Deep in the Living
Chapter 364 - 352: Released from Prison

Chapter 364: Chapter 352: Released from Prison

The vinyl record player on the teak cabinet played classical music.

Beside it was a row of brand-new custom-made bookshelves, displaying various classics in Chinese translation, with a row of DVD storage cabinets at the bottom of the bookshelves.

On the wall adjacent to the bookshelves hung a huge projection screen, accompanied by the latest model of an expensive projector.

An electric bed with a lifting function was equipped below the projector.

In the darkest and dampest bathroom of the room hung a birdcage five times the normal size, which housed a crow of normal size, but what was placed in its food trough were large chunks of spoiled raw meat.

Not only that,

The room also had numerous modern appliances including a coffee machine and massage chair.

However, such a room was neither a hotel nor a luxury residence... but a cell of a death row inmate.

Luo Di was currently brewing a cup of Americano, sitting on the balcony, reading "Crime and Punishment" while listening to the classical music coming from inside.

Since returning from Hell,

he had spent an entire month in prison, slightly longer than he had anticipated, but this period had allowed him to quiet down.

As a "high-value death row inmate" Luo Di often assisted various City Investigation Bureaus with their work, always receiving high praise from the investigators, and, as a reward, Luo Di could apply for an item from the outside world.

Gradually, his cell turned into what it was now.

Because there was no need to rush between Hells, no need to consider danger and death, no need to consider issues related to physical growth.

This "quiet" allowed Luo Di to contemplate many things.

Since he roughly understood the situation of the Squad Leader, Luo Di was in no hurry to head to the Corner. Anyway, he had already reported the completion of the Hell journey to the Investigation Bureau, as long as they did not take too long, he could accept it.

Just as Luo Di drank the last sip of coffee, preparing to start his morning exercise.

Knock!

The door knocked.

Luo Di glanced at the clock inside the room, generally at this time there would be no guards, estimating there was something important.

"Come in."

Even though it was a very ordinary act of opening a door, Luo Di’s originally calm mind from reading suddenly became heated.

A whiff of ash drifted in through the crack in the door.

Before the guard could speak, Luo Di took the initiative to ask:

"Has the Prison Director awoken?"

"Ah? Yes... the Prison Director woke up half an hour ago, his condition is stable now, and Mr. Di can go see him now."

"Alright."

Luo Di instinctively stood straight, clasped his arms forward.

This time the guard shook his head, "The Prison Director said Mr. Di no longer needs to wear any form of shackles, and it’s likely that after your conversation, your status as a death row inmate will be formally removed."

"Oh? An order from above?"

"Not yet, it’s a judgment made by the Prison Director himself.

As long as the Prison Director is willing to vouch for you, the higher-ups will cooperate. Moreover, everyone knows what happened in Moon City, that Mr. Di, you did the right thing, and the public opinion storm has long since passed."

"Take me there please."

"I’m just here to inform, the Prison Director said you can go on your own."

"Alright."

Luo Di only needed to follow the source of ash and heat to reach the Prison Director’s office once more.

When his hand rested on the doorknob, there was a feeling of returning to Nest City, about to meet a Chaos Great Demon.

The door was heavy, feeling as if something blocked it from behind, making it difficult to push open.

And the ash was seeping out from the gaps of the door.

When Luo Di exerted force to push open the door, a large amount of ash filled the interior, and the internal temperature exceeded 50℃.

The former Prison Director, who once had to rely on an electronic wheelchair, with only part of his upper body remaining, now sat in a custom-made metal chair.

Two legs with a lava-like texture, covered in scorch marks, with their aortas flowing a blood that resembled magma, now stepped on the ground.

The once non-existent left side of his body was now replaced by a scorched earth form, with a chest shaped like an inverted volcano, and the heart corresponding to the crater.

The right side of his body was the remaining human flesh he once preserved, now restored to its peak state, with defined muscles and an oppressive physique more exaggerated than those steroid warriors.

His slightly curly and disheveled black hair draped over his shoulders,

A beard emitting masculine hormones seemed to have been untrimmed for a long time.

"Congratulations to the Prison Director for completing the Demon Ascension..."

"I was already at a level above Demon Ascension in the Corner, the system was different but the essence was similar. It wasn’t difficult, just didn’t expect my body to really get repaired there.

The physical forging of Chaos Nest City doesn’t exist here, and even if it did, it would take considerable wealth to acquire in the Corner Depths.

Even though the body is fully forged, even though Demon Ascension is complete, this body is just barely formed, I still need a lot of wars to stabilize it completely."

The Prison Director rose from his seat,

Standing nearly two meters one in height, paired with this exaggerated physique, made Luo Di feel intense pressure, the Old Spine even intuitively provided support.

Furthermore, the Old Spine had a sense of same-origin response, allowing Luo Di to sense that the Prison Director’s spine seemed devoid of bony structure, woven from numerous tiny muscle fibers.

A sliver of moonlight flashed across his pupils, Luo Di also noticed that although the Prison Director’s body seemed intact, internally there were many flaws.

"Did you sustain injuries in the Corner, Prison Director?"

"Where else? Deep within the Corner, no one knows what threats they’ll encounter. Our squad was nearly wiped out during that action, only I dragged a mutilated body back.

Most of my body was conceptually erased, barely surviving thanks to the pituitary preserving my head and part of my body.

No modern technology, no biological methods could regenerate... even if prostheses were installed, they’d fail to connect for some unknown reason, and the chips damaged.

The fact that I can recover to this extent was entirely due to your referral, Luo Di, allowing me to passively become a Connector of True Hell as a return favor... I’ll also recommend you.

The Acting Prison Director conveyed your request to me, your death row status will be revoked tomorrow. Once you return to normal status, you’ll likely want to quickly head to the Corner?"

"Yes."

The Prison Director handed him a prepared letter,

"Going to the [Exploration Bureau] is no easy task.

Those people up there are extremely strict in personnel screening, someone as young as you would probably have to wait seven or eight years, practicing more at the Investigation Bureau, taking more time to stabilize your mindset.

A talent like you going missing in the Corner would be an immense loss to humanity.

However, based on my personal observations, I believe you’re ready. If those people don’t let you participate in the Exploration Bureau screening, just hand them this letter."

"Thank you, Prison Director."

"Go on, I’m only temporarily back this time. Later, I’ll follow the Spine to participate in the world wars, you better not end up like me, a failure dragging a torn body back to the surface, surviving in some forsaken place like this."

"Better."

"Go, pack up and get ready to leave prison. I personally suggest you spend more time outside, at least go everywhere you want to go, see everyone you want to see.

The Corner isn’t True Hell, once you enter, it’s not so easy to return.

Even if you can return, it’ll cost you significantly, and your understanding of this world will change."

"Understood."

...

The next morning.

Luo Di carried a specially customized birdcage,

wore a sealed backpack, containing a Hell Blade Handle and a Monk’s clothes that might affect the outside world, along with his most cherished diary and the DVD of his first film.

Wearing light sneakers and a hoodie printed with a prison design, he finally left this Border City Prison that held significant meaning to him.

Before he could feel the first ray of sunshine,

a sharp horn sounded from the parking area.

A pink sports car with secondary motifs stopped at a nearby parking space, and a young man wearing round sunglasses smiled and waved to greet him.