Chapter 1156: Chapter 1124: Night Ban
The forbidden book of the underworld, also known as ’Night 禁’. It is a biography that records the lifelong experiences of countless figures across centuries, although few have laid eyes on it. It is like a mystery, an unsolvable enigma.
Xiao Lin had heard of the ’Night 禁’, just like many others, he had only heard about it but never seen it. There was a long period when some believed this legendary book was nothing but a tool used by those in power to suppress people below, and it didn’t actually exist. Yet, there were those who claimed to have seen it and thus this saying emerged.
A purple-gold cover, embossed silver cursive letters, about the thickness of three adult fingers, with thick and textured internal paper in a vintage yellow color. The entire text is written in precise British English, making it hard to believe these contents originated from those fear-inducing mafia bosses.
It is said that the ’Night 禁’ not only records the lives of these bosses but also their lifelong trainings and the locations of hidden fortunes whose whereabouts are unknown. Therefore, its existence symbolizes rights, but possessing this book equates to owning a massive treasure trove, with a history reaching back to the pirate era of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. This treasure mania is still handed down by the people of Sicily, and tour guides use the stories of Caribbean Pirates as cultural treasures to narrate.
Xiao Lin blinked, wondering how he could forget about this book. He was surprised that the Black Doctor mentioned it at this moment and was bewildered if, in fact, Hong Lian was giving him an eternally unsolvable enigma? Besides, there were two things he suddenly thought of that rivaled the ’Night 禁’, which were the Rose Staff and his family’s Dharma Seal.
"Did you just think of something?" The Black Doctor, who had been standing by, asked happily upon seeing Xiao Lin’s relaxed brow.
Xiao Lin nodded, indeed he had thought of something, but he wasn’t sure if there was any true connection among the three. His old man once spoke of the legends surrounding the Rose Staff and Dharma Seal, which were secrets known throughout the underworld. Obtaining these two items meant gaining control over the entire underworld and a power to counter the opposing forces of the upper world. Such rumors echoed the very fabric of the ’Night 禁’. However, his old man said it was merely a tool, a means of controlling the underworld. In reality, the Rose Staff and Dharma Seal were just mechanisms used by the Xiao Family to suppress those prominent figures.
Power and strength are forever in endless contention, both as symbols of identity and extensions of greed. The Xiao Family exploited this trait of human nature and fabricated a lie, making it the target of furious competition, destroying people in a brutal fight for survival. Those who survived emerged as the strongest of the strong, only to be cut down one by one, which was the plan back then.
Xiao Lin exhaled deeply, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and fell silent, while the Black Doctor waited quietly.
Such a plan seems to have continued, as the most crucial item was indeed the Xiao Family’s heirloom. Though many tried to steal from the Xiao Family, none ever succeeded. Not only did the thief suddenly disappear, but even his entire family or organization vanished from the world within three days. Some didn’t believe, yet after multiple failures, none dared to risk it again. No one was willing to gamble their family’s life, perhaps only the Xiao Family could be the mafia’s nemesis in this world. No! The name Xiao Family was synonymous with the mafia’s nemesis.
Xiao Lin, being part of the Xiao Family, was proud. Despite being low-key, he was never subtle in handling tasks. If the Rose Staff and Dharma Seal were fake, was the ’Night 禁’ real, sharing similarities with the former?
"Black Doctor, how do you know about the ’Night 禁’?"
Xiao Lin’s question was unnecessary, the Black Doctor could be described as the underworld’s underworld figure. Although he lived in Sin City, he was renowned in the entire underworld for his medical skills, paralleled only by Xiao Lin’s rank as a Military Doctor. Additionally, there was another mysterious Mafia Doctor, whom Xiao Lin believed to be Xiao Ya, equally skilled in medicine as they were. His fate in the United States was unknown at the moment.
"Young Master Xiao, this sentence is asking whether this book truly exists!"
"You’re not like a doctor." Xiao Lin never believed a doctor could survive in the underworld for so long without being eliminated, especially such an arrogant doctor.
"The ’Night 禁’ does exist, and I might be one of the few who have seen this book in person."
"So, you’re trying to tell me your unique medical practices, unconventional diagnoses, are due to this book?" It was intended as a joke, but seeing the Black Doctor nodding blankly, Xiao Lin found himself unable to continue. "How is that possible?"
"Hahaha, there are surprising things for the Xiao Family people, indeed!" The Black Doctor suddenly felt much better.
After a burst of excitement and hesitation, Xiao Lin calmed down. "Where is this book?" The Black Doctor shrugged, indicating he didn’t know. Since it was something he couldn’t disclose, Xiao Lin wouldn’t inquire further. Unconsciously, finding this book had become a task he must complete.
"Lin, come up!" Yelü Shouyi shouted down while holding one hand on the ladder. Troy, disdainfully, pushed him, causing him to slide down the stairs.
"We’ve found that lifeboat, and there are survivors. Chuck is bringing him up." Troy hopped around as if he had found treasure, Xiao Lin glanced at the Black Doctor. Due to these two people’s interruption, the previous conversation was completely halted, and they followed Troy to the stern of the ship, where a dark-skinned African was unwinding the thick hemp rope wrapped around his arm.
Chuck was a rather seasoned sailor, having participated in Middle East operations. He was a Navy personnel; after retiring with nowhere to go, he ended up in the ranks of freelance assassins, possessing no special skills, only a fearless courage. Following a failed mission, he was rescued by the Black Doctor and stayed in Sin City.
"Chuck!" The Black Doctor called from behind. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes, monthly votes. Your support is my biggest motivation.)
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