Those who reincarnate must die.

The days that followed continued to be spent eating, sleeping, feeding Xiaoya, and making clothes. (Google search reading)

With the sudden addition of six blood enhancements and a significant increase in all attributes, Zhang Lang really needs some time to adapt.

At the same time, in order to make his ideal trench coat, Zhang Lang also wanted better tools!

Ordinary scissors and needles were insufficient for working with the wolf's tough hide. Tools made from wolf claws and teeth were too crude, resulting in unsightly coats. To acquire better tools and adapt to the strength in his hands, Zhang Lang began to expand his activities beyond the vicinity of Anning Town.

With his enhanced mobility, Zhang Lang can now travel hundreds of kilometers in a single day, turning nearby villages and towns into his hunting grounds.

The wild animals in this area suffered terribly, being slaughtered for no reason...

For Xiaoya, the dazed beast only knew that the guy who used to feed her every day looked much more dangerous than a few days ago, but he brought more, fresher, and more varied meat every day!

For the sake of the delicious food, Xiaoya decided to put up with it!

About a month passed like this. Zhang Lang had adapted to his attributes and collected a lot of other resources, but he just couldn't find any handy tools.

Ordinary ironware was out of the question, and the sharp teeth, horns, and claws of other monsters were not suitable either, so the production progress of the trench coat was delayed.

Finally, on this day, Xu brought news of a new mission!

"This time it's a steampunk world with supernatural powers... Oh, I almost forgot, for you, it's the magical modern Western world, right? Seems a bit boring, so how about it, interested?"

"Being in a world similar to mine gives me a home-field advantage compared to other reincarnators!"

Zhang Lang put down the giant beast corpse he was processing and turned to ask, "Are there many reincarnated beings?"

"Quite a few, four altars participated!"

"What about weapon restriction levels?"

Level 2!

"Alright, let me get ready!" Zhang Lang wiped the blood off his hands on his clothes and got up to go home.

"What else are you preparing?" Xu questioned. "With your current skills, knives and flintlock pistols are practically useless against you, aren't they?"

"We found quite a few fire crystals a few days ago!" Zhang Lang laughed. "We made some treasures!"

As he spoke, Zhang Lang returned home and pulled out a small, roughly made leather bag... It was also made of wolf skin. Although it was a bit rough, it was sturdy and convenient to carry things around his waist!

Inside the bag, there was a bunch of fist-sized, round homemade bombs with fuses attached!

Fire crystal is a magical mineral unique to Zhang Lang's hometown. This world seems to have yet to invent explosives; weapons are still at the stage of using black powder. However, adding fire crystal powder to black powder can trigger a violent explosion, more powerful than an equivalent volume of explosives!

Thanks to this thing, although the firearms in this world are a bit primitive, their power is by no means lacking!

With everything prepared, Zhang Lang informed Xu that he could depart. Black flames ignited, and he, carrying his briefcase, vanished completely from this world...

When Zhang Lang came to his senses, he found himself sitting in a quaint dressing room.

All around were rows of metal cabinets, and a lantern-like gas lamp hung from the ceiling, its glass shade covered in soot. Looking down at himself, he realized his clothes and equipment were gone, leaving him only in a pair of leather shorts…

Zhang Lang looked around and found his clothes on the bench next to him, along with the leather bag containing the explosives. He breathed a sigh of relief.

"Where am I?" Zhang Lang asked in his mind.

"You probably already know, it's the locker room!" the virtual one replied. "The locker room of the First Police Station in Fog City. Your identity this time is that of a police officer!"

"Police?!" Zhang Lang frowned.

Suddenly the door opened, and a man with a small mustache, wearing a dark woolen overcoat, a police helmet decorated with ornate badges, a dagger, and epaulettes, walked in.

"Zhang? Aren't you ready yet?"

Seeing that Zhang Lang was still naked, the bearded man became somewhat anxious:

"Hurry up, the captain and the others have already set off. They're probably at the crime scene by now. Don't you want your bonus this month?!"

Zhang Lang paused for a moment, then tentatively reminded him, "His name is Nathan, he's your colleague, and your captain's name is Aldridge..."

"That's good. Don't worry, Nathan, we won't hold Captain Aldridge back!" Zhang Lang replied casually, relying on the information Xu had just provided.

Nathan shook his head helplessly and pulled out an unfiltered cigarette: "Hurry up, I'm going to have a smoke first. Hopefully you'll be dressed and ready before I put it out!"

"Go with him!" the figure hinted. "Most murder cases are related to reincarnators! The reason I helped you get a police identity is to make it easier for you to find the reincarnators!"

Zhang Lang nodded, found his locker according to the name tag, and began to put on his police uniform. The thick wool coat, the same as Nathan's, and the sturdy helmet all fit him perfectly, as if tailor-made. The standard-issue weapons were a double-edged sword and a revolver…

The wool coat was thick and large enough. Zhang Lang hid the leather bag containing the explosives inside the coat, stuffed his clothes into the closet, closed the door, and left.

He moved quickly; Nathan had only smoked half of his cigarette when he saw him come out, so he stubbed it out on the trash can lid and threw it into the bin.

"Let's go, the scene is just three blocks away!"

The police station in this world already had cars, but clearly not enough to provide one for these two junior officers. Three blocks wasn't far, but it was deep winter, with heavy snow falling, so they opted to take the public railcar.

Anyway, just by wearing this police uniform, I can enjoy the privilege of free admission.

Once on the tram, Zhang Lang's gaze was immediately drawn to the enormous steam engine.

Like Zhang Lang's hometown, most of the machinery in this world is still powered by steam. After experiencing many worlds, Zhang Lang has seen more advanced internal combustion engines, but in terms of their performance, he feels they are not much better than the steam engines of his hometown.

He concluded that the reason was the difference in fuel!

In theory, a steam engine requires its own boiler to boil water and use the steam to drive the piston. An internal combustion engine, on the other hand, injects liquid or gaseous fuel into the cylinder, where it combusts directly to drive the piston. This eliminates the need for a boiler and results in higher energy conversion efficiency.

But these worlds that developed internal combustion engines all have one thing in common: they are able to produce suitable liquid or gaseous fuels, such as gasoline or natural gas.

The reason why Zhang Lang's world couldn't unlock the technology tree of internal combustion engines is thanks to that magical "fire crystal"!

This amazing stone, besides being used to make explosives, has a role in many fields that require heat, including steam engines!

Using a special firing device, this thing can release a huge amount of heat energy directly in the water. By installing the fire crystal in the steam pot, pouring in water, and then firing it through the mechanism, it will produce an effect similar to an electric kettle, quickly boiling the water and generating powerful steam to drive the machine. In this way, the original boiler system can be eliminated without the furnace, and only the steam pot is needed!

However, fire crystal, unlike gasoline and natural gas, cannot be directly used in internal combustion engines. Therefore, in a world with such readily available raw materials, the steam engine made great strides, which in turn delayed the advent of the internal combustion engine...

Zhang Lang didn't know what this fire crystal was made of, how it could enhance the power of gunpowder, or how it could release such enormous energy. He had never seen anything like it in other worlds, and even suspected that it was a crystallization of some kind of fire element.

But regardless, this thing is ubiquitous in Zhang Lang's hometown and is an important part of modern science and industry!

Perhaps this is the kind of science that Xu was talking about, the kind that Zhang Lang's "return to simplicity" ability doesn't acknowledge!

As for the steam engine in this mission world, Zhang Lang didn't know how it worked, but its advanced development must have been supported by some unique natural resources.

"Are you even listening to me?!"

Officer Nathan's shouts finally drew Zhang Lang's attention away from the steam engine.

"What?" Zhang Lang stared blankly at Nathan, who sighed, "I said next month is Captain Aldridge's birthday, what gift are you planning to give him?"

"A birthday present?" This wasn't even a question Zhang Lang should be considering. Based on past experience, he only stayed in one world for a few days at most, and he didn't care about interpersonal relationships with the natives. But seeing Nathan's serious expression, he still thought about it for a moment.

"A pocket watch, perhaps..."

"But the captain already has one..." Nathan wasn't too satisfied with the answer: "Besides, those things are expensive, and you've been struggling financially lately, haven't you?"

"Then a hat..."

"But what size does Captain Aldridge wear?" Nathan was troubled again. "What if he doesn't like the style?"

"Or a fountain pen..."

"Are you serious?" Nathan frowned. "Captain Aldridge's worst enemy is his terrible handwriting. Giving him a pen won't make him think you're insulting him, will it?"

"Well..." Zhang Lang said impatiently, "Then I won't see you off... Do whatever you want!"

"Not giving a gift?" Nathan's mouth dropped open in surprise. "The captain's such a petty guy, he'll make things difficult for you if you don't give him a present!!"

"Then what do you want to send?" Zhang Lang stared into his eyes, feeling like he wanted to strangle the guy.

"That's why I asked you, I didn't know!" To his surprise, Nathan's eyes widened, and he retorted confidently, "I thought you Easterners had some exotic customs, but it turns out you're just as cliché!"

"Hmm..." Zhang Lang's forehead vein throbbed, and he had an urge to punch him, but he ultimately controlled his temper and simply ignored Nathan...

Nathan seemed to sense Zhang Lang's displeasure and didn't say anything more until the car arrived at the station and the two got off.

Nathan tugged at his collar to ward off the winter wind and snow, but Zhang Lang didn't care and remained tall and proud.

The two jogged through the soft snow and quickly arrived at the scene of the crime. The police, who had arrived earlier, had already cordoned off the area and were collecting evidence.

Aldrich, a portly middle-aged police officer, frowned as he saw Zhang Lang and Nathan rush in. "What? You two are late again? Ten shillings will be deducted from your bonuses each this month!"

"Ahhh..." Nathan with the mustache immediately looked distressed, but Zhang Lang didn't take it to heart and went straight to the crime scene to examine the body.

The deceased was a man in his forties, very tall, judging from his thick neck, and under his heavy clothing, he must have had quite a muscular build...

"What was the cause of death?" Zhang Lang asked, as there were no obvious wounds visible on the surface.

Aldridge pointed to the dead man's head: "Pry it open and take a look!"

Zhang Lang did as instructed and discovered that an ice pick was stuck in the back of the deceased's head, with only a short section protruding and covered by hair, making it difficult to notice without careful observation.

"He's been dead for about an hour. This is the first time I've ever seen someone die from being impaled by an ice pick like that!"

Aldridge curled his lip. "It's only because it's freezing cold. If it were warmer, we probably wouldn't have found the murder weapon by the time we got there!"

Zhang Lang frowned, raised his hand, and pulled out the ice pick.

"Hey?" Aldridge stopped him, "Who told you to pull it out! It's not time to examine the murder weapon yet, don't disturb the scene!"

Zhang Lang ignored him, picked up the icicle, and examined it closely: "It's strange..."

"What's wrong?" The others gathered around.

"Why doesn't the ice pick melt at all when it's inserted into the human body?" Zhang Lang frowned. "Either it was inserted after the person had died and was completely cold... or it's an ice pick that won't melt!"

"How could that be!" Nathan scoffed. "He was practically dripping wet in your hands!"

Zhang Lang was taken aback, then realized that his newly acquired ability to return to simplicity could eliminate the influence of supernatural forces. He simply reached out with his hand, and even if there was something special about it, it would now become an ordinary ice spike that could be melted by his body heat...

"While it's not necessarily immune to melting, this is definitely not an ordinary icicle!"

Captain Aldridge, seemingly inspired, stroked his mustache and analyzed:

"A human skull is very hard; it's not easy for an ice pick to pierce it... And look closely, around the corpse, besides our footprints, there are only the deceased's own footprints!"

Upon closer inspection, Zhang Lang confirmed that the footprints were indeed left by police boots, and the only difference was that the footprints matched the soles of the deceased's shoes.

"This heavy snow has been falling for over two hours. If there are no other traces nearby, it means he couldn't have been stabbed to death at close range, nor could he have been stabbed elsewhere and dragged here. That means he was very likely not stabbed to death... but shot to death!"

Regardless of whether the rumors about Aldrich being petty are true, this experienced officer is truly skilled at investigating crime scenes.

"Could it be..." Nathan exclaimed in surprise.

Aldridge nodded. "So, this case will probably be taken over by those guys very soon!"

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