MWC – Chapter 95 The Beginning of the Showdown

I AM DROPPING THIS NOVEL. IF ANYONE WANTS TO CONTINUE THEY CAN. IF POSSIBLE PLEASE SHARE THE LINK SO I CAN BINGE READ TOO.

In Room 408’s guest room, the sun cast a beautiful glow on the green grassy slopes outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Across from Lu Ming sat Datou, a burly man with numerous ear piercings and a fierce tattoo on his neck. His face showed a mix of excitement and anticipation. He wore a grass-green military uniform and black boots, though without any rank insignia, indicating a civilian outfit.

Datou had always dreamed of being a professional soldier. Being forced to retire was his greatest sorrow. Now, Lu Ming had given him another chance to re-enlist, serving as Lu Ming’s liaison officer. Lu Ming hadn’t expected Datou to agree so readily. Now, Datou looked anxious as the high-ranking officer who was supposed to interview him was late.

Interestingly, Datou’s real name was Yuan Datou, something even Old Ghost hadn’t known. To re-enlist, he had to provide his real name. The necessary documents had been sent to Mary, and they were supposed to meet here at 3 PM. It was already past 5 PM, and Mary still hadn’t arrived.

Pu Xiuna knocked lightly and entered, carrying a tray with some snacks.

“Still can’t reach Mary?” Lu Ming asked.

Pu Xiuna nodded, “I call her office and home every ten minutes, but no one answers.”

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Pu Xiuna quickly ran out and soon exclaimed, “Sir, Major Mary is here!”

Pu Xiuna led Mary in. Unlike her usual self, Mary looked exhausted and disheartened.

Lu Ming glanced at her and introduced Datou, “Mary, this is Datou, who will be my liaison officer.”

Datou stood up straight and saluted. Mary, wearing her dark blue major’s uniform, barely glanced at him and turned to Lu Ming, “Lu, I need to take some time off… I’m too tired and need a break. Let’s forget about the lawsuit.”

“What happened?” Lu Ming asked calmly.

Seeing Lu Ming’s signal, Datou nodded and left the room, closing the door quietly.

“Nothing…” Mary avoided Lu Ming’s gaze.

Lu Ming nodded, “Alright, then I won’t ask.”

Mary seemed lost and sat down on the sofa. Suddenly, she said, “My maid, she’s dead…”

Lu Ming also sat down slowly.

Mary grabbed a cigarette from the coffee table, lit it, and took a deep drag, coughing loudly.

Lu Ming remained silent, knowing it was best to let her talk.

“She was tortured to death. This morning, I received a package with her severed hand and a tape recording of her being tortured. It lasted over an hour… Poor little Martha…”

Mary broke down, crying on the coffee table, her shoulders shaking.

Lu Ming silently handed her a tissue.

After a while, Mary sat up, wiping her tears, “She suffered so much…” Her eyes still held fear, likely recalling the tape and the sight of Martha’s hand.

Lu Ming lit a cigarette.

“It was Little Renault!” Mary said through gritted teeth. “I didn’t know what to do when I got a call from a raspy voice saying I shouldn’t have let the maid out and that she should be locked up like the inferior black slave she was. He said the lawyer’s letter had angered Little Renault and this was just a warning.”

“The tape had three white lines marked on it…”

Lu Ming nodded, “The White Rose Movement…”

The White Rose Movement was the most notorious racial purification organization in this world, far more radical than any similar groups in his previous life. It was a banned illegal organization under imperial law.

So, Little Renault was a member.

“Lu, what should I do?” Mary looked at Lu Ming with tearful eyes. “I called Sir Wenge, and he told me to forget about it, but… poor Martha… it’s my fault… it’s my fault…” Mary covered her face, sobbing again.

“Where is the tape now?” Lu Ming asked.

“At my home…” Mary said absently.

“Then take Datou with you now and give him the tape and Martha’s hand.”

Mary looked up in surprise.

Lu Ming’s face was expressionless, “This matter is no longer your concern. Don’t worry, it won’t implicate you. I will withdraw the lawyer’s letter to the Tower Restaurant.”

“But…” Mary wanted to say something.

Lu Ming had already taken out his checkbook and written the amount of 10,000. He handed it over.

“I don’t want this…” Mary shook her head vehemently, her eyes even showing a hint of anger. “Do you think I don’t want to seek revenge for Martha? But that audio tape—there’s no trace of Little Renault’s voice on it! And besides, audio tapes aren’t admissible as evidence!”

Lu Ming nodded. “Leave it to me.”

Mary stared at him for a moment, then stood up. “Fine, take it. I also want to see their fate…” She clenched her teeth and turned to leave.

…

Before Datou left, Lu Ming gave him some instructions. The current audio tape was about the size of a record, wound on a large spool with magnetic powder-coated plastic tape. Handling it required care to avoid damage.

After pondering for a while, Lu Ming picked up the phone and dialed Cheng Lingyu’s number.

“Hey, young man! It’s been a while since I heard from you! I hear you’ve managed to rile up Judge Christine so much that she can’t get you off the stage in court? Haha! Don’t be too upset; I have a feeling she sees you differently. But be careful not to truly anger her!”

“Hmm…” Lu Ming thought for a moment. “Cheng-ge, there’s a case involving the White Rose Party torturing and killing black laborers. I’d like to handle it and take the lead. What do you think?” He paused. “Cheng-ge, this is the first time I’ve asked for your help. I’ll remember this favor forever.”

Cheng Lingyu seemed momentarily surprised. He knew that for this young man, mentioning favors was unnecessary—they were already implied. Still, Lu Ming’s words carried weight.

He chuckled. “You cheeky kid! I haven’t even assigned you a case yet, and here you are volunteering. Alright, I agree! Send me the relevant case materials, and I’ll assemble a team for you and coordinate with the police. But if it’s just a homicide involving a black laborer, directly filing it with the Grand Prosecutor’s Office might be overkill. Let’s frame it as investigating the White Rose and other illegal organizations. You’ll lead the charge in suppressing and combating terrorist groups within the jurisdiction of the Grand Prosecutor’s Office.”

Lu Ming was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Cheng Lingyu to agree so readily and to phrase it so decisively.

Because the “White Rose” organization, although officially banned by imperial law, had many Western sympathizers who didn’t resist it. Some even supported and shielded it covertly.

As for Chief Prosecutor Maiken, well, his stance remained uncertain.

Lu Ming had assumed that Cheng Lingyu would at most promise to do his best to help, but to his surprise, Cheng agreed outright. 

“Thank you, Cheng-ge!” Lu Ming felt a sudden warmth, appreciating the gesture without needing to express it verbally.

After hanging up with Cheng Lingyu, Lu Ming picked up the receiver and dialed Wei Baozeng’s number.

“Ah, you’re calling me proactively?” Wei Baozeng’s tone held a hint of mock grievance.

“Baozeng, didn’t you say you wanted me to accompany you tomorrow to meet the employees and contracted artists at Nado Film Company?”

“Yeah, and you immediately turned me down. You, not willing to spend half a day with me!” Wei Baozeng paused. “Wait, do you actually have time now?”

“Yes, I’ll join you tomorrow.”

“Fantastic! Fantastic!” Wei Baozeng was overjoyed. “If you give some advice, our film company will be unstoppable! The more I interact with you, the more I realize you’re not just a regular person. You understand everything, and your insights are ahead of the curve. In the film industry, that’s especially crucial.”

“I have other matters to attend to. Goodbye!”

As Wei Baozeng listened to the busy tone on the other end, he could only shake his head wryly.

On this side of the phone line, Lu Ming sat on the sofa, absentmindedly picking up pen and paper to write.

Martha’s death couldn’t be blamed on him, but why did he feel such intense anger, a need to vent?

For Martha, that last hour before her death—encountering a stranger like him—must have felt like hell.

The doorbell rang, and outside, conversing with Pu Xiuna, stood Wen Liangyu.

Pu Xiuna informed Wen Liangyu that there were no other customers, and without hesitation, Wen Liangyu pushed the door open. “Qianxing, we have an esteemed guest today who specifically requested to see you!”

Lu Ming looked up. “Who is it?”

Wen Liangyu grinned. “The young scion of Renault Pictures—the son of Sir Renault himself. Think about it: in your small establishment, how often do we get such distinguished visitors? It’s a rare occasion! Haha. He’s here to see you, isn’t he? You’re making Fourth Brother proud!”

Lu Ming smiled and suddenly asked, “Fourth Brother, do you think Renault Pictures is now the cornerstone of the Renault family?”

Wen Liangyu hesitated, then replied, “Probably. I’ve heard that Sir Renault sold almost all his inherited assets to invest in this film company. But he’s done remarkably well. Sir Renault has quite the vision, doesn’t he? Haha!”

Lu Ming nodded and stood up. “Let’s go. I’ll meet him—a sort of introductory gift on behalf of Martha.”

Wen Liangyu blinked, unsure of what Lu Ming was referring to. But he had a vague feeling that this meeting wouldn’t be all sunshine and rainbows.

He deliberately walked a few steps slower, called over a trusted subordinate, and gave some instructions. Regardless, apart from standing alongside this young nouveau riche—someone he couldn’t quite figure out—there weren’t many other good options.

These so-called aristocrats were just wealthy magnates now, weren’t they? Bricks and tiles—never afraid of porcelain.

In terms of connections, since his little brother wanted to make a move, he naturally had his own considerations.

And soon, outside, many operatives moved swiftly. But this wasn’t something visible to the customers in the shop.