Era of Magic and Martial Arts-Chapter 365 - 349: Handpicked

Feng Mu proved his loyalty to Qian Huan with his actions and was thus entrusted with a significant role, setting up the Internal Inspection Department;

Wang Cong demonstrated his value to Qian Huan through his wisdom and was exceptionally promoted to the position of Prison Chief.

"Feng Mu is ruthless and decisive, while Wang Cong is incredibly intelligent. They each have their strengths, one civil, the other martial. They are the most reliable arms I lean on. Most importantly, the conflicts between these two are deep and irreconcilable, providing mutual checks and balances!" Qian Huan thought to himself.

These two appointments were not made on a whim but were carefully planned with a full view of the bigger picture, demonstrating both wisdom and craft, fully illustrating his insight in recognizing and utilizing talent as the Director of the Prison.

In ordinary times, such appointments would hardly be approved. Even as the Prison Director, Qian Huan would find it difficult to succeed on his own.

However, the Second Prison is currently facing an unprecedented crisis, with unrest and tension permeating from top to bottom.

To most people within the Second Prison, the seat of the Prison Director seemed like it had a massive hole, teetering on the edge and about to collapse at any moment.

Thus, this is a time when Qian Huan’s authority in the Second Prison is at its lowest, but interestingly, it’s also when his power is peaking.

He can act recklessly, ignoring rules, his words becoming the law, transforming him into the "Mad King," wielding immense power within the Second Prison!

It seems irrational, but in fact, it’s an unspoken understanding among the wise - no one wants to face the desperate retaliation of a "Mad King" in his final days!

They’re all waiting, waiting for the fall of the "Mad King," after which they would swoop in to tear apart his remnants.

But they don’t know, the "Mad King" will not fall; he will only...

Wang Cong held the appointment letter in his hand, his face flushed with barely contained excitement, thinking to himself:

"Feng Mu controls the Internal Inspection Department, I control Death Row, thus, half of the Second Prison has fallen into Feng Mu’s hands. Next, the Prison Director just needs to serve as a figurehead. Hopefully, he will cooperate obediently."

Qian Huan was unaware of Wang Cong’s rebellious thoughts, merely assuming that Wang Cong was genuinely moved by his heavy use, giving him a pat on the shoulder filled with encouragement and promise:

"Rest assured, Death Row won’t remain empty; it will soon be filled again, and by then, you will become the most powerful Prison Chief in the Second Prison."

What else could Wang Cong say?

He could only solemnly stick the appointment letter to his chest, carefully pocket it, then salute Qian Huan with utmost seriousness and shout with a sobering sense of loyalty:

"I am willing to follow the Prison Director unwaveringly from now on, even if it means giving my life!"

From afar, fellow prison guards heard the commotion, their faces involuntarily showing signs of envy.

Further away, Zhao Xing, having taken off his epaullets and dressed in a regular prison guard uniform, silently observed with an unusually cold expression.

He let out a cold snort, his tone full of disdain and mockery:

"One is still in a desperate struggle, the other oblivious to danger, two ridiculous clowns, hmph—"

No prison guard nearby dared to respond to Zhao Xing’s words, all pretending not to hear, distancing themselves, while the indifferent electronic eyes above silently observed everything.

Qian Huan, with a smile on his face, brought Wang Cong to the Internal Inspection Department.

In front of them presented a scene of round-the-clock bustling activity, most notably two corpses being dragged out of the interrogation room, their necks twisted, with despair and terror frozen on their faces.

This scene did not surprise Qian Huan; rather, it was the appearance of a bald-headed forensic doctor, Qin Liang, from the Internal Inspection Department that astonished him slightly.

The latter was squatting beside a corpse, lazily yawning while casually filling out a death report on the autopsy sheet.

"Has Forensic Doctor Qin also been incorporated into the Internal Inspection Department? It was just formed yesterday, and Feng Mu has moved quickly."

Wang Cong sarcastically remarked on the side with keen perceptiveness.

With Wang Cong’s remark, Qian Huan’s doubts dissipated, and he smiled slightly without concern, then sternly instructed Wang Cong:

"Whether it’s you, Feng Mu, or Forensic Doctor Qin, you are all trusted by me. It’s what I most wish to see that you all get along well and assist each other."

He paused, then pretended with heartfelt concern:

"There were some misunderstandings between you and Feng Mu before, in which I also hold some responsibility.

But fortunately, those matters are in the past, and for the upcoming [Octagonal Cage Beast Fighting Arena] plan, I hope you can put aside your grudges and join hands with Feng Mu to dedicate your utmost effort to this plan, do you understand?"

Of course, Qian Huan hoped for mutual checks and balances between Feng Mu and Wang Cong, confident in their deep-seated animosities, for it was he who unwittingly orchestrated them, difficult to dissolve.

Feng Mu is vindictive and vicious, Wang Cong is selfish and ruthless; betrayal has occurred between them, and reconciliation is impossible.

Nobody can forgive someone who betrayed them, which is human nature; as long as someone is living and breathing, they can’t go against human nature.

Yet he similarly didn’t want these conflicts to affect the task at hand, so mediation was needed, which is the posture fitting for someone in his position.

A hint of hesitation flashed across Wang Cong’s face, and though unwilling, he eventually nodded slightly, his voice somewhat subdued as he said:

"I will follow your directives, Prison Director, but Feng Mu’s actions are too high-profile, seemingly having been caught by the Patrol Office. I’m just afraid he won’t cleanly handle it, jeopardizing your big plans."

"It’s not a good character to speak ill of others behind their back."

Just then, the door to the office of the Head Minister slowly opened, and Feng Mu came out, his expression amiable, steps steady, and though his tone was calm, there was hidden sharpness,

"Wang Cong, congratulations on your well-deserved promotion to the Prison Chief of Death Row; let me remind you, don’t celebrate too early, be wary of Zhao Xing’s revenge, don’t end up like Gong Lao, dead in your home just days after a promotion."

Wang Cong let out a cold snort, not showing weakness as he said:

"No need to worry about me; you should care more about your own safety.

Besides, yesterday you arrested several prison guards from the Second Prison for interrogation and even brought Ma Xuan; doesn’t your action suspect Zhou Hu? Then why does it sound like in your words, Gong Lao’s death is related to Zhao Xing?" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Feng Mu chuckled, a malicious glint in his eyes as he looked at Qian Huan, openly stating his intentions with a vicious tone:

"This horrific prison riot, Zhou Hu is a major suspect, as is Zhao Xing. It’s not just them; according to our Internal Inspection Department’s investigation, all the Prison Chiefs from the Second Prison are intricately involved in this case."

Wang Cong gasped: "So many, does that include me?"

Feng Mu gave a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, lightly stating:

"Of course not, you are the Prison Chief personally appointed by the Prison Director, not like the other Prison Chiefs out there."

Feng Mu’s statement seemed directed at Wang Cong, but it was actually expressed to Qian Huan, indicating his investigative approach:

That as long as the Prison Chief was not personally appointed by the Prison Director, it meant involvement in the prison riot and they were guilty!

Feng Mu’s investigative approach was straightforward and brutal, inevitably entailing injustices, expanding the scope of action, also harboring the personal ambition of strengthening the Internal Inspection Department’s power.

Nonetheless, Feng Mu’s unabashed, straightforward attitude reassured Qian Huan.

In summary, Qian Huan was extremely fond of Feng Mu’s investigative approach.

Feng Mu truly is a master detective, the Internal Inspection Department surely cannot do without him!