Era of Magic and Martial Arts-Chapter 343 - 327: Whitewashing?

The man’s voice disappeared from the phone, and a few seconds later, the woman’s voice returned with a hint of confusion and puzzlement:

"Strange, did he leave? I just finished pouring the water..."

Immediately, the voice on the phone became sharp and panicked,

"Baby, baby, where are you? Ma Xuan, hurry back, the baby is gone?"

Listening to the panicked cries on the phone, Ma Xuan’s eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses looked extremely ferocious as he stared hard at Feng Mu:

"Was it you?"

Feng Mu squeezed out a look of aggrievement: "You can’t accuse me, I’m not even in the Prison Chief’s position yet."

Ma Xuan said harshly: "Then let me go."

Feng Mu flatly refused: "No way, you can’t go anywhere right now."

Ma Xuan’s forehead veins popped as he listened to the cries calling his name on the phone, his neck swelling with tension, and he hoarsely said:

"Feng Mu, help me, I need to find my child."

Feng Mu squinted his eyes: "Why come to me, shouldn’t you be looking for Zhou Hu?"

Ma Xuan’s face twisted, his first instinct was to find Zhou Hu, but after thinking a bit, he knew Feng Mu wouldn’t let him leave, and anyways, Zhou Hu would never admit it.

The most important thing was, when Chang Wei once asked Zhou Hu for help to find his nephew, the result was that his family reunited?!!

Ma Xuan’s mind was spinning wildly, his eyes bloodshot as he stared straight at Feng Mu, desperately pleading:

"I don’t trust Zhou Hu, but you said earlier you’d be my new friend, so I’m begging you to help me!"

Feng Mu stared into Ma Xuan’s eyes, then suddenly smiled:

"Alright, you’ve convinced me, friends should help each other."

.....

Wang Cong was reluctantly summoned from the incineration room.

After all, the unprocessed corpses in the corridor still emitted a tantalizing aroma, and not being able to save them all for Feng Mu felt like such a waste.

Of course, the other guards who suffered from heatstroke and dehydration looked like survivors of a disaster when carried out; they were really close to being incinerated to meet performance targets like those corpses.

By the time Wang Cong appeared in the Prison Chief’s office, he had already adjusted his mood, showing a mix of sadness and wise understanding on his face.

Qian Huan repeated the questions he had previously asked Feng Mu to Wang Cong, hoping to get useful answers from him.

Wang Cong did not disappoint, providing a thought-provoking perspective akin to the Octagonal Cage plan.

"...In summary, the current situation is as follows.

Therefore, in my opinion, the most urgent task for the Prison Chief right now is not to rush to clarify the rumors online, but to seek strong support and secure the help of some big figures."

Wang Cong concluded:

"Because what the people below say doesn’t matter at all; what matters is how those at the top see things. Ten thousand flies buzzing around your ear can’t compare to a single snap of a big figure’s fingers."

A gleam of insight flashed in Qian Huan’s eyes. Although a bit extreme, Wang Cong’s analogy was indeed insightful. Thinking back, wasn’t Lower City’s birth a product of the soil of extreme order hundreds of years ago?

Today’s order might not seem as extreme as in the beginning, but at its core, it’s just wearing a cloak to fool the public; it hasn’t fundamentally changed.

Otherwise, why does the shadow that obscures the sky never dissipate? Instead, it grows larger and heavier over time.

Qian Huan felt Wang Cong had touched his heart. He felt increasingly satisfied with Wang Cong.

Currently, the two people he trusts most are Wang Cong and Feng Mu, one proficient in strategizing, the other in tactics, each with their strengths, and crucially, their outward friendliness belied their inner discord, which was reassuring to him.

"Let Feng Mu help me manage the prison; after all, his brute methods suit it perfectly. Then have Wang Cong help advise on dealing with the big figures outside to better implement the Octagonal Cage plan, thus covering both inside and out..."

Qian Huan devised a plan in his mind. Initially, he intended to keep Wang Cong hidden inside the prison, behind himself, so that the spotlight of the Octagonal Cage plan would focus more on him, allowing him to garner more fame or profit.

But now, the situation is too dire. He needs to have Wang Cong by his side, offering strategies when needed, and even pushing him into the spotlight to catch the attention of those big figures.

"While doing so will inevitably expose Wang Cong as the creator of the Octagonal Cage plan, diverting much of the spotlight that was on me.

It’s okay; Wang Cong has neither background nor resources, he can’t leave me. I am confident in controlling Wang Cong. As long as I live, Wang Cong can only faithfully contribute to my cause."

Thinking this way, Qian Huan decided he wouldn’t shortchange Wang Cong, just like how he allowed Feng Mu to form the Internal Inspection Department. He would permit Wang Cong some things too.

Qian Huan walked out of the bulletproof glass wall, patted Wang Cong on the shoulder, and said in a deep voice:

"The current situation in Second Prison is turbulent, but the more chaotic it is, the more we must push forward with the Octagonal Cage Beast Fighting Plan unswervingly.

Some ill-intentioned people are trying to use this turmoil to pull me down from the position of Prison Chief. We must not let them succeed."

Wang Cong looked at Qian Huan with resolute eyes, nodding firmly to show his absolute allegiance to the Prison Chief.

"Come with me, I want to introduce you to some very important people. The Octagonal Cage plan cannot advance rapidly without their support."

As Qian Huan spoke, a subtle trace of pain flashed in his eyes, and then he added:

"Their support doesn’t come free, but it’s all worth it.

In short, when dealing with these people, keep your guard up. Always remember, big figures are monsters that eat you without leaving any bones, so be careful not to get devoured."

Wang Cong immediately expressed his loyalty: "Prison Chief, rest assured, your teachings will be etched in my heart, never to be forgotten."

A black sedan quickly left the prison, speeding down the road with the hospital as its destination.

In the car, after contemplating for a moment, Qian Huan turned to Wang Cong and said:

"Big figures care about their reputations, to gain their support, on one hand, you have to offer enough benefits, on the other hand, we must clean ourselves up. Not to make it pristine white, but at least not too black, what do you think?"

Wang Cong felt this was too difficult because his heart is now a bare black, how could it ever return to white, and he really didn’t want to go back anyway.

After some thought, Wang Cong provided an alternative answer, one he realized himself, not taught by Feng Mu.

He said: "Or, we could find a way to paint others black too?"