Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 761 The Great Nobleman

The entire office was silent for several seconds.

"You? The business heir? You?"

Nekra paused for a moment, then chuckled, disdainfully looking down at Rick's urinated-on pants.

The burly men around them all laughed.

Rick blushed and instinctively bent his leg to cover the urine stain, but then trembled as he lowered it, revealing a guilty smile.

“Exactly! If I weren’t timid, cautious, and valued my life above all else, and if I weren’t… flexible and adaptable,” he said with difficulty, “how could I be qualified to be the successor of the ‘alpha wolf’?”

The red viper snorted coldly and pointed around, especially at the several corpses on the ground.

"If you were his heir, would this place be so deserted? There aren't even many decent bodyguards, letting people break in so easily?"

Because we are law-abiding citizens of Emerald City.

Rick took a deep breath to ease the awkwardness.

We won't engage in fighting or killing.

At least not openly.

"You're absolutely right."

Rick's face turned serious:

“If I weren’t the heir, Mr. Nekra, how would you have known this place could be so empty, and how could you have broken in so easily?”

Upon hearing this, Nekra's eyebrows twitched.

"What do you mean?"

He asked suspiciously.

Rick's heart sank as he watched the other person's reaction.

"Whatever it means, the infamous Red Viper, you don't need to become someone else's weapon—that's pointless."

He lowered his voice:
"Especially when I can repay you."

The red viper paused for a moment.

His expression gradually turned serious.

Rick's mood also sank.

A few seconds later, Nekra spoke again, but his tone changed from playful to suspicious:
"The heir, really, you?"

Rick closed his eyes to prevent the other party from noticing his guilty conscience and any flaws:
"Yes, me, that's why they hate me so much."

"them?"

Rick took a deep breath and nodded:

"That's why they wanted to use you to kill me or cripple me—in order to escape Boss Fesso's accountability."

The red viper frowned but did not answer.

Rick felt a heaviness in his heart.

hateful.

He acquiesced.

That means...

“No, maybe they don’t hate me,” Rick sighed, adding fuel to the fire. “They hate that they’re not strong enough, that they’re always being outdone.”

The red viper frowned deeply.

This time, Nekra remained in thought for a full ten seconds.

Only after his subordinates cautiously reminded him did he wave his hand, indicating to them:
"Pull him up and make him sit down."

Although the others were surprised, they obeyed and grabbed Rick's arm, pulling him up from the ground and forcibly sitting him in another chair.

well.

very good!

Rick pressed his hand against his wound, forcing back his excitement despite the pain.

"Let me state upfront that I still don't believe you are the successor that Fisseau has chosen."

The red viper said coldly, his face grim.

“That’s normal,” Rick forced a wry smile. “I didn’t believe it before either.”

No, he doesn't believe it now.

But someone has to believe.

Sooner or later, someone will receive the news.

“But after today, I understand why Boss Fesso chose me out of so many subordinates,” Rick sighed.

"Oh?" Nekra squinted.

Rick remained silent for a moment.

"Those of the Black Silk lineage are all brothers."

Rick looked toward the doorway and said firmly:

"No matter who leaked the news to you... as shrewd as Boss Faisal is, he would never choose a traitor who would betray his brothers to inherit the business."

After he finished speaking, it was the Red Viper's turn to fall silent.

He took a closer look at the accountant with limb disabilities in front of him for the first time, his gaze lingering on the latter's eye patch for a long time.

Several seconds later, Nekra spoke coldly:
"What did you just say your name was?"

Rick immediately smiled:

“Rick! Nar Rick. Of course, you can just call me Nar if you like, it’s more friendly.”

“Very good, Rick.”

Unexpectedly, the Red Viper didn't call him by his first name, but by his surname, which made Rick somewhat relieved.

"Then, if I let you go..."

Rick held his breath.

Nekra sat in his seat, leaning forward, one hand on his knee, the other waving a knife in his hand.

"what can you give me?"

Seeing the other party's reaction, Rick sighed inwardly.

Yes, he guessed right.

That's right!

The Red Viper gang chose to invade when the area was most vulnerable, and their path was unimpeded.

Moreover, they learned a lot of inside information as soon as they entered.

They knew his identity and could more or less discern the truth or falsehood in his words.

He's an inside man.

Someone betrayed this place; they betrayed him.

So, who is it?

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Rick's eyes.

Who leaked this information?

Which scoundrel, which fellow Black Silk "brother or sister," was it in Emerald City, within the Brotherhood, and under the command of Boss Razanchi?
Which bastard, son of a bitch, shameless villain deserves to go to hell?
Who wants him dead?
Who would most like to see him die?

Is it Xi Feng, that ruthless bitch who has firmly controlled the supply channels?
Or is it Katanat Sugu? The leader of the city's "donkeys," a barbarian from the grasslands whose name is hard to pronounce?
Or perhaps it's Vescovo, the taciturn former mercenary in charge of security and transportation?
Is it that always amiable peasant, Alonso, who works in marketing?
It was the same bespectacled merchant corps staff member who handled miscellaneous tasks, Nedlikovic, who came from across the sea.

Is it the long-tongued Luojiawa, or this Hongtu slave woman who only knows how to flatter Fei Suo?
Or is it Palacio, the bastard who specializes in the upper class and has a lot of connections among the rich?
Or all of the above?

It can't be...

For a fleeting moment, Rick, filled with rage, heartache, and exhaustion, actually missed the days when he was still in the capital.

His superiors and colleagues at that time, from Maurice to Belicia, to the crazy and dangerous Quaid, even the quiet assassin Lyok who always looked down on him, including the murderous thugs of Cincha and the mysterious "sleepless" group of Lancer next door, and even that group of cute and naughty beggars who treated him like family...

Even Rhoda and his arms dealers...

Well, at least they won't stab him in the back.

Generally not.

Damn it, what kind of atmosphere is this in Emerald City!
The honor of Black Silk and the rules of Black Street have all been ruined by these shameless traitors and double agents.

How can the Black Street Brotherhood be stopped from sinking like this?
That's why, Nar Rick, you absolutely cannot die here.

Rick's inner voice of reason reminded him:

Even if it's for the sake of the club.

Indeed, the thousands of brothers in the Brotherhood are waiting for someone of his vision to return, to punish evil and eradicate the deep-seated problems.

Rick took a deep breath and returned to the present moment.

After all, besides seeking revenge and eliminating traitors, he also had a life to save, as he bore a heavy responsibility.

“First, Lausanne II,” Rick said in a deep voice.

The red viper frowned upon hearing this:

"You just said that your Brotherhood, even Fieso, couldn't hide him, let alone find him?"

"Yes."

Rick paused deliberately:
"But all I can tell you is: don't look for him anymore."

"What do you mean?"

Rick smiled.

There are some advantages to sitting in his position.

Since the prince regent's failed manhunt at the North Gate Bridge, yet which continued to be shrouded in mystery—both in terms of love and the kingdom's security—every sign—from the government offices operating as usual (even more diligently), to the Emerald Legion's increased patrols, the increasingly busy ports, the gradually stabilizing prices, the bustling businesses, and the gradually recovering flow of merchants and travelers—all these signs indicate:

Emerald City is recovering.

At least compared to the panic and depression that would follow a coup d'état.

The prince's exceptional skill was evident.

But Rick couldn't answer that way.

This answer is too simple and mediocre. Anyone can see that any middle-aged greasy man who has drunk a few too many fake drinks and feels good about himself can ramble on and on in front of the girls who are serving him drinks with fake smiles.

Rick needed a deeper, more impressive answer to prove his ability and value.

Of course, one shouldn't go too far, and shouldn't make the other party feel threatened—the Red Viper needs helpers and allies, not adversaries.

“My men just sent word today that Prince Thales had lunch with the two Lords Kevin Deer at the Sky Palace. What’s the word to say—they were chatting and laughing?”

The red viper frowned:
"so?"

Rick sneered:
"Clearly, His Highness did this intentionally. He wanted the terrified Emerald City to witness this scene and spread the news: a three-way compromise has been reached, and no matter what the prince's arbitration result is, it will not harm the interests of any person or force."

That is to say...

Rick swallowed the rest of his words:

In Emerald City, no matter who you are, no matter what you have done, what role you have played, which side you have supported, or which side you have harmed in this far-reaching political storm that no one can remain uninvolved in...

After this incident, there's no need to worry about being held accountable.

"That's why we can see everything right in front of us."

Rick took a deep breath and pressed on his severed arm:
"The news will put many people at ease, extinguish their thoughts of overthrowing the table and causing trouble, and turn their attention back to the daily games and trivial matters in Kongming Palace. People's confidence will be stronger, and Emerald City will recover faster."

Rick looked intently at the red viper:
"So, you don't need to look for him anymore, Boss Nekra."

"No need to look anymore?" Nekra asked, puzzled.

Oh shit.

Do the Red Headscarves not read books or newspapers?
Even watching a stage play about the underworld would be nice?

“Tell your men that they no longer need to look for King Lausanne II,” Rick explained patiently. “You, no, everyone in the world, will probably never find him.”

forever.

“Now that the bigwigs of the Void Palace have reached a compromise, in order to serve everyone’s interests, this terrifying assassin who lifted the veil of secrecy for Kevin Deer has completed his mission. It’s time for him to disappear and never see the light of day again,” Rick said solemnly.

The red viper seemed to understand something, but then asked:

"What do you mean?"

That's really unfortunate.

This red-turbaned opponent is not very bright.

Fortunately.

Fortunately, the leader of the Blood Bottle Gang was not a good-natured person.

"They didn't come looking for us."

Rick said coldly:
“As you said, the area outside the North Gate Bridge is the Brotherhood’s territory. Everything that happens there is under our watchful eyes and is related to us. In other words, if King Losang II disappears in full view of everyone at the North Gate Bridge, then our Black Street Brotherhood is the prime suspect, or at least an accomplice or an informant.”

Rick suddenly turned his head:

"But that's the problem."

The accountant's tone made the red viper nervous as well:
“They haven’t come looking for us since the incident.”

“Them?” Nekra understood something, incredulous.

“Yes, that night, after the siege was lifted, neither the Greenskins nor the Green Hats, nor the Star Lake Guard around the prince, nor even the officials at all levels in Emerald City… even though we made such a huge mess at the North Gate Bridge, missed a trap, let an Extreme Realm assassin escape, and made His Highness suffer such a huge slap in public—such a huge loss,” Rick said softly, but cautiously, “they never came looking for us once.”

Not once.

Nekra suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

Rick sneered:
"They, those big shots who used Catherine to get us to cooperate in capturing King Lausanne II, didn't even think about punishing us, holding the Brotherhood accountable, torturing every blade of grass and tree at the North Gate Bridge, extracting confessions, arresting and interrogating people, and conducting a thorough search..."

"Either... in their eyes we peasants are nothing, or..."

Rick didn't continue; he simply raised his hand in response.

The red viper did not speak immediately.

He just stared intently at his knife.

After a long while, Nekra swallowed hard.

"Where has King Lobsang II gone?"

Where else could he go?

“You just got one thing right, Boss Nekra,” Rick leaned back in his chair, shaking his head with a relieved, wry smile, “An assassin, vanished without a trace in front of so many big shots who wanted to hunt him down, and they still can’t catch him. Such a big deal…”

He opened his eyes, his gaze sharp:
"It could only have been done by an insider."

Wow!
The red viper suddenly stood up.

"Give the order to stop looking."

"Boss?"

Nekra turned to his men and gave them orders, his expression showing considerable exasperation:
"Stop looking for that vampire!"

The Blood Bottle Gang's men were filled with surprise and doubt, but Rick alone smiled.

“That’s right, King Losang II is the key: the people he killed and the things he uncovered were the starting point of this coup at Kongming Palace, and the key evidence that determined who would win and who would lose among the big shots, and who would live and who would die among the lackeys.”

Rick continued:
"But now, the three parties in Kongming Palace have reconciled, and everyone is happy."

He observed the other person's expression:
"Then, for either side, it's no longer convenient for this jinx to come out and spoil the mood, commit serious crimes, or tear up the peace agreement."

Even if he were to come out, he would have to do so while still bound by official constraints.

"But at this very moment, when all the powers in Emerald City, including the prince, turned a blind eye, even suppressed him, and everyone pretended to be deaf and dumb, unable to find him..."

Rick's tone shifted, which was unsettling:

"Only you, Mr. Nekra, the Red Viper of the Blood Viper Gang, in the entire Emerald City, are still searching with great fanfare, as if you won't stop until you've searched every corner. You're even using the method of killing one to warn a hundred, without any attempt to hide it, to find that vampire assassin who will make everyone lose face."

Rick chuckled, while the red viper trembled slightly.

"It's one thing if you can't find him after searching everywhere, but if you actually do find him and bring him out in such a grand manner..."

Nekra found herself trembling.

"I believe that His Highness, the Kevin Deer family, Sky Palace, Emerald City, and all the various forces, large and small..."

Rick said softly:
"...No one will be happy."

pat!

Rick was startled:
Unbeknownst to him, Nekra's dagger fell to the ground.

The red viper was also startled. When he came to his senses, he bent down, pale-faced, to pick up the dagger.

Besides the dagger, he also picked up the prosthetic limb.

“About your hand, Brother Rick,” Red Viper symbolically brushed off the congealed blood and stiffly handed it back to Rick, “I’m sorry about today.”

It's okay to apologize.

You damned old man, Biden.

Rick's smile remained unchanged.

Although it looks cheap, he had it specially distressed and roughened. You know, this is dwarven craftsmanship, and it's not cheap...

“Don’t worry, I’ll pay for it.” Nekra gritted her teeth.

Rick paused.

You're a really nice person!

He resisted looking at the corpse lying on the floor in front of the office—even though he disliked the tactless scribe who always questioned and challenged him whenever he gave orders.

“No need. At least this broken hand witnessed how we met.” Circumstances forced Rick to ignore the pain in his severed arm and suppress the urge to grit his teeth, he magnanimously accepted his prosthetic limb. “Consider it a small gift.”

Lose my ass.

You should leave as soon as possible.

The farther the better.

Mahler Gobi.

I'll find someone to kill you later—

“By the way, Rick, do you know who those people who betrayed you are?” Nekra suddenly asked.

Rick's eyes widened in surprise.

well.

made money.

Make a fortune.

What's a fake hand? It'll come back after a few shipments.

I misunderstood him before. Red Viper, this decisive and unconventional hero, is actually a very nice person.

No wonder he's a veteran who survived the Black Sword attack—

"So, how much do you want to know?"

Nekra raised his head and said in a sinister tone.

Very much.

really want.

Rick swallowed hard, his smile growing even wider than before.

But the red viper just stared at him without saying a word.

As if waiting for something.

Rick stared at him for several seconds before he suddenly realized what was happening.

Damn it!
He was immediately furious.

You crude country bumpkin!

That damned Red Headscarf!

Rick suppressed the urge to explode.

Someone like you thinks he can be a local boss?

Go become a gigolo and sell your ass!
"Okay, let me say a little more."

Rick took a deep breath:

"Previously, Nekra, boss, and Ferg, the gift list that you and Tobalta took to the Sky Palace to present to the prince was returned, right?"

Nekra's eyes flickered.

“Because we are the same, whether it’s the Blood Bottle Gang or the Brotherhood,” Rick nodded, answering his question. “Like many noble and idealistic great men, our new Regent of the Sky Palace is not so willing to deal with dirty peasants.”

Not everyone is like Balta, the old barber from the Blood Bottle Gang, who is so successful and blameless.

And Fasseau said to him:
The barber was like a flexible rope, soft and easy to bend or straighten at will.

However, only a live rope can strangle a person.

“Boss Nekra, to be honest, I know why you want to find King Losang II. The Brotherhood has heard a lot about it afterward: the internal strife within the Blood Bottle Gang was probably orchestrated by him, along with you and Ferguson, all to avenge Catherine from back then—”

"He came to me first, he came to find us!"

Nekra suddenly roared angrily, startling Rick.

“Of course,” Rick had no choice but to say.

The red viper took a breath and tucked his dagger into his pocket.

"I was surprised at first too."

He gritted his teeth:
"But he, King Losang II, that coward who was scared out of his wits by the Black Sword, told me nothing. Nothing about the old days of the Kevindir family, nothing about the coup at the Sky Palace."

"Damn it!" the Red Viper roared in fury.

"I thought he just wanted to... seek revenge on Knife Bitch, wanted Blood Bottle Gang to pay off his debts, or simply wanted to kill someone to vent his anger, at most involving one or two officials..." With Ferguson's guarantee, he reluctantly—yes, reluctantly agreed to cooperate.

At least not so eagerly.

“I didn’t even know that guy had turned into a vampire, and I have no idea where he goes after nightfall!” Nekra said indignantly.

But so many years have passed, and that guy has changed. He's incredibly skilled, has a terrifyingly bad temper, and his habits are frighteningly strange. He doesn't dare... it's inconvenient for him to ask directly...

"Until he, until he went to the election, he'll rebel... damn it!"

The red viper angrily slapped its own thigh.

"I understand."

Rick could only comfort him.

“A crazy, powerful, difficult to communicate with, unreasonable, disobedient and uncontrollable partner who happens to be above you in rank, and taking action against him could have unpredictable consequences,” Rick sighed, remembering something. “I fucking understand that feeling all too well.”

Rick paused for a moment, and seeing that the other person seemed relatively calm, continued:
"But now, Lobsang II is involved in such a big matter that he has been confirmed as a traitor, a rebel, and a serious criminal. He and the things he did are even the biggest...stain on the prince's reign."

And the cause of the earth-shattering upheaval at the Emerald Palace, which resulted in Kevin Deer's humiliation and the subsequent economic downturn in the Emerald City.

“And you, Nekra, you absolutely cannot be seen as being with him, not even in the slightest way.”

Rick nodded:
“You need to get the big shot to let you go, forget your actions, and beg for the forgiveness of Kongming Palace or even a chance to surrender—that’s why you want to find Losang II and exchange his whereabouts or even his head for it.”

Rick continued:
“I think, Nekra, what you need most is not Lausanne II—what you need is evidence to prove yourself, and even leverage to protect yourself.”

And a bit of luck.

The red viper listened expressionlessly, then sighed deeply and closed his eyes.

"Damn, Sunset is really blind... What's going to happen next?"

"I do not know."

Nekra suddenly opened his eyes!
"I'm asking you a question!"

With the strength of an ox, he grabbed Rick, shook him violently, and roared:
What will happen next?!

Rick shuddered, but he knew he couldn't back down now; he could only grit his teeth and fight back.
"I told you I don't know!!"

Damn!

This guy, Red Viper, is really as rumored—mentally unstable and has personality problems!
People like this should be locked up in the prison of bones!

Lock them up until they die of old age!

But he's been at large for so long... What's the kingdom's law for? Where's Uncle Greenskin—the guard?
The red viper stared intently at Rick, as if trying to pluck something out of his eyes.

Now that the leader had made a move, the Blood Bottle Gang members around Rick also looked at him with hostility.

Even if the latter was filled with fear and anger, at this moment they had no choice but to soften their tone and speak earnestly:
"I mean, it didn't happen at Beimen Bridge or in the new suburbs. I was completely in the dark. And I wasn't in that position, I had no intelligence, and I didn't know anyone there. How could I possibly know?"

Nekra continued to stare intently at him, refusing to let go.

"But if you ask me, a red viper?"

Rick offered his suggestion, his voice trembling:

"You go."

“Go?” Nekra repeated.

“Yes, we can’t stay in the Star Kingdom any longer,” Rick nodded nervously. “You know, no matter how young a prince is, he will eventually be crowned and become a king.”

The red viper's wrist trembled, and it released him.

“I…no, it was all King Lausanne II who did it. I just…I don’t know him at all, I haven’t offended the prince…”

"You may not, the prince and even the two Kevin Deer may not even know your name."

The red viper's eyes lit up: "Since..."

"But what about the others? After hearing the rumors, after hearing that you colluded with the vampire assassin to try to seize power in the Blood Bottle Gang, won't people think that you offended the prince? Won't your enemies use this to their advantage against you?" Rick said coldly.

Nekra felt a chill in his heart.

Catherine, you knife-wielding bitch...

"The scariest thing is... this coup must be incredibly complicated, involving many parties. I suspect that after this series of events, you're not the only one in Emerald City who feels like you've offended the prince."

Rick sneered:
"And when these people find themselves in the same predicament as you, will they, like you, try to offer some gifts, such as someone's head, to the future king to curry favor, prove their innocence, and seek forgiveness?"

The red viper turned pale!
Damn it, Fogg...

"Capturing King Lausanne II? Forget about it."

Rick said with ill intent:

"But should we capture the accomplices of the perpetrators to claim credit and plead guilty..."

Or at least, frame those caught as accomplices of the perpetrators...

Wow!

The red viper suddenly stood up, catching Rick off guard.

"Pack your things," Nekra ordered through gritted teeth. "We're leaving now."

His subordinate was taken aback:
"where to?"

The red viper turned its head and roared angrily:
"Anywhere is fine!"

He glanced at his frightened subordinates, took a deep breath, and calmed himself down.

"We're leaving Emerald City now."

more than.

Leave the South Bank Territory.

Leave the stars.

Leave the Western Lands.

leave……

While Red Viper was in a terrible predicament, Rick was secretly overjoyed.

Thank you, sunset!

Seeing the other person's reaction, Rick was even happier than when he saw his unborn son learn to walk.

He finally got it!

"What do we do here, boss?" a burly man asked cautiously.

Nekra turned around.

The burly man pointed at Rick: "Where is he?"

The way everyone was looking at him made Rick feel flustered and numb.

Nekra looked him over thoughtfully.

“I can help you clean up the mess,” Rick cleared his throat, looking weak yet sincere. “The casualties in the warehouse, I’ll say they were embezzling from their own comrades and died in a fight. That can cover it up for you… at least for a while.”

The gazes of the crowd grew increasingly uneasy.

Rick was terrified and instinctively leaned closer to the table.

"But what if I get silenced here, or disappear..."

Rick gripped the table, nervously pressing down on the hidden compartment at the bottom of the drawer to bolster his courage.

Although he knew that with his little crossbow, he had no chance against these tough targets.

"...the truth will definitely come out."

Nekra frowned.

“Especially at this time, when the prince has just stabilized Emerald City and is being praised by all the people,” Rick explained warmly and carefully. “What he must hate most is a heinous murder that affects public order, his image as regent, and the results of his rule.”

The red viper's complexion worsened.

"This place is ostensibly a fireworks factory with foreign ownership, specializing in the OEM production of Hamburg's crystal fireworks... Not to mention the international impact, and not to mention that protecting trade is a tradition of Emerald City... the thugs, in order to perform well during this extraordinary period and curry favor, will certainly investigate at all costs."

The red viper's complexion worsened.

The gazes directed at Rick showed no sign of softening.

“I hope you didn’t leave any trace when you came,” Rick said, pressing his trembling legs. “And don’t leave any clues when you’re disposing of the body later.”

The red viper was thinking hard.

If we can't escape inland, then we can only...

"Oh, from the docks here to the port of Gonghai City, it's packed with 'Sea Wolves' ships—I've heard that Lord Tanganga and his fleet are going to great lengths to curry favor with their new master."

Rick, as if he had foreseen the future, blocked his train of thought:

"Of course, compared to the green-skinned ones, the 'sea wolves' are still better in one way..."

Rick said nervously:

"They...don't need to fabricate evidence."

In that instant, Red Viper suddenly reached out and grabbed Rick's shoulder!

Fuck!
Rick shuddered.

Nekra stared at him coldly, his eyes filled with a chilling, ferocious bloodshot.

Rick was so frightened that his legs went weak and he slid off the chair and fell to the ground.

A few seconds later, the red viper curled its lips into a chilling smile.

"I'm starting to understand why Fisseau promoted you after only meeting you twice."

“Four years,” Rick was terrified, but instinctively retorted, “It’s four years.”

He got there based on his ability, his skills, and his achievements.

It's not about luck!
The red viper smiled and shook his head at his subordinates:
"We won't kill him."

Rick breathed a sigh of relief.

Thank God, thank the setting sun.

Nobody said that someone who's in a gang has to be responsible for teaching in rural areas.

Moreover, it's the kind of situation where if you don't teach well, the students will come up to the podium with a knife and kill you.

“We’ll take him with us.”

Rick was startled and looked up in horror:

"what?"

Did no one tell him about off-campus internships?

"No, no, no, no—I said if I disappear..."

“Since you’re so smart, come with me and give me some advice,” Nekra said calmly. “That way, the Brotherhood’s mole won’t be able to harm you.”

No?

Rick was stunned.

Why is it this script?
"My Years on the Run with a Gangster Boss"?
"But you just now—"

Rick found it unbelievable.

"I don't have time to pack my luggage, so I'll just get rid of that prosthetic hand. When I have more money later, I'll have someone make you a gold one, haha, or even a metallic alloy will do."

Who the hell wants gold...?

Rick was about to retort when the Red Viper yanked him up from the ground without giving him a chance to resist, patted his chest, and chuckled sinisterly, "Don't worry, if something goes wrong along the way..."

"I'll take you home."

Rick was stunned with fright.

what is this?
Shouldn't it be "We'll send you home once it's safe" or even worse, "We'll take your life if anything goes wrong"?

If something unexpected happens, I'll send you home?

What the hell is this?

Are all the people wearing red headscarves illiterate, or are they simply good at speaking in riddles?
"No, no, no, boss Nekra, wait a minute—"

Rick was about to argue when the Red Viper turned away.

Without a word, the burly men from the Blood Bottle Gang on both sides grabbed him and headed for the door!

Do not!
No, no!
Rick struggled desperately, both shocked and furious!
He still has ideals and goals...

His business in Emerald City was just getting on track...

Just then, the office door creaked open.

Everyone was suddenly startled!
pat, pat...

The sound of light footsteps approached.

The red viper instinctively drew its short knife, its superhuman hormones rapidly circulating within it!
Damn!

Did they change shifts early?

Rick cried out in pain as he was roughly thrown to the ground. The Blood Bottle Gang members looked serious and prepared for battle.

"You're here too early... Why is there no one outside?"

Under the tense gazes of everyone, a dark-skinned, short man dressed in ordinary packer's clothes, carrying luggage on his shoulder, shakily pushed open the door, his eyes still sleepy:

"Mr. Rick, have the fireworks I ordered arrived yet?"

Everyone was stunned.

"Master Suleiman! Run!"

Rick was the first to react; he scrambled to his feet and reached out:

“Go to the ‘Tenth House Candy Shop’ outside the North Gate Bridge, find a guy named Karak, and make him whimper—”

But before he could finish speaking, someone next to him covered his mouth tightly!
Master Suleiman, who was standing by the door, turned his head and saw the bodies of the copyist and the custodian in the office, and couldn't help but frown.

Oops.

The leader of the blood vials, a burly man, glanced around, gritted his teeth, drew his blade, and was about to step forward:
"Hey, old man, come here—"

Rick struggled frantically, trying every means to signal to the old man, but he was firmly controlled by the people behind him.

Just as the master was about to die on the spot, the Red Viper suddenly reached out and grabbed his subordinate tightly.

The burly man looked back in confusion.

Nekra stood there, staring blankly at the door and at the short, thin old master Suleiman.

Looking at the other person's skin, which was clearly tanned and rough from working all day, he realized that it was due to the sun.

"you……"

The red viper was incredibly authentic.

"Ok?"

Master Suleiman looked back at him with a puzzled expression.

The more the red viper looked, the more terrified it became.
"You are...you are...it's impossible...it's impossible for you to have changed so much..."

The old master chuckled.

"Hey, it's been over ten years, how could things not have changed a lot, don't you think?"

The old man forced a weary smile and called out an unfamiliar title:

"Xiaohong?"

In that instant, the red viper shuddered and took a step back in fright!
"Boss?" The surrounding subordinates looked at Nekra in surprise and doubt.

But the latter reached out to stop them, and Nekra just stared wide-eyed at the old man at the door.

Two of Red Viper's long-time and well-informed henchmen looked at each other in bewilderment:
Not everyone in this world knows or can call her "Little Red"—this was a street nickname used by the Blood Bottle Gang a long, long time ago, so long ago that Nekra was just a lackey of the old gang leader Turnbull.

"You, no, you are, you really are..."

The red viper felt its teeth chattering.

He tried hard to make out the person's face, seemingly accepting it, yet also wanting to deny it:

"Old pal, Fei, Feisuo?"

Everyone was stunned by these words.

Including Rick, who was being held hostage.

He stared blankly at the familiar old master Suleiman.

what?
what did he say?
Fisseau?

But he...

But wasn't that the fireworks vendor, old Suleiman, who came to buy supplies every month...?

Oops!

Red Viper suddenly woke up with a start. He instinctively raised his dagger, looked around to make sure there were no ambushes in the office, and then stared at the direction behind Fesso.

Extreme vigilance is required.

His men were equally formidable, and even Rick was spared.

"No, no, no, when...when did you get here?"

Nekra stared intently at Fesso, who looked like a poor old farmer, with large beads of sweat sliding down his face.

He never put down the knife in his hand.

“I come every month to restock,” the old man at the door said with no surprise, just chuckled. “Don’t believe me? Ask him—Mr. Rick?”

The red viper turned around in surprise.

Rick, however, fell to the ground, staring in equally shock at the old man who was both familiar and unfamiliar.

So, that means...

The biggest drug lord in the Star Kingdom...

A shadowy hand entrenched in Emerald City...

One of the six leaders of the Black Street Brotherhood...

The old man at the door ignored the corpses on the ground and the desperados in front of him. He walked briskly into the office and put down his luggage.

The Blood Bottle gang members in the office instinctively retreated behind the other person's footsteps, shrinking back behind the desk.

That is, someone whose power and influence are said to be second only to Black Sword and Qincha, mysterious and terrifying yet even greater...

Alpha wolf.

Lazenci Fissor?
The red viper stared in disbelief at the old farmer before it, at the old man it almost didn't recognize:
"Restock...replenish?"

"What a coincidence."

Fei Suo dusted himself off, looking no different from an old villager who spent his days rushing to the market and making a living.

"Near the North Gate Bridge, my fireworks stall was bought up entirely by a group of incredibly wealthy people... They pushed it to the bottom of the bridge and set it all off..."

Faisal smiled and put down the small sign that read "Suleiman's Old Brand Fireworks" and "Five shots for sixty, ten shots for one hundred."

"I'll just have to come back and get more stock."

Flame, fireworks?

The red viper stared at the sign with a mixture of wariness and surprise.

"Looking back, I didn't lose out either," Lazanchi Fisseau laughed heartily, without any hesitation, even somewhat rudely crossing his legs as he sat on the stool. "Those people clearly came from outside Emerald City, all rich and powerful..."

"They didn't even haggle much."

The unassuming "alpha wolf" before him remained calm and composed, observing the Blood Bottle Gang members who stood ready and under immense pressure without a trace of surprise. He smiled with narrowed eyes:
"Tsk tsk, those are truly a group of... very distinguished people."

A very important person.

Rick shuddered.

But Red Viper was tense, his eyes glued to Fesso's every move, and he paid no attention to what the other was saying.

"Fissau, old friend, listen to me. I acted impulsively today. I apologize! It was my fault!"

He put down the dagger, and cautiously and slowly raised his palm to indicate that he meant no harm:

"But don't worry, I've figured things out. The Blood Bottle Gang's business in Emerald City is over. From now on, we'll never see each other again..."

"Finish?"

Faisal opened his eyes, which were almost squinting:
"Who said it was over?"

At that moment, the red viper's heart skipped a beat.

"So what do you want, old buddy? Let's draw a line?"

Nekra gritted his teeth and said, while putting his other hand behind his back and gesturing for his men to prepare to break through.

Feisseau chuckled, completely unconcerned.

"The end... Well, Emerald City was originally just a simple balance: the outside side and the inside side. If either side tipped or swayed, it would fall, and that would be the end of it."

He did not answer the red viper's question directly.

"But now, some people are trying to be clever and have turned the scales into a triangular stool—one side, one side, and one side on its own."

Fisseau scratched his back roughly and then reached into his pocket.

"But this triangular stool is different from a balance scale..."

Seeing his outstretched hand, the red viper nervously took a step back.

However, Fisseau, sitting on the stool, struggled, even somewhat comically, to pull a pipe from his pocket: "Three corners, if even one corner is unstable..."

"This matter... is not going to end anytime soon."

The red viper swallowed hard, not absorbing a single word:
"what do you mean?"

Rick, lying on the ground, stared intently at Fisseau, his thoughts in complete disarray.

"Oh, right, since we're already here, um, Xiao Hong..."

The old man smiled and took out a pipe and flint, offering them to the red viper, who was covered in cold sweat.

Want a smoke?