Chapter 88: The Universal Constant

Lin Xian stared at Old Wang, feeling an icy shiver crawl down his spine. In a recent dream, Big Cat Face’s father had been awarded the Fields Medal for his work on “Introduction to Universal Constants” before his untimely death at the hands of the Genius Club. If the Genius Club was still operational in this dream, and Big Cat Face’s father had indeed recalculated the Universal Constant, there seemed little doubt they would target him.

The invitation to enter New Donghai City now appeared less of a privilege and more of a deadly snare.

Lin Xian glanced at Big Cat Face. “You said it was impossible to enter New Donghai City.”

“That’s absurd!” Big Cat Face responded, a mix of bewilderment and denial in his voice. “For years, no one has breached the gates of New Donghai City! Not even in myths! My dad’s just an elementary school math teacher. Why would they invite him? Our world and New Donghai City are realms apart. Surely they’ve already solved whatever he’s working on. What could he possibly offer them?”

Old Wang looked over dismissively at the troubled duo. “Look at you two, panicking. You’re never going to amount to anything!” He then turned to Big Cat Face. “You should be thrilled. Maybe your dad will bring the whole family over once he’s back. Soon you’ll be looking down at us from behind those steel walls!”

He reached into his pocket and threw something.

“Catch!”

Big Cat Face caught it—a set of keys.

“Your parents left these with me before they left. They’ll return tomorrow and asked me to look after the dog and pig. But since you’re here, you might as well handle it. Make sure they’re fed until your folks are back.”

With a wave of his fan, Old Wang disappeared inside.

Big Cat Face and Lin Xian looked at the keys in silence.

“We’re here,” Big Cat Face announced, pointing to a closed wooden door. “This is his room. Go ahead and look.”

Lin Xian nodded and pushed the door open, the rusty hinges groaning.

Stepping back, Lin Xian’s eyes widened.

“42... 42... 42...” Everywhere—on the walls, ceiling, furniture, even the floor—the number 42 was scrawled in various sizes. Large 42s encased smaller 42s, and within those, even tinier 42s filled the curves and lines.

“This is...”

A chill ran through Lin Xian as he cautiously entered the room, surrounded by millions of 42s. Big Cat Face’s father had descended into madness, marking the number everywhere, even on the bedsheets.

Lin Xian felt engulfed by the endless 42s.

“See? I told you he’s gone mad,” Big Cat Face remarked, his expression somber as he followed inside. “Lately, he’s been grabbing everyone, obsessively repeating—”

Big Cat Face’s expression blanked, his gaze distant.

“42... It’s everywhere.”

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation