Dual wielding volcanoes, killing through the west

"Honestly, I had no idea she would escape from the experimental site." Seeing that the topic of the black hole had been turned away, Tito secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "If I had known it was her, I would have definitely gone to look for her with you guys."

"Absolutely not! This girl is not someone to be trifled with. No matter what she's like in the lab, in the wild..." Yin Shuang rubbed her side of the neck where she had been kicked, still shaken. "If Mr. Zhang hadn't come with us, we might all have perished out there."

"Such vibrant life force!" Perhaps it was just her imagination, but when Vivian said this, she sounded like a gourmand eyeing a delicious meal. She quickly corrected herself, "In this freezing weather, she's only wearing so little, running and jumping around outside..."

“She must have unconsciously activated the Rama Kung Fu, like a furnace constantly radiating heat.” Zhang Renfeng gently rubbed the wolf’s slightly flushed face and sighed. “The snow will stop soon. Let’s hurry and send her back to town. It would be best to buy her some food as well. Otherwise, when she wakes up, she’ll be eating two cows, which would be the least of her worries.”

----

……

The swaying carriage came to a stop and drove into a dark alley.

"Take a break." The bearded man waved his pipe, signaling the men in the convoy to stop, and said, "Brothers, put down your weapons and listen to me."

His voice, like a whetstone, was rough and deep. He deliberately didn't use a loud voice—giving his subordinates the appropriate occasion to appropriately demonstrate his power is a skill of every competent leader.

Sure enough, a tall, thin man with a goatee clapped his hands and shouted, "Shut the hell up, I'm talking!"

In this convoy, he was clearly the second-in-command. As soon as he spoke, everyone fell silent, and all eyes naturally turned to him.

The elder brother didn't rush to speak. He slowly waved his hand, and the second-in-command naturally took the pipe from him and refilled it with tobacco.

"This is our first time here. We don't know anyone here, so we shouldn't mess with them."

The second-in-command, with a somewhat stern appearance, filled the tobacco tin and handed it back to him. "Brother said, don't reach out recklessly, but keep your eyes peeled! If any place has suitable fruit, don't take it yet, mark it. Let me find out which ones are tough nuts and which ones are easy prey. Do you all understand?"

"Understood!" the convoy members shouted in unison.

"Okay, then..."

Brother Lao's eyes suddenly sharpened. "What are you doing?"

A man standing at the base of the wall, trembling from the shouting, staggered out.

Seeing the group begin to draw their swords, he quickly cried out, "No, no, no, they're...they're on our side!"

"Interesting," Elder Brother sneered. "We brothers just visited your esteemed place today, how come we have more of our own people here?"

"I heard there's a place that sells ginseng fruit here, and San'er recommended it to me!" Seeing the knife drawn, the man quickly explained his reason, "He said your ginseng fruit is guaranteed authentic and pure..."

Brother Lao smiled with satisfaction.

His smile immediately eased the tension.

"You want to buy ginseng fruit, right? Since someone recommended it, that's easy. We've come all this way to this stall; this batch is top-quality fruit." The old man glanced at the man's appearance, knowing what he was getting, and took a puff of his pipe. "It depends on your taste; we have all kinds, tall and short, fat and thin. Same as always, don't ask me where I got them; just buy one, and the benefits will be endless."

"That's great." The man wiped his face. "Then... how can I..."

"Have you heard the story?" the elder brother said casually. "It falls upon gold; if you have gold, you will naturally be connected with it."

"Yes, I have..."

After the sound of coins rubbing together, the closed wooden door was opened a crack.

Upon seeing the scene inside the carriage, the man couldn't help but gasp.

Indeed, there were people of all shapes and sizes, tall and short, fat and thin. They were crammed into the corner of the large carriage, like a group of dark, murky rats. Their eyes, when they looked at the newcomers, were numb and devoid of any light.

“We’ve taken good care of them, they won’t run away.” The elder brother waved his hand, gesturing for him to go inside, and said he could look around as he pleased. “Look at their teeth, they’re all top-notch. Those who are weak or sick just worked themselves to death on the way.”

“If you choose a son, he will be a breadwinner in the family when he grows up and can take care of you in your old age. If you choose a daughter, you can marry her off early and she will have sons and grandsons in the future, enjoying endless family happiness.”

The men looked at each one, seemingly already imagining the scene, and a slight smile appeared on their faces.

But soon, he saw a conspicuous iron cage. Unlike the other children, this cage contained a long-haired girl. Her wrists and ankles were handcuffed, and she wore a heavy yoke around her neck, fixing her in place and unable to move.

Even though her face was covered in mud, it couldn't hide the texture of her long, golden hair.

Those emerald eyes flickered uncertainly in the darkness, like will-o'-the-wisps.

"this is……"

"Hey, don't even think about getting her. That little brat isn't human. I only took her in to repay a favor to someone in the industry. Everyone says she's evil and has hysteria, and she can't understand what we're saying." The old man's eyes turned cold. "If you buy her back, who knows which night she might go berserk and bite you to death in bed."

Startled by his words, the man naturally abandoned all his thoughts.

In the end, he chose a boy who was of decent appearance and height, handed a thick bag to the second-in-command, and led him away.

----

Everyone's faces lit up with joy, and they began to celebrate.

"We've barely settled in, and people are already coming to our door. Our reputation and fame in this area have already spread far and wide!"

"I made a fortune with ease."

"Keep up the good work and sell all these ginseng fruits before the New Year. This year will be another bumper harvest!"

……

With everyone chiming in, the alley became quite lively.

But the elder brother frowned, took puffs on his pipe, and remained silent.

"Alright, quiet down! Can't you see Brother is thinking about something?" The second-in-command, quick to notice, stopped everyone and cautiously asked, "...Brother?"

"I just told you to be careful, right? I take back what I said." The elder brother said in a deep voice, "From now on, no one is allowed to cause any more trouble. Let's keep things calm for a while. Let me test the waters before making any further plans."

This decision was undoubtedly quite different from the original plan. Although no one said it, the expressions on their faces told the whole story.

"We've only just arrived, and we haven't even settled in yet, and someone has already gotten wind of it and come knocking on our door. If he can do it, so can others. If we don't keep a low profile, our enemies will eventually find us, one by one, following our lead."

"Many brothers have stumbled in this area. Fish have their ways, shrimp have theirs. You have to figure out the ways of things first before you do anything else, that's how you..."

"Boom-!!"

A muffled thud interrupted him.

The buyer, who had just been knocked to the ground by a heavy punch, slid down in front of them.

Chapter 433: Carriers, boatmen, innkeepers, and spies—even innocent people deserve to be killed!

"In broad daylight, under the clear sky! How dare you do such a despicable thing right under my nose... You're asking for death!"

A somewhat green voice, but one that spoke with undeniable arrogance, came from around the corner of the alley.

Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw a boy of about thirteen or fourteen years old, with bright eyes and a smile on his lips. He held a whistle stick in his hand, which he slowly raised, pointing it at the group of people hiding in the alley.

"Heh, kid..." The elder brother's expression changed from shock to disdain, especially when he saw that this kid was half a head shorter than him and not much stronger. His previous panic dissipated. "Who are you from? State your name."

"Hahahaha, well asked—!!" The young man suddenly laughed loudly, as if he had been waiting for this question for a long time, but no one had asked it until today. He could finally say all the lines he had prepared for a long time in one breath, "I will not change my name or surname! Go and ask around, I am the famous hero of the Seven Towns, 'Red Center'!"

"Red Center?"

The people in the alley had a "who are you kidding?" look on their faces, but when they realized that it was just a child playing a childish game of pretend, they all burst out laughing.

……

"I can't stand it." Zhu Kuilong observed from the shadows for a while, sighed, and then slowly walked out, giving him a disdainful look. "Are you still putting on an act here? Are you here to perform or to get things done?"

"Senior brother!" Zhang Renfeng's voice was filled with surprise and joy. "You've come!"

"Nonsense, if I don't come and something goes wrong, how am I supposed to explain to my senior sister and master?" Zhu Kuilong's tone was full of helplessness. He shook his head, looked at the dozen or so people in the alley, and said in a deep voice, "I have to perform again at the temple fair on Tongzi Street in half an hour. Hurry up and finish this business. I don't want people to wait for me."

"Judging from your attire, you're from the Cai Men, aren't you?" Brother narrowed his eyes. He didn't pay much attention to Zhang Renfeng, but instead focused his gaze on Zhu Kuilong, and sneered, "Interesting. A wandering swordsman and a young master, calling each other fellow disciples."

"Hey, what nonsense are you spouting!" Zhang Renfeng retorted defiantly, raising his cudgel high. "I'm a江湖 (jianghu, a martial arts world) man too!"

"Ha, the world of martial arts is far dirtier than you think." The elder brother glanced at him disdainfully, then raised his arms and bowed to Zhu Kuilong. "Brother, you've worked hard."

Among those who roam the martial world, regardless of whether they are openly or secretly involved, if they encounter someone who addresses them as brothers, Zhu Kuilong does not interrupt, but simply looks at him coldly.

“We’re all from the underworld, and you can’t guard against open or hidden attacks. You should know that.” Brother Gelao, still adhering to the principle of keeping a low profile since he was unfamiliar with the place, did not want to cause trouble and tried to resolve the issue with words. “I have a bunch of brothers to support. There’s an old saying in the underworld that you must have heard, brother.”

“Cutting off someone’s livelihood is like killing their parents. If it really comes to that, I’m afraid there won’t be a way out without bloodshed.”

"If you're short on cash, brother, I'm not that stingy. Just consider it a small contribution to make a friend in the martial world. There's a saying in the martial world: 'Give others a favor, and you'll give yourself a favor...' What do you say, brother?"

……

"Ha." Zhu Kuilong laughed meaningfully. "Speaking of the martial arts world all the time, so engrossed in it?"

"In the world of martial arts, there are bound to be people of character." Brother Ge also laughed and said, "What's the point of living a life if you don't have a personality?"

“That makes sense.” Zhu Kuilong nodded, then changed the subject, “But there’s another saying in the martial arts world, I don’t know if you’ve heard it…”

"Even innocent people like those in the carriage, boat, inn, and brothel should be killed!"

These words were tantamount to a declaration of war. The old man's face changed drastically. He slammed his pipe to the ground and roared, "Damn it, you won't listen to reason! I spared your lives out of kindness, and you're so ungrateful..."

"Brothers, grab your weapons and chop these two bastards into mincemeat!"

"ah----!!"

The sentiment is exciting.

A group of henchmen, armed with weapons, slashed at the two men at the end of the alley.

----

"Ouch... Ouch..."

"No, don't kill me..." The second-in-command's nose was struck by a stick, turning it crooked, and blood smeared his face. He raised his hand, his pupils filled with terror. "I'm just an accountant, I don't know anything, please spare my life, please spare my life..."

"The one in charge of the accounts?" Zhang Renfeng asked, somewhat puzzled.

“He’s the advisor,” Zhu Kuilong said calmly. “Generally speaking, there’s always someone like that in a team, responsible for giving advice to the boss, managing the accounts, and distributing income. Compared to those guys, he’s far more despicable.”

"Ah..." Zhang Renfeng was extremely excited to have learned more about the martial arts world. He then looked at the second-in-command and said, "Is that so?"

"Who...who are you?!" Knowing he couldn't escape, the second-in-command howled in despair, "We have no past grievances, no present grudges, wouldn't it be better if we went our separate ways? Why do we have to do this?"

One minute.

In less than a minute, everyone was knocked to the ground. The boy was skilled with a cudgel, showing a resemblance to Wu Song.

A single blow could shatter a person's leg and ribs, as easily as slicing through melons and vegetables. The magician, however, went straight for the elder brother, who, despite being considered a skilled fighter in the martial arts world, couldn't withstand more than a few moves and was quickly defeated, forced to his knees, unable to rise again.

After a few moves, Zhu Kuilong suddenly grabbed out of thin air with his right hand and produced an iron chopstick, which he then inserted directly into Zhu Kuilong's dantian.

Just like that, his martial arts skills were crippled.

"You bastard... cough... bastard..."

He couldn't even speak loudly, as it aggravated the wound in his lower abdomen, causing him to cough up blood uncontrollably. Brother Ge had intended to take a dignified drag on his pipe in his final moments, but before he could even pick it up, Zhu Kuilong stomped it to pieces.

Leaning down, Zhu Kuilong met his gaze expressionlessly. "You must be very confused right now, 'Why?' right?"

"My... my superiors won't let you get away with this..."

"Have you ever heard the saying, 'When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter'?" Zhu Kuilong sneered. "Let me put it this way, apart from your own father and mother, in this world, even your own son might not be willing to avenge a dead person."

"Ah, do you have parents? You probably don't have any. After you die, at most you'll be buried on a straw mat in a desolate grave. On the seventh day after your death, the full moon, and Qingming Festival, there won't even be anyone to burn paper money for you. In the end, you'll be dug up by mud dogs and vultures and pecked until your face is unrecognizable."

Most people in this line of work don't believe in karma or retribution, so Zhu Kuilong didn't focus on describing that aspect.

However, people who grow up on this land often place great importance on what happens after they die. In just a few words, his face gradually turned pale and weak.

……

"Senior brother, come quick!" Zhang Renfeng shouted, "This girl has fainted!"

Chapter 434: Talent

"Um……"

The master frowned and took the girl's pulse.

"How is she, Master?" Zhang Renfeng asked anxiously. "What illness does she have?"

"Um……"

The master did not answer him, but continued to look deep in thought, turning his head slightly to the side.

"Don't disturb Master taking your pulse." Zhu Kuilong slapped his head, making a loud "thump" sound.

"Actually, it doesn't matter much~" Senior Sister He, like a wild child who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, slumped on the bamboo chair, crossed her plump little feet, held a comic book, and said casually, "Before he took Feng as his disciple, when he was really short of money, he was still taking pulses for people in the vegetable market. It was a very noisy place, but I never saw him make a mistake."

"Hmm..." Master continued to close his eyes and ponder.

"Could it be because this girl isn't from our country?" Zhang Renfeng asked curiously. "Her hair is blonde, she must be a Rakshasa, right?"

"What kind of people don't have one nose and two eyes? So what if they're Rakshasa?" Zhu Kuilong shook his head, unconvinced. "I just don't believe that Rakshasa people have an extra heart compared to us."