Era of Magic and Martial Arts-Chapter 260 - 244: Longing

Beep beep beep—

Qian Huan’s gaze lingered on the incoming call display on his phone for a few seconds, with a hint of surprise and contemplation on his face.

He slowly answered the call, and the sound of Wang Cong’s voice in his ear made his heart relax. Confirming that it was indeed Wang Cong, he slightly adjusted his emotions, his tone gradually becoming gentle:

"Wang Cong, it’s good to hear you’re okay."

On the other end of the line, Wang Cong had the speaker on. He glanced at Feng Mu, who wore a half-smile, and then forced a dry voice from the corner of his mouth, saying:

"Warden, did something happen?"

Qian Huan could naturally hear the distance in Wang Cong’s tone, but he was indifferent and said:

"Something happened to Chang Wei’s family. His sister died, and Chang Wei himself is missing, his life or death uncertain, so I... am really worried about you." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Some words don’t need to be spoken clearly. Wang Cong understood immediately and subconsciously glanced at Feng Mu, then pretended to be terrified, saying:

"Warden, do you suspect this has something to do with Feng Mu?"

Qian Huan indeed had this suspicion; otherwise, why would he call Wang Cong, if not to suspect the latter had also been harmed?

But he couldn’t say it like that. Qian Huan pondered for a moment, sighed, and said:

"I’m not sure. After all, Feng Mu has a perfect alibi, so I can’t jump to conclusions. However, you’re the person who knows Feng Mu best in the Second Prison. What do you think?"

Wang Cong stared straight at Feng Mu, who winked at him with a playful expression.

Perhaps it was because of the heart replaced by the one Feng Mu implanted in him, but Wang Cong felt that even without words, just one look could convey the other’s meaning to him.

Wang Cong took a deep, cold breath into the microphone, his voice suddenly growing urgent:

"Warden, I’m finding it hard to understand Feng Mu now, but I think this matter definitely involves him. Warden, what should I do now? Will Feng Mu... do something to me?"

Qian Huan heard Wang Cong’s alertness and anxiety, and, feeling secretly satisfied, interrupted his panicked speculation, speaking in a heartfelt manner:

"Wang Cong, you can’t randomly accuse without evidence. Besides, aren’t you fine now? So, don’t be too afraid. Stay calm."

Wang Cong controlled the movement of his Adam’s apple, producing several sounds of swallowing hard.

Through the phone, Qian Huan could hear the fear in Wang Cong’s heart. A contemptuous smile appeared on his face, yet he sounded more concerned as he said:

"Since nothing happened to you, it suggests that Feng Mu may not have done it, or he may not suspect you at least."

Wang Cong stuttered, saying, "But I really did it, Feng Mu will find out sooner or later. No, no, Feng Mu must already suspect me."

Qian Huan’s voice immediately turned serious: "Don’t worry, you’re different from Chang Wei. You’re doing things for me, so I’ll protect you. Don’t worry, tomorrow morning I’ll talk to Feng Mu."

Without waiting for Wang Cong to speak, Qian Huan sighed again and continued:

"I deliberately didn’t see you this afternoon for your own good. With so many people in prison and something just happening at the crematorium, if you came to see me right away, wouldn’t it expose you as my man in others’ eyes?"

Wang Cong forced a smile, his tone apologetic: "I’m sorry, Warden, I wasn’t thinking it through at the time."

Qian Huan generously said: "It’s alright, exposure might be a good thing. This way, if anyone wants to bully or retaliate against you, they might be a bit wary."

Wang Cong was so grateful he was almost moved to tears, expressing his appreciation to the warden freely.

Qian Huan laughed, "Anyway, since you’re my man, you don’t have to fear anyone. I won’t let anyone touch you."

Wang Cong seemed inspired by the warden’s strong confidence, responding enthusiastically: "I understand, Warden."

On the other end of the line, Qian Huan’s face was cold. Though he smiled wryly, he said, "Come to my office tomorrow morning, I have something to tell you."

"Yes!"

Wang Cong loudly obeyed, waiting for Qian Huan to hang up first before putting down his phone. He then turned to Feng Mu with a cold smile:

"Back then, the warden seduced me to betray you like this. How ridiculous that he thinks he can fool me twice?"

Feng Mu understood Wang Cong’s inner resentment but didn’t agree with Wang Cong’s approach. He retorted: "Why can’t you be fooled twice?"

Wang Cong froze, then heard Feng Mu continue:

"If he’s willing to fool you, it means you still have value. So this time, you should not only be fooled by him but also completely trust and follow him!"

Wang Cong pondered, and after becoming a Calamity Corpse, his thinking became colder and more rational.

He said, "What if the warden asks me to deal with you?"

Feng Mu grinned, his tone completely flat: "Listen to him. Do as he says."

Wang Cong didn’t fully understand, but since Feng Mu said so, he would comply unconditionally.

Feng Mu casually explained: "Our warden seems to lack a sense of security, which makes him very controlling. So let’s create the illusion that he’s in control of everything."

Wang Cong nodded knowingly: "I understand."

Feng Mu stood up from the sofa, walking out while saying: "When you go to the warden’s office tomorrow, you’ll have the chance to propose your plan to him."

Wang Cong’s eyes lit up, now slightly understanding the fundamental reason for Feng Mu’s insistence on this plan. It had also become his aspiration.

Not to climb higher, not to create profit, but for... an endless supply of nutritious, high-quality food.

Wang Cong licked his lips, his eyes filled with the hunger of a feast, but of course, the premise was that Feng Mu had to eat his fill first!!!

....

April 26, Tuesday.

The lights of Upper City turned on punctually, dispelling the night, and Lower City was once again bathed in Bright.

Qin Liang, not yet sober from his hangover, endured a headache, skipped breakfast, and left early, driving to the prison.

He hurriedly changed into his uniform in the locker room, then rushed to Light Supervision Area A, asking several night-shift prison guards who were preparing to hand over shifts:

"Did anything happen last night?"

The guards looked puzzled for a moment and shook their heads: "Nothing happened."

Qin Liang frowned: "Really? Nothing at all?"

The guards thought for a second before answering: "Oh, Captain Tian Tao beat a disobedient prisoner to death again, but that’s nothing, right?"

Qin Liang felt a slight relief, but then a wave of inexplicable anxiety washed over him, prompting him to ask urgently: "Where’s Tian Tao? Where is Tian Tao?"

The two guards didn’t quite understand why Qin Liang was so tense but answered honestly: "Captain Tian Tao should be asleep in the duty room now."

Qin Liang’s heart tightened. Without saying more, he quickly walked towards the duty room, the two guards following him, confused.

The hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor, halting abruptly at the duty room door.

The door was ajar, letting out a small finger’s width of light, inside it was dim, without lighting or any unusual smell, so quiet that everything seemed normal.

However, this tranquility uniquely exuded an unsettling eeriness.

Qin Liang stood at the threshold, seemingly nailed to the spot, reluctant to push the door and enter.

"Why not go in?"

A guard stepped out from behind him, asking while gently pushing the door open...