Dual wielding volcanoes, killing through the west

This bizarre combination is poised to strike, as if it were about to burst out of the painting and head straight for the sanctuary, crushing it with a single step!

"This painting is..."

“This?” Edley took a small notebook out of his pocket and quickly flipped through it. “Two years ago, when you held your first exhibition, you invited many artists and painters. You bought the best works of them at high prices.”

"This painting is called 'The Apocalypse Arrives,' by Theonado DiTasdorf. You bought it for $400. It's been hanging here ever since."

“Take it down,” Newman murmured.

"...Now?" Edley didn't understand for a moment whether he was serious or just saying it casually.

"Can't you understand human language?!" Newman suddenly flew into a rage, picked up a cup, and smashed it on the floor, shattering it with a clatter. "I told you to take it down right now!"

----

"That's right, this can't go on. A young girl, perfectly fine, living in a dilapidated house in the wilderness of Huangshan, what kind of situation is this?"

"It's one thing to do it during the day, but not coming back at night is just too much, it's absolutely outrageous!"

"If Mr. Newman hadn't come to me and told me about this, we wouldn't have known that the situation was so serious!"

……

Mrs. Tuden sat somewhat uneasily in her chair, her hands neatly folded in her lap, looking rather reserved. It was her own home, yet a large group of people had inexplicably entered, but they were all neighbors from the neighborhood, and she felt awkward about turning them away.

More importantly, this group of people all mentioned the same name—Newman Rudinburgh.

Newman didn't need to spell things out; he only needed to give a slight indication, and they would act like hounds on a command, moving in unison. In this atmosphere, Mrs. Tuden's own will was not so important.

Of course, it's impossible for her not to be a little unhappy about her daughter staying out all night. It's just that the salary Tao paid her was ridiculously high for a domestic worker. Since her daughter had something to do and could supplement the family income, she turned a blind eye.

But these kind neighbors who personally visited clearly didn't think that way.

“To be honest, Tuden, you’re really being incredibly naive… Do you even realize what the biggest problem in this whole thing is?”

Butcher, the butcher, took a drag of his cigarette and adopted a seasoned, shrewd tone. "Mr. Newman has made an exception and applied for a compensation payment for your family. He also visits your house every few days to check on Aurora's situation. As far as I know, that's correct, isn't it?"

“Yes.” Tuden nodded weakly.

"He's already shown you so much concern, and you still let your daughter work for that weirdo... What do you mean by that?"

"That eccentric man has refused Mr. Newman's kindness more than once, and in the end, things escalated to a huge point, almost causing both sides to lose face. Are you trying to slap Newman in the face in front of everyone by pulling this stunt now?"

Throughout history and across cultures, labeling someone has always been a powerful and deadly tactic in interpersonal negotiations. The moment this label was slapped on her, Tuden opened her eyes wide in shock, her face turning deathly pale. She jumped up from her chair, shaking her head repeatedly, "I...I don't know! I don't know anything about this. She...she just made it up on her own..."

“Whether you know it or not is irrelevant now,” Butcher said, shaking his head. “Everyone knows, and everyone will think so.”

"What...what should we do..." Tuden was completely panicked and at a loss.

“Fortunately, Mr. Newman seems to have taken a liking to that child and even wants us to help you out.” Butcher sighed, stood up like a savior, and revealed a resolute look in his eyes. “Don’t delay any longer. Tonight, we’ll go with you to that freak’s lair.”

"Bring Aurora back!"

Chapter 443: Infiltration? Infiltration is still infiltration even if no one sees you!

"More or less... roughly like this..."

Reed put down his pencil and ruler and handed a sketch to Zhang Renfeng.

"Oh—" Everyone exclaimed in unison.

The weariness in this guy's eyes hadn't faded yet. In fact, after such an incident, he had no heart to prepare any exhibition.

He sat there like a zombie, not saying a word for ages. Aurora noticed something was wrong with him and put a plate of turnips and rabbit meat next to him. He ate it without hesitation, like a machine driven by instinct, and after finishing, he still didn't give any feedback.

Until, with Vivian's guidance, Zhang Renfeng took the initiative to ask him for help.

Having something to do and being needed by others immediately pulled him back into human society. In no time, he drew a crisp and clear three-dimensional drawing.

The painting clearly depicts the "sanctuary" of the Newman Hotel.

Then, like a human printing press, he quickly produced blueprints from different angles that were identical to the original of the building, drawing continuous praise from everyone. Humans really are creatures that need validation; amidst these exclamations, the guy's psychological trauma significantly lessened, and his complexion gradually improved.

"Amazing!" Silver Frost picked up a sketch, examined it repeatedly, and exclaimed, "It's just like... just like..."

"Photographs?" Tito said casually.

"Yes, yes, that's it."

“Well… for sculptors, three-dimensional drawing is a basic skill.” Reed forced a smile and replied, “Unlike painting, we have something to do in a three-dimensional space. However, before I switched careers, my paintings were criticized for being lifeless, merely replicating scenes from reality. Later, I thought I might as well switch careers and become a sculptor.”

“Their hotel has a large collection of valuable art pieces, and I’ve been there more than once. Without realizing it, I’ve copied down the entire structure and layout of the place.”

"If this can help you, that would be great."

"Hahaha! Buddy, you're too kind. This talent..." Zhang Renfeng said with a delighted expression, patting Reed's shoulder hard and laughing, "is priceless."

With it, you have a three-dimensional map of the enemy's lair, and the routes for attack and retreat can be planned in advance.

Of course, going in headfirst isn't out of the question, but since the goal is to uncover secrets related to the Void Man, Zhang Renfeng prefers to proceed with the infiltration strategy as much as possible.

If all else fails, you can always kill anyone who sees you; that would count as a successful infiltration.

"Shall we set off now?" Ren had already packed everything he needed to, and stood up solemnly. "Count me in."

“I’m joining too.” Silverfrost raised her hand. “That’s why I came.”

Zhang Renfeng was slightly taken aback, not expecting to be able to recruit two formidable teammates in such an unfamiliar place.

“It’s definitely not possible now. Let’s wait until it’s late and everyone is asleep. My plan is to leave at two o’clock. I’ll wake you up then.” He quickly came up with a plan. “For now, everyone should rest for a while.”

"You are too, a great scientist."

As they were talking, Zhang Renfeng suddenly changed the subject and naturally called out to Tao, who had been busy in the background, "After we get back, I still need to talk to you about business. Don't die of overwork then."

----

Night had fallen.

The wolf didn't make a sound and naturally sat down next to Zhang Renfeng. The two looked at each other, remained silent for a few seconds, and then couldn't help but laugh out loud.

“Nameria…right?” Zhang Renfeng joked, “A name very much in your style.”

"It's better than 'Red Dragon'," the wolf said with a smile. "Senior brother only dared to leave Red Dragon wooden plaques everywhere because the people here don't know what mahjong tiles mean. Otherwise, your identity would have been exposed long ago."

(Mahjong tiles were introduced to the United States from Shanghai in 1920 and gradually became popular. The "Red Center" tile was also mistakenly translated as "Red Dragon" in some regions. In Zhang Renfeng's time, locals knew nothing about this wooden tile and therefore called it "the red one.")

“I thought… I would never see you again in this lifetime. But just a while ago, I saw my senior brother, and now it’s you.” Sitting with her, Zhang Renfeng relaxed completely, looked up at the starry sky outside the window, and murmured, “Heaven has really been kind to me.”

"Senior Brother Zhu? He's here too?" Lang sat up abruptly, his emerald eyes gleaming in the darkness. "What happened?"

……

Zhang Renfeng recounted his experience in Saint Quintak in the most neutral and concise language possible. However, this complex emotion etched into his very being would inevitably leak out no matter how coldly he recounted it, just as one cannot cover a light source with their palm.

Wolves are excellent listeners, as they were with Tao, and even more so with Zhang Renfeng.

Hey.

anger.

expect.

Reluctant to give up.

Everything, all the complex emotions, were poured out without reservation in a thrilling duel.

"Senior brother..." Wolf was speechless for a moment. She was not very good at responding to such intense emotions. In the end, she just muttered, "But, I remember... Senior Brother Zhu doesn't seem to have this feeling for me."

"To be honest, someone like you who can master the Rama Kung Fu in a year is already a bit beyond the norm. Even if someone surpasses you, they probably won't feel anything, right? Besides, you'll soon be leaving the country, so you won't be in the same place and naturally won't be affected."

Upon hearing his words, the wolf's eyes dimmed.

"Alright, let's not talk about me anymore, let's talk about you." Zhang Renfeng said seriously, "I never expected that we would meet again in this way."

"Didn't Master cure your hysteria? So what's going on with this now?"

……

----

“Um… Miss Nymeria, I tidied up your bed a bit. There are some things I’m not sure if I should throw away, if possible… Ah!” Aurora bumped into the two sitting together, her expression immediately becoming uneasy. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you. I…”

“Aurora,” Zhang Renfeng suddenly called out her name.

Like a cat startled by a shock, the girl suddenly stopped and turned around timidly.

"Sigh..." Zhang Renfeng sighed inwardly, then stood up and said as gently as possible, "Tonight, thanks to you, everyone was able to have a hot meal. Wolf's quick recovery is also thanks to you. Thank you."

"Huh? No, I... I just..."

“This world is complicated and dangerous for you. That’s why there are adults like me to protect you.” Zhang Renfeng interrupted her habitual modesty with a somewhat forceful tone, and said in a gentle yet firm tone, “If you try to bear things alone without asking anyone for help, things won’t get any better.”

"Hmm..." Aurora lowered her head slightly, her lips trembling.

“If all else fails, talking to her will do the same thing.” Zhang Renfeng pressed down on Lang’s shoulder and gently pushed her away. “Don’t let her small appearance fool you, she’s actually twenty…”

"Snapped!"

The wolf didn't hold back and stepped on his instep.

Chapter 444: The Storm

"This bracelet is strange. Who gave it to me? I can't quite remember. It seems like it was during the war, some guy." Wolf scratched his head, looking at the necklace inlaid with emerald gemstones on his wrist, somewhat troubled. "Never mind, I'll keep it."

"Thank you for making my bed."

“Um, that…Ms. Namelia…”

“It’s okay if you don’t add ‘madam’,” Wolf said with a smile, noticing her unease. “Just treat me as someone your age. Everyone saw how much you’ve done for the lab while Titor was away. Tao is the same; if circumstances allow, he’ll continue to employ you.”

For the girl, these words were more reassuring than anything else, and she visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Normally, Wolf spends 24 hours a day dealing with a reclusive, research-oriented man who never leaves his house. Tao isn't the kind of boss who requires her to read minds, but if she needs to, grasping people's thoughts in a very short time isn't difficult for her either.

Aurora finally relaxed and asked, "Nameria, do you and Mr. Zhang... have a... very intimate relationship?"

“We are fellow disciples. It might be a little hard to understand here,” Wolf explained. “Simply put, we lived in the same place for a while. Every morning when we woke up, we could see each other, practice together, eat together, and play together. He once told me that the bond between disciples is sometimes stronger than blood ties.”

“I was sold to that country, so I have no blood relatives. But he told me that I have senior brothers, senior sisters, junior brothers, and junior sisters, and these people will never be separated from me for the rest of my life…”

The wolf lowered its head slightly, looking at the ground, a helpless smile appearing on its lips.

In retrospect, the promises made in youth are like castles in the wind, exposed to the harsh light of reality and leaving no room for concealment.

"No wonder you and him looked so close, practically leaning against each other. It's no wonder Nymeria did that too..."

Aurora nodded, a mixture of anticipation and fear in her eyes. She seemed eager to know the answer, to find out if she was the only one who felt out of place in this world.

……

"Would he also take off your clothes and touch your chest and body in the room?"

……

The wolf's pupils widened slightly, and its hand movements stopped for a moment.

Outside the window, the wind was still howling.

For the first time, she felt her heart pounding so hard that she needed to take a deep breath to suppress the restless flames within her.

The silence lasted a while, and Aurora's expression gradually changed from the joy of finding a companion to unease.

"Did someone do this to you?" the wolf asked with a smile. "Who?"

"..." The girl remained silent, avoiding eye contact, unwilling to reveal the person's name.

But her silence itself allowed the keen-witted wolf to discern the truth.

“Newman Rutenberg, isn’t he?” the wolf asked gently. “Aurora, tell me. It’s okay, we’ve always been friends.”

Looking at the girl's gentle expression and smile, and recalling Zhang Renfeng's earlier promise, the girl finally mustered up the courage to speak.

----

Laboratory, main entrance hall.

The four men were driven outside. Ren seemed to have developed anxiety overnight. His brows were furrowed, his eyes were wide open, and he paced back and forth in circles. His expression at that moment was just like a clay mask made in Japan, depicting a demon. Not only was the shape similar, but even the expression was somewhat replicated.

Reed covered his face with his hands and let out a long sigh.

Tao sat quietly at the lab table, but this time, he didn't fiddle with his model. He just sat there, seemingly staring blankly at a spot on the wall. Such a waste of time would have been quite rare in the past.

"Why...why didn't she say anything?!" Halfway through his walk, Ren could no longer contain himself. Afraid of being overheard by the girl in the room, he lowered his voice and said angrily, "When something like this happens, you should ask an adult for help!"