Lu Mingfei, who had read Dragon Clan before slaying the dragon

Lu Mingfei had observed that in this Internet cafe, apart from the weirdo Old Tang who brought him to play StarCraft and asked for a second seat, most of the other people who came to the Internet would choose to sit in an empty corner and huddle there, as if they extremely didn't want anyone to be interested in them, and they ignored what others were saying. Even if Old Tang kept complaining loudly and kicked the bottle loudly, he couldn't attract many people's attention.

Everyone was afraid that someone would spy on their inner secrets, and every hunter seemed to be a lone walker in the dark.

Only this woman chose the seat opposite him. She said that she was a public figure and she even covered her face on purpose. It was obvious that she didn't want to deal with others.

Then why did she ignore all the empty seats in the Internet cafe and choose to sit opposite him?

It couldn't be that he was attracted to his looks, right? Come on, he's not Caesar without clothes, with chest muscles that make people unable to look away.

He always felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't put it into words. He felt like the scientist in "The Three-Body Problem" whose consciousness and thinking were imprisoned by the sophon. He seemed to have vaguely grasped something, just one step away from success, but he just couldn't break through the thin mist-like barrier.

At this time, the news from the college came back.

[The computer across from you had been on for 53 minutes as of our investigation, and had been watching an American movie, "The Truman Show." Other than that, there was no browsing history. As for the computer at the front desk of the internet cafe, her identity information wasn't displayed. Internet users in this internet cafe don't need to access their identity information. Only her Hunter ID, TPEX12138, is displayed.]

Lu Mingfei silently repeated the long message from the academy several times until he could memorize it word for word. He had almost gotten enough information, and since he didn't know when Old Tang would wake up, he decided to cut off contact with the academy.

Thank you. I'm going to wake up my companion, Professor.

【The mission went smoothly.】

Four large white characters remained on the screen for three seconds before disappearing. The dark background of the screen lit up again, revealing the familiar main interface of Interstellar.

Lu Mingfei's eyelids slightly raised, and his gaze stayed on the woman.

Is she watching The Truman Show?

I remember this is a very old movie, released in 1998.

Lu Mingfei has also seen it, and more than once. It is one of the classic representative works of black comedy.

The protagonist of the film, Truman, is the hero of a popular soap opera. Everything around him is fake, and his relatives and friends are all actors, but he himself knows nothing about it. The whole world is a virtual stage tailored for him, and what he thinks is a peaceful life is actually a reality show that thousands of viewers in front of the TV watch with relish.

The core of this film, which has won numerous international awards, seems to lie in this, using a virtual perfect world similar to "utopia" to symbolize the "bird in a cage" type of existential sadness.

The ending of the movie is that Truman finally walks out of this virtual world at all costs.

The first time Lu Mingfei saw it was during the arts and literature meeting in his junior high school class. The teacher showed this film to everyone. Lu Mingfei didn’t have much feeling at the time. He just thought the film was ridiculous.

How much does it cost just to put up a curtain that big and build a stage that big? And so many actors have to perform day after day, turning their lives into a drama. Isn't it tiring?

But ever since he had the dream about the future and received Chu Zihang's affirmative answer on that rainy night, Lu Mingfei had a completely different feeling when he watched the film again.

At that time, he seemed to have truly understood the profound meaning of this film that seemed like a comedy but was actually a tragedy...

Lu Mingfei's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden cry.

"What is it, sir?"

The woman opposite seemed to notice Lu Mingfei's gaze. She raised her head slightly, and her sunglasses reflected Lu Mingfei's face immersed in memories.

His thoughts were pulled back to reality. Lu Mingfei looked at the woman's dark sunglasses. He wondered what kind of eyes were underneath them. Were they looking at him at this moment?

He should be looking at himself.

"It's so big." Lu Mingfei said suddenly.

Chapter 99 Old Tang, danger!

"It's so big?" The woman was stunned, her body visibly froze. "What do you mean by big?"

Although the woman's entire face was covered, her eyebrows must be wrinkled under her sunglasses at this moment... Lu Mingfei thought.

"'Da Zi' means quiet in Chinese slang, so 'Hao Da Zi' means... so quiet." Lu Mingfei lied without blushing or beating his heart. "This internet cafe is really quiet, isn't it?"

The woman was stunned for a moment and then nodded slightly. Yes, the boy was right. It was quiet, really too quiet.

Hundreds of blacked-out screens reflected a colorless world. The few silent people hiding in the corners were as speechless as corpses. Outside the twisted door frame was a deep night like a black hole, as if one would be completely sucked in if they just glanced at it. It was so quiet that it felt like... death.

It seemed as if they were the only two living people left in this world.

"Well, it's very big, so big that it's unbelievable... I didn't expect that there is such slang in China, it's really interesting." I don't know if it was because of the word "big" that the woman finally laughed under her mask.

"A public figure like you who wraps himself up tightly when going out late at night must be a well-known celebrity, right?" Lu Mingfei asked with a smile and full of curiosity.

"This internet cafe isn't the place for casual conversation, little brother." The woman raised her dark sunglasses towards Lu Mingfei and shook her head slightly. "Don't you know that there's an unwritten but well-known rule among the hunters in the Chapman internet cafe? No one pries into other people's backgrounds here. Such behavior will be considered a provocation."

"Sorry, sorry." Lu Mingfei scratched his head. "I'm new here, and I don't really understand the rules here. Maybe I didn't express myself properly, but what I meant was, isn't bounty hunting a high-risk job? Since you're already a glamorous celebrity, many things should be readily available. Why do you choose to continue being a hunter?"

"Easy to get?" The woman smiled softly. "Don't make celebrities sound like gods. Celebrities haven't given me the freedom to have whatever I want. This identity is a shackle and a mask."

"Mask?" Lu Mingfei chewed on the word carefully.

"I can't get what I want with my celebrity status. This status is just a layer of skin that covers up my identity as a hunter." The woman said calmly.

"Celebrities can't get something that hunters can." Lu Mingfei nodded meaningfully. "How dangerous is that thing!"

"Why does it have to be something dangerous?" The woman shook her head gently. "I'm watching 'The Truman Show.' Have you heard of that movie? In it, the protagonist, Truman, is arguably the world's biggest star. But contrary to what you said, everything he wants in his life is almost unattainable. Lies and deception shroud his entire life. It's so sad. All he wants is..."

“It’s freedom.”

Lu Mingfei picked up the woman's words and gave the film a high evaluation. "I've heard of this movie and have seen it. It was shown once at a junior high school art performance, and then I found it and watched it myself. I've seen it three times in total, and each time it gives me a different feeling. It leaves a lasting impression. It's a very profound film!"

He really spoke from his heart.

"I didn't expect you, at your age, to be interested in such an old film." The woman sounded a little surprised. "People who like this movie must be great. If I hadn't met you here, I really would have liked to chat with you for a while."

"We can chat here too. We don't need to touch on other topics and just talk about this movie." Lu Mingfei made the invitation with a smile.

"I'm sorry, I don't plan to continue chatting. I don't have much time today. I just want to watch this movie again." The woman shook her head gently in refusal.

"Sorry, I was rude." Lu Mingfei apologized quickly.

He lowered his head and looked at the main page of StarCraft on the screen, but his eyes were unfocused and his thoughts were spinning in his mind.

Did they come to Hunter Internet Cafe just to watch a movie? That seemed to make sense.

Aren't Old Tang and I here to play StarCraft? Why can't others be allowed to watch the movie?

After all, she was a celebrity and stood out wherever she went. Judging from her tone, she had probably sneaked out to avoid her agent and paparazzi. If one wanted to review an old movie, Hunter Internet Cafe was indeed a very suitable place. It was very quiet here and no one would disturb them.

Could it be that I am really suspicious and thinking too much...

"Summer, summer quietly passed by, leaving behind a little secret, deep in my heart, I can't tell you~"

An abrupt ringtone suddenly rang out in the silent Internet cafe. The Internet cafe, which was originally as gloomy as a tomb, was suddenly filled with joyful and bright singing. The loud voices were like exploding spring thunder. It felt like being at a sad funeral. When everyone was grieving and crying, someone in a bright red skirt suddenly started singing and dancing joyfully. The atmosphere instantly became extremely awkward!

Lu Mingfei's body suddenly froze, and he covered his pocket with a stiff face.

Because the sound was from the cell phone in his pocket!

For a moment, the few remaining people in the Internet cafe all looked at him warily. Lu Mingfei quickly covered his black N96 with his hands and walked through the aisles with an embarrassed look on his face under the gaze of everyone, and ran out of the Internet cafe as if escaping.

The phone had been hung up halfway and then rang again, like a death curse. Lu Mingfei ran to the entrance of the alley and answered the unknown call, imitating his aunt's tone and cursing.

"Hey, someone's died in your family, why are you calling me in the middle of the night?"

"Oh, it's Mans who told me that you have something to ask of me and asked me to call you. Since I don't want to see you, just hang up." A familiar voice came from the other end of the phone.

Lu Mingfei was startled. This familiar tone and voice... He immediately realized who it was!

It was the remote foreign aid he applied for from the college, Nono!

"Don't hang up, don't hang up. I was wrong. Please forgive my mistakes. I really have something urgent to ask of you..."

"Who do you want to ask for help?" Nuonuo interrupted from the other end of the phone.

"Please...you." Lu Mingfei scratched his head.

"who am I?"

"Nunuo? Chen Motong? Master... Senior Sister?" Lu Mingfei muttered the last two words in a voice so soft that it was almost inaudible.

"Is this the attitude of someone asking for help? You can't even hear your title. Someone who doesn't know you would think you are talking in your sleep!" Nono on the other end of the phone snorted.

"Senior Sister!" Lu Mingfei gritted his teeth and shouted fiercely.

Damn it, this bad woman still succeeded!

"That's good." Nuonuo's tone was like coaxing a puppy, "If you have anything to ask of me, just tell me."

……

The night wind howled as it poured in from the dark alley. The entire alley was as gloomy as a road leading to the underworld. The wind was howling, and only the sign of the 'Chapman' Internet cafe in the depths was flashing with faint and jumping neon lights.

Lu Mingfei stood at the entrance of the underworld, holding up his mobile phone, and told Nuo Nuo all the details he could think of.

"...If what you said is true, your hunter friend in the Internet cafe... may have died." After a long silence, Nono said this, his tone unprecedentedly solemn and cold as ice!

Happy New Year everyone, I wish everyone all the best in the new year!

Don't worry, I won't hurt Old Tang!

Chapter 100 Slaughterhouse

"Damn, damn, damn!"

Lu Mingfei rushed from the alley to the Hunter Internet Cafe like a gust of wild wind. The black Nokia N96, which was as hard as a high-density brick, was squeezed by his iron-like hands and made a "crunching" sound.

Veins popped out on his forehead, his expression was somewhere between rage and annoyance, and his eyes were filled with deep worry.

Although he still didn't agree on many key points between these events, he knew from Nuonuo's words that his bad premonition was most likely... fulfilled!

He did something stupid!

He shouldn't have left the sleeping Old Tang alone in the Internet cafe. Since Old Tang accepted the mission from the "Skinner", then Old Tang would be the Skinner's next target!

That woman...her fundamental purpose of coming to the Internet cafe was not to watch movies, Old Tang was her target!

I actually left Old Tang alone in a room with that dangerous guy!

The moment Nuonuo said that, a strong ominous premonition exploded in Lu Mingfei's heart, but it was not what Nuonuo guessed. Lu Mingfei was not worried about Lao Tang's life safety. He didn't need to worry about the life and death of Dragon King Norton.

What Lu Mingfei was worried about was that if that reckless madman awakened another personality in Old Tang with his brutality...what if Old Tang was no longer Old Tang!

Even if he didn't completely transform into Dragon King Norton, and only recovered some of his memory and power, it would be a disaster for the entire block... no, it would be a disaster for the entire New York City!

Then Old Tang’s identity can no longer be concealed, and Lu Mingfei will be forced to be caught in the conflict between the Dragon Clan and the Secret Party. No matter which side the outcome is on, it will be a sacrifice for him!

"Old Tang!" Lu Mingfei rushed to the door of Hunter Internet Cafe like a meteor and roared anxiously inside.

If the Internet cafe before Lu Mingfei left was like a silent cemetery, then the Internet cafe now has completely become a dead zone. All the lights are dimmed and the whole world has lost its color. The air in the Internet cafe is so quiet that there is no sound at all. The few people who were left before seem to have disappeared without a trace.

There was also a strange smell in the air, which was fishy and pungent.

"Damn it, am I still too late?" Lu Mingfei punched the door frame next to him. The door frame, which was already tilted, was smashed to pieces by his punch and fell down completely. The huge noise sounded like an explosion in the quiet environment.

Anger and ferocity appeared on Lu Mingfei's face.

"Hmm... is there a power outage? Why is it so dark?" A murmur came from the dark corner of the Internet cafe, followed by a rustling sound of groping.

"Mingming...Mingming? Are you standing there, Mingming?" A familiar voice asked towards the door.

"Old Tang?" Lu Mingfei was stunned when he heard the voice. The anger and ferocity quickly disappeared from his face, replaced by a look of surprise and deep surprise.

Old Tang followed the faint light from the door and walked between the tables, chairs and benches. Lu Mingfei, who was standing at the door, pulled him out of the Internet cafe. In the bright moonlight hanging high in the sky, he circled around Old Tang carefully, looking him up and down, as if he was giving him a full-body health check.

"Are you okay, Old Tang?"

Lu Mingfei didn't seem to find any hard protrusions like scales or bone spurs on Old Tang's body. The eyes under his happy eyebrows were still brown as usual and did not turn into dazzling gold. It seemed that Old Tang was still an ordinary "human".

"Mingming, are you okay?" Old Tang looked at Lu Mingfei suspiciously, who didn't know what he was doing. It was just a dream, and they didn't see each other, so why did it seem like they were parting forever?

"I'm glad you're okay!" Lu Mingfei let out a long breath, and along with it, the deep worry and fear lurking in his heart.

Of course, Old Tang couldn't understand what Lu Mingfei was thinking at the moment.

Lu Mingfei thought, it feels so good to hug someone, warm and intimate. If it was a dragon in his arms, it would always feel hard and cold, and it might even open its bloody mouth and spit fire at you!

"Mingming, did you just go...to kill someone?" However, Old Tang in Lu Mingfei's arms did not respond to his hug. Old Tang whispered in his ear in a horrifying tone.

"What do you mean?" Lu Mingfei let go of Old Tang, his brows furrowed in confusion at this sentence.

"Your hand..." Old Tang turned his head, his eyes fixed on Lu Mingfei's hand on his shoulder, as if there was something strange there that made him unable to look away.

"Hmm?" Lu Mingfei followed Old Tang's gaze and looked at his own hands.

Under the bright and clear moonlight, the red color on Lu Mingfei's hand was dazzlingly bright, like the brightest red rose in a bush. The pungent smell of blood hit his face, and blood beads slid down his hand and soaked the blue coat on Lao Tang's shoulders. The blood bloomed like a flower.

“Damn it…” Lu Mingfei took back his hand that was on Old Tang’s shoulder and carefully looked at the crimson on his fingertips in the cold moonlight.

I just went out to make a phone call and didn't even come into contact with anyone during that time. Where did the blood come from on my hands?

Lu Mingfei put his palm to the tip of his nose and sniffed. The smell of blood was very strong and very heady, and it was also hot and humid. This was blood that had just left the body not long ago and there was no sign of drying up!