Shao Weihua squinted his eyes and scanned the dozen or so people present, finally letting his gaze unintentionally linger on Hua Qingyi standing in the back row. With a simple smile plastered on his naive-looking face, he seed to convey his essence as a non-existent, honest man.
"Ladies and gentlen, not too long ago, this brother here obtained an item and would like your esteed selves to verify it for ." As he spoke, soone pushed in a delicate cart, covered in black velvet. "Although I am not from the underworld, I've heard stories of it and know so people from there. To have the good fortune to invite you all today is truly my honor. I beg your pardon for any past offenses."
He spoke eloquently, with an air of conviction, and as the saying goes, no one hits a smiling face. The expressions on the attendees' faces were varied; they were all figures with reputations, none wanting to let themselves off on the wrong foot by revealing how they ca to be there.
Shao Weihua seed quite pleased with the current silence. He slowly drew aside the drape on the cart, revealing a segnt of a golden staff. He could practically hear the intake of breath from everyone, and such a reaction satisfied him greatly. Without a trace, he pulled it all the way out, the shimring light dazzling under the lamp's glow.
Shao Weihua instructed soone to place the item from the cart onto a pedestal. About thirty centiters tall, the staff stood gallantly before the crowd, a rose bud beginning to bloom, supported by a base of six-winged angels, its body encrusted with diamonds reflecting a cold, hard glare.
"Is this the Rose Staff?" Cai Fanglin, viewing from the side, couldn't clearly ascertain and voiced the doubt lingering in everyone's mind.
"I suspect that you all understand the importance of this item better than I do." Shao Weihua evasively replied, standing beside the staff, contrasting with the light which made even his unassuming deanor seem less genuine.
"Master Shao, how did you acquire this treasure? Gathering us all to your manor, what is your true intent? You should speak plainly." Receiving a look from Nicholas, Augusto questioned Shao Weihua. The indirect, evasive way of speaking typical among the Chinese did not suit them.
"The truth is, I wouldn't normally bring it up, but I had to intercede as a middleman at a friend's request." Shao Weihua hesitated for a mont, as soone had already brought a chair for him to sit and speak.
Surrounded by everyone, it felt sowhat like a prison interrogation. Adjusting his glasses on his nose, Shao Weihua seed not used to the flashes of light, subtly turning his head.
"I've heard that obtaining the Rose Staff and the Dharma Seal grants one control over the global underworld. As far as I know, the Dharma Seal has always been the Xiao Family's treasured heirloom and the scourge of the underworld. I don't know if I'm putting this correctly, or if I will offend you bosses, but the ins and outs of this Rose Staff, I believe the current Godfather would be the most aware of."
Nicholas smiled slightly and nodded. "The teachings of the previous Godfather are ever etched in my mory: if I encounter the bearer of the Rose Staff, I shall serve them in a task. This I am quite clear about."
"Thank you, Mr. Kromop, but I am not the owner of this staff," Shao Weihua coughed. "The staff's owner hails from an aristocratic family in the Huaxia Region. Not long ago, due to offending the Xiao Family, they were completely wiped out." As he spoke, he gazed at Hua Qingyi standing beside him. "Even after fleeing to Sicily, he could not escape this shadow. The Xiao Family's heir, Xiao Lin, has also arrived here. Mr. Hua, I hope you have no objections to my words!" Hua Qingyi rely curled his lips, smiling silently. "I have no other virtues except loyalty to friends. Whoever can rid of Xiao Lin tonight will own the Rose Staff, and I, Shao Weihua, would assist in enabling them to command the world's underworld if needed."
Bam! A corner of the table was shattered by a palm strike.
"Mr. Lucchesi, do you have any dissatisfaction with my words?" Shao Weihua adjusted his glasses, and the room's atmosphere imdiately grew tense.
"Augusto, mind your manners!" Nicholas cleared his throat. He wasn't sure how others got invited, but soone entering and exiting Joseph 13 right under his nose, that he witnessed himself. "Mr. Shao went through great lengths to gather us here; it couldn't be rely for us to witness a life-and-death struggle, could it?"
Shao Weihua laughed heartily twice. "We Chinese have a saying: unity is strength. Now, Sicily is fragnted, and naturally, I don't want to see this situation continue. Our enemies are aligned; supporting each other makes overtaking the Xiao Family possible."
"Mr. Shao, can you bring out this owner for a eting?" Ma Xin, finally unable to suppress himself, lit a cigarette. He hadn't overlooked a detail that no one claid direct affiliation with this matter; they were rely middlen. "Since Mr. Shao is the interdiary, shouldn't we have the right to et this middleman of the Rose Staff?"
"That's only natural, but I also face difficulties and would need to consult Mr. Hua first, as even as an interdiary, I am obliged to guarantee his safety."
With these words, so glances were already cast towards Hua Qingyi. "And if I say no?"
"Then I would be in a bind."
"What's the difficulty? It's just him, let him out!" Cai Fanglin's gaze was fixed on the staff. He cared little for others' matters; if he could get this item, half the world would be in his hands. What of the Xiao Family? Xiao Lin was rely a coward.
"Is that so?" Shao Weihua seed to ponder the question seriously. "Does anyone else have differing opinions?" Silence was the answer, so Shao Weihua's n approached Hua Qingyi. "Mr. Hua, my apologies, but the few must yield to the many. Please exit."
Hehehe! "Does anyone know the Xiao Family better than I do?" Hua Qingyi sneered. "If you think you can obtain the Dharma Seal, you all fall short. Mr. Shao, you seem to have chosen the wrong backer." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian) to cast your recomndation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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