Gao Wu: I inherited the evil organization in the game

Chapter 701 Feng Mu and the Second Prisoner Have Too Many Secrets

The heavy prison walls, with iron gates embedded in the center, slowly slid open to both sides amidst the low hum of hydraulic devices, revealing a passage flanked by the high walls.

The blue and white car drove in, its wheels making a soft rustling sound as they rolled over the ground.

Inside the car, Li Xiang sat in the passenger seat, his gaze silently fixed on the outside through the window.

To be honest, this wasn't Li Xiang's first time visiting the Second Prison, but in the past he had usually come and gone in a hurry. This time, however, perhaps due to a different state of mind, or perhaps driven by some unseen intuition, he observed the interior of the prison seriously and carefully for the first time.

Upon this observation, he was immediately filled with dread.

Simply put, it's too strict.

This strictness doesn't just come from the standard features of prisons like high walls, electric fences, and iron bars; it's a living, omnipresent sense of tension.

From the internal passageway where the vehicle enters, at every corner of the corridor and at every access point leading to different areas, armed prison guards stand ramrod straight.

They were different from the prison guards Li Xiang was used to seeing in other prisons, who wore loose uniforms, stood lazily, and had wandering eyes.

Every prison guard here wears a uniform that is perfectly pressed, with sharp edges, and stands like a javelin welded to the ground.

Li Xiang racked his brains and finally found an extremely incongruous yet perfectly fitting adjective—uplifting and aspiring.

prison?

Upward and spirited?

The combination of these two words gave Li Xiang a sense of absurd disconnect.

What surprised Li Xiang even more was that none of the prison guards he encountered along the way, whether on guard duty or patrolling, showed their true faces.

They all wore identical masks.

The mask's pattern is not complicated; in fact, it can be described as minimalist—a pure white plain color, without any extra patterns or colors, as smooth as the inner shell of an egg.

The openings were only made at the locations of the eyes and nose to ensure unimpeded vision and breathing.

At first glance, it even looks a bit like a mask from [Masquerade].

Very scary.

However, the mask of [Masked] is made of bone, exuding a primitive ferocity, while the masks of these prison guards in front of him, although Li Xiang did not touch them, judging from his eyesight, should be made of metals such as iron or aluminum, making them appear colder and more regular.

Li Xiang and Chang Erbing walked down the long corridor, led by Guan Zhong.

Guan Zhong didn't use a mask to cover his face, because it wouldn't have mattered anyway, since his arm fracture hadn't healed and he was still half-suspended in a metal brace, making his features too obvious.

He casually slung the mask diagonally to one side of his head, revealing half of his face below his forehead.

As he led the way, he turned his head slightly to explain to the two of them:
"The Second Prison has been unusually busy lately. The Minister is dealing with some urgent official business and is temporarily unable to leave. Therefore, he specifically instructed me to come and greet you both. I hope you will not take offense."

Li Xiang and Chang Erbing didn't seem to care about this, or rather, their minds were filled with all sorts of surprises and doubts, and they couldn't care less about anything else.

Before Li Xiang could speak, Chang Erbing couldn't help but ask:
"What's with these masks? Why is everyone wearing them?"

Guan Zhong seemed to have been waiting for their question. Without turning his head, he explained in a calm tone:
"Oh, this is the minister's order. It seems to be a necessary measure taken in advance to cooperate with the 'Octagonal Cage Fighting' plan that Councilor Wang is vigorously promoting."

Beyond that, I won't go into detail about the weight of the tube.

The feeling that Li Xiang and his companion was that Guan Zhong seemed to have answered their questions, but at the same time, he didn't answer them at all. In any case, the answer was full of room for imagination.

The Octagonal Cage Fighting Project?
Li Xiang had vaguely heard that the Second Prison seemed to be preparing for a major project, and that it had received strong support from Councilor Wang Xinfa.

But it was only at this moment that he learned the specific name of the plan from Guan Zhong—Octagonal Cage Beast Fighting.

That sounds... evil!
But what does this have to do with whether prison guards wear masks or not?
Upon hearing this, Chang Erbing opened his mouth, wanting to ask a few more questions about the details, but Li Xiang stopped him by raising his hand.

As a detective, even when he's not investigating a case, his mind works a little faster than others; he's known for overthinking and is prone to overthinking things.

He stopped Chang Erbing, saying:

"Since it's a plan that a legislator wants to push forward, it should be kept confidential until it's announced, so let's not pry."

Chang Erbing immediately realized that he had almost committed a taboo, so he quickly shut his mouth and dared not say another word.

Guan Zhong smiled noncommittally and continued to lead the way in silence.

The prison's internal structure is far more complex than imagined, with numerous branching paths, resembling a maze.

Guan Zhong did not lead the two along the shortcut, but deliberately took a longer route, which was naturally at Feng Mu's behest.

Although Guan Zhong did not understand the minister's intention in giving him such instructions, his loyalty to the minister was 400%, and he would not ask a single question, but would strictly carry out the instructions.

Yes, during the time he worked while ill, Guan Zhong's loyalty to Feng Mu secretly skyrocketed again.

Feng Mu could naturally feel that Guan Zhong's loyalty to him was growing day by day, just like weeds in the field, which could grow on their own without watering.

Feng Mu himself didn't quite understand this either, and was quite surprised, since he clearly hadn't done anything.

Sometimes he would lament that if the world were full of people like Guan Zhong, it would be a much more peaceful place.

Li Xiang and Chang Erbing followed behind Guan Zhong at a slow pace, giving them a good opportunity to look around.

Through rows of evenly spaced iron bars, they could see the inside of each prison cell.

Contrary to the imagined noisy, chaotic, or lifeless prison scenes, the interiors of these cells presented an unusual "orderly" atmosphere.

They were all sitting neatly on their beds or small stools, reading aloud together under the guidance of a prisoner who seemed to be a "cell boss".

A prisoner, reading?
Li Xiang was aware that there were some prisoners who loved reading, but the fact that an entire cell was filled with such a group of book lovers was not only unprecedented, but unheard of.

Moreover, if they weren't mistaken, all the prisoners seemed to be holding the same book.

When did prisons start having standardized...teaching materials?!
Chang Erbing and Li Xiang exchanged another glance, both seeing disbelief and astonishment in each other's eyes, but neither of them asked a question.

Instead, they all quietly pricked up their ears, wanting to hear what kind of "sacred texts" the prisoners were reading.

The "long road" that Guan Zhong led them on happened to be quite a distance away from the prisoners' cell block.

They were at the level where you could see them reading from afar and in neat formation, but you couldn't quite hear what they were saying.

The two of them almost held their breath, straining their hearing to the limit, before they could catch some fragmented and indistinct sentences:

"...The prison is our home, and everyone's contribution is our responsibility..." "...I am guilty, I am a sinner, I will strive to atone for my sins and fight for glory..."

"...We can create value while we're alive, and we can also create value when we die; the key is how we die..."

"...We are all one family, we should love each other..."

Li Xiang wasn't sure if he had heard correctly, or if the distance and echo had caused him to mishear. He kept thinking that he might have misheard something or was hallucinating.

how to say?

These fragmented sentences, taken individually, are all full of "positive energy" and exude a "spirited and uplifting" feeling.

Encouraging dedication, recognizing mistakes, creating value, and fostering unity and friendship... these positive energies are worth promoting in any other context.

However, when these words were read aloud in such a uniform, chanting manner from a group of prisoners, it... revealed an indescribable eeriness and absurdity.

Something's weird everywhere!

Li Xiang harbored suspicions:

"Is this also part of that 'Octagonal Cage Fighting' plan? What exactly does Representative Wang Xinfa want to do with the Second Prison?"

A prison filled with this kind of hyped-up, euphoric energy, from the guards to the prisoners, is truly a bit creepy!

Li Xiang used all his detective skills, his brain working at lightning speed, considering all possibilities, but in the end he still couldn't figure it out.

Then he felt more and more that there was an unfathomable eeriness about the second prison, and his mindset began to subtly change.

He originally came to the Second Prison to question Feng Mu, partly out of respect for their friendship and a desire to clarify some doubts about the Emerald Garden case in person, but he also harbored the intention of confronting Feng and demanding an explanation.

After all, some of Feng Mu's actions and concealment did make his friend feel passive and embarrassed.

But at this moment, after witnessing this strange scene inside the Second Prison, the thought of confronting them gradually deflated like a balloon punctured by a needle.

Li Xiang silently warned himself:
"When I talk to Feng Mu later, I still need to be careful about my attitude and keep a proper balance."

We're all good friends. Even if there are mistakes or misunderstandings, we must communicate amicably and calmly. We must never let momentary impulses damage our relationship and harmony.

He actually wanted to linger a little longer and eavesdrop on the prisoners' reading; the collective atmosphere had a strange, infectious quality.

After listening for only a short while, Li Xiang felt as if his soul had been cleansed by some kind of force, and his thoughts became... more "kind"?
His sharp edges had been smoothed out somewhat, and his temperament had become inexplicably gentler.

But Guan Zhong did not give him more opportunities to "receive influence".

The following content is the actual internal teaching material of the Second Prison, containing many classic quotes and philosophical insights from the ministers. It is only suitable for internal study by family members and must not be overheard by outsiders.

In Guan Zhong's view, although Li Xiang was considered a "friend" by the minister, there was still one crucial step missing before they could become true "family" with whom all secrets could be shared.

Thinking of this, Guan Zhong even felt a slight pang of regret for Li Xiang.

Guan Zhong quickened his pace and led the two away from the prison corridor where the prisoners were located, passing by the warden's office.

They were quite familiar with this place, having recently come to survey it.

Back then, this place was a charred ruin from an explosion; now it has been renovated and painted white, and an enormous, somewhat exaggerated fish tank has been placed in the center of the office.

The fish tank was empty; no water had been added yet.

Several enormous, seemingly heavy glass partitions are leaning against the wall, waiting to be installed.

Li Xiang could no longer contain his curiosity and pointed inside the office, asking:

"Could this be?"

Guan Zhong didn't hide anything and casually explained:
"Oh, this was ordered by the minister to be modified. He said that Warden Qian is recovering soon and will be back soon."

Considering Warden Qian's previous injury and his incomplete recovery requiring rest, his office needs some more humane and adaptable modifications.

He seemed to suddenly remember something, and quickly added a reminder:

"By the way, the news of Warden Qian's imminent return is still unknown outside."

The minister meant that Mrs. Li wanted to take this opportunity to see clearly who were enemies disguised as friends and who were truly trustworthy allies.

Therefore, this matter is currently a confidential internal matter. It's good that you know, Captain Li, but please don't spread it around.

Li Xiang felt a sudden chill, and a strange tingling sensation ran down his spine. He felt a sense of crisis that he couldn't quite describe.

All right--

The mysterious "Octagonal Cage Beast Fighting Project" is something I know nothing about!
I'm completely baffled by the strange coordination and preparations within the Second Prison!

I had absolutely no idea that Warden Qian was about to recover from his injuries and return to the country!

Madam Li wanted to use this opportunity to conduct an internal purge and distinguish between friend and foe, but I was kept in the dark!
That's not all...

There are also many inside stories about the previous Emerald Garden case, which Councilor Wang and Mrs. Li have kept silent about to me!

OK OK——

You've kept all your secrets from me, haven't you?
So, even though I, Li Xiang, risked my life and my head to investigate cases for you, in your eyes I'm still an "outsider" who can't be fully trusted?
but…….
Feng Mu seems to know everything. Yes, he is Madam Li's staunch confidant, and Madam Li and Warden Qian are now in a relationship with Councilor Wang.

I heard they've all started calling him "Dad" now.

It's worth mentioning that Li Xiangzhen didn't know many of Li Xiangzhen's secrets, but he did find out the secret about the councilor recognizing his son.

Li Xiang's mind was like an overloaded computer, spinning wildly, processing massive amounts of information, and weighing the pros and cons.

A mixture of grievance, anger, resentment, and intense unease surged in his chest, finally transforming into a sigh of relief, which he slowly exhaled.

At that moment, he made a crucial decision:

"Whether Feng Mu tells me the truth or not, or whether he has more secrets to hide from me, it doesn't matter anymore, and it shouldn't be my focus anymore."

Importantly, the more secrets he knows, the more secure his position in the power circle becomes, and the more trusted and close he is.

Therefore, I must, and absolutely must, maintain a good friendship with him!

(End of this chapter)