Era of Magic and Martial Arts-Chapter 225 - 209: Cheat Code

Wang Cong naturally understood this principle as well. But interestingly enough, even though he had mentally prepared himself and was willing to risk death, when it came to money, Wang Cong hesitated a little bit.

It was as if money was more irreplaceable than life itself, defying the genetic instinct formed through billions of years of evolution, how absurd!

Feng Mu noticed Wang Cong's hesitation but didn't rush him. Instead, he asked nonchalantly, "To make the performance look good, approximately how much capital needs to be advanced? You should have a rough idea, right?"

Wang Cong had an internal account of how much money the team could gather each week. He calculated his savings and family finances over the years.

If he emptied his savings and got some from his parents, it would be barely enough to sustain the performance for one to two weeks.

Calculating like this, even before spending the money, he felt a dull ache in his breath, and his heart ached as if dripping blood.

Wang Cong thought to himself, "Losing life equals death, but losing money is worse than death?"

"Is it a financial problem? Well, I have a little, but unfortunately, I haven't worked long, and my savings aren't much. However, I know a friend who could lend you some money." Feng Mu said understandingly.

Feng Mu could have gathered some funds from the Cyan Wolf Gang to support Wang Cong and push him forward to gain more gratitude.

But he wouldn't do that. He had already pushed Wang Cong this far, and the final step needed to be taken by Wang Cong himself.

He didn't need Wang Cong's gratitude; he hoped the latter would voluntarily continue to invest more and more in sunk costs, trapping himself deeply in Feng Mu's plan, unable to escape until the end.

Clenching his teeth, Wang Cong made a painful yet exhilarating decision: "Alright, I'll do it. If there isn't enough money later, I'll meet your friend."

Feng Mu said warmly, "No problem, I will make sure he offers us the lowest interest rate."

As Feng Mu spoke, he gave Wang Cong a string of phone numbers, which Wang Cong hurriedly saved in his phone.

Wang Cong made up his mind, as if he had undergone a spiritual cleansing, completing some internal transformation. His eyes were bloodshot, not only showing deep exhaustion but also a hint of fierceness.

With a fierce tone, Wang Cong said, "Feng Mu, I've practically risked my entire life for this. I will definitely win this [last man standing] game, right?"

Feng Mu squinted his eyes and said indifferently, "We have an eighty percent chance now, but with the last step completed, we can be one hundred percent certain, guaranteed to win."

Wang Cong's breath became rapid, and he impatiently asked, "What is the last step?"

Feng Mu responded evasively, "Wang Cong, do you know what the key to ensuring victory in any competition is?"

Wang Cong thought for a moment and said with difficulty, "Ensure you're stronger than everyone else?"

Feng Mu shook his head and uttered a powerful truth, "It's to bribe the referee!"

A light of realization glowed in Wang Cong's eyes, as if his Ren and Du Meridians were suddenly opened, and he grasped the real [game rules].

He blurted out with sudden insight, "The referee for this competition is the Warden?!"

Feng Mu forcefully repeated, "That's right, it's the Warden!"

Bam!

The metal dining table between them shook. The short yet burly Tian Tao slapped the table, his face dark, glaring at them with bulging eyes.

Tian Tao's voice contained a sinister tone, "What about the Warden, tell me about it."

Feng Mu kept his lips tightly shut, silently giving Tian Tao a calm glance, having already sensed Tian Tao approaching secretly.

Wang Cong's heart tightened. He was intensely pondering life, and Feng Mu's words struck him like a flash of lightning, dispelling the fog in his heart.

He realized what Feng Mu said applied not only to the prison competition but was a truth running through the entire game of life.

"To win in life, the most important thing is to find and connect with the referee of each stage," Wang Cong felt he was grasping the cheat code of life.

But then, Tian Tao's interjected voice interrupted him, and the inspiration was instantly dissipated.

It felt like being interrupted at a critical moment while playing a game when the door was suddenly opened by a strict father, causing all the passion to be forced back in, a feeling that might never return.

Wang Cong abruptly looked up, bloodshot eyes glaring at the intruder, a hidden bloodthirst radiating from the depths of his pupils.

Tian Tao had never seen Wang Cong dare to glare at him, especially with eyes like they had "red eye syndrome," staring back chillingly.

Tian Tao was momentarily shocked, then flew into a rage, bringing his face close to Wang Cong's, speaking with a sinister tone:

"You've grown bold, daring to glare at me. Do you think I won't be captain for long, is it?"

Wang Cong's face turned a liver color, his teeth tightly clenched, his body instinctively trembling slightly, due to the terrifying psychological shadow cast by Tian Tao over him in the past.

Tian Tao sneered, roughly grabbing Wang Cong by the collar, and snarled, "Have you gathered the money from the cells you're in charge of?"

Wang Cong nervously shook his head, stammering, "No, not yet."

Tian Tao opened his mouth, his foul breath hitting Wang Cong's face:

"Then what are you waiting here for, go collect the money. Let me tell you, don't even think about playing tricks. If you fail to collect money this week and drag me down, you know the consequences."

Having pierced Wang Cong's heart, his face turned pale, nodding hastily.

Only then did Tian Tao let go of Wang Cong with curses, instructing, "Bring the money, then report to me in my office, understand?"

After delivering his orders, Tian Tao turned to glare at Feng Mu, sitting properly with a look as if staring at a dead man, not bothering to waste words, "And you, the same, make sure to gather the money for me."

After venting his anger, Tian Tao's work pressure relieved a little, and he left with a sullen face.

Exchanging glances, Wang Cong and Feng Mu headed to the cell area together.

In the hallway, Feng Mu adjusted Wang Cong's collar lightly and spoke leisurely, "Don't be afraid, this kind of being bullied will soon be over, Captain Wang Cong."

Feng Mu deliberately emphasized the word "Captain" with a nasal note.

"Yes." Wang Cong nodded heavily, then said, "You go to the cell area first, I'll try to find the Warden."

Feng Mu looked concerned and asked gently, "Do you need me to accompany you?"

Wang Cong seemed tempted but hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and smiled slowly, "No need, don't worry, I can handle it myself."

Feng Mu's pupils slightly contracted, guessing what Wang Cong might be worried about, finding it amusing:

"Interesting, this chess piece is growing a bit faster than I expected, already learning to guard its food, huh—, guarding its food is a good sign."

Externally, Feng Mu maintained a calm facade, encouraging, "Alright then, I'll head back, Captain. Good luck, I believe in you."

With a complex expression, Wang Cong nodded, watching Feng Mu's back as he left. Taking a deep breath to calm his heart, he walked through the corridor, through the laser passage, and knocked on the Warden's office door.

Qian Huan looked at Wang Cong with confusion, recalling Wang Cong's file.

"What is it?" Qian Huan asked indifferently.

"Yes, Warden, I am Wang Cong, a Prison Guard from Light Supervision Area A. I have something to report. I want to report..."