Act 5: Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap - Evil Is Easy to Do

[Part 1: Waste Recycling Station]

Six helpers rushed into the teahouse lobby. They were all unemployed people from the shops downstairs. They carried about ten large buckets and quickly picked up tools to dispose of the body parts. For example, Youde, a young man from the cotton workshop, collected the cotton, linen, synthetic fiber fabrics, and leather goods from the bodies and sent them to the yarn washing and refurbishing place. After doing these things, he left in a hurry.

The kid wouldn't let it go, demanding Bailu's WeChat, but after being glared at fiercely by Grandpa Dongfang Hao, he immediately ran away.

In just one hour, the entire house was transformed. The blood-stained tables, chairs, and paintings were all replaced, and the Fish Demon sister ran up to the landlord and excitedly asked him questions.

"Can I have this chair? It's made of the finest Dark Wood!"

Dongfang Hao replied, "If you don't mind it causing Spirit Calamity, then take it and use it."

"Great! Great!" The Fish Demon hybrid squeezed into the elevator, hugging the old landlord's chair, and then the carpenter brought over a new chair.

Grandfather Dongfang Hao was still wiping the statue of the Gun God's Master of Ceremonies, trying to clean the blood off the plaque. These things were souvenirs from the warband, and he couldn't bear to throw them away.

The carp spirit sister brewed tea and served water to the two nameless heroes, and then went back home.

Bailu asked curiously, "What do you plan to do with these corpses?"

"The community health center is right outside the fortress." Dongfang Hao scooped a rag from the copper basin, soaked it in soapy water, and carefully wiped the bloodstains off the [Evil Buster]: "Guess where the free supplies of White Lady's products that are provided every month come from?"

"Oh!" Thumb Guy immediately understood. "You're still a vigilante at your age? Are you killing criminals to harvest their organs and cultivate them for White Lady?"

"Where would I get the ability? You want me to kill someone with a gun right now? Forget aiming, I can't even see clearly anymore. I can only rely on my ears." Dongfang Hao shook his head and explained to the guests, "Ever since the Nameless One returned to the Senate, there have been righteous people helping us."

Bailu suddenly became interested. "There are more experts? Do you know their specific identities?"

"Thumb has told you about things in the walled city before." Dongfang Hao changed the water in the copper basin several times, finally cleaning up the signboard. "We are just ordinary people, law-abiding citizens, and we dare not be the first to speak out."

As he said this, he opened the display case, took out several small incense burners, and offered incense to the Master of Ceremonies again.

From the shelf of the display case, I took out a "Flash Butterfly Armor." This dress has a story and a story behind it.

It looks like the protective armor worn by the nameless warriors on the battlefield, but it's really just for show. Most of it is simply made of layers of steel wire twisted together, with chainmail plates as lining. When you shake it, it makes a rattling noise, unlike the seamless construction of a real Flash Butterfly Armor. Instead, it has the cheap feel of a cosplay prop.

Its helmet had no titanium-plated steel markings; it was simply a pale V-shaped mark laser-etched onto the gunsmith's helmet. It lacked thermal imaging, body cameras, biosignal detection, psionic probes, multimedia combat center units, and sophisticated radios; it was like a toy.

"Here's what happened."

As Dongfang Hao spoke, a hint of sadness lingered on his aged face.

"I had my first son when I was in my forties. After the expedition ended, he retired and returned to his hometown, so he secretly made this set of combat gear."

"I said he should have grown up by now; he's almost thirty, yet he still acts like a child."

"But he wouldn't listen, and went to fight crime wearing this iron suit. He was caught by the White Shark Association and hanged on the gate tower of the station."

"A long time ago, I couldn't beat George Joshua, and could only survive by relying on the connections between my old band of followers and the governor. For this piece of land, I had to roll in and out of the gates of the City Planning Bureau time and time again. The dragon that crossed the river became Earth Dragon."

"The anonymous man is gone, but George Joshua, that lion, isn't quite dead yet; he's back."

"I rolled over again, knelt before the White Shark Association's manager, and demanded my son's body back. My wife couldn't bear to see this, and soon after, she went insane and died."

Bailu felt only sorrow.

"--Old sir, have you ever thought about revenge?"

"I can't win. I'm so old, how can I fight the Crimson Lion? It's suicide! I have to find a way to survive, only by surviving can I have a chance to take revenge!" Dongfang Hao pursed his lips and shook his head. "My child believes that his death was worthwhile, necessary—he died a worthy death."

Thumb found it utterly incomprehensible. "What does 'dying in the right place' mean?"

"The White Shark Association kill him." Dongfang Hao's emotions calmed down. "But if one nameless person dies, there will be thousands more nameless people."

"That's what my silly son said--"

"--Father, what if one day I fall victim to the Blood-giving Monster and am killed by criminals?"

"You must let me wear this battle suit. I'll turn into a butterfly, and then everyone will turn into a butterfly."

Dongfang Hao stuffed the clothes back in and hid them carefully.

"There are still many people, many masked men who live in obscurity and dare not reveal their real names, who continue to fight against the White Shark Association. They will uphold justice in places where Guangling Zhixi cannot reach. If they are like you two, they will have to travel around exploring even more dangerous places. They simply cannot spare any help to assist this remote border region."

"That's probably what my child is thinking: we need to be brave, we have to save ourselves."

"Just last month, two buckets of pig liver appeared outside the community health center. Nobody knows whose organs they were from. The next day, the casino next to Huaxiang Middle School, along with its owner and sixteen thugs, all died a violent death, their bodies hacked to pieces."

"We don't know who did it. I could tell from the wounds on the body that it was the work of the old widow who runs the Wangcai butcher shop downstairs. Her husband died in that casino—because he borrowed money from loan sharks to gamble and didn't pay it back on time."

"Everyone in the walled city knows she committed the crime, and no one has said anything unnecessary because a casino located next to a school is inherently a heinous business."

"My stronghold also has many [nameless] men, each possessing unique skills—knightly combat techniques taught by the gunsmith."

Dongfang Hao went to the brand-new tea table, tidied up the calligraphy and painting paperweights, and refilled the cups for his distinguished guest.

"You two have met this kid Youde. He likes to wash and brush his teeth in the incense hall on the first floor. There's even a sticker of the Nameless One on the mirror. I told him that it's best not to mention the Nameless One in Lieyang Fort, and definitely not to stick it on the wall. The White Shark Association will get angry if they see it and will come looking for trouble."

"The prostitutes at the Laurel Teahouse are the same. Although they like to make money while lying down, they all have a 'General of Tears' as their spiritual support, believing that hybrids of monsters can also integrate into human society—these things sustain them, and they are willing to risk their lives to fight against the White Shark Association."

The two keys were handed to Thumb and 9527 respectively; they were the room keys to Wulong Fortress.

"I originally intended to leave the brothers Sangmen Xing' and 'Xuanfeng Hu,' alive here, but I didn't expect the nameless mistress to do it for me." Dongfang Hao patted his head lightly, feeling a headache coming on. "Originally, I planned to kill two, then bribe the other henchmen, and then figure out how to deal with the cherry poppy food additive issue at Yangjiang Ferry. Now, they've all been wiped out. I'm afraid Todd, the manager of the White Shark Association, will immediately send others to investigate."

"You two can take your equipment to your rooms and get some rest. I'll instruct the villagers to keep the spies Todd sent out of the room. As for what to do next? We'll see how things go. It's hard to say. After all, I wasn't a decision-maker in the warband before; I was just a grenadier charging into battle."

9527, who hadn't spoken until now, started working. She was repairing the bolt of the P320 rifle using the method her husband had taught her—the rifle had jammed earlier because it hadn't been fired in a long time, and it was inevitable that it would malfunction a bit after firing it again after several years.

"I appreciate your kindness, sir," said 9527. "You just said that there would be more spies coming, right?"

Dongfang Hao nodded. "That's right."

9527: "I have an idea."

Dongfang Hao: "If I can help..."

9527 immediately interrupted, saying, "As long as there are a few reliable and trustworthy people, although this stronghold is full of hidden talents, everyone here has families to support and can't risk their lives to become knights-errant. I just need a few capable and efficient helpers."

"Oh, then there are a few talented people." Dongfang Hao hesitated for a moment, seemingly still uneasy, before asking, "What do you intend to do?"

"These ideas keep popping up one after another, and I can't explain them all in a short time." 9527 beckoned Bailu to his side and whispered instructions in her ear, making sure Dongfang Hao couldn't hear.

[Part ②: The Idea King]

Xiao Qi's goal in coming to Lieyang Fort this time was very clear: whoever killed her dog would die.

If everyone in the White Shark Association gets a share, then no one can escape. The one who deserves the most punishment is that red-maned lion, George Joshua.

The task she assigned to Bailu was to protect Thumb and investigate the ships and cruise ships at various docks along the tributaries of the rivers. This was the White Shark Association's top priority. In Fifty-fifth District and District 54, the canal transport industry supported hundreds of thousands of people. Without the strict cargo inspection system of the railway, the profits from illegal transactions and gray-market activities were explosive. Starting from here would directly hit George Joshua's sore spot. As the mastermind behind the scenes, he would definitely have to show himself.

Bailu and Thumb's whereabouts couldn't be told to Dongfang Hao —not because they didn't trust the Grandfather, but because after experiencing the terrifying attack by the Immortals, who knew if there were even more bizarre and mysterious soul powers in the world that could easily pry open the mouths of these ordinary people?

"I'll handle the White Shark Association's spies. We'll discuss the rest over the phone."

Xiao Qi gave these instructions, patted Bailu's shoulder, and Thumb to go to a room to rest while Bailu went to another room to change into casual clothes.

If a VIP from the station were to arrive in this remote and desolate place, they would be immediately recognized by the Transportation Bureau's facial recognition system. On the other hand, no one would care who Xiao Qi, a psionicist who has just entered the Ascension stage, is—even though she has a gunsmith as her husband, not many people would remember her face.

This is also related to the personality of Yellowstone People from 9527. She has always believed that one can make a fortune by keeping a low profile. She has delegated almost all of the anonymous public events and charity exhibitions to Red Sister. Now, Wu Donghong and Liu Weiqiang are the celebrities in the station system.

If it weren't for the Blood-giving Monster at the beginning of the expedition, like the survivors of Eureka Volcano City (if they weren't all killed), most Blood-giving Monster wouldn't recognize Xiao Qi —but Bailu would need to disguise herself properly, as she looks too much like the Big Sister.

After explaining these things, Xiao Qi's eyes darted around, just like Jerry preparing to do something naughty.

"Alright, I'm going to get to work now."

Dongfang Hao quickly asked, "Aren't you planning to rest?"

"I've been resting for six years, just like this gun." Xiao Qi pulled back the slide, and the P320 obediently locked itself smoothly. "When I went out, the manager of the Council of Five Kings called me 'Gunsmith's Wife.' When I went to the administration office, my former customer service supervisor also called me 'Gunsmith's Wife.'"

"Gunsmith's wife! Have you eaten?"

"May the gunsmith's wife be blessed!"

"The gunsmith's wife looks quite well today!"

Xiao Qi described it in a pretentious manner, making faces and shouting in a high-pitched voice.

"Everyone knows I married a good husband, as if I'm good for nothing except choosing a husband."

"I'm not trying to prove anything. If I were to write a book about my husband's story, how many people would start criticizing me for being just a pretty face? I don't even want to think about it—when the children grow up, they might still find these kinds of things in cheap, low-quality literature."

"Landlord, I don't want to rest for another second, I'm leaving now."

After saying these words, Xiao Qi immediately went back to her room to change out of her Flash Butterfly Armor and into casual clothes.

She cut her overly long hair short, biting the hair tie, and put on a neat ponytail. She then donned a work mask, comfortable hard leather jeans, Kevlar vest over a down jacket, and a bunny hat with a built-in ceramic bulletproof helmet.

He tucked his secondary pistol into a holster under his arm for easy access.

"Sister-in-law, how come you changed clothes so quickly?" Bailu had just removed her nail guards when she discovered that 9527 had already changed everything.

Xiao Qi grinned and said, "I was faster when I saw your brother before."

Meanwhile, Manager Todd was restless.

He only knew that the Xuanfeng Hu brothers from the Zhan Gang had gotten into trouble, but he didn't know what had happened.

These two high-ranking thugs from the two gangs didn't carry many high-tech gadgets, and their phones weren't bugged. This was supposed to be a very simple task—talk to the manager of Wulong Fortress, then invite the head of the tidal patrol boat team at Yangjiang Ferry to have a meal together, and get things done amicably. It would have been a happy ending for everyone.

Could these brothers be eager to make a name for themselves and want to take that land back? Wouldn't that be provoking them and cutting off their source of income from rent?

As Todd thought this, a vague sense of unease crept into his heart.

Dongfang Hao is old, but he's still a respected elder in Guangling Zhixi's social circle. If you can bribe him, threaten him, or corrupt him with money, you can save a lot of money on things like clearing waterways. If the two brothers are kicked out, that's fine too; you can send someone else to visit them.

However, more than two hours have passed since these twenty-odd people went in, and they seem to have vanished into thin air. No messages have been sent back. They don't check DingTalk, and they don't answer WeChat or phone calls. The Zhanbang representative in charge of this task is as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, and has even written two different versions of his self-criticism.

What exactly were they doing in there?

"Send two more people in, have them bring listening devices, and ask the neighbors what happened. Don't disturb Dongfang Hao. If they're still talking, let them continue."

After giving this order, Manager Todd immediately went to attend to other matters.

In just a few minutes --

--The scout returned immediately with the news.

"Kill the dog?"

"Boss, the neighbors say they heard that sentence on the first floor."

Todd didn't understand.

"--What do you mean, kill a dog? A stupid dog? Are you swearing? Things aren't going well? I'll think of another way."

The younger brother immediately said, "No! No, no, it's just killing dogs!"

"Tsk, useless thing." Manager Todd hung up the phone, not having time to deal with such a trivial matter, and immediately handed over the task of recruiting intermediaries to another assistant.

A minute later, Todd scrambled back to his office.

What did you just say? Kill a dog?

His face was covered in cold sweat. He seemed to have found some Inspiration from the news a few days ago, but he couldn't believe it.

Meanwhile, the two henchmen who had come to gather information were squatting next to the toilet.

They were completely naked, shivering in the freezing cold, and tentatively probing around the latrine.

9527, holding her gun, threw down their clothes. To her, the button-shaped listening device was like a child's toy, utterly ridiculous.

The moment these two cunning individuals infiltrated the city, Xiao Qi's extensive criminal experience gave her a keen eye, and she immediately sensed that something was amiss.

She picked up the small blackboard she had taken from the kindergarten in the walled city, wrote down each word with chalk, and had her little brother read it aloud.

One of the younger men, trembling, held the phone firmly in front of him.

"Boss, no, no, I misheard. It's idiot dog."

Another underling pleaded repeatedly, casting a begging look at 9527, tears streaming down his face, turning into ice flowers.

"Yes, yes, yes! I'm sorry! I misspoke!"

Todd was furious. "What exactly do you mean?"

The voices on the other end of the phone immediately answered in unison.

"You stupid dog! You want me to cooperate obediently? Dream on!"

"That's what it means, boss! That's what they said! That's what the neighbors heard!"

Todd breathed a sigh of relief, then cursed in a mixture of shock and anger, "You wasted my time! Go eat shit!"

The moment the call ended--

Xiao Qi took the two brothers' phones.

"Did you hear that? Your boss demanded it! After it turns into Spirit Calamity, you absolutely have to settle accounts with him!"

She kicked her spies, who were working for the cannibals, into the cesspool.

In no time, their cries for help grew weaker and weaker, and the two unfortunate brothers drowned in the cesspool.

Xiao Qi, having confirmed that no one had survived, put on her non-prescription glasses and began searching through her two phones to find the next victim.