Night of August 1, 2017
Wuhan. Citizens also celebrated the grand festival. Yet, those disinclined towards proper pursuits neither favored joining parades nor remaining home to watch galas. Consequently, the "Jiaren" nightclub became their cherished destination. Tonight's Jiaren differed somewhat from the usual, featuring a special "Military Ball." All hostesses graced the stage clad in revealing military uniforms of various types. Holders of military identification enjoyed a 50% discount on consumption! It had to be acknowledged, this was Boss Liu's particular method of expressing patriotism...
Perhaps the event was genuinely captivating, or perhaps idle individuals abounded. This night, "Jiaren" experienced booming business; the parking lot overflowed with assorted luxury vehicles. Some patrons even waited in the main hall for room turnover. Such a scene elicited a long-absent smile upon Boss Liu's face. It should be known that since 13's disruption, over half of the nation's nightclubs had shuttered. Those surviving eked out an existence with merely a few patrons daily. Were it not for Boss Liu's extensive network of friends, he likely would be resting at home presently...
Although profits were profits, enjoyment remained essential. The most expensive Rose Room was reserved for his coterie of brothers; all of "Jiaren's" finest hostesses congregated there.
Accompanied by intense music, colored lights revolved within the room. Hostesses, having ingested substances, writhed frenziedly, their slender waists swaying like alluring water snakes. Boss Liu, wearing a lewd grin, meticulously appreciated every movement. Just as the most dazzling hostess prepared to nestle into his embrace, Boss Liu's mobile phone rang. Initially intending to ignore it, the violent vibration near his heart nearly induced cardiac arrest. Technology posed such helplessness; inadequate served no purpose, yet excessive proved vexing.
With evident displeasure, he answered the call. Seeing an unfamiliar number, he began cursing, "Who the hell is this?! Laozi is enjoying myself right now! Whatever it is, wait until Laozi is finished, then I'll call back!" He prepared to hang up, resuming the earlier "narrative."
"Liu B, you truly are something else... Can't even recognize my voice anymore." The nearly forgotten voice nearly caused Boss Liu to slide off his seat.
Clutching the receiver tightly, Boss Liu roared, "Everyone, stop this instant, damn it!" The sound system promptly silenced, bright lights illuminated fully. The unfulfilled brothers looked pitiably towards Boss Liu, yet he was more agitated than anyone. Gesturing for the still head-shaking hostesses to exit, the hall returned to a rare tranquility...
"Ah, so it's Big Brother Black Dragon! Truly, it's been a long while without news from you. How have you been recently? Your little brother here thinks of Big Brother daily..." Boss Liu fully exhibited his sycophantic nature. Hearing the name Black Dragon, everyone nearby felt a jolt; they dared not even breathe loudly. Those intoxicated were startled sober.
"Spare me the pleasantries. I know the last thing you want right now is to hear my voice." His thoughts instantly pinpointed.
"How could that be? We could never forget Big Brother's kindness towards us." Boss Liu dabbed at his cold sweat with a tissue.
"Good that you understand. Since we all navigate the underworld, we should all be aware of its rules." Black Dragon's tone turned grave. "Accept money, resolve troubles for others. I now require you to resolve a trouble for me."
"Whatever Big Brother requires, just command. If your little brother is capable, I will certainly comply!" Boss Liu began employing "Tai Chi." Comply if capable, naturally refrain if incapable.
"Rest assured, I believe in your capabilities," Black Dragon chuckled over the phone.
"What?? Rebel?" Boss Liu collapsed onto the floor, shouting. Those surrounding him displayed cold sweat and astonishment...
"Big Brother, are you jesting?" Boss Liu still maintained a smiling facade.
"I dislike jesting with subordinates. Simply follow my instructions," Black Dragon stated placidly.
After a pause, Boss Liu strove to calm his emotions, resuming his seat, displaying the air of a boss.
"I say, Black Dragon, don't accuse this brother of disloyalty, but your demand is somewhat excessive. It's tantamount to forcing us brothers onto a path of death. We accepted your money, but it wasn't payment for our lives..." Though appearing composed superficially, his legs trembled involuntarily. For reasons unknown, Black Dragon always possessed an aura demanding submission; a mere glance could render one incapable of resistance. Ordinarily, even if lent courage, he wouldn't dare speak to Black Dragon thusly. Yet, failing to resist now meant certain death. Audacious? Audacity was required this one time!
"Do you think Black Dragon's money washes ashore?" Black Dragon scoffed contemptuously. "Every cent was earned by my brothers with their lives. To take it away, naturally, requires exchanging lives. Besides, I am not without conscience. As long as you follow my methods precisely, there is absolutely no danger..."
"Thanks, brother. Who in the underworld doesn't know you betray people as easily as drinking water? We aren't cats with nine lives; one time is fatal. At most, provide an account number; however much I took from you, I'll return it intact. Henceforth, you tread your broad avenue, we cross our single-plank bridge..." Boss Liu's words elicited nods of agreement from everyone present.
"Remember!" Black Dragon lowered his voice. "Thus far, every cent Black Dragon has invested has yielded returns exceeding threefold. If you wish to repay, include your life as well."
"Black Dragon! Don't get too arrogant with Laozi! You're nothing but M-nation's damn dog! So what if I disregard you? Here, what can a wanted criminal like you do to me?" Boss Liu's seemingly furious outburst was, in truth, a manifestation of fear.
"Is that so?" A frigid smile transmitted through the phone.
Suddenly, the hall doors burst open. Five sallow, emaciated men stormed in. Before anyone could react, they withdrew submachine guns.
"You know? Human life is the cheapest, most fragile commodity in the world." With this final salutation, Black Dragon terminated the call, thus missing the ensuing cacophony of gunfire.
Boss Liu, a figure of considerable renown, was riddled into a honeycomb by over one hundred bullets. Although the assailants were subsequently gunned down by others, it held no significance. Those five were merely ubiquitous street-dwelling drug addicts. Given a minuscule amount of "high-purity heroin," their lives were completely sold.
Black Dragon's words were consistently accurate; human life truly held little value...
"How many have you settled?" Black Dragon ceased his actions, smiling towards the old man.
He too wearily put down the phone, "Truly dislike wasting time with such refuse. If face-to-face, I possess over one hundred methods to compel their submission. But you know, my forte is certainly not loquacity..."
"Speaking is also a skill, requiring diligent practice!" Black Dragon lifted a cup of red tea from the table. This was his most relaxed moment of enjoyment in months...
"Taking advantage and complaining." The old man sighed. "Anyway, of the 15 calls I made, 5 have already been eliminated. The others were extorted for a total of thirty million M-dollars."
"The money matters not, as long as they obey. My situation is somewhat better; of 20 calls, only one idiot got himself terminated." Black Dragon seemed pleased with the nickname he'd coined for Boss Liu.
"Actually, you know? You possess an ineffable power, a force that renders defiance impossible..." the old man silently mused.
Rising, Black Dragon walked to the window, gazing upon the bustling nightscape of Hong Kong, suddenly feeling an urge to dance.
Closing his eyes, raising supple arms as if embracing the most beautiful woman, accompanied by the crisp "dance music" of his heartbeat. He spun within the spacious room, performing his beloved Waltz...
"Regarding the regions post-elimination, how shall we proceed?" the old man inquired, observing Black Dragon.
"Contact the most influential figures in those regions. Promise full support for their ascension—money, women, drugs, anything desired can be pledged, but under no circumstances defy my will. Humans are easily bought," Black Dragon continued speaking while dancing, eyes still closed.
"You truly are a tempting demon!" The old man's words held no hint of contempt.
"Thank you for the compliment," Black Dragon smiled smugly. "Remember! Must be completed within three days."
The old man offered no reply, but understanding was complete.
Quietly rising, he exited the room. Glancing back one last time at the still-dancing Black Dragon, a smile graced the old man's face.
Within the vast presidential suite, Black Dragon spun with abandon. In truth, no one knew that in Black Dragon's fantasy, the most perfect dance partner was not a person, but the entire world...
On the same night, Black Dragon was not the only one experiencing joy. At the Beijing Special Operations National Defense Headquarters, Adam too was among the most joyous. Reviewing the intelligence reports, everything unfolded exactly as he had predicted. The impending upheaval in Z-nation presented his optimal opportunity for ascension. Adam would genuinely step onto the world stage. In Adam's conception, the world had advanced one step further in the direction he had prescribed. However, one point also troubled Adam. 13 was excessively emotional; often, such a disposition made him easier to control than others. Yet, simultaneously, it rendered him more prone to losing control. For instance, the encounter between Zhenxian and 13. Upon learning 13 had halted his mission to protect someone utterly insignificant, Adam felt no anger, only silent resignation. He merely hoped subsequent developments would not stray beyond the scope of his control...