activa-t Chapter 82 Renault, You'll Regret It
Chapter 82 Renault, You'll Regret It
Chapter 82 Renault, You'll Regret It
Zhou Xing was taken aback upon hearing this.
Intuition? What kind of bullshit is that?
He raised his eyebrows slightly, as if about to speak.
Renault raised his hand to stop him, his voice not cold or harsh, but even tinged with admiration: "Don't rush to deny it. Let me finish. I've deliberately kept you by my side to see how you investigate cases, how you handle situations, how you kill. I'm watching your reactions, to see if you have accomplices, to see if there are any traces of an organization."
He took a drag of his cigarette and inhaled again. "The result is interesting. You're like a lone wolf, with your own set of rules. But without the rigid dogma and traces of cooperation often found in secret organizations."
He stopped talking about the case and started talking about something else: "Eastern and Western hunting, the philosophies are very different. You Eastern martial artists emphasize self-cultivation, sensing the heavens and earth, achieving oneness with nature, and seeking within."
We witchers, from the moment we are chosen, have a clear purpose: to become tools, the most efficient...
The most lethal and adaptable tool to all kinds of abnormal environments.
The pain of modifying the drug was like having every bone crushed and then reassembled, like having internal organs slowly roasted over a fire. Many people didn't die from the effects of the drug, but from the unbearable pain.
"I suffer these hardships,"
Renault's voice lowered, carrying a rare weariness, but it vanished in an instant. "I'm not working for those fat, bloated French nobles, or those useless bastards in the concessions who only think about making money and getting promoted. I wouldn't even blink an eye no matter how many of them die."
Zhou Xing looked at him with some surprise; this was too direct and frank.
"Then what are you doing this for? It can't be for world peace, can it?"
"World peace?"
Renault scoffed and shook his head. "I've checked the files on those people who were killed; they're all irrefutable scum. If the time is right, I wouldn't mind sending them to hell myself."
He put down his wine glass, his vertical pupils fixed on Zhou Xing. "I did it for civilization."
"civilization?"
"Yes. Order, reason, science, progress. Gradually, we will eliminate backwardness, ignorance, and barbarity from the world."
Reno's voice was imbued with an unwavering conviction: "Look at France's colonies in Kunlun and Southeast Asia, we brought law, medicine, railways..."
Modern education.
Transforming tribal feuds into court trials, witchcraft healing into hospital surgeries, and muddy paths into highways to the heavens—this is the power of civilization, the tide of history.
This process may be painful, but the result is that more people escape the quagmire of poverty. This is the kind of cause worth dedicating one's life to.
His gaze toward Zhou Xing hardened, a kind of admiration that came from discovering a kindred spirit: "I've investigated you carefully, Zhou Xing. You killed those people not for money, not for fame, not for personal grudges, and it didn't even seem like you had a clear political motive."
You're a lot like me, Zhou. An idealist lost in the wrong time and place.
You have the ability, you have your own set of standards, and you are correcting this world that you don't like in your own way, even if the methods are drastic.
We are the same kind of people.
"The same type of people?"
After listening, Zhou Xing paused for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "Captain, you overestimate me. I haven't thought that far ahead. In this world, I just want to stand up and catch my breath, to live with dignity."
"So you need to stand on a stage where you can truly showcase your talents."
Renault looked at Zhou Xing, a glint in his eyes. "Think long-term. Nationality and skin color—these boundaries are insignificant compared to a higher goal."
I can apply for French citizenship for you—a real one, not just some empty document held by compradors. You can have legal status and access to resources.
You can step into the sunlight and do more of what you want to do.
His tone became increasingly sincere: "I know you have concerns, teachers, and friends here. I would never ask you to go against them."
On the contrary, I believe that with your abilities and charisma, you can convince them and show them what a more advanced path is.
Cooperation is not about annexation. It's about jointly building a more equitable new order.
Zhou Xing listened without speaking, but simply picked up his wine glass, looked at the dark red, blood-like liquid inside, and gently swirled it.
He took a sip of the wine; it was mellow with a slight astringency. But in his heart he thought:
If Zhong Ding heard these words, wouldn't he be so jealous that his eyes would turn red and he would vomit blood?
"French nationality — that sounds more impressive than Chinese."
Zhou Xing raised his eyes and looked at Renault. "Even if I nod, will the captain trust me? Aren't you afraid I have other plans?"
Renault smiled, took a puff of his cigar, and through the swirling smoke, his voice was clear and strong: "I'm never afraid of subordinates being capable; I'm only worried that they're not smart enough, or that they lack the ambition and vision to match their abilities. As for loyalty?"
He flicked the ash from his cigar lightly. "Once you witness true civilization and light, you will never return to the mud and darkness."
His smile held a natural, genuine confidence.
That is confidence in one's own absolute strength, and unwavering belief in the culture and path one represents.
Zhou Xing seemed to see through that face how, decades later, this confidence would be etched into the expressions of another people.
But at the same time, he also saw the deep-rooted arrogance beneath that confidence, an arrogance that was not easily detected.
A kind of condescending arrogance that says, "I define civilization, I will provide the path."
Bringing civilization?
Civilization was brought about by gunpowder, guns, treaties, and concessions? Or by barbaric warfare?
Zhou Xing was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Captain, do your French museums have any bronze tripods, jade artifacts, or paintings that were looted from China?"
What are those things considered in your civilization? Exhibits? Spoils of war? Or, gifts of civilization?
Renault was clearly unprepared for this question. He paused slightly before saying, "That's another part of history. Protecting and studying them is also the responsibility of civilization."
Zhou Xing nodded, not pressing the matter further. He raised his glass and gestured to Renault, saying, "Thank you for your kind offer, Captain. I am a police officer in the French Concession, paid by the police station, and naturally I work for the Concession. If there's anything you need, Captain, please let me know."
Don't take the initiative, don't refuse, and don't be responsible.
Renault looked at him, his smile deepening, seemingly unsurprised by his reaction, and even somewhat pleased.
He raised his glass as well: "Very good. No rush. We have a long time to work together."
The two men's glasses clinked lightly, producing a crisp sound.
As the wine enters the throat, one can savor its various flavors.
Renault finished the last bit of his drink, tossed his cigar aside, stood up, walked to the broken porthole, and gazed at the Haihe River flowing slowly under the deep night sky.
"Yi Guan Dao—these heretical sects will cause quite a stir this time. The river god they've sought out and the river god rituals they're involved in—I have a feeling they'll stir up the undercurrents of the entire Tianjin."
Renault's voice turned cold again. "We must keep all the changes in Tianjin in check, especially these extraordinary ones. The will of the French Concession must be the key force influencing and even determining these changes."
Zhou Xing understood.
Renault is using this as an excuse to further and more forcefully extend the influence of the French Concession into the Tianjin River.
This is expansion, yet another extension of colonial tentacles into the gray areas.
He squeezed the silver snake-head ring in his hand, sensing it with a faint, persistent feeling, but it didn't materialize.
One pilgrimage, a charity.
It is indeed beyond the capabilities of one person to deal with these two complex and colossal entities at the same time and to uncover the secrets of the Haihe River.
But what if we could use Renault's influence and the French Concession's official flag?
Then you can openly and honestly show your skills.
Many investigations and actions that previously required caution and apprehension may now be able to be conducted under a more legitimate pretext.
If trouble arises, Renault and the concession authorities will clean up the mess; if treasures are found, official identities will provide cover, making the process much easier.
These two organizations are deeply entrenched and must possess a great deal of rare artifacts and secrets, among which there must be tokens imbued with obsession.
"Like a fox borrowing the tiger's power, bullying others by relying on one's strength—"
Zhou Xing gazed at Renault's tall, imposing figure through the porthole, gently slipping the ring onto his pinky finger. It fit perfectly. "Renault, I hope you won't regret this."
>