19: Chapter 19 A tough guy doesn't look back at the explosion

If he had been born into an ordinary, average family, there is one profession in which Zhang Shan would have undoubtedly thrived.

If Zhang Shan were an actor, winning the highest Golden Ox Award would be a breeze.

Whether it was the fact that he planned to blow up this castle, which was filled with tough-guy aesthetics, in just over an hour, or the hidden forces waiting outside.

Even if Zhang Shan intended to cut off Katas's head the very next second, in this current moment, he could still diligently play the role of a money-grubbing, neutral arms dealer.

The admiration this arms dealer exuded for Katas was enough to make even Carl feel inferior.

In contrast to the cold, serious atmosphere of the manor, the villa was a scene of song and dance.

Flowers, fine wine, beautiful women, gourmet food...

Someone who didn't know any better would think their tough-guy boss was throwing a birthday party for his cute illegitimate daughter.

Of course, the reason for all of this was that Katas was simply too happy.

This dear Mr. Robinson was simply an Ares sent to him by the heavens—greedy, cruel, and power-hungry.

And most importantly, he always put money first.

Amidst the joyful and harmonious atmosphere, Katas and Zhang Shan struck several massive deals.

Russian PTR-70 armored vehicles, the latest C31 mortars developed by Sakura Country, along with other medium and heavy weaponry.

Katas's arrogance had reached such a level that he had never even considered the possibility that Zhang Shan was merely acting.

"Boss, per your instructions, we have placed all the bombs."

The relationship between three dimensions and four dimensions is like that of a three-dimensional person to a two-dimensional piece of paper—they can draw a circle wherever they please.

Since the strongman possesses four-dimensional technology, it could naturally choose to set the deployment points for the weapons anywhere within the three-dimensional space.

Zhang Si and Zhang Wu, who had followed behind, were mechanical androids; they could arch their backs with millimeter precision and easily leap over insurmountable high walls in a single bound.

Like shadows, they easily infiltrated this heavily guarded place where not even a fly could pass.

Once inside the walls, they used the cover of night to perfectly hide all the various bombs Zhang Shan had exchanged.

It could be said that a fireworks display was ready to ignite.

At this moment, Zhang Shan could only sigh in relief that all good things must come to an end; otherwise, if he had to fake-smile at Katas for one more minute, he might have vomited.

"Life is truly like a play; it all comes down to acting," Zhang Shan mused internally.

Although Zhang Shan repeatedly "kindly" reminded Katas that it was too cold outside and there was no need to see him off.

Our hospitable host still stepped into the crisis-ridden garden, full of delight.

Perhaps the luckiest person tonight was Carl.

Because he was responsible for taking Zhang Shan's party back to the hotel, which also spared him from the baptism of the super sonic wave bomb.

In the car, Carl felt the atmosphere was much more harmonious than it had been when he picked up Zhang Shan.

At the very least, Mr. Robinson, sitting across from him, had a smile on his face.

He even asked after Carl's family, which made Carl feel a sense of warmth.

"Carl, could you turn this music up? Yes, the louder, the better."

"I like this piece."

Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, conducted by Karajan, echoed inside the car.

Listening to the Ode to Joy, Carl imagined a glorious future where Mr. Katas and Mr. Robinson would join hands to unify the NM continent's underground world.

Zhang Shan, however, felt only power; hearing the explosions in the distance, he urged the driver to speed up.

"Drive faster, driver; it's too noisy."

The driver in front looked at the armed forces lining the road and felt that they should indeed drive faster.

As for his former boss, Mr. Katas, it was time to say goodbye.

Looking back at Katas's pride and joy—his steel fortress—it now resembled a slum that had been bombed by aircraft.

No matter how mighty the bodyguards were, they could not withstand the damage caused by the sonic attack.

The forces patrolling the manor had all fallen unconscious, and the fortress had undoubtedly opened its doors to Moriarty.

Amidst the clamor of Moriarty's men, the puppet career of the man named Katas came to an end.

Zhang Shan felt no disappointment at having missed the look of shock on Katas's face.

He had more pressing matters to attend to.

After listening to the Ode to Joy and dismissing Carl and the driver, who were now unemployed, he immediately returned to the hotel.

Although today was primarily about doing a favor for Victor, Katas was an underground power with some influence in Zhili Country, so he might know something about the plot to assassinate Zhang Shan back then.

He might even have been involved.

Zhang Shan stared at the classified files on his computer screen, which he had quietly pilfered from Katas's computer a short while ago.

Of course, things wouldn't be that convenient.

Zhang Shan quickly cracked and scanned the copied files, but none of them had any relation to him.

Just as Zhang Shan was beginning to feel slightly disappointed—

"Claude? The US Deputy Secretary of State, Claude? How could he have dealings with Katas?"

Every underground gang knew that Katas's backer was the Sipanya government.

But what Zhang Shan had never expected was that the US government had also muddied these waters.

Unfortunately, he ultimately failed to glean any concrete information from Katas.

"It seems I'll have to keep pulling on the thread that is Victor."

"Perhaps that assassination attempt on me wasn't as simple as it seemed."

"The NM water is too murky."

Zhang Shan thought silently to himself.

Zhang Shan frowned, feeling a flicker of annoyance.

Just then, the sound of Zhang San's footsteps appeared in the room.

"Boss, things over there have wrapped up smoothly."

"Oh? Is that so? Is Brother Moriarty pleased?"

"He invites you to visit Katas's old mansion after the crushing defeat, and to have a drink to celebrate."

Zhang San was merely relaying the words Moriarty had repeatedly insisted he pass on; he knew Zhang Shan wouldn't care.

"Heh, I don't want to step foot into that castle of fake smiles ever again," he said. After all, he had spent the entire day faking smiles.

In a few hours, the first rays of sunlight would rise above the horizon.

The explosions in the distance were finally extinguished by the silent night.

The people of Saint Jacques began another busy day.

Underground gang organizations also began their daily struggle for power.

Katas, the once-famous gang leader, had been forgotten in that party of fake smiles.

He was left with nothing but his fantasy of unifying the NM continent.

If he had another chance, he would never utter that bullshit: "Remember, keep your manners!"

Instead, he would chop that detestable arms dealer, Robinson, into pieces and feed him to the dogs.