Dual wielding volcanoes, killing through the west

"In short, we spent the morning getting the theory lessons done. After lunch, we started the actual live-fire shooting training. That's what I heard."

The makeshift camp wasn't very large, yet it housed over five hundred soldiers crammed into one place. Any news, no matter how small, spread like wildfire.

A few days passed after parting ways with Correa.

The soldiers, of course, had no idea what had happened. They only felt that their commander seemed to have changed compared to before. He began to appear in front of people more frequently, watching their daily training, walking around the camp, and sometimes going to the city of Morocco to discuss matters with the local parliament.

This morning, they even made such an astonishing demand.

After all, the soldiers had basically accepted that Zhang Wusheng was a civilian employee with no combat capabilities.

----

"Almost all of them missed..." Zhang Wusheng looked at the bullet holes on the target from afar and sighed dejectedly, "After several hours of practice, it's still like this."

"If you can't even hit a stationary target well, you'll have no chance against a moving target."

"This is a very normal phenomenon, you don't need to be discouraged. In fact, it's quite good that most of the bullets fired can pass through the target in just one afternoon."

Veteran Beretta's voice was very deep and reassuring. He took the gun from Zhang Wusheng, skillfully removed the magazine, and then inserted a new magazine with a crisp "click".

"This gun seems... a little different from the guns I saw in White Torch City," Zhang Wusheng said curiously. "Shouldn't it have a round thing for loading bullets?"

"What you're referring to is probably the cylinder in a revolver, right? That's something cowboys and street thugs like to use. In short, it's quite popular among civilians."

“But in the military, everything is geared towards killing the enemy quickly, and in that respect, this new pistol has a greater advantage.” Beretta seemed to remember something and chuckled. “I also spent a lot of effort correcting my shooting habits before I started using this pistol.”

"Of course, I don't deny that there are sharpshooters like Mr. Callaway who can match the speed of a slide pistol with a revolver. But for the vast majority of people, the slide mechanism simply has a faster rate of fire than a cylinder-type revolver."

"Aside from all that, this new pistol is also more convenient for you in terms of adaptability, isn't it?"

"If it were an older revolver..."

Beretta was like an armory; from who knows where in his belt, he pulled out another revolver, opened the cylinder, and showed him its internal structure.

"After firing six bullets, you need to use your other hand to load the bullets one by one."

“I understand.” Zhang Wusheng lowered his head, glanced at the cicada-shaped cane he was leaning on with his left hand, and said in a low voice, “My other hand needs to hold the cane down, and even if it were free, I wouldn’t be able to make something so delicate.”

"In comparison, pressing the magazine into the gun body is much easier."

"That's exactly right, just as you said."

"Then... I'd like to ask another question..." Zhang Wusheng asked curiously, "My father once used a firearm called the 'Volcano Pistol,' what was that?"

“Ah, the Volcano Pistol, how nostalgic…” Beretta couldn’t help but sigh. “As far as I know, it was a weapon from the Civil War.”

"To put it simply, it's an outdated antique, a transitional product. But if I had to put it another way, it's more like a rifle that's been sawed short and made into the shape of a pistol. In fact, apart from Mr. Zhang, almost no other gunmen of that era were still using the Volcano Pistol."

"So these are such ancient things." After learning this, Zhang Wusheng sighed inexplicably, "Father should know that they are outdated, right?"

“That being said, after using a gun for a long time, your body remembers its weight, trajectory, and feel, like an extension of your limbs. Even if a new gun is the best, it will still feel inferior to the old one.” Beretta sighed and stroked the barrel of his revolver. “Who could bear to part ways with an old companion that has been with them for years?”

"Your father was also a very sentimental person."

……

Zhang Wusheng smiled.

“Mr. Beretta, thank you for your instruction. I now have a full understanding of the pistol shooting procedure.”

"What's next? Short guns, or rifles?"

"Don't be too hasty, Commander. The latter two weapons are still too difficult for you. Their recoil will cause you to fall."

Seeing Silverfrost walking towards them, Beretta said at the opportune moment, "Let's end today's training here."

Chapter 1009: Things Are Getting Worse and Worse

“Ms. Silver Frost.” Zhang Wusheng waved to her.

“As you said, I have handed over the $20000 to them.” As his adjutant, although Silver Frost was very pleased with his change, she could not show it on her face and reported in a businesslike manner, “The city hall accepted it after counting it and did not raise any further objections.”

"in addition……"

Yinshuang took out a crumpled newspaper, clearly indicating it had passed through many hands. "This is a newspaper I bought back from a citizen at a high price. It was published in Brigis, a city in Morocco, about 40 kilometers away from here."

"We finally have news from the front lines."

The invention of the telegraph allowed previously isolated information to be transmitted to the other side of a country in a very short time. Even if the federal government wanted to conceal information, it could do everything it could to cover it up in war reports, but it could not ultimately stop so many eyes from watching.

This new Civil War has now become the focus of attention across America. This war is no longer just a clash between two factions; it concerns the future of the nation in the coming decades. It is a true war involving the entire population, especially considering Zhang Renfeng's strategy of dividing his forces and launching a two-pronged attack.

Washington.

Chicago.

The targets were all major cities in northern America, which further amplified the attention given to the war itself.

"Let me look for it..."

Zhang Wusheng flipped directly to the title page, carefully searching for truly valuable frontline reports amidst the seemingly energized text: "The 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 19th Regiments of the Federal Army launched a defensive battle at the foot of Mount St. Henry. After the battle entered a fierce phase, our army, relying on artillery positions, launched beyond-visual-range strikes, severely damaging the enemy and entering a stalemate..."

"what?"

"If the enemy has been severely damaged, why has the situation entered a stalemate?"

Zhang Wusheng continued reading and found that the following content was becoming increasingly exaggerated: "The battle continued into the fourth day, and the forces began to reorganize and move towards the enemy's flank. Once again, the enemy's manpower was severely damaged. With the persistence of our federal army, the rebels abandoned their attack on Bridges and turned to other directions."

"Although it was said to be a draw in the end, but... from the very beginning, they never intended to attack Bridges. Unlike Morocco, that city has poor transportation. Because it is close to Mount Saint Henry, it is a city mainly based on tourism. Even if they took it, they wouldn't gain anything."

"Furthermore, they've already suffered two heavy blows, yet they haven't written 'completely annihilated the rebels.' This shows how much exaggeration there is in these two so-called heavy blows."

“That’s normal.” Zhang Wusheng turned the pages slowly, muttering to himself, “Now, the entire north is in a state of war. These regular newspapers will definitely have to undergo strict censorship before they can be published. The federal government will do everything it can to keep the news of the defeat within the local area.”

"By the way, any news from Chicago?"

“Well…” Yinshuang hesitated for a moment, “I also went to inquire, but there doesn’t seem to be much information in that direction.”

"Morocco is too far from Chicago, and now the train station has been requisitioned by our army. It may be difficult to get information from there."

“I see…” Zhang Wusheng was silent for a moment, then slowly closed the newspaper and smiled, “Forget it, there’s no point in thinking about this here. On the other hand, if the enemy had defeated our people, they would have made a big fuss about it. In this case, let’s just consider the absence of news as the best news.”

"With Green Wine and Red Furnace's abilities, plus Mr. Meteora's comprehensive overview, there will definitely be no problem."

……

"Ah."

Silver Frost realized her hesitation and quickly forced a small smile after that "hmm".

No.

It still feels so heavy.

Now, Yinshuang finally understood what it felt like to carry a secret that could never be revealed. Although the treatment was over, the words Zhang Wusheng had spoken at that time, the anger and hatred that had been etched into her heart, were all unmistakably real. She was certain that it wasn't just talk; at least at some point in the past, Zhang Wusheng had genuinely considered killing Zhang Honglu.

However, his long-standing rationality had restrained his actions.

So, what was he thinking at that moment when he uttered the somewhat intimate term "Red Furnace"?

Having witnessed the same secret, what is he thinking?

Now that he knows he witnessed this secret, what will Zhang Wusheng think when he faces himself?

Secrets are like seeds; planted in people's hearts, they will unconsciously sprout more secrets.

……

“Ms. Silver Frost,” Zhang Wusheng suddenly changed the subject, staring intently at her, “Do you have time tonight?”

"Huh?" Caught off guard by his sudden response, Silver Frost was a little taken aback. "Tonight... there shouldn't be any other business."

“I have something I want to discuss with you.” Zhang Wusheng subconsciously tightened his grip on his cane. “It’s something very important to me.”

----

"Eh?"

Despite having mentally prepared herself, she was still taken aback when she actually heard Zhang Wusheng's "request." The teacup she was about to bring to her lips froze in mid-air, unsure whether to put it down.

Yinshuang was the adjutant of this team, and like Zhang Wusheng, he had his own tent. Inside this tent, it felt like stepping back into a medieval battlefield; modern firearms were rarely seen. Instead, leather armor, chainmail, longswords, arrows, short bows, and all sorts of potions were everywhere. A strange herbal scent lingered silently within the tent.

As night fell, the temporary camp strictly adhered to wartime schedules, implementing rotating sentry duty to ensure soldiers had ample time to rest in preparation for any potential battles.

At this time, I will not be disturbed by anyone, and there will be no other eavesdroppers.

Silverfrost doesn't like electrical appliances; at least, she won't turn on the electric lights until the candles she's familiar with have run out.

In the candlelight, Zhang Wusheng, the son of a familiar old friend, made her a request that seemed almost outlandish.

"You... want me to teach you how to use psychic abilities?"

"So it's called 'psychic ability'? I thought it would be called magic or elemental magic, but..."

Zhang Wusheng nodded vigorously, his eyes revealing the most sincere desire, "That's right, Ms. Silverfrost."

"I want to learn this!"

Chapter 1010: Isn't something a little off?

Yinshuang can use some incredible powers, which is almost a consensus among the top executives of the Sanyuan Group, with Zhang Renfeng at the core.

She has never tried to hide it; in the Takagi War 14 years ago, she fought to defend her hometown, using her abilities without hesitation. Relying on her psychic powers, she can sense danger in advance and release hand seals to create supernatural effects.

The title "Zhang Wusheng" is not wrong. To outsiders, it is an incredible miracle, just like "magic."

However, even the Raider soldiers who spent every day with her didn't find it strange at all.

Because their highest-ranking commander was a humanoid monster who could single-handedly breach a fortress within thirty minutes, clad in over a hundred kilograms of heavy armor. Compared to him, Silverfrost's abilities, whether in terms of destructive power, endurance, or the sheer shock they inflicted on the enemy, were somewhat lacking.

To be honest, Silver Frost had never been asked to do anything like this before, and she was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to answer.

However, she was able to guess a thing or two about Zhang Wusheng's motives.

"Sigh... I don't know how to explain this to you." Silverfrost sighed, somewhat helplessly, "This is not the same thing as learning to shoot."

"Your father must have told you that, for some reason, although I am white, I grew up in the territory of the Indian tribe, which is the High Tree area."

“My skin color, hair color, and these unusual abilities made me an outsider. After I grew up, I worked as a mercenary for a while, trying to find my kind. This process has lasted a long time, but so far, I haven’t met another person who can use psychic abilities like me.”

She shrugged, making a helpless expression. "Similarly, Wusheng, it's not that I don't want to help. After what happened, I can completely understand your thoughts. It's just that... there has never been such a precedent before."

"Firearms are tools that everyone can use, but psychic abilities, it seems that no one but me knows how to use them. I don't know how to teach you."

"It's fine, just consider it a free experiment on me, okay?"

Surprisingly, Zhang Wusheng's mood did not immediately turn somber as usual. Despite being politely rejected, he was still able to smile and insist, "No matter what, I want to master as many abilities as possible."

"Of course, I will continue to study shooting. Although I may not be able to handle rifles and pistols with high recoil yet, I can master handguns, which can be fired with one hand, as long as I adjust my posture and spend some time."

Yinshuang frowned, puzzled. "Why are you so fixated on this? Wusheng, you weren't even a combatant to begin with."

Zhang Wusheng, by candlelight, said, "Now that things have come to this, I'm not so bothered by the fact that I can't be of any use on the front lines, but..."

“Even if I can’t help, at least I don’t want to be a burden to them. My parents, my brothers, and tens of thousands of soldiers who went to war with us, as well as the people in the rear who stabilized our logistics and production… This war involves millions of people. So many hopes are pinned on the outcome of this war.”

"I am Zhang Renfeng's son."

Zhang Wusheng slowly raised his head and said in a deep voice, "The war will end one day, and decades from now, it may be talked about with great interest by future generations of children."

"I don't want them to laugh and say that I'm someone who only holds others back."

……

……

……

The word "also" made Yin Shuang's heart tremble, and her gaze towards him became more tender and pitying.

The noisy laughter of the children still echoed in his mind.

Yes.

Even if you ignore it, it's never that simple. A scar is a scar. A shallow one might heal, but a deep one leaves a mark of serious injury. No matter how skillful the healer, a scar is inevitable. At least, he can now face those laughs and say what he truly wants, which is already a big step forward.

After a long silence, he finally let out a sigh, the breath that had been stuck in his chest.

"Okay, I'll try my best."

Silver Frost pursed her lips. "But I think..."

"It would be better if you didn't have too high expectations."