Dual wielding volcanoes, killing through the west

When the nest is overturned, how can there be any eggs?

Zhang Renfeng understood to some extent why these workers were willing to brave the torrential rain to gather outside.

Given the quality of these houses, with such heavy rainfall, they're leaking everywhere. There's not much difference between inside and outside.

Each shack was extremely cramped, like a coffin, imprisoning a person inside. A hammock hung from the beam, now filled with leaking rainwater. There wasn't even a bed in the shack, only a makeshift platform made of crates, with a few dirty blankets covering the woman.

She was even thinner than the people we had just seen, like a skeleton covered with a layer of human skin, with no flesh visible. Her breathing was extremely weak, and even with several layers of blankets covering her, there wasn't the slightest rise or fall.

The situation is worse than expected.

Sam gasped, then knelt down in front of the dormitory with a thud, holding the frail, pale hand, speechless for a long time.

When a person suffers a severe emotional blow, they will forget everything around them.

So Zhang Renfeng spoke up for him and asked, "What's going on?"

"..." Yaqi looked at Zhang Renfeng with some surprise, seemingly not quite understanding why a yellow-skinned man would be with Sam.

“We’re Sam’s colleagues,” Sophia explained. “We just came here together by train from New Austin.”

“Oh, oh, is that so… then you must be government officials too!” Yaqi, or rather, the shantytown workers represented by Yaqi, seemed to have a strange superstition about the word “government,” much like the feeling one gets when hearing the phrase “the upright and just official.”

Upon hearing that he was a government official, he no longer cared about Zhang Renfeng's skin color and quickly said, "Her health has always been quite weak. A few days before the heavy rain, she already had a fever, but she still forced herself to work with us for a few days."

"Later, it started raining heavily, and her condition worsened. She had a persistent fever, and they ran out of medicine..."

"Why didn't she go buy it?" Sam's tone became agitated. No one could remain calm when it came to their mother. "I send money home every month. Even if it's not much, it should be enough to buy medicine! She could have easily asked someone to buy it in the city!"

“Don’t rush, Sam. We did ask someone to go to the main city. But…” Archie sighed deeply, “Even if we had the money, we simply couldn’t buy it.”

……

In times of emergency, money becomes less important; material possessions themselves are the most crucial element. Even if you have mountains of gold and silver, without the means to acquire them, you'll still starve to death.

After the torrential rains, the sale of all supplies in the city, from large items like food, water, and medicine to small items like nails and hammers, was strictly prohibited. All shops were taken over by the city government, with sheriffs stationed there to maintain order. Anyone wishing to buy anything had to undergo screening and pay seven or eight times the usual price for even basic necessities.

This was just a few days ago.

As time passed and the weather did not improve, resources became even scarcer, and these workers living in the shantytowns were completely forgotten. The medicine and food that had been roughly guaranteed beforehand were nowhere to be found, and the person in charge who made the guarantee could not be found anywhere either.

Meanwhile, the level of martial law in the main urban area became increasingly strict. People dressed like them would be strictly reprimanded and driven away simply for walking on the street; if they were even slightly slow, they would be struck with sticks.

“We’ve tried many things, but we’re just… just completely powerless… You know the situation in each family.” Archie sighed deeply, a hint of guilt in his voice. “Just these past few days, I don’t know how many have died, all elderly people who couldn’t make it. Sam, we…”

"Don't worry about it, you've all done your best." Zhang Renfeng's tone softened as he comforted her. "We understand the situation. Don't worry, we'll find a way."

"Really?!" Yachi's eyes lit up instantly, as if all the suffering and hardship he had endured these past few days could be swept aside just for waiting for those two words.

Looking into those simple, honest eyes and those already cracked hands, Zhang Renfeng felt a pang of sadness.

People who earn a living with their own hands should not be treated like this.

……

“Really,” Zhang Renfeng said in a deep voice, “I never lie.”

Chapter 737: When you're traveling, you give yourself your own identity.

After receiving the assurance, Archie left with profuse thanks, and thoughtfully took the dilapidated door that was about to fall off with them.

Cheers erupted outside the door, presumably as Yaqi relayed Zhang Renfeng's words to the eagerly waiting villagers.

Although they didn't even know who Zhang Renfeng was, after waiting so long, finally someone—a man with a relatively reliable image—was willing to speak up and take responsibility for them. For these people huddled in puddles and mud pits, desperately pleading, it was like a ray of light piercing through the darkness.

Because of this, skin color and such are no longer important.

……

"I have some medicine here."

After confirming that the door was closed, Zhang Renfeng patted Sam on the shoulder and took out a small porcelain bottle from his satchel. He poured out a small round pill and placed it in his palm; this was somewhat different from the "medicine" known to Westerners.

"This is something I made myself, specifically for treating qi deficiency and body heat... I don't know if it will work. Given the current situation, I'm afraid I can't get any other medicine right now. If I just tough it out like this, it won't last much longer. In any case, it won't be any worse than it is now."

“There’s a saying in my hometown, ‘Treat a dead horse as if it were alive,’” Zhang Renfeng handed the round pill to Sam. “Want to give it a try?”

Sam's eyes widened instantly, like a drowning man grasping at a straw, and he grabbed Zhang Renfeng's hand, "Zhang! Thank you..."

"Shh." Zhang Renfeng made a shushing gesture, pointed towards the door, and said somewhat cryptically, "Don't delay, hurry up and make her eat it."

Receiving signals, deciphering signals, and responding to signals should be basic skills for civil servants. Sam was too emotionally charged just now and didn't react immediately. But now he's almost back to his senses and quickly understands Zhang Renfeng's meaning.

There's medicine and a cure. Don't make a fuss about it. Just quietly give it to your mother and that's it.

The situation in the shantytown is terrible; it's definitely not just this one family facing this problem. Yaqi mentioned earlier in the house that medicine and food are extremely scarce, but Zhang Renfeng didn't offer any assistance. He still has some medicine and food on him, but it's impossible to share it with everyone.

In the short term, this is an unsolvable problem.

But that's not how they see it.

When people are starving, or when someone in their family is sick and there's no medicine, this kind of emotional state can gradually drive even good people mad. They might very well pounce on the robbery the moment they find out. Of course, Zhang Renfeng had the ability to subdue them, but he didn't want things to develop this way.

"..." Sophia looked at him with a blank expression, incredulous.

"What's wrong?" Noticing her gaze, Zhang Renfeng turned and asked.

"It's nothing, I was just a little curious..." the girl muttered softly, "Are you really Mr. Hongzhong?"

She was practically a firsthand witness to the Battle of Lagras. She saw firsthand how Zhang Renfeng uprooted trees and threw them into the river, executed the foreman who had angered the masses, and how he stormed into the city to wipe out the remaining forces of Joffrey Osborne. His actions were swift and decisive, demonstrating the full extent of the doctrine of superior force.

Now, he is aware of the unfair treatment in the shantytowns, which is similar to the situation he experienced at the mines.

But he wasn't angry at all.

At least... judging from his appearance, he was calm and composed, showing no sign of anger. He even had the energy to avoid these hidden dangers in human nature.

Everyone says that Red Center and the captain perished together. Now it seems that this may not be untrue.

----

There wasn't even a decent source of clean water in the room, so he simply crushed the pills and swallowed them with alcohol. Throughout the entire process, she showed no reaction. Having reached a dead end, Sam had no choice but to gamble, whether it succeeded or not.

“Even if the medicine is effective, it won’t work if we have nothing to eat.” Sophia frowned and said with some concern, “And frankly, the hygiene conditions here are not very good.”

Her tone was conservative, but it provoked Sam. As if he had made up his mind, he resolutely stood up.

"We need to go to the city hall, right now!"

"And what about your mother?" Zhang Renfeng was emotionally unable to accept it. "Is she... just lying here?"

“Staying here won’t help her. I’m not a doctor, and I can’t conjure food and water out of thin air.” Sam quickly recovered from his grief, his eyes hardening with determination. “But there are still things I can do!”

……

The house leaked from all sides, like an old man on his deathbed, beyond repair. All Sam could do was move his mother to a corner where she wouldn't get wet, and use a rather cramped blanket to try and cover her shoulders and feet.

Upon exiting their home, they found the shantytown workers still gathered outside. A cheer erupted from the crowd when Sofia told them they were heading to the city hall. Amidst this somber yet joyful atmosphere, the three of them set off.

Pike Place.

Upon entering the main urban area, the stench of the flea den seemed to dissipate along with it. This was Zhang Renfeng's first time in a major northern city, and although the timing wasn't right, he still kept his eyes wide open, observing carefully, and couldn't help but feel a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex feeling of mixed emotions, including admiration and reflection).

high.

The buildings are generally five stories or more, and they are all exceptionally large. The roads are also smoother underfoot than those in the south. Keep in mind that in some small western towns, the concept of "roads" doesn't even exist; the ground is still dirt.

theater.

shop.

bank.

Tavern.

Hotel.

housing.

At this moment, these massive buildings seemed to fall into silence, emitting neither light nor sound. The glass windows on the street reflected the faint light of electric lanterns, making their silhouettes appear even longer and narrower in the rainy night.

The rain pattered on the polished stone bricks, irregularly, like a piece of music being played.

"They've all run away..."

Recalling the crowded scenes at the train station, Zhang Renfeng could easily guess what had happened here.

As the natural disaster worsened, people began to flee, and security on the streets was not as tight as before. The only building still lit up was the city center, the palatial city hall. Security forces were further concentrated inside this city hall.

"Halt!" The gatekeeper glared and shouted sternly, "What are you doing here? The time for collecting relief rations is long gone. Go back and wait!"

"I am Sam Wagner." This was the first time Sam had announced his name so loudly, word by word. "I am an expatriate member of the Customs Special Investigations Unit. This is an official exchange, and I must report to my superior immediately!"

"This project is being personally led by Pix Saladin, the current Minister of Finance of America. If problems arise due to a lack of timely communication, I wonder if you can bear the responsibility?"

……

When you go out, your identity is given by yourself.

Sam didn't show them any identification; he just relied on his imposing manner and his decent-looking suit to successfully intimidate the two security guards.

"Bang!"

The rain poured down like a waterfall.

The tightly closed iron gate was opened for the three of them.

Chapter 738: Sister?!

From the outside, the city hall already looks impressive; once you step inside, it feels like entering a retro-style palace.

The walls and floors of the lobby are made of finely polished marble, with decorative patterns even on the walls. Inside, you can see more city police officers, including sheriffs and policemen in black and blue uniforms; this place has become a direct base for police forces.

Around the warm fireplace, these people didn't have any specific jobs; they just drank, played cards, and chatted loudly. Several unopened bottles of whiskey sat in an iron bucket. Discarded bottle caps littered the marble floor.

Further inside, the hall's main color scheme is a tranquil and dignified coffee brown. It's hard to imagine that even a corridor in the city hall occupies a much larger space than the housing in the shantytown. Here, you can't hear the almost devastating sound of wind and rain; the solid and reliable walls keep all these discordant noises out of the building.

"Zhang, and Miss Sophia, I'd like to ask you for a favor."

Looking down at the long staircase, which stretched down from above like a red carpet and meandered like a vein, Sam took a deep breath, as if he had finally made up his mind.

"Could you please take these documents to the sixth office on the right side of the second floor? My... my colleagues should all be in that office." Sam paused noticeably before saying this, as if he didn't truly value the so-called "colleague" relationship.

"This office is temporarily lent to us by the city government of Park City. The investigation team usually works here. After you go in, you may see some people, men and women. You don't need to say much, just mention my name to them. Just say that this is the information I found and let them take a look."

Zhang Renfeng raised an eyebrow slightly, somewhat surprised by this decision.

He originally thought that Sam had gone to such great lengths to charge ahead in order to gain merit within the organization.

But when it comes to credit, barring unforeseen circumstances, whoever reports it always gets the credit.

You work hard all day, only to have your scoundrel colleague steal the job you're supposed to report. In that case, he'll most likely end up doing the work.

If you try to seek justice afterward, you'll be labeled as "lacking a sense of the bigger picture." People might even blame you for not taking good care of your work.

Even someone like Zhang Renfeng, with virtually no work experience, could sense this; there was no reason Sam wouldn't. Even if the submitted information ultimately proved useful, the credit would be none of his business.

"Isn't this inappropriate? After all, you're the one who brought them here." Sophia also realized the problem and advised tactfully, "It would be better if you handed them over to them yourself..."

"I'm just a handyman."

……

After saying this, Sam smiled with relief.

Before this, he had already confessed to Zhang Renfeng that his position in the investigation team was not high; besides doing odd jobs and running errands, he also had to help the regular customs employees with tedious numerical work. But Sam never mentioned this to Sophia. Especially after he learned that this girl was actually from the same family as the "Waglette" family, he didn't want her to look down on him.

Now, after suffering a series of blows, especially after witnessing his mother's serious illness and his fellow villagers trapped in flooded pits, he simply couldn't keep up the act any longer.

“That’s right. I’m not a civil servant at all. I have no official position, salary, benefits… I have nothing. They could easily kick me out the next day. In fact, before this assignment came down, I was already on the verge of not being able to make a living.”

"My meager salary, apart from this decent oversized suit, is basically all sent to my mother... haha... actually, it's not much."

"The head of this investigation team is Finance Minister Pixar, who was parachuted into our customs. Originally, with my position, I was not qualified to participate in such a matter at all. So many people were watching with bated breath! She personally called on me and, despite the pressure from within customs, put my name on the investigation team list."

Sam twisted the hem of his suit jacket, squeezing out a lot of light brown dirty water, and chuckled self-deprecatingly, "To be honest, I'm really grateful to her... but... initially, I took this job just to make my mother's life a little better, even just a tiny bit better than before."

"But now... it's still like this..."

“This isn’t your fault,” Zhang Renfeng patted his shoulder and comforted him. “When you run into a natural disaster, there’s nothing anyone can do.”

“I’m afraid… it’s not just a natural disaster.” Sam gritted his teeth, raised his head, and looked up at the upper part of the staircase—where the lights were bright, the atmosphere solemn yet peaceful, like a beautiful church.

“I really don’t want to get entangled with my ‘colleagues’ at customs anymore. Bringing these documents back is my way of repaying that lady’s kindness.”