Chapter 58: In the Name of Money

When this story was first told, it was said to have happened in Michigan, far from Florida—so how could it appear here?

Before he could think more.

A flood of footsteps sounded.

Villagers from other directions gathered and rushed over.

The delay was because the town had few people, and the group in this room was small, the house nearby, belonging to neighbors, while other villagers lived farther away.

Looking at the house engulfed in roaring flames, the crowd was stunned.

“Oh my God!”

They also noticed Louis standing by the roadside, but before they could ask, a shout rang out.

“Louis! Louis!”

David ran over, panting—he couldn’t run well, never having exercised.

Seeing Louis unharmed, David exhaled in relief, then turned to the other villagers, eyes wary.

On his way here, he’d met Angela and a strange woman; after a brief explanation, he understood the situation—now, in his eyes, not a single one of these villagers could be trusted.

“I’ve already called the police—don’t you dare move a muscle!”

David warned loudly.

“Hey buddy, that’s our line to ask you, outsider—your kid was right at the scene.”

“Ask what? I just got here to find someone, and as for Louis—”

“He’s still a child—surely you’re not crazy enough to suspect him?” David’s remark about him being a child left everyone speechless.

David didn’t mention Angela or the others—he knew saying anything might provoke them; right now, the priority was to keep them calm until the police arrived.

“This…”

Everyone exchanged glances—he was right.

“Alright, since this gentleman has called the police, let’s first put out the fire and investigate once the officers arrive.”

The group quickly moved to extinguish the flames; because the place was remote, they’d actually prepared some basic firefighting tools just in case.

Fire extinguisher bombs exploded in the flames, streams of water gushed from small hoses…

But the fire showed no sign of weakening.

Moreover, the fire spread at an unnaturally fast pace—given this scale, no one inside could possibly escape.

Louis, who had just finished his call, smiled at the scene—joking, flames summoned by the Fire Art were different: highly flammable, nearly impossible to extinguish—did they really think this little water could put it out?

Would that make all his cultivation worthless?

Someone nearby saw Louis smiling and grew angrier: “Hey kid, what are you laughing at? Do you think this is funny?”

Louis glanced over.

“None of your business.”

“You—!”

The man stepped forward to teach the arrogant brat a lesson, but saw David wiping his handgun—he frowned at him: “What? Why are you staring at me?”

Deep breath.

“Nothing.”

When the police arrived.

The fire was nearly out; everyone stood frozen, staring at the charred, ruined house, the endless cries for help still echoing in their ears.

“This is truly a tragedy.”

After a brief inspection, the sheriff, seeing no survivors and the horrific deaths inside, looked heartbroken.

“No, Sheriff, this was just a ridiculous infighting.”

David stepped forward—he’d learned part of the truth from Louis—and immediately drew the villagers’ furious stares.

“Oh? Seems you have something to say?”

“Actually, you’ll know soon enough—no need for me to explain.”

Soon, an officer rushed over to report finding the woman’s corpse and the golden arm—immediately, the sheriff sensed something off.

Meanwhile, Louis observed the villagers’ changing expressions.

Because he suspected the golden arm’s appearance here might be tied to the locals.

Sure enough.

He noticed the mayor’s expression was unnatural; behind him, several men shifted their gaze, subtly stepping backward.

…

What followed was simple: after Louis made the call, a lawyer arrived quickly, and the sheriff had no grounds to detain anyone.

Despite the many suspicious details, the fire that killed nearly twenty people was officially ruled an accident caused by infighting over stolen loot.

Though the villagers grumbled, no one cared whether they accepted it—the case was closed: from report to investigation to conclusion, everything moved with unbelievable speed.

Naturally, the Cano family had pulled strings behind the scenes.

One must admit: in modern society, before one’s cultivation reaches a certain strength, power and money are far more effective.

In America, with the name of money, nothing is impossible—if something can’t be done, it only means you don’t have enough money!

“Little Louis, don’t act rashly, especially regarding your own safety—you could’ve just called. No need to get your hands dirty; it only increases your risk.”

“As for those villagers, leave them to me.”

His uncle Max said this over the phone.

Louis didn’t mind—he told Max what he needed, and Max didn’t ask why, just agreed.

He hung up.

Louis stared at Olivier, just pulled from the lake, wounds infected, uncertain if he’d survive, and Steve, found in the grave, now mentally broken.

Their horrific states made the two women weep uncontrollably.

They didn’t understand—why had a simple outing turned into this?

Civilization and savagery coexisted.

He shook his head, no longer paying attention—they had no healing arts, he could only rely on modern medicine.

Perhaps this was fate—at least they lived, unlike in the original movie where everyone died. That was already better.

Soon, the two women accompanied their husbands to the ambulance, heading to the hospital, while David and Louis drove back to the city.

The ride was silent.

David had many questions: the unnatural fire, the strange golden arm, the female corpse…

After several attempts to speak, he chose silence.

He trusted Louis.

And even if Louis had done it, it was for the sake of poor Angela’s revenge.

What could he say?

But…

“Louis, if I believed in the Kitchen God, would that protect me from these strange disturbances?”

“And with so many dead—won’t they become malevolent spirits?”

Louis smiled—David hadn’t disappointed him: “Believing in others won’t help, but believing in the Kitchen God next door? That works—just remember to carry his amulet.”

“As for whether they become spirits… I don’t know.”

“But even if they do, it’s not our problem.”

David froze.

That’s true!

We don’t live there.

And even if they come, we’re not afraid!

So why worry?

(End of Chapter)