Reading settings
## Chapter 46: Deacon's News
Tony splashed a basin of cold water over the Man in Glasses's head.
Icy water droplets continuously flowed down the Man in Glasses's head, dropping to the ground with a splashing sound. The unconscious Man in Glasses was startled awake by this sudden cold stimulus, abruptly opening his eyes.
Groaning in pain, he subconsciously reached for the back of his head, a spot Tony had brutally slapped not long ago.
"What exactly do you want to do? I'm no longer any threat to you, there's no need to keep hounding me!" The Man in Glasses was terrified; Tony had left a huge shadow in his heart. He desperately wanted to calm down, to negotiate with Tony one-on-one and be released. But his legs trembled uncontrollably.
This guy in front of him was an absolute savage! His methods were ruthless!
Tony coldly scrutinized the Man in Glasses. He had more than once harbored killing intent towards this Man in Glasses. The Man in Glasses bore the deep imprint of Vampires and the Ghoul Tribe; no matter what he said, no one would accept him again.
At least Tony wouldn't believe him. The Man in Glasses held a high position; it was almost impossible for him to be swayed by someone like Tony, who lacked both money and power.
Tony certainly wouldn't try to win him over. This Ghoul Tribe member was willing to be a lackey for Vampires, these human-eating trash. It was already generous that Tony hadn't killed him immediately.
Between Humans and Vampires, there was only war. It was a war between two species with different life characteristics.
"Speak, tell me everything you know." Tony played with his phone, constantly twirling it in his hand.
The Man in Glasses's heart followed the phone's movements. He understood that this phone was a deadly weapon, capable of incredible transformations in the hands of this mechanic, able to kill him in an instant.
"I'll talk, I'll tell you everything, I just hope you won't kill me." The Man in Glasses was drenched in sweat, mixed with the cold water, making it impossible to distinguish. He took off his glasses to wipe them, but Tony slapped them away.
The glasses hit the wall with a crisp sound.
"The Vampire Faction told me to lead a team to negotiate with you. They confidently told me that if it came to a fight, a team of over a hundred well-trained and well-equipped individuals could completely eliminate you, or at least retreat safely, which is why I came." The Man in Glasses couldn't see clearly; Tony's face was a blur in his vision, making it difficult for this experienced negotiator, skilled at reading expressions.
"You also thought so, you also thought over a hundred people could wipe me out, that's why you led a team to find me." Tony said.
The Man in Glasses barely maintained his composure, widening his eyes to try and see Tony's expression clearly. For a negotiator who couldn't see the other party's expression, it was almost synonymous with failure.
The Man in Glasses told Tony that the Council had promised him a backup plan, including various armored vehicles and tanks, fortress-like war machines, all to serve as his support.
"The Council did have the idea of directly eliminating you, but they weren't sure, and they were more worried about angering the two major mutant factions behind you. So their primary order to me was to negotiate with you. They hoped to reconcile with you. But..."
"But someone interfered." Tony stood up. "You've been abandoned. As a chess piece to escalate the conflict, you've been completely abandoned."
The Man in Glasses gritted his teeth: "I don't think the Council abandoned me; someone interfered! Deacon! It must be him! He's been acting strangely lately, and his conflicts with the Council have become public. Besides him, I absolutely can't think of anyone else who would be against me."
The Man in Glasses explained that the Vampire Kingdom was currently being besieged by numerous Vampire Hunters, suffering heavy losses. They wouldn't openly fight Tony unless absolutely necessary; at least, they would deal with the Vampire Hunters before dealing with Tony.
The Vampire Hunters were very active now; some even specifically targeted Deacon, pursuing him wherever he went. Many important strongholds of the Vampire Faction had been dismantled, causing astonishing losses that had thoroughly alarmed the Council. To deal with these Vampire Hunters, the Council was busily preparing a comprehensive plan.
"Tell me all the Vampire Strongholds you know."
"I only know Deacon's base of operations, I know where his territory is! It's in Atlantic City, New Jersey! The Night People Club! Deacon often operates in that area!"
The Man in Glasses began to plead with Tony. If Tony would spare him, he would exchange it for a vast amount of wealth. Over the years, working for the Vampire Faction, he had accumulated an astonishing amount of wealth, which he could all give to Tony, just to save his life.
Tony retrieved a laptop, forcing him to make the transfer on the spot.
"Transfer the money to me now, and I'll let you go immediately." Tony said, "You're just an insignificant person to me; I have no need to deceive you."
The Man in Glasses held the computer, finally looking up at Tony. He wanted to confirm if Tony was telling the truth. But unfortunately, without his glasses, he couldn't see clearly at all.
The Man in Glasses clicked on a website and entered a string of numbers. A large sum of money, over eight million US dollars, was transferred into Tony's account. The Man in Glasses had worked for the wealthy Vampire Council for many years; reaching that position naturally provided many ways to acquire wealth.
But in the end, it all fell into Tony's hands, a fortune he had inadvertently prepared for another.
The Old Bartender walked in, carrying a wine bottle, stumbling, his face flushed, looking completely drunk.
"Alright, stop pretending, it's utterly boring." Tony said impatiently, pointing at the Man in Glasses, "Kill him, dispose of the body. We don't have much time."
The Old Bartender's mouth twitched, and he sobered up instantly. His seemingly drunk face revealed undisguised surprise. He looked at Tony, wanting to ask how Tony had seen through him. He was indeed pretending: pretending in front of S.H.I.E.L.D., pretending in front of the Vampires and Ghoul Tribe secretly observing, and even more so pretending in front of Tony, hoping to appear more harmless.
"If you were truly that useless and brainless, the Vampire Faction would have killed you years ago. You wouldn't have survived until now. At least, I don't believe a cunning old fox would spend all day hugging a wine bottle, living in drunken stupor, and leaving himself undefended." Tony said calmly, his placid gaze showing no emotion.
The Old Bartender silently dropped the wine bottle in his hand, an alarm bell ringing in his mind, feeling a growing wariness towards Tony. This young man, in some ways, was becoming increasingly cunning. He said nothing, carefully pulling a small knife from a slit in his belt, and walked towards the Man in Glasses.
The Man in Glasses broke down, screaming and yelling, begging Tony to spare him, cursing Tony as a despicable and untrustworthy scoundrel, then pleading again for Tony to let him go, saying he would do anything.
As the Old Bartender approached him, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he instantly erupted. Having navigated the Vampire World, it was impossible for him not to have a few tricks up his sleeve. He aimed for the Old Bartender's neck, intending to kill him with a single strike.
But the next moment, he fell into complete despair.
The Old Bartender seized his hand with lightning speed, taking a step forward as the small knife in his hand plunged deep into the other's neck, the movement agile and decisive, without any hesitation. In that moment, the Old Bartender demonstrated why he had survived so many years; his skilled and seasoned movements were utterly unlike an old man.
Tony wasn't particularly surprised. Without some skills, the Old Bartender would have died long ago on the run.
(end of chapter)
Tony splashed a basin of cold water over the Man in Glasses's head.
Icy water droplets continuously flowed down the Man in Glasses's head, dropping to the ground with a splashing sound. The unconscious Man in Glasses was startled awake by this sudden cold stimulus, abruptly opening his eyes.
Groaning in pain, he subconsciously reached for the back of his head, a spot Tony had brutally slapped not long ago.
"What exactly do you want to do? I'm no longer any threat to you, there's no need to keep hounding me!" The Man in Glasses was terrified; Tony had left a huge shadow in his heart. He desperately wanted to calm down, to negotiate with Tony one-on-one and be released. But his legs trembled uncontrollably.
This guy in front of him was an absolute savage! His methods were ruthless!
Tony coldly scrutinized the Man in Glasses. He had more than once harbored killing intent towards this Man in Glasses. The Man in Glasses bore the deep imprint of Vampires and the Ghoul Tribe; no matter what he said, no one would accept him again.
At least Tony wouldn't believe him. The Man in Glasses held a high position; it was almost impossible for him to be swayed by someone like Tony, who lacked both money and power.
Tony certainly wouldn't try to win him over. This Ghoul Tribe member was willing to be a lackey for Vampires, these human-eating trash. It was already generous that Tony hadn't killed him immediately.
Between Humans and Vampires, there was only war. It was a war between two species with different life characteristics.
"Speak, tell me everything you know." Tony played with his phone, constantly twirling it in his hand.
The Man in Glasses's heart followed the phone's movements. He understood that this phone was a deadly weapon, capable of incredible transformations in the hands of this mechanic, able to kill him in an instant.
"I'll talk, I'll tell you everything, I just hope you won't kill me." The Man in Glasses was drenched in sweat, mixed with the cold water, making it impossible to distinguish. He took off his glasses to wipe them, but Tony slapped them away.
The glasses hit the wall with a crisp sound.
"The Vampire Faction told me to lead a team to negotiate with you. They confidently told me that if it came to a fight, a team of over a hundred well-trained and well-equipped individuals could completely eliminate you, or at least retreat safely, which is why I came." The Man in Glasses couldn't see clearly; Tony's face was a blur in his vision, making it difficult for this experienced negotiator, skilled at reading expressions.
"You also thought so, you also thought over a hundred people could wipe me out, that's why you led a team to find me." Tony said.
The Man in Glasses barely maintained his composure, widening his eyes to try and see Tony's expression clearly. For a negotiator who couldn't see the other party's expression, it was almost synonymous with failure.
The Man in Glasses told Tony that the Council had promised him a backup plan, including various armored vehicles and tanks, fortress-like war machines, all to serve as his support.
"The Council did have the idea of directly eliminating you, but they weren't sure, and they were more worried about angering the two major mutant factions behind you. So their primary order to me was to negotiate with you. They hoped to reconcile with you. But..."
"But someone interfered." Tony stood up. "You've been abandoned. As a chess piece to escalate the conflict, you've been completely abandoned."
The Man in Glasses gritted his teeth: "I don't think the Council abandoned me; someone interfered! Deacon! It must be him! He's been acting strangely lately, and his conflicts with the Council have become public. Besides him, I absolutely can't think of anyone else who would be against me."
The Man in Glasses explained that the Vampire Kingdom was currently being besieged by numerous Vampire Hunters, suffering heavy losses. They wouldn't openly fight Tony unless absolutely necessary; at least, they would deal with the Vampire Hunters before dealing with Tony.
The Vampire Hunters were very active now; some even specifically targeted Deacon, pursuing him wherever he went. Many important strongholds of the Vampire Faction had been dismantled, causing astonishing losses that had thoroughly alarmed the Council. To deal with these Vampire Hunters, the Council was busily preparing a comprehensive plan.
"Tell me all the Vampire Strongholds you know."
"I only know Deacon's base of operations, I know where his territory is! It's in Atlantic City, New Jersey! The Night People Club! Deacon often operates in that area!"
The Man in Glasses began to plead with Tony. If Tony would spare him, he would exchange it for a vast amount of wealth. Over the years, working for the Vampire Faction, he had accumulated an astonishing amount of wealth, which he could all give to Tony, just to save his life.
Tony retrieved a laptop, forcing him to make the transfer on the spot.
"Transfer the money to me now, and I'll let you go immediately." Tony said, "You're just an insignificant person to me; I have no need to deceive you."
The Man in Glasses held the computer, finally looking up at Tony. He wanted to confirm if Tony was telling the truth. But unfortunately, without his glasses, he couldn't see clearly at all.
The Man in Glasses clicked on a website and entered a string of numbers. A large sum of money, over eight million US dollars, was transferred into Tony's account. The Man in Glasses had worked for the wealthy Vampire Council for many years; reaching that position naturally provided many ways to acquire wealth.
But in the end, it all fell into Tony's hands, a fortune he had inadvertently prepared for another.
The Old Bartender walked in, carrying a wine bottle, stumbling, his face flushed, looking completely drunk.
"Alright, stop pretending, it's utterly boring." Tony said impatiently, pointing at the Man in Glasses, "Kill him, dispose of the body. We don't have much time."
The Old Bartender's mouth twitched, and he sobered up instantly. His seemingly drunk face revealed undisguised surprise. He looked at Tony, wanting to ask how Tony had seen through him. He was indeed pretending: pretending in front of S.H.I.E.L.D., pretending in front of the Vampires and Ghoul Tribe secretly observing, and even more so pretending in front of Tony, hoping to appear more harmless.
"If you were truly that useless and brainless, the Vampire Faction would have killed you years ago. You wouldn't have survived until now. At least, I don't believe a cunning old fox would spend all day hugging a wine bottle, living in drunken stupor, and leaving himself undefended." Tony said calmly, his placid gaze showing no emotion.
The Old Bartender silently dropped the wine bottle in his hand, an alarm bell ringing in his mind, feeling a growing wariness towards Tony. This young man, in some ways, was becoming increasingly cunning. He said nothing, carefully pulling a small knife from a slit in his belt, and walked towards the Man in Glasses.
The Man in Glasses broke down, screaming and yelling, begging Tony to spare him, cursing Tony as a despicable and untrustworthy scoundrel, then pleading again for Tony to let him go, saying he would do anything.
As the Old Bartender approached him, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he instantly erupted. Having navigated the Vampire World, it was impossible for him not to have a few tricks up his sleeve. He aimed for the Old Bartender's neck, intending to kill him with a single strike.
But the next moment, he fell into complete despair.
The Old Bartender seized his hand with lightning speed, taking a step forward as the small knife in his hand plunged deep into the other's neck, the movement agile and decisive, without any hesitation. In that moment, the Old Bartender demonstrated why he had survived so many years; his skilled and seasoned movements were utterly unlike an old man.
Tony wasn't particularly surprised. Without some skills, the Old Bartender would have died long ago on the run.
(end of chapter)
