What the hell is the "kill line" when you're in America?

Charlie's smile vanished.

He looked at Li Ang as if he were looking at a patient who had just escaped from a mental hospital.

"Deposit?"

"Business in Ninth Street?"

With each sentence he spoke, he took a step closer to Li Ang.

The two bodyguards behind him also lowered their guns by an inch.

Leon walked past Charlie and glanced at the fully armed men behind him.

[Kill threshold: High]

……

They're all "high" (referring to high-end or high-class).

Li Ang's gaze finally returned to Charlie.

[Target: Charlie Murphy]

[Kill threshold: Extremely high]

There is only this one simple line of text.

There were no annotations like Mike's, nor a "Devil's Elder" title like Derek's.

There was nothing there.

blank.

For the first time, Li Ang felt utterly shocked.

Of all the people he had met, the higher the kill threshold, the more detailed the information the system provided.

Because that means the goal is more deeply entangled with the cause and effect of this world, and therefore has greater value.

Is it that I am not yet able to find out what's behind Charlie?

Charlie stopped in front of Leon, bent down, and looked Leon, who was sitting, in the eye.

The smile returned to his face, but it was devoid of any warmth.

"Kid, I'll give you a chance to rephrase your words."

Li Ang looked at him and smiled.

Charlie raised an eyebrow, not understanding what Li Ang was laughing about.

His eloquence flows like a gentle stream, permeating every word and every inch of his voice.

"You've found a useless person to be your partner."

"He took your money but didn't get things done, and he ruined himself in the process." Li Ang spread his hands. "But I can solve these problems for you and give your boss an explanation."

Charlie's smile vanished once again.

He straightened up and took two steps back.

He re-examined the Asian man in front of him.

The man sat in a chair, with more than a dozen rifles pointed at him. His face showed no fear, no tension, and not even a hint of self-awareness as a victim.

"As for the business in the Ninth District," Li Ang continued.

"Your arms business needs a stable sales channel, and you also need a local force that can help you deal with troubles."

"You chose Marcus before."

Li Ang shook his head. "As it turns out, he's a good-for-nothing."

"Now, you can choose me."

"Anyone who dares to cause trouble here will be wiped out."

"And all we need are the harmless profits from drugs and alcohol."

Li Ang looked at Charlie like a top salesman showcasing his product.

"Mr. Charlie, this is a win-win business deal."

"You got your goods back, preserved your reputation, and gained a partner a hundred times better than Marcus."

"And I just received what I was entitled to."

Charlie's bodyguards around him were all stunned.

They had never seen anyone dare to speak to Charlie in this way.

This is not a negotiation at all.

This is practically teaching Charlie how to do business.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Charlie burst into laughter again.

This time, there was a hint of appreciation in his laughter.

"Kid, you're the most arrogant Asian I've ever met."

He walked up to Li Ang and extended his hand.

"It's a pleasure working with you."

Leon didn't move; he just stared at Charlie's outstretched hand.

"Deposit," Li Ang said.

"Kid, don't push your luck." Charlie's voice was as cold as ice.

"Without a deposit, why should my men risk their lives for you?" Li Ang retorted.

"They need money to buy better equipment and hire more people."

"Isn't this also to better help you get things done?"

"One million, not a penny less."

"This money is an investment in us, and also an investment in yourself."

Charlie stared intently at Leon.

The two stared at each other for a full half minute.

"it is good."

"I will bring the cash here then."

Charlie withdrew his hand without saying another word.

He turned and walked towards the bar entrance.

The burly men with guns he brought with him also retreated like the tide.

Derek and Scorpion's backs were soaked with cold sweat.

The dozens of thugs who had just been recruited into the bar were also panting heavily, as if they were completely exhausted.

"Boss..."

Derek scrambled over to Leon, his voice trembling.

"That...that's Iron Fist Charlie..."

"You just...talk to him like that..."

Li Ang ignored them.

He sat back down in the chair and poured himself another glass of wine.

He took a sip and then looked at the group of terrified "disciples of the demonic sect" in front of him.

"Now, do you still think that following me is just about selling mud balls?"

No one dared to speak.

"Scorpion." Li Ang looked at him.

"Boss, what are your instructions?"

"How much do you know about Marcus?"

"He can get his hands on a lot of things that are not available on the market, especially weapons."

"There must be someone behind him."

"Charlie's supplier?"

"I don't know." Scorpion shook his head. "Marcus is very tight-lipped; he won't tell anyone about this."

"But he has a habit," Scorpion added, "He likes to hide important things in unexpected places."

"for example?"

"For example, his mistress's apartment, a homeless man's locker, or even a book in a library."

"He felt that the more chaotic a place was, the safer it was."

Li Ang nodded.

He looked at Derek.

"What about over there?"

"Boss, get the guys to find out right away!" Derek replied hastily.

"We will investigate every informant who has had contact with Marcus, and every bar and casino he has visited."

"very good."

Li Ang didn't say anything more, turned around and walked out of the bar.

He needs to find a place to properly process the information he received today.

Charlie.

Kill threshold: Extremely high.

Blank information.

What is hidden behind this?

Li Ang drove aimlessly through the city.

He parked his car on a viewing platform of a cross-sea bridge.

The city in the distance is brightly lit, like a huge forest made of steel and glass.

The sea breeze, carrying a salty and damp scent, also dispelled a trace of restlessness in Li Ang's heart.

The seagulls here are not afraid of people at all, and they come to circle around Li Ang from time to time.

Extremely high kill threshold, blank information.

This represents a field that he currently has absolutely no access to.

The power of a gang is so great that it can arm itself to such an extent.

The waters here run much deeper and darker than those of street gangs or corrupt police.

There, power is everything.

If you are strong enough, you can make the rules, change the rules, or even ignore the rules.

But here, the rules are invisible.

It is hidden in legal provisions, in the financial system, and in everyone's social relationships.

Behind Charlie, there is clearly a vast network woven from rules.

After thinking for a long time, Li Ang got into the car, started the engine, and turned the car around.

Since there's no way to escape, the only option is to face it head-on.

He needs more information, more power, and more leverage.