Iron Bull taucht wieder auf

Kapitel 144

His emotions gradually became agitated, his lips twitched incessantly, and his blood began to surge again in his young chest.

In the initial stages of the Sharpshooter Society's entry into the Japanese market, they fought extremely hard. All their territory and branches were won inch by inch with blood, wounds, and lives lost. Countless young people just like Xiao Lai fell to the long knives of the biker gang and the nunchucks of the Yamaguchi-gumi.

I couldn't help but sigh, but I didn't interrupt him.

He touched the scar on the corner of his mouth, his jaw muscles clenching laboriously: "This scar is from taking a knife for Master Guan. The person who wounded me was chopped into seventeen or eighteen pieces in three seconds. Every enemy who dares to compete with the Divine Gun Society for the world will fall under our blades—this is Mr. Sun Long's teaching, and every brother in the society will keep it in mind."

I read the official report of that battle in the Asahi Shimbun, around December 8, 2003. According to the general figures released by the Japanese police, more than 120 people died on both sides of the fight, more than 80% of whom were Japanese yakuza youths. It snowed heavily that day, but the blood of the dead and wounded stained the snow on three streets red, which then froze into blood-red ice blocks, causing a major headache for the police and sanitation departments.

For young gangsters, the only way to rise in the underworld is through bloodshed, so their first step into the underworld is based on the survival concept of "you die, I live."

"And then what?" I wondered what Master Guan, who always appeared in the media as a gentle scholar, would be like when he was fighting his enemies.

Xiao Lai gave a bewildered, cold laugh, his lips twitching with a strain: "After that battle, Master Guan became my godfather. He has four biological sons, and together with me, we are respectfully called the 'Five Tigers of the Guan Family' by the brothers in the guild. At the end of next year, the higher-ups of the Divine Gun Guild intend to transfer Brother Thirteen to India to develop the guild, and have me take over from him to manage the Japanese branch."

Such a glorious and rapid rise to prominence should make anyone feel extremely honored after being personally selected by the emperor, but Xiao Lai's eyes remained bewildered and complicated.

I sighed again. When the Sharpshooter Gang was fighting hand-to-hand with the Yamaguchi-gumi and the biker gang in this tiny island country of Japan, did they ever think about the "Big Seven" that would destroy the entire earth?

Humans, having evolved into the 21st century, often feel a sense of superiority, equating all lower life forms with those like summer insects that cannot comprehend ice or mayflies that live only a day. This leads them to relentlessly pursue the maximization of their own interests. In reality, compared to the vast and boundless expanse of the universe, aren't humans, in a relative sense, merely ants or specks of dust? It's just that their reason has been blinded by self-interest, gradually making them short-sighted.

While some people dream of a future where they can command the world and lead their armies across the globe, perhaps the true destruction of their lives has already quietly begun.

I stretched out my hands, watching the swirling snowflakes melt instantly in my palms. In that instant, my mind was as peaceful as a mirror, entering a state of enlightenment where I forgot myself and the world around me. This blue planet beneath my feet is the foundation of all life; without the skin, where would the fur attach?

“Mr. Feng, your actions are just like Master Guan’s. He also likes to look up at the sky when it snows, swallow the falling snowflakes into his mouth and let them melt in his palm. He even installed snow collection and melting devices in more than a dozen villas in Northern Europe to store the snow water as a source of water for brewing tea.”

The boy may have said it without thinking, but I took it to heart. Sun Long once said that the reason he believed I had superhuman abilities was entirely due to the profound analysis he received from Master Guan. Rumor has it that without Master Guan, there would be no increasingly thriving Sharpshooter Society, and no rising star like Sun Long.

In my mind, Master Guan has always been a peerless master who is rarely seen, but unfortunately I have never had the chance to learn from him in person.

All I could hear was the soft rustling of snowflakes falling, accompanied by the crisp sound of snow breaking the bare branches of shrubs.

The eastern sky was gradually brightening; dawn was fast approaching. Thinking about it, the timing of the important figure's departure was truly perfect; otherwise, if he had been delayed by this blizzard, his busy political career would have suffered greatly.

"Xiao Lai, if you have time, I hope to meet Master Guan and ask him about his 'Bone-Touching Technique' in person." The full name of that skill should be "The Mysterious Bone-Touching Technique," which uses the size and arrangement of a person's bones to accurately predict their life's destiny. Among all Chinese people worldwide, only he knows it, and he never reveals it to anyone else.

Xiao Lai put down his gun, took out a black wallet from his breast pocket, and pulled out a photo from a hidden compartment to show me: "Mr. Feng, he has gone to the US military base in Guantama and will be coming to Hokkaido soon. I believe you will have a chance to meet him."

In the photo, Master Guan, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, sits elegantly in a rattan chair, holding a yellowed ancient scroll in his hands. He appears completely absorbed, with an air of detachment, as if he were oblivious to the world around him and focused solely on studying the classics. On his right thumb, he wears a large jade thumb ring, which becomes the focal point of the entire photo.

Following the Iraq War, the Guantama U.S. military base became a focal point of media attention.

Xiao Lai wanted to elaborate: "He went to see a captured Iraqi general. It's said that after being captured, the general emphasized to the commander-in-chief of the US-British coalition that he would only speak to Master Guan. The general's name—"

I patted him on the shoulder to interrupt him: "I know, no need to go into details."

Regarding the conclusions of the success or failure of the Iraq War, I know at least more than Xiao Lai. That general, who called himself the "powerful hegemon of the Middle East," always saw himself as a savior leading the Arab world against American hegemony and never believed in fate. After being captured, he repeatedly requested to see Guan Fuzi, Asia's most famous fortune teller, which shows that his psychological defenses had been destroyed by American interrogation experts, to the point that he began to doubt his own lofty mission.

The rooftops and courtyards were covered with more than 20 centimeters of snow, a vast expanse of white, like huge, soft cotton quilts.

Xiao Lai wiped the snow off the gun, stretched comfortably, and relaxed his tense nerves.

The snow showed no sign of stopping, continuing to fall at a leisurely pace. The top of the "Tower of the Dead" appeared even more imposing and aloof, as if wearing an extremely warm white hat.

"Mr. Feng, can we go down now?" The rooftop was cold and slippery, and there wasn't even a sparrow foraging for food. Xiao Lai put away his long and short guns and couldn't help but open his mouth and let out a big yawn.

My suspicions about the Meditation Hall are growing stronger. If it weren't for the timely snowflakes falling last night that brought me to my senses, I might have made a grave mistake. My sixth sense is usually right; the murderous intent comes from the Meditation Hall. Although I can't be completely certain yet that it's Tanino Shinshu lurking behind the scenes, the next step is to open the door to the Meditation Hall.

With a "whoosh," Guan Baoling flung open the door and exclaimed with a cheer, "Ah? It's snowing! Hooray—"

Girls who haven't lost their childlike innocence all love snow, and even though she's a superstar in the public eye, she's no different from ordinary people in this respect.

She strode out from under the corridor, kicking her feet hard in the snow, her cotton robe billowing, revealing her slender, fair ankles. Snowflakes splashed everywhere as she freely expressed her heartfelt joy in the empty courtyard. In the entertainment industry, where bodyguards and fans are everywhere, she rarely had the opportunity to relax like this.

Xiao Lai stared at Guan Baoling, scratching the back of his head and exclaiming, "She...she's so beautiful! So beautiful, more beautiful than...more beautiful than all those so-called top stars in Japan combined!"

Part Two: Ancient Temple Under the Dark Night

— Chapter 5 — The Fang Demon's Tooth Marks (Part 1) —

Against the backdrop of endless white snow, Guan Baoling's black hair flew and danced incessantly, like melodious notes leaping on a piano, captivating me without my realizing it.

Xiao Lai clicked his tongue in admiration more than a dozen times before finally knowing better and shutting up. He then jumped off the roof from another direction and went back to his room to rest.

I slowly brushed the snow off the roof tiles, sat down, rubbed my palms together, and silently watched her.

There was a knock on Xiao Keleng's door, but she didn't come out. Perhaps she was watching Guan Baoling's joyful dance through the crack in the door. She was an admirer of Guan Baoling, and if it weren't for the series of strange events at Xunfu Garden and Fengge Temple, she would have been very happy to get close to Guan Baoling.

The snowfall lessened, and Guan Baoling, tired from dancing, scooped up a handful of snow, childishly brought it to her mouth, and greedily swallowed a large mouthful. Japan's environmental protection and greening efforts have always been impeccable, so their folk artists have always referred to the snow in Hokkaido as "the purest water source on Earth."

The temple remained deathly silent; the morning bell could not be heard, nor were there any dedicated monks diligently chanting scriptures and meditating.

"Wow, so sweet!" Guan Baoling tilted her head back in satisfaction, her eyes meeting mine. The sudden embarrassment caused two blushes to rise on her cheeks.

I smiled kindly and waved my right hand at her: "Good morning, Miss Guan."

Last night, I saw her inscription on the door. If it weren't for the hypnotic scent, would my own heart have been stirred like that of a young man just beginning to experience first love? I love looking at her silhouette; at least for that moment, my heart feels as refreshed as if I were drinking fine wine.

She brushed the snow off her sleeves and smiled, "Good morning. Is it cold on the roof? Enjoying the snow from up here must be a nice experience, right?"

If I hadn't learned from Shidao's account last night that the plague had miraculously reappeared, I would indeed be in the mood to get up early and enjoy the snow right now.

She swept her long hair, which was hanging down in front of her chest, back to reveal two sparkling diamond stud earrings on her earlobes, which flashed brilliantly in the snowy light.

I couldn't help but hum in agreement, and then I suddenly noticed a bright red spot on her fair skin below her left earlobe. It was so striking that it almost rivaled the brilliance of a diamond.

The sound of a door opening echoed down the corridor, and Xiao Keleng rushed out, hurrying to Guan Baoling's side. Her voice urgent, she cried out, "Miss Guan, please let me see your neck—"

I was very pleased with Xiao Keleng's high level of alertness; she reacted the same way the moment I noticed the anomaly. The spot was a bright red tooth mark, as if someone had taken an ordinary person's front tooth, dipped it in red ink, and pressed it against Guan Baoling's earlobe.

Guan Baoling inexplicably raised her arms horizontally, like a beautifully crafted wooden puppet.

Xiao Keleng brushed aside her long hair, scrutinized her carefully for two or three minutes, and then took a long breath.

On a romantic snowy morning, two graceful beauties stand in a quiet and secluded ancient temple courtyard. If they were to be captured in a photographer's viewfinder, they would surely form a perfect landscape painting, with a serene and unforgettable atmosphere.

I confirmed my guess, grabbed a handful of snow from beside me, and, imitating Guan Baoling, put it in my mouth and chewed slowly. The snow water was very cold, and my teeth and mouth felt like they were about to be frozen numb and stiff for a moment, but the sudden invasion of cold air effectively dispelled the fatigue left by staying up all night.

Xiao Keleng released the other woman's hair, took a big step back, and asked with a wry smile, "Miss Guan, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? I think you seem to have been bitten by some insect, and you have a slight allergic reaction."

This is a white lie. Guan Baoling was indeed "stung," but it wasn't an ordinary little insect; it was the legendary "Fanged Demon," a creature that inspires fear in all who hear of it.

Guan Baoling touched her neck and shook her head in confusion: "No, I don't feel anything. Maybe it's just an allergic reaction to the air."

I jumped off the roof and secretly winked at Xiao Keleng, signaling her not to panic.

"With such thick snow, after breakfast we can build a giant Mickey Mouse snowman, it'll be so much fun!" Xiao Keleng quickly concealed her dismay, glancing at Guan Baoling's door. The words on the door were clearly visible, and with her proficiency in Chinese, she could understand what had happened last night in just a second.

Guan Baoling brushed the snow off her clothes, a barely perceptible sadness flashing across her face: "It's a pity I have to leave today. I need to notify the assistants at the Tokyo film set to pick me up later. I have to leave no later than after lunch. As for building a snowman, we can do it another time. I'll invite you two to Hong Kong Island, but unfortunately, it rarely snows there in winter..."

As I suspected, even without a phone call, her personal assistant would have received news of the accident from the ever-present media. Kennedy's death was insignificant to me, but he was, after all, one of the more notable members of Hong Kong's new generation of playboys, and was bound to cause a minor stir.

I don't want Guan Baoling to leave, and even if she wanted to leave this time, she might not have the chance, because that tooth mark represents an ancient prophecy.

Back in her room, Xiao Keleng poured a large cup of steaming hot water from the water dispenser, held it tightly in her hands, and her face was as gloomy as the sky when it snows.

“A tooth mark, the tooth mark of the Fang Demon. The Fang Demon suddenly appeared and killed the Mercedes driver and that pretty boy Ginny, but spared Miss Guan, leaving her unharmed. Now I understand, she was chosen by the Fang Demon as a host, the legendary 'tooth pupa.' Every twenty-four hours, another tooth mark would appear, until thirty-three days later, when the thirty-third tooth mark appeared, extending from her left ear to her right ear, and then Miss Guan would become the Fang Demon's substitute.” She stared at the steam rising from the water, her face as white as paper, unusually pale.

I nodded, my heart heavy. Many people thought it was just some horrifying legend, something to believe if you want, and nothing to believe if you don't, but I always knew that the Fang Demon was real.

This isn't a conceptual issue of materialism, idealism, or superstition; it's a real, existing crisis. Guan Baoling will transform into a toothed pupa. At that time, anyone bitten by her will only have two paths: death or becoming another toothed pupa… Xiao Keleng suddenly shivered violently, and with a hiss, zipped up her tracksuit all the way to her chin.

Believe it or not, we'll find out in 24 hours. If those bright red teeth marks keep appearing for no reason—I dare not think about it anymore.

At this point, among those qualified to participate in discussing this issue, there is Elephant Monk, myself, Xiao Keleng, Zhang Baisen, the Shao brothers, Hawke, and Wang Jiangnan. If Tengjia, who has been resurrected through a shell, is also willing to offer guidance, it might be of some help in breaking through the Fang Demon's tooth marks.

Legend has it that those who become tooth pupae will automatically perish after serving as accomplices to evil hundreds of times, their bodies turning to ashes. Such a tragic end for a beautiful woman is truly unacceptable.

Xiao Keleng had been waiting for me to make a decision. I came to Hokkaido to continue the exploration of Xunfuyuan Villa by the scalpel, and unknowingly, I slowly replaced the scalpel in her heart.

"The only remaining expert in Fengge Temple is Teng Jia in Youhuang Water County. She has been studying the secrets on that mysterious plaque. Given her mysterious identity, she should know more about the Fang Demon. I will go and talk to her first. Xiao Xiao, immediately inform Master Zhang Baisen and ask him to bring the Shao brothers to Fengge Temple for an emergency meeting to discuss this."

Xiao Ke looked troubled and pondered, "But... they're not from the Divine Gun Society. I don't think it would be appropriate to give them orders directly, would it?"

Zhang Baisen enjoys an extremely high reputation both domestically and internationally. Unless the matter is urgent, I wouldn't force him to do something against his will. Furthermore, a figure of his stature would certainly understand the priorities and wouldn't need to emphasize his own status.

I sighed and smiled: "Just inform him, and he will definitely come. Everyone comes to Hokkaido with their own interests and principles; they don't come here to enjoy the sea breeze and the sea view."

The crux of the matter lies in the allure of the impending emergence of "Apollo's Wrath," or rather, the focal point of the "ultimate weapon's" migration. Zhang Baisen's background is also complex, a mix of civilian and official positions, the implications of which are left unsaid.

Xiao Keleng stopped arguing, took out her phone, and dialed a number.

Suddenly I had an epiphany and said in a low voice, "I've come to talk to Master Zhang. This is too strange. This time, we can only deal with it by uniting and working together."

The snow stopped, and the sound of chanting began to fill the courtyard from all sides.

The successive deaths of eminent monks plunged Fengge Temple into a state of extreme decline, and the monk Xiang's influence was clearly insufficient, making him unqualified to be the abbot. Therefore, I am somewhat dissatisfied with Sun Long's tolerance of Xiao He's killing of Master Shenbi, the Lion Monk, and the Tiger Monk. Even if it was intended to send a deterrent signal to the Japanese, such heavy-handedness was absolutely unacceptable.

Zhang Baisen's voice was heavy with weariness, indicating that he hadn't slept well last night.

I briefly explained Guan Baoling's situation, and he didn't seem particularly shocked. It seems that I'm the only one who truly cares about Guan Baoling; in other people's eyes, she's just an exceptionally outstanding girl, someone they have no connection with.

“I will go there immediately. For the past three years, the fanged demon has been attacking people repeatedly in Hokkaido, which has become a major issue in the paranormal community. If I can take this opportunity to do something for the people, it would be a great thing. When Mr. Sun Long left, he repeatedly told me to do my best to help you and not to let him know if I needed anything.”

Zhang Baisen was very polite, but Shao Bai's sarcastic and dissatisfied voice immediately came through the receiver: "Hey, Boss Zhang, we're here for tourism and exchange, can you not make a fuss? Japanese sorcery and Chinese Yin-Yang and Five Elements are worlds apart, we brothers shouldn't be careless and lose face here..."

Shao Bai's principles of conduct are extremely narrow-minded and self-serving, which I noticed as early as when the Hashizu ninja attacked Xunfuyuan.

I picked up where Zhang Baisen left off, trying to make my tone more relaxed: "Please tell the Shao brothers that if they can find a way to break the tooth pupa, I'll pay whatever it takes!"

Guan Baoling's life or death cannot be calculated in monetary terms. This miscalculation is even more devastating than the last time she disappeared after letting Wang Jiangnan escort her.

Part Two: Ancient Temple Under the Dark Night

— Chapter 5 — The Fang Demon's Tooth Marks (Part 2) —

Shao Bai muttered something over there, and Shao Hei continued, "Feng, the crisis at Fengge Temple comes from that strange house. Its location is like the loading and firing point of an anti-aircraft gun emplacement, controlling the entire situation. Anyone who enters the area of Fengge Temple will be controlled by it."

Three people were talking to me on the same phone, and the mixed sounds kept pouring out of the receiver, making me dizzy.

"Hmph, I always felt that the media's effusive praise of Feng Yangyang was all fluff and no substance. Look, since the central command of Fengge Temple has been seized by someone else, it means that there are experts in the temple who are proficient in Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, and they have already set up a 'fish and meat a thousand miles away' formation. In that case, why not send Miss Guan to Xunfu Garden Villa? To avoid the other side's line of fire?"

Shao Bai's attitude was sarcastic, leaving himself an escape route before even making a move.

Masters who have cultivated to their level cherish their reputation and are unwilling to intervene in matters that are not their concern. For nearly a century, the Chinese martial arts world, which once far surpassed all other schools globally, has been gradually overtaken and even surpassed by others precisely because of this selfish and self-serving isolation.

Zhang Baisen retorted without hesitation: "If you can see through their 'Fish and Meat a Thousand Miles' formation, why are you spouting such low-level nonsense? 'Fish and Meat a Thousand Miles' means utter defeat. Retrieving the Fang Pupae will only allow the Fang Demons that planted them to launch a rampage, turning Xunfu Garden into a second bloodbath. You can escape to the southwest, but what about the others? Do you want Hokkaido to become a paradise for the Fang Demons?"

I didn't want our own people to fall into an uncontrollable internal conflict before the external enemy even arrived, so I shouted into the microphone: "Master Zhang, there's no need to force them. For those who are willing to come, I can sign a check for five million each, and there will be a tenfold reward after the matter is completed."

Zhang Baisen explained with a wry smile, "Feng, it's not about money. Last time Miss Guan went missing, I wanted to bring the brothers into the temple, but before understanding the other side's strength, rushing in rashly could easily lead to trouble. I'll meet you in half an hour. Don't be too anxious; this matter is quite tricky. Fortunately, there's a thirty-three-day grace period before the pupa hatches. Don't worry, there will be a way."

His words sounded like a helpless consolation. After hanging up, I immediately opened the door and went out to see Tengjia. The elusive Fang Demon was impossible to defend against; this kind of strange magic, somewhere between a ghost and a monster, was beyond the reach of fists, feet, and firearms.

Xiao Keleng gave one last reminder: "Mr. Feng, remember to come back and call Sister Su Lun as soon as possible!"

In her eyes, Guan Baoling being injured by the Fang Demon was less important than calling Su Lun. Undoubtedly, only I truly cared about Guan Baoling and was willing to do anything for her; everyone else's attitude was indifferent.