050, The Fight

**Winter —**

A massive solid wood desk, weighing over 500 kilograms, was suddenly flipped onto the floor.

Even the hard black marble tiles beneath were laced with cracks.

The priceless artifacts that had once adorned the desk, along with various scattered items like computer files, were instantly thrown across the floor.

*Clink, clink, clink—*

An ancient copper coin from Asia rolled across the ground, eventually stopping at someone's feet.

Lester, known for his cold, expressionless gaze, seemed oblivious to the scene before him. He remained silent, waiting for the storm to pass.

A few meters away, a towering figure, even sitting, stood a full head taller than Lester. Slowly, the large figure rose to his feet.

"I will not allow anything in this world to spiral out of my control…"

The low, rumbling voice resonated, the speaker's face devoid of emotion. Yet, deep in his eyes, a turbulent fury brewed, though it soon settled into a calm once more.

Wilson Fisk, standing two meters tall, glanced down and adjusted the white suit stretched tightly over his massive frame.

At that moment, he suddenly turned to Lester and asked, "Lester, what's your take on this?"

"Boss, I just want to say..."

The blonde man standing before Wilson shook his head slightly. He toyed with a metal ring on his finger, offering a faint smile.

"This isn't worth getting upset over. I've said before, the Triads were always going to be a stumbling block in your control of the gangs. Especially after you set rules and order that significantly cut into their profits… betrayal was only a matter of time. Besides, they're not even the same race as us..."

Lester's words flowed smoothly, like a cunning snake. His lazy tone dripped with venomous undertones.

"Oh? Did you mention this? I don't seem to recall," Wilson said calmly, his indifferent expression unchanging as he looked down at Lester. His eyes seemed to scrutinize Lester's head, as though wanting to peer inside and see what was hidden.

After a moment of silence, Wilson's deep voice once again echoed through the spacious room.

"Lester... how much would it take for you to betray me? Or should I ask—have you already?"

"Never—"

"Boss, not only did you save my life, but I'm sure only you would tolerate my little hobby of murder…" Lester quickly bowed, lowering his head in submission after being questioned.

Yet, in the depths of his hidden, downturned face, a cold, calculating glint of green briefly flashed and then vanished.

Seemingly satisfied with Lester's sincerity, Wilson turned his massive frame, his back now facing Lester. He gazed out of the floor-to-ceiling windows at the New York City skyline, speaking slowly.

"Gather all the loyal men. Don't hold back on anything."

"Perhaps only death and blood can forge a true empire. For someone who has already conquered the West Coast, this is but a minor ripple..."

"Tomorrow, not a single cop will show up in the neighborhoods around Fisk Tower… If an outsider gang thinks they can betray me, let them experience my real power!"

*Rippp—*

In an instant, Wilson Fisk, also known as "Kingpin," seemed to grow even larger. The expensive white suit he wore strained against his powerful muscles, splitting with a tearing sound.

"Long live Kingpin!"

At that moment, Lester suddenly raised his face, his voice brimming with fanatical zeal as he shouted.

But as he did, a subtle smirk of mockery briefly flickered across his lips.

Hail to the master, long live the King.

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Manhattan,

In the midst of a traditional Chinese garden, Madame Gao, her hair tied up, knelt in meditation inside an octagonal pavilion, dressed in a dark red qipao.

Suddenly, her tightly closed eyelids fluttered before she abruptly opened her eyes.

*Whoosh—*

A figure draped in black ninja attire emerged from the shadows of the building, appearing before Madame Gao.

Before she could speak, the ninja, expressionless, coldly asked, "Lord Murakami sent me to ask why you've chosen to go to war with Kingpin now. Why disrupt the plan to excavate the Dragon Bones underground?"

Before the words had even fully left his mouth, Madame Gao slowly rose to her feet. She walked over to a nearby table, picked up a few incense sticks with her slender fingers, and said without looking up, "Kingpin is too controlling of the gangs under him. He would never allow us to dig up the Dragon Bones... Besides, the Triads have always been the only ones doing the digging. When have any of you actually contributed? All you've done is reap the benefits."

"You—"

The ninja's anger flared, his hand instinctively reaching for the weapon on his back. Taking a deep breath, he continued, "Without the help of the other four Fingers, do you really think you can handle Kingpin's retaliation? Or have you given up on the idea of immortality? How long can your frail body last?"

Madame Gao raised her head, her sharp gaze piercing into the ninja. A faint, mocking smile appeared on her pale face as she replied softly, "If you want the Dragon Bones, go dig them up yourself… My faction has only one objective now: to face Kingpin head-on! Even if we suffer heavy losses, this war must continue until we achieve victory!"

Recognizing her resolve, the ninja no longer tried to convince her. Coldly, he said, "I'll relay your message to Lord Murakami... But know this: you will receive no aid from the Hand in this war."

"You and your Triads will face Kingpin alone!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the ninja's hands formed a series of rapid hand seals. In the blink of an eye, his body melted into the shadows, like dirty water sinking into the ground, disappearing completely.

Madame Gao appeared unfazed by the supernatural sight. She casually tossed aside the incense in her hand and began to walk out of the pavilion.

She passed through the garden, her expression unchanging, paying no mind to the flowers and plants she once treasured.

Upon reaching an open space, her eyes fell on the Triad members gathered there, preparing weapons and checking firearms.

*Clap, clap, clap!*

Madame Gao clapped her hands to draw their attention. Once most of the men were looking her way, she slowly spoke.

"Brothers, the war between the Triads and our enemies has begun..."

"No mercy! No survivors! Fight to the death! Anyone under Kingpin is an enemy standing in our way!"

"This is a war for survival between gangs! The law of the jungle is absolute!"

"Go! Claim the future that is rightfully yours!"

Madame Gao's voice was calm and measured. She didn't resort to any impassioned speeches.

Yet her men showed no hesitation. The sound of guns being cocked echoed throughout the area.

In that moment, a flash of green briefly flickered in Madame Gao's eyes.

"For the Master…"

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