Madmen don't keep diaries

Chapter 522 521 A Unique Feast

Feng Xiuhu pushed him and frowned: "Did you rinse your mouth? You're so close to me."

"Second Master" chuckled softly, not taking it seriously: "There is a banquet tonight, and Mr. Abbott will be attending. You will come with me."

That's a good feeling.

Feng Xiuhu nodded, satisfied with the result—he was just afraid that "Second Master" wouldn't take it seriously and he would have to put in more effort.

Therefore, it is naturally best to be able to explain things clearly without much effort.

It wasn't until evening that Feng Xiuhu learned what this so-called "banquet" actually looked like.

……

The banquet was actually held inside this factory; it was less than a ten-minute walk from the village building.

Feng Xiuhu stared at the red brick factory buildings in front of him in silence for a long time. He asked, "Second Master, is this the place you said you'd take me to see Abbot?"

"Second Master" laughed heartily: "Mr. Abbott is inside, I'm not lying to you."

Feng Xiuhu turned around and looked at the huge crowd behind him—almost all the bandits recruited by "Second Master" had come.

Feng Xiuhu sneered, "What, they also want to see Abbott?"

"Third Master" was calling out to the bandits, assigning them tasks—this few to guard the gate, that few to patrol, and so on.

Feng Xiuhu finally understood: "Second Master and Third Master" had brought them over to be their security team.

Seeing that Feng Xiuhu's expression was not good, "Second Master" leaned closer and put his hand on Feng Xiuhu's shoulder, and said in a low voice, "Don't look so long. I didn't lie to you. Mr. Abbott is inside. You'll see him in a little while."

Feng Xiuhu couldn't fall into the same trap twice; he wasn't buying it anymore: "Seeing you from afar counts as meeting you, right—do you really think I'm easygoing?"

"Second Master" curled his lip, his tone losing its politeness: "I warned you before, don't take yourself too seriously. I know you are either Ma Er or someone related to Ma Er, but I also said that this is Fornas City. Ma Er's name may fool some people in the underworld, but it is not worthy of Master Albert's attention."

Feng Xiuhu patted him on the shoulder: "It's not your fault. Your understanding of Ma Er is still too one-sided."

"Second Master" took Feng Xiuhu's words as mere posturing and sneered a few times: "Since you don't believe in evil, then come in with me."

After saying that, "Second Master" and "Third Master" led Feng Xiuhu and the other two toward the factory gate.

As soon as the door was pushed open, a cacophony of noise rushed into my ears.

Feng Xiuhu looked closely and saw that the empty factory was crowded with people, most of whom were wearing uniforms and were clearly factory workers.

But at this moment they were incredibly excited, waving their ticket stubs and letting out incomprehensible shouts.

What excited them was the ring in the very center of the factory, where two shirtless boxers were fighting each other.

Feng Xiuhu didn't understand for a moment: "A banquet?"

"Second Master" shouted at the top of his lungs, "Look at the second floor!"

Feng Xiuhu raised his gaze and then noticed that there were many foreigners dressed in Western suits and top hats standing on the second-floor railing, including officials and noble ladies.

The decorations on the first and second floors are clearly distinct.

The entire building was actually an abandoned factory. The first floor retained its rough industrial style, but starting from the railing, the second floor was extremely luxurious, with a reception room and private rooms behind the railing. "Second Master" said loudly, "Mr. Abbott is up there, but I advise you not to have any wicked thoughts. Everyone should stay in their proper place. Just take a look from afar later."

No wonder he said that. Feng Xiuhu noticed several special people standing at the staircase leading to the second floor—the Divine Guards.

Judging from the patterns on their armor, they belonged to the Church of War.

"How could there be people from the church here?"

Shunzi noticed it too, and her expression immediately became alert.

"Second Master" sneered, "Now you're scared? Those were specially arranged by the church to protect Mr. Abbott! There are more than just these few; there are many more around Mr. Abbott!"

Feng Xiuhu was increasingly confused—was this Albert really that important?
Seeing that Feng Xiuhu remained silent, "Second Master" assumed that he had given up the idea, and then proceeded to introduce the "banquet" for the evening.

"This kind of 'banquet' is held once a month. Mr. Abbott gathers all the owners of his factories together for a routine gathering, and also to discuss business matters; as for this place on the first floor..."

"Second Master" gestured towards the boxing ring in the middle: "Firstly, it's for the gentlemen to watch the show, and secondly, it's because Master Abbott is kind-hearted and is giving these laborers a chance to earn money."

Feng Xiuhu: "What do you mean?"

"Third Master" snorted twice and continued, "You've got a pair of eyes that are wasted. Can't you see this? These laborers who think they're good at fighting can go up and challenge others. If they win, they get a reward. Those who don't want to fight can place bets on the side. If they're lucky, they can make some money too."

Feng Xiuhu nodded in realization.

"Second Master" rolled his eyes and said to Feng Xiuhu with a smile, "On the other hand, if you really want to have a chat with Mr. Abbott, it's not entirely impossible."

Feng Xiuhu looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Second Master" pointed to the arena: "Go up and challenge them. Fight until no one dares to come up. That's the ultimate winner tonight. Mr. Abbott will not only personally give you a large sum of money, but if you're lucky, you might even be recommended to the Church's Divine Guard."

Feng Xiuhu slapped his thigh: "You should have said so earlier!"

He pointed forward: "Ah Bao, go!"

Shunzi paused for two seconds before realizing that the person was talking about her, so she quickly squeezed into the crowd.

Feng Xiuhu was about to follow, but Fang Youliu stopped him.

He said, "When you see Abbott later, let's talk things out."

He wasn't worried that Shunzi wouldn't win, but he was afraid of getting into trouble again.

Feng Xiuhu gave a perfunctory reply and casually asked, "We're still in Yu'ai Prefecture, which is originally the parish of the Church of the Night. How come the Church of War is the more powerful one in Funas City?"

Fang Youliu thought for a moment and said, "You only know that industrial technology came from the Western Continent, but you don't know that among the five great Western empires, there is only one that is called the 'Industrial Country', and that is the Hertoze Empire."

"It's not that the other four countries didn't have industrial systems. The reason the Khletozze Empire could be called that is because its heavy industry was the most developed—and heavy industry is the cornerstone of all industrial production."

"The city of Funas you see now actually has many of the characteristics of the Heretozhe Empire. This entire city was built up by the Heretozhe Empire, so even within the parish of the Church of the Night, the power here is still in the hands of the Church of War."

Feng Xiuhu was indeed unfamiliar with this matter. He touched the bridge of his nose and said, "I thought the Heretoz Empire, which worshipped the god of war, was full of warmongering fanatics."

(End of this chapter)