Empire of Shadows

A strange country, a strange society, and a group of unwilling souls.

This is why the United Federation, a nation of immigrants, has a social underbelly that breeds gangs, constantly giving rise to new ones.

Society doesn't give these young people at the bottom a chance to live. Before they even get to see the beautiful side of the world, their heads are pushed underwater.

Not struggling means death, and everyone will fight with all their might!

Some of the young people in the room might genuinely be brave; they were people who liked to show off and fight even before they came.

It's just that some people might only be betting a dollar or two, and very few people can actually fight their way to a better future.

Carl sat in his chair, watching them. He could now vaguely feel the pleasure of being able to decide the life and death of others!

No matter who they are, no matter their role, when he makes a decision, those people will pay the price with their lives!

He felt a little lightheaded, as if he had just smoked several cigars in a row, feeling a bit dizzy.

Power is indeed the purest smoke, the strongest wine, bringing people the ultimate enjoyment!

The young men in the room looked at him and began to express their loyalty one by one. Even if some were lagging behind, everyone ultimately expressed their willingness to serve Carl and Carl's boss.

"Good, I didn't misjudge you."

Carl's mind was filled with Lance's image, including some of the small movements that Lance himself didn't even notice.

"This time, my target is Hope. Does anyone know him?"

There were seven or eight young men in the room, about the same age as him. Among them, there were one or two who looked particularly fierce, natural-born villains.

The way they looked at people wasn't like looking at people, but like looking at dead objects.

At first, Carl didn't dare to meet their eyes, but gradually, he gained more confidence, because he knew that he had more money than these people, he also had a gun, and he had backing.

Killing him might be simple, but it also meant that the person who killed him would have to pay the price.

He clearly recognized this point. Before being driven to desperation, no one would think about dying with him, so he was safe.

He had to play the role of a dog well; only in this way would he have the value to continue to exist.

He stared at those fierce young men with a calm gaze, meeting their eyes. Those unruly, fierce gazes gradually softened.

Their ferocity couldn't fill their stomachs, their ferocity couldn't provide them with warm clothes, their ferocity couldn't change the situation of their families!

The most desired thing for people is to grow up, and the most tragic thing is also to grow up.

Because growing up means recognizing one's own mediocrity and helplessness in one bloody experience after another.

When I was young, I always felt that there was nothing in this world that I couldn't solve, but when I grew up, I realized that I actually couldn't solve any problems.

Someone nodded, "I know him. Many people call him 'The Light of Slad.'"

"He is always working for the benefit of the Slad people. I don't know the specifics, but that's what people say."

Someone next to him also nodded, "I've heard of him too, but the people outside who can't afford to eat still can't afford to eat. But I heard he's already moved into a big house, and some people have seen him being picked up by a luxury car."

Others also said some rumors about Hope. Some rumors were positive, and some were negative.

Hope's actions these past few times have indeed been quite good. The slogan is big, and the ideals and ambitions are big.

He has given many people the illusion that the future will get better and better, which is also the motivation that supports the Yixi people to persevere, so people are willing to support him.

Carl nodded, one of his hands resting on the armrest, slowly rubbing the edge of the armrest with his middle and ring fingers, "Your target is him. The boss doesn't want to see him alive."

"Kill him!"

The atmosphere in the room felt slightly solidified. Although these young people looked fierce, and some had even hurt others, they had never really killed anyone.

This kind of experience is not something that everyone can have, and their target is still someone who is relatively well-known among them.

Carl's words were simple to say, but they landed heavily on the ground.

He looked at these people, his eyes constantly moving across their faces, "What you need to consider is how to take him down. As for what happens after taking him down, the boss will take care of it for you."

"The police will appear at the scene as soon as possible. Don't resist. Put down your weapons according to the police's requirements, raise your hands, and let the police arrest you…"

As he said these words, he also observed the changes in the expressions of these peers. Some people did have some changes in expression, but not much.

"The police are also our people. Although you will be arrested, and even sentenced, don't worry, you will be out soon."

"This is King's Harbor City, Mr. Lance's King's Harbor City!"

He emphasized his tone a little, and also increased the confidence of these young people.

"This is actually a kind of protection for you, and if any of you really do it, I guarantee that after you come out, I will take you to see the boss."

This last sentence moved these young people.

Everyone is actually spreading rumors in private, wondering why Carl was able to replace Boni and take the position?

The most common view is that Carl happened to be next to Mr. Lance when Boni was kicked out.

For a big shot like Mr. Lance, Boni, Carl, or anyone else, are essentially the same—"If I had been there at the time, I could have done it too!"

So for these young people, this is an opportunity!

The atmosphere in the room was a little heavy. Carl's expression was very serious, "This is an opportunity the boss is giving us. You should have been here for some time, and you've also heard the rumors about the Lance family."

"Seize the opportunity, and we will be one of them."

"I don't think I need to explain to you how important this is to us."

"This might be the only chance in a lifetime!"

"You, me, everyone will get unimaginable benefits from it. Maybe we'll have a bar, and we can earn more money every day."

"Each of us can become someone above others, living in a villa in the Bay Area, driving expensive cars worth thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, and no longer worrying about the things that are bothering us now!"

He clenched his fist, "Don't miss this opportunity!"

Very simple words, opportunity and seizing opportunity are light that most people will never encounter in their lives.

Someone began to seriously consider this matter, "Hope definitely has bodyguards. I heard he has connections with some big shots in this city."

Hope's success has been seen by some people. Some talented people want to become the second Hope, but they know that they cannot follow Hope's old path.

Hope has already reached the end of this track. Even if they run forward along the path he has created, they can no longer surpass him. He represents the limit of this track.

If you want to make a living and have enough to eat by following this track, maybe it's not a problem.

But if you want to stand out and become someone above others, it's definitely not possible.

Don't underestimate these refugees. If they can successfully escape to the Federation, especially the first batch of refugees, they are definitely not fools.

Hope's success has made them see their own value, and the value of these refugees around them. Since Hope can do it, why can't they?

Hope advocates that "refugees should stand up." Is it okay for them to advocate that "refugees should rely on the Federation"?

Changing to another track may not necessarily go further than Hope, but at least this track still has a little chance, it's not like there's no chance at all.

When these people spread this idea, they naturally have to criticize Hope's views in order to gain more attention.

Political opportunists are always like this. When ordinary individuals are still considering the collective and collective honor, political opportunists have already begun to consider how to package and sell this collective for a good price.

Not just these refugees, the Federation, the Empire, the whole world, it's all like this.

Although this is a disaster for most people, it is full of opportunities for a small group of people.

Hope himself is also very clear about his most real thoughts and goals. He does have some bodyguards around him to protect his safety.

Another young man with a shaved head and several scars on his head followed up, "If Hope has professional bodyguards, it will be difficult for us to get close to him."

Karl seemed to already know about these problems, "What if I give you weapons?"

"Guns!"

That one word made Karl's status in their minds a little higher.

The young men in the room exchanged glances and nodded, "If we have guns, there's no problem."

"We don't need to get close to him, just get a little closer."

In fact, none of them had ever used a handgun before, and they just subconsciously felt that it was not difficult. However, Lance and Karl had told them that they must try firing a few shots before the action to familiarize themselves with it.

Karl nodded, "Mr. Lance has already considered these things. He will arrange for someone to send the things over later."

"You guys think about how to do this first."

About twenty minutes later, Lance's men sent a duffel bag. When Karl took the duffel bag back to the room, opened it on the table, everyone gasped, and then exhaled a long breath.

A duffel bag full of weapons, in addition to conventional handguns, there were also two sawn-off shotguns.

This kind of shotgun does not require too much shooting skill. As long as the target and the muzzle are roughly in a line, pulling the trigger will definitely hit if it is not too far away.

These young men each took weapons in their hands, and a force inexplicably grew from the bottom of their hearts, as if nothing in this world could trouble them anymore!

Gunshots rang out in the basement, and a little later, they dispersed.

Their plan was very simple: find a way to get close to Hope, and then shoot. Simple and crude, but sometimes it may not be without merit.

At this time, Hope was still in his house. In addition to those who had gone out to work, there were still some people around him.

"Recently, some people have emerged here... people with completely different views from yours, and they have also attracted a group of people."

The speaker was one of the veterans who followed Hope in the early days, but this guy followed Hope not because he was attracted by his personal charm, but purely because following him could fill his stomach.

Many people imagine the term "interest group" to be very grand, but in reality, it is around us, and we are even members of a certain interest group.

When you sincerely want to maintain a collective for some of your own benefits, you are a member of the interest group.

Hope has formed an interest group with him as the core. If he can go further in the future, this interest group will continue to expand.

His upper limit is the upper limit of this interest group.

Therefore, some people here will also keep a close eye on external forces to discover people who pose a threat to them.

After hearing this news, Hope only felt very speechless, but he didn't have any other special emotions. After all, for him, he and these people were not much different.

After listening to some of these people's views, he could only shake his head. Some of these people advocated "integrating into the Federation", and some advocated "trying to get the Federation to accept them through hard work". Overall, they were all against the will of the refugees.

He didn't think these people posed a threat, so he didn't care that much.

As a new round of conflict is about to break out, Hope's current mood is actually not as stable as he shows.

He is very clear that whether this matter succeeds or fails, he will be in danger.

If it succeeds, people from the mayor's faction will definitely find a way to kill him.

If it fails, he will lose the attention of the Bay Area, and it will be easier for people from the mayor's faction to kill him.

But he must bear these possibilities and consequences. This is the price of "growth".

As he listened, he became a little impatient. He raised his hand, and everyone around him stopped and looked at him.

"Okay, I know. I want to take a break."

Since Hope had made such a request, the others naturally couldn't say anything, and they all got up and left.

Hope returned to his bedroom, went to the window, and lit a cigarette.

He couldn't calm down now, he was a little irritable and couldn't concentrate.

Snowflakes were flying outside the window. For some reason, he wanted to reach out and touch the snowflakes.

He opened the window, and the cold air outside blew in. The wind from the seaside cut his hands and face like a knife. He reached out and caught some snowflakes, watching them melt into snow water in his palm, and felt inexplicably sentimental.

The air outside the window was too cold. He quickly closed the window again, shook his head, and looked at the snow scene with snowflakes flying all over the sky.

I don't know how many people will freeze to death this winter.

Thinking of this, he suddenly smiled dumbly. Why did he think of considering these things?

Shouldn't he be thinking about how he can successfully enter politics after the matter succeeds?

The yearning for a better future dispelled some of the inexplicable sadness in his heart. He glanced at the passers-by hurrying by outside the house, then put out the cigarette butt in the ashtray and returned to the bed.

He had originally wanted to go out for a walk, but it was snowing and traffic was inconvenient. He didn't like snow, and he didn't like going out on snowy days because it would wet his shoes.

He didn't know that he had only stood by the window for such a short while, but two young men across the street had spotted him.

The two men exchanged glances, and one of them quickly left.

In fact, he didn't leave very far, at most five or six minutes away, and then entered a house that had been pried open by the roadside.

This is the situation in the entire Newport area. Houses by the roadside are randomly knocked open and then occupied by refugees.

It's as if some houses are packed with people!

Mayor Williams actually knows about these situations here, but he doesn't have any good solutions.

The reason why these people knock on the door and come in is not to obtain money or anything like that, they just want to live.

Although these buildings have not started heating, the temperature inside is still very low.

But even so, living here has a much greater chance of survival than living outside.

"Hope is still in that house."

"We saw a lot of people go in. It's difficult to get to him without alarming others."

The expressions on the young men's faces were a little ugly. They now have weapons, but it is hopeless if they have weapons but cannot get close to Hope.

They had realized this in the basement. It is normal to miss the target three times at a distance of ten meters.

Even after a short period of familiarization, there is a process from aiming to hitting, which is different from what they imagined, where they draw their guns and shoot.

This is still a distance of ten meters, what about twenty meters?

What about thirty meters?

Now Hope is in the house, even if he is standing by the window, no one dares to say that they can kill him.

The bald kid scratched his head. Although he had a shaved head with only short stubble, dandruff was still flying everywhere. "We have to find a way to get into the house, otherwise there's no way to get close to him."

They are good at fighting and brawling, and even more cruel things like hacking, killing, and stabbing, but they really have no way to deal with this kind of obviously over-the-top "assassination".

Several people had no idea what to do. Some people suggested pretending to deliver food, or pretending to deliver coffee, but they were all rejected because they had people specifically doing that.

Just when there was almost no good idea, someone suddenly suggested, "Why don't we wait for him to come out."

It is said that the bald head used to stab people when he was in Slad, and he also has a ruthless energy. He can be considered a decision-maker among these people.

He rolled his eyes and asked, "Wait for him to come out, then what?"

"How do we do it?"

"We are so far away, it will be difficult for us to kill him in the first time. Once he escapes back or gets into the car, we will have no way to deal with it!"

The person who made this suggestion said with a smile on his face, "Who said we have to be far away?"

"We can just wait for him to come out at the door of that house!"

The bald head's first reaction was that it was impossible, "His bodyguards won't allow us to get too close. This is not realistic."

But that person explained, "We can dress up as beggars…"