The torrential rain continued to pour. Tulu walked alone on the deserted streets, the occasional passing car splashing water.
As Tulu reached a crossroad, a stretched Lincoln pulled up beside him.
"Need a ride?"
"No, I can walk."
Tulu, having refused, was about to leave when a voice from the car stopped him, "Come on, Tulu."
The window rolled down, revealing a man wearing a thick gold chain. "It's fine, we're going the same way. Where are you headed? I'll take you."
Tulu still wanted to refuse, but at that moment, another thunderclap split the sky, and the rain intensified. Looking at the man in the car, Tulu relented.
Glancing around to ensure no one was watching, he quickly opened the door and got in.
Upon entering the car, Tulu saw the two thugs he had disciplined at the restaurant. They looked at Tulu and waved awkwardly.
Tulu turned his attention to the man who had invited him into the car.
Having worked for Valong for a considerable time and being one of his trusted men, Tulu knew the man's identity well.
Back then, the man was just a third-rate thug; he never expected him to be doing so well now.
The man, lounging in the spacious car, crossed his legs and said, "This KITT is equipped with everything you'll ever need. A refrigerator, a computer."
He pressed a switch on the ceiling, and a small refrigerator in front of Tulu slowly opened.
"Uh, could I have some grape juice?"
Tulu's request surprised the man. The refrigerator was stocked with expensive liquor. For someone who had worked for Valong, asking for grape juice was… beneath him.
However, the man maintained his composure and said, "Sure, anything is fine."
Tulu's lips curved into a smile, like a child spotting a lollipop. He reached into the refrigerator, pulled out the grape juice, opened it, and gulped it down in a few large swallows.
After finishing, Tulu let out a long sigh, feeling much better.
"I love grapes the most."
"That's because you have a good appetite," the man ventured, "I think I can give you a suggestion."
"No, thank you."
Before the man could speak, Tulu turned his head and refused.
"Let me finish, Tulu," the man insisted. "This isn't petty theft. I'm eyeing a guy with eight legs, carrying jewels."
He then pointed outside the car window.
Coincidentally, a promotional poster for tomorrow's exhibition was displayed outside.
Tulu knew exactly what the man was referring to, but he played dumb, asking, "Are you going to kidnap Carro Roronoa and her… Urdl Kabtis?"
"Carro Roronoa and her… hahaha, no, I like that guy. My friend, I'm talking about the Kyoto Octopus."
Upon hearing the target, Tulu flatly refused, "I won't do it." Sultan Novel Network
The man continued to entice him, "Ah, ah, ah, for old times' sake, it's a rare opportunity. You can buy a car like this too, and make your mother happy."
The man's words struck a nerve with Tulu.
"Alright, I'll consider it."
He then motioned for the car to stop and opened the door to get out.
Seeing Tulu about to leave, the man still handed him a business card. "It's alright, you have plenty of time to think. This is my card. Contact me when you've made up your mind."
Watching the car's taillights disappear, Tulu fell into deep thought again, the man's words echoing in his mind.
Inside the car, after dropping Tulu off, the man's expression immediately turned grim.
A subordinate beside him asked, "Boss, are we really going to bring Tulu into this?"
"Yeah, he betrayed his former boss, Valong. What if he betrays us again?"
The man snorted, "Of course, I know he's just a traitor. He relies on his size and brute strength. Once we get the Octopus, we'll get rid of him."
"The boss is wise."
As the two subordinates were flattering their boss, the car's onboard television suddenly flickered to life, displaying a bald head in front of the three of them.
"It's the boss! You're looking for me… is there something?"
This bald man was none other than the Kingpin, the underground emperor.
The man's rise from a third-rate thug to his current position was thanks to Kingpin's support.
Even though the man forced a smile, Kingpin on the screen showed no pleasantries.
"Dan, how is the job progressing?"
"It's all set. I've bribed several staff members at the exhibition. Tomorrow will be foolproof."
"It better be, Dan. I'm warning you, don't try any clever tricks. What I want, I always get."
After the warning, Kingpin abruptly ended the call.
"Kingpin."
Despite his respectful demeanor towards Kingpin, the man, after the call, was so furious that he smashed the wine bottle in his hand on the ground.
A subordinate tentatively asked, "Boss, are we still going to strike tomorrow?"
"What? Are you scared?"
The man glared fiercely at his subordinate.
"No, no, of course not. With you, boss, what do we subordinates have to fear?"
"Right, right."
The man calmed down a bit and said, "Kingpin only wants that ancient disc. We want the Kyoto Octopus. As long as we hand that over to him, he won't care what we take from the exhibition. Once we strike, gentlemen, our lives will be set for the rest of our days."
Under the man's grand promises, the two subordinates were ecstatic, completely disregarding the risks and consequences of failure.
After all, this seemingly ordinary exhibition had gathered all sorts of powerful figures. Kingpin and Cobra aside, just having Jackie Chan as security should have made them reconsider.
"I'm back."
Tulu pushed open the door, his mind in turmoil.
Seeing Tulu return, Xiao Yu immediately ran up and said, "Tulu, your mother is sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. She still loves you."
"I know. I'm going back to my room."
The next day, the door to the antique shop was pushed open again. Tulu's mother, having rested, rushed to the shop, but upon entering, she didn't see her son. Instead, she saw her husband polishing a broken pot.
Knowing it was Tulu's mother, the father didn't even bother to turn his head. "Another unwelcome guest."
"Hmph, I'm not interested in your junk. I'm here to see my son."
"Tulu went out."
"Where?"
"Don't know."
"Terrible boss, not even knowing where his employee went."
On this point, Tulu's mother had unfairly blamed the father. To create the spell to find the Sacred Dagger, the father had worked late into the night and had only slept a few hours. Although Tulu had returned, he hadn't stayed in his room for long before leaving again. By then, the father had only recently fallen asleep.