Empire of Shadows

The death of Wolf had an even greater impact on the Professor.

Because for the past few years, he had spent almost all his time with Wolf, not with his family.

He loved his family, but at this moment, Wolf had also become his family, and a family he spent every day with.

Therefore, the psychological impact of Wolf’s death was far greater than the death of family members he hadn’t seen in years.

His dreams, his future, everything he had strived for, at this moment, with the sound of a gunshot, it all ended.

His eyes were filled with pain. He slowly turned his head to look at Lance, and suddenly felt a sense of wistfulness. He let out a heavy breath, and surprisingly, there was also some relief.

“You win,” he said.

Lance shook his head. “There are no winners in this game, except for the gentlemen sitting at the table.”

“I don’t think you have anything you want to say to me either.”

“Goodnight, Professor.”The muzzle was aimed at the Professor. The Professor was also prepared for death, but even though he was prepared, at this moment his breathing still uncontrollably became rapid.

He even had an impulse to surrender to Lance, to exchange for a chance to live.

But whenever his instincts tried to force him to do so, he would turn his head to look at Wolf lying on the side.

He suddenly realized that Wolf’s excitement, nervousness, and anger in his final moments were not entirely because of hatred.

He was also afraid. He used this method to overcome fear. He was not a fool.

In fact, the Professor had always known that Wolf was not stupid. He just didn’t want to use his brain because of his own presence.

He turned his head to look at Lance, opened his mouth. The word “bastard” was ultimately not cursed out. He could only take a deep breath. “Hurry up, they’re getting impatient.”

With a crack, the gunshot, after a moment of silence, once again echoed through the valley. The birds that had just landed took flight again, flapping their wings.

He glanced at the Professor, who was looking up at the sky, and withdrew his gaze.

“Clean up, dig a pit, start a fire first, then bury them.”

With so many people dead, if it caused a plague or something, it would truly be a sin.

“Mr. Gallio, to have you see all this just as you arrived… actually, we are a gang that loves making money and peace.”

“This was not my wish…” he casually flipped the safety on the pistol in his hand, tossed it to Elvin, said a few more words, and then looked at Gallio. “Sometimes we’ve already gone very far and want to stop, but there’s always someone pushing us forward!”

He put his arm around Gallio’s shoulder, his hand pressing down. “I like to make friends. We are all Empire immigrants. I think we can be very good friends, don’t you agree?”

On one side were piles of corpses, on the other was Lance’s enthusiastic “hospitality.”

Although Lance looked very young, the feeling he gave was that he was more difficult to provoke than those old men, and his thoughts were more unpredictable.

At this moment, Gallio could only nod in agreement. “Yes, the Wolf Gang was not a good gang even back in Fides. They often bullied the weak… bullied us.”

He included “us” in the “weak” to show his stance. Lance patted his shoulder again. “It’s all over!”

He paused. “Gallio, you see, we are not actually weak.”

“When we pick up weapons, in the face of guns and bullets, people are absolutely equal.”

“But there are still many people who bully us. The number of Empire immigrants is not large, we are still a minority, so we need to be more closely united than others!”

He took his hand off Gallio’s shoulder. At this time, they were some distance from the “scene.”

Lance turned to look at him. “I’m very happy that you could come to me. I’m even happier that I could help you.”

“If we all unite together, the power we can unleash will be much stronger than we imagine!”

“Damon, the leader of the Empire immigrant gang in Goldstar City, just came by. I won’t call him over.”

“Next time, I’ll find an opportunity for all of us, you, me, Damon, and some other brothers and sisters who have joined us one after another. I’ll gather everyone together.”

“If someone runs into trouble, we can ask each other for help.”

“In this country that is not very friendly to us, the only ones we can rely on are each other.”

After listening carefully, Gallio unexpectedly found Lance’s proposal to be very good.

If he had been able to get to know some Empire immigrant gang leaders earlier, to obtain funds, weapons, and even gunmen from others…

He would not have been trampled underfoot in Fides for so many years.

“Mr. Lance, your suggestion is very good. I would also be very happy to meet others and build relationships.”

At this moment, Elvin walked over and handed a ring and a pendant to Lance.

“Wolf’s things,” Gallio recognized the origin of the necklace at a glance. It had a large tooth on it. It was said that this thing was Wolf’s lucky charm.

He had experienced many dangerous moments, and it was this lucky charm that had protected him.

Most people in Fides had heard similar legends, and their attitude towards these stories was one of half-belief.

This was the cleverness of the Professor. He knew very well what kind of gang leader image to create to quickly accumulate strength for Wolf, who had no foundation.

It was just a pity that on the most important matter, he had made the wrong choice.

Lance placed the items in Gallio’s hand. “You said someone was causing you trouble. I’m not familiar with the situation in Fides, but I believe this thing can bring you some changes.”

Looking at the items in his hand, Gallio clenched his fist. “Yes, thank you. I don’t know what to say to express my feelings right now.”

“You have helped us a lot, but I haven’t been able to bring you anything.”

Lance said with a smile, “You brought me victory!”

“That is the best reward!”

The mutual praise ended there. Lance had someone take Gallio on a tour of the city. If he was interested in anything, he could go and try it.

It had to be said that Golden Port had countless advantages over Fides, even in terms of prostitution.

Gallio sought out girls of different price ranges, assisting them with some money, protein, and glucose. This expenditure also allowed him to feel the charm of money.

From a physiological point of view, these girls’ anatomy was no different, but with the backing of different amounts of money, he enjoyed different pleasures.

He planned to introduce these services to Fides. The prostitution industry in Fides was larger than in Golden Port.

Because heavy manual labor promotes the rise of a certain hormone, the workers’ demand for sex after work is no less than their demand for alcohol.

In the period before Prohibition, the price of alcohol was not high, and the income from both sides could even be equal at times.

Only after Prohibition took effect did the price and profit of alcohol begin to soar, leaving the prostitution industry behind.

But this did not mean that the prostitution industry had no profit. Given the market and scale of Fides, Gallio could get at least twenty to thirty thousand in profit from the prostitution industry every month, which was actually a very staggering number.

This trip to Golden Port was very fruitful.

After ordering another hundred thousand dollars worth of liquor from Lance, Gallio went back with some of the liquor and his men.

Lance had Elvin see them off part of the way, until they were out of the city. This was a gesture. He hoped that Gallio could continue to help him expand his influence in Fides and the surrounding cities.

This was the only way for the Empire gangs to have a voice in the Federation.

Only when everyone was united could people look at them as equals, instead of with discrimination.

After the Wolf Gang was annihilated, Lance arranged for people to take over their territory. At first, the people in the Port District were very shocked, shocked that the Wolf Gang did not fight back.

But as Lance’s men quickened their pace, even the arcade’s sign was torn down and replaced with the “Wanli Firm” sign. Only then did people vaguely understand one thing.

The Wolf Gang was probably gone.

In the past six months, the Wolf Gang had actually done very well in the Port District.

After Polly of the Brotherhood successfully got himself killed, the Wolf Gang took advantage of the vacuum and immediately began to deal with the Red Dog Gang.

After organizing several assassinations of Bill, they successfully pushed the Red Dog Gang into a desperate situation, then found the right opportunity, used the Mayor to put John in the position of acting police chief, and wiped out Bill and his Red Dog Gang in one fell swoop.

Since they entered Golden Port, until this moment, they were not like the Bear Gang, which had been fighting head-on with the Keane Family.

Nor were they like the Viper Gang, which became a thing of the past before people could even see the wildness of the Fides gangs.

The Professor had preserved and hidden a part of their strength very well. Most people didn’t notice their changes, but they had indeed ruled the entire Port District.

If they were given a little more time, if it weren’t for Owen and the Mayor demanding that they launch an attack on Lance as soon as possible to create chaos…

Perhaps the Professor would have chosen not to confront Lance face-to-face so early, but to quietly accumulate strength.

He had many problems that were not solved. For example, the locals were still very unfamiliar with them, had not accepted their existence, and could not provide them with various conveniences.

If they had gained the support of the locals like the Lance Family, been able to recruit more members, and had someone who could provide them with more detailed intelligence…

With the Professor’s ability, combined with some of the Mayor’s moves, they could have put a lot of pressure on Lance.

But there were no ifs, no what-ifs, because everything was already settled.

The victor can freely write whatever he thinks is correct in the history books. This is his right.

The Wolf Gang, which many people in the Port District found troublesome, was gone just like that. For a time, the small gangs either fled or hid, especially those who had participated in the invasion of the Empire District.

The news quickly spread. People were shocked that Lance had solved all the problems so quickly, and were curious about how he had done it.

Amidst people’s speculation, Councilman Williams suddenly gave Lance a call, asking him to come over. His voice seemed a bit anxious.

Councilman Williams also lived in the Bay Area. To be precise, this was the first time Lance had entered the core of the Bay Area in a convoy during the daytime.

In the Starlight District, he could still feel that the district was part of the city. But when the convoy entered the Bay Area, he could clearly feel that the Bay Area was different from other districts.

The streets here were wider, the streets were quieter, there were patrolling police everywhere, and not even a single homeless person could be seen.

Those who were officially “civil servants,” the sanitation workers, often appeared on the streets. They would solve the hygiene problems on the ground, anytime, anywhere.

If some people who looked like they didn’t fit the living conditions here appeared on the street, it would be an absolute disaster.

They would be stopped by the police on the roadside, asked to show their identification, and with their hands on the wall, be searched.

If anyone dared to resist, they would be met with a severe beating, then be sent to the police station to be locked up and taught a lesson several times.

Even if all the checks were fine and the police were in a good mood and let them go, after they had walked a few hundred meters, another team of police would stand out and tell them to put their hands on the wall…

This was the law enforcement power given to the police by Federation law. They had the right to ask citizens who looked suspicious to cooperate with their inspection work.

So what is suspicious?

When those whose entire outfit might not even be worth fifty dollars walk on this street paved with gold, they are suspicious.

So most people who come to the Bay Area will change into formal wear. Even if they can’t make themselves look like they can fully integrate into this district, they have to make themselves look like the cattle and horses that work for the adults here.

After all, the poor shouldn’t come here, but the rich and the rich’s dogs can.

And those cattle and horses.

Clean streets, neat road surfaces, a peaceful afternoon. Lance even saw a few girls in revealing but definitely not cheap clothes, walking leisurely on the street without worrying about danger.

If they dared to do this in other districts, perhaps before long they would either be submitting to the company’s arrangements under the lash of a whip, or they would be under the protection of the police, identifying criminals.

But now, they could enjoy the sun, the time, and the space.

The convoy soon entered a very upscale community. They only allowed three cars to enter, the reason being to avoid disturbing the other owners.

When the car arrived outside Councilman Williams’s large villa, looking at that house, even Elvin, who had no strong desire for money, couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

“Fucking luxurious!”

“It’s like a small palace!”

Elvin glanced at Lance. “We have to get one in the future!”

Lance nodded. Actually, it wasn’t a question of whether they had the money, but whether their social status was sufficient to do so.

Councilman Williams’s butler was already waiting at the door. The old man always maintained a smile, and from his eyes, one couldn’t see any contempt or similar emotions.

To be able to welcome guests as a butler on behalf of the master, at least his management of his expression and emotions was already very well-practiced.

“Please follow me…”

The two of them passed through the front courtyard to the back. After entering the house, Elvin was left in the living room.

Lance went directly up to the second floor, to Councilman Williams’s study.

James (Councilman Williams’s eldest son) was also here. He was half-leaning, half-sitting on the edge of the desk, while Councilman Williams sat in a chair with a pipe in his mouth.

The open window allowed the wind from outside to blow in continuously. Although the weather was hot, the room felt very cool.

“Lance!” James took the initiative to walk over and shake Lance’s hand. “I hear you’ve pulled out that nail, the Wolf Gang?”

Lance did not deny it. “They touched my bottom line. I had no choice but to get rid of them.”

He then released his hand and walked to Councilman Williams. Councilman Williams had already stood up, and he also shook Lance’s hand. “I’m sorry to have you come over so suddenly. We might have run into some trouble.”

He gestured for Lance to sit down, while James had the butler prepare coffee.

“Just now, the state assembly approved the governor’s application. The militia will soon enter the city to take over the city’s public security work.”

When Councilman Williams said this, his eyes flickered. Although it was only for a moment, Lance still caught the unease hidden deep within his flickering eyes.

He was losing control of the situation.

“Because of the explosions these few days?”

Councilman Williams nodded. “Not just the explosions. Sidney was shot, then the bombing case, the city fell into turmoil, the docks went on strike…”

He suddenly smiled bitterly. “Everything seems to have erupted all at once. Likalai State cannot let Golden Port really fall into chaos, so the governor proposed to the state assembly yesterday to dispatch the militia to solve the current problem.”

“The assembly voted to pass it.”

Lance also felt it was a bit troublesome. “Didn’t anyone object?”

Councilman Williams nodded and said, “Some people objected. The Liberal Party was very opposed, but you know, the Social-Democratic Party has the final say here.”

“Once the militia comes in, the whole city will be under Sidney’s control.”

“I even suspect that the shot he took, was it directed by himself?”

“Only if he directed this farce himself can it be explained why he had everything arranged in advance.”

Lance frowned. “How long until the militia comes in?”

Councilman Williams glanced at the calendar. “Forty-eight hours. The state assembly has to submit a written document to Congress for filing. They will fax it over.”

Lance didn’t quite understand this. “Does Congress need to vote?”

“No, it’s not necessary. Congress just puts it in the file cabinet for Likalai State’s military operations, to ensure that if certain matters need to be investigated in the future, some key clues can be found.”

Lance didn’t continue to speak, just looked like he was thinking.

Councilman Williams had called him over, which meant he must need something from him.

He already had a response plan.

To speak at this time would be to lose the initiative.

(End of chapter)

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