Dual wielding volcanoes, killing through the west

Looking at the chaotic ruts and hoofprints on the grassland, she imagined that perhaps her father had also ridden this road.

“It’s getting late, let’s camp here tonight. We’re going faster than expected.” Zhang Renfeng pulled on the reins and gently squeezed the horse’s belly with his leg. “We’ve been lucky this way, nothing unexpected has happened, and we haven’t encountered any bounty hunters.”

“From the time the warrant is issued to the time the bounty hunters arrive from all over New Elizabeth, it will take at least a month.” Mike skillfully jumped off his horse and took the reins in his hand. “Besides, what do you have to worry about? Apart from me, this little girl, and that grocery store kid, everyone who knows you’re from the Red Center is dead.”

“Even geese leave traces when they fly by. If you commit such a crime, you will be found out sooner or later. It’s just a matter of time.” Zhang Renfeng saw this very quickly. He squinted and looked in the direction they were heading. The lush wild grass was beginning to recede from the ground. As they walked further, the terrain gradually rose. They were about to leave the Tinglan Grassland and enter the mountain soil covered with withered branches and fallen leaves.

Despite the hefty bounty on their heads, the two managed to time their departure, leaving Windblown Sand Town before the bounty hunters could gather in large numbers. Since their appearances remained concealed, they walked openly along the main road, saving them considerable time.

The campsite Zhang Renfeng found had two large rocks behind it, which could also serve as cover in case of a gunfight. Tying their horses to the rocks and setting up camp, as long as they didn't make too much noise, they would be almost invisible even to passersby—a very good hiding place.

In this desolate wilderness, it's best to minimize interactions with outsiders.

"Are we heading in the right direction?"

“Although I’m a bit older, I’m not so old that my eyesight is failing.” Mike didn’t need a map; the map was in his head. He simply took out a compass from his bag, checked the direction, and then said confidently, “The Grey Wolf Mountains are just ahead.”

"As the name suggests, a long time ago—and I mean a long time ago, about 20 years ago—this mountain was home to a type of gray wolf. Good heavens! They were huge! I'd never seen such creatures in my life, like they'd crawled out of an old lady's horror story. Their fur was so soft, shimmering in the moonlight, and their eyes were like emeralds… Actually, I've never seen what emeralds look like either. I've heard they're a green gemstone from California. Anyway, if emeralds aren't like that, it must be their fault."

"In short, back then, making clothes from gray wolf pelts was a trend. Large numbers of hunters flocked to the mountains, including novices and newbies. Some returned laden with wolf pelts and fangs, while others perished in the wolf's belly, their bodies excreted as excrement, forever becoming one with the mountain."

"The hunter group gradually grew larger, and they built more and more houses on the mountain, turning it into a small village. After a few years, it turned into a dilapidated town."

"Later, the wolves were all killed. They began to fear the smell of gunpowder and living people, and they stayed deep in the mountains and never came out again. Unable to catch wolves, the mountain range was abandoned by the hunters, like a mine that had been dug out. Just like when they first came up the mountain, they came down the mountain in batches, and the town was abandoned. Until many years later, a new gang emerged."

“The Thunder Fury Gang…” Xiao Mei murmured.

“The Thunder Gang.” Mike nodded, putting his Panama hat into his saddlebag. “They used abandoned towns as their base, building a criminal kingdom, just like I said before. They named it ‘Scar Village.’ After all these years, I don’t know what the village is like now, but… guns, money, cigarettes, alcohol, and women, they definitely have it all.”

"There's such a connection," Zhang Renfeng remarked with a sigh. "It sounds just like Liangshan Marsh."

"What is that?" Xiaomei asked curiously.

"It's a story from my hometown. There were 108 people who, for various reasons, had to go up the mountain and become outlaws to fight against the imperial court, that is, the emperor. The court was so corrupt that it was beyond saving. It was this cannibalistic world that forced them to do this. These people had their own armed forces, army, and tactics."

"It's a pity... one incompetent general led to the death of the entire army. Their leader was too short-sighted and failed to see the hidden dangers behind the peace talks..."

As they spoke, Zhang Renfeng seemed to remember something, and his expression changed slightly. "I've never asked, what kind of person is the leader of the Thunder Fury Gang?"

A cool breeze swept across the sea of ​​grass, and waves of emerald green rippled in the last golden rays of the setting sun, creating a spectacular sight.

“We’re here to find someone, remember? Not to send you crashing into Scar Village and going on a killing spree,” Mike said in a deep voice. “You! You’re a passing Eastern merchant, dealing in silk and porcelain. I’m your hired bodyguard. We came from the east, passing through Granite State, stopping in San Quintak, and then passing through here. This girl is your partner’s daughter, and you promised to escort her to New Austin. It’s that simple!”

……

Clearly, Zhang Renfeng was not satisfied with the answer. He stared straight at Mike, his determination evident in his eyes.

Mei was also curious; she had a stubborn thirst for knowledge about everything related to the Thunder Fury Gang. Giselle killed her father, but there was no doubt that he wouldn't have dared to so openly murder a new Elizabethan State Mounted Police officer without the gang's backing.

“Okay, since you insist on knowing…” Mike shrugged, “‘Soul’.”

"Thor?" Xiaomei frowned. "Is that the name from Norse mythology?"

“You’ve read quite a few books, little girl,” Mike said with a hint of teasing. “That’s right, it’s him. Over the years, no one has ever seen his true face. We don’t know his height, weight, or gender.”

"All I know is this strange name, similar to the title he gave himself, like Red Center, only more famous. At the height of the Thunder Gang's power, it even briefly overshadowed Old Jack."

"It is said..."

"He's a god in a suit, and lightning can shoot from his fingertips."

Chapter Seventeen: On the Arena

Mike picked up several empty bottles tied together with a rope, saying he was going to fetch water from a nearby river. They still had some drinking water left, but considering they would be heading into the mountains tomorrow, there might not be much water to replenish before they reached Scar Village safely, so they had to be well prepared.

The crackling fire seemed to possess a tranquil magic, drawing Xiaomei's gaze involuntarily, as if her eyes were being drawn into it.

"哐——!"

"哐——!"

"哐——!"

……

A rhythmic sound pounded the earth, seemingly coming from the other side of the grassland, sometimes near, sometimes far. Zhang Renfeng found it strange, pressed his ear to the ground, and listened carefully, as if trying to figure out where it was coming from, but ultimately to no avail.

"Mr. Hongzhong, what are you doing?" Xiaomei asked curiously, poking at the campfire with a twig. "Are there any wild animals around here?"

“Don’t call me Hongzhong, that’s not my name… Zhang, Ren, Feng.” He patiently taught me, one pronunciation at a time, like a teacher enlightening a young child. “In your country, the surname comes last and the given name comes first, so you should call me ‘renfeng zhang’.”

"Zhang...ren..." Xiaomei tried several times, but her tongue just couldn't get it right. This name was just too counterintuitive for her, so she looked at Zhang Renfeng expectantly and asked in a low voice, "If I continue to call you Mr. Red One, will you be angry?"

"Call me whatever you want. A name is just a label. There are millions of Zhang Renfengs in the world, so what am I?" Zhang Renfeng took out the wine he always carried with him, gulped it down, and still showed a disgusted expression.

He had long complained that he couldn't get used to the wines brewed in this land; they were sluggish and lacked strength.

However, separated by half a world, the taste of home is not so easy to find.

Only the moon, slowly climbing into the sky, is exactly the same as the one seen in my hometown.

"哐——!"

"哐——!"

He was somewhat uneasy, like a startled wild animal, looking around, "What on earth is that noise? How could it travel so far?"

“That’s a mine.” Xiao Mei took the blanket that Mike and Zhang Renfeng slept on from the saddle rope, spread it on the ground, and smoothed it out with her hands. She explained softly, “There should be a mine nearby where they are extracting oil. When the piles are tamping the ground, they make this sound. They have to break the ground open to find the oil. That’s what my dad told me.”

"oil?"

"Yes, oil. There are oil wells like this everywhere, and many people have made a fortune from it."

Turning around, Xiao Mei noticed that Zhang Renfeng still looked confused and asked curiously, "Mr. Hongzhong, doesn't your country have oil?"

“My country…” Zhang Renfeng gave a bitter smile, his tone as if recalling something from a past life, “I don’t know, maybe there are, but no one has ever dug up the ground, let alone made a hole in it. That’s against the rules. Our ancestors are buried underground. Doing that would disturb their peace.”

"Eh~~~ You actually think that way?" Xiaomei listened intently. She had finished her chores and sat on her bed, hugging her knees. Her bright blue eyes, illuminated by the firelight, were particularly lively and filled with a smile. "Mr. Hongzhong's hometown is very far from here, isn't it?"

“It’s practically two different worlds.” Zhang Renfeng nodded, took out another cigarette, put it in his mouth, and hesitated to light it, his eyes somewhat unfocused. “What? Little girl, do you want to hear a story?”

"Tomorrow, we'll be heading up the mountain." Xiaomei's expression no longer held just a desire for revenge. The journey these past few days had made her understand more clearly what she was doing at this moment. "I want to remember as much as possible about you all. No matter how it ends, if there is a future... I will cherish these memories as treasures for the rest of my life."

The girl's voice was beautiful; at least, in this deserted wilderness, she had entrusted everything to him.

“A treasure…” Zhang Renfeng murmured.

The sounds of the mine echoed in the distance, each one seemingly striking his heart.

"哐——!"

"哐——!"

----

"Bang—!"

With the sound of a gong, a large crowd gathered around the small arena, shoulder to shoulder, cheering and applauding.

Zhang Renfeng stood on the arena, arms crossed, eyes half-closed, sizing up his opponent—a man in his thirties carrying a large sword, waiting for him to launch an attack.

In contrast, the opponent, who clearly possessed weapons, appeared more tense, assuming a fighting stance and hesitating for a long time. It was like a shark chasing a whale in the ocean, looking at the whale's enormous size, even with its fangs bared, it didn't know where to begin its attack.

"What?" Zhang Renfeng, as if taking a stroll, cupped his hands in greeting and revealed a relaxed smile, slowly pacing around the small arena. "The renowned Luo Dao Sect, do you intend to kill me with your eyes and stare me to death?"

"You greenhorn..." The swordsman gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his face. A drop of sweat dripped from his beard, slammed onto the arena, and shattered into eight pieces. "Take this!"

With a roar, the tiger drew its broadsword.

He wielded that thin piece of iron with tremendous force, its cold light almost enveloping his entire body. Horizontal slashes, vertical cuts, and diagonal strikes—every move was full of power, forcing Zhang Renfeng to retreat continuously…at least that's how it appeared to onlookers.

Only those truly in the ring feel this despair.

Almost.

No matter how he slashed or swung, he was always just a little short; either the opponent dodged his attack, or the opponent deflected his force with a push. In short, this tiny gap that he couldn't close was the insurmountable chasm between him and the young martial artist before him.

"I see." Dodging a knife, Zhang Renfeng quickly stood up and laughed, "They say 'a single sword depends on the hand, a double sword depends on the movement,' Uncle, you usually focus all your attention on your hands when you practice, right? You don't pay attention to anything else at all, that's very dangerous."

"Shut up!" The swordsman was already showing signs of exhaustion, but he still tried his best to maintain the dignity of the old sect. "It's not your place, you brat, to teach me how to train..."

"brush!"

Zhang Renfeng suddenly ducked down, turned his head, and swung his thick braid in the air, striking the swordsman's eye with a "smack".

Braid technique.

It was a martial arts style that was almost considered low-class, but Zhang Renfeng didn't care. To him, martial arts had no inherent good or bad, as long as it was useful. Practicing martial arts required not only mastering weapons but also making one's hands and feet part of the weapon. So, what's wrong with adding a hair?

Taking advantage of the swordsman's scream as he clutched his eyes, Zhang Renfeng followed up with a sweeping leg kick. As he expected, the opponent's skill was all concentrated in his hands, leaving his lower body defense weak. The sweeping leg easily knocked him down. With a thud, he was swept to the ground, his back slamming onto the ring, and he cried out in pain.

The outcome was decided, and cheers erupted from the audience.

"Thank you for acknowledging my rudeness, Uncle. When you get back, start practicing standing meditation." Zhang Renfeng cupped his hands in greeting and retreated to a corner of the arena with a smile—there was a seat reserved for him there, with some tea prepared on it. After each match, if he was thirsty, he would drink a cup of tea to moisten his throat.

But this time... something unexpected happened.

The swordsman lying on the ground gritted his teeth in hatred, his eyes almost spitting fire.

"It's not over yet—!!" he shouted, instantly springing up and raising his incredibly sharp Luo sword, slashing towards Zhang Renfeng's back.

Chapter 18: The New Visitor

One blade came at him, but Zhang Renfeng turned his head to dodge it. Another blade was aimed straight at his neck.

"when---!!"

The clanging of metal made all the spectators below hold their breath. After a moment, a thunderous roar of surprise erupted – he had actually opened his mouth and bit the blade with his teeth. This scene was so rare that it was a stroke of genius, giving all the spectators present more to talk about over tea.

"Qi-hardening Kung Fu?!"

With a clang, Zhang Renfeng tilted his head and, with astonishing bite force, snapped the man's broadsword in two, spitting it on the ground like garbage. He grinned maliciously, "You really know your stuff!"

"drink!"

He joined his index and middle fingers together to form the shape of a short sword, and thrust it fiercely at the swordsman's Chongmen acupoint, a fatal acupoint located on the inner thigh.

Zhang Renfeng's strength was so great that the finger pierced through flesh and bone in an instant, and when it was pulled out, the finger was covered in the swordsman's blood and flesh. He screamed in agony, his hand could no longer grip the knife, his right leg buckled, and he knelt on the ground, stretching out a hand and frantically shouting for a halt.

"Wait, wait a minute... I lost, I lost! I admit defeat..."

"Admit defeat?!" Zhang Renfeng couldn't suppress his smile, and cursed angrily, "Admit your ass!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

Three consecutive punches landed on the same spot, breaking his ribs and slightly deforming the bone structure inside the swordsman's body. Blood gushed from his mouth and nose. Zhang Renfeng showed no mercy, assuming the Three-Body Stance, his body drawn out like a bow, changing his fist into a palm, and unleashing a palm strike that pierced the air with a whooshing sound, striking the swordsman's jaw squarely!

With a loud "crack," even the seemingly gentle "palm strike" was delivered with terrifying force. The swordsman's entire jaw was shattered, teeth and flesh flying everywhere. He was also sent flying off the stage by the residual force, landing hard and convulsing.

Before long, he could only inhale but not exhale.

In broad daylight, a man was beaten to death, yet he was met with thunderous cheers. The crowd was practically boiling over, cheering and clapping, a tidal wave of applause surging towards him. But perhaps because this duel was not exactly honorable, Zhang Renfeng did not sit in his usual winner's seat to drink tea, but instead raised his eyebrows and impatiently waved to the audience.

"Don't waste my time. Everyone who signed the waiver of life and death, come on over."

Everyone was shocked, except for the old man with the white beard who was organizing the competition, who was almost laughing out loud. He suddenly waved his hand and shouted, "Everyone who has signed the death warrant, go up!"

In the blink of an eye, a huge crowd filled the arena, each assuming a strange and varied stance.

----

“Wait a minute…” Mike interrupted him, looking at him with some doubt. “You mean, you can bite a knife in half with your teeth? Is there no exaggeration involved? Or are the knives in your country actually made of paper?”

"Want to give it a try?" Zhang Renfeng lay comfortably by the campfire in a reclining position, and said with a smile, "Throw your dagger over here and see if I can bite it off with my teeth."

"You almost convinced me." Recalling the fight at the bar, he had indeed stabbed him with a dagger, but it felt like he had stabbed steel. Mike had to believe it. "So, your whole body is this hard? Including that thing in your crotch?"

Xiaomei's face flushed red. She wrapped a blanket around her shoulders, pretending not to hear anything and not to participate in the adults' conversation.

Although, given her age, she could be considered an "adult" in this wild west.

"You'll have to ask my wife about that," Zhang Renfeng said, counting on his fingers. "And then there are the maids who share the room, and the concubines who come in after marriage..."

“Wait a minute,” Mike couldn’t help but call out. “In your country, are men allowed to have so many wives?”

A gentle smile appeared on Zhang Renfeng's face. "There can only be one legal wife, but there can be many concubines. I still remember their names. My wife's surname is Bai. She is the daughter of a wealthy family. When she married into the family, she brought a maidservant with her. This maidservant has served her master since she was a child. After she grew up, she worked with her master... like a younger sister, taking care of her daily life."

"Why do you need someone to take care of you?" Xiaomei asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Is your wife sick?"

Zhang Renfeng pursed his lips, unsure how to answer the question, so he simply skipped over it, saying, "There's also a girl named Qiuyun, a little maid who was kicked out of the opera troupe."