Dual wielding volcanoes, killing through the west

"Xiaomei, it feels like...it's been a long time since we last met."

Zhang Renfeng looked at her long-lost colleague—she was wearing a light beige suit and trousers, looking rather different from the typical office lady, appearing both pretty and capable. Due to years of copywriting work, her eyesight was not what it used to be, and she inevitably wore glasses, which looked somewhat incongruous with the scars on her face.

Fourteen years have passed, and Xiaomei has turned 28. After all, she is not yet thirty and is still on the tail end of her youth.

However, over the years, wherever this scarred girl went, no one dared to disregard her because of her age.

Xiao Mei was already incredibly meticulous, and even in her youth, she demonstrated exceptional reasoning and analytical skills. Having been mentored by Igor for many years, assisting him in his work and absorbing a wealth of political experience, she further enriched her life.

Over the years, she has built her own political team. Whenever she arrives in a region, she can immediately grasp the situation, follow the clues, and thoroughly investigate the local prefectures, counties, and towns. She can uncover and expose all the shady dealings, both overt and covert, leaving no stone unturned.

In addition, her scarred face was so distinctive that many people in the southern states called her "Scarface Detective." This name, which was both awe-inspiring and reverential, stuck to her like a label.

During her patrols, Xiaomei had to keep a stern face for almost 70% of the time. Over time, her expression became perpetually icy, and she would only reveal a little of her gentle and quick-witted nature in front of her closest relatives.

……

“It’s been three months and seven days since I last saw you.” Xiaomei leaned back in her chair, stretched her legs, and yawned. “Time really flies when you’re out there. I’m so busy and exhausted. In the blink of an eye, three months have passed, and I didn’t even notice.”

"The hurricane that swept through Tennessee caused immense damage to people's lives and property. Mei was in charge of disaster relief, as well as post-disaster prevention, support, and reconstruction." Igor's voice was filled with undisguised pride. "From the reports I've received, the infrastructure in the affected towns along the way has been largely rebuilt. The compensation payments have been distributed to those in need, and people's lives and production have recovered to about 70%."

"It's all thanks to Xiaomei." Zhang Renfeng subconsciously wanted to pat Xiaomei's head, but when he turned his head, he realized that the girl was already so grown up, and this was inappropriate. He withdrew his outstretched hand slightly and scratched his head awkwardly.

A fleeting look of disappointment crossed Xiaomei's eyes, but she was no longer the naive child she once was, and quickly regained her composure. Not only Zhang Renfeng, but even a seasoned veteran like Igor, failed to notice.

“Old Zhang, this is our advantage. Such efficient and intensive disaster relief is hard to imagine in the North,” Igor said in a deep voice. “I have also collected intelligence on some towns in the North when they suffered natural disasters. The organizational capacity of the local governments is still at the level it was 14 years ago when Pike City faced the ‘Great Lake Demon’.”

"Technology and weapons are certainly important as well."

"But what truly allows our Sanyuan Group to compete with those large capital firms in the North is our 'organizational strength.' We don't have that much buck-passing and shirking; once a major incident occurs, personnel, supplies, and funding can be deployed immediately."

Xiaomei nodded in agreement. "It's a pity... I couldn't have handled the disaster relief earlier. Otherwise, I could have been of some help with these two cases."

"There's no need to say that. After all, disaster relief involves people's livelihoods. The affairs of ordinary people are definitely the most important."

"and……"

At this point, Zhang Renfeng hesitated, his expression somewhat complicated.

He still remembers the earth-shattering duel 14 years ago, and his opponent was, to date, the only person who had ever truly defeated him.

However, a closer examination of Lu Aniu's long two-hundred-year life reveals it to be a tragedy. From the moment his mother fell into the floodwaters, the wheels of tragedy began to turn. The further he went, the deeper the ruts became, until finally he could not escape, and ultimately, Lu Aniu also drowned.

Floods are natural disasters, merciless and beyond human control. But at least we can do our best after they happen, so that there will be fewer Lu Aniu-like figures in this world.

"Never mind, it's nothing." These thoughts only flashed through Zhang Renfeng's mind and were not as important as the matter at hand. "But you, Igor, why didn't you ask a single question about those blueprints? Those blueprints depict your home."

The Blue-Clad Army and the smuggling case weren't really big deals. What truly put Zhang Renfeng on high alert was precisely this house design plan that Zhang Honglu had found in the Howling Wolf Gang's temporary camp. If it weren't for this, Xiao Mei wouldn't have hastily ended her disaster relief project in Tennessee and rushed back to discuss countermeasures.

This blueprint is a rather dangerous signal—the organization behind these two events has its eye on this core strategist of the Sanyuan Group.

Something big is going to happen.

"It is my home, no doubt about it."

Igor took the design drawing, which he had looked at countless times, out of his pocket, spread it out, and displayed it, saying unhurriedly, "However, there's nothing to ask."

"That Howling Wolf Gang leader already has one arm chopped off by Red Furnace. I heard that when he was brought here, he was quite terrified and screamed. Under these circumstances, if he knew anything... he would have told everything long ago to save his life. Why would he have waited until now?"

"He, and those blue-clad soldiers, are nothing more than knives in someone else's hands. How could they possibly know the true face of the person wielding the knife? Since that's the case, asking them is pointless; it's better to sort out some details from the beginning."

"At least for now, through some interrogation, we know that the person who passed on the information to him was a man who smelled of 'leather and paint'. As for what connection that person has with the so-called 'Black Water Poison', we can only wait until we return to White Torch City to figure out a way to investigate slowly."

"Leather and paint..."

Xiaomei looked up and sighed, "With such vague information, even if we knew it, it would take forever to find out."

……

“【Blackwater Poison】.” Zhang Renfeng frowned and murmured, “I always feel that this name has a hint of wanting to kill someone’s spirit.”

"Could it be that... I have a grudge against that person?"

Chapter 931: A cripple... or so?

"mother."

Zhang Wusheng's tone was very calm, devoid of emotion to the point of being almost polite, not at all like someone who had been separated from their mother for a month.

As if they had just met the night before, everything was as usual. After a polite smile, his gaze went straight past the wolf and lingered briefly on Zhang Fulin behind her.

Seeing him so naturally follow his mother all the way from the dock and stand in front of him... his polite smile froze for a moment, and he felt a pang of pain in his heart, but he quickly recovered and returned to normal.

However, for the wolves, it was a real separation of a month.

She did miss her son and wanted to make amends, but she was too embarrassed to express it in public. So, as usual, she asked questions like how he was doing. The response she received was, of course, predictable, like the polite greetings between guests.

Zhang Wusheng felt both ridiculous and pathetic. He wasn't some seventy or eighty-year-old man, so why did everyone, after some time apart, always ask about his health whenever they saw him again? Each time they asked, his heart clenched, forcing him to confront the truth once more.

What's the point of asking? Could this crippled leg and this disabled body suddenly be cured overnight?

He took a deep breath, perhaps not wanting others to see through his thoughts, Zhang Wusheng narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Mother, you haven't introduced me yet, who is this...?"

"You must be Wu Sheng?" Zhang Fulin was quite composed. Without waiting for the wolf to introduce him, he slowly walked out from behind her and said in a generous manner, "We are half-brothers, with the same surname Zhang and the same name Fulin. I was born a few months earlier than you."

Zhang Wusheng sized him up a few times. He had known for a long time that he had a brother on the other side of the ocean, but today was the first time they had met. Black hair, black eyes, and because he wasn't mixed-race, his appearance was closer to that of a Chinese person, most resembling his biological father.

He subconsciously touched his blond hair, which was almost reaching his shoulders, making his expression even more gloomy.

"So, you're my..." Zhang Wusheng caught a glimpse of Green Wine and Red Stove rushing over, and then quickly changed his words, "...our elder brother?"

“Ha, I dare not accept such praise, elder brother. I heard as soon as I came down from the dock that Wu Sheng was only fifteen years old, yet he had already led his troops to capture enemy fortresses and defeat rebels, achieving such great feats.” Zhang Fulin smiled slightly and bowed, “But as for me, when I was fifteen, I was still playing in the countryside. The only things I had to worry about were three meals a day.”

"Although we are born of the same father, our life circumstances are different. I am a rough and uneducated man from the mountains. How can I have the face to call myself the elder brother in front of you young heroes? If you do not mind, please call me 'Fulin' and I will address you by your names."

"..." Zhang Wusheng's pupils dilated slightly, quite surprised by Zhang Fulin's words.

Prior to this, he had received praise from others, but those praises were all from people under the Sanyuan Group. Their praises naturally had a hint of sycophancy.

Even if I just write 1+1=2, they'll clap and jump around, and they might even have to write it down.

Such sycophantic praise might have been palatable to an ordinary person. But Zhang Wusheng, who had suffered from a hidden illness since childhood, was acutely aware of the wickedness in people's hearts. To him, this kind of praise sounded incredibly grating.

But now, Zhang Fulin was a complete stranger to him, so his praise carried immense weight. He was momentarily overwhelmed with emotion and unsure how to respond, so he stammered, "You...you've got it wrong, I'm not even 15 yet..."

“In my hometown, we have the concept of ‘nominal age’ and ‘actual age’. The former is calculated from birth, so from that perspective, Wu Sheng is 15 years old this year, which is not wrong,” Zhang Fulin said with a smile. “Heroes have emerged from among the young since ancient times. My father is a peerless hero, and his sons are able to establish their achievements on the battlefield at the age of 15, which is quite a remarkable story.”

"..."

The wolf looked at Zhang Fulin with great surprise and couldn't help but sigh, how could this child have come up with such a long speech in such a short time?

If it were her, upon first meeting Zhang Wusheng, she would probably only ask utterly boring questions like "How are you feeling?" or "How's your family situation?" Let alone him, sometimes she felt that even asking those questions herself was torture.

Zhang Wusheng's expression changed again. His lips twitched, his brows furrowed slightly, and he switched the cane from his hand to his left, then back to his right.

"This... I'm truly ashamed. Regarding that war you've heard about, I didn't play a significant role in capturing the fortress; it was mostly Green Wine's doing." He licked his lips. "Without him, I'm afraid... many more people would have died before..."

“Wu Sheng, why belittle yourself?” Zhang Fulin saw through his little tricks and continued with a smile, “As you said, conquering cities and seizing territories is certainly important, but isn’t mediating and commanding from the middle also important?”

"Soldiers fight bravely and are willing to risk their lives, but this also depends on proper command and skillful advance and retreat. The two complement each other, and great things can be accomplished."

Zhang Wusheng was even somewhat bewildered by what he said.

He felt he hadn't contributed much to the Battle of Uxus; after all, it was Zhang Lvjiu who personally destroyed that fortress that relied on its advantageous terrain.

Moreover, after the city fell, he reprimanded Green Wine, which caused many soldiers in the army to feel indignant on Green Wine's behalf, and consequently, his reputation in the army also declined. This trip was rather thankless and arduous.

Igor could understand his actions and indeed affirmed them.

Unfortunately, this Imperial Minister had far too many practical matters to attend to. The Blue-Clad Army rebellion was merely a minor incident on his agenda, something he couldn't devote much energy to, and naturally, he wouldn't offer much commentary on its details.

So far, the only positive feedback Zhang Wusheng has received from this rebellion is actually from this brother, whom he has never met before and is meeting for the first time today.

A strange feeling rose in his heart.

"I am new here and do not know Western languages, customs, or the ways of the world."

"I hope the three of you will not hesitate to offer your guidance. In the days to come..."

He extended his right hand to Zhang Wusheng and said with a smile, "Let's get along well."

----

"My son, although your mother won't be by your side when you go to a foreign land this time, you still have your father. Remember, if anything happens, you must discuss it with your father properly, and don't make decisions on your own, understand?"

Before leaving, Qiu Yun tidied Zhang Fulin's clothes and appearance, and said to him, "You and your godfather have already learned quite well how to conduct yourselves in society."

"However, there is one more thing."

“You have three brothers on the other side of the ocean, among whom… your second brother is your aunt’s son, Wusheng…”

"I heard he's not in good health, is that true?" Zhang Fulin asked.

"After you go, remember to take good care of him." Qiu Yun sighed. "That child... has such a hard life."

"If you can help out even a little, then so be it."

"Your son will remember this." Zhang Fulin nodded.

----

The instant they shook hands, Zhang Fulin adjusted his heartbeat, breathing, and internal energy to be identical to Zhang Wusheng's, and tentatively injected a trace of internal energy.

"?!"

But it was like a clay ox sinking into the sea, or a snowflake melting away, without any response.

"A useless person...?"

Zhang Fulin pondered to himself, then sighed inwardly, "How pitiful, how regrettable."

Chapter 932: Triggering the Battle Instinct

Zhang Honglu circled him a few times, scrutinizing him closely as if he had spotted some new animal. Although both had black hair and black eyes, his appearance clearly showed signs of mixed heritage, unlike Zhang Lüjiu's.

As he observed Zhang Fulin, Zhang Fulin was also observing him, and couldn't help but sigh: his father's appearance didn't seem particularly outstanding, yet Zhang Honglu was so handsome. Although he hadn't met their mother yet, he could imagine that she must have been a beautiful woman of exceptional appearance. Otherwise, she couldn't have given birth to this child, who seemed to combine the best aesthetic qualities of both Eastern and Western cultures.

"Don't stare at people like that, it's very rude!" Zhang Lvjiu scolded softly, then turned to Zhang Fulin, unsure of how to address him, and paused for a moment.

"As I just said, to you, I'm just someone who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, so there's no need to worry about the order of brothers." Zhang Fulin saw through his predicament about how to address me and laughed, "Just call me by my name."

“Alright, Fulin, I’m really sorry.” Zhang Lvjiu grabbed his brother’s shoulder, stopping him from going in circles. “You should know by now that I, and Lvjiu, are both children from another branch of our father’s family. Our birth mother is Evelyn Ditasdorf.”

"My name is Zhang Lvjiu, and this is my younger brother, Zhang Honglu. Because he is the youngest in the family, our mother dotes on him and often gives him whatever he wants, which has made him a bit spoiled. If he has been rude in any way, I hope you can forgive him and not take it to heart."

“Green wine, red stove…” Zhang Fulin pondered for a moment and softly recited, “Newly brewed wine with green foam, a small red clay stove.”

"If you come here in the evening, can you drink a cup of snow?"

"This is a poem by Bai Juyi, 'Asking Liu Nineteen.'" After reading the poem, Zhang Fulin chuckled and joked, "I never imagined that I, your father, could give you two brothers such names. Besides being a peerless martial artist, I also have such a refined side."

It was just a casual chat between brothers, but when the conversation reached this point, Zhang Wusheng silently lowered his head, a dark cloud hanging over his forehead.

Compared to his two younger brothers, his name seemed remarkably ordinary, lacking any literary or scholarly allusions. "Wu Sheng Wu Sheng" (午生午生), as the name suggests, meant he was born at noon. Logically, the name wasn't bad, but compared to his two brothers, it inevitably paled in comparison.

Zhang Honglu smiled nonchalantly, "These things don't matter what they are. There's only one thing I'm curious about..."

Push off the ground.

To exert force.

Punch!

This was a fundamental skill Zhang Honglu had practiced since childhood, so much so that it was ingrained in his very bones like an instinct. The process of generating power, though complex, was as correct as a textbook example. The force rose from the ground, carried by his shoulders and neck, passing through his body with a crackling sound!

But since it was their first meeting and the exchange was just a friendly spar, Zhang Honglu only wanted to catch Zhang Fulin off guard and didn't want to hurt him. When he finally touched Zhang Fulin's body, he changed his fist into a palm, slightly bent his five fingers, and slapped Zhang Fulin's chest.

"Boom————!!!"

The immense force sent Zhang Honglu's hands and feet numbing, and everything in his vision rushed backward. His lower body was quite stable, but even so, he was forced back about ten meters, leaving two straight black marks on the ground before he was finally finished.

Zhang Fulin, however, remained standing there, motionless and composed, as if nothing had happened.

"..."

Zhang Honglu stared at his palm, his expression one of astonishment and disbelief.

"I was a bit hesitant with that palm strike from Honglu just now; I only used about one or two tenths of my strength at most," Zhang Fulin said with a cupped-hand salute and a smile. "Thank you for showing mercy."

"Looks like I underestimated you." Zhang Honglu patted the dust off his clothes, and a hint of arrogance appeared on his handsome, fair face. He stretched out his arms, clenched his fists, and made a popping sound. "Since I started practicing martial arts, apart from Green Wine, no one my age has been able to exchange a few moves with me."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wusheng's brow twitched slightly, then furrowed, and his gaze towards him became somewhat sinister.

"Could you please also demonstrate your abilities and launch a serious attack?"