On the 13th, an unexpected visitor arrived at Joseph’s. In this historical building, mystery lingered everywhere, and its atmosphere was as oppressive as its history, making people feel uneasy from the depths of their hearts.
Murphy led this Chinese man with a crew cut and gold-rimd glasses to the backyard. The gift he brought seed excessively large and heavy, so it had to be placed in the entrance hall. In fact, the gift looked sowhat like a coffin, but far more exquisite, and could be described as a rectangular box. If reported this way, its owner might be pleased.
"Mr. Shao, the young master is having afternoon tea, please wait here." Murphy gestured for Shao Weihua to sit in the European-style chair nearby. Despite his politeness, there was a coldness in his deanor.
Nicholas, as always, was looking at the latest news from various newspapers. He seed to avoid ntioning the ’Bessade’ incident. Ever since returning from there in the dead of night three days ago, this Italian Godfather had fallen into silence again.
"Young Master, a Mr. Shao has co with, um, with a huge gift to visit you."
"Mr. Shao? Which Mr. Shao? I don’t know him, please ask him to leave with his gift!" Nicholas lazily refused while shaking the newspaper.
"Young Master Kromop really forgets things easily, we just t not so long ago, didn’t we? Have you already forgotten Mr. Shao? I’ve specifically brought a gift for you." Shao Weihua didn’t heed Murphy’s arrangent to wait on that exquisite chair for an audience, but instead followed behind him into the backyard. His uninvited behavior made Murphy frown; this person was coarse and rude. For a century-old prestigious family, manners are deeply ingrained as a lifestyle and used to asure soone’s standard. In Murphy’s mind, this person had already been branded negatively, but due to the master’s presence, he did not act impolitely.
"Ah, it’s you! Murphy, bring a chair and add a tea set."
"Yes, Young Master, I’ll take care of it." Murphy respectfully retreated, and soon, a servant prepared everything, allowing Shao Weihua to comfortably sit under the patio umbrella.
"Mr. Shao, you wouldn’t have co all this way just to give a gift, right?" Nicholas sipped so red tea, biting into a scone; he was one who enjoyed indulgence.
"On one hand, I’m here to express regret over the incident at ’Bessade’. It wasn’t sothing we were happy to see. On the other hand, I wish to discuss a business proposition with you. I believe you’ll be interested in hearing my plan."
"Mr. Shao has caused quite a ruckus in my territory. I was wondering when you would personally co knocking. But do you think, after those little sches, I would still trade with you? We in the Mafia always uphold the doctrine of blood debts being repaid in blood, demanding tenfold or more repaynt from those who harm our brothers."
Shao Weihua smiled awkwardly. "I naturally believe all this could happen to . But before that, would you allow to explain the whole matter?"
"If you’re trying to persuade to abandon revenge, you might as well leave!"
Hahaha! Shao Weihua suddenly burst into laughter, saying jovially, "We still have three months, don’t we? Since you’ve given Xiao Lin three months, the issues between us can be postponed until then. But I believe you’ll change your mind after hearing out."
"If I don’t let you continue, you’d persist regardless. Mr. Shao, speak plainly!"
"The Godfather is a straightforward person. I won’t beat around the bush either. It’s simple; I’m here to seize the Dharma Seal."
Nicholas snorted coldly. "Mr. Shao is from your nation’s central level, working for your governnt. Is eliminating the Xiao Family a command from your country’s top officials?"
"Hahaha!" Shao Weihua laughed heartily. "To be frank, the Xiao Family has dominated both the legal and illegal realms for too long; it’s ti to let soone else have a taste. Isn’t it the sa in Sicily? Soone in power for too long might backfire."
"Ah, so Mr. Shao hopes this gentleman will help fulfill his small ambition?"
"I’ve already obtained the Rose Staff. Combining it with the Dharma Seal can lead the entire mafia; who wouldn’t want that? But I can offer this opportunity to you. I have no interest in the mob leader position."
"Then I don’t understand Mr. Shao’s original intention. You go through great effort to remove the Xiao Family, get the Dharma Seal, yet you don’t want to be a mafia leader — who’s going to believe this joke?"
"Not everyone acts for that final goal."
"I’m all ears."
"I help you acquire the world’s gangs, you help eradicate the Xiao Family. If your ambition is large enough, I will introduce a person to you who will astound you, and he is the only one who can unlock the secret within the Magic Staff."
"The Xiao Family has always been the God of Slaughter in the mafia, but hasn’t directly involved us in Sicily. Why would I help soone who killed my brother?"
"Fick and Montiel didn’t act on my orders. As for the deaths of the other two family’s leaders, I rely acted on your behalf. Didn’t the Godfather leave so loose ends unresolved when he ascended? I spared Genovis because I believed keeping him alive might still be of so use to you. As for Lucchesi, he’s the one you trust most, but his subordinates aren’t that loyal. They’ve colluded with the police and betrayed brothers quite often; I’m sure you’re aware of that."
"Even if Mr. Shao is thoroughly inford about our Mafia’s internal conflicts, there’s no need for you to act on my behalf. I’ll naturally handle the matter of cleaning house myself. What you’re doing is rely trying to provoke a conflict between and the Xiao Family. Everyone knows ’Black Crow’ is the right hand of the Xiao Family. Now that their leader’s whereabouts are unknown, you’re using these people to incite internal strife. Such a tactic is very characteristic of Mr. Shao’s nature."
"Xiao Lin is the hope of Xiao Zhenfeng. Eliminating him is tantamount to delivering a severe blow to the Xiao Family. Strike a snake’s vital point, Xiao Lin is the key position of this snake. As for the Wang Brothers, they are rely bait, the lure for the fish. You have been eyeing these two brothers with great interest. If the Godfather has such a fondness for them, I can naturally offer one of them up. I suppose the one you want most is Wang Zhantian!"
"What if I refuse Mr. Shao’s kindly offer..."
"Ah, no!" Shao Weihua imdiately interrupted Nicholas. "I don’t really wish to hear a word of refusal from you. For a newly appointed Godfather, your position isn’t stable, yet so many things have already happened. I imagine you also can’t sit still right now. How to gain the confidence of your subordinates is a pressing matter you must resolve urgently. Although you’re a rather resourceful and imposing leader who can handle things, can you truly suppress the hearts of those people? Plus, the police have sharp eyes; that Moro has been keeping a close watch. If you’re careless, you’ll fall into his hands. The last ti at the country estate, none of the captured leaders t a good fate."
"Without Mr. Shao backing him, what is that Moro anyway?"
"I understand it’s hard for you to make a decision that goes against your own promises. My purpose in coming this ti is rely to ask Nicholas to consider my suggestion, and also to remind you to keep a close eye on the people around you. The traitor might not be outside."
"I will certainly think carefully and seriously about Mr. Shao’s kind offer. Murphy, see Mr. Shao out."
It’s rare for anyone to send a coffin as a gift to a host. It harbors ill intent, akin to cursing soone to death. So when Nicholas saw this enormous item at the lobby entrance, he was furious.
"Murphy, what’s this damned thing? Why didn’t you tell at the start that that bastard sent a coffin!"
"Young master, I never intended to let it remain. It was you who didn’t give a chance to speak."
"You..."
"Now all those families are watching closely to see how you’ll handle the ’Bessade’ matter, young master. If you don’t provide an explanation, it might cause unrest. When those old guys band together, it could be very detrintal to you, young master!"
"A high-pressure policy won’t last long!" Of course, Nicholas knew Murphy was right. "This ti, Shao wants to ally with us against the Xiao Family. What do you think about this?"
"That depends on what the young master thinks. Do you want supre power, or a piece of clean land? It’s all up to the young master’s decision," Murphy said, standing behind Nicholas with a calm deanor.
"Murphy, you’re getting bolder, eavesdropping now, are you?"
"If the young master doesn’t want Murphy to hear, Murphy won’t hear a single word." Murphy didn’t think there was anything wrong with listening to his master’s conversations, nor did he intend to change.
"So, do you have a good thod?"
"The Chinese have thirty-six stratagems, one of which is called the stratagem of sowing discord. Since the young master doesn’t want to be caught in the middle, why not try using both sides against each other and look for an opportune mont to escape unnoticed?" Murphy rambled on endlessly, as Nicholas curiously glanced at the ’coffin’. It didn’t resemble a pointed shape nor a hexagon; it looked like a large box for a coffin. What was inside? "Young master? Young master!"
"Oh, what did you just say?"
"Oh never mind, do you need to open it?"
"You should have done that a long ti ago!"
Opening this big box wasn’t difficult. In fact, Shao Weihua designed this box with the sa principle as a coffin. Lightly unlocking the clasps on each side, you hear two clicks, and the box opens slightly at the seams. A gentle push opens this heavy object easily. "Oh my God, it’s a person inside, and a young woman! Young master!"
Murphy shouted excitedly as he circled around the big item, nearly plunging his whole body inside.
"Murphy!" Nicholas rubbed his forehead, sowhat overwheld. Driven by curiosity, he approached. "Angel?" (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit qidian to cast your vote, and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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