Empire of Shadows

The sound of knocking had never been so delightful!

The initially agitated mood gradually subsided. What could thirty thousand dollars do?

Chief Charlie took off his hat and scratched the back of his head. It could buy two not-so-good detached villas in the Bay Area, or a well-located detached villa with a swimming pool and garden.

Even if he spent ten dollars a day, it would free him from worrying about expenses for ten years.

How old would he be in ten years?

His eyes wandered a bit. That's how old people are; their attention isn't focused, and they get easily distracted.

Seeing that Chief Charlie's gaze had lost its focus, the Assistant Chief cleared his throat.

This sound brought Chief Charlie's soul back from God, "What were you saying just now?"

As an old partner, the Assistant Chief wasn't surprised by his question. "What I mean is, let them fight it out within a controllable range."

"After they finish fighting, our people will immediately go in and arrest those 'murderers.' This way, we can give an explanation to the citizens and to our badges."

"It's not that we're unwilling to intervene early; it's that we have absolutely no way to do so."

While speaking, police cars were already leaving the police station with sirens blaring. The Assistant Chief walked to the window, parted the blinds, and watched the departing police cars outside.

"Their constant trouble-making will only make the situation worse."

"Rather than having heinous crimes everywhere, I think it's more appropriate to keep everything within a controllable range."

It's unknown which sentence persuaded Chief Charlie, or perhaps it was the tapping on the table representing thirty thousand dollars. He took out his pipe, packed it with a little tobacco, slowly pressed it tightly, and then lit it.

After two puffs of smoke, he took a deep breath, and the room was filled with the smell of tobacco, but it wasn't too unpleasant.

"Everything within a controllable range?"

The Assistant Chief nodded, repeating the sentence as if it were nonsense, but this time as a statement of certainty, "Everything is within a controllable range!"

Heller, who was waiting for news, put on his tinted glasses again. The room was full of senior and ordinary cadres, all waiting for a message.

There was still a lot of cash on the table in front of Heller. These people had received enough money, and each of their faces revealed an indescribable expression, like... a smug, ruthless smile.

Suddenly, the phone rang abruptly, startling some people!

Heller was also startled, but he didn't show it. Only his heart skipped a beat noticeably the moment the phone rang!

He picked up the phone, and immediately a dazed voice sounded, "We agree with your idea in principle, but you must first resolve the matter outside. I don't want anyone reporting heinous crimes in the Empire District again."

"Also, let your people stay in the police station; that's the price you should pay."

"It's still too early. You must resolve the battle between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM."

"In addition, you must leave... twenty people at the scene. We need to give an explanation to the citizens."

After Heller listened, he thought for a while, "Too many people taking the blame, ten people."

The person on the other end also considered it, seemingly unwilling to haggle with him, "Twelve, thirteen, or fourteen then, too few won't be enough to explain."

"No problem."

After hanging up the phone, everyone's eyes were focused on Heller. He looked at the senior cadres first, then the others.

"Between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM tonight is our time."

"Also, find twelve people to take the blame, six hundred dollars per person per year."

Serving time in jail is also a business.

In the Federation, there are people who specialize in serving time for others, earning about five or six hundred dollars a year. Some immigrants are also willing to do this.

For some short-term sentences, such as six months, a year, or a year and a half, there are quite a few willing people.

They can't earn that much money outside, but they can in jail. Not only do they have free room and board, but they can also meet many friends with various skills. This might not be a bad way of life.

The senior cadres understood Heller's meaning. They had to divide up the quota. Five senior cadres dividing twelve slots, two for each person and two left over.

Perhaps noticing their gazes, Heller frowned, "You each get two, and I'll take two."

"Has the weaponry arrived?"

The cadre in charge of purchasing arms nodded, "It's about to arrive..."

"Good, I'll sleep for a while. Wake me up at 2:30."

He stood up, stretched, and walked towards the small door in the back, where there was a lounge.

After being agitated all night, he could finally get some rest.

Tonight, countless phones rang when they shouldn't have. Senior cadres of some gangs began to restrain their subordinates, telling them not to approach the "Triangle Area," which was the location of Lance Financial Company.

Although they didn't say anything explicitly, these people knew that there would likely be a large-scale gang fight there.

This kind of thing actually doesn't happen that often in Gold Harbor City. It used to happen frequently when the Five Great Families weren't yet the Five Great Families, when they were competing for that honor.

After the Five Great Families established their positions here, this tacit agreement of gang fights rarely occurred, which made many young people very excited!

Although the captains and cadres above told them not to join in the fun, who could control them?

Everyone wanted to see what a gang fight of this magnitude would actually look like!

As the city's underground emperor, Mr. Pasreto also received a call from a broker, "There will be a gang fight in the Triangle Area tonight. If you have people there, it's best to tell them not to run around."

Mr. Pasreto was still socializing and was a little surprised when he heard this news because it really hadn't happened much in the past two years.

He was also a little curious, "Who and who?"

"The Camilla Gang and some small family called... Lan..."

He tried to prompt him, "Lance?"

"Yes, the Lance family, a small family. Do you know them?"

Mr. Pasreto didn't deny it, "Met once, interesting young people..." He pondered for a moment, asked for the exact time, and after agreeing to have tea together next time when they were free—a promise that was actually far off—he hung up the phone.

He then picked it up again and made a call to Alberto.

Alberto was currently enjoying his nightlife in a bar. The people of Sumeri preferred only a few things, and almost all of them could be satisfied here.

Fordis walked to his side and lowered his head. He was lying on the sofa, and a girl was serving him.

"The boss told you that the Camilla Gang is going to fight the Lances tonight in the Triangle Area, from 3:00 AM to 5:00 AM."

Alberto didn't react at first. This new girl's technique was too good, forcing him to concentrate his attention, or he might lose face.

He didn't want to become the laughingstock of the bar the next day—the strong Alberto Corti couldn't last even three minutes!

But his reason still had a chance to breathe under the siege of alcohol and waves of pleasure. After a few seconds, he suddenly realized.

"Who did you say?" he turned to look at Fordis.

"The Camilla Gang, and the Lances."

"Shit!" he pushed the girl away, refastened his belt, stood up, and strode towards the stairs. The office was on the third floor.

He came to the office, lit a cigarette, then found Lance's business card and dialed the phone.

"Are you in the Triangle Area?"

Lance had a vague feeling that this matter was related to Liam's death. "Yes, I'm in the Triangle Area, what's wrong?"

"The Camilla Gang has applied for a gang fight. The police will soon be clearing the area for your fight, did you know?"

"A gang fight... you can apply for that?" Lance heard this for the first time. "I didn't know, no one told me!"

His voice didn't sound like he was lying. Alberto calmed down at this moment. "Listen, they'll be going to you after 3:00 AM. Are there many police outside your door?"

Lance picked up the phone line and walked to the window. He had someone turn off the lights and looked outside.

There were many police officers standing outside, but they didn't seem to want to come in. They seemed to be just guarding the place.

"Is it still too late for me to leave now?"

"Several police cars outside the door..." He had Ervin check the back alley. Ervin quickly returned and told him that there were also two police cars in the back alley. "There are also police in the back alley."

Alberto shook his head, although Lance couldn't see him. "They probably won't let you leave."

"Wait for my call, I'll ask about the situation."

After Lance hung up the phone, he frowned. He turned on the lights again. "Alberto said that the Camilla Gang will be coming soon to fight us." His gaze moved across the faces of these people, eventually landing on the two girls.

"See if you can leave. If they let you leave, go back as soon as possible."

"If they don't let you leave, come back quickly."

The two girls changed their clothes and left the company somewhat nervously.

As soon as they walked out the door, police officers came up to them. "A case has occurred here. Before we investigate, you'd better stay in this building."

One of the girls said, "We're off work, we want to go back!"

The police officer's expression was cold, and his voice increased slightly. "I'll repeat myself, please return to your building."

Several police officers nearby heard the sound and surrounded them. Seeing that the situation wasn't right, Lance pushed open the door and walked out.

"I'm sorry, they don't know what happened. Can you tell me your name?" Lance proactively stood between the two girls and the police.

The dim light of the street lamp couldn't illuminate everything here, but it allowed them to see each other's eyes reflecting some light.

The policeman's attitude seemed to soften a bit. "This has nothing to do with you. Please return to your room, sir."

Lance smiled, whether the other party saw it or not, nodded slightly, and led the two girls back to the room.

Seeing them go back, the police left again.

Lance explained the current situation to them. He raised his wrist and looked at his watch, "You still have more than three hours until three o'clock. We need to do something."

"I remember the filing cabinets are all made of iron, right?"

Erwin nodded quickly, "Yes, they are all made of iron."

Lance walked towards the archives room, "Come on, give me a hand. Take the things out and block some of the windows and doors."

It wasn't that he hadn't considered leaving by force, but the police would definitely stop him. If they opened fire, it would be a serious crime in the Federation, with a minimum sentence of ten years.

If he accidentally killed someone in the conflict, he might even end up in the electric chair.

Before long, the phone rang again. It was Alberto calling.

"They say you took out Liam from the Camilla gang, in front of his Red High Heels Club?"

Lance was speechless after hearing this, "He wanted to kill me, so I killed him first. I don't think there's any problem with that."

"There's no problem, but Heller is being held back by his executives and can't come down. This is the only way."

"Many people are paying attention to this gang fight. Do you have any weapons on your side?"

Lance turned to ask Hiram, who had been in charge of weapons recently, and then said to Alberto, "Yes, but not many. The rest are hidden at my residence."

Alberto licked his lips, "I'll arrange for someone to send them to you."

"I can't help you with anything else on this matter. Heller's people are desperately committing crimes in the Imperial District and nearby in order to force the police to compromise. To control the situation, you've been sacrificed by the police."

"That's roughly the situation. Now, unless someone like Councilor Williams or the Mayor, who holds important core power in this city, speaks up for you, no one can change the outcome of this matter."

"And I heard that the Mayor also knows about it, but he hasn't made any other indication. He's acquiesced. Do you understand what I mean?"

Lance was silent for a while after listening, "I understand what you mean. Everyone thinks we're going to lose, so using the lives of a few dozen of us to exchange for Heller's compromise is worth it."

"Although I don't want to admit it, you're right, Lance. You're too weak, and so am I, so I can't help you, except to send you some weapons and ammunition or something."

Lance didn't actually feel too much anger or sadness at this time. He had experienced this kind of emotion many times in his previous life.

When you are still very weak, anyone can come over and step on you. Only when you grow strong enough to make them fear you will they communicate with you equally.

"Regardless, Alberto, thank you for your help. I owe you a huge favor!"

"After this matter is over, as long as you say so, I can help you with anything!"

Alberto laughed twice, "I don't think this is your end, Lance. I believe my intuition. I'll wait for your good news!"

The phone call ended quickly. Lance sat at the table for a while and then lit a cigarette.

If you could live a happy life without struggling, who would want to struggle?

Isn't struggling hard and tiring?

Ask those who are struggling, are they really willing?

Isn't it all forced?

Lance just wanted to help everyone live a better life, to have money to earn, money to spend, and not be bullied, but... why is it so difficult?

He took a deep drag of the cigarette, the feeling of his lungs being filled with smoke was particularly fulfilling.

After a few seconds, he slowly exhaled the smoke.

The others had already taken the few filing cabinets to block the windows. They also overturned some tables to make simple fortifications.

Now that they had finished doing this, everyone gathered around again.

"Are you afraid?"

Lance crossed his legs and asked.

Most people said they weren't afraid, a few people didn't say anything.

He looked up at these people and laughed, "You're all lying. Actually, I know, you're all a little scared, more or less. Actually, I'm also scared."

"But fear doesn't solve problems. Fear will only make our enemies more and more arrogant."

He picked up the phone and threw it back, "Alberto just told me that everyone in the city is pessimistic about us and thinks we will lose."

"I've never believed in fate, because I've always felt that my fate should be decided by myself."

"Whether it's death or life, it should be decided by myself, not them!"

"They want to decide my fate?"

"Simple, kill me first."

"But I'm not the kind of person who won't fight back. If anyone wants to kill me, they have to be prepared to be killed by me!"

"Today they think we are an easy bone to gnaw on, then we must knock out a few of their teeth!"

The obviously low morale began to rise again, and Lance flicked the cigarette ash.

The sparks from the cigarette butt hitting the wall momentarily lit up the surroundings, but only for a moment.

"Alberto's people will send weapons over later. Today we will give them a lesson. Don't always think that others are easy to bully. Fuck them up!"

A dozen minutes later, Fordis drove over, and the police stopped him on the street.

"I am Mr. Pasreto's man, here to deliver something."

The police shone a light on his face, and then two more policemen came over. Fordis was somewhat familiar with one of them, he might have seen him somewhere.

That person signaled the policeman holding the light to put down his light, and then asked, "Delivering what?"

"Food and drinks."

"Can we take a look?"

Fordis did not refuse.

The officer walked to the back of the car and glanced inside. There were all kinds of weapons. He then opened the car door and took out four fragmentation grenades, "This won't do. I'll give it back to you when you come back."

"Also, you can't stay here."

He said, letting the other police officers let him go, and then he stood on the side of the road himself.

Fordis nodded, "Thanks."

The car quickly stopped at the company gate. He greeted them, and Lance had people come out to help carry the things in.

"More than a dozen submachine guns, the rest are pistols, and there are bullets and magazines..."

Fordis pulled Lance aside, "They won't all come over, your chances are still very high..."

"I was going to bring you four small papayas, but they were taken away."

"Thank you, Fordis, I owe you a favor."

Fordis didn't say anything. He hugged Lance, "Waiting for your good news..."