Chapter 9: Letting the Mouse Play Cat

Winston's words caused John Wick's typically calm and composed face to show a hint of horror for the first time since he walked into the Continental Hotel.

"Jonathan, as you know, the Continental Hotel is a crucial part of the 'High Table' organization. The High Table acts like a parent company or even like a central bank; they issue the Angry Lion gold coins and then control the circulation of these coins to establish and govern the underworld order.

The various Continental Hotels around the world are like franchisees under them, providing a channel for the circulation of Angry Lion gold coins.

Simply put, the High Table acts as the brain and heart, and the Continental Hotels around the world are the blood vessels that allow the will of the High Table to circulate.

Though there is no direct hierarchical relationship between the two, they complement each other perfectly." Winston's eyes were filled with nostalgia as he unveiled a corner of the mysterious veil surrounding the High Table to John Wick.

"Thirty years ago, I was planning to take over this hotel left by my family. At that time, the High Table wanted to intervene by installing their own people to manage it. That way, they could keep control of the channel in their hands.

Back then, I was young and had neither the ability nor the connections to oppose the High Table's domineering plans, even though I wanted to resist, I was powerless.

With no other options, I turned to the only person who could help me at that time, Rick's father. He was still working as a field supervisor at the CIA.

I don't know how he did it, but after he and a colleague named Frank Moses took a trip to the Middle East, the High Table's infiltration of my hotel abruptly stopped. And that's how I smoothly took over the management of the hotel, running it till this day.

That's when I knew, Rick's father was formidable, truly outstanding." Winston sighed as he reminisced, successfully capturing John Wick's attention.

"Over the years, many stories have emerged, making Rick's father a legend. The most amazing rumor is that he had a good personal relationship with a mysterious elder above the twelve leaders of the High Table, which is why his children and their mother have always been under the unanimous protection of the High Table.

So, when you planned to retire a few years ago and coincidentally Rick wanted to find a hitman consultant for research for his new book, I facilitated your introduction to him, hoping to use this fact to shield you from future troubles. After all, you know, in the hitman business, it's mostly a one-way street with no exit.

I just never expected your relationship with Rick to become so strong that he would involve himself in such serious matters for your sake."

Winston looked at John Wick incredulously, half-jokingly.

"Now you can rest easy, the moment I knew Rick was involved, I immediately helped you lock down the information. And here's another secret, the 'KING' on Barry Street owes Rick's father a favor too.

Now you realize how lucky you are, kid..." Winston felt a bit thirsty after such a lengthy explanation.

"...." John Wick was genuinely shocked.

After taking a sip of water to moisten his throat, Winston continued: "Alright, let's leave it at that for now. I will keep an eye on the remaining members of the Taranasov family to ensure they don't seek revenge against you or Rick.

And I have to ask, are you considering a comeback?"

"No, I'm good right now, not planning to go back to the old ways."

John Wick, still digesting the shocking news about his unconventional friend Richard Castle having such a powerful father, was very clear-headed and quickly denied any intentions of returning.

"That's good, Jonathan, since you've already stepped out of that circle, better not to step back in." Winston seemed greatly relieved to hear John's response.

"So then, Winston, I'll take my leave now." John wanted to go home and sort through the revelations about Castle's identity that had emerged from this event.

As John Wick's upright figure disappeared behind the rooftop door, Winston, puffing out a cloud of cigar smoke, squinted his eyes and muttered, "You're really lucky, kid. I was worried that the blood oath you left for Santino D'Antonio would pull you back in, but it turns out you've become such good friends with Rick that the D'Antonio family doesn't amount to much now..."

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Our great writer Richard Castle was blissfully unaware of these developments, idly loafing at home.

The message from the system had eased Castle's worries about the future. Although the system explained that "skills" were muscle memory, meaning that even without practice, he would naturally know how to use a gun, Castle felt it was odd to instantly possess skills that others had spent decades perfecting.

But then again, why should he train hard

 for skills he had rightfully earned?

Loafing was clearly the best choice for him now.

Since he had already handed the manuscript to Gina and the system's main quest hadn't started yet, there was no reason to go looking for Miss Beckett. Why not loaf around?

"Oh, right, I still need to meet John to complete my team-up task!" Just as Castle was about to indulge in loafing, he sprang up from the couch, suddenly remembering he had a task to do.

He pulled out his phone: "John, how are you? Where are you now? We need to talk!"

"Rick, I was just about to call you. I'm on my way home. Why don't I wait for you there?" John quickly picked up the phone.

"Alright, I'll be there soon, wait for me."

Half an hour later, at John's house in New Jersey.

As Castle pushed open the slightly ajar door, he saw John holding a glass of whiskey, posing dramatically in front of a large floor-to-ceiling window.

With the spirit of criticism burning within him, Castle remarked: "John, you don't need to be so formal in your own home, do you?"

Turning away from the window, John set down his whiskey glass and sat on the sofa: "Rick, about yesterday, I want to talk to you."

"Go ahead..." Castle settled into a comfortable position, sinking into the sofa in John's living room.

"First, I appreciate your help, but about yesterday's incident, I was blinded by hatred, and I shouldn't have dragged you into it." John's emotions were visibly stirred.

"Hey, I told you we're good friends, and it wasn't you who dragged me into it; I chose to join..." Castle interjected.

John Wick interrupted Castle's rebuttal: "Let me finish!

Rick, you're just a writer, unlike me and Marcus who've been trained in combat skills. Plus, do you think our actions yesterday really went unnoticed by everyone? No, did you know that this morning I found out our operation was full of holes? Marcus and I are good at combat, but planning a flawless operation is beyond our capabilities.

If it weren't for..."

John Wick stopped himself just in time.

"Heh, who says a writer can only talk and not act?" Castle, having just received his system reward, was bursting with pride.

"I'm sorry, John, perhaps I wasn't thinking it through. So, what's the situation now? Is the Taranasov family planning any revenge?" Despite his excitement, Castle knew when to focus on the serious matters.

"No need to worry, someone has already handled it for us," John replied helplessly.

"But from now on, you can no longer get involved in these dangerous matters, understand, Rick?"

With the matter seemingly resolved, Castle was confused as to why John was still so intense, but he didn't forget the real reason for his visit.

"Alright, alright, John, I won't get involved in dangerous activities anymore. I came today because I have something else in mind.

You see, you're on your own, and you probably won't go back to being a hitman.

So, you need to find something to do, right?

I'm here today to invite you to be my partner."

Unable to explain why he needed John to team up, Castle resorted to the term "partner" to coax John Wick.

For the sake of the spoiler, nothing was spared.

Moreover, only by getting John to agree to team up could he justify intervening when Santino D'Antonio came to fulfill the blood oath.

John was puzzled: "Partner? What kind of partner?"

"I'm planning to use a beautiful female police officer as the protagonist for my next book series. To truly understand the process of police investigation, I plan to find a homicide detective and become her partner, to experience and understand real police work firsthand.

But if there's any danger, I won't be able to handle it alone, then I can call on you, my partner, for help, right?" Castle continued his enthusiastic spoilers.

"You want me to be a cop?" John Wick was stunned by Castle's wild idea.

"Not a cop, how could you be a cop? The term 'private detective' fits us better!

And you would be my muscle."

Desperate to persuade John to team up, Castle shamelessly fabricated his story.

"So you want me to be your bodyguard? Well, I... I'll think about it..." John Wick was bewildered.

"What's there to think about? Look, you need something to do, right? You just asked me not to engage in dangerous activities, right? So, with you as my partner, even if I'm working with the homicide police, it wouldn't be dangerous.

You know, my habit is to conduct thorough research before writing.

What do you say, are you in?"

Poor John Wick was no match for Castle, who had long since thrown his

 scruples into the Hudson River. Befuddled by Castle's relentless persuasion and his earnest nonsense, John agreed: "Alright, I agree!"

"Ding... Newbie side quest (team up with John Wick) completed, please collect your reward from the system panel."

Just as John Wick agreed to Castle's team-up "scheme," the system notification sounded immediately.

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