Madmen don't keep diaries

Chapter 527, 526: Variables in the Story

Things have been resolved.

The Self-Conscious Association and Black Third Sister wanted to lure Abbot out to kill him, but Abbot didn't fall for it and planned to kill Black Third Sister first to vent his anger.

That's how the scene of the police "suppressing bandits" that Feng Xiuhu and his companions saw outside the city came about.

Feng Xiuhu raised his eyebrows: "So you let those two imposters outside continue to impersonate me and recruit bandits, also to weaken Hei Sanniang's power?"

Abbott laughed heartily: "It's not a weakening. Hei San Niang's prestige in the Copper Whistle Gang is far higher than you imagine. Most of those attracted by 'Ma Er Ye San's' reputation are low-class江湖人 (jianghu people). Whether they are there or not, it doesn't have much impact on Hei San Niang."

"The reason I let those two continue doing this was actually to give myself an extra layer of security."

Fang Youliu raised his eyelids: "Are you worried that Hei Sanniang will resort to desperate measures and take a risky move?"

Abbott gave a thumbs up: "Such keen insight, no wonder you're Mr. Ma's partner—what's your name again?"

Fang Youliu rolled his eyes and turned his head to one side.

Abbott was also a little embarrassed and looked back at Feng Xiuhu: "I will not step out of Fornas City until Hei Sanniang is captured, so the only thing I need to worry about right now is that she will come to the city to find me."

"So I need those江湖人 (jianghu people) to be my eyes. Perhaps they are not qualified bodyguards, or even cowards, but at least they can distinguish who are their 'kind'—this ability is unmatched even by all the Divine Guards tied together."

Feng Xiuhu nodded silently. This was indeed a good idea. Everyone was just trying to make a living on Feisha Road. If Hei Sanniang really led the bandits into the city, they might be recognized by "acquaintances".

After telling the story, Abbott looked at Feng Xiuhu with expectant eyes: "Mr. Ma, I believe you can feel my sincerity."

Feng Xiuhu exhaled a column of smoke: "Let me be your bodyguard?"

Abbott immediately denied it: "Of course not."

He immediately smiled and said, "I want to be your friend, and I will offer you my sincerest friendship."

Feng Xiuhu smiled enigmatically: "Since you've heard about my deeds in Qianyu City, you must know what I've done to foreigners and the government."

Abbott laughed and said, "Do you think I'm a stupid fool who doesn't know how to think? Only short-sighted scoundrels would believe such rumors spread by hearsay."

He looked at Feng Xiuhu sincerely: "You are a powerful cultivator. Your vision and principles are on a completely different level from those of us ordinary people."

Abbott shook his head and said, “The so-called killing of foreigners—are you inherently prejudiced against us Westerners? The so-called fighting against the government—are you inherently hostile to officials? That’s obviously impossible. Nothing happens without a reason, so I firmly believe that all your actions have a cause.”

Feng Xiuhu did not comment, but his words struck a chord with Shunzi, who slammed his hand on the table—bang!

Abbott was startled, his emotions interrupted, and stared at Shunzi in astonishment.

Shunzi was so excited she was almost incoherent: "That's right! That damn Wells, he was the one who harassed Sister Asheng first! And the government office—"

Shunzi paused for a moment, then realized that Feng Xiuhu was staring at him with a stern face. He then realized that he had gotten too excited, so he lowered his head and sat down again.

Feng Xiuhu looked at Abbott and said, "You're right. I don't look down on foreigners. There are good people and bad people among foreigners. I understand that, but that doesn't mean I'm willing to do things for you."

"You should be glad you've behaved well so far, because I originally came here tonight to settle scores with you, but I'll let it slide since you've been so nice—of course, don't let those two imposters swagger around with my name on their behalf again."

Abbott raised his hands and said with a wry smile, "I can tell this is an order, so of course I have no right to refuse."

His submissive attitude made Feng Xiuhu realize a sad fact—due to the spread and misinterpretation of rumors, he seemed to have become a certain fixed and one-sided image in the eyes of different people.

To those in the martial arts world, he was like a valiant and ruthless bandit, specializing in causing trouble for government officials and foreigners; while to the government officials and foreigners, he was a mysterious cultivator of extraordinary status, with intricate connections to the temple. Yet, no one ever truly regarded him as a passing traveler—as if he always came to any place with some ulterior motive.

Driven by this stubborn and complex psychology, Feng Xiuhu was not pleased with Abbott's compliance: "Why did you agree so quickly?"

Abbott was stunned: "Otherwise what?"

Feng Xiuhu pointed at the Divine Guards around him: "You have so many men, and I only have three. Can't you threaten me again?"

Abbott was stunned, and even suspected that Feng Xiuhu was just looking for a reason to take action.

Fang Youliu, however, saw things more clearly. He quickly nudged Shunzi, saying, "Stop him! He's about to have another attack."

Abbott replied cautiously, "Mr. Ma, I'm not stupid. Since you dared to barge in so openly, it means you must also have the confidence to leave unscathed. To be honest, I don't think the advantage is on my side."

Shunzi stepped forward and stopped Feng Xiuhu on the shoulder: "Brother, why bother arguing with him about this? We've already made things clear, so there's no need to waste any more words."

He half-coaxed and half-persuaded Feng Xiuhu and pushed him out.

Feng Xiuhu's anger came out of nowhere. Abbott just thought the man was unpredictable and lost all interest in keeping them there, watching them leave.

The Divine Guard soldiers blocking the doorway moved aside, and just as the three were about to leave—

Boom! !
A violent explosion suddenly rang out, and the entire factory seemed to shake.

The Divine Guards surrounded Abbot, isolating Feng Xiuhu and his two companions.

In his panic, Abbott instinctively looked at the three people at the door, only to find that Feng Xiuhu was also looking at him with a surprised and suspicious gaze.

Feng Xiuhu asked him, "What are you looking at?"

Abbott's mind raced: "No, it's not you."

He immediately understood the situation; this matter had nothing to do with Feng Xiuhu and his group.

Otherwise, there would be no need to wait until now.

The guest room was well soundproofed, but the commotion outside could still be faintly heard—a mixture of dense gunfire and screams from the crowd.

Feng Xiuhu also heard the gunshots—at first he thought it was an explosion somewhere in the factory, but now it seems that's not the case.

Shunzi tried to touch the gun, but missed again—this was the third time.

"Brother, let's retreat first."

Shunzi said in a deep voice.

Feng Xiuhu ignored Abbott and gestured to Shunzi and Fang Youliu: "Go out and take a look."

The three left the room and quickly crossed the corridor along the way they had come.

When they returned to the lobby on the second floor, they found it in complete chaos.

(End of this chapter)