Gao Wu: I inherited the evil organization in the game

Chapter 702 The Art of Communication Lies in...
Li Xiang finally understood, as if enlightened, or as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him from head to toe, chilling him to the bone.

In this power circle where everyone seems to wear countless masks and hide countless secrets, those who can deduce and uncover others' secrets are often disliked by both sides and easily get into trouble.

Only those who know a great deal of secrets, or even who are themselves part of those secrets, are truly trusted "insiders" within the power circle.

They are not the diggers of secrets, but the custodians, sharers, and even creators of secrets.

Deducing secrets is a skill, but also a warning against power.

But being allowed to "share" secrets is a form of recognition of power.

Perhaps he had put the cart before the horse.

Detective, detective... This is a path destined to be rejected!
Li Xiang suddenly realized his mistake, followed by an overwhelming sense of sadness and grief.

Because following this line of reasoning, he easily arrived at a conclusion that filled him with utter despair:

That is, he may never be the one whose secrets are voluntarily "shared".

His detective skills, which made him famous, were essentially about spying on and uncovering secrets.

This ability is inherently toxic and will only ever be used by those in power to achieve specific goals, accompanied by constant vigilance and caution.

No one will truly trust someone who can see through secrets.

They will only use you, fear you, and then, when your value has been squeezed dry, or when they believe the threat outweighs the value, they will not hesitate to "destroy" you, just like disposing of a dangerous piece of waste.

Unless, of course, the person who wields power and is willing to share secrets is themselves... a fearless madman?!
"Boom boom boom——"

Guan Zhong's knocking interrupted Li Xiang's wandering thoughts.

From inside the door came a calm voice, devoid of much emotion; it was Feng Mu:

"Come in!"

Guan Zhong did as instructed, pushed open the door, stepped aside to make way, and gestured "please" to Li Xiang and Chang Erbing.

After the two entered the office one after the other, he quietly closed the door from the outside.

Feng Mu stood up from the sofa by the window, a friendly smile on his face, and greeted Li Xiang. He was a far cry from the "madman" that Li Xiang had imagined outside the door.

However, a man carrying a gourd was sitting next to the sofa, and he didn't give Li Xiang and his companion a friendly look when they came in.

Seeing Feng Mu rise to greet the guest, Wang Cong also stood up with a cold smile and said to Feng Mu without any politeness:
“Feng Mu, I’m here today because I remember you’ve treated me fairly well in the past. I’m just trying to give you a friendly reminder. The ‘Octagonal Cage Beast Fighting’ project is extremely complex and far-reaching. It’s too big a deal for you to handle.”

He stared intently at Feng Mu, his tone becoming even more aggressive:

"Therefore, I advise you to face reality and not have any unrealistic ideas or ambitions!"
"From now on, you'd better follow my instructions obediently to ensure there are no mistakes..."

Faced with Wang Cong's aggressive attitude, Feng Mu's smile faded slightly, but he did not get angry and responded calmly:
"The person who really needs to put away his unrealistic ideas is you, Wang Cong."

Feng Mu paused for a moment, then continued earnestly:

"Madam entrusted me with managing the Second Prison, so I will manage it well. Don't interfere. Similarly, how to prepare for the 'Octagonal Cage Beast Fighting' plan after leaving the Second Prison is your business, and I won't say anything more."

Upon hearing this, Wang Cong's sneer deepened:

"Hmph! You don't appreciate my good intentions. I'm worried that you're not capable enough to manage this situation. If something goes wrong in the second prison and you drag me down, affecting the whole plan, can you bear the blame from General Manager Lu?"

Feng Mu's face turned completely cold, as if covered with a layer of frost.

But he seemed too lazy to engage in any more pointless arguments with the other party, and merely glanced at Wang Cong before looking away.

Seeing that Feng Mu stopped talking, Wang Cong deliberately snorted loudly, strode out of the office, and slammed the door shut as he left.

When Li Xiang entered the room, he witnessed this tense and unpleasant scene. After Wang Cong left angrily and the office returned to silence, he looked at Feng Mu with slight embarrassment:
"Do I seem to have arrived at the wrong time? Did I interrupt your important conversation?"

Feng Mu's face instantly brightened, as if the conflict had never happened. He waved his hand dismissively, his tone relaxed and warm:
"Not at all, Captain Li, you're too kind. It's always a good time for good friends to visit; I'd be more than happy to welcome them!"

He pointed to the sofa, gesturing for Li Xiang and Chang Erbing to sit down.
"You came at just the right time. You've helped me get rid of this annoying guy, so he won't keep bothering me."

Feng Mu's smile vanished abruptly, replaced by a ruthless killing intent. His voice was forced out through clenched teeth:
"If it weren't for Madam's special instructions that we should prioritize the overall situation and consider the reactions from all sides... I would never let this guy who betrayed his friends walk out of the Second Prison alive."

Li Xiang knew perfectly well that Feng Mu's words were directed at Wang Cong, who had just left, and that there was absolutely no veiled criticism or indirect insult.

Feng Mu is not that kind of person.

But for some reason, he suddenly felt a chill seeping up from the back of his neck.
The intense murderous intent on Feng Mu's face came and went quickly.

In the blink of an eye, he had already suppressed all his outward emotions, picked up the ordinary black-rimmed glasses from the table next to him, and put them back on.

The moment the glasses were put back on his nose, Feng Mu's face regained its gentle smile that inspired immense trust and approachability.

Watching Feng Mu change his expression three times in a second, Li Xiang's mind raced, and he finally obediently sat down on the sofa.

In his heart, however, he couldn't help but recall the scene when Feng Mu first came to visit his home.

A quiet thought escaped his lips:

"As expected, he's still the madman I know. No matter how he tries to disguise himself, he can't hide the madness in him."

But it's good to be crazy; only crazy people can open their hearts to their friends and share their secrets!

After all, how could ordinary friends reveal their true feelings about wanting to kill someone in front of each other?

Isn't this a manifestation of extreme trust?!
Li Xiang took Feng Mu's behavior as a sign of openness between friends, and feeling a warm feeling in his heart, he blurted out:
"Feng Mu, if you really want to kill him, but it's inconvenient for you to do it yourself... I might be able to help you. There are some things that are easier and cleaner for me to do."

These words instantly froze the atmosphere in the office, which had just eased.

Chang Erbing, who was listening from the side, was dumbfounded, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets.

No, Captain Li, we came here to question Feng Mu, how did it turn into helping him kill someone?

Chang Erbing couldn't quite grasp the concept, but Li Xiang's mind worked incredibly fast.

Questioning is necessary, but it's crucial to be tactful and diplomatic. So, what could better create a friendly atmosphere for the rest of the conversation than first helping the other person kill someone?

You can tell just by looking at Feng Mu's expression!

Li Xiang clearly saw a hint of interest on Feng Mu's face, and the latter showed strong emotion, but ultimately gritted his teeth and said:
"Thank you, thank you for your kindness, Captain Li! I, Feng Mu, will remember this favor."

However, the lady repeatedly emphasized that the overall situation should be prioritized at present, and no unexpected complications should be encountered while the plan is being implemented. Therefore, let's leave Wang Cong alone for now.

Seeing that Feng Mu had rejected his offer, Li Xiang could only sigh, looking hesitant to speak.

Feng Mu was indeed very understanding and took the initiative to steer the conversation back on track:

"Captain Li came here in person without calling ahead today. Is there something special about it?"

Li Xiang didn't speak immediately, but frowned slightly, displaying superb acting skills.

Feng Mu leaned forward slightly, adopting a posture of openness and sincerity:
"Captain Li, there's no need for us to be so formal. What difficulties have you encountered that you need my help with?"
Just say it. Anything that I, Feng Mu, can do, or that the Second Prison can help with, I will absolutely not refuse!

Li Xiang had been waiting for this very sentence, and the atmosphere of the conversation, which had been heated up by the "murder proposal" earlier, had become extremely friendly and even intimate.

He then confessed:
“Feng Mu, the reason I came here this time is indeed because of the Emerald Garden case. I encountered some things that I can’t figure out.”

"I don't know, are you aware that there was just an explosion in the Emerald Garden villa area?"

Feng Mu's expression suddenly froze, utterly astonished:

"Explosion? What explosion?"

Li Xiang felt that Feng Mu's shock didn't seem like an act, and added:

"The explosion occurred in the villa between the special envoy and Mrs. Li."

Feng Mu's pupils contracted slightly, almost imperceptibly, and he murmured, as if recalling something:

"Oh...that villa, I remember it. But I recall that villa was still empty, under renovation, and no one was living there, right?"

Li Xiang nodded and followed his words:
"Yes, it's really strange that an explosion occurred in an empty, renovated villa. So, the maintenance department even told me to arrest you immediately."

Feng Mu looked puzzled and asked in return:

"Arrest me, why?"

Li Xiang immediately said:
"Because the timing of your departure was too coincidental; the explosion happened right after you left, so the maintenance department suspected you..."

Feng Mu's face showed disbelief, as if he had been greatly wronged.

He stood up abruptly, staring intently at Li Xiang, his voice deepening:
"So, Captain Li... you came here in person today to take me back?"

Even though Feng Mu didn't show any murderous intent on his face, Li Xiang still felt a chill run down his spine from being stared at so intently. He quickly shook his head and said:

"How could that be? We're best friends. I'd never suspect you, let alone anyone else. Even if you really did it, I still..."

Li Xiang gritted his teeth, looking as if he shared Feng Mu's hatred, and continued in a fierce voice:
"Commissioner Zheng Geng of the Maintenance Department and his men are clearly harboring malicious intentions, trying to use the Emerald Garden case to implicate others and eliminate dissidents."

I won't believe a word they say, but Feng Mu, you need to be careful. They might already be watching you, so you should take precautions.

Li Xiang's words were absolutely brilliant.

He knew perfectly well that if Feng Mu was really being targeted by the maintenance department, it was most likely because he was implicated, or because he was too close to him.

However, instead of telling the truth, he slightly altered the story, blurring the cause-and-effect relationship. This served both to highlight the danger and warn the injustice, while also taking the opportunity to strengthen their bond.

Feng Mu accepted the favor. The coldness on his face lessened slightly, and he sat back down on the sofa, his tone softening but still tinged with icy indifference:

"Thank you for the reminder, Captain Li. I'll be careful. Humph—the thing I hate most in this life is being framed. The maintenance department, is that it? I'll remember that."

After a pause, as if just realizing something, Feng Mu pressed on with the question:
"So, since you didn't come here to arrest me, Captain Li, you came here specifically to remind me of this?"

Li Xiang knew that enough groundwork had been laid, and finally said in a deep voice:
"Firstly, I was reminding you because I didn't believe you would be involved. Then, I immediately sent Erbing to investigate other aspects of the explosion site and related clues..."

A few minutes later, Li Xiang let out a long breath and said:

"In short, the progress of the investigation so far is full of strange things. Many clues seem clear and have a clear direction, but upon closer inspection, they all break down, as if an invisible hand is controlling everything."

And what confuses me the most is…

He paused deliberately, then looked at Feng Mu with an honest gaze:
"The attitude of the two forensic doctors you previously transferred to me when submitting their autopsy reports, and some of the... well, details in those reports, are quite suspicious."

Of course, I'm not doubting you, don't overthink it. I'm just... well, in principle, the investigation process should be kept confidential, so I shouldn't tell you.

But I suspect these things might involve your subordinates, or perhaps one of them has a problem.

I was afraid you'd be kept in the dark and unknowingly implicated, so after much thought, I decided I had to come and tell you in person, so you'd be aware of the situation.

Li Xiang's words perfectly captured the image of someone who would "go to great lengths for a friend."

He pointed out the problem with the forensic doctor, passing the buck to Feng Mu, while completely absolving himself of any responsibility, adopting the posture of a close friend who was "doing what's best for you."

Feng Mu's expression shifted constantly, a mix of three parts gratitude, five parts surprise, and two parts anger, making Li Xiang's heart pound as he watched, secretly pondering:
"As expected! Feng Mu himself was not directly involved, otherwise his reaction would not have been so genuine."

But his expression... clearly showed he understood the unspoken meaning, and had thought of some key person or event!

Sure enough, the next second, Feng Mu took a deep breath:

"Is there something wrong between Bai Ye and Qin Liang?"

He frowned and muttered to himself, not so much asking Li Xiang, but more like asking himself.

Li Xiang didn't urge him. After a few seconds, Feng Mu seemed to have sorted out some thoughts. He looked up and gave Li Xiang an apologetic smile:
"Captain Li, I'm so sorry, please have a seat. I have to go out and make a phone call right away."

Watching Feng Mu's retreating figure as he hurried out of the office, Li Xiang became even more certain of his deduction:
“Feng Mu was also kept in the dark, but not completely; he did know some inside information.”

(End of this chapter)