Genius Playground

When enemies meet on a narrow path, a vicious battle is inevitable, one where both sides are bound to suffer.

But this time was different.

Thanks to Jiang Ran’s ”super speedrun” strategy, they had rushed for their lives and reached the tunnel—and the guard’s dormitory—a full fifty minutes ahead of schedule.

They arrived just as the dogs were yet to be leashed, the guards had yet to put on their uniforms, and no one was holding a weapon...

It was truly a case of the stars aligning.

”All tied up. He won’t be a problem now.”

With practiced skill, the Assassin hog-tied the unconscious guard to the foot of the bed, ensuring he couldn’t break free.

The other three then spread out to search the dormitory for weapons, and sure enough, they found two handguns in a drawer.

”AGH! AGH! AGH! AGH!” Sang Biao screamed, his face pressed against the door.

”Oh, right.”

It dawned on Jiang Ran. He went back to the drawer and rummaged around for bullets.

”BULLSHIT!”

Sang Biao, furious, pointed to the top of his thigh, which was wedged in the hole he’d kicked in the door.

”My balls are stuck! Help me!”

...

Jiang Ran let out a long sigh, staring speechlessly at Sang Biao, who was struggling against the door panel—a predicament entirely of his own making.

”Can’t you, just for once, be a reliable teammate?”

”If it weren’t for my great sacrifice intimidating that guy, do you think you could’ve taken him down so easily?” Sang Biao retorted, an ’I’m indispensable’ look on his face.

”Hurry up! Pull me out of this damn hole!”

...

Afterward, the four of them regrouped in the dormitory.

There were two guard uniforms, a perfect fit for the Assassin and the stupid young man.

Sang Biao also found some loose-fitting civilian clothes to replace his prison jumpsuit.

Adding to that, Jiang Ran was already in civilian clothes. With that, the clothing crisis was neatly resolved.

’Now, there’s only one last step...’

Jiang Ran looked out the window.

On the other side of the security bars and soundproof glass, a raucous, frenzied crowd filled the execution grounds.

They roared and screamed, waiting for the beheading of the public enemy known as the Magician.

He picked up a digital clock and glanced at it.

It wasn’t even 11:00 yet.

There was still half an hour until Qin Feng would be led to the execution platform, and one hour until his head would roll.

And Jiang Ran also had only one hour left to stay in the Future World of 2045.

’This time, I can’t worry about Qin Feng.’

He had to find a way to lead the Assassin to safety. Only then would the other man reveal the answers to a series of critical questions.

”Let’s discuss how we’re going to break out of here.”

Jiang Ran sat on the edge of the bed, looking at his three cellmates.

”We have weapons now, and clothes to disguise ourselves as guards. Sang Biao and I are in civilian clothes, which is enough to let us blend into the crowd.”

”There’s only one last step between us and a successful escape from this prison. And that is...”

”...how to get past the layers of security around the execution grounds and slip away without our identities being discovered.”

The Assassin’s gaze was sharp. He looked at a hook on the wall.

”There are car keys here.”

He walked over and took the keys from the wall.

They were clearly for a prison vehicle, but what kind? A standard sedan? A police car? Or a prisoner transport van?

But no matter which kind it was, it could provide cover for their escape.

”I get it.”

Sang Biao slapped his thigh.

”So, you’re saying we just need to get in that car, have the Assassin and the stupid young man sit up front in full guard uniforms and tactical helmets, and we can just drive right out of here, bold as brass!”

”Brilliant! This plan is perfect! The guys at the gate will never suspect we’re wolves in sheep’s clothing! They’ll see the uniforms and wave us right through. Jiang Ran and I can just hide in the trunk!”

”That’s right.”

Jiang Ran nodded.

”The plan is sound in theory. The difficult part is...”

He looked out at the sea of people outside.

”...where exactly is the car parked?”

In an instant.

Everyone fell silent.

True. The keys were useless if they couldn’t find the car.

But aside from the car’s brand, there was no other information on the key fob—no license plate number, no model, no vehicle number...

The execution area outside was huge, swarming with people and patrolled by guards. How were they supposed to find it?

”The stupid young man and I will have to go.”

The Assassin pointed to the full-face helmets they were wearing.

”We’re in uniform. We can pretend to be guards on patrol at the execution grounds and use the opportunity to find the car.”

”Once we find it, we’ll drive it up to the window of this dorm and honk the horn as a signal.”

”When you hear the signal, head immediately to the tunnel exit—the one leading to the execution grounds—and meet up with us. We’ll all escape in the car together.”

Jiang Ran nodded.

’It’s the only way.’

”You!”

Sang Biao, his face full of worry, stood up and grabbed the Assassin.

”You have to come back!”

”Don’t worry. I’ll be back.”

The Assassin took Sang Biao’s hand to reassure him. Then his gaze drifted over to Jiang Ran.

”I’m a man of my word. I always do what I say.”

Jiang Ran looked up, watching him in silence.

Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them.

This was the unspoken agreement between Jiang Ran and the Assassin.

The Assassin knew Jiang Ran was a Time Traveler, so he trusted him unconditionally. He also understood that Jiang Ran was leading their escape for a specific purpose—to obtain some kind of information.

The subtext of his words was a promise to Jiang Ran: once they successfully escaped, he would tell him everything he knew.

Jiang Ran, of course, understood this. After all, that had been his goal all along.

He had already compiled a list of questions in his mind.

The moment their vehicle left the prison, he would immediately start questioning the Assassin:

1. What was the real story behind the rumored Time Travel Machine at East Sea University?

2. When, where, and who did he kill all those years ago to end up in prison?

3. What kind of person was his younger brother, Fang Ze, really? Fang Yang and Fang Ze gave completely different descriptions of each other—who was lying?

These three were the most pressing questions that needed answers.

As for the other, less important matters... he could ask about them in the next loop.

Afterward, the Assassin and the stupid young man departed.

Jiang Ran sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.

Sang Biao, however, was restless. He would sit, then stand, then pace with his hands behind his back, then adjust his crotch.

Clearly, getting his leg stuck in the door had caused some... irreversible damage.

”Um... do you have any kids?” Jiang Ran asked, concerned.

”Nope.”

”Do you have a wife? Are you married?”

”Heh.”

Sang Biao let out a helpless laugh.

”Are you kidding me? With a face like mine, what kind of girl would want me?”

Jiang Ran sat up straighter.

’So Sang Biao had no children, no wife, no home. He shouldn’t have any attachments to the outside world.’

’Then...’

’...why was he so obsessed with escaping?’

Suddenly, Jiang Ran’s interest was piqued.

”You know, we’ve never really had a chance to just sit down and talk calmly like this.”

”Pah!”

Sang Biao spat.

”How long have we even known each other? A couple of hours, tops. The hell do you expect us to talk about?”

Jiang Ran spread his hands.

”It’s a rare opportunity. Might as well relax and chat.”

He looked at Sang Biao and asked the question that had been hiding in the back of his mind for a long time:

”Sang Biao, you’re risking your life to break out of here...”

”What for?”