Chapter 121

"Greedy Wolf of the Bruno family, you've broken the rules! Madam Sicily will never forgive you!"

"Hmph, you old geezer! Stop spouting nonsense about rules all the time, it's disgusting! Rules are made by the living, what rules do the dead have to follow?"

To tell you the truth, I will give 50% of the Konobo family's assets to Madam Sicily, 20% to the Gambino family, and 20% to other families. This way, the Bruno family can enter the Grey Hall, and you, the greedy middleman, won't be able to profit from the difference.

"Three mines, you think you're worthy? You colluded with outsiders to swindle my dad's money, did you think I didn't know?"

Aitubello's face darkened, and he explained:

"Well, that's business. There are bound to be profits and losses, that's normal."

As they were talking, his confidant brought over a shovel.

Aitubello's expression turned strange upon seeing the object. His previous air of arrogance and condescension had vanished completely.

"Soloso, I'm your dad's best, very best friend. I even held you when you were little. You... you won't hurt me, right?"

"Oh, of course, Aitubello."

At this point, Soloso burst into laughter. Aitubello, not understanding why, awkwardly laughed along with him.

But a few seconds later, Soloso's laughter stopped abruptly. He handed the shovel to his subordinate and said sarcastically:

"How could I possibly hurt you? But I can't control the rest of them."

This unpredictable behavior terrified Aitubello. But with his manhood on top of his body, he couldn't break free. Members of the Bruno family swung shovels and, ignoring his pleas, forcefully struck his legs.

"No, no! Aaaaaaah!!!"

Aitubello let out a heart-wrenching scream, no longer daring to negotiate with an arrogant attitude, and quickly begged for mercy:

"I was wrong. Please, I won't pursue this matter any further. Please, let me go. I'll do anything you ask if you'll let me go."

Soloso raised his hand to signal a pause and asked:

"Where did you hear that we killed members of the Konobo family?"

Seeing his hesitant expression, his subordinate raised the shovel.

"Stop! Stop! If you keep hitting me, I'll really be crippled. I'll talk, I'll talk, okay? It's the Konobo Family's Gold Medal Killer. She contacted me tonight and asked me to go to White City to deliver a message. I was greedy and wanted to act as an intermediary to extort money from you."

Soloso laughed. These old fogies were all profit-driven bastards. The Grey Hall was mostly filled with this kind of scum; how could Syracuse be revitalized in the future?

Seeing that his subordinates didn't move, he tilted his head and gestured:

"What are you standing there for? Keep smashing!"

Aitubello's face was contorted with pain, and tears streamed down his face as he said:

"I've told you everything I know, why are you still letting people beat you up? Can't you have some manners?"

"Rules? My rules are rules! I didn't say that just because you confessed, I'd let you go. If you still remember this shovel, you shouldn't have any illusions. When you conspired with outsiders to murder my father, why didn't you spare his life? Hmm?"

Uncle, you're just too greedy. I thought you'd only come after I told you tomorrow, but you arrived tonight. Perfect, the grave's already dug anyway.

Aitubello's other thigh was hit hard by the shovel, and he let out a heart-wrenching scream.

Soloso enjoyed the sight of the other man's miserable state, but still felt unsatisfied, so he reached out and took the shovel.

"Give me."

As he took the shovel, he patted a family member on the head and jokingly scolded him:

"Hey you, haven't you eaten?"

With that, he slammed his hand down with a loud thud, turning Aitubello into Old Man with nothing but an egg.

"Aaaaaaah!"

The continuous painful stimulation caused him to faint. But the slapping continued.

The moonlight tonight is soft, quietly shining on the broken pillars of the abandoned church and the blood and flesh that have soaked the stone slabs.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Soloso's arms ached from swinging the shovel so much that he tossed it to his men to continue patting his upper body. He looked down and noticed Aitubello's blood on his hands, and frowned slightly.

He immediately called his underling over and pulled out the other man's black tie to use as a rag to wipe his hands.

He then walked into the moonlight, had his trusted aide cut and light a cigar, and leisurely took a puff of his post-coital cigarette.

"I beat him to pieces, arranged him in a kneeling position, and buried him next to my father's grave."

The family members obeyed the order and were terrified of this unruly and capricious patriarch.

"Also, send people to secretly hunt down the Konobo Family's Gold Medal Killer and get rid of her as soon as possible. If she's not caught tonight, have the Gambino family help with the encirclement and suppression."

"Yes."

Shortly after the family members left, Soloso's confidant received a phone call. After a brief exchange, the call ended.

"Chief, today an informant spotted the Saluzzo family's White Wolf at the border crossing. Her companion, Lupo, looks very much like the legendary descendant of Texas family."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Soloso's eyes lit up.

He wasn't particularly interested in the Saluzzo family's White Wolf. The Saluzzo family was her father's personal fiefdom, and bringing Lappland back wouldn't do him any favors.

On the contrary, are the descendants of Texas coming back this time to unite with the family that returned from Columbia?

Her appearance might stir up the stagnant waters of Syracuse that have been still for so long.

"Find out where they live immediately; I want to visit them in person."

183 A family of three

April 25th, 7:30 am

Last night, Lisa slept in the same room as Texas again. Shi Lei knew the complete criminal law, but he didn't set an example by becoming a prisoner.

Exusiai forget about sleeping in the same room as her. And that halo above her head can't be blocked, keeping the room bright all night.

Croissant declined the offer to share a bed, saying she tosses and turns in her sleep. Since the girl's mother had specified someone she trusted, she naturally wouldn't join in.

Lisa didn't sleep in and got up early the next morning. She didn't need to be urged and washed up on her own. After breakfast, everyone checked out at the front desk. Then they went to the parking lot to get their car, preparing to head to their next Mobile Cities.

But when they arrived at the border checkpoint, they found it completely closed. They learned that a family had been massacred in the city the previous night, and a city-wide search was necessary to apprehend the killer.

Shi Lei stepped forward to negotiate, hoping to get some assistance.

But the guards are just employees; they have no real authority.

Now that they have orders to follow, they won't let anyone go.

"Zhongli, what do you say? Should we attempt to break through the barrier?"

Exusiai looked eager to try, seemingly preparing to force her way through. Lappland licked her lips, also ready to act at any moment.

After thinking for a moment, Shi Lei shook his head.

They have the strength to break through, but there's no need. Everyone else is under lockdown, yet they want to break the rules and force their way through—wouldn't that be making an enemy of Syracuse?

It would be better to stay here a few more days and get some local information, which will help in determining whether a promotion is suitable.

"Why don't we find a nicer hotel and stay a few more days? Anyway, this time it's a long holiday with no specific end date, so there's no rush. Besides, the boss has some things to take care of and will be a week or two late. If we're already in the city for that long, we can wait for him to come along."

Texas found his proposal very reasonable, nodded approvingly, and agreed:

"I agree, I can stay a few more days."

Croissant didn't care either, and voted in favor:

Me too.

Three votes in favor, more than half the votes. Regardless of Exusiai's choice, the result will be the same. Lappland's relationship with the others is rather delicate; she has no voting rights.

"Then let's stay and play for a few more days."

Lisa felt a mix of joy and worry about this decision. She was happy that she would have a greater chance of seeing her mother, but worried that she would become a burden.

After reaching a consensus, everyone found a high-end hotel in the city center and re-registered for check-in.

After putting away their luggage, they began to visit the sights of Lakmawati City as tourists.

Lisa held Shi Lei's hand with her left hand, who was considerate of her feelings, and Texas's hand with her right hand, who had a cold expression. At first glance, they looked like a family of three, with a kind father and a strict mother.

Exusiai and Croissant, who deliberately lagged a few steps behind them, were having a blast and even secretly took photos to commemorate the moment.

Lappland had little interest in traveling; she was tired of both Bartók and Byzantine architecture. All she wanted now was to find the Bruno family, the murderers of yesterday's massacre, and have a good fight with them.

This has nothing to do with upholding justice; it's just about wanting to enjoy the thrill of killing. Yesterday, the battle ended in less than two minutes after I put on Shi Lei's shield—it wasn't satisfying at all.

Exusiai is the same; Sarkaz's innate destructive urges always make her want to shoot something.

The group explored the city's various attractions until noon, then returned to the hotel after lunch. Unfortunately, they hadn't brought sunscreen this time. Syracuse is located near the central part of Terra, and the sun there is even more intense than in Lungmen.

There was no mahjong set Exusiai became extremely bored after lying down for a while. She went downstairs, bought a deck of cards, and came back up to play with Shi Lei and Croissant.

Texas and Lappland did not participate; they stood by the window gazing into the distance.

Lisa moved a stool over and sat quietly next to Shi Lei, watching him intently. When she noticed his cup was empty, she even went to get the kettle.

"Be careful, it's hot. I can handle this."

Shi Lei reached for the kettle and poured water into a cup. He didn't expect Lisa to do anything; she just needed to be a mascot.

Lisa's nine fluffy tails look so cute. Shi Lei wanted to touch them, but with so many people around, he had to suppress the thought.

"Knock knock knock".

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

The Croissant closest to him turned around and answered:

"Who is it? We don't need room service."

A waitress was standing outside; her voice sounded a little nervous.

"No, sir. There is another guest who asked me to deliver flowers to Miss Texas."

Give me?

Texas looked surprised upon hearing this. She didn't know anyone in Lakmawati City and had no idea who would send flowers, so she looked at Shi Lei.

The latter noticed the gaze and shook his head in denial:

"I've been next to Lisa all morning."

The implication is that I've been in your sight the whole time, so how could I have had time to buy flowers?

Exusiai, being carefree, ran straight to open the door.

Shi Lei wasn't worried about a bomb attack, as the Jade Shield on everyone had been in place ever since they entered the city.

"Wow, it really is a flower."

Exusiai accepted a large bouquet of flowers from the waitress and returned to her room with a smile.

"Hey, there's a little card in here too. To Miss Texas. Hahaha, the little phrases at the beginning are quite elaborate. Texas, someone has invited you to a gathering at the coffee shop downstairs, would you like to go? The letter ends with the signature Soloso."

Texas shook her head and explained to Shi Lei:

"I don't know anyone in this city, and I've never heard of this name before."

Exusiai that her blank expression didn't seem to be feigned, Exusiai turned her head and asked Lappland:

"Hey, do you know Soloso?"

"How would I know that? I only remember the patriarchs of the Twelve Families and some core members."

Lappland shrugged, somewhat helplessly:

"You can't expect me to remember the names of all the other small fry, that would be too much of a burden."

Lisa was well protected by her mother and had no contact with any family affairs. She was educated at a private school and had never heard of Soloso.