Marvel: The Alchemist Just Wants a Peaceful Life.

Just like in the movies, an assassin and an arms dealer, in a discussion that resembles an aristocratic dinner with appetizers, main courses, cold dishes and desserts, decide on various weapons of different lengths.

Sherlock also replenished his ammunition, even acquiring a small and exquisite P90 submachine gun, which also uses 5.7mm armor-piercing rounds, the same bullets as the Glock in Sherlock's hand.

Everything was just like in the movies. After Zhao Weike had chosen his weapon, he took out some gold coins from his pocket to pay, but Winston stopped him.

"We are friends, Zhao Weike."

Upon hearing Winston's words, Zhao Weike looked at Winston with a probing gaze, but didn't say anything more. After pondering for a long time, he finally uttered a meaningless word.

"Yeah~"

Winston was quite satisfied with Zhao Weike's answer. After hearing Zhao Weike's affirmative reply, Winston's gaze skipped over Zhao Weike and went in Sherlock's direction.

"A friend of a friend is also a friend, isn't he, Mr. Sherlock?"

Winston spoke calmly, as if he were stating some truth, but his gaze remained fixed on Sherlock's face.

It was only at this point that Sherlock and Zhao Weike finally understood what Winston was trying to do.

This old fox's original goal was actually Sherlock; he wanted to gain Sherlock's friendship! This can be seen from Winston's way of addressing him.

Sherlock was previously addressed as "Mr. Flamel," but here he is referred to as "Mr. Sherlock."

In an instant, having understood everything, Zhao Weike looked at his "old friend" with a complex expression, while also giving Sherlock a guilty look.

For Sherlock, this was hardly a problem. In fact, Sherlock could vaguely sense that Winston only wanted to use his name.

Therefore, Sherlock did not refuse. He retrieved his armor, looked at Winston with a smile, and replied to Winston with the same word.

"Yeah~"

Upon hearing Sherlock's reply, Winston's smile widened, and he clapped his hands with an air of excitement.

As Winston moved, the gun shop door was pushed open again, and Charon, who had returned, walked in carrying two suits.

Winston smiled like a cunning old fox, pointing to the suit Charon had brought in and speaking to Sherlock and Zhao Weike.

"Want to give it a try?"

Clearly, this is yet another "free" giveaway.

Having spent his entire life in the world of assassins, Zhao Weike knew one thing well: here, "free" things are often the most expensive. Watching Winston's actions, Zhao Weike's brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.

After a long while, Zhao Weike finally spoke.

Winston.

Before he could finish speaking, Sherlock grabbed his sleeve and turned around to see him smiling as he spoke to Winston.

"certainly!"

Having said that, Sherlock took the clothes Charon handed him and simultaneously stuffed the clothes Charon was holding in his other hand into Zhao Weike's hand.

Seeing Sherlock's actions, Zhao Weike could only sigh helplessly, unsure of what to say. He was now somewhat confused about the "deal" between Sherlock and Winston.

He could only silently accept the bulletproof suit that Sherlock handed him, and then turned around and found a place to change his clothes.

Soon, the two reappeared before Winston.

Zhao Weike, of course, needs no introduction. His black suit paired with a black shirt is a classic look, and combined with his weathered face, he exudes the air of a down-on-his-luck aristocratic uncle.

What's truly stunning is Sherlock's attire.

A scarlet peak lapel suit paired with a black shirt and a scarlet tie, and his hair, which had been changed to a ronin's half-up hairstyle at some point, was messy yet exuded a touch of nobility, and nobility yet revealed a touch of evil.

Combined with Sherlock's flamboyant suit and his nonchalant smile, he looked more like a young master on an outing than a weapon-wielding assassin in a Continental Hotel.

Looking at Sherlock and Zhao Weike, one is righteous and the other is evil. One is serious and earnest, a killer with a strong sense of justice, while the other is cynical and irreverent, not a killer but with a strong sense of evil.

When this contrasting and unexpected pair stood together, Winston's eyes were full of admiration.

Upon arriving before Zhao Weike and Sherlock, Winston personally helped them straighten their suits, casually plucking a blooming rose from the vase and placing it in Sherlock's suit pocket before nodding in satisfaction and stepping back.

He bowed slightly to Sherlock and Zhao Weike.

May you have a peaceful and safe future!

Upon hearing Winston's words, Zhao Weike responded in kind before turning and leaving with Sherlock.

Winston and the staff of the Continental Hotel did not see them off, but stood there watching them leave.

The farewell just now was the highest-level and most coveted blessing that the Mainland Hotel could offer in the assassin world.

Zhao Weike's response was also a blessing for the mainland hotel and for Winston.

It wasn't until Zhao Weike brought Sherlock back to the hotel lobby that Zhao Weike stopped and said to Sherlock with some guilt.

"I'm sorry, Sherlock, Winston, he..."

Sherlock simply waved his hand calmly at Zhao Weike's apology, indicating that Zhao Weike didn't need to worry about it. In Sherlock's mind, Winston had always been a cunning old fox.

And seeing him today confirms it; Winston truly lives up to his reputation as a hotel manager who has overseen the business for 36 years, fitting Sherlock's stereotypical image of him as an old fox.

Throughout the entire process, Winston never displayed any overstepping of boundaries that would make anyone uncomfortable. Even his statement, "A friend of a friend is a friend," was a carefully considered remark made only when appropriate.

What Winston was seeking in doing this was nothing more than Sherlock's "friendship".

There's no need for any substantial development of a friendship with Sherlock; all that's needed is to maintain the friendship with Zhao Weike while gaining Sherlock's affirmation.

By doing so, Winston was able to seek greater power at the High Table and to secure more benefits for his hotel.

This is exactly what that old fox Winston was after.

Just as Sherlock was about to say something to comfort Zhao Weike, Zhao Weike's phone rang at that inopportune moment.

But the name on the caller ID instantly restored Zhao Weike's Night Demon aura.

Vig Tarasov!