Era of Magic and Martial Arts-Chapter 224 - 208: True Face

Wang Cong felt his mouth dry up, as if a devil were pounding on his heart like a drum, causing his head to buzz with the roaring flow of blood.

"Packaging, labeling, display?"

In Wang Cong's mind, these seemingly normal words twisted into something ominous when associated with prisoners.

He swallowed, as if he understood the intricacies, or perhaps finally recognized the madness and danger behind Feng Mu's gentle facade.

"If things go according to your plan, most of the inmates in the Second Prison won't escape death, will they?" Wang Cong finally spoke, his voice trembling slightly.

Even though Feng Mu had only revealed a fraction of the plan to Wang Cong, he was pleased that Wang Cong could perceive its bloody core.

He smiled slightly, peeling off his carefully woven disguise, revealing his true face underneath and said with chilling honesty:

"Of course, you wouldn't be growing sympathetic towards these prisoners, would you?"

Beads of sweat formed on Wang Cong's forehead, and his words came out stammering, as if his throat were choked by something:

"N-no, I just... I always noticed how kind you were to each prisoner, even painstakingly recording their every request in a notebook. I almost thought you were the most humane prison guard we've had since the Second Prison was built. I never expected you to..."

As he spoke, Wang Cong pulled out a black notebook from his pocket, his expression complex, the sharpest words stuck in his throat, unable to be voiced.

Feng Mu shrugged helplessly, looking as if everything were perfectly natural, his expression remaining calm:

"I genuinely care for the prisoners, because in my eyes, they are exceptionally valuable. Recording their preferences and requests is my way of conducting market research, to better categorize and package them later. What else would you think?"

Wang Cong stared at Feng Mu, whose open and honest demeanor left him unsure whether Feng Mu had been acting all along, or if they had all misunderstood him.

Feng Mu's smile grew increasingly sincere and genuine, with a deep philosophical glint in his eyes:

"I have always believed that every death has its irreplaceable value, even if they are a group of prisoners, rejected by this world as worthless trash."

"Their deaths should also generate value, or rather, they should produce value, because they have no other way to contribute to this world."

"To strip the prisoners like livestock and end up with a pile of worthless meat makes their death too cheap, a great waste of death, an unforgivable desecration."

"However, according to my plan, by carefully packaging and selling the prisoners to satisfy countless customers' demands and bring them emotional value, then their deaths become meaningful."

"Not only can their deaths atone for the sins of their lives, but they also enrich the beauty of the world at the last moment of their life, elevating death to its highest form."

"Additionally, the prison can reap significant profits."

"In the end, the prisoners find redemption, the customers satisfy their desires, the prison gains revenue—this is what they call a win-win-win situation, and why shouldn't we embrace it?"

Feng Mu, with sound reasoning and passionate eloquence, deeply moved Wang Cong's soul:

"It turns out I was too superficial and misunderstood Feng Mu. Now that I think about it, he did promise the prisoners that he would end the unreasonable charges of the prison and change their living environment, but never said that this change would be for the better."

Wang Cong paused his thoughts: "No, Feng Mu never promised the prisoners anything; he always made promises on my behalf."

Facing Feng Mu's honest and intense gaze, Wang Cong's heart trembled, and he said solemnly:

"No, it's not just a triple-win; it's a quadruple-win, as I can ascend like a rocket. It's a quintuple-win, as you, along with me, can rise with the tide."

Taking a deep breath, Wang Cong asked with some trepidation and hesitation: "So, this plan, I'm the one to propose it upward, right?"

In his mind, thoughts clashed violently like a storm.

Wang Cong was no fool; he naturally realized such a crazy plan, once proposed or implemented within the prison, might trigger unpredictable chain reactions and various risks.

In the past, Wang Cong might have timidly backed down, but now, his ambition had been ignited, and once its flame was lit, it wouldn't stop burning as long as there was air.

So, he needed this opportunity, or rather, he desperately wanted to be the first to propose this crazy plan.

Just as Feng Mu had mentioned, life is composed of countless crucial choices, and at this moment, it was the most important choice of his life.

Feng Mu laughed from the heart, very satisfied with Wang Cong's attitude: "Look, already proactively grabbing the blame, huh—"

Feng Mu certainly wouldn't dampen Wang Cong's enthusiasm. He needed Wang Cong to step on the minefield for him; well, this phrase wasn't very loyal, it should be called—pioneer for the king!

He nodded emphatically: "Of course, I just hope one day, when you are recognized from above and steadily advance, you won't forget to bring me along."

Wang Cong's blood boiled as he promised: "I, Wang Cong, swear on my life, as long as I can climb upward, as long as I'm not yet dead, I will definitely take you along, I will never betray you in this life."

Afterward, Wang Cong, in his excitement, even forgot about breakfast. Like someone on a rush of adrenaline, he eagerly pulled Feng Mu aside, urgently demanding Feng Mu analyze every detail of the plan for him.

As Feng Mu explained, Wang Cong's eyes grew increasingly bright; he nodded frequently, listening intently, entirely unaware of the astonished looks from other prison guards occasionally passing by, or the undisguised shadowy gaze of Captain Tian Tao who arrived late.

An entire meal later, Wang Cong digested the advanced "wealth theory," and his internal excitement finally cooled, returning to the present reality.

"With my current position, I can't suggest this to the higher-ups, nor can I secretly implement it on a small scale. I have to rise up first, so who should I start collecting money from?" Wang Cong asked in a lowered voice.

Feng Mu replied in a deep voice: "You can't collect money from the prisoners, nor can you engage customers yet, so you can only collect from yourself."

Wang Cong was shocked and dismayed: "You mean I have to pay out of my own pocket, I'm essentially paying to work?"

Feng Mu had to correct Wang Cong's misconception, guiding him step by step:

"How can this be called paying to work? At most, it's buying a position to get a promotion. As long as you move up, it's a win-win; later, you can casually earn tenfold, a hundredfold back."

"Except for reincarnation, where else in the world is there such a profitable deal!"