“It’s been a long time since I’ve returned to the capital. I feel that the environment here has changed quite a bit. How should I put it? I feel like the people here lack a sense of danger. Even our Severed Fingers Gang members are like that. Don’t you think so, Donder?”
A muscular half-naked man sat on the second seat on the right side of the round table. His hair was squarish, and his body had some black patterns which looked like tattoos.
The muscular man’s name was Basher. He was known as the Right Middle Finger among the gang members, and he was in the violence trade. As the name implied, he was a bodyguard for those who needed him. Occasionally, he would also take on some dirty jobs that involved killing people.
At that moment, Basher revealed a playful smile to Donder, who was sitting behind the counter and making drinks. “When I came to the capital a few years ago, Donder, you were still a cripple. How did your leg get healed in such a short time? Also, how did your missing ring finger get healed? Do you know what you look like now? You look like a pile of fat lying on a chopping board, waiting to be slaughtered.”
“Basher, don’t go overboard with your words. Actually, we should be happy for Donder since his fingers and legs are healed. We should be happy for him! After all, no one else would know about his past as our member since his fingers are healed. He could leave us and go back to being an ordinary person.”
A charming woman with heavy makeup sat to the right of Basher. She looked to be in her 30s, and there was a long pearl necklace hanging around her neck that was connected in the shape of a spider web.
That woman was the gang’s Right Index Finger. She was in the casino and banking trade. She had control over nearly a third of the casinos in the entire kingdom. She also owned several banks in the kingdom with hundreds of millions of gold coins capital. The woman was ruthless, too; that was why she was known as the Black Widow.
“Veronica, what do you mean by that? There is only one way to break away from the Severed Fingers, and that is death! Do you want Donder to die like an ordinary person? Your words are even more sarcastic than Basher’s.”
Another woman sat opposite Veronica. She took off the hood of her large cloak, revealing a beautiful face. If Watson were there, he would definitely recognize that woman as the owner of the floating city’s Iris Flower Tavern, Elven.
“Since when do you get to interrupt me?”
“You are only the Left Pinky, which means you have the lowest status. So, just listen obediently. I heard that the sea folks had destroyed the floating city’s industry, and more than half your slaves had run away. We know you’ll be handing in the least amount of money at the end of the year. I’m not even sure you’d get to keep your position as a leader with the gang this time. If I were you, I would not even attend this meeting. I would find a place to bury myself.”
Veronica glanced at Elven with obvious disdain in her eyes.
The Severed Fingers Gang respected the right hand, and their status would get lower sequentially, from the thumb to the pinky.
The thumb was in the business of selling military equipment and hiding military funds. The index finger was in the business of underground casinos and bank loans, which were linked to money. As for the middle finger, he would say that he was in the business of selling violence and killing people.
The ring finger and little finger were the most tiring positions, and they earned the least. The former had to sell inferior goods and fake alcohol at a high price, while the latter managed a network of slaves and trained them to be proper servants to sell to the noblemen. They could also be supplied to the higher-ups in the gang.
As the Right Index Finger, Veronica’s underground casino had a cash flow of tens of millions. Those who borrowed money from her bank were secretly executed when they could not repay the loan. They would sell their properties, children, and even valuable parts of their bodies. That would also allow them to make a lot of money.
Compared to Elven, who had to work hard all the time, Veronica could earn money by snapping her fingers. That was why she looked down on Elven.
Elven did not get angry at Veronica, who mocked her. She said quietly, “That is none of your business. I hope you can maintain that attitude when Master arrives. ”
“What Master? Elven, are you talking about the guy who claimed to be the Black Emperor who’s controlling the Severed Fingers Gang? I don’t know who gave that guy the confidence to do that. He only managed to rope in a few low-tier leaders from the Severed Fingers Gang, and he thought that he could control us. Elven, I heard that you had contact with that guy in the floating city. Don’t tell me that the batch of slaves that you kidnapped are in the hands of that guy?”
“The Severed Fingers Gang has always been a team of ten people. We are all the leaders of this organization. There is no distinction between our ranks! Now, a random person from an unknown place wants to control the Severed Fingers Gang. I disagree with this. The person to control me must be someone stronger than me. As for you guys, if any of you want to be ruled by that Black Emperor guy, then hand over your assets and get out of the Severed Fingers Gang as soon as possible. Otherwise, don’t blame me for not being polite when the time comes.”
Basher, who had just spoken, raised his legs and placed them on the table. He cracked his knuckles.
“I am also one of the Black Emperor’s followers. Basher, are you talking about me?”
Marcus, sitting on the right, tilted his head and narrowed his eyes with an honest expression. Killing intent poured from his eyes.
“That’s right. I’m talking about you! Marcus, you should have given up your position a long time ago. Since the kingdom hasn’t had any conflicts with another kingdom, the budget allocated to the army has lessened. In fact, the money you earn is even less than the money from the banks and casinos. I think you should just give up your title and give it to the Right Index Finger. Of course, if you want to be demoted to the Middle Finger, I have no objections to that. After all, I have wanted to try out the Thumb position for a long time.” Basher did not show any signs of fear. Instead, he fearlessly retorted back.
“No matter how little money the kingdom has allocated to the army, it is still more than what you earn by killing people! Furthermore, under the leadership of the Black Emperor, we no longer need to steal military funds to make profits. We have other methods.”
“What is this method of earning money without stealing military funds? Don’t tell me you’re begging in the streets? That could earn quite a lot of money. I can already imagine you, the Deputy Director of the City Defense Department, kneeling and crawling on the streets.”
Marcus and Basher continued to exchange words. The atmosphere there was a little tense. At that moment, an old man in a tuxedo and a polite demeanor coughed.
“Everyone, let’s not quarrel for now. We’re all members of the Severed Fingers Gang, so it’s best if we stay amiable! It’s not easy for the gang to get to where we are today. After all, we’re an underground force that the kingdom’s higher-ups regard as a thorn in their side. If we have internal strife before they arrive, then what can we do about it? You don’t want to be split up because of a small matter and then be wiped out by the kingdom in one fell swoop, right? ”
After the old man spoke, Marcus and Basher, who were arguing, stopped talking. It was obvious that they understood that.
“As expected of Mister Klein, Left Index Finger. Your words are powerful. I very much agree with what you said, but I have a small question. I want to know what you, the Severed Fingers Gang leaders, have experienced while we were working hard to earn money all over the kingdom? If it’s convenient, you can tell me how the Black Emperor subdued all of you, and how many of our men here are followers of the Black Emperor. If you can’t tell me that, then I’m afraid that meeting can’t go on.”
The person who spoke was a relatively young child who looked to be in his teens; he was sitting in the left middle finger seat.
That young man had a babyface. He looked older than his appearance, but he was not more than eighteen. However, his body had a long-lasting murderous and terrifying aura at the peak of gold-tier.
The young man’s name was Amon. He was abandoned in the slums of the royal city when he was only a baby. Later, he joined the Severed Fingers Gang and gradually rose to prominence. He replaced the previous Left Middle Finger and became the new leader. Not many people would know his name. However, when they mentioned his nickname, Bloody Executioner, then everyone in the entire assassin world would know about him.
Anyone targeted by the Bloody Executioner, regardless of their identity or status, would have their head hacked off and die an unnatural death.
After Amon asked his question, the scene fell into a short silence. Then, as the leader on the right, Marcus said, “All our gang members in the capital believe in the Black Emperor. As for what we have experienced, I think you will understand when the Black Emperor arrives. When that time comes, you will be like us, his devout believers. I can guarantee it.”
“Stop bullsh*tting. If that Black Emperor comes here, I will be the first to break his head and stuff it into his butt. That will sober you up.” Basher let out a prideful and weird laugh.
“Shut up!”
Elven suddenly stood up and slammed her right hand on the table. Her palm sank into the table. “If you dare to speak rudely of the Black Emperor again, I will let you experience the feeling of having your head broken and stuffed into your butt.”
Elven, who had not reacted to Veronica’s taunts earlier, exploded when she heard Basher’s words about the Black Emperor. Basher looked at the combat aura condensed on Elven’s palm. Surprisingly, he did not refute it. Instead, he sat up straight and frowned as if he had discovered something that surprised him.
‘Your combat aura strength is higher than usual. Gold-tier? No, I feel like it’s higher. When did you become so powerful, Elven?’
While Basher was mumbling in his heart, Veronica took out a small mirror from her bosom and started to dress up in front of the mirror. She said, “The right thumb, Marcus, the ring finger, Count Gray, and the left and right pinkies, Elven and Snick!
“This means that, at the moment, close to half of the Severed Fingers Gang’s higher-ups are under the Black Emperor. This situation is really worrying. I’m here to confirm how many of us have defected. Since I’ve confirmed it, I won’t be staying here anymore. The Campbell family is organizing a ball, and I can’t miss it.”
As she spoke, Veronica stood up from her seat, followed by Basher. “I’m not staying here anymore. He gathered us here but didn’t show up. This Black Emperor is really arrogant! Anyway, from today onward, the Severed Fingers Gang no longer exists. You traitors had better disappear from the kingdom. Otherwise, when I’m in a bad mood one day, I’ll send someone to kill all of you.”
“Looks like the next gathering, the Severed Fingers Gang’s higher-ups will change from ten people to six people.”
Other than Marcus and the others, the other Severed Fingers higher-ups also stood up and prepared to leave the Three-legged Cat tavern.
At that moment, the tavern door opened. A youth in a feathered coat and holding a black and red longsword walked into the room. The moment he entered, the kid looked around him. A smile appeared on his tender face.
“One, two..ten! It looks like everyone is here. I didn’t expect the higher-ups to respect me enough to be here. I did wonder about that when I heard about the gathering. I had planned to eliminate that person along with their businesses if they did not come. Since all of you are here, then I don’t need to do that.”
Of course, that was Watson. As he spoke, he walked to the head of the round conference table. Marcus immediately stood up and gave him the seat. At the same time, he respectfully knelt on one knee and said, “Greetings to the Black Emperor.”
At the same time, Count Gray, Snick, and Elven also stood up and knelt on one knee to show their respect to Watson.
“My honorable master, you are finally here.”
After sitting down on Marcus’ seat, Watson placed the Sword of Strife on the table. Donder, who had been hiding behind the counter to accompany the guests, immediately ran out. He put an empty wine glass in front of Watson and poured some red wine into it.
“Master Black Emperor, please have a drink.”
The Black Emperor that those people were talking about was actually a teenager?
Less than a minute had passed since Watson had arrived, and the several higher-ups knelt on the floor. Donder poured the wine, and the other Severed Fingers Gang’s higher-ups looked shocked. They had previously tried to imagine the Black Emperor, who subdued Marcos and the others. They thought the person would have an aggressive appearance or looked dignified and meticulous. They did not expect to see a teenager instead.
“Motherf*cker! A child defeated you? Are you kidding me? This is a mockery. I’m not playing this game.”
The first to react was Basher. He spat on the ground, turned around, and walked out of the tavern. He felt that he had been insulted. If Marcus and the others were defeated by a seemingly powerful person or were simply bribed by wealth, he would understand it. However, Watson did not do either of those. That young person was only 12 or 13 years old. He might not even hit puberty yet.
A group of adults respected such a person. Just thinking about it made him feel cheap and ridiculous.
“Wait a minute, your name is Basher, right? I heard that you lost the right middle finger. You do business by killing people, but you never do it yourself. Instead, you arrange for someone else to do it, and you rarely fail. I’m interested in you. Do you want to consider staying? I’ll give you a better job and a better reward.”
Just as Basher was about to leave, a young voice suddenly sounded from behind him, causing him to stop in his tracks.
“Yes, my name is Basher. What do you want? I’m not as easy to fool as Marcus and Elven. I only believe in strength. If you want me to stay, you have to use your strength. Do you have it?”
Basher turned around and looked at Watson with contempt. “Little Brat, I advise you to go home and play in the mud. Being the boss of others is not a game. You can’t do it. ”
“Black Emperor, Basher has been so disrespectful to you. Do you want me to help you teach him a lesson?”
Elven, who was half-kneeling on the ground, suddenly raised her head and asked coldly.
After Watson fused Elven, her strength had increased to diamond-tier, while Basher was only at the peak of gold-tier. She could send Basher flying with a flick of her finger if she wanted to do that.
“Elven, you don’t have to do anything. A leader who can’t convince his subordinates is not a good leader. Since Mister Basher doubts my ability, then I’ll prove it to him.”
Watson picked up the red wine in front of him and drank it in one gulp. He stood up and faced Basher. “You said that you believe in strength. If I’m stronger than you, will you acknowledge me as your boss? Why don’t we make a bet? I’ll stand here and let you fight me. If you can make me move one step, then you win. I’ll give you three chances.”
“Kid, I think you’re courting death. I only need one punch to rip your head off!”
Balsa snorted coldly and strode toward Watson. His body was burning with a fiery-red combat aura. “Gold-tier fighting technique, Blazing Lion!”
A flaming lion appeared behind him. It bared its fangs and brandished its claws as it pounced toward Watson. In an instant, it pressed Watson under its body. The blazing flames not only burned the air, but even the ground was charred and melted.
“Reincarnate as a better person in your next life. Don’t be so pretentious, or else you’ll be burned to death again.”
When Watson’s figure disappeared under the raging flames, Basher was certain that he would definitely die. He smiled contemptuously.
However…
“The technique used to release the fighting technique is not bad, but the fighting technique itself has some flaws.”
Watson’s voice echoed from within the flames. Following that, the raging flames withdrew from his body and were sucked into his mouth, revealing Watson’s appearance. Regardless of whether it was his clothes or his face, he looked refreshed. Clearly, he was completely unharmed in the flames just now.
“Mister Basher, that is the first attack. You still have two more chances.”
“That’s impossible!”
Basher cried out in shock. He did not hold back in that attack just now. He was a peak gold-tier elite. How could a child like Watson possibly block his attack? Did Watson have some special armor on him? Subconsciously, his gaze fell on Watson’s sparkling feather coat.
“Kid, what are you wearing?”
“Ah, I’m sorry. It is a starlight-tier armor that I just made. You might find it difficult to attack me when I’m wearing this. I’ll take it off now.”
As Watson spoke, he took off the feather coat and placed it on the table with the Sword of Strife.
“Starlight-tier armor? And you made it? Kid, I think you’ve lost your mind. Die!”
Not believing a single word Watson said, Basher came in front of Watson and raised his right leg above Watson’s head. Then, he fell. The combat aura on his leg was sharper than a razor, but before it could touch Watson’s body, the ground beneath his feet was shattered by the combat aura, leaving a deep hole.
The highest item that one could make in the entire Holy Dragon Kingdom was platinum-tier as all diamond-tier items were relics left behind by previous civilizations. As for starlight-tier items, there were none. Such things were called the divine artifacts, and it was already ridiculous for them to appear anywhere in the world. However, Watson said that he was the one who made that defensive item. Was he crazy enough to think that he was a god?
With contempt in his heart, Basher’s right leg did not hold back and landed heavily on Watson’s head.
There was a crisp crack, but Watson was unharmed. Basher’s face paled. He clutched his broken right leg and fell to the ground, wailing loudly.
“Mister Basher, you still have one more chance, but it seems like you can only forfeit.”
Watson smoothed the messy hair on his head and looked around him. The contempt in the eyes of the gang leaders who had looked down on him a moment ago had disappeared entirely and was replaced by solemnity.
