Dual wielding volcanoes, killing through the west

"I need to confirm first whether I can give you what you want."

Zhang Renfeng's expression was very serious. Although he usually didn't care about hierarchy or act like a gang leader in the camp, he still acted like one when it mattered.

By forgoing the huge bounty that was within reach and openly breaking ties with the Pinkerton detectives when they found the camp, it's clear that Angel Eyes isn't after money.

Of course, not many of those willing to associate with Hongzhong were actually after money. But the sudden appearance of this person still struck him as somewhat strange.

"If not, then I'm sorry, I'll have to ask you to find another job."

……

"You know what? Even now, standing across from you, looking at you like this... I still can't believe you're a real person."

Zhang Renfeng was puzzled by the heavyweight statement he made right from the start. Whether it was Gwen or this guy in front of him, why did he keep encountering such heavyweight people every day? What did he mean by that?

“…What?” Zhang Renfeng’s brows furrowed tightly as he tried to calm his tone. “What kind of image do you have of me?”

Surprisingly, Angel Eyes didn't answer the question; instead, he steered the conversation back to the original question.

That is, his motivation for joining the group.

"I want to feel it."

"Huh?" Zhang Renfeng was completely dumbfounded. "Could you... explain it again in a way I can understand? What does it feel like?"

"Excitement, exhilaration, anger, joy, sadness, numbness, pain... anything is fine." Angel Eyes pointed to his head, a smile appearing on his face, his heterochromatic eyes, as bright as stars, widened to their maximum. "I want to become human."

Zhang Renfeng was utterly shocked. This was one of the few times he had been rendered speechless by another person's remarks.

"What do you mean? Aren't you human?"

“I am a ‘disabled’ person, at least, that’s how most people see it,” Angel Eyes explained calmly. “Compared to ordinary people, I have no emotions. I can’t feel the joy of gain or the pain of loss.”

“I’ve tried many methods, but none of them worked. I’ve heard that killing someone can produce emotions such as guilt, anxiety, and pain, and can even affect the body, causing nausea and vomiting. But I’ve tried many times, and it doesn’t seem to stir much emotion in my heart.”

"But I believe you can help me do it, you can help me become human again. I've been observing you from the shadows for so long, and you always make choices that catch me off guard. Even if an ordinary person makes such a choice, they wouldn't be able to complete the journey. Only you can do it."

“…” Zhang Renfeng remained silent for a long time. This was probably the most abstract reason for joining the team that he had ever seen.

Not for money, not for fame, but only for his own "pleasure." In a sense, his motivation for joining the team was the purest.

After a long while, Zhang Renfeng sighed.

The world is vast and full of wonders; you'll get used to it.

----

“As you can see, as Mike just said, I’m facing a war.” Zhang Renfeng tapped the corner of the map. “Including you, we have eight people here, while the other side has at least 1,500. In your opinion, how should I rescue Igor and Jimmy?”

"..."

Angel Eyes didn't speak, but stared at Zhang Renfeng for a long time with his strange, shimmering eyes.

The deceptive power of those eyes is so strong. He just stands there, staring at you without saying a word, and you can hardly tell whether he's daydreaming or thinking.

Then, what he said made Zhang Renfeng tremble deeply in his heart.

"From the moment you heard the news, you never intended to save people and run away."

Angel Eyes said calmly, "What you want is the territory of these 'Three Horses'."

"I can help you get them all."

Chapter 325: The Red Center Gang, Raid!

Cigarette butts were scattered all over the ground.

Theon chain-smoked, but he didn’t enjoy it at all. He mechanically put the cigarette butt in his mouth, took a couple of puffs, spat it out, and then stomped it on the ground.

This small team, returning from their expedition to Windhaven, had hoped to get back to camp and have a good rest. However, as soon as they stepped into White Torch Town, they were met with a crushing blow.

Mike naturally wouldn't hide such a big thing from them and told them everything.

This also includes Igor's true identity.

“Look on the bright side, he already knew you had a feud with the Zolael family.” Caloway offered a strange form of comfort from a detached perspective. “At least he didn’t poison your food. If it were me, I might have.”

“Mr. Callaway?” Little May pouted in dissatisfaction. “What are you talking about? Of course Igor wouldn’t do that!”

"That proves he's not the kind of bad guy in the traditional sense, doesn't it?" Calaway's tone shifted, seemingly speaking to May, but actually aimed directly at Theon. "Real bad guys have no bottom line and won't let any opportunity slip by. In this world, it's always better to have one less enemy than one more. Besides, that guy is a clever dwarf, physically disadvantaged, so he can only kill in this way... The more nights you eat and live with him, the more opportunities he'll have to kill you."

"But he didn't."

"..." Theon did not answer, still leaning against the corner of the wall, his head slightly tilted back, looking at the sky.

Upon joining the Red Center gang, the first person he saw was Igor, who was left alone in the camp. He wondered if he'd come to the wrong place; how could the ruthless Red Center gang have a dwarf? Did the Red Center have some peculiar fetish, keeping these strange people around?

Later, as he got to know him better, he began to sense that this dwarf was unusual.

Mike, as a strategist, is more like a tactical strategist. He uses his rich experience in combat to allocate personnel and maximize combat effectiveness.

He had seen many gangs with similar figures in charge, usually older and more respected individuals. Otherwise, relying solely on the leader's enthusiasm and constant stream of ideas, without anyone to keep them in check, could easily lead the gang to its demise.

But Igor is a strategist in the "strategic" sense, a type of person that is rarely seen in ordinary gangs.

He accurately predicted the power vacuum left by Wendigo's downfall and seized this opportunity to transform the Red Center's great victory into real influence by supporting Dunn's rise to power! Simply being good at fighting isn't real skill; in the end, one remains a nobody. Only by truly grasping the power to give orders can one achieve real success.

Currently, the Pinkerton detectives are being kept out, largely thanks to Ego.

Theon wasn't stupid; he had a premonition that Ego's background was far more powerful than anyone imagined. However, out of teamwork, he, like the others, chose to pretend not to see it and smooth things over.

Until thirty minutes ago, when the whole truth came to light, he also transformed into a chimney, smoking one cigarette after another.

"Besides him, the lawyer was arrested too, right?" Jimmy had gotten Alana out of prison once in White Poplar Town, so he was practically her savior. Naturally, she was even more concerned, her face etched with worry. "He's helped us so many times before, what if…?"

“It’s hard to say.” Mike shook his head, his tone heavy. “It’s better to be mentally prepared. There are no courts or laws there; it’s all up to their family. If they think Jimmy is guilty, it wouldn’t be surprising if they killed him on the train.”

“That lawyer… oh, it’s him, the one who said ‘give me Jimmy.’” Calaway and Jimmy had met once in St. Quintak, and the image in his mind quickly came to life. “I don’t think there’s any need to worry about him. That guy looks like a cockroach; he’s tough as nails.”

He held up two fingers, making a dancing gesture. "I have a feeling that as long as I can get that guy to talk, he won't die."

……

"Creak—"

The wooden door slowly opened, and the group of people who had been chatting idly instantly turned their attention to it.

Their feelings at that moment were like those of family members waiting outside the operating room. If they didn't start talking soon, the silence would drive them crazy. But this conversation was something everyone was doing absentmindedly and barely managing to keep up. As soon as there was the slightest movement inside, everyone would immediately turn around.

Zhang Renfeng was the first to step out, followed by Angel Eyes with a smile on his face, like a strange ghost haunting him.

This was the first time he had publicly identified himself as a gang leader, making everyone feel that a fierce and stormy battle might really be coming.

"I think everyone knows what happened. First, there was the Pinkerton Detectives, then the Thunder Gang, the Zola El family... These are enemies I couldn't avoid."

His gaze swept over everyone, his tone somewhat solemn; even in his speech before the station, he remained frank and honest.

"This gang was originally founded on a bloody revenge. There was a boy whose sister was kicked to death by a local tyrant on horseback, just like kicking a stray dog ​​to death."

"The boy, having nowhere else to seek revenge, came to me with his only $150. His tears had been dried by anger, and his shoulders trembled slightly in the moonlight. The police station, the court—no one was willing to help him, and the newspapers wouldn't report the story. For most people in that town, it was just an ordinary, unremarkable hour..."

“Some of you were eyewitnesses to that incident, and some were participants in it.”

Zhang Renfeng's gaze lingered briefly on Xiaomei and Mike before he continued, "I agreed to it."

"But revenge always comes at a price."

"My costs are mounting, and my bounty is piling up, but I can also tell you all frankly that I am not afraid of them at all."

Zhang Renfeng grinned, revealing a confident yet somewhat arrogant smile.

There seemed to be a flash of wind and thunder in his eyes.

"I am a wanted criminal by the imperial court, with a bounty of 1.07 million taels of silver. I wouldn't say I'm unprecedented, but I doubt there will ever be one again. Compared to the scale of my operation back home, this is nothing to me. But..."

"People are definitely different from each other."

He changed the subject and said in a deep voice, "I can't guarantee that such revenge won't come knocking on our door again. Perhaps there will be more, stronger, and more deadly forces that become our adversaries. The territory controlled by the Zolael family is indeed a behemoth."

"Nothing is more important than life. If anyone doesn't want to get involved in this mess, they can bring it up now. It's okay."

……

……

……

silence.

No one spoke in the stairwell, but that was perhaps the best answer.

All eyes met, their gazes intense!

"Alright!" Zhang Renfeng nodded emphatically, his eyes changing, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Let's go and kill those sons of bitches!"

Chapter 326: What's the date today?

"when--!

Hector flicked the blade of the dagger with his finger, producing a crisp sound. The cold light shone on his wrinkled face, bringing a satisfied smile to his face. "It's not bad as a dagger, but I don't see anything special about it."

“This is a tactical weapon, with sword-shaped serrations that can easily tear apart an enemy’s flesh, powered by a high-pressure spring,” Tao explained from the side. “On the right side of the hilt, there’s a pull-out ring; pull it open…”

"Sulfone—!!"

Before he could finish speaking, Hector pulled open the clasp, and the blade of the dagger instantly shot out, splitting the candlestick on the table in two and hurtling straight toward the people opposite him!

"Snapped!"

Nymeria extended two fingers, casually caught the blade, and tossed it onto the table.

"It's very dangerous," the assistant said with some displeasure. "Please be careful not to fire it at people indiscriminately. Although it's not propelled by gunpowder, the kinetic energy it generates is enough to pierce through a person's body."

"Haha... That's interesting. Every time you invent these little toys, you really surprise me."

Hector chuckled twice, but perhaps due to his age, his laughter sounded very fake, his face drooping and twitching, giving off a somewhat insincere feeling. "What a pity, this is a weapon of petty people. The men of the Zolael family are all upright and honorable. If we want to kill, we have fists, knives, and bullets. We disdain using such trivial things."

“It’s fine if you don’t like it; consider it a free gift from our collaboration.” Tao’s tone was somewhat hesitant. “Mr. Zola El, regarding the payment for this batch of ‘miracle supplements,’ shouldn’t we…”

“Don’t rush, young man, don’t rush,” Hector said slowly, leaning back in his chair. “Since you’re already here, why don’t you go out and ask around to find out what kind of person I am? Do you think the prestigious Zolael family would be short of money for a few bottles of medicine from you?”

"But……"

Tao was about to speak, but he was interrupted by Tao waving his hand.

"I did receive these supplements, but who can guarantee they won't have any side effects on my body? As you can see, I'm an old man on my deathbed, my body is almost too frail to move. This is all I have left in my final days. What if your...test subjects cause some problems? Who will I turn to?"

“No,” Tao replied matter-of-factly. “I’ve already tested the dosage and efficacy of the supplements; they’re harmless to the human body. Considering your age, any more might put too much strain on your body, and any less wouldn’t have the appropriate effect…”

“Stop, Mr. ‘scientist’.” Hector reached out to stop him, his eyes darting slyly between the two girls the man had brought, a smirk playing on his lips. “When you said you ‘tried it,’ were you referring to these two women?”

"One is plump, the other is bony, tsk tsk... I didn't realize, great scientist, you're so young, yet you know how to enjoy life."

"Ha, ha ha ha ha—!!"

His laughter was terribly unpleasant, the dry, hoarse voice of an elderly man who had lost his vitality. But it was only when he laughed that the others in the room gradually joined in with their own laughter. The laughter lingered in the spacious, luxurious hall, yet the atmosphere remained unusually somber.

“You’ve misunderstood, Mr. Zolael,” Tao explained calmly. “This is my research assistant, Zhang Tito, and this is my bodyguard, Ms. Narmeria. My relationship with them is not what you just described.”

“Ha, a bodyguard…” Hector sized up Nymeria—the petite blonde girl—and curled his lip. “A woman like that would be too skinny for me in bed, and you actually expect him to protect you? Bill!”

The tall, silent man with an incredibly thick beard who had been standing behind him slowly stepped forward, his steps unusually heavy.

"Show this scientist your amazing skills!"

The silent Bill pulled a deck of cards from his pocket, a thick stack of 54 cards. He pressed down on the deck with his thumb and forefinger, slowly increasing his grip. In no time, the top and bottom cards began to wrinkle. As his grip tightened, with a "click," the entire stack, about half a finger's thickness, was actually pried open by the combined force of his two fingers!

He scattered the torn pieces on the table, silently demonstrating his absolute confidence in his grip strength.

"See? Only a man like this is qualified to be a bodyguard. Anyone who tries anything with me should think twice before Bill rips their head off!"

Hector waved his hand, subtly putting on another show, but it didn't seem to be for Tao's benefit. As he spoke, he rotated his head almost 180 degrees like an owl, scanning everyone in the room with a sinister gaze.

Everyone stopped laughing, and no one even looked up at him; the atmosphere became somewhat strange.

"Where were we? Oh, right... those medicines. How about this, great scientist, you stay with me for a while. Don't worry about food, drinks, or supplies. Once I'm sure this medicine really works for me and has no side effects, I'll pay you off."

Hector reclined comfortably in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "You'd better think this through. Not every idiot is willing to pay for your wildest ideas."

“But I still have a lot of experiments to do in Dover Valley… I simply don’t have the time…”

“Easy.” Hector glanced at his assistant, nodded at her, and said with a wicked smile, “You still have an assistant, right? Go back to your Dover Valley and leave her here.”

His gaze swept over Zhang Tito's tall, voluptuous figure, and he chuckled, "Once I've confirmed the medicine is fine, I'll return the person and the money to you together."