Early morning.
The flea nest is always shrouded in a layer of gray mist, and the smell of feces and urine mixed with domestic garbage after fermentation overnight is very pungent.
Generally speaking, no one will visit at this time.
But unlike in the past, as soon as the genius was revealed, a burst of neat and loud footsteps roughly broke the tranquility of this dirty area.
Many people were awakened, opened the dirty leather door curtains, and poked their heads out of the crooked wooden house windows.
This is a vigilance unique to the residents of Flea Bottom. Even when they are sleeping, people almost half-open their eyes, lest they be retaliated by their enemies for no apparent reason one day, or be slaughtered and made into broth.
But today is destined to be extraordinary.
People who thought it was a gang fight were surprised to find a group of about fifty gold-robed men walking in unison and menacingly. Their armor reflected the cold light in the thin morning light.
This chilling feeling is completely different from those who usually patrol lazily and extort a few Copper Penny here and there.
The sensitive Flea Bottom residents immediately sensed that something was terribly wrong and began to panic.
"Oops!"
"These guys must be here for Brown Soup"!
A Brown Soup stall owner turned pale, rushed to the backyard, and hurriedly kicked over the large pot of thick soup that had been simmered all night.
The strangely colored soup spilled all over the floor, revealing that it was mixed with bones of pigs, sheep, and animals that didn't look like animals at all.
He picked up Wooden Club and pounded the bones hard, trying to crush them and bury them.
At the same time, many people who were doing the same business as him also followed suit. For a while, the sound of clanging was heard one after another in Flea Bottom, and those who didn't know thought they were at the blacksmith shop on Steel Street.
However, to their surprise, the golden robes completely ignored the chaos around them and walked straight through the streets, heading deeper into Flea Bottom.
Their goal seems to be very clear, and it is the location of "Blood Pit".
The people watching breathed a sigh of relief. Although they felt sorry for their "labor" all night, their curiosity still made them couldn't help but whisper and speculate.
"Great, they shouldn't be arresting us...
"This direction, is it heading towards Ralf?"
"Seven Gods, Ralf has provoked some big shot, such a big battle!"
"Isn't that guy covered by Swen Rossby? It is said that there is a big boss behind him...
","Shh, don't talk nonsense!"
Countless pairs of eyes are watching the movements of this team, but some sensitive people have already had a premonition that Flea Bottom...
Maybe things will change.
"We have arrived, Lord Corleone, please start taking action!"
Standing in front of the door of "Blood Pit", Humphry Waters looked serious, completely different from the flattering look he had in front of Adam before. He looked like an upright and brave soldier of the capital garrison.
"You are the commander of this operation, Captain Humphrey."
Seeing the other party acting like this in front of so many golden robes, Corleone couldn't help but remind him, "And I am just an ordinary person without any position. You don't need to take the lead in asking me for instructions on anything."
"Please follow your established action plan and get started."
"Yes! Lord Corleone!"
Although Corleone repeatedly emphasized the identities of both parties, Humphrey still straightened his back and responded loudly.
It looked like Corleone was his immediate boss.
"Up!"
Humphrey turned around and waved to his men. Several golden robes immediately took out small battering rams and slammed them against the gate.
There was a big crack in the heavy door panel. Humphrey stepped forward, kicked it open personally, and stepped in.
But the scene inside the door was a little beyond his expectation.
The inside was exceptionally clean, with tables and chairs neatly stacked in the corners. The floor seemed to have been roughly washed. Although it was still dirty, at least there was no obvious garbage.
The tip of his nose was slightly raised, and the smell of cheap aromatherapy poured into his nasal cavity, but it still could not cover up the faint smell of blood and sweat.
Arena, which was originally bustling with people, was extremely quiet. There were only a few servants who looked honest and humble, standing in the corner with low eyebrows.
Unusual.
Humphrey frowned and suddenly felt something was wrong.
Even in the early morning, it was too quiet here.
They didn't even see a hangover or an all-night gambler.
"My lord!"
At this time, a slightly timid person came up to him. "You're early, we haven't started business yet..."
,"Pah!"
He responded with a merciless slap from Humphrey.
This man Humphrey knew, he was a small boss under Ralf, the kind who couldn't make the decision at all.
"Idiot!"
Glancing at Corleone next to him, Humphrey breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that his expression remained unchanged. He pointed at the guy's nose and cursed him.
"Look at Brother No. 50 behind me, does he look like he's here to gamble? He's a bastard with his eyes poked out!"
As he spoke, he looked left and right, but did not see the target of his action, so he directly took out Longsword and pointed it at the man, shouting loudly, "When did you become the master of decision here, where is Ralf?"
"Now that the big one can't come out, let's ask the small one to come out and support it."
"Call Ralf out!"
This ferocious look immediately frightened everyone in Blood Pit to tremble, especially the little leader who was pointed at by the sword, and almost even urinated in fear.
At this moment.
"Look, isn't this dear Captain Humphrey!"
A familiar voice sounded, and everyone turned to look, only to see Ralf with a cane on the second floor, greeting him enthusiastically, as if he had been waiting for a long time.
He stared at Humphrey with a smile, then glanced at Corleone calmly, a hint of sinisterness flashed in his eyes, and then limped down.
"Are you bringing so many brothers to take care of my business this early in the morning?"
While walking, Ralf pretended to be familiar and polite, and seemed not to pay attention to these dozens of golden robes at all.
"Stop talking nonsense, Ralf!"
Humphrey sneered in his heart, but had a serious and business-like expression on his face. "We have received reliable information that you are suspected of organizing illegal martial arts competitions, slave trading, smuggling, murder, rape and other serious criminal activities! We are now conducting searches in accordance with the law!"
"Criminal activity?"
Hearing this, Ralf spread his hands and said loudly and exaggeratedly, "Who in the entire Flea Bottom knows that what I, Ralf, do is all legal and compliant business!"
"My place is just a place where some poor guys get together to play dice and drink some wine. At most, sometimes when the mood strikes, some people are willing to join in and make some gestures to add to the fun. There are absolutely no dirty things like you mentioned!"
He promised emphatically, then changed the topic and sneered, "And, if I remember correctly, this place doesn't seem to be under your jurisdiction, right?"
" Where is Captain Swen Rossby? We are old friends. He is not here today?"
"Swen is dead!"
Seeing this guy's expression of not being afraid of boiling water, Humphrey also sneered, "He is suspected of accepting bribes. You should know these things very well, Ralf, because most of the Gold Dragon found in his home were taken from you, weren't they!"
Hearing the news of Swen's death, Ralf didn't seem surprised at all. Instead, he confidently pointed at Humphrey and continued to taunt, "Seven gods, this is slander!"
"He slandered me. I'm not familiar with Captain Swen at all, let alone giving him Gold Dragon!"
"Ha!" As soon as these words came out, Humphrey immediately retorted, "Didn't you just say that you are good friends with Swen Rossby? Why are you not familiar with her now?"
Seeing that Humphrey showed no respect at all, Ralf licked his lips unconsciously.
After a moment of silence, he turned sideways and made a "please" gesture, a generous gesture that was no different from provocation.
"I am most keen on cooperating with all actions of the City Guard."
"Search! Search whatever you want!"
"Everyone is welcome to inspect it. If I can find anything illegal, I will contact you immediately to Gold Cloaks Headquarters to plead guilty!"
"Not everyone can go to the headquarters if they want to, especially a pariah like you.
Although he was a little confused about Ralf's attitude, when he thought of performing well in front of Lord Corleone, Humphrey still waved his hand. "Search carefully for me!"
After giving the order, the golden robes behind them immediately dispersed, and very professionally began to rummage through boxes and cabinets, knock on the walls, and inspect the cellar, not missing any suspicious corner.
Looking at the wolf-like men in gold robes, Ralf didn't panic at all. He even took out a silver wine flask from his pocket and took a slow sip.
Then, he turned his gaze to Corleone, who had been observing silently, and the corners of his mouth revealed a trace of undisguised sarcasm and pride.
"Boy, don't think that just because you hugged Lannister, you can come and run wild on my territory."
"I have been living in Flea Bottom for more than ten years, and I have never seen any storms. Even Rorge was beaten to death by me. If you want to overthrow me with just a few golden robes, it's a dream!"
"You have friends, and I don't have any either!"
As he spoke, he even took a step forward and imitated Corleone's way of speaking, trying to make himself look more imposing. "Today you brought people to clean up my place, which is not good. It broke the rules and insulted me."
"One day, I will make you pay the price!"
Faced with this almost personal provocation, Corleone showed no trace of anger on his face, instead showing a faint smile that was almost pity0
This outrageous calmness made Ralf feel a little uncomfortable.
"Your Excellency Ralf."
Corleone's voice was calm, without any emotion or anger at all, just like an elder teaching the younger generation. "Never bring personal emotions into business."
"Captain Humphrey is performing official duties, and as an enthusiastic citizen who abides by the law, it is my duty to cooperate with the actions of the Capital Guard, right?"
"And...
As he said that, he took the initiative to step forward, leaned close to Ralf's ear and whispered, "How are you sure... that big shot behind you" won't betray you at the critical moment!