Era of Magic and Martial Arts-Chapter 202 - 186: I’ll Keep My Eyes on Him Until Death

"Sis, how could I not care about my nephew? He's my only one. I've pulled some strings with the Patrol Office, but there's been a big case in the city recently, so they might not be able to spare many people for now."

"But sis, don't worry. No news at all is not necessarily the worst news."

"Alright, sis, stop crying. I understand. I'll go over to the school after work to ask around. Did you stay up all night again? Go get some sleep. If you exhaust yourself, how can you go out looking for Aomori?"

Chang Wei irritably hung up the phone, rubbed his stiff cheeks hard, then looked at Tian Tao with bloodshot eyes, his voice hoarse: "How's it going?"

Tian Tao replied, "As you instructed, the duty roster has been arranged."

Chang Wei nodded, sinisterly saying, "That kid's resume shows he's quite capable. If there's no exaggeration in his resume, then even combined, the two of us aren't enough to take him down. A few prisoners might not really handle him."

Upon hearing this, Tian Tao's tone turned serious: "I understand. I'll keep him so busy over the next few days that he won't be able to close his eyes."

"Heh, run him ragged for four or five days; unless he's made of iron, even the toughest will turn to noodles. How much strength can he still muster?"

Tian Tao paused, then said slyly: "Even if that's not enough, didn't you put an extra layer of insurance?"

Chang Wei furrowed his brow and then relaxed, saying quietly, "Couldn't hide it from you."

Tian Tao laughed with a hesitant expression: "But why insist on using Wang Cong? Wouldn't a more obedient person be better?"

Chang Wei said gloomily, "Because Wang Cong's genuinely been bullied by you all for half a year. Using him to get close to Feng Mu is the easiest way to gain sympathy and trust, no need for him to act. If we use our own people, it's hard to replicate this effect."

Tian Tao suddenly realized, giving Chang Wei a thumbs up: "But, can we guarantee Wang Cong doesn't resent us? What if he secretly tells Feng Mu, wouldn't that...?"

Chang Wei sneered: "Precisely because he resents us, he's less likely to tell Feng Mu. He'll be more committed to helping us, unless he wants to keep living like before, being bullied."

Chang Wei's gaze turned profound, as if dragged into painful and unforgettable memories from the past. His voice was deep and philosophical, reflecting:

"People who are long bullied are like this: when they meet another newcomer being bullied, instead of banding together, they try every way to transfer their own pain onto the newcomer, using the newcomer as a stepping stone to climb out of their own mire. For this, they won't hesitate to become accomplices of their former oppressors."

Tian Tao was stunned; he hadn't expected his superior to be so insightful about human nature. However, Tian Tao's guess was not accurate; Chang Wei wasn't insightful about human nature, but about himself.

What he saw in Wang Cong was a reflection of his former self!

"Alright, I have to run over to the school. Don't go home this week, stay in Zone B and keep an eye on him." Chang Wei waved and walked out in his civilian clothes.

Tian Tao straightened up, replying loudly and determinedly: "Yes, rest assured, I'll watch him like a hawk!"

...

Zone B.

The newly appointed section chief, Song Heng, was transferred from Zone C because no one wanted to take Li Bashan's place in Zone B.

Zhou Hu promoted two people in succession, but both refused.

These days, there are actually people unwilling to be promoted. Zhou Hu was furious and amused all at once, while deep down, he harbored a stronger apprehension towards Li Bashan.

Zhou Hu absolutely wouldn't allow any coalition or insubordination among his subordinates. If there were any small factions defying orders, they must be crushed. Incidentally, Warden Qian Huan thought exactly the same as he.

Thus, human nature is just double standards.

At this moment, Song Heng gazed sullenly at Li Bashan: "I asked you to do the night shift, didn't you hear?"

Li Bashan had already changed out of his uniform. He lowered his head, looking down at Song Heng from above, his voice deep and rumbling: "I heard."

Song Heng's height was 1.7 meters, barely reaching Li Bashan's chest. He felt as though he was engulfed by an intimidating shadow. Suddenly, he understood why the colleagues in Zone B were unwilling to replace Li Bashan.

Were they unwilling? Clearly, they were afraid.

"A bunch of gutless cowards."

Song Heng snorted contemptuously inwardly, bravely meeting Li Bashan's fierce gaze, gritting his teeth and speaking with forced composure: "You heard, yet why did you leave your post without permission?"

Li Bashan's eyes were as calm as an ancient well, showing not a ripple. His voice was deep and robust, coming as though from the depths of his chest: "It's time, I need to go back to the dojo to eat. I have to bring food for my junior tomorrow."

Song Heng, in his rage, laughed ironically: "Eat? Do you really think eating is more important than work? You're defying my order, aren't you?"

Li Bashan looked at Song Heng as if he were a fool, responding bluntly: "Yes, eating is most important."

At this point, several prison guards quickly stepped forward, trying to ease the tense atmosphere. They smiled and persuaded:

"Ah, Section Chief, don't be angry, we're willing to cover for Brother Bashan. The prison's regulations don't explicitly forbid colleagues from covering each other's shifts, right?"

Song Heng's face darkened as he was about to refuse, but suddenly felt a chill run from his heel to his scalp, swallowing the words before they escaped his throat.

Only then did Li Bashan seem to realize Song Heng's intentions. He asked in a deep voice: "You don't want me to eat?"

Song Heng felt as though he was being watched by a terrifying beast, instinctively sensing immense fear. Even the uniform symbolizing authority and status couldn't fend off the terror arising from his soul.

This fear was akin to the time he escorted a group of prisoners to a Hidden Sect, where, through thick fog, he glimpsed a colossal creature enshrouded in chains of dense metal alloy.

Regardless of the fog or the creature being chained, he still felt a chill to his bones recalling it.

Of course, Song Heng thought Li Bashan couldn't match that giant beast, but the problem was, Li Bashan wasn't chained.

"Damn, why would a dangerous guy like him be a prison guard? Shouldn't he be locked up with the heavy criminals in the water dungeon?"

Song Heng involuntarily shivered, his eyes falling on the wooden bucket Li Bashan carried, the fragrant aroma of oil causing his Adam's apple to involuntarily bob.

He sneered coldly, viciously saying: "A total glutton, never mind. You not doing your shift saves the prison a significant amount of expense on food. Hurry home to eat, and make sure you're full when you show up tomorrow—don't go wasting our prison's meals."

...