Chapter 130
Upon hearing this, Shi Lei glanced down before turning his gaze back to Texas and explained:
"This outfit should be a bit more formal."
At his current age, he simply can't pull off this divine outfit. But if he wore the Rock mask with the Liyue pattern, he'd have that Emperor-like aura.
Therefore, Shi Lei never wears this outfit alone; he always wears it with a mask.
Texas seemed to be thinking of something, and a look of worry suddenly flashed in her eyes.
She gripped the steering wheel with both hands, not rushing to start the engine. After a pause, she asked:
"Tell me the truth, if you really meet Madam Sicily later, what are you going to do?"
Shi Lei believes the answer is already obvious:
"Hehe, of course it's a matter of reciprocity. Before coming to Syracuse, I still held the idea of a peaceful resolution. But after these past few days, I've come to terms with reality. The families in Syracuse are far more barbaric than those in Lungmen, like wild beasts cloaked in civilization. When dealing with wild beasts, you have to speak in a way that they can understand."
Texas sensed a very dangerous signal from his words. She bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke:
"May I make a small request?"
Shi Lei was in a good mood and agreed:
"Okay, tell me what you think."
"Can we avoid bloodshed today?"
He turned his head and saw Texas's slightly nervous face, then smiled.
"Look at what you're saying, making me sound like a bloodthirsty killer. My stance is clear: as long as they can speak properly, we'll sit down and negotiate normally. If they can't understand human language, don't blame me for being impolite."
"No, Shi Lei, you've misunderstood."
Texas's mind was a bit muddled at the moment. After pausing for a moment, she reiterated her point of view:
"If this deal goes smoothly, I probably won't return to Syracuse. Making sure you don't shed blood isn't about favoring these family patriarchs. If..."
If they are truly beyond redemption and no one can control them, then do whatever you want. I just hope to handle the following issues in a relatively gentle way.
Shi Lei expressed his full respect for her choice. After all, this group's return to Syracuse was to help Texas sever ties with the past and end the unreasonable trade.
If he goes on a killing spree, and those people don't even know him, they'll just blame Texas for everything. Then the cycle of vengeance will continue endlessly.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Shi Lei's words gave her a greater sense of security than anyone else's. Texas received a satisfactory reply, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously pursed slightly.
"Thanks."
After saying that, he started the engine and headed to the next location.
Shi Lei made Rock mask, placed it on his face, leaned back on the headrest, and closed his eyes to rest. In some movies, headrests are removed from all the cars to capture a star's full face when they turn around. These things are very important for passengers.
Texas searched two different locations without success. Then, as she drove to the Grey Hall, she immediately spotted several luxury cars parked there.
The Grey Hall is the highest authority in Syracuse, even surpassing the official government in status. It's rarely visited, except when the heads of the Twelve Families are holding meetings there.
"We've arrived. This should be the place."
After Shi Lei's fine-tuning, the Rock mask fit the face even better. Outsiders cannot see the wearer's face, so they naturally cannot judge emotional changes by capturing micro-expressions.
In fact, he could create a fully enclosed Rock mask to enhance the somber and austere atmosphere.
As for breathing, there is absolutely no need to worry.
Having remained suspended for so long at an altitude of several thousand meters above Palermo this morning without experiencing any breathing difficulties, it demonstrates that with the formidable physical abilities of the Archon Realm, one can maintain normal function with little or no oxygen.
Shi Lei had been pondering this while he was dozing off, but ultimately decided against it. Mainly, the completely enclosed mask, like a motorcycle helmet, paired with this outfit—it looked too ugly.
Outside the Grey Hall were the top henchmen or trusted confidants brought by the heads of various families. They had noticed the car shortly after it arrived in Texas.
The man leaning against the wall on the left was the Saluzzo family's top enforcer. He was about ten meters from the vehicle when he quickly recognized Texas and exclaimed:
"Miss Chelinina, is it really you?"
These words immediately drew several stares.
The Texas Family has left a significant mark on the history of Syracuse. The longer a family lives, the more it understands the weight of those four words.
As the sole bloodline of this destroyed family, Chelinina Texas's significance is self-evident.
"Don't get out of the car yet."
Texas gave a low instruction, drove the car to an open area outside the Grey Hall, and turned off the engine. She then unbuckled her seatbelt and quickly got out. Under everyone's watchful eyes, she walked around to the other side, opened the door, and respectfully gestured for the other driver to enter.
"My lord, we have arrived."
This attempt to elevate his status left Shi Lei somewhat amused and exasperated. Considering Texas's efforts to prevent bloodshed, he would comply.
The attention of the other family members naturally focused on this Mysterious Man. A mask made of rock, extraordinary attire—who exactly was this guy who made the last descendant of the Texas family willing to be his driver?
Shi Lei didn't care what these people thought and stepped into the Grey Hall, only to be blocked by the guards:
"This is a restricted area for the family; unauthorized personnel are not permitted!"
Valer, the vice-patriarch of the Rossetti Family, harbored resentment towards Patriarch Giovanna for delaying her abdication ceremony. Now, seeing Texas, who had influenced her decisions, he naturally wouldn't let her pass easily and stood behind the guards.
"There were so many fake news reports about your return before, I thought this time would be the same. I never expected it to be true. What I never expected was that the Eldest Daughter of the prestigious Texas Family would be someone else's driver?"
Upon hearing this, Shi Lei's temper flared up immediately. "My colleague? Who are you to spout nonsense?"
He was about to make a move when Texas stopped him, fearing that Shi Lei would send a meteorite to raze the place to the ground.
"Calm down, don't hit me."
If you didn't know better, you'd think I was talking about them.
The Gambino family's top enforcer grinned smugly upon hearing this. He rolled up his sleeves, revealing his muscular physique, and defiantly raised his thick eyebrows:
"Haha, you guys know what's good for you. I've killed people with my bare hands before, so don't mess with me."
Texas was speechless, staring at the other person like they were an idiot. "I'm saving your lives, how come you all have such high and mighty opinions?"
Before she could explain, Shi Lei casually extended a finger and made a short stroke in the air.
In an instant, countless Rock Spear rained down.
All the family members blocking the way were held immobile; the slightest movement would result in their skin being cut by the sharp blades. Forcibly pulling them out could even cause serious injury or broken bones.
Only now did they understand the meaning of Texas's words. Unfortunately, it was too late for regrets.
Shi Lei had nothing to talk about with these Tribe Members. He put his hands behind his back and headed towards the Grey Hall.
Texas turned to look at her family members, whose movements were completely blocked by countless Rock Spear. Their pleading, subservient gazes made her feel nauseous.
Then, without looking back, he caught up with Shi Lei.
The two ascended the steps, about to enter the Grey Hall, when they heard a strange man shout in fear:
"He's here!"
Faced with absolute power, so-called political maneuvering is nothing but a joke. Shi Lei had no intention of playing pointless games with these old fogies, and chose to use the simplest and most effective method to achieve his goal as quickly as possible.
He stepped across the threshold and into the Grey Hall.
In an instant, the spot where they landed seemed to bear immense force, and it cracked open rapidly like a spider web.
The 128 pieces of glass inside seemed to be under some inexplicable pressure, and shattered into pieces.
Madam Sicily, with the best view, only had time to notice a fleeting brown light source flashing overhead. The entire dome of the Grey Hall was then inexplicably destroyed, leaving them directly exposed to sunlight!
All of this happened too suddenly.
So much so that the brains of these family patriarchs couldn't process some of the information. Which would happen first: the dome was blown off, or the windows on either side shattered?
After a series of loud crashes and clangs, glass bricks and steel bars flew everywhere. The Twelve Families used to joke that the Syracuse government was the tablecloth of the Grey Hall, but now the tablecloth, along with the food on it, was destroyed on the spot.
Faced with the sudden crisis, the heads of the various families did everything in their power. Madam Sicily, of course, had nothing to worry about, as Father Agnil was there to protect her.
Alberto Saluzzo not only protected himself but also saved Giovanna Rossetti. He intended to use this act of kindness to gain favor for his family.
Gambino Ritchie and the two unnamed family patriarchs looked somewhat disheveled. They crouched on the ground, covering their heads, trying to minimize the damage from falling debris.
Three seconds after the strange phenomenon occurred, the dense debris and Building Materials falling from above ceased. Only plumes of complex dust drifted and dispersed in the surrounding area.
"Pah, pah, are you all alright?"
Gambino Ritchie got a mouthful of ash and spat it out several times. He rummaged around on his body and was surprised to find himself completely unharmed.
"I'm fine." Giovanna was a little startled.
As the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, the family heads looked at Madam Sicily. They found her and Father Agnil staring solemnly at the doorway, and their gazes shifted accordingly.
Shi Lei removed the Jade Shield from their bodies, his voice sounding even more powerful due to the masks covering them:
"Sorry to interrupt your meal."
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"Sorry to interrupt your meal."
Hearing the stranger say those words infuriated the family patriarchs present.
But remembering Father Agnil's warning from just minutes earlier, everyone fell silent and consciously moved aside. They elevated Madam Sicily, still seated, to the main seat, placing her opposite the newcomer.
As the heads of the twelve major families, they have so many subordinates to support every day. When faced with a situation, their first thought is whether they can profit from it. They won't take action without a benefit, and they won't act until they see a clear advantage.
Madam Sicily glanced coldly at the mysterious man standing in the doorway, her former kind and gentle demeanor completely gone. (Monthly fee group 694936135)
"Does Your Excellency not know the principle of 'no entry without permission'? What are your intentions in barging in like this?"
While it was impressive that the opponent could destroy the Grey Hall in an instant, Father Agnil could do the same. Even if the opponent was ten times stronger, he still had a chance to win if he called for more men.
Giving the other party a hard time upon first meeting is a tactic that Madam Sicily has used for many years. She waits for the other party to show weakness and yield before expressing goodwill. This step helps to facilitate cooperation. It's similar to the "push-pull" technique in emotional tug-of-war.
She has been doing this for 55 years, from 1039 to the present, so skillfully that it's almost ingrained in her muscle memory. And she succeeds every time; it's truly tried and true.
Ultimately, this is nothing more than a psychological tactic most familiar to those in positions of power who possess capital and authority.
A woman who ended the civil war in Syracuse and rewrote the rules certainly deserves that title. Those who cannot break the rules are simply bound by them.
However, rules designed for humans can only apply to humans, not to gods.
Shi Lei's current physical strength, mental abilities, and actual strength are incomparable to the game's implementation level at the beginning of his transmigration.
Rules imposed by others are none of his business.
"So you mean I have to submit a meeting application according to the rules and procedures. After the government approves it, it goes to the family for approval. After the family approves it, it goes to the Twelve Families for approval. And after it's finally approved, we can meet at a time when you're available? You can accept or decline the proposal, just like you do with the other family members and ordinary people, right?"
Father Agnil swallowed hard; he could already sense the strong tension in those words.
In the morning, from hundreds of kilometers away, I felt that the other party was not much different in strength from me. Now that the real person is standing in front of me, I realize that I can't see through him at all.
The instantaneous destruction of the Grey Hall was merely the tip of the iceberg of this mysterious man's abilities. His true strength likely far surpasses human limits. He is an indescribable, powerful being who should not exist in this world.
When did these monsters appear on the Terra?
Seeing that Madam Sicily remained silent, Shi Lei laughed, but his laughter quickly stopped:
"I have my own temper. As long as you don't cross my bottom line, I'm quite easygoing. These past few days in Syracuse, I've encountered a family massacre, an explosion, and now I'm here listening to you talk about..."
The bureaucratic jargon was wearing thin; my patience was wearing thin. If I were an ordinary person, if I hadn't joined any family, if I weren't standing here today, would I deserve to be bullied?
He didn't know whether it was what he had seen and heard along the way that completely destroyed his goodwill towards his family, or whether it was the energy he had received when he advanced to the Archon Realm.
Right now, Shi Lei has a fire burning in his heart.
If I hadn't promised Texas beforehand that there would be no bloodshed today, I would have smashed this godforsaken place to pieces.
These remarks made the clan leaders frown. If they didn't plunder ordinary people, were they going to plunder their own people?
Only Bernardo Bellone, the patriarch of the Bellone Family, looked at Shi Lei with a spark of interest.
Father Agnil, fearing the situation would escalate, quickly spoke up in an attempt to calm the emotions:
"Let's sit down and discuss things properly, instead of getting so angry right away."
Shi Lei nodded in agreement, suppressing his anger. Since someone was willing to talk, then they should talk properly.
"Alright, don't say I didn't give you a chance. I'm here today to do only three things. We stayed at a hotel in Palermo last night, and this morning we were attacked by a remote-controlled bomb. The entire hotel was instantly reduced to ruins. With such a large bomb, it couldn't have been an ordinary place. The first thing is to compensate the hotel for all the losses."