Gun of Ashes

”Anti-Meme, a piece of information that is absolutely self-contained, sounds like a black box, difficult to falsify; who knows whether you Jiuxia people are telling the truth or not? You keep talking about carriers, maybe it really is just an ordinary object?”

”You sound like a person desperately lacking a sense of security.” Shao Liangye said.

”That’s professionalism, experts always need to raise some doubts, though anti-memes are indeed a fascinating concept.”

Lorenzo said, pulling out the black cube, which he carried with him.

Seeing the black cube, Shao Liangye’s expression turned serious in an instant. The black cube itself had no magical power, but the significance it held made Shao Liangye revere it as if it were a divine object.

Yet now this entity, which commanded such sacred reverence, was being casually toyed with in Lorenzo’s hand. If not for fear of breaking it, he’d probably toss it up.

”You... treat it like this?” Shao Liangye felt a tremor in his spirit.

”Or what? Bathe, change clothes, then kneel to take it?”

Lorenzo tossed the black cube up and caught it steadily. He observed the black cube, it was also an absolute black box; before the necessary moment arrived, you could never falsify it.

”Relax, stranger, it’s just a ’tool’ after all.”

Lorenzo smiled and pocketed the black cube, then called to the two people whispering to each other.

”Hey, stop chatting, let’s get going.”

Hearing Lorenzo’s call, Rod lifted his head, a look of relief in his eyes. He really couldn’t handle Shao Liangxi; like a newborn child, she kept asking endless questions, and since she’d somewhat saved his life, he couldn’t very well refuse.

”Let’s go.”

Lorenzo picked up the umbrella in the corner, opened it, and walked into the rain.

Several people picked up their umbrellas and followed Lorenzo, walking in the hazy rain, traversing the wet streets.

They were supposed to take the Iron Serpent back, but Lorenzo suddenly felt like taking a stroll. After being in the perpetual darkness underground for so long, sometimes he longed for fresh air... although Old Dunling’s air wasn’t exactly nice.

But it was still under the sky’s dome, so no one else said anything. Shao Liangxi looked around in surprise, the tall buildings left only silhouettes in the rain, the Iron Whale was gliding low, and people on the street were coming and going with their umbrellas.

The black umbrellas obscured the faces of the few people, and together with the hazy rain, no one noticed these far-flung strangers, who in turn were observing this unfamiliar city.

Winding along, Lorenzo thought of the remaining work, remembered what had just happened, and it seemed the continued deployment of anti-meme weapons needed to be delayed slightly.

He then stopped, in front of a tavern.

As if under some mysterious influence, Lorenzo found himself here. Timewise, there wasn’t much urgency, as there were plenty of matters still involving Red Falcon and Eve. He turned around and suddenly said to Shao Liangye and Shao Liangxi.

”By the way, esteemed guests from afar, it seems we haven’t really entertained you yet, have we?”

Shao Liangye couldn’t figure out what Lorenzo was going to do. He didn’t know if it was cultural difference or personality, but throughout their time together, he’d always tried to understand Lorenzo, only to end up making a fool of himself each time.

Rod was equally bewildered; he just wanted to return to the Perpetual Motion Pump and clock off. He didn’t understand why he, a translator, had to endure this.

If only Shao Liangxi’s proficiency in Western languages was just a tad better, Rod wouldn’t be needed here, but thinking of this also meant he’d be out of a job. This dilemma pained him greatly.

”Entertain?”

This time, Shao Liangxi’s pronunciation in Western language was very standard, nailing the correct accentuation, then she emphatically nodded.

...

”Sir, you seem to be having a tough time.”

Heracles wiped a glass, speaking to the drunkard slumped on the bar.

The drunkard didn’t respond, merely grunted. His hands groped around clumsily, and after a while, he finally said.

”I’m fine! I can still drink!”

Heracles chuckled wryly. The new shop’s location was somewhat off the beaten path, so usually, there were few customers, but over time, there were some regulars. This drunkard was one of them; basically, every night he’d be found here.

In fact, he was the only one.

Over time, Heracles got used to it and knew how to handle the situation; just let him be, he would usually wake up before closing time, then apologetically and drunkenly leave.

His demeanor was rather decent, and since he brought money, Heracles didn’t mind, and sometimes he even understood, given that life can be difficult, everyone has their troubles.

”Ah, this is life indeed.”

Heracles continued wiping the glass, the bar filled with gentle female vocals.

Ever since returning from Gaulunaro, perhaps having seen the deepest darkness and brutality, Heracles found himself loving life more and more. The last time he felt this way was when he’d been pulled from the sea.

Life is so beautiful, unbearably beautiful.

Heracles wasn’t sure how long such a mindset would last, but he had found his rhythm, just waiting until he felt bored again to go on an adventure... provided it wasn’t too intense, otherwise, Heracles feared his heart couldn’t take it.

”No Demons, no monsters, no damn Holmo...”

”Yo! Heracles!”

The tavern door was kicked open, cold wind and rain rushing in, chasing away the cozy warmth, making the drunk at the bar shiver.

”Ah, still no customers, huh? You’re not going out of business, are you?”

Lorenzo placed his umbrella by the door and brought his group over to the bar.

”Lorenzo, you...”

This guy’s arrival shattered Heracles’s daydreams and mocked his business once more. Heracles initially intended to curse Lorenzo but then saw Shao Liangxi and Shao Liangye standing next to Lorenzo.

Their faces were so unfamiliar, exuding the aura of strangers.

”Ji... Jiuxia people?”

Heracles pointed at the two, looking at Lorenzo with a face full of astonishment.

”Uh-huh.”

”Thank you so much! Drinks are on the house today!”

Heracles was extremely excited; he flipped over the bar and circled around Shao Liangxi and Shao Liangye, examining them like works of art.

”Jiuxia people... living Jiuxia people!”

Shao Liangxi’s expression was a bit awkward, encountering someone even more enthusiastic than herself, maybe excessively so.

”That’s why you’re my good friend, Lorenzo.”

He had just considered telling Lorenzo to get lost, but in a flash, Heracles became friends with him again.

He flipped back over the bar with unmatched agility, quickly starting to mix drinks and naturally chatting with the two strangers.

To be precise, only with one; Shao Liangye wore a cold expression, giving Heracles no face at all, while Shao Liangxi awkwardly responded. Seeing this, Rod couldn’t help but chuckle, having the sense that every rogue has its own tormentor.

Heracles was like a greedy rat, eager for all the world’s secrets. He felt that he already knew enough and ought to rest, but now these mysterious Jiuxia were right in front, and he flung aside the tranquility of a beautiful life with ease.

Lorenzo grinned mischievously; he understood Heracles all too well, manipulating him with ease. However, he also listened to their conversation, curious about Jiuxia himself.

Picking up a glass, just about to take a sip, another drunken voice sounded, somewhat familiar.

”Boss, more drinks...”

”Scram, scram, closing for today!”

Interrupted by the drunkard, Heracles immediately tried to drive him away, considering there was only one customer left. But at this moment, Lorenzo shouted in surprise.

He lifted the drunkard, forcing him to raise his head to look at him, joyfully exclaiming.

”Buscalo!”

Hearing Lorenzo’s exclamation, it sounded like a voice from a nightmare, and Buscalo woke up immediately.

He blinked hard, realizing he was still in the tavern, muttering under his breath.

”Was it a dream?”

It made sense; he hadn’t seen that murderer for months, probably dead. But even dead, this guy wasn’t peaceful, always haunting his dreams.

Two glasses were handed over; Buscalo instinctively grabbed one and clinked glasses with the other, producing a clear sound.

Thinking of something, he looked up.

”Yo! Long time no see!”

Buscalo’s intoxication was half sobered up seeing Lorenzo, possibly by the remaining chill air inside, shivering a few more times involuntarily.