Round 4: Man in the Mirror
Foreword:
Saving one person is saving the whole world.
--Steven Spielberg
[Part 1: Evidence of Death]
The story begins here; let's go to the riverside scenic area and the No. 2 cruise ship.
In the captain's makeshift office, Manager Todd sat in the master's seat, playing with his supple fingers as he watched them slowly extend, then hook them onto a cup on the table and bring the blood-brewed liquor to his lips.
Blood donation units like his need to regularly replenish their vital essence and adjust the "human content" of their bodies. Many hybrids of monsters also do this. Poor people can only afford supplementary food, but if they are richer, they will try every means to buy human blood.
Humans are to the blood-receiving units what vitamins are to humans. Once the Holy Blood becomes unbalanced, they will break out with a terrifying beast-like disease and be tormented to death by the Vita Imprint.
"Haven't you gotten the stuff yet?" Manager Todd was furious. He had cast a wide net across the city of Lieyang Fort, offering a large sum of money to recruit warriors to search for the treasure—getting the aphrodisiac was no easy task.
George Joshua wanted to control Jiang Bailu, and to ensure the chairman's plan would go perfectly, the task fell to Todd.
As the saying goes, "One mouth from above, legs worn out below." Todd isn't Lawrence Madison, Lieyang Fort isn't like the mushroom-covered Clearwater Bay of White Dragon County. In this frigid North, finding a drug lab and something like Fire Fox's tryptamine is an impossible task.
This is the company's downside --
--Although it has clear rules and regulations, it always stays in the safest place when it does things.
However, the various gangs under the jurisdiction of Lieyang Fort each had their own ulterior motives. Everyone was just an employee, and they were very clear about their own roles. Apart from the Bug Eye Gang, where Radish Bro was, the other gangs all had their own businesses.
The most convenient location for drug smuggling is Lilan Avenue in the Northland Granary District, which is the territory of the Beetle Gang. These people prefer lending money to drug trafficking.
The bandit farmers, skilled in producing poison, never thought of expanding their business or engaging in scientific research and innovation. Selling their old products was enough to cover their funeral expenses, and even enough to cover the funeral expenses of their sons and grandsons. There was no need for them to get involved in chemical preparations and upgrade their industry.
To obtain something like this, only a very few fearless [Outlaw] are willing to venture deep into the territory of other war gangs and confront both the legitimate and illegitimate sides of Lieyang Fort simultaneously. Black-on-black is called "normal business competition," while white-on-white is called "protection money paid to the militia." Todd wouldn't take on these risks; he only cares about providing the money.
This time, Todd issued thirty-two commissions, which were then distributed downwards by his fellow gang members and officers in various regions.
He made arrangements with the militia and security officers in each district, ensuring that anyone helping Todd was given preferential treatment in entering the city center. The friendship between Krichieva and Manager Todd, for example, was gradually built up through these repeated requests.
With each layer of outsourcing, there are layers of middlemen who extract profits. Todd originally quoted 108,800 yuan, but by the time it reached the second-level manager, it became 58,800 yuan. Then it went through the local militia and the local war gang, and finally, the people who actually did the work only received 5,813 yuan to complete the task.
Of these, 1,313 Hui Stone Currency are subject to personal income tax payable to Lieyang Fort.
In conclusion, these are the disadvantages of the White Shark Association as a corporate structure.
--Its efficiency is far inferior to Zero Platform. Without the church as its main body, without a strong core to unite values, it cannot openly use the Holy Blood as sectarian doctrine and sacred relic.
Without these things, people would more or less only believe in money and treat it as a sacred object.
Todd waited in vain for the aphrodisiac, and the calendar turned to November 20th, 2032.
There's nothing new to do on the No. 2 cruise ship's event planning. It's not a holiday season right now, and the Halloween-themed lanterns are still hanging on the deck. Each event theme lasts for half a month to a month, during which the girls dress up in all sorts of sexy costumes and participate in adult expos that fit the theme to present themselves.
But the terrifying clown mask was unsettling Todd; he had a strange premonition—
--If President Joshua can't get his hands on this aphrodisiac, how will he control Jiang Bailu?
This idiot, this man whose entire body, even his brain, is filled with muscles, keeps saying he wants to stay away from idiots, identify idiots, use idiots, and harm idiots.
But no matter how you look at it, George Joshua is just an idiot!
If it weren't for his miraculous invulnerability to blades and bullets, and his fearlessness against firearms, there's no way this guy would have survived to this day! This Immortals survived thanks to his powerful psychic energy!
But this guy insists on attributing all of this to masculine spirit, to a man's courage, to his personal charm? To his brilliant ideas? To his vision?
What a joke! He can deal with the local merchants of Lieyang Fort, handle the governor, and bully the weak! Todd saw all these qualities and highly recognized President Joshua's ability to bully the weak.
But do we really have to confront the nameless man head-on? The battle records from six years ago don't lie!
George Joshua, as a shareholder of the Madness Butterfly Sect of Lieyang Fort, along with the cult leader who was then ruling Zero Platform, was crushed to pieces by the Nameless Ones. The Gunsmith didn't even show up—it was only the War King and a few other Nameless Ones who led the Warbands to slaughter Zero Platform in one night, like killing chickens and dogs.
Ghost Arm Ron escaped, but President Joshua did not. After being defeated in a duel with the War King, he relied on his powerful psychic energy to change his physical form and ultimately escaped successfully.
George Joshua has always been unwilling to discuss with Todd how he escaped.
Todd didn't dare ask either; the last manager to ask that question had been thrown into the river to feed the fish.
"If we can't find them, we can't find them. We have to improvise. I'm going to pick them up."
Todd was filled with anxiety. The date was already set, and this time he couldn't afford to postpone it. If George Joshua could really control Jiang Bailu and bring her into his harem, making her the nominal wife of the White Shark Association, then the company would be legitimate!
If President Joshua could be a little more proactive, he and Jiang Bailu could have a few children!
Even if Ming De were to arrive, it must still be reasonable and legal!
Since ancient times, no friendship has been more reliable than marriage. Joshua can control the business of Lieyang Fort and decide how the people in this land live. He is the local tyrant.
Would an anonymous person really point a gun at a gunsmith's family? Probably not!
The gunsmith is dead, leaving behind the family's bloodline in the Northern Territory frontier. The War King and her sister will likely gradually adapt to this humiliating yet blissful fate; this is the tragedy of being a woman.
Once they become appendages of men, they will never be free again, Todd thought, and finally realized that President Joshua wasn't entirely a complete idiot—this leader who reeked of stench could be questioned for his political tactics, but his political wisdom should never be questioned.
To ensure the Nameless Ones' aura continues to shine in the underworld, Ming De must also imbue the White Shark Association with this aura, giving it a divine quality. This is similar to the ancient Chinese tale of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, making one chuckle.
Since the Cowherd stole the Weaver Girl's clothes, he too must acquire divinity, because the Weaver Girl cannot be degraded from a goddess to a human; she must remain pure, and she has no chance to fall into human form. The gods will not allow the Weaver Girl to fall. Even the Cowherd's oxen must ascend to heaven, learn to fly, and learn to ride the clouds.
It seemed that everything was just as Chairman Joshua had said—you only needed to conquer, and you would naturally become rich and powerful.
Todd couldn't understand the logic of these Immortals. With a mixture of contempt and admiration, he arrived at the hotel where Thumb was. Under the pouring rain, he summoned the receptionist, explained his purpose to Thumb, and respectfully greeted Joshua's bride.
This could very well be Joshua's chance to turn the tables and take control. Todd had initially thought Joshua was crazy—when George Joshua spoke nonsense without batting an eye, saying things like, "If you can't beat a woman, can't kill her, and have no chance of defeating her, then try to seduce her. That's their fatal weakness!" Todd found it all absurd.
But when it came to actually carrying it out, Todd suddenly felt relieved, as if some knot in his heart had been untied.
If all goes well, after this Immortals successfully reaches the shore, Todd will also ascend to heaven with him, becoming the hardworking old ox of the Cowherd! He will learn to fly! He will become an immortal along with the gods!
The first person to step out of the elevator was Thumb. The leader of the Hand of Omnipotence looked quite dejected. He was no longer as spirited and energetic as before. It seemed that the gradual decline of the Hand of Omnipotence over the years had made this middle-aged man increasingly frustrated.
Following closely behind was Jiang Bailu.
Todd was watching closely, trying to find a weakness in her. If this woman was a real Big Sister, then things would be bad.
But after looking for a long time, he couldn't sense any spiritual pressure characteristics from the Big Sister.
Bailu wasn't carrying any weapons or wearing the Flash Butterfly Armor; she had simply changed into a set of casual sportswear.
Thumb greeted him politely, "Manager Todd, I've heard so much about you."
The last time Thumb Guy came to this place, Todd hadn't made his fortune yet. He was just an Armadillo Hunters in District 56. This was the first time the two had met.
Todd immediately put on a businesslike fake smile, "Mr. Mana!"
He opened his arms and embraced Thumb affectionately, like two brothers reunited after many years.
The manager led the way to the hotel entrance, talking as they walked.
"President Joshua has been eagerly anticipating arranging a meeting for Miss Jiang Bailu. Mr. Mana's willingness to introduce Miss Bailu is truly a wonderful thing—I don't know how to thank you enough."
Mana was sweating profusely, finding Todd, this smiling tiger, utterly terrifying. He couldn't imagine how a bastard who manipulated gangs to commit murder and robbery, ruining countless families, could calmly utter such words.
It should be noted that Jiang Bailu's family members are mortal enemies of the Madness Butterfly Sect.
Far from showing any hostility, Manager Todd's dignified and composed demeanor impressed Thumb Guy; such shrewdness was rare even at the Hedland Hotel.
Thumb: "Oh, hehehe. It was nothing."
Todd continued, "It's already quite late, and the second cruise ship has just closed. There are no other passengers on board. President Joshua prefers quiet; he's always been a shy and somewhat reclusive person, huh."
"That second cruise ship is also the highest-spec and most luxuriously decorated ship in our White Shark Association. It's only fitting for Miss Bailu's status to be used to receive her."
"With no other guests to disturb us, I'm confident that President Joshua will be able to provide Miss Bailu with a good tour guide job, hmm?"
When this was mentioned, Todd glanced at Bailu one more time.
Jiang Bailu winked and asked, "Shy? Aloof?"
Todd proactively opened his umbrella, put his Thumb inside the car, and then raised his arm for Bailu to help him.
Bailu was bold enough to rush into the back seat of the car, ignoring Todd.
This made Todd a little embarrassed, so the manager continued—
"--Yes, he's a shy person, probably like your older brother, and like the gunsmith."
Bailu's eyes immediately reddened when this was mentioned.
At that moment, Manager Todd felt a surge of psychic energy, and a chill ran through him. He repeatedly confirmed the characteristics of this psychic energy in his mind—yes, she wasn't the Big Sister. She couldn't be; this spiritual pressure was like a fierce little wolfhound, only capable of burping.
"Watch your mouth, you bastard!" Bailu cursed. "You said George Joshua looks like my brother? What kind of nonsense is that?"
Todd didn't care and, still smiling, got into the driver's seat.
"I'm so sorry! I'm terribly sorry! I know the gunsmith just passed away, and it was my fault for bringing up your painful memory. I'll take you to see President Joshua right away."
This Rolls-Royce is almost silent when it starts. It was a birthday gift from George Joshua to Todd and is now used to entertain VIPs at the White Shark Association.
As the car drove south along the riverside scenic belt, passing the No. 2 cruise ship, Bailu felt nervous. She didn't know how many people her sister-in-law would bring. Now, George Joshua's location had been locked! If they could capture this Immortals, Lieyang Fort would be reborn!
The most terrifying thing about these immortal and powerful beings is not that they are difficult to defeat, but that they are invisible, intangible, elusive, and impossible to grasp.
They are willing to live in anonymity, to cultivate themselves in a certain place for decades, even if it means living in poverty to disguise themselves, just to survive, and to wait for the right opportunity to commit evil.
[Part ②·The Torture Chamber]
As the Rolls-Royce emblem passed the stern of the No. 2 cruise ship, it showed no sign of stopping.
--Mana finally woke up.
"Manager Todd! Why are we still driving forward?"
Todd smiled and replied, "Oh! The rain is really heavy today. The decorations on Cruise Ship Number Two are still on deck; they're still tidying up the tables, chairs, and decorations! Shall we change our plans and go to Cruise Ship Number Three instead?"
In that instant, Jiang Bailu was stunned and paled. She had left a message for her sister-in-law before setting off, informing her that George Joshua's exact location was on Cruise Ship Number Two. So why was the meeting place changed at the last minute?
Has Joshua already realized the assassination attempt?
Is this old man really that cunning?
She instinctively reached for her phone to send a message to 9527, but every move she made was observed by Manager Todd, whose bright red eyes were fixed on her in the rearview mirror.
"Miss Bailu, who do you want to message? Are you letting your family know you're safe? I'm sorry, but this rain might affect your cell phone signal."
The urban precipitation and dust suppression system in Lieyang Fort was orchestrated by Todd, and regional precipitation is a form of silent violence. This is a very useful weather weapon for the White Shark Association. They can punish disobedient warbands without having to commit crimes or break the law.
At this moment, Bailu also had a problem sending a message to 9527; she had to find a landline.
Thumb finally couldn't sit still any longer. "Todd, stop the car."
In that instant, Todd felt a murderous intent—
--What's wrong with this old guy?
Isn't he a member of the Madness Butterfly Sect? And a fundamentalist at that!
He came here this time clearly intending to use Jiang Bailu as a bargaining chip, handing her over to Joshua in exchange for his future!
Why would he change his mind at the last minute? Could it be that this guy really wants to cooperate with the Nameless One to assassinate the guild leader?
"I don't understand, Mr. Mana. Do you intend to take Miss Bailu away?"
His Thumb hesitated, his words evasive, and he dared not give a direct answer.
He knew things were going badly; sending Bailu to the No. 3 cruise ship like this would be like throwing a lamb to the slaughter.
The 9527 Liaison Task Force had to follow proper procedures to search the White Shark Association. The target of the search was the adult entertainment industry on Cruise Ship No. 2, which was a subsidiary of the White Shark Association.
But searching a casino is a completely different matter; the nature of the operation is entirely different. The warbands wouldn't allow it. From deploying forces to troop deployment, it would require commanding two or three hundred warbands to revise the battle plan, and they have no backup plan. If anything goes wrong, they will pay a bloody price.
But are the battle groups willing to shed blood and sacrifice for 9527?
Six years ago, Mr. Fantastic was willing to bleed for Gunsmith and sacrifice himself for Big Sister. Now, with the fallen leader gone, 9527 no longer has that power, and the friendship between Gunsmith and the Chapter comes to an end.
Thumb: "I'm taking her with me. Todd, we originally agreed on Cruise Ship Number Two, and that's what we wanted to go on. Now you've suddenly changed your mind; you broke your promise first."
Todd finally lost his temper. "Do you want to die, Mana? You've got a death wish? We could have been friends."
As they said this, the car slowed down, and other vehicles—all of them escort vehicles from the Zhan Gang—came closer from the roads on both sides of the scenic belt.
Thumb and Bailu were already surrounded, with eight cars escorting the Rolls-Royce as it continued forward.
"Do you think I'd let you go?" Todd said casually, his hands on the steering wheel tapping out a cheerful rhythm, his pinky finger pointing high in the air with obvious smugness. "The moment you contacted me, it was all settled, Thumb."
"You need to face reality. You can only be a thief. If you want to escape the clutches of Madness Butterfly and throw yourself into the arms of Ming De, you'll have to ask your brothers if they agree first."
"You're the only one who managed to escape with these children; what are we supposed to do?"
"If you dare to do anything reckless, I guarantee I'll make you wish you were dead—"
"--I hope Mr. Mana..."
Having said that, Todd reverted to his previous respectful tone.
"Think it over carefully. Killing you all now would be as easy as turning my hand. It's just a pity that Miss Jiang Bailu is about to perish."
"Our president, George Joshua, is kind-hearted. He can't bear to see bloodshed or death."
"Mr. Mana, think about your duty. Even if you don't save yourself, you should at least save Bailu."
"Saving one person is like saving the whole world."
"Isn't this the very essence of the Hand of Omnipotence, the Thumb?"
Mana's face turned pale as he looked around at the surrounding vehicles. They were heavily guarded from all sides. The thugs in the escort vehicles were very professional, fully equipped, and their armor and firearms were expensive. Even the regular soldiers of the battle group did not have such good light infantry weapons.
Bailu didn't say anything. Since Joshua wanted to see her, then let them have a proper meeting!
Brother Xue Ming had told her that her primordial energy was no less than that of the Big Sister, so this should be a trial!
So Bailu said, "Let's go, keep driving, don't keep Joshua waiting too long."
Todd breathed a sigh of relief. If this future White Shark Association lady had thrown a tantrum, he would have lost his job. President Joshua was a very ruthless businessman. If Jiang Bailu's value was far greater than his, Todd's, then Todd would have become trash, dog poop, bedbug, and toilet paper to be thrown away after use.
The No. 3 cruise ship resembled a dark, towering skyscraper.
There were other ships near the pier, and wealthy people who came to the casino gathered together, waiting in the guest berth area, taking turns to board the cruise ship's long ladder.
After Todd helped Bailu out of the car, he didn't offer to hold an umbrella for Bailu. Now that the tables had turned, he didn't need to be so careful. He called over a female bodyguard from the convoy next to him and asked her to take care of Bailu.
A tall woman wearing sunglasses and a mask stepped out of the dark Volkswagen, squeezed next to Bailu while holding an umbrella, and opened the car door.
Bailu didn't pay much attention at first, and followed the guests forward, walking behind Manager Todd all the way.
Suddenly, Thumb Guy's scream came from behind him--
--The henchmen of the Zhan Gang raised their Thumb, but no one knew what was wrong.
Thumb's eyes rolled back, his whole body trembled, white foam came out of his mouth, and blood vessels seemed to pierce his pupils.
In Thumb's eyes, there were many "familiar faces" standing on this dock, covered in bloody wounds, as if they had crawled out of the torture chambers of hell.
The surging vengeful spirits that rose from the river climbed ashore one by one. The Holy Church leaders who had died at Glory's hands had different expressions. They shaped the War King, they made the War King, and in the end, they almost "returned to oneness" with the War King, becoming his Chang Ghost.
They stood on both sides of the riverbank, forming two long lines, crowding in front of the long ladder for boarding the boat, as if they were going to heaven and wanted to climb the ladder as well.
At this moment, Bailu subconsciously looked at the female bodyguard beside her.
The Big Sister propped up her sunglasses, glanced at her younger sister, and then placed her index finger against the front of her mask with her gloved hand, signaling her to be quiet.
This is the third day since Jiang Xueming left the Dead Puppet Agency. He promised to kill George Joshua within three days, and he must keep his word.
They looked at each other as if there were a mirror between them.