Dual wielding volcanoes, killing through the west

"He treated you as one of his comrades, and you betrayed his comrades."

After all that talking, Zhang Wusheng finally understood what she meant, but his brows didn't relax; instead, they furrowed even more. "That shouldn't be the case."

“Yeah, heaven knows what those guys are thinking,” Holly said bitterly. “He even called me a ‘skin-changing monster,’ which is terrifying!”

……

Zhang Wusheng felt there was something strange about this, but he couldn't quite grasp the thread of the mess, so he could only offer a few words of comfort.

He and Holly weren't very close to begin with, and coupled with his gloomy personality and lack of interaction with women, the words of comfort he could offer were empty platitudes and had little effect. But in any case, at least there were no more gunshots, and tonight's "temporary operation" under his command could be considered to have come to an end.

"I'm sorry." He turned to the side, his gaze towards Zhang Fulin somewhat complicated. "In the end, we still dragged you into this. I just saw you supporting Honglu through the binoculars... To be honest, thanks to you, the situation could have been much worse."

"...No, it's just a trivial matter."

Although his words were modest, Zhang Fulin's brows remained furrowed, and his expression, no longer bearing the humble smile of before, was now somewhat grave. His gaze passed over himself, remaining fixed on Holly, or, more accurately, on her clothes.

"what happened?"

"Don't you find many suspicious points in tonight's events?" Zhang Fulin said in a deep voice. "Green Wine just recounted Holly's ordeal to me, and it's completely baffling to me. Logically speaking, enemies are also human beings. How could someone with normal intelligence and cognition mistake her for an ally?"

“Who knows?” Zhang Wusheng shrugged. “Maybe these people have some strange beliefs, and they might be mentally deranged. Didn’t he call Holly a ‘skin changer’? I saw it in the newspaper before. In some tribe of Indians… or something, there’s a group called Druids who claim they can turn into animals, and they also have that name.”

"Really, it's 1893 already, and there are still people who believe in such absurd things..."

……

……

……

"Change...skin?" Zhang Fulin's pupils widened slightly.

Clearly, the detail about the "skin changer" was added by Holly during her second conversation with Zhang Wusheng.

When she confided in Zhang Lvjiu, she was far more agitated than she is now, and her mind was quite confused. It's normal that she said less or omitted some things.

However, it is often this tiny, seemingly insignificant variable that...

It happens to be an indispensable clue in the entire puzzle.

----

It felt as if an electric current was passing through my mind, and the chaotic patterns gradually took shape.

Zhang Fulin gradually realized what was going on.

But soon, his expression turned to terror.

Chapter 962: The Unbearable Truth

"What...did you say?" Zhang Wusheng was unable to accept it for a moment, and his face showed a look of fear and astonishment.

“I can’t remember wrong.” In contrast, Zhang Fulin was unusually resolute. “Actually, I should have remembered earlier. I haven’t been to many places these past few days. If I saw a lot of clothes somewhere, it could only be there.”

Elizabeth Clothing Store.

Zhang Wusheng subconsciously tried to discern, "Is it possible that what you saw was just the women's clothing in the store...?"

“No, that’s not it.” Zhang Fulin shook his head and said in a deep voice, “When they asked me to pick out clothes, I got lost on the first floor and wandered around aimlessly. There was a small room at the corner of the stairs on the first floor, not very hidden, and I stumbled into it by accident. There was no one in the room, but the walls were covered with clothes, men’s clothes, women’s clothes, and shoes, all kinds of them.”

"I'm certain that all the clothes this girl was wearing, from her skirt and lining to her stockings and shoes, were in that room!"

Zhang Fulin's memory was undoubtedly exceptional. The room was filled with clothes, and even if one wanted to look at them and memorize them, it would only take a few seconds at most, let alone a fleeting glance. But even so, after gathering enough clues, he still managed to piece together all the information and create a sufficiently clear picture.

"On the floor of that small room, I also found something strange—an airbag connected to a rubber tube. Before, I couldn't figure out what it was for, but now everything is clear."

"Place that little gadget in the lining of your clothing, and by pumping the air pump, inflate the semi-circular air bladder to mimic the curve of a woman's breasts. Then, pair it with this whole outfit... and you've got a new 'skin' all changed."

"..."

At this point, Zhang Wusheng had a vague guess in his mind, but he instinctively refused to believe it.

If, if this is true...

Then what about all those friendships, redemptions, and insignificant comforts I've sought over the years?

"This... This is impossible..."

He gritted his teeth and said, "It's just clothes! Besides clothes, there's also face and body shape. How can these things be easily imitated!"

"Is it really impossible?" Zhang Fulin said in a deep voice. "Honglu told me that the dwarf next to Father was someone else 'imitating' him, right?"

"Dad learned his bone-shrinking technique from Lu Aniu's 'legacy' after defeating him. So, is it possible that..."

"This skill was already passed on to others long before Father learned it?"

Those involved are often blinded, while bystanders see things clearly. Compared to Zhang Renfeng's family in Baiju City, Zhang Fulin was a true "bystander." Naturally, his perspective on things was different from theirs.

In Zhang Wusheng's eyes, their own father was the absolute best. Of course, there was nothing wrong with this bias itself. Old Zhang's record was enough to support such a strong bias. But the problem was that they subconsciously believed that all martial arts in the world rightfully belonged to Zhang Renfeng's family.

In fact, anyone with a little thought can see how ridiculously wrong this idea is.

Kung Fu is not something that has "exclusivity." Anyone can learn it as long as they know the tricks and have enough talent.

Once you've mastered it, what belongs to someone else will belong to them.

During his lifetime, Lu Aniu had a large number of godsons and goddaughters.

For those with average talent, he mostly taught them the Prajna Kung Fu, which was enough to guide them into the basics and let them experience the feeling of flying bricks with great strength. However, there was always a chance that a few exceptionally talented children would pique his interest and prompt him to teach them other martial arts.

Over the course of time, who can guarantee that such a situation will never happen?

"By using bone-shrinking techniques to increase body size, and then using disguise techniques to adjust the face, along with a complete set of clothing... one can perfectly replicate Holly's appearance."

"That guy must have seen 'him' disguised as Holly before, which is why he sees the real Holly as a traitor to his companion—only this interpretation makes sense!"

……

Zhang Wusheng closed his eyes wearily and rubbed his nose, which was throbbing and aching.

"You mean, tonight, all of this... and the mastermind behind the previous two cases..."

"Is that the owner of Elizabeth Clothing Store? It's him, Elinis? An old dummy who's almost 75?"

"Besides, if he really orchestrated everything, why would he impersonate Holly? What would be the point of doing so?!"

"..."

Zhang Fulin fell silent again, his expression growing increasingly grave. The night wind occasionally brushed past him, ruffling his hair. A chilling coldness seeped into his bones, causing him to shiver involuntarily.

The night is still long.

This matter is still far from over.

"broken……"

"broken!"

Upon realizing the answer to the question, Zhang Fulin's expression changed drastically. Without even having time to explain, he crouched low and, like an arrow released from a bow, dashed out with his toes barely touching the ground!

Using the wall of a nearby building as if walking on flat ground, he leaped and bounded effortlessly onto the roof. Between several leaps, he displayed the true essence of the Wild Goose Kung Fu, his figure almost blurring into the night sky.

"boom!!"

With a push of his arms, the wingsuit unfolded, and without leaving a word, he rode the wind and disappeared into the night.

……

“Brother, I’m afraid there will be more changes tonight.” Zhang Lvjiu had been standing quietly to the side, observing the whole thing without saying a word, until this moment when he finally stepped forward to speak. “How about this, I will go and inform Father of everything that has happened here, including Brother Fulin’s deductions.”

"In the meantime, I'll trouble you, brother, to fetch the red furnace. If things change again, having him around will be a valuable asset."

“Ha, green wine…” Zhang Wusheng sighed and said with a wry smile, “My judgment was right, you really are a kind person.”

He said this because he sensed Zhang Lüjiu's goodwill—he knew very well that he had a close relationship with the owner of Isabella Clothing Store, which was why Zhang Lüjiu hadn't commented when Zhang Fulin identified him. Remaining silent in that situation was already a great consideration for his feelings.

……

"What do you think? I know Elinis too well; I might not be able to judge these things." Zhang Wusheng frowned, bit his lip, and his cane trembled slightly as he asked the question. "From an outsider's perspective, is it possible that what he just said... is true?"

"I do not know."

“However, I believe…” Zhang Lvjiu said in a deep voice, “Whether it’s true or not, when the time comes, my brother will make the right choice.”

Chapter 963: I am honored that you still remember my name.

The unremarkable wooden house is neither luxurious nor decorated to create a warm atmosphere. Just like its owner, it is austere, cold, and exudes a sense of meticulousness.

The old man sat before the fireplace, a blanket covering his knees, a glass of wine on a low, round wooden table beside him. His back to the door, he turned the pages of a book slowly and deliberately, the firelight reflecting off his glasses, giving him a somewhat austere appearance. The crackling of the fire, the sound of his fingers turning the pages, and the ticking of the clock made the night outside seem even more still.

Zhang Renfeng looked around, held his breath, and didn't hear any other heartbeats above the ceiling, below the floor, or in any hidden room.

In other words, the old man with his back to you is the only resident in this wooden house.

"Leaving the banquet and going home so early?" Zhang Renfeng teased. "What, did the dishes prepared for you not suit your taste?"

“...That’s not the case.” Elinis seemed completely unsurprised by his arrival, not even turning his head, and continued turning the pages of his book. “I’m getting old, I can’t sit in one place for long. Let the young people enjoy those good things.”

"The assault teams you deployed in the three locations have all been eliminated, and we've even captured some survivors."

Since they were going to play their cards right, Zhang Renfeng didn't intend to waste time arguing with him. He roughly pulled over a chair and sat down. "We haven't even started the interrogation yet, and these people are already confessing. All the testimonies point to you, the owner of Isabella Clothing Store."

“You have a group of quite capable subordinates,” Elinis said calmly. “In that respect, I will never be able to match you.”

"So, you predicted they would be defeated?" Zhang Renfeng crossed his arms. "Then why didn't you run away?"

Why did you run away?

Elinis finally closed the book and, like a true old man, slowly turned around.

Under the glow of the fire, his smile held an indescribable depth, which made Zhang Renfeng feel uneasy.

They didn't feel like they were being forced into a corner at all.

He leaned back in his chair and said with a smile, "I've done everything I needed to do."

What does that mean?

“Everything.” Elinis shrugged. “Everything you can imagine is over. Like a clockwork toy, round and round, neither fast nor slow, moving in the predetermined direction, moving and moving…”

He raised his head, his somewhat cloudy eyes half-closed, and looked at the pendulum clock hanging on the wall.

"Tick-tock, tick-tock, that's all, every single moment. How many moments in a person's life are truly reserved for themselves?"

A strange smile appeared on Elinis's lips. "At least, at the end of my life, I did what I wanted to do."

Zhang Renfeng frowned and questioned, "Why? Was it for money? Did you conspire with those Northerners to carry out this assassination for money? Or did they promise you some other benefits?"

“Haha.” Elinis’ laughter was a little hoarse. “What good is more money? You can’t take it to the grave. You’re thinking too narrowly.”

"Is that so? So, assassination, violence, creating panic, stirring up chaos in this world, is that what you want to do?" Zhang Renfeng's tone turned cold. "If that's the case, then there's nothing to talk about. Perhaps I should return my bullets and then we can talk."

"Assassination, violence, creating panic, throwing the world into chaos... Sounds familiar?" Elinis said with a smile. "Right, [Red Center]?"

Zhang Renfeng was momentarily dazed.

But upon closer reflection, it seems to make some sense, except that the situation is now reversed, and he has become the biggest rule-maker in the entire sixteen southern states of America.

"You seem to think that I've always been a law-abiding craftsman, and that I only got a little crazy one day, hooked up with the Yankees, and then started stabbing you in the back after we made a deal... But that's not the case."

"The truth is, from the very first day I stepped into this city, from the very first second, I had the initial outline of a plan. I spent a long time building it up little by little, observing you, your group, your subordinates, your children from the most natural perspective... This is a long-term operational plan."

"You thought the [Blackwater Poison] was in the north? Unfortunately, you're wrong. It's right here, within your White Torch City."

"Under your nose, we lie dormant and thrive, like a graceful parasite."

“This…this is impossible!” Zhang Renfeng frowned and retorted, “If that were the case, you, and all your shady secret activities, would have been discovered long ago!”

“Your dwarf friend is an outstanding reformer, strategist, and politician, I admit. Over the years, he has been called the ‘Minister of the Southern Empire,’ a title that is quite fitting considering the vast territory he now governs.”

"However, even if he is so outstanding, it is still impossible for him to completely control the city."

"The economic activity in White Torch City is almost equivalent to that of most of New Orleans. It is developing rapidly every day. Especially in the last ten years or so, the city has expanded two to three times compared to before, and many pillar industries have emerged from here."

"With rampant materialism, the desires deep in people's hearts have become difficult to control. Too many young people come here, and they are all potential ambitious individuals."

"Coincidentally, I have some experience with how to run a secret organization."

The more Zhang Renfeng listened, the more uneasy he felt. In his eyes, the man before him, Elinis, was no longer an old man on his deathbed, but a damp, dark fog.

So many mysteries.

"who are you?"