Era of Magic and Martial Arts-Chapter 266 - 250: An Idealistic Knife Upholding Justice

Qian Huan was very satisfied with Feng Mu's knowledge and tact. A knife that understands the "master's" words is a good knife.

Little did he know, the "right path" understood by Feng Mu wasn't the same road that Qian Huan envisioned.

After all, in the eyes of a knife, weakness is the original sin. If the "master" no longer wants to stain themselves with blood, they are straying from the path.

As a knife, he is obliged to set things right, helping the master realize their self-worth better, faster, and stronger.

There's nothing he can do about it; Feng Mu has a strong sense of moral duty. Not only is he a good knife, but also an idealistic one, capable of making the "master" better alongside him.

Feng Mu's smile was gentle, his gaze subtly sweeping over the explosion-proof glass with the watermark of the words "explosion-proof". He subtly glanced at Shi Wuming with his peripheral vision, gradually forming a plan to kill two birds with one stone.

Qian Huan's gaze towards Feng Mu grew even more satisfied; he laughed and said:

"Tian Tao committed suicide, and Chang Wei ran away from home. Their positions are now vacant. Who do you think should fill their spots?"

When leadership asks you personnel questions, never naively think they're genuinely asking you, unless you happen to have a knife to their throat at the moment.

Feng Mu obediently lowered his head and answered in a well-behaved manner:

"I believe positions have no distinction between higher or lower, only different roles. Regardless of whom the warden appoints to fill their positions, I will fully comply, and cooperate with their work."

Qian Huan gave Feng Mu a long look, secretly admiring, feeling that even if Feng Mu weren't a knife, with just this smooth-talking ability, he could easily climb to a high position.

So, he earnestly said, "What do you think of Wang Cong? I saw the statistical report sent over on Monday. Wang Cong's earnings ranked quite high among the prison guards in your facility."

While asking, Qian Huan stared intently at Feng Mu, as if trying to discern his innermost thoughts through his expression.

Sure enough, he noticed a fleeting hint of unnatural stiffness on Feng Mu's face, though it was small and momentary, but his sharp eyes caught it.

Qian Huan thought to himself, "Feng Mu has indeed guessed that Wang Cong has stabbed him in the back. Although he managed his facial expressions well, unfortunately, he is a bit young and lacking in experience."

Feng Mu replied in a deep voice, "Since I came to the Second Prison, I've been closest to Wang Cong. All of his efforts have not gone unnoticed. If the warden is willing to promote him, that would naturally be best."

Qian Huan pretended not to understand the implied meaning in Feng Mu's words, and with a smile he said:

"Very well, that's my thought as well. Since your relationship is good, I'll promote Wang Cong to team leader first. Help him out a little more in private."

Feng Mu's expression did not reveal any flaw, and he smiled sincerely: "Of course."

From Feng Mu's face, Qian Huan could no longer discern more emotions, which only made him more convinced that the moment he caught was Feng Mu's most genuine emotional expression.

He smiled slightly, added, "In the next ranking promotion, I'll elevate Wang Cong further. Feng Mu, you will also inevitably become a team leader."

Feng Mu's smile became even more radiant, showing an expression of complete conviction, as he firmly stated, "I will adhere to all the warden's arrangements."

Qian Huan clapped his hands in satisfaction, and Wang Cong, who had been waiting outside for a long time, pushed the door and entered.

Wang Cong was in a neatly pressed uniform, with meticulously styled hair, carrying a yellow gourd on his back, which seemed a bit out of place.

He stepped in, and it was evident that he wasn't adept at managing expressions; when he looked at Feng Mu, his face showed obvious stiffness and awkwardness.

It was Feng Mu who first greeted, skillfully covering up Wang Cong's stiffness.

Feng Mu smiled, "Congratulations, Captain Wang Cong! Your efforts have finally paid off. Looking forward, Captain Wang Cong, to learning from you."

Wang Cong took a deep breath, striving to suppress the surging awe and fervor within him, and briefly replied with two words: "Thank you."

This scene was fully taken in by Qian Huan, who naturally arrived at a completely different understanding.

He didn't expose it, merely smiled and said:

"You two have a good private relationship, which is extremely advantageous for the unfolding work. After all, you are both my people, and both have bright and promising futures."

He paused, his gaze shifting back and forth between their faces:

"So, you must unite and support each other, climb up quickly together, become my right-hand men in the Second Prison, and help me better control and reform the Second Prison. Understand?"

Qian Huan was a person deeply lacking in a sense of security, and Wang Cong was the other knife he used to preemptively check Feng Mu.

The key to using a knife against a knife is balance, because Qian Huan felt that Wang Cong's ability was not as good as Feng Mu's, so he needed to elevate Wang Cong, ensuring his position was always a step above Feng Mu's.

Of course, Feng Mu might end up eliminating Wang Cong, but that wouldn't matter either, because for Qian Huan, it would also serve as a warning, indicating that Feng Mu had become uncontrollable and potentially dangerous. At that time, he would naturally abandon and dispose of Feng Mu.

"Obedience test!" Feng Mu sneered inwardly, well aware of Qian Huan's scheming.

He promptly obeyed, responding loudly and without hesitation:

"Understood, I will actively cooperate with Captain Wang Cong, and will not disappoint the warden's expectations."

Wang Cong, slower to react, hurriedly added: "Thank you, warden, for nurturing me. I will work in tandem with Feng Mu to do my best."

Upon hearing this, Qian Huan laughed heartily, and Feng Mu and Wang Cong exchanged a glance, not concealing the hint of a smile on their faces.

Interestingly, even though all three had ulterior motives, none of them were actually lying at the moment; their smiles were truly genuine from the heart.

Good leader, good colleagues, true unity, indeed everyone working together, a bright future awaits!

After a good laugh, Qian Huan slowly composed himself, his gaze stern as he looked at the two of them, and solemnly asked:

"Alright, next, let's discuss the [last-place elimination system]. Do you have any thoughts and suggestions?"

Feng Mu had plenty of thoughts, but he wouldn't express them, he only cared about obeying:

"I think the warden's policy is excellent, allowing the capable to rise and the mediocre to fall. A good competitive mechanism will bring a different vitality to the Second Prison."

Wang Cong did not immediately follow up, pausing for a moment before looking at Qian Huan, articulating a plan he had "borrowed" in his lifetime:

"Warden, I also think the [last-place elimination system] is great, but it needs a little modification and packaging, which may make it implement better, and create larger profits for the Second Prison and the warden, hence more smoothly advancing the stock reform plan for the Second Prison…"