filling the room with the smell of burning plastic, then went to open the door.

Gao Yi stood at the threshold, his expression cold. Without preamble, he said, "Nobody has any food left. So we've decided to search everyone's room."

"You still have a chance to hand it over now. If I find anything later, it won't look good."

Gao Yi gave them a steely glance. Behind him, Cui Kaixuan followed, while Tao Tao stood nervously at the back.

"Where's Guo Zhengxiang?" Xiuming asked.

"He's reflecting on his actions. So, what about you?" Gao Yi pressed.

Feixin stammered, "There's not much to eat... but there are a few packets of snacks. Do those count?"

Gao Yi's stern face softened. "Hand them over."

Feixin turned, took several packets of shrimp crackers from the table, and handed them to Gao Yi. "That's all."

Gao Yi glanced around the room. It was small, with nowhere to hide anything.

A green backpack sat by the bed.

"I want to check the backpack," Gao Yi said, stepping forward.

Xiuming tensed. All their food was in there—not that he was stingy, but Gao Yi had clearly pressured Guo Zhengxiang earlier. Now was his chance to assert authority, and he'd already warned them: anyone caught hiding food would face consequences.

"Wait," Feixin interjected.

"Oh? Is there something inside?" Gao Yi looked at Feixin, his smile cold and unfriendly.

"Just my personal clothes. Tao Tao, you handle it."

Tao Tao entered, grabbed the backpack, glanced at Feixin, pursed her lips. If there was food inside... perhaps Feixin wanted her to help conceal it, so she took over.

But if that was true and Gao Yi discovered it... Xiuming worried inwardly but kept a calm exterior.

Tao Tao unzipped the bag; it was indeed filled with intimate clothing, which she bundled aside. Turning the backpack upside down, only some simple cosmetics fell out.

Tao Tao breathed a sigh of relief.

"And the wardrobe?" Gao Yi pointed.

"There's nothing in it. Check as you wish."

Gao Yi nodded, opened the wardrobe, found it empty.

"Alright, I'll distribute today's food. Cui Kaixuan's key is still missing—hurry up with that. Also, Tao Tao found information about L207. Discuss it among yourselves."

He handed each of them half a slice of bread, then he and Cui Kaixuan left.

Tao Tao stayed in the room, pulling out a notebook. "I was so scared just now."

"What happened?" Feixin asked.

Before Tao Tao could answer, tears welled up. "Guo Zhengxiang was hurt earlier."

"What?!" Xiuming looked at her. "Let's go see him."

Tao Tao nodded and led Xiuming to Guo Zhengxiang.

Feixin picked up the notebook and started flipping through it.

"Room personnel assignments."

"L101, Moro, Chief of Prisons. Born March 7, 1568. Skills: Psychology, Anatomy, Combat."

"February 1600, participated in the construction of the Ming Empire Branch Church."

"June 1602, studied Ming Empire torture devices."

"July 1602, lost one soup spoon, replacement issued."

"February 1603, contracted a fever, treated by Priest Marklan of R215."

"March 1603, fever cured by Priest Marklan of R215."

...

"December 30, 1621, followed the Master on the path to immortality."

"January 31, 1622, pursued immortality with the Master."

Each room had detailed records of its occupants—astonishingly thorough.

"L102, Lamosen, Executioner. Born August 26, 1572. Skills: Cutting, Assassination."

"February 1600, participated in the construction of the Ming Empire Branch Church."

"January 1601, left pinky suffered permanent injury (minor) from musket fire."

...

"December 30, 1621, followed the Master on the path to immortality."

"Wait, this person didn't pursue immortality with the Master?" Feixin flipped to the next page, but it was already another executioner.

Then, eight more—ten executioners in total.

The eleventh was responsible for external procurement: daily supplies for the branch church and dealings with condemned prisoners.

Next came the chef, the communications officer, and two general workers.

The rooms along the right corridor on the first floor were all cells, so naturally, no personnel records existed.

Then came the introductions for the second-floor personnel.

"L201, Willy, High Priest. Born October 19, 1562. Skills: Theology, Astronomy, Demonology, Architecture, Art, Psychology, Law, Management, Philosophy, History, Politics."

"February 1600, participated in the construction of the Ming Empire Branch Church."

"January 1602, appointed President of Ming Empire Branch Church by the Master."

...

"June 17, 1617, awarded the highest honor—Holy Messenger—by the Master."

"December 28, 1621, personally punished the traitor R206 Victor."

"December 30, 1621, followed the Master on the path to immortality."

"January 31, 1622, pursued immortality with the Master."

The subsequent records varied; some ended at December 30, 1621, while about a third continued to January 31, 1622.

Feixin then flipped to L207—the room associated with the key found in the attic.

"L207, Adams, Priest. Born February 23, 1598. Skills: Theology, Psychology, Philosophy, Music."

"February 1600, participated in the construction of the Ming Empire Branch Church."

"October 15, 1621, lost one L207 room key, replacement issued."

"December 30, 1621, followed the Master on the path to immortality."

"January 31, 1622, pursued immortality with the Master."

...

"This person's record is quite simple—a quiet, unremarkable figure. And R206 was a traitor?"

She turned to R206, but paused at R201, which read:

"R201, Harris, Master of the Church of Absolute Truth. Born January 1, 1272. Skills: Omniscience and Omnipotence."

The rest of the record was blank.

"This Master was over three hundred years old at the time?" Feixin doubted the recorded dates, but double-checked—1272 was clearly the birth year.

"Feixin," Xiuming entered, closing the door behind him.

"How is Guo Zhengxiang? Why was he hurt?" Feixin asked.