Chapter 36: Tell Me Who Church Is

William found a cigar in Barney's pocket, lit it, and lay back in his car, smoking quietly. He checked his watch—it had been two hours. His mental scan indicated someone was waking up. It turned out to be Master Wong. As expected, Master Wong, known as Yin Yang, was the first to wake up, despite being the shortest in stature.

Sitting in the car, William casually said, "As expected of Master Wong. Since you're awake, stop pretending. Master Wong, let's chat. My records show you have two daughters in Los Angeles. Would you like to call them to avoid making them worry?"

Hearing William's threat towards his daughters, Master Wong immediately dropped the act, urgently speaking up, "Don't you dare harm them. Come at me if you have a problem, leave my family out of this." Though Master Wong wanted to curse, the text can only imply his outburst.

Wearing a hood, William approached Master Wong with a flashlight, shining it on a dossier that contained information about his family. "I heard you work as a mercenary to support your daughters. How about working for me? I'll pay you well."

Seeing his family's information, Master Wong cursed inwardly. This guy had thoroughly investigated his family, even knowing their school and residence. He was in trouble and panicking inside, though he didn't show it outwardly.

Barney, who had woken up when William approached Master Wong, heard the threat to his family and spoke up, "Hey, buddy, whatever you want us to do, I'll agree. Just don't threaten his family. Yin Yang, don't worry. We're still useful, otherwise he'd have killed us already."

William was slightly annoyed at Barney for complicating things and making him put in extra effort. He wondered if he could manage these famous actors.

"Haha, Barney, true to your reputation as the leader of the Expendables. Even now, you remain calm. But coming to London and getting involved in this was a mistake. It's not up to you anymore." William then glanced at the others pretending to be unconscious. "Gunnar, Christmas, I advise you to stop reaching for those knives. Didn't expect you knife experts to hide them so well, but my gun is faster than your knives. Any more funny moves, and my gun might go off."

Hearing William mention their hidden knives, and the sound of a Glock 17 being cocked, Christmas and Gunnar stopped moving. Christmas, however, retorted, "Maybe we should see who's faster."

William ignored him, knowing Christmas' skill with knives was formidable but unaware that his opponent was no ordinary man.

Turning to Barney, William said, "Since you intruded, don't blame me for this. After all this trouble, I need something from you. Tell me who Church is in the CIA."

Barney's pupils contracted. He looked down and said, "I don't know who you're talking about. I've never heard of Church. I know a guy named Trench, though. Maybe you're looking for him. I heard he wants to be President of the USA."

The other Expendables started laughing.

"Yeah, I heard that too. Trench really wants to be President."

"Right, his wife's family has a lot of influence. Maybe he could really become President."

William found it amusing. How did this movie joke become real in this world? In his past life, Governor Trench's chances were over after falling out with his wife. 

Amused by this joke, William suddenly raised his gun and shot Christmas. Christmas groaned and slumped, motionless.

The sudden, unprovoked shot shocked the other five Expendables. They stared in disbelief before erupting in curses, saying every foul word imaginable.

William was surprised by the variety of English curses. Weren't Americans supposed to have a limited set of insults? Yet he was hearing so many now. The movie world indeed had a vast vocabulary.

"I told you not to make any moves in front of me. Now, Barney, will you tell me who Church is? Or should I shoot the next person?" William aimed at Gunnar. "Gunnar, I heard you're good with knives. Too bad you're about to die. Look at Barney, he doesn't care about your life. How about working for me?"

Gunnar, staring into William's eyes, said indifferently, "How about you untie me, and we settle this with knives? If you win, I'll talk." He then yelled, "Barney, don't tell him! If you do, we're all dead anyway. Barney, you mustn't—"

William shot Gunnar before he could finish.

"Dammit, dammit, I'll kill you! I swear I'll kill you," Barney roared, veins bulging, eyes blood-red. The ropes binding him creaked under the strain.

The others were similarly enraged. Caesar shouted, "Come on, shoot me! Barney, don't tell him. He won't kill you if he wants information. Even if we die, you mustn't tell. You have to survive to avenge us. Come on, you bastard, shoot me!" Caesar glared at William, defiant.

William ignored the curses. After ten minutes of relentless swearing, he pointed the gun at Yin Yang.

"No, don't shoot! I'll talk, I'll talk," Barney pleaded, not wanting Yin Yang's daughters to lose their father.

Yin Yang yelled, "Don't tell him, Barney! He'll kill us all if you do. Barney, you must survive and take care of my family!"

"No, buddy. I can't let your kids lose their father. Church's full name is Bruce Willis. I don't know where he lives, but he's the CIA's security chief in New York. He usually works at—"

Suddenly, Barney heard Christmas breathing. Christmas groaned and came back to life, followed shortly by Gunnar.

William shoved the Glock 17 back into its holster, cursing, "What kind of crap tranquilizers are these? They can't even keep someone under for twenty minutes."

The other four Expendables realized that William hadn't actually shot Gunnar and Christmas.

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