The Show Is Over · The Show Is Over

Foreword:

The Big Sister is watching you.

Chinatown Lion Bridge Road in Clearwater Bay is Silver Bay's territory.

Mr. Leslie was transferred from East Third Street and moved into an old apartment with his children. It was originally a job placement agency for the Hung Mun Association. Because the second son of the former employer was a drug addict, the whole family had to be investigated. The brother in charge refused to accept new visitors and handed it over to the municipal government staff to be used as resettlement housing.

Leslie felt uneasy and hesitant. After being baptized by blood and fire, the entire Forty-Eight District was in turmoil, and everyone was in danger.

He found his old flame in the Green Forest neighborhood, and the two of them settled the children and took good care of these orphaned little beggars. That night, they booked a room at the Zhao's Hotel in Chinatown.

A night of passionate lovemaking has passed --

--Leslie talks to the most important person in her life about what has happened during this time.

"Take the money, and I won't go to the Goldfish Bar again."

This Goldfish Bar is a well-known Latino gathering place in the Forty-Eight District. Most of the people who go there for entertainment and spending money are middle class, and it also offers prostitution services.

Leslie's lover was a prostitute with no real name, only a stage name— Little Sweet Potato.

"If I don't go here, will you support me?"

"I'll take care of you," Leslie said, opening the paper bag to reveal two neatly stacked wads of cash inside.

Little Sweet Potato's eyes lit up, and she immediately tossed aside her curly hair and began counting money with practiced ease.

"Twenty-eight thousand? You think you can sleep with me for the rest of your life for that little money?"

Leslie: "It was given to me by an anonymous person."

Upon hearing this, Little Sweet Potato immediately jumped out of bed and went to her regular customer to sniff Leslie's scent, as if it were a superstition—these ordinary people without psychic abilities also liked to use this method to detect lies.

Even if they can't smell pheromones, they'll try to detect something through scent, just like animals.

"Hey, why would I lie to you?" Leslie said, both amused and exasperated. "You have to believe me. You have to believe me."

"You stinking beggar," Little Sweet Potato grabbed Leslie's hand and tapped his gold watch. "You always wear that fake Submariner to fool people, where did you catch such a big fish?"

"It's all luck." Leslie said with a heavy heart. "Before, I tried everything with the manager at the stall, but they wouldn't give me a way to make a living. They wanted me to pay six thousand a month in sanitation fees."

Little Sweet Potato yelled, "Six thousand?! Are they crazy?!"

Leslie raised an eyebrow, smugly saying, "I also think they're crazy. My children and I are begging on our knees, where would we get so much money? Taking people to cry and make a scene was useless; we were almost driven out of East Third Street."

Little Sweet Potato was indignant, her bulging eyes puffing out in anger. "These ungrateful wretches don't even spare children!"

"Thankfully," Leslie continued, "The building manager came to apologize to me that afternoon."

Little Sweet Potato exclaimed in surprise, "How is that possible? These guys even take money from prostitutes and beggars. They won't give up until you've lost a piece of your flesh!"

Leslie: "She's the Big Sister."

Little Sweet Potato had barely opened her mouth when she realized something was off; it was a term beyond her comprehension. "Big Sister? The Nameless War King. Speaks up for you? You mean the inner guards of Ming De said a few words for you?"

Leslie: "You have to call him 'Boss, 'Little Sweet Potato."

"That's right, BOSS." Little Sweet Potato suddenly started to stutter, and her words became respectful.

Leslie leaned back on the headboard, lit a cigarette, and told her sweetheart about the various changes that had happened in the past few days.

"Everything changed from the day the administrator and I came to apologize."

"Neighbors from the meat stalls, fish stalls, and fresh food markets flocked to the East Third Street to buy clothes for their children and deliver milk and calcium supplements—whatever they sell, they'll send over the first batch of good goods when the market opens."

"They gossiped privately that I was an informant for the anonymous person, and that I was very close to the Big Sister."

"The next day, the administrator came to the settlement and pleaded with me, asking me to say a good word for the Big Sister, because he had also sold drugs, and I hadn't forgiven him. It wasn't my place to forgive him."

"The Big Sister cut off his head in front of all the neighbors and gave away the money he had given her as red envelopes."

Hearing this, Little Sweet Potato clicked her tongue in amazement. "She's a terrifying woman."

"Terrifying?" Leslie shook his head. "No, no. No, Little Sweet Potato, no."

Little Sweet Potato: "What's wrong with that? The administrator wants you to do him a favor, so he'll be your dog from now on! The Big Sister wouldn't even take a dog that's offered to her. She even shares the dog meat with the neighbors. What are they going to think? Everyone makes mistakes. You've done so much for her; what if one day you..."

"Stop talking," Leslie interrupted. "Don't say any more, Little Sweet Potato, stop—I've already made a mistake."

Little Sweet Potato's expression changed, and she listened quietly without saying a word.

Leslie stubbed out his cigarette and lit a second one.

"The Big Sister met with me privately. She said that I had made a lot of contributions to the investigation of the Zhan Gang, so she paid me—hoping that I could continue to work for her. I couldn't refuse."

Leslie's hands trembled as she spoke of these things, recalling her conversation with the nameless leader, a conversation that weighed heavily on her like a mountain.

"She was very disappointed in me. She said that everyone in the world, whether rich or poor, even animals, knows the importance of family."

"Forty-Eight District is a drug den; it killed my father, and yet I was working for drug lords."

"One should be grateful and repay kindness," she told me, talking about her family. It was the boss who saved her sister, which is why she was willing to work for him.

"My father and mother raised me, and instead of avenging my father, I stayed in Clearwater Bay and Silver Bay as the Cult Leader's informant, taking care of his clients. This is already a grave mistake of aiding and abetting evil."

"I tried to argue that there are so many children on East Third Street, and I have to take care of them; when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head."

"The Big Sister said—you can take them and escape. Raise them and then come back for revenge. This is not a reason for you to stay here."

"I have no way to refute this, and I can find no more reasons to argue."

"I cried and poured my heart out to my Big Sister for a long time, and she was willing to listen to my grievances. She is really a very, very good person."

"My old customer from East Third Street was called in for a talk. A new leader came and asked me to move to Chinatown. She told the brothers in the alliance to let me know and gave me some money to settle you in."

"When she said your name—I knew it; she'd been watching me like she knew everything."

"Would you like to come with me, Little Sweet Potato? I have to go do some work for the Big Sister."

Little Sweet Potato's mind is in a mess.

"--I... I don't know how to say it. You kept me up all night, and I haven't even had breakfast yet. I still have two clients' appointments."

Leslie laughed and said, "Find a place to start over, that's what the Big Sister says."

He casually took his lover's phone and deleted all the contacts one by one.

"Big Sister asked me to pass on a message to you, word for word— Little Sweet Potato, that's what she said."

"What kind of soil produces what kind of flower? Originally, if you couldn't be a human, you could only be a ghost—but now it's different, my dear sister. Turn over all the land, burn all the poppies, and you can grow crops. You have a choice."

The meeting between senior Third Transportation Department and Sixth Transportation Department was held at the intersection of the three districts—the Lantern Development Zone.

The area gets its name from its low-lying terrain, which, along with the geothermal lava lake that serves as its energy source, has formed a lantern-like shape.

Both prosecutors from the Transportation Department attended the meeting, each accompanied by members of the Public Security Bureau and family and close associates of high-ranking officials in the political and legal system. Aside from the pointless banquet, only four people actually participated in the meeting.

They are respectively the Chief Prosecutor and Inspector of the Third Transportation Department, the Secretary-General of the Sixth Transportation Department, and the Chief of Staff of the Transportation Department's Task Force.

If your memory serves you well, you should recall that the criminals at the Blackland Royal Hotel in Yellow Bull Town were all transferred from the Third Transportation Department and Sixth Transportation Department.

The prosecutor of the Third Transportation Department was named Linden Van Persie. He had no relation to Luo Ben, but he said a few words of sorrow and bitterness because his sister had married this man.

"Secretary-General, Chief of Staff— Zolana died a terrible death." Prosecutor Linden said, a childlike innocence showing on the face of this man in his forties, filled with unspeakable grievance. "Her head was blown off by the War King's bullet. What did she do wrong? She wasn't the one who trafficked drugs, she wasn't the one who embezzled."

The staff officers of the Sixth Transportation Department will not be introduced for now. Just know that in the surrounding towns under the jurisdiction of the Sixth Transportation Department, all eighteen battle regiments must obey the orders of this lord. Without his signature and seal, the soldiers of the battle regiments cannot move to other areas.

In a sense--

--The fact that Linden's sister died at Xue Ming's hands was partly due to the Chief of Staff's approval. He was the one who gave Xue Ming supreme command of the rapid reaction force.

Chief of Staff: "Do you even know who Glory is?"

Attorney General Linden: "My sister is dead."

Chief of Staff: "Do you even know who Glory is?"

"All I know is that this woman indiscriminately kills innocent people! What did my sister do wrong?!" Linden was furious. "She married off at sixteen for the sake of the family! How much suffering she endured outside! That beast Luo Ben, besides changing his name to Van Persie, can't even protect a woman! Chief of Staff!"

"I just want an explanation from you. Why did you lend troops to the War King? Why did you agree to wipe out the Little Brotherhood? Why did my sister die? I don't know who this Glory is."

"Calmed down now?" The chief of staff sneered, his hair graying and his face showing signs of old age. "Things need to be discussed one by one. If you're not in a hurry, let's put the dead aside for now."

Attorney General Linden was extremely unwilling, but the underworld was not like civilized society. It was a wild jungle where hunters with guns were always more ruthless than these power-hungry scoundrels.

The chief of staff glanced toward the entrance of the meeting hall and then dismissed the secretary-general.

"Let the inspector take a break."

The chief prosecutor immediately said, "This is one of our own, don't worry."

Chief of Staff: "Who's on your side? Think carefully before you speak."

A long time passed--

--It took almost a minute.

Even when his sister died, Linden wasn't that angry.

He clenched his fists, almost grinding his teeth, and greeted the inspector beside him with a smile, seeing him out the door.

The chief of staff started from the assault team at Guangling Zhixi. His father was the commander of the regional army corps and rose through the ranks, taking thirty-three years to reach this position. No matter how foolish he was, he wouldn't trade his future for Van Persie's family's money.

"You're not saying your sister died, Linden —you're trying to use Zolana's corpse to ask me for money and land to do business. What kind of excuse is that? Hedland? Lawrence is dead, and you're sending people to these places?"

Upon hearing this, all of Linden's previous anger dissipated. He immediately moved from his guest seat to stand next to the chief of staff.

"Oh! That's not true, absolutely not."

The chief of staff said calmly, "She was indeed wronged in her death."

Linden: "That's so unfair!"

Chief of Staff: "He shouldn't have died."

Linden: "Indeed."

Chief of Staff: "Luo Ben deserves to die, she shouldn't die."

Linden: "Hmm"

The chief of staff stared into Linden's eyes, which were like burning candlelight.

Linden finally spoke, "Um, Chief of Staff, you know I've been in charge of Hedland's legal system, and the anti-corruption work is all done by our prosecution service—and now, this BOSS suddenly wants to create the Gate of Wonders and the Swift Blade, what if that's the case?"

"If it is," Linden's tone became glib, "If it's Luo Ping'an and Wen Bucai, those two from the Flash Butterfly organization, to talk, I have no objection. I really have no objection, or we could have the First Transportation Department talk to them. We can talk about anything."

"But what's with this Wood Plark? When did the BOSS get such a person around? Isn't he a teacher at the Magic Academy? I investigated him; he's just a train conductor. Why is he handling all the businesses in Forty-Eight District?"

"You have strong opinions about these things?" the chief of staff asked.

Linden chuckled, "No! No, no! Nothing like that. It's just that I think, you see, this matter, Chief of Staff, concerns the security of various regions. If we keep doing this, won't all your soldiers become Glory's men? Chief of Staff, think about it. The harvest season has just ended, it's a good time for each region to celebrate. You're about to be promoted to General, and you should be retiring in two years."

Changing the subject...

"--I know! I know what you mean, I know you want to play it safe! The boss definitely knows your loyalty, even the chief of staff knows that."

"But is there any other explanation?"

Linden whispered in the chief of staff's ear.

"Isn't this too embarrassing? After this commotion, won't the entire Abyssal Railway think that our Third Transportation Department and Sixth Transportation Department were slapped in the face by War King and Plark, these two mysterious guys, and we can't even speak out? Zolana's death was witnessed by many people; we can't let the family be implicated."

The chief of staff gave a knowing look. "That's why I said she shouldn't have died. Glory went too far, but I didn't say she did anything wrong."

Linden: "So you mean I absolutely must listen carefully to find out who this Glory is?"

The chief of staff poured Linden a glass of wine and then spoke.

"I want to advise you, if you insist on going against the War King personally appointed by the BOSS, and trying to find a new breakthrough in this direction—that's impossible."

Linden left the chief of staff's side, returned to his seat as a guest, and began to drink.

"Take your time and tell me."

"Little Linden, I met the BOSS sixty-six years ago. Back then, I knew nothing. I understood nothing."

The chief of staff described it with humor and wit.

"Because I was still in swaddling clothes, I could only tell stories from photos—BOSS picked me up, held me, an eight-pound baby, in its Little Kitty arms. I was a child blessed by it. My father helped it maintain order in more than a dozen districts of the Sixth Transportation Department, fighting against the Madness Butterfly, the Disaster Beast, and the Astral Monster."

"But I still had to take it one step at a time, starting as a centurion, and it took me so long to get to where I am today, all thanks to the boss's trust."

"What makes Glory think she can transfer so many troops away from me?"

"Why do you think so? Do you think the BOSS is senile? It just woke up; it's the clearest it's been in over fifty years."

"This nameless man, in just two years, went from being an ordinary passenger to becoming Victor's disciple, then went to Niflheim to further his education, and returned to the station just in time for the harvest season—becoming the War King."

"No one can lie to Victor, not even me. I'm terrified of this young man. After we met, he went back and whispered to the boss. I can't sleep or eat properly."

What does this mean?

Linden finally realized--

--This is the advice given by the chief of staff.

"I believe that the head of the Nameless Clan is the one who truly holds power in the Senate. She is absolutely indisputable, no less so than the other Senate leaders, and even more loyal and capable than the ministers of our various families. The BOSS trusts her implicitly. Let's set aside the reasons for this trust for now, and let's not question whether her Soul Power is a form of manipulation—but her actions, including but not limited to the fact that none of my brothers from the battle group died on the front lines and returned unharmed, are enough to prevent me from helping you, no matter the circumstances."

Linden wanted to say something more.

The chief of staff immediately replied, "I couldn't even put in a word for you with the other district governors."

Linden still wanted to say something.

The chief of staff immediately interrupted, "Even if it is! If I were to say a single bad word about the War King in front of my subordinates, it would be a betrayal of these warriors—do you understand?"

Linden finally got down to business. "You really can't protect me?"

"Your brother-in-law has gotten himself into a huge mess, and you're protecting him. Anyone who challenges him gets investigated. Everyone knows that, right?" The chief of staff didn't mince words. "If you want to live, you shouldn't be begging me. That's not a good idea."

Linden: "Nobody can help me. It's not a good solution, but it's better than nothing."

Chief of Staff: "You know I just want to spend my last two years peacefully, and you're causing me trouble. Do you want me to take off my military cap and uniform?"

Linden: "Then what should I do?"

The general staff officer took two pieces of paper out of his clothes, left them on the table, and then hurriedly left.

Let's go.

A piece of paper contained the contact information for the Madness Butterfly Sect.

Another piece of paper listed the contact information for the Immortals Alliance.

Linden van Van Persie remained silent for a very long time, and ultimately placed all the blame on the BOSS.

"This is your choice, Boss."

"It was your fault that you sent me to the enemy."

New Year--

--Leslie brought New Year's goods to the Nine Realms Station on the Lantern Festival and, together with her lover Little Sweet Potato, wished the Big Sister a Happy New Year.

Upon entering, they saw the gunsmith. Xue Ming had already changed back into his male form. The nameless man's bar was just finishing up some renovations and would be officially opening soon.

"Oh, what are you bringing?"

When Xiao Black Brother heard the gunsmith's greeting, he thought Xue Ming was just being polite.

"This is just a small gift for you, Big Sister. It's nothing."

Xue Ming asked again in a serious tone.

I asked, "What are you carrying?"

The Black Brother's words were evasive, suggesting he was having difficulty explaining himself.

Xue Ming immediately said, "Seeing me is like seeing the Big Sister, didn't she say that to you?"

"Hehehe, sir, I've only just learned a few words of Chinese, and I'm still not very fluent." Leslie leaned close to Xue Ming's ear and handed the bag to Xue Ming: "Luo Ben of the Van Persie family has an uncle who is the prosecutor of the Third Transportation Department. He ran away—my assistant couldn't keep up. He left on an armed special train and has connections to the warband."

Xue Ming pondered for a moment--

" --Leslie, Big Sister doesn't have time to deal with them right now, but you can do something else. Don't bring bad news home during the New Year."

Leslie: "Something else?"

Xue Ming: "Put flyers on that train, just one sentence."

Leslie opened her journal, ready to write it down.

Xue Ming poured wine for the new waiter and milk for Little Sweet Potato.

"The Big Sister is watching you."

Just this one sentence.