Liberi Reader

...

Hey, you're doing the whole 'triad face' thing again, you know?

...Welcome back. Did you look into those people for me?

I came up with a rough sketch. As much as I'd like to bring these evildoers to justice, it looks like it's not going to be a one woman job.

I may have to ask for help at the office.

Seems they're not your run of the mill punks. And that Aak wasn't exactly forthcoming. He has to go and make everything so complicated...

I'm sorry, who?

Aak.

Ah?

...His name is Aak.

Oh... Okay, well, since it's not so simple,

I'll help out.

...You were listening, weren't you? A bunch of street thugs is one thing, but if we're dealing with a large-scale organized syndicate, we can't just go in there and start throwing punches.

We have other options besides going in there and starting to throw punches, don't we?

Are you really going to nail me on semantics?

I'm not joking.

...Is Uncle Tung okay?

He wasn't hurt badly. But that's not the point.

Right. It's not. If this were just some underworld spat, I wouldn't get involved.

But when I see the wicked strike the innocent before my very eyes, I can't sit idly by and let them run amok.

...Thanks. You've earned some finballs. On me.

I don't need finballs...

By the way,

This business tonight has something to do with Penguin Logistics. They're not even trying to cover up their involvement.

They're good people. They probably just got mixed up in it somehow.

They've gotten 'mixed up in things somehow' dozens of times this year alone. They need to be a little more careful, and stop making trouble for everyone.

If we run into them, we'll have to give them a warning.

Sand Originium Arts. Hmph.

Guess the freak running Lungmen's underworld had to have some teeth to him.

Mr. Capone, you don't mean...?

He ain't the kinda guy you wanna piss off, capiche?

The Rat King? But we're facing off against the boss, Penguin Logistics, and...

And half of Lungmen. Yeah, the outlook ain't so rosy. No room for mistakes.

What're you doing, Mr. Capone? Put down the crossbow!

You thought going against the Family would be easy?

I remember the face of every last man who agreed to follow me to Lungmen, who's ready to betray Gambino for the sake of survival.

And you ain't one of 'em. Take a dirt nap, Gambino dog.

Get outta here.

Here I thought you were just an ungrateful cazzo. Now I see you learned to buy and sell men.

Who do you think taught me?

Sure as hell wasn't me.

You earned my loyalty. Then you let me down harder than anything ever has. I won't make that same mistake.

You know what betrayal means, don't you?

It's Siracusa's greatest crime. But too bad for you, your honor and glory ain't worth shit in Lungmen.

Take it.

...the Jack of Spades?

I told you. You deal too slow!

You're even slower with that sword, Gambino. You get hurt in your fight with the Penguins? Or are we openin' old wounds?

Seeing you turn coward like this makes me sick. I'm stuck thinkin' about how I should kill a traitor like you.

You're the Joker here now.

What's next? What're you gonna do? You take out Penguin Logistics? You take out the Rat King? You take out the LGD? You take out Wei Yenwu?

You're dreaming. Why not fall asleep forever?

Don't worry, I'll send your ashes back to Siracusa. Maybe I'll have the old village grind your corpse up.

Woah, what're you...?!

...What?

Sounds like we got party crashers.

...I shoulda killed you quicker. But now we gotta play host.

Stop 'em! Aagh! My toe...

What's this, kung fu?! Can't even touch her!

They're unarmed, just get 'em... Oof!

...Phew.

So, it's you two?

I don't like to go around pickin' on weak little ladies, but...

You tore through my boys, walked right up to me, and you don't got a speck of dust on those pretty clothes of yours.

You the Rat King's people?

...Were you in the slums?

You broke up a fight between Sicilians and you got the balls to ask questions?

...Yeah. I'd say it was you two.

——?!

This mook, argh——!

Are you just going to watch?

Don't get me wrong. It's always a good idea to borrow a knife to off somebody, but I gotta deal with this cazzo myself.

On the other hand... You look like you're a handful.

I think you should surrender. Really.

Hah!

You're about as good as that wolf. Who knew the Rat King had cards like you up his sleeve!

What cards? What are you talking about? Just get down on the floor and turn yourself in!

Nng!

Hey, I remember you. I met you before. You dressed up like a seafood salesman. Played like you were making finballs.

Funny. I never thought I'd have to give you a second look.

No, I really am a... never mind.

Right now, just for tonight, I am what you think I am.

Hai-yah!

Hmph!

You gettin' beat by a girl over there, Gambino.

Oh I'm still gonna kill you. Wipe that smile off your face.

...You've been looking for chances to take a low blow, dirty fighter.

How can you hope to win if you strike with the wrong part of your fist?

You will pay for the harm you have done.

...You had me wait so long just to bring me here?

What is this about? Are we looking at grave plots? You want to be my neighbor even in death?

After so many years in business, how do you keep such a sharp tongue?

I don't talk to my customers like this. But you're not a customer.

I'm hurt.

......

...This is Ah Faat's grave. You probably don't know him.

This one's Rascally Chan's, and over here is Fake Yama.

Then in the back is Old Wu and the Steel Psycho, plus Lucky On. Lucky On's family was rich, so he got the hillside plot.

So many.

At least they're all neighbors. We should think about where we'll stay too.

I think it's still too early for that. Or are you trying to tell me you've got some terminal illness?

It's not early. We don't live long enough, so it always feels like we've been through tough times.

Like me. Our brothers gave their lives for us. But now that I've settled down, I look back and reflect on my life...

And nothing seems like that big a deal anymore. If there was anything really that big, I wouldn't be able to enjoy a peaceful life.

Oh my. Did selling finballs bring you such enlightenment?

Honestly, food price inflation is a lot more dangerous to me than the mob.

...Dai Lo, won't you be my neighbor here? The Feng Shui is excellent, and I hear you get a better deal buying the plots in pairs.

Are you done?

I'm joking. It's a joke. Aiya. At least you have a daughter. I'm going to die alone.

You have all the kids in the slums with you, don't you? And that Ah Fil boy.

But there's no blood. It makes a difference when you get old.

...So you have to outlive me, a bit. Not too much. Just a bit. I'll wait for you down there.

Are you always looking for ways to needle me?

By the way, I'm meeting an old friend later tonight. Would you like to join us for a drink?

No thanks. I'm worried Ah Fil is off getting himself into trouble. I'd better look into it.

I'll look into it for you.

And how many old friends do I have left? I think they're all down there.

You have one.

I can't talk with the one called Wei. I've been dealing with him a long time. It would be very short-lived.

But you took a bullet for Wei Yenwu. It's why you can't walk straight anymore.

You think I don't know? Feh, I don't want to talk about this. It always makes me feel wretched.

...But at least Lungmen can walk straight. At least she's not wretched.

You're the same as you ever were. And I guess that's a good thing.

If you've really seen enough of him, then you better be on your way.

And even if he did see you, he probably wouldn't know what to say.

You finally let me go, Lin, this poor old wounded man.

......

Mr. Tung.

What's that?

Live a while longer. Sell some more finballs.

Buy yourself a building, open a restaurant, take a few apprentices, and then maybe think about where to put your coffin. There's no rush.

The Rat King still lives. It's not your turn to die yet.

...fine.