Eavesdropping and the Viper's Whisper

The icy anger stirred by Li Jing's visit had yet to subside in Lin Feng's heart, and the oppressive routine in cell 107 continued. Humiliation was as pervasive as breathing. Every time he scrubbed a toilet, swallowed another mouthful of pigswill, or endured a malicious shove or taunt, it was like adding the last straw to his already taut nerves.

Yet unlike the sheer despair of his first few days, a viper now coiled within him. Cold and dormant, it constantly flicked its tongue, collecting the venom of information from the outside world as it waited for the chance to inject it into his enemies.

The summons at midnight each day was his only ritual, his only hope. Although the deathsworn he had summoned in succession-a courier and a construction laborer-were still of lowly status, he was no longer disappointed. He simply gave them calm instructions within their abilities, weaving his surveillance network a little tighter.

During exercise that day, the sky was gloomy, with lead-gray clouds hanging low enough to leave people struggling for breath. The exercise yard was small, surrounded by high walls and electric fencing. Inmates strolled in twos and threes, smoked, or simply looked up at the small, cut-out patch of sky.

As usual, Lin Feng huddled in a corner, trying to draw as little attention as possible. But trouble always found its own way to his door.

Scar sauntered over with Iron Head and Skinny Monkey, like hyenas patrolling their territory.

"Well, well, isn't this our 'butt-groping hero'?" Scar sneered around a toothpick. "So, that teacher sweetheart of yours came to see you yesterday. What good news did she bring? Did she promise to get together with you when you got out?"

Several inmates nearby broke into malicious laughter.

Lin Feng kept his head down and met them with silence. To Scar, that silence was a provocation.

Iron Head stepped forward, his enormous frame blocking the light in front of Lin Feng and enveloping him completely in shadow. "Scar's talking to you. You deaf?"

Just then, the whistle signaling the end of exercise sounded shrilly.

The guards began urging the inmates to line up and return to their cells. Iron Head glared resentfully at Lin Feng, muttered, "Lucky you," and followed Scar away.

Lin Feng silently trailed at the back of the line, his head lowered. He looked utterly submissive, but the hands hanging at his sides were clenched tight. A moment ago, he had nearly lost control of that violent impulse to take them down with him again.

Back in cell 107, the atmosphere was no better. Perhaps because he hadn't gotten his fill during exercise, Scar looked displeased. Reading his expression, Skinny Monkey immediately took it out on Lin Feng.

"Hey! New guy!" Skinny Monkey shrilled, pointing at a muddy footprint in the middle of the floor, left there by who knew whom. "Are you blind? Can't you see the floor's dirty? Get it cleaned up, now! Use your rag!"

The so-called "rag" was actually the tattered cloth Lin Feng used to clean the toilet, tossed into a corner without his being allowed to wash it properly. It gave off an indescribable smell.

Humiliation surged through him again, but this time, Lin Feng didn't move at once. He stood where he was, head lowered and body trembling slightly, as though struggling to hold himself back.

"Huh? Still not moving?" Feeling his authority challenged, Skinny Monkey stepped forward and shoved Lin Feng hard. "Your skin itching for another beating?"

Lin Feng staggered into the bed frame beside him with a dull thud. He raised his head and looked at Skinny Monkey, and the coldness in his gaze made Skinny Monkey take half a step back without thinking.

"What are you looking at? Planning a rebellion?" Scar's chilling voice came from the shared sleeping platform. He sat up slowly, fixing Lin Feng with a hostile stare.

A clash was about to erupt.

At that moment, the thread in Lin Feng's mind connecting him to the beggar deathsworn Wang Wu quivered ever so slightly. A fragment of information, clearer and more complete than any before, came through!

It seemed to be a snippet Wang Wu had overheard by chance while curled up in a secluded corner near the university women's dormitory: two female students chatting as they walked.

"...Tingting's amazing, isn't she? She really got the recommendation for graduate admission!"

"Shh... keep your voice down! I heard her counselor, Li Jing, helped a lot..."

"More than helped! I heard... " Her voice dropped, but Wang Wu seemed to be close enough. "Her uncle is Vice President Zhang! He pulled strings for her... otherwise, how could it have happened so fast..."

"Really? Then what about that thing at the library before..."

"Oh, don't bring it up... Anyway, that stupid kid wrote a confession. The evidence was as solid as a mountain... tough luck for him..."

"Tsk, tsk... but Tingting can finally relax now..."

The information cut off there, but its contents exploded in Lin Feng's mind like a thunderclap!

The graduate recommendation had been decided in advance! Her uncle was the vice president! Li Jing hadn't merely tried to smooth things over; she had actively helped make it happen! Sun Tingting's false accusation had been meant to clear an obstacle from her path!

Although vague information had pointed this way before, this time such a specific detail-her uncle was Vice President Zhang-had been confirmed! This was no longer a guess, but almost a fact!

A bone-chilling cold, mingled with the towering hatred born of confirmation, swept through Lin Feng's entire body. So that's it! That's how it was! They had acted not merely out of selfishness and indifference, but because of a naked chain of self-interest! They had treated him as a stepping stone, trampling him at will, all for that graduate recommendation!

His fury was so extreme that it brought an equally extreme calm.

The emotions that had nearly erupted from humiliation were instantly suppressed by that icy hatred. Fight with Scar and his kind? Pointless! They were nothing but maggots! His true enemies were outside, enjoying the fruits bought with his dignity and future!

He couldn't fall here. He couldn't let a few maggots ruin his grand plan for revenge!

Just as Scar and the others thought he was about to explode, and had even prepared to teach him a lesson, Lin Feng slowly, exceedingly obediently, bent down and picked up the filthy rag from the floor.

Then, under everyone's astonished gazes, he silently walked over to the muddy footprint, crouched down, and began wiping it, stroke by stroke.

His movements were slow and meticulous, as though he were performing a task of the utmost importance. His head was lowered, making it impossible to see his expression.

Skinny Monkey froze for a moment, then burst into exaggerated laughter. "Hahaha! Coward! I knew you were a spineless soft persimmon with no balls!"

Iron Head spat contemptuously as well.

Scar narrowed his eyes and watched Lin Feng for a while. Apparently finding it rather dull, he snorted and lay back down.

No one knew what terrifying calm lay on Lin Feng's lowered face at that moment. Deep in his eyes, there were no longer flickering flames, but solid ice that would not melt in ten thousand years. Beneath it surged dark waves powerful enough to destroy everything.

Compared with the truth he had just learned, the humiliation of wiping the floor was utterly insignificant.

He wiped, stroke after stroke, forcing all his anger and hatred deep into his heart, forging them into the hardest resolve for revenge.

That night, lying on the cold sleeping platform, he carefully went over and absorbed the information Wang Wu had sent. Every word was engraved in his memory as if carved with a knife. Her vice president uncle... Li Jing's active help... it explained everything.

That information was worth a fortune!

He immediately sent Wang Wu new, more specific instructions through their mental link: "Wang Wu, excellent work. Keep Sun Tingting under close watch, and gather as much information as you can about her uncle, Vice President Zhang, and any connection between her and her counselor, Li Jing. Pay attention to every detail, including their meetings, phone calls, if you can hear them, and even other people's discussions. Prioritize your own safety, but the information is crucial!"

The beggar beneath the overpass received the instructions, and his cloudy eyes flickered slightly in the darkness.

Only after doing all this did Lin Feng turn his attention back to the cell. Scar and the others were already snoring. Curled up, he felt the pain throughout his body and his hunger, but obtaining that crucial piece of information had left him feeling unusually fulfilled and calm.

In a few hours, it would be time for the next summons.

He looked forward to it.

What would it be this time?

He needed strength, the strength to turn information into action!

Time passed, second by second, until midnight arrived on the dot, and the cold mechanical voice sounded again as expected.

[Ding! Daily deathsworn summons refreshed.]

[Summon now?]

"Summon!" His thought was resolute.

The streams of light rolled, seemingly a little faster than usual, before abruptly freezing in place.

[Ding! Summoning successful!]

[Deathsworn obtained: Zhao Si]

[Identity: Thief (skilled in technical lockpicking and infiltration)]

[Area of activity: Uncertain (currently has no fixed residence)]

[Abilities: Lockpicking, infiltration, basic installation and removal of electronic devices, counter-surveillance awareness]

[Loyalty: 100%]

The image of a lean, wiry man appeared in Lin Feng's perception. He had shifty eyes, wore a black jacket, and had unusually nimble fingers. He was hiding in the shadows of a dark alley, like a rat prowling at night.

A thief! Skilled in lockpicking and infiltration!

Lin Feng's heart gave a violent leap! Here he is! Finally, a deathsworn who might break the deadlock!

Although his status was still low, his abilities might bring about a qualitative change!

A bold, risky plan instantly took shape in his mind!

With hardly a moment's hesitation, he immediately gave the new deathsworn, Zhao Si, an exceptionally important and dangerous instruction:

"Zhao Si, listen carefully!"

"Target: Sun Tingting, women's dormitory at XX University. You'll need to investigate and determine her exact room number yourself."

"Task: Find a way to infiltrate her room and plant a miniature listening device in her phone, her computer, or any concealed location you consider suitable."

"Find a way to get the equipment yourself, using your own methods. It must be extremely well concealed to ensure it isn't discovered."

"You must be absolutely careful throughout. If there's any risk of exposure, abandon the attempt immediately and prioritize your own safety."

"Once it's done, report back immediately and monitor the signal continuously."

"Start planning and carrying it out immediately!"

The instruction was given. In the shadows of the alley, a glint of absolute obedience flashed in Zhao Si's eyes. Like the keenest hunting hound catching the scent of prey, he silently disappeared into the deeper darkness of the night.

Lin Feng lay on the sleeping platform, feeling his heart pounding violently in his chest.

Risky? Extremely risky!

If Zhao Si slipped up, he might well beat the grass and startle the snake, and could even leave clues pointing back to Lin Feng.

But it was worth a shot!

If he succeeded... he would be able to listen directly to conversations between Sun Tingting and the people around her! It would be a way to obtain the most direct, most damning evidence!

This was more important than all the scattered information he had gathered before put together!

Hope and danger went hand in hand.

But Lin Feng had no hesitation. The road to revenge was strewn with thorns to begin with; how could he shrink back?

He closed his eyes, no longer listening to the snores and dripping water around him. All his thoughts were fixed on the link to his new deathsworn, Zhao Si, as he waited and hoped.

In the dark cell, it was as though one could hear the excited, icy hiss of a viper about to strike.

The night was still long.

The operation had begun.