Rules of the Continental Hotel

"The Continental Hotel is not a fixed, unchanging thing. Its operations vary greatly depending on its rank, location, and the manager's ideas.

"For example, the Continental Hotel in New York operates on a membership system. It is not open to the public, and all fighting within the hotel is forbidden.

Likewise, while Tokyo's Continental Hotel is also a Continental Hotel, it is a mixed-use establishment open to the public. Though fighting is likewise prohibited, when conflict breaks out, the Tokyo Continental Hotel mediates first rather than immediately issuing bounties as New York does.

After all, the rule against fighting at the Continental Hotel only applies to assassins. A mixed business model like Tokyo's is bound to encounter all kinds of problems.

"As for the Continental Hotel here, because this is a war zone and it is not far from where the 'Elder' resides, it follows the most basic war zone rules.

"To put it simply, once the sun sets, the entire Continental Hotel enters lockdown. All fighting within the hotel is strictly forbidden, but intelligence and supplies may be exchanged.

"But once the sun rises again, the hotel's rules as an absolute safe zone become void! At that point, the Continental Hotel's prohibition against fighting no longer applies, and it becomes entirely subject to war zone rules."

John Wick explained as he drove. Sherlock listened intently, and not just Sherlock—Helen listened just as carefully.

Other than veteran assassins like John Wick, probably no one would know such things. Even a transmigrator like Sherlock, who had watched three movies, was no exception.

"Why do these war zone rules of the Continental Hotel sound like they were made for intelligence brokers rather than assassins like you?"

After hearing John Wick's explanation, Sherlock rubbed his chin and voiced his doubts. The rules really were unexpectedly strange.

Hearing this, John Wick glanced at Sherlock. Rather than refuting him, he nodded.

"You're right. These so-called war zone rules were essentially established for arms deals and intelligence trading. The reason I suggested going there first was to see whether we could find information on Tony."

Sherlock did not argue. He merely nodded in silence.

After all, the information Sherlock knew was limited. This place was so well hidden that even the military and S.H.I.E.L.D. had not found it. All they knew was that Tony was being held in a cave within a valley, and that valley was the territory of the so-called Ten Rings.

Under such circumstances, gathering intelligence first was undoubtedly the safest course of action.

Still, Sherlock was somewhat worried. No one knew whether members of the Ten Rings would be inside the Continental Hotel. If they alerted the enemy, it would only make things harder for Tony.

After all, Tony was still alive and swinging a hammer in that cave right now. But if the Ten Rings felt pressured, there was no guarantee they would let Tony continue swinging that hammer so peacefully.

However, when John Wick brought Sherlock to this so-called Continental Hotel, Sherlock realized he had overthought things.

Strictly speaking, this Continental Hotel in the war zone could not even be called a "hotel." A more accurate name for it would be a town!

As the sun set, Sherlock's group drove through the town's ruined gates. Someone quickly came to their vehicle, and after John Wick paid five gold coins, they received four hooded robes and a cover for the vehicle.

Following John Wick's instructions, Sherlock's group of three, including Doro, did not get out until they were completely concealed beneath the robes. The instant the last car door closed, the attendant wrapped Sherlock's large pickup truck tightly in a black cover.

Meanwhile, under the guidance of other attendants, John Wick quickly rented a relatively intact single-story house in town for one gold coin.

After the four filed inside, John Wick looked around in both directions one last time before entering the room. Once the door was shut, he tore off his robe and spoke sternly to Sherlock and Helen.

"Until we leave, whenever you step outside this door, you must wear this robe. No exceptions!

"Especially you, Sherlock. If you don't want news of us coming to rescue Tony to spread everywhere, you'd better not reveal the slightest flaw that lets anyone recognize who you are!"

After saying this, John Wick watched Helen help Doro out from beneath the robe, then took a deep breath and continued speaking to Sherlock.

"Once the sun sets, this town becomes an absolutely safe place. The intelligence market is in the square at the center of town. Sherlock, tonight we can go there and see if we can find information about Tony.

"Helen, make sure you take good care of Doro here. Do not let Doro run around!"

"Human, don't worry. Doro won't run around. Doro will stay obediently by Human's side!"

Before Helen could respond to John Wick's reminder, Doro spoke first. Combined with Doro's chubby little face and "serious" expression, it was rather amusing.

What was more, Doro was clearly being held in Helen's arms, yet put on the airs of a big shot, even patting Doro's own chest. Sherlock and the Zhao Weikes could not help but laugh.

Sherlock smiled and rubbed Doro's head. He did not crush Doro's confidence, instead encouraging Doro with a chuckle.

"In that case, Doro must keep a close eye on Sister Helen!"

"Human, Doro promises!"

Upon hearing Doro's promise, Helen, John Wick, and Sherlock all found their lips curling upward. Wherever Doro was, there was always joy.

It was one of the few things on this desert journey that could make them happy.

Having received Doro's promise, Sherlock said no more. With a wave of his hand, he produced a great deal of food and drinking water on the coffee table, along with Doro's favorite oranges.

The group fell silent and gathered together to eat, quietly waiting for the sun to set.

As the sun gradually sank, the last ray of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon, and the previously dark town was instantly illuminated by torches.

Amid a burst of rhythmic gunfire, John Wick, who had been resting on the living room carpet, rose to his feet and said to Sherlock, "Let's go. The intelligence market has opened."