Madmen don't keep diaries

Chapter 16: A Madhouse Without Madmen
The two continued walking along the street.

Hollis Wu pointed to the large chimney on the other side of Broken Wave Bridge and said, "We brought industry from the Western Continent and helped the countries of the Eastern Continent build factories one after another. The operation of these factories depends on a large number of workers."

"The factory can't stop running, so the workers can't rest either - this is as it should be, because they have jobs and money, and they should be grateful for this era."

“But just as gears wear out and screws rust, problems can arise with workers.”

"Not only do they not appreciate their jobs, but they complain about the hard work, claiming it's too stressful and causing them to break down. Unable to adapt to their jobs, they blame their hard-earned work for insomnia, hair loss, and madness."

"But it's also true that many people have gone crazy."

Hollis Wu shrugged. "But if they don't do it, there are plenty of people who will—actually, these people themselves can't bear to give up their jobs, so when they get sick, they ask their families to take over. Of course, the factory is generous, and vacant positions will be given priority to their families."

"But those who were replaced weren't so lucky. Their families didn't have time to care for the patients, so insane asylums came into being."

"The President was the first to foresee this situation, so he opened insane asylums in major cities under the guise of compassion for the kingdom. The insane asylums' nurses would help care for the patients and provide a free meal every day—all for a monthly fee of two strings of copper beads."

"This price was a bargain for every worker. Compared to caring for the insane at home, the insane asylum was clearly more cost-effective. So, in order to save money, many workers chose to send healthy people with no income at home to the asylum as well."

"Not only did the asylum accept all the insane people, but because the asylum was overcrowded, it even established a new rule - giving priority to normal people."

Feng Xiuhu grinned - how fresh, there are no crazy people in the mental hospital.

Hollis Wu couldn't help but sneer: "If you enter a place like that, even a madman will be driven crazy."

"But it was also at this time that the church finally realized that the philanthropy of this shrewd president might not be so pure."

"After our investigation, we discovered that the asylum was filled with portraits of the president. Every day after meals and before bed, the inmates were forced to recite hymns about the president. Anyone who sang the wrong words or was not sincere enough would be punished."

Feng Xiuhu secretly complained in his heart - this president is so narcissistic.

Hollis Wu glanced at Feng Xiuhu and said, "The President is stealing faith right under the nose of the church. The lunatic asylum is just his tool."

“That’s why what happened later happened.”

"We need a legitimate reason to close the asylum."

"As you can see, this is how Fancheng did it. They sent an insignificant scapegoat to sneak in, draw the magic circle, and then die inside. Finally, the Divine Guards came forward to confirm the crime."

"The plan was a success. The only flaw was that the scapegoat didn't die. Bless you, Mist. You're such a lucky guy."

"I guess there's something wrong with the magic circle Luo Mengzhang gave you."

"What's the problem?" Feng Xiuhu asked.

Hollis Wu smiled and shook his head: "Who knows?"

"Maybe the array base is wrong, or maybe the rune is wrong."

"But what is certain is that the magic circle failed to produce the desired effect - I mean, even the most basic sacrifice link failed to function successfully. Logically speaking, Luo Mengzhang should not have made such a low-level mistake."

"What if," Feng Xiuhu rolled his eyes, "I mean, what if that magic circle really summons an evil god?"

Hollis Wu laughed heartily. "Well, first of all, you can't stand here and tell me this kind of joke. Luo Meng Zhang might make stupid mistakes, but he's not that stupid. The totem in the center of the magic circle represents its direction. To prevent you from actually summoning something, Luo Meng Zhang must have given you a random, erroneous totem, or a blank one."

Feng Xiuhu thought about it and realized that it was indeed blank.

Hollis Wu changed the subject: "Let's get back to the point. So I don't think Luo Meng Zhang would commit suicide out of fear of punishment. What do you think?"

"To be honest, I didn't see it clearly." Feng Xiuhu was very honest.

Hollis Wu was almost used to Feng Xiuhu saying such incomprehensible things. He waved his hand and said, "I believe Luo Mengzhang's disappearance has nothing to do with you. Or rather, I believe it's him—you don't have that ability."

He glanced at Feng Xiuhu apologetically and said, "Forgive my bluntness, but this is the truth. If he wanted to crush you to death, it would be as easy as crushing a bug." Feng Xiuhu nodded and said, "Luo Mengzhang must have thought the same."

"It seems we have reached a consensus." Hollis Wu smiled slightly. "Then the question is, why did you send people to keep an eye on us in the temple?"

Feng Xiuhu scratched his stubble. "Luo Meng Zhang still owes me a favor. I need to know when he'll show up. If he keeps disappearing, I'm going to take down that painting in the church and sell it."

Hollis Wu: "...Which one?"

"The one at the door of the study." Feng Xiuhu replied.

Hollis Wu smiled and said, "God leads the way to break the waves. Good vision."

As they were talking and walking, Hollis Wu looked up and found that they had arrived at the foot of the Broken Wave Bridge wall. He had been led forward by Feng Xiuhu and had not realized that they had walked so far.

"Where are you going?"

Hollis Wu asked subconsciously.

"I'm going home, what about you?" Feng Xiuhu pointed to the platform leading to the elevator of the village building not far away.

Hollis Wu's eyes twitched: "So I sent you home?"

Feng Xiuhu pointed to the doorway again and said, "Then we can go get the painting."

Hollis Wu's smile was stiff: "I'm afraid not. That painting is a unique one."

Feng Xiuhu was a little angry: "This is not okay, that is not okay, then what about Luo Mengzhang's debt to me?"

"Perhaps after you find Luo Mengzhang, you can ask him this question in person."

"Let's stop chatting. I'm going to take a shower." Feng Xiuhu waved his hand.

Hollis Wu looked at Feng Xiuhu with a complicated expression. It seemed that the rumors were true.

He sighed inwardly, patted his chest and said goodbye: "Goodbye, squad leader."

Feng Xiuhu turned around and left.

……

After returning to his room, he didn't wait long before footsteps were heard outside the door and Shunzi pushed the door open.

Seeing Shunzi coming back, Feng Xiuhu felt relieved.

He knew that he had passed this hurdle.

Shunzi was relieved when he saw Feng Xiuhu: "Brother, you scared me. When I saw the priest coming back alone, I thought..."

Feng Xiuhu waved his hand to signal him not to say anything more: "How is Sanmazi?"

"I sent him home to take care of him."

Shunzi replied, "I don't think he will be able to come tomorrow to collect the offering silver."

Feng Xiuhu was stunned: "Collecting the offering silver?"

Shunzi nodded. "We'll sweep the lower city area tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, and then go to the lower city area the day after tomorrow. It's about this time every month."

Feng Xiuhu suddenly became excited - this was a field he had never been exposed to before.

(End of this chapter)