Chapter 1001 970: The Three Northeastern Provinces
Chapter 1001 970: The Three Northeastern Provinces
Chapter Nine Hundred and Seventy: Northeast Provinces
Dan Qing glanced at Xiao Lin, feeling torn. Their roles and positions were different, and she felt she couldn't rely on him as she used to, even though she depended on him far more than her entire family.
"I'll explain the 'Wagangnai' matter to the Northeast Provinces. Don't worry, arrange for me to meet with him. This is between us, and I'll handle it."
If Sicily is the territory of the Italian Mafia, then the root of their audacity lies in the constant flow of arms deals and contraband resources. Throughout the generations, countless have transacted with the gang bosses here, but few have actually formed alliances. It's not because of mutual betrayal leading to destruction, but because new individuals replace them. Many turn against each other over interests, wanting to monopolize the routes.
The Northeast Provinces spent three years building a solid base in Sicily, not only seizing all resources but also leaving their rival 'Wagangnai' helpless against them. Long-term business connections and trust have made the name of the Northeast Provinces a living signboard in Sicily. Even during the transition periods between the old and new Godfathers, this upheaval wouldn't change the position of the Northeast Provinces in Sicily.
But this time, nearly everyone in the underworld and even the legitimate world knows that the Northeast Provinces were scammed. Not only was this living signboard duped, but they didn't even make a sound. Their nest was completely exterminated, and not a shadow has been seen since. Those who were watching the show or looking to gain a share have begun to actively start testing the waters after observing for a long time.
Monopolizing a black market is absolutely impossible; it's just the unspoken rule of the big fish eating the little fish. If you're ruthless enough, you might have a chance for a share, or else you'll end up as fuel in the Mediterranean.
Dan Ning was anxiously waiting for Dan Qing. Steady as he was, he wouldn't vent his anger on his subordinates. He was very clear about that. The reports from those he sent out indicated that the people were still at Chopin's castle, and the car was still parked there. Nonetheless, knowing nothing would happen, Dan Ning drove alone to Chopin's castle in Palermo.
Chopin sat inside the nanny van. He had already discussed and booked the venue with the organizers for a three-day concert in Palermo. The whole day had been spent trying on costumes and rehearsing, making him feel a bit dizzy once in the car. He hadn't had the chance to talk deeply with Xiao Lin, and he could clearly feel the other party's coldness towards him. Chopin rubbed his forehead.
With a screech, the driver slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to an emergency stop. Chopin's manager shouted angrily. "What's going on? If Chopin had gotten hurt, what would you do?"
"I'm fine!" Chopin stopped the manager. The driver of the nanny van had been with him for more than a year or two. "What happened?"
"Sorry, boss, a car suddenly came out from the side, almost hitting us." The driver was also in a cold sweat, dumbfounded in his seat.
"Why would a car suddenly appear here?" The manager unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car. "This road leads to your house, is someone looking for you?"
"Hmm, let's get back to it once we're inside. I'm not the only family living around here." Below the castle were several independent villas. Chopin had bought this place for its tranquility, though everything else was quite inconvenient.
"It's that car!" The driver parked at the gate waiting for someone inside to open it, with a silver-white sports car parked on the side. "Boss, it was that car just now."
Chopin got out and approached the silver-white car. A man sat inside. Just as he was about to knock on the window, the other party rolled it down. "Chopin? I'm Dan Ning."
"Ah, Mr. Dan, are you looking for me?"
"I'm looking for Xiao Lin!" Dan Ning directly mentioned Xiao Lin's name, causing Chopin's expression to freeze for a moment.
"May I ask what you want with him?"
"Just tell him my name, he'll understand."
"Okay!" After sending away his manager, reassuring them that it was just a friend, Chopin climbed into Dan Ning's car. "No need for formality, let's go straight in."
Xiao Lin looked at Dan Ning with interest, a little different from their previous meetings, yet his form was still there. "I'll return Dan Qing to you intact."
"Great!" Dan Ning pulled Dan Qing to the side, inspecting her up and down to ensure there were no issues before turning to Xiao Lin. "Long time no see."
The air instantly turned frosty, dropping to an extreme. Both Chopin and Dan Qing sensed the tense atmosphere between the two. Dan Qing clutched Dan Ning's hand while Chopin stepped forward.
"Mr. Dan, was it? A guest is a guest, if possible, why don't we have a meal together and chat?"
"Xiaobang, please take care of my friend here. You, follow me to the back garden." Xiao Lin took a couple of steps forward, standing firm in front of Dan Ning. "If you don't want to make things difficult for Dan Qing, come with me," he said in a voice only the two of them could hear, and then he strode towards the stone house in the garden.
"Stay here, don't move, I'll be back soon."
Xiao Lin stood in the back garden, a secluded yet spacious place. Instead of bringing Dan Ning to the stone house, he chose an open space. "Let's start!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Dan Ning charged toward Xiao Lin without a sound. In the blink of an eye, two silver flashes appeared. His right foot, carrying a fierce gust of wind, fiercely kicked toward Xiao Lin. His entire body, carried by immense inertia, shot forward, his right arm bending and retracting with all its might, the two silver flashes in his hand reaching Xiao Lin's chest.
The silver light, with a rolling chill, tore open the fabric on his chest. In that critical moment, Xiao Lin, using the force from Dan Ning's attack, swung up his right leg. Suddenly, the two figures collided and separated. The sparks from the metal friction flashed like a fleeting blossom in the air, spreading a fiery taste.
Dan Ning's eyes sparkled with excitement. At the moment of that kick's collision, Xiao Lin's short stinger in hand blocked the short blade in Dan Ning's hand, the sparks hissing as they flew.
"Give it your all!" Xiao Lin issued a warning, then immediately both palms struck the ground, propelling himself into the air. The stinger in his palm began to spin rapidly like a clock's hand, its original form almost unrecognizable.
"I didn't know this thing could be used like this!" Hearing the commotion, Yelu Shou and Consort Ling rushed out from the stone house. On the garden's open ground, the fighters were already entangled in an intense battle.
Xiao Lin set up a defense in front of his chest with both hands. Several times Dan Ning tried to break through the wall formed by the invisible currents from his palms, but each attempt was repelled. He threw back his head and let out a long howl, taking a large step sideways with his right foot, sinking it into the dirt, abandoning his previous attack to wait in a stillness that countered movement.
"This man seems extraordinary, his ability to instantly immerse in stillness isn't just a slight show of control. Who exactly is he? I'm very curious." Consort Ling remarked from the side. His eyes were fixed on the two figures before him. Though he longed to join the fray after spending days in the castle in a daze, he knew he wasn't their match and kept his distance.
Dan Ning gazed at Xiao Lin's defensive stance, his eagle-like eyes unblinking. Suddenly a reflective point lit up, and at that moment, he leapt up, sweeping his right leg, stirring the dirt toward the invisible wall. The scattered dirt particles landed on the ground, and subtly, the pebbles that entered the defense hurled toward Xiao Lin.
Xiao Lin chuckled, using this method to break through his unseen wall, interesting! As he pondered this, Dan Ning had already employed the falling pebbles to approach Xiao Lin. With plain, unfancy moves, he extended his hands, delivering a slow yet powerful gust without any pretense or trickery.
Facing this forceful wind, Xiao Lin cautiously stepped back, bending his body, crossing his arms at his chest, pushing outward.
Bang!
Dan Ning was forced to stagger back three or four steps, his right leg sinking with force to stabilize his retreating body. A slight sweetness rose in his chest but was suppressed. Xiao Lin did not pursue further. He slowly lowered his arms, exhaled, and took another step to his right, lowering his stance.
"You have three more chances, but I suggest you do this. You might be able to withstand my next three moves, but your purpose for coming today will have been in vain because I can guarantee that if you choose that, you won't be able to get out of bed for a month."
Dan Ning remained silent. Even mentioning three moves was a courtesy; enduring two of his palms was already commendable. He had underestimated the person before him since the factory incident in Yanjing.
"No need, I've lost!" Dan Ning didn't dare to move, the metallic taste in his chest barely kept at bay. From the ground floor window on the other side, Dan Qing watched them anxiously.
Xiao Lin approached Dan Qing's position, one hand pushing toward his left shoulder, the other swiftly darting toward his chest.
"You..." Dan Ning was startled by Xiao Lin's sudden move. Xiao Lin pressed his shoulder, letting him slowly sit on the ground. A continuous warm flow entered his chest, Dan Ning watching Xiao Lin's blinking eyes, then closing his own, adjusting his breathing with that warm flow.
Soon, the congestion in his chest eased, and the metallic taste dissipated.
"Thank you!" Dan Ning expressed his gratitude to Xiao Lin.
"No need to thank me, the ones from 'Wagangnai' were killed by me!"
"Just a part of them; the other part certainly wasn't you. That wasn't your style!" Dan Ning was not confused, although to the police, the two completely different styles of killing seemed the same, it was easy for someone who wasn't ordinary to discern the differences in technique.
"Is it that one?" Dan Ning pointed to the large dog leisurely wandering around. "It's actually a Mongolian Wolf!" When he got a clear look at its face, he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"Haha... indeed, it's a Mongolian Wolf, but there's no need to be afraid, it doesn't bite." Xiao Lin, with a smile, watched the creature rolling around on the ground. "It's as docile as a lamb." (To be continued. If you like this work, please feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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