Act.19 My Brother
[Part 1: Brotherly Love]
"Fuyanni! Do you really think Brother Billy can lead us to great wealth?!"
In the wealthy district of the seaside street, diagonally opposite the theater.
Two figures, one tall and one short, sat in front of the Shaxian Snack Shop.
The Shasha was wearing a large overcoat and hiding in its hood. Its eyes were on the sides of its head, so it couldn't see anything when it wore the hood.
It asked Fuyanni again, "I don't want dumplings, at least not the eight-dollar ones—Grandpa Grandfather said I have to eat meat, sharks need to eat meat to grow up."
As he applied the medicated oil to his arm, he spoke to Fuyanni.
"White-feathered chickens only take forty-two days to grow up. They're eaten as soon as they're born, so they're the cheapest source of protein. They're very easy to raise! Very, very easy to raise!"
Fuyanni looked towards the Grand Theatre with a complex expression, hoping in his heart that his brother would return safely.
"Fuyanni, why aren't you saying anything?" The Shasha, unable to see, moved closer to its human companion. Not yet fully grown, it gently nudged Fuyanni's arm with its heavy upper limbs.
It asked curiously, "How will Brother Billy help me make a fortune?"
Fuyanni immediately said, "Shasha, it's not that easy. Making money isn't as simple as you think."
"I just want to grow up." Shasha opened her mouth and shoved a bunch of steamed dumplings into it. "I just want to grow up! If I don't have money, I won't grow up! And it would be terrible if I didn't grow up!"
Fuyanni: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
Shasha immediately said, "I want revenge! I want revenge! When I grow up, I'll have power!"
Fuyanni looked lost and dejected. Judging from the little shark's tightly gripped fin, there was a fire burning in the child's heart. Since birth, his goal in living was to avenge his parents' blood debt.
Fuyanni asked, "Is it to seek revenge against the wicked members of the Mercy of Eros?"
Shasha nodded vigorously and said, "That's right!"
Fuyanni then asked, "Do you hate them?"
Shasha immediately shook her head and said, "No! I don't know!"
Fuyanni: "You don't know?"
"I don't know how my parents died!" Shasha lowered her head and continued eating. "I was too young then, I didn't see who killed them."
"Grandpa Grandfather took me in, so I went to ask Grandpa Grandfather."
"But even Grandfather doesn't know, Fuyanni, do you understand?"
"Do you understand this feeling? I can't find that enemy, I can't find that villain."
"But I think that as long as I grow up, become smarter, stronger, and more capable, I'll definitely be able to find it!"
Fuyanni wanted to say something, but then she saw Shasha pull down her hood, her cheeks streaked with tears.
"I know, I know everything. I know I'm a hybrid of a calamity beast, and maybe eating human flesh will make me grow up quickly, but! But, Fuyanni! If I ask Grandfather for human flesh to eat—then I'll become a cannibal like the Mercy of Eros!"
"At that time, the person who killed my parents will be myself! It will be myself!"
"Brother Billy must be craving human flesh too—otherwise, why would he attend the court banquet at the theater?"
"No!" Fuyanni quickly explained, "Shasha, don't think like that. Billy was just covering for the gunsmith and drawing O'Connor away. He offered himself up to keep this old hag occupied. Once the gunsmith and Sister Xiao Qi have their ammunition, that'll be the end for this tigress!"
Shasha stood up. "Really!"
Fuyanni also stood up. "It's true!"
Shasha: "You guys aren't lying to me, are you?"
Fuyanni: "We didn't lie to you!"
Shasha: "But the gunsmith told me that you guys were trying to lie to me from the start. You wouldn't stay on the White Ape for long; you'd always find a chance to join the Mercy of Eros and rise to the top in one fell swoop!"
Fuyanni rubbed his nose sheepishly, his face full of embarrassment at having his little secret exposed.
"The gunsmith said that it's perfectly normal for Billy and me to have weak wills and a decline in our thinking—but there has to be a limit to how far we've gone, and to what extent there are things that cannot be compromised."
Before the words had even finished --
--A tall and burly owner walked out of the kitchen of Shaxian Snacks.
Shasha, with the blood of a calamity beast flowing through its veins, possessed Inspiration two or three levels higher than that of people like Fuyanni, and immediately sensed the characteristics of a psionicist.
The boss was a bald man with broad shoulders, a thick waist, and bulging muscles. He was at least two meters tall. Compared to him, Shasha and Fuyanni looked like two little chicks, huddled together at a small table facing the street, exposed to the cold wind.
The owner of Shaxian Restaurant is a psionicist and a junior member of the Peregrine Falcon Society under the Mercy of Eros. It's like when the brothers in a church get together for a meal and drinks, they elect opinion leaders for the members. This owner is the manager of a church near the theater in the wealthy district.
The boss listened to the conversation between Fuyanni and Shasha for as long as it lasted.
He finally stood up and walked out the door after finishing his sunflower seeds, meat strips, and wine, ready to clean up the kitchen waste.
However, before even starting to clean up the trash, the boss had already ordered his men to block both sides of the street entrance, determined not to let the two fish escape.
He walked out unhurriedly and, using a rather pretentious rhetoric, said that the workers of the Mercy of Eros all had a kind of pride.
He wasn't as noisy as the Skull and Bones Society and Bones lackeys, nor did he have the affected, melodramatic habits of the petty bourgeoisie of the Rose Sect.
Compared to Lawrence's Brotherhood, the boss believed that the Mercy of Eros more "advanced," and that when facing enemies, they should adopt the refined yet ruthless demeanor of a mafia godfather, combining kindness and power.
So he strode out the door with a brisk pace, sat down under the sign of Shaxian Snacks, and prepared to talk to the two clueless kids about their life ideals.
"I heard something." The boss's enormous body was squeezed onto the small stool, like a shattered star general riding a small horse. You wouldn't know how the stool could support the weight of such a strong man unless you learned some gravity magic.
His self-introduction was pretentious and affected.
"My name is Jude Law, I'm the area manager, an officer of the Mercy of Eros (he claimed this, but it was an imposter from an outsourced company). You two young men, don't be nervous. I just heard you say that someone was going to make a move against Ms. O'Connor Elizabeth?"
Fuyanni dared not speak.
Sweat poured down Shasha from beneath its dark skin—it was practically turning into a salted fish.
Jude Law remained calm and composed. Sensing fear emanating from the two men, his mood instantly brightened—he had perhaps already put O'Connor's life or death second, as writing a thrilling gangster novel was now his top priority.
A dozen or so men poured in from both ends of the street, mostly henchmen of the Falcon Gang. They didn't have guns because they weren't authorized to carry them; they only carried baseball bats and fruit knives, and were all dressed in black.
Jude Law patted Fuyanni on the shoulder.
"I believe you are both law-abiding citizens, especially you, Fuyanni, is that your name?"
Fuyanni nodded immediately, feeling the weight of the fleshy hand on his shoulder. If Jude Law were to punch him, his head would surely be turned into mincemeat!
Jude Law put his arm around Fuyanni, and started playing with chopsticks with his other hand.
"How many people the Mercy of Eros? Who are they? Fuyanni, if you write their names and places of residence on the table with this chopstick dipped in water—I will consider you a brother."
A bamboo chopstick was offered to Fuyanni.
Jude Law calmly added--
"--Nobody knows you wrote it, young man, nobody will know. Sister O'Connor was worried about it yesterday. She told us to strengthen our defenses and rotate shifts from two to Third Squad, all because [the anonymous person] is here."
"You must know where [the anonymous person] is hiding, right?"
"No, no, no, don't look at me like that, brother."
Jude Law chuckled as he gently pinched and kneaded Fuyanni's face.
Fuyanni was almost in tears of fear as more than a dozen people swarmed around him, their weapons capable of tearing him and the Shasha to pieces and turning them into a mermaid-themed sashimi platter.
They clutched bags of snacks, dried meat strips, and mixed mushroom condiments—all top students in the introductory cannibalism course of the Madness Butterfly Sect.
Fuyanni remembered the looks in those people's eyes; he would never forget them for the rest of his life.
It was something he once feared, longed for, and desperately hoped to become.
"It's none of my business! It's none of my business!"
Fuyanni's legs went weak, and he almost stumbled off the stool and fell to the ground. He immediately burst into tears and begged Jude Law for mercy.
The boss, however, wore an innocent expression and said with a grin, "No! You can't kneel. You were just saying you wanted to stand up for this monster!"
Fuyanni glanced at Shasha--
He dared not speak, nor dared he explain anything.
Jude Law bent down and cupped Fuyanni's face in his hands.
"My brothers, why are you crying? Why are you afraid? Do you harbor evil intentions? Do you really want to oppose the Mercy Society? I don't think so."
He patted Fuyanni's face, his tone gentle and mild, a stark contrast to his imposing and fierce physique, as if every member of the Mercy of Eros were refined and cultured.
"Look, take a look up."
Fuyanni followed Jude Law's hand and looked up together.
The theater lights and the smoke rising from the chimneys of the streets mingled and reflected each other.
Jude Law said, "Our followers live and work here—following the Mercy Society to transform this dock, build a civilized society, and drive these monstrous hybrids out of human territory."
"We are civilized, powerful, and advanced. We have built opera houses, hospitals, and schools. We maintain regional security, and we still abide by the rules of the railway and will never violate the Nine Realms Charter."
"I really don't understand why you're so afraid? Why do you always look at us Homo sapiens with the same eyes you use to look at monsters?"
"Fuyanni, this is Eureka Volcano City. I bet you won't find another city as prosperous and beautiful in the underworld. Under the joint governance of Chairman Kang Que and the Governor, the citizens are peaceful and friendly, and the soldiers and gang members are like one big family."
"But now a bunch of ungrateful people have come—they actually want to use the BOSS's name to kill our beloved Governor and the Mercy Society."
Jude Law covered his forehead, looking astonished.
"My God, I can't even imagine! Why are there such evil and cruel people in the world!"
The veins in his neck suddenly bulged, bursting forth with a furious rage.
"Why are there such foolish and wicked villains who dare to invade this pure land and destroy people's peaceful lives? Don't they have any conscience?"
"Why would the BOSS believe the nonsense of an anonymous person?! It must be insane!"
Jude Law cupped Fuyanni's face in his hands.
"--You're hiding on the [White Ape], aren't you?"
Shasha tensed up, a sense of foreboding creeping into his heart!
If Grandfather's White Ape is also exposed to the Mercy of Eros, Eureka Volcano City, belonging to the Fishhead Gang and the last paradise of the Astral Rare People, will turn into a fiery hell!
Jude Law said, "Tell me, Fuyanni, you must know the entrance to the [White Ape]. You're a new face. Your name isn't on the checkpoint's entry and exit register."
Fuyanni is being tested--
That was a blatant threat of death.
Jude Law pulled out a handful of gold and silver from his clothes, a simple and direct method.
"I never felt that my brothers had done anything wrong. You might be afraid, I know. Everyone is afraid, everyone is fearful, everyone submits—the point is, submits to whom."
"Fuyanni, I ask you again, are you sure you have no malicious intentions, and that you have no intention of opposing the Mercy of Eros?"
Fuyanni nodded.
Jude Law's eyes gleamed with ecstasy.
--[White Ape] is a thorn in the side of the Mercy of Eros. If Jude Law can take this opportunity to uproot the Nameless One's stronghold, he will surely rise to the top!
"To bear witness to our brotherly bond, my Fuyanni!"
Jude Law pointed to the theater hall and patiently explained.
"You reckless good brother, that kid named Billy, should have already been turned into snacks by Big Sister O'Connor."
The finger, like the muzzle of a gun, turned towards the Shasha's nose.
"This wretched astral creature that should have died long ago, I will turn it into a delicious dish as a testament to our friendship."
Fuyanni's expression changed drastically.
He immediately said, "The Shasha is innocent!"
Jude Law shook his head ambiguously, determined to completely destroy Fuyanni's inner world.
"No, no no no, no no no no no."
"Fuyanni, how dare you say it's innocent? I heard it clearly just now: it wants to grow up, it wants revenge, and it doesn't even know who its enemy is!"
"This stupid and wicked fish-man seeks revenge on the entire the Mercy of Eros. Do you think we'll spare its life? So many stories have already told these tragedies."
"The scenario of an orphan whose entire family was wiped out, who miraculously survives, and ultimately succeeds in killing his enemy— the Mercy of Eros never allow such a thing to happen."
"Our brothers work for the gang; if they say they'll kill someone's entire family, they'll kill them without hesitation. They would never leave any trace of trouble behind. In the end, their loved ones would grieve while their enemies rejoice. When they mourn their brothers, they would have to worry about being implicated and assassinated by these scoundrels. How painful and sorrowful that would be."
"So, Fuyanni!"
Jude Law handed the chopsticks to Fuyanni.
"I want you to use these chopsticks to stab this fish-man to death!"
Suddenly, everyone gathered around. The Falcon Gang pinned Shasha to the table.
Fuyanni's eyes were glazed over, and he didn't know what to do for a moment.
Jude Law stuck out his long, scarlet tongue, his eyes fierce. "If you can't bring yourself to do it, you should have pity on this enemy—I can't guarantee you that."
"Fuyanni!--" Shasha cried out in anguish, "Fuyanni! Fuyanni!"
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." Fuyanni gripped his sharp chopsticks, looking around anxiously. He was probably waiting for the [nameless] savior to come, but how could such a good thing happen in the world?
[Part ② - Maybe Not Enough to Drink]
"No need to apologize! Fuyanni!" Shasha's head was deformed by several large hands, and its eyes were almost squeezed out. It just kept crying, "They're right! Fuyanni! Eat me! You'll have a bright future!"
Jude Law hugged his knees, regained his composure, and reached out his hand.
He said to Fuyanni, "The offering knows its own purpose—brothers, the Mercy of Eros welcome you."
Pfft--
Two blood-red chopsticks pierced through Jude Law's left eye socket and emerged from the side of his head!
Fuyanni lost all reason; his heart was almost burned through by rage!
When he lunged at Jude Law, he had forgotten his own triadic nature; neither his physical body nor his spirit mattered anymore.
Fueled by adrenaline, the frail body unleashed astonishing power, and in that instant, the courage and determination to kill pinned the cannibalistic demon to the shop signboard.
The deafening roar almost terrified the brothers who were holding Shasha down.
Blood gushed out like a fountain, and the sudden surge of psionic energy testified to Fuyanni's transformation.
In a split second, he emerged from his pupa-like state, the two chopsticks gripped tightly by the strong spirit arm, crashing into Jude Law's psionic hand, tearing through flesh, shattering the ogre's spirit, and heading straight for the Gate of Death.
Fuyanni's hair was flying wildly, like an angry lion, yet he looked as if he had suffered a great injustice. His eyes were blazing with fire, but he couldn't stop the tears from flowing. Bloodshot veins crept up his pupils as he turned to glare at the peregrine falcon's gang.
Seeing that the eldest brother was taking in more air than exhaling...
--One of the gang's leaders immediately raised his knife, ready to chop off the little shark's head!
He was three parts intimidation and seven parts fear; he only knew that Fuyanni had suddenly transformed, and he was still somewhat wary of him.
"Don't do anything reckless! Fuyanni! Don't do anything reckless! This kid is still in our hands!"
The gang members who were shouting along immediately chimed in.
"That's right! You're all alone! What kind of skill is it to kill Brother Jude Law by sneak attack!"
"I advise you to be smart! Tell us the location of the [White Ape] obediently, and the brothers will take you to riches and glory!"
"Please!" Fuyanni shouted.
He knelt down, killed the neighborhood leader, and only one thing remained in his mind.
Please! Please!
He was kowtowing and begging for mercy; his forehead had already turned blue.
"Please, please spare Shasha! Please! Please! He's my benefactor! I can't repay kindness with enmity! I can't do this! I can't! I can't!"
I'll do anything you ask.
Fuyanni wasn't that powerful; the spiritual energy that suddenly erupted from his body was merely a means of self-defense and was simply not enough to save Shasha's life from these dozen or so people.
The leader of the gang was taken aback by the psionicist's actions—in Eureka, it was always ordinary people who knelt before psionicists, never psionicists kneeling before ordinary people.
A strange and eerie sense of dread enveloped their hearts.
The Falcon Gang gang members even thought they were hallucinating.
A skilled psychic, who had just completed his transformation and killed their neighborhood leader in an instant, was kneeling before them?
Fuyanni continued kowtowing until a tall shadow fell from the street sign.
The heavy leather boots made a dull thud as they stepped on the brick road.
"I heard it! Right now, at this very moment!"
Beneath the hood of the Flash Butterfly Armor costume was a large, golden wolf mask.
"Someone is calling me; someone needs my help!"
Meteor, leaning on his cane, rushed to the theater street corner as instructed by Brother Xue Ming, only to be drawn there by the energy fluctuations.
"As a righteous person, I will never stand idly by."
He simply spread his arms, and the narrow street was completely blocked by his broad shoulders.
"Fuyanni, it's not you who should be kneeling and begging for mercy! It's these scoundrels who should be doing it!"
Bu Liuxing drew his light sword, and a terrifying rose-colored flame burst forth from the brilliance stone.
"Using children to coerce adults into submission—even if you scum are sent to prison, you'll be ridiculed by the other inmates."
This kid hasn't even finished reciting his lines yet--
The moment the club and the sapphire appeared, the Peregrine Falcon's gang was terrified and involuntarily retreated to the street corner.
When Shasha regained its freedom, it struggled to get up from the table, finally managing to stuff its swollen fish eyes back into its head, and looked back—
--A large wolf jumped down from the entertainment complex next to the gatehouse.
She pounced on two Falcon Gang, and with a gentle tug of her talons, red and green liquid gushed from their bellies.
Hearing the cries for help, the Peregrine Falcon's gang rushed from other streets, forming a dense, surging crowd of two or three hundred people. More people from outside the district were also on their way, because O'Connor Elizabeth was there.
Voice messages from various members of the Nameless One's faction echoed from within the gleaming golden wolf mask.
"The princess in the fairy tale is trapped, gunsmith, you're right," said Mr. Wen Bucai. "The heroes have all volunteered to come and slay the evil dragon."
Gunsmith: "Mr. Wen Bucai, I need you to remain on standby until the elite leader of the Mercy of Eros arrives, to fight strength with strength."
Wen Bucai: "Received, why don't you call in more people?"
Gunsmith: "Teacher Victor's Soul Might is not suitable for head-on combat, especially in battles where there are fewer enemies than you."
Wen Bucai: "Surely I'm not the only one?"
Gunsmith: "Yes, you might be the only reinforcement. I asked Brother Ye Bei for help, but it will take him at least 36 hours to get from Hengyin to Underground Area 51. Other VIP units in other areas can't avoid the eyes and ears of the Transportation Bureau even if they leave their respective lines and jurisdictions. I think you, Mr. Wen Bucai, are an unofficial member, so you don't have this problem."
Wen Bucai: "Genius."
Bu Liuxing: "What about Billy?!"
Xiao Qi: "He definitely won't be able to drink in the second half."
After replenishing his ammunition, the gunsmith had to rush to the theater to surround and intercept reinforcements.
"Try to look on the bright side. For the Mercy of Eros, the underworld needs to work overtime, otherwise there might not be enough Meng Po soup on the Bridge of Helplessness."