Brooklyn, New York.
Langdon's "accidental demise" was like a spark that instantly set the entire turf war ablaze.
As the Irish shifted from restraint to outright savagery, the Jewish mob realized something was amiss. At their meeting, when they learned Langdon had been gunned down, their heads buzzed in shock. None of them had sent a hitman. Yet now, the Irish refused to believe a word they said; they had only one goal in mind—blood for blood, an eye for an eye!
Sensing the tense atmosphere that blanketed the streets, the corners of Liu Ren's mouth curled higher and higher. This was exactly what he wanted to see. Wholesome old-fashioned family shows were long out of date; people preferred to see rivers of blood. Or rather, he just loved watching everything burn!
Liu Ren: *Forgot what came before, forgot what comes after—anyway, let it burn!*
As shooting after shooting erupted across the borough, Lundin called Liu Ren to ask if he had anything to do with it. Facing Lundin's interrogation, Liu Ren immediately rolled out the classic triple denial. After all, this was a clash between the Jewish and Irish mobs. What did it have to do with a "weak and helpless" Chinese man like him? He was renowned for being timid, peace-loving, and unable to harm a fly!
Upon hearing Liu Ren's answer, Lundin's first instinct was that something was off. Having climbed to the rank of Brooklyn police chief, he was certainly no fool. The problem was, he and Liu Ren were in the same boat; he even owned shares in the Silver Rock Group. Even if Liu Ren had done it, Lundin would still have to help clean up the mess behind the scenes....
"Liu, I don't care what you're trying to pull, but do me a favor and give me a heads-up next time, understood?"
Lundin let out a helpless sigh. He truly wanted Liu Ren to stop fanning the flames everywhere, but the man simply paid too much! Besides, the money came through clean channels. After all, as police chief, wasn't it perfectly normal for him to win the lottery from time to time?
"Rest easy, Lundin. I know how to handle these messes. I just want Brooklyn, that's all! It won't pose any threat to you, and it'll only make our partnership smoother, won't it, pal?"
With a beaming smile, Liu Ren sat back in his chair with his legs crossed, chatting effortlessly.
Hearing this, Lundin frowned. "If Arnold Rothstein finds out it was you, he won't let it slide!"
"I know how to deal with him! Don't worry, I won't give him the chance!"
Hanging up the desk phone, Liu Ren rubbed the space between his brows, his gaze sharpening.
Arnold Rothstein was indeed a massive problem; the Jewish factions were currently united around him. Moreover, that old hand wasn't like ordinary mobsters—he excelled at using leverage and institutional power to crush opponents. While everyone else was skating along the gray edges, he had already begun steering his operations into legitimate channels. A man like that was dangerous. If Liu Ren couldn't finish him off in a single blow, nothing but endless trouble awaited.
Narrowing his eyes, Liu Ren pondered his next move.
Eliminating all his rivals was certainly a quick way to rise, but it was also an easy way to become a conspicuous target. Liu Ren needed to put a lightning rod out front to weather the storm for him. Sticking your neck out never led to a good end; as the old saying went, a tall tree catches the wind.
Resting his chin in his hand, Liu Ren's expression turned chilling. "Looks like I forgot to consider who'll be seen as the ultimate beneficiary!"
At the thought that He'an quickly taking over Brooklyn after the two sides tore each other apart would draw too much attention, Liu Ren chuckled softly. Everything had two sides. If he wanted the spoils, he had to reckon with the perils of fame.
Tapping his fingers on the desk, Liu Ren turned his head and said, "Find a down-and-out young fellow. From now on, we're operating behind the curtain!"
A Chao asked in surprise, "Prop up a puppet?"
"Exactly. We need a fool to stand out front!"
A sneer touched Liu Ren's lips. He saw nothing wrong with that; getting what you wanted always required paying a price—that was the way of the world.
A few days later, after several rounds of vetting, a young man named Gatsby was brought before him.
Looking at the youth who bore a striking resemblance to Jack, Liu Ren asked with a trace of curiosity, "Do you know what we do?"
*The Great Gatsby.*
"Of course, sir. I know very well!"
Gatsby looked at Liu Ren rather stiffly, his heart pounding with tension. From the moment A Chao had first tracked him down, Gatsby had hoped to be chosen. He was deeply in love with a woman, yet he couldn't give her a better life. Gatsby yearned desperately for wealth so that the shining beacon of his heart could live comfortably. Even if it meant plunging into the abyss, he wouldn't hesitate!
Watching Gatsby in silence, Liu Ren wagged a finger. "No, Gatsby, you don't know what we do!"
With that, Liu Ren tossed a revolver onto the table. "Everything in this world has a price tag. Do you think you can get everything you want from me?"
Meeting Liu Ren's yellow-brown eyes, Gatsby felt an inexplicable urge to shrink back. He knew that the moment he picked up that gun, he would truly sign a pact with the devil!
Seeing his hesitation, Liu Ren didn't mock him. Fear was an instinct of all living things, but courage was the hymn of the soul!
"I... I'm willing!"
Raising his head, Gatsby looked earnestly at Liu Ren, gritted his teeth, and gripped the revolver.
"Good, very good!"
Clapping his hands, Liu Ren couldn't help but offer his praise. The man might be foolish, but that didn't stop him from having the ambition to climb. Liu Ren never looked down on anyone who wanted to rise, because he too had once struggled in the mire, filled with despair....
"From now on, I will give you everything you desire. But the price is Brooklyn—I want you to take control of it!"
Pointing at Gatsby, Liu Ren's smile turned feral.
A few days later, as the men Gatsby recruited began arriving one after another, Liu Ren smiled with satisfaction. Thanks to Gatsby's military background and his rank as a lieutenant, all the men he brought in were former soldiers! That made setting the plan in motion remarkably smooth.
On a certain street, dim lamps flickered in the dark.
Watching Rothstein emerge not far off, Gatsby felt a wave of nerves.
Right then, a devilish whisper sounded beside him: "What are you hesitating for? Raise the gun and shoot, just like in training. Is that so hard?"
At Liu Ren's words, Gatsby gritted his teeth, pushed the car door open, and stepped out.
Seeing Gatsby approach, the bodyguards sensed trouble immediately. But before they could draw their weapons, Gatsby had already pulled the trigger.
*Bang! Bang! Bang!*
A rapid succession of gunshots echoed through the night. The bodyguards collapsed to the pavement, their eyes closing in death.
Staring at Gatsby in shock, Rothstein spoke at once: "Young man, I don't know what grievance you have, but if you shoot, things will become very dangerous. Listen to me, put it down..."
*Bang!*
A bullet punched through the center of Rothstein's forehead. In an instant, the light drained from his eyes, and he slumped limply to the ground.
Keeping the gun raised, the last trace of mercy vanished from Gatsby's eyes. Everything he had done was for Daisy!
Watching it all from inside the car, Liu Ren blew out a thick plume of smoke and murmured, "A new devil of Brooklyn is born!"
Chapter 32