Chapter Twenty-Four: Did We Just Get a Big Boss? Theresis's Attention? / Chapter Twenty-Five: A Recommended Professional Team? Theresis's Thoughts

"...How about we wait a little longer? It's already been two hours. The movie should be over by now."

"Lord Wei rarely indulges himself like this. We'd better not disturb him."

"True."

One of the Black Capes said this, quickly earning the agreement of several colleagues. Before long, they all dispersed. Only that one Black Cape lingered nearby, then silently watched the movie on the screen through a tiny opening.

Those guys interrupted my movie. What a pain... I finally get a chance to rest, can't I relax a little during work hours?

What he did not know was that the Black Cape colleagues who had met up with him had also, after returning to their posts and checking that no one was around, secretly turned their gazes toward the large screen in the hall from various positions.

They did not dare say that, for the past two hours, they had not been paying attention to guard duty at all. They had been completely engrossed in the movie Lord Wei was watching.

It had to be said... it was really good. If they had not needed to meet up and prove they had not been slacking off, lest someone notice something suspicious, who would want to miss the exciting part happening now?

The movie was almost over? That was just an unspoken excuse. The best part of the movie had only just begun. How could it possibly end in less than an hour?

However, compared to the Black Capes who still remembered to report on their work, everyone in the hall was staring unblinkingly at the most thrilling part of the story—the confrontation between the old and new Godfathers. The old Godfather was finally about to pass on his true wisdom to the new one.

"I never intended for you to join the family business."

"I worked my whole life to take care of the family. I have no regrets about that."

"But I did hope that you could become the one pulling the strings from behind... Senator Corleone... Governor Corleone... something like that."

Only when the movie was nearing its end did the Godfather finally speak of his vision for the family, his arrangements and plans for every member... and his expectations for the son he valued most.

"...Yes. Going legitimate. Once you've gone dark, washing yourself clean is the hardest thing of all."

Only now did the Rat King finally speak again. He silently closed his aged eyes, as though someone had finally voiced the words buried in his heart. His entire body seemed to relax.

Yes, had the Rat King not understood this principle long ago? Lin Yuxia's profile was filled with titles and honors, every one of them something that could be praised openly. The Rat King had desperately tried to keep Lin Yuxia away from the family business. He had even given himself the public identity of a candy shop owner. Was it not all for the sake of going legitimate?

Although he had once helped Wei Yenwu, even now, the Rat King had to admit that, as the underground emperor of Lungmen, the territory he controlled and the authority he could wield had dwindled day by day.

The family's future lay in only one path—becoming one with Lungmen, with no dark side remaining. The Rat King had understood this too early, which was why he had made such arrangements for Lin Yuxia.

The old Godfather's words in the movie struck right at the Rat King's heart. Yet the Rat King had successfully helped Lin Yuxia go legitimate... while the child in the movie had still fallen into that bottomless abyss of invisible sin.

At this moment, the Rat King understood the old Godfather's thoughts. He could not help sighing as he said emotionally,

"What a pity... this is only a movie. If I had met someone like Vito Corleone in real life, I would surely have regarded him as a kindred spirit."

"Dad..."

Yet the Rat King's words, along with the Godfather's words in the movie, finally answered a question that had long lingered in Lin Yuxia's heart... Why had her father never allowed her to involve herself in any family affairs?

Now that she understood, Lin Yuxia did not know how to face her father. She understood the Rat King's painstaking intentions. Thinking of how tense their relationship had once been, she did not know what to say for a while.

"...Dad, I'm sorry."

"Yuxia, hearing you say that puts my mind at ease."

The Rat King slowly closed his eyes, forcing himself not to burst into tears because of his not-so-forthcoming daughter's sudden apology—especially in front of Old Wei. Otherwise, that man would surely laugh at him for an entire year.

At this point, the Rat King no longer cared how The Godfather ended. He only knew that this movie had spoken so many of the words in his heart. No, rather than that, this movie was practically a reflection of his life.

From building his fortune in Lungmen, to becoming the emperor of the underworld and earning widespread respect... then later having his own family and children, gradually devoting himself wholeheartedly to caring for them.

Slowly, many things ceased to concern him alone. He had to find a path forward for his family and children. Once he had a family, all those past glories and honors became nothing more than obstacles preventing his children from entering the underworld. At that point, all he wanted was to erase it all.

Family. What The Godfather had been conveying all along was not the Mafia's stylish appearance, nor how being a Godfather was cool or imposing.

All it wanted to express was the importance of family and loved ones. The Rat King understood that, which was why he could see it all.

"—Old Wei, this movie should be released in Lungmen."

At that moment, the Rat King, who had his eyes closed, suddenly spoke. His words delighted all the younger people present.

"I want my men to watch it... I want them to think about what truly matters most to them after they finish this movie."

"...I have no objections."

Wei Yenwu silently took a drag from his cigarette. Then, beneath Wenyue's faint smile beside him, he no longer had any reason to oppose it.

"I'll personally speak to Chen Qi about releasing this movie. A week from now, Lungmen and Syracuse will hold a simultaneous premiere of The Godfather."

"We'll give this movie the greatest possible publicity. It isn't merely a Mafia movie... it's a movie about life, one every man must watch."

"A man who hasn't watched The Godfather isn't a real man—I've already thought up the promotional slogan." Wei Yenwu smiled. He had never imagined that one day he would praise a movie, something meant to entertain the masses, so highly.

"I think I'll watch it again on premiere day after this. The first time, I was a little confused at the beginning and could barely tell who was who. The second time, I should understand it much better."

"Good idea. I think I'll go as well."

The Rat King nodded. At this point, how The Godfather ended no longer mattered, because the two most powerful men in Lungmen had already found the ideas that touched them most deeply within the film.

"This time, I'll have to write a review myself..." the Rat King muttered. He had never posted a movie review before, especially not for someone like Chen Qi, whom he did not particularly like. But now, he had to admit that Chen Qi's talent had moved even an old man like him.

"Consider it a little encouragement for the younger generation. In the future, he should make more good movies like this. He should make fewer of those mindless fighting and killing films."

Meanwhile, in a hotel in Syracuse, Chen Qi had just climbed out of bed when a female system voice suddenly sounded in his mind.

Congratulations, Host. The film "The Godfather" has gained the attention and recognition of influential figures. Influential figures: Wei Yenwu, Rat King, Lin Yuxia, Chen Huijie, Hoshiguma, Swire, Madam Sicily...

Reputation points settled: 37,800. Total reputation possessed by Host: 52,314.

The current settlement only includes influential figures in Syracuse and Lungmen. Once the movie is released, public reputation points will be settled separately. In addition, any other influential figures who pay attention to and recognize the Host's movie during this period will be settled separately according to their status and influence.

"—What's gotten you so happy all of a sudden?"

Talulah, who had just finished getting dressed, noticed that the corner of Chen Qi's mouth had practically reached his ears. But Chen Qi eagerly kissed Talulah before immediately replying,

"Big Sis Talulah, our movie can be released in Lungmen! I guarantee it! And our movie is definitely going to be a massive hit, both in Syracuse and Lungmen!"

"Huh? But... hasn't that Old Wei still not called to agree to it?"

Chen Qi's sudden delight startled Talulah. While she also believed The Godfather would definitely become a hit in Syracuse, Lungmen was another matter. Did the people there even understand Mafia culture?

And could Wei Yenwu really approve them so easily? Just as Talulah was suspicious, Chen Qi's phone on the bedside table rang. She instinctively picked it up, only to discover that the caller was Wei Yenwu himself.

"It's true... Huh? Chen Qi, where are you going?"

"Me? Everyone's worked so hard for so long. I'm going to get everyone more medicine to suppress Oripathy! Consider it payment for all their hard work!"

Of course, Chen Qi had not forgotten what he needed to exchange for most urgently right now: more Oripathy suppressant medication, as soon as possible, so that everyone in the Art Troupe could use it!

This time, he could use it without worry. He only needed to wait a week for their movie to achieve tremendous success. Then he could earn more reputation points and exchange them for that absurdly expensive medicine that could cure Oripathy.

A Major Boss? Theresis's Attention?

"It's a hit! Brother Chen Qi! Sister Talulah! Our movie is a hit!"

A week later, The Godfather premiered simultaneously in Syracuse and Lungmen. However, compared to the Art Troupe, who were nervously hoping that The Godfather would receive a good response, Chen Qi had far more matters to keep him busy.

While exchanging for some Oripathy suppressants through the system was not difficult, suddenly producing so many suppressants in Syracuse without attracting attention and suspicion was nearly impossible.

The last time FrostNova's illness flared up, they had been in Lungmen. Although obtaining Oripathy suppressants in Lungmen had also been difficult, they could at least be found there. But in Syracuse, getting such supplies was not so simple, because the families did not care much whether the people under their rule were Infected.

Moreover, even if the families could obtain such things, Syracuse itself had few areas severely affected by Oripathy. Most family members were not Infected, and Oripathy suppressants could not bring in enormous profits within Syracuse...

During this period, Chen Qi had been asking Madam Sicily to help him purchase Oripathy suppressants from nearby mobile cities—ordinary ones, of course. The production crew could never have too many of those, and they could first be used by members whose infections were not severe.

As for the high-concentration suppressants exchanged from the system, with Madam Sicily's help, Chen Qi could openly distribute them himself to several members with more serious Oripathy infections.

For example, Patriot, FrostNova, Mephisto, and Faust... these were several key members Chen Qi valued greatly. Their infections were actually the most serious, yet they did not wish to receive special treatment from Chen Qi and insisted on being treated the same as everyone else. Chen Qi respected their choice, but he would still favor them a little when they were not paying attention.

As for the money spent acquiring the medicine, Madam Sicily only symbolically charged some funds for mobilizing family members. She said, "You are willing to use the movie The Godfather to promote Syracuse's culture and strengthen Syracuse's people's sense of identification with the families. The benefits this movie will bring Syracuse in the future should be even more far-reaching."

"This is an enormous favor. Such a small service cannot count as repayment. Wherever you may need the families' help in the future, please do not hesitate to ask. The Sicily family, along with Syracuse's Twelve Families, will give you generous assistance."

Madam Sicily made this promise to Chen Qi, and Chen Qi had not expected that merely by letting Madam Sicily appear in The Godfather once, at practically no cost to himself, he would gain such tremendous goodwill from her.

What else could Chen Qi say except thank her? Naturally, he sensibly did not make outrageous demands. He only requested enough suppressants for the entire crew and promised to pay double the "mobilization fee" out of the box office earnings.

Before long, Chen Qi had been so busy with these matters that he put attending the premiere out of his mind. Now, several days had passed since the premiere, and Mephisto, who had been tasked with monitoring and investigating The Godfather's release, brought him good news.

"Brother Chen Qi! Our The Godfather has received unanimous praise! Our premieres in both Syracuse and Lungmen have been huge successes!"

Mephisto's excited dancing looked rather comical, but it had been a long time since he had been so energetic. After receiving the suppressants Chen Qi had given him, he seemed to have recovered a great deal of strength. He said excitedly,

"Faust and I collected reviews from this period! The positive reviews from both Syracuse and Lungmen are all here! Our box office numbers are unprecedentedly high! They're more than enough to pay Madam Sicily for her help and give the other families their share of the profits!"

As he spoke, Mephisto handed Chen Qi the box office figures he had already organized. Once Chen Qi looked over them and confirmed there were no issues, Mephisto passed him his phone and continued excitedly,

"These are the reviews for our movie. I sorted them by likes and popularity. Brother Chen Qi, we really succeeded this time!"

Chen Qi took the phone and quickly saw several very familiar usernames. It seemed that influential people in this world took writing movie reviews rather seriously.

Exusiai: "So cool! Especially the editing at the end! Director Chen Qi's technique is amazing! Mike is being baptized in church while merciless killings are happening on the other side! How did Director Chen Qi come up with such a contrast and editing method?! I'm taking this movie to Laterano so my sisters can watch it too! Five stars!"

Croissant: "My first time acting, hehe. I think I did pretty well. Should I expand my business? Any production crew that needs a merchant role can come find me in the future! But I'll never play a drug lord again. No matter what you sell, you can't sell your conscience. Five stars!"

Lappland: "Thank you to Director Chen Qi for giving me this opportunity. I got to kill the person I wanted to kill most, so my wish came true. I'll give you five stars. Five-star review."

Oh, those three troublemakers again. Looking at the reviews from Exusiai, Croissant, and Lappland, Chen Qi felt fortunate that he had invited them to play several roles this time. However, the main event was still to come, so he continued reading.

Sora: "I was fortunate enough to work with Director Chen Qi. This time, I played the role of 'Kay' in the movie. My deepest impression, besides experiencing Director Chen Qi's pursuit of realistic reactions, was the lonely Godfather at the heart of this character."

"A person who originally wanted to cut ties with the family ultimately repeated the same mistakes because he cherished his loved ones. Faced with the deaths of family members one after another, he had no choice but to become cold and ruthless. He even had to deceive the woman he loved."

"This is a tragic story and a pitiful character. Perhaps for someone living in the shadows like this, happiness was always an extravagant hope. Five stars."

Texas: "Endless conflict only brings endless pain. The families exhaust themselves through mutual struggles. Syracuse like this will never progress and will only become a sacrifice beneath civilization."

"Even a perfect family front man like Mike Corleone—even in Columbia, even if his father is as enlightened and wise as the Godfather—will become part of this conflict as long as he is connected to the family. This future must change. If Syracuse cannot adapt to civilization, then civilization will inevitably change Syracuse through far crueler means. Five stars."

Si Ye: "Although the movie does romanticize the families somewhat, one must admire Director Chen Qi's balance in handling that scale, as well as his exposure and depiction of the families' dark side."

"Too many family members have watched too many movies and plays, and think they truly are those glamorous film characters. Yet they forget that they are not Godfathers. They are far more likely to be characters like Carlo and Pauli... and even Big Brother Sonny died as worthless as an ant amid family conflict. Five stars."

Chastisement: "Although the movie is set in Columbia, it still made me think of Syracuse... Today's Syracuse still cannot even ensure that a low-ranking law enforcement officer can make family members obediently accept punishment in the daylight world. If that future comes and the families still cannot change... then the clash with civilization will inevitably cause much bloodshed and many casualties."

"The law must be upheld. Family rules must operate under the restraints of the law. Whether the families accept it or not, this is the inevitable future. Five stars."

It seemed that these rising stars of Syracuse, who had starred in the film, had clearly gained a deeper understanding of The Godfather.

But Chen Qi knew that their reviews were not even from the people who had generated the most reputation points for him. Using his system, Chen Qi quickly found the comments from several truly heavyweight figures—people who could make the land tremble merely by stomping their feet.

Madam Sicily: "The families' ideals may already be outdated. The future should be left to the next generation to govern. As for where Syracuse goes from here, whether it survives or perishes, that is no longer something the older generation can influence."

Rat King: "This is already my third time watching this movie... This time, I went with my wife and daughter. Every viewing brings new feelings, but no matter how I look at it, the main message of this movie is not simply that people should stay out of the underworld. More importantly, it hopes people will learn the finest tradition of the Syracusans—caring for family and loved ones."

"Although everyone in the Corleone family would be considered bad people in modern society, the reason we like these characters is not merely because of the movie's perspective and some romanticization. What we value more is the 'human warmth' they convey, something widely recognized by the people of Yan."

Wei Yenwu: "A bible for men. Every man should watch The Godfather. It contains many qualities that some men today lack... Cherishing one's family and loved ones, and having a sense of responsibility, are things every man should learn."

"Although it is still a movie related to crime, if people can learn from this movie the dignity and responsibility a man ought to possess, then it is also a fine film worthy of praise."

"—Chief Wei really praised our movie that much. Looks like this really was a huge success."

Chen Qi had not expected that the release of The Godfather would not only receive recognition from the people of Syracuse, but would also earn such high praise in Lungmen.

Chen Qi instinctively brought up the system and checked the influence data for The Godfather in Syracuse and Lungmen. To his astonishment, he discovered that a single mobile city, Lungmen, had contributed nearly as many reputation points as all of Syracuse...

"Looks like nobody dislikes gangsters in suits." Chen Qi smiled. He knew that, with The Godfather's success, their production crew had finally gotten on the right track.

Congratulations, Host. Your movie's influence has expanded once more and gained the attention of influential figures from another region outside Syracuse and Lungmen.

"Hm? Outside Syracuse and Lungmen?" The system's sudden voice made Chen Qi pause. He hurriedly asked in his mind,

"Where exactly?"

Searching for influential figures in the new region who have paid attention to the Host's movie—target locked.

Region detected: Victoria. Individual who has paid attention to the Host's movie: Theresis. Identity: Regent of Kazdel, ruler of Victoria, possesses extremely high influence.

"...What? Theresis?"

Chen Qi froze slightly upon hearing that name. He had never imagined that he would gain that person's attention. Had he just randomly pulled a major boss?

A Professional Team Recommendation? Theresis's Thoughts

As for why Theresis, the Regent of Kazdel, who could now practically be said to have turned the old great power of Victoria into a puppet, had taken an interest in Chen Qi's crew filming in Syracuse, it all began the day after The Godfather's powerful release in Syracuse.

In Londinium, Victoria's capital, Theresis had been troubled as usual that day by governmental affairs concerning Kazdel and Victoria. It had been an ordinary day for him, until his disciple, Manfred—the current general of the Kazdel Military Commission, whom he had personally promoted—came to see him.

"...General. Are you troubled by state affairs again today?"

"Manfred." Theresis looked at the young Sarkaz general he had personally raised. His expression did not change in the slightest, but his tone relaxed somewhat, because he knew that in Londinium, Manfred was one of the few Sarkaz he trusted most.

"General, as you instructed, we have now subdued Victoria's Parliamentary Guard and taken control of seventy percent of the city defense forces. Londinium is now entirely within our grasp."