Empire of Shadows

It was almost October, and the temperature had truly dropped.

At the Angel Lake, gusts of wind blew from the sea, and after the sea breeze, which could create monstrous waves, traveled dozens of kilometers, it only rippled the surface of Angel Lake.

The sparkling lake surface was hidden in the dense woods, like a jewel fallen from heaven to earth.

The scent of the wilderness rushed to the face, and the afterglow of the sunset shone through the thin clouds, not dazzling or hot, like a natural filter.

It was very quiet here.

Many out-of-towners had heard of Angel Lake. Initially, there were many tourists here, as such beautiful scenery always attracted some visitors.

Whether it was renting a small boat to drift on the lake or sitting by the lake fishing and picnicking, it was all very fun.

But as the "Secret of Angel Lake" was used by some media and began to leak out, fewer and fewer people came here to travel.

Although Jingang City had clarified more than once that it was just a rumor, people still chose to believe it.

The thought of countless gasoline barrels under the lake, possibly containing grotesque corpses, would send chills down the spines of those tourists.

Gradually, fewer and fewer tourists came, and it became more and more deserted here.

Whether locals or out-of-towners, few came here, and it became a paradise for gangs.

But in fact, if you don't consider those strange things, the scenery here is really good!

Lance leaned against the hood of the car, and the others stood scattered around. Two cars slowly drove over from a distance. Fordis and Elvin greeted them, and soon Alberto got out of the car.

He walked to Lance's side, and imitating him, leaned against the hood of the car and asked Lance for a cigarette.

"What are your thoughts?"

After he conveyed Bandi's idea to Lance, Lance made an appointment to meet him, as some things needed to be discussed.

Alberto took a puff of his cigarette. He looked a little tired, "There's a bit of disagreement within the family now. Those people think that stopping now is a very good choice."

"After all, we've lost a lot, and we need to replenish some manpower and then quietly make some money."

"Also, Cisco's uncles and grandfathers don't really want him to continue seeking revenge," Alberto tilted his head. "You know, they're worried about me and Cisco establishing more family prestige."

The reason why a gang leader can become a leader is very likely because they have enough prestige to deter others in the family.

For example, Big Polly, he was crazy enough, ruthless enough, he dared to shoot at a fleeing gunman even when there were pedestrians on the street.

He didn't care whether he would kill ordinary people, because he was a madman, and he was constantly emphasizing his madman persona.

Lance was able to become a leader because he led everyone to solve a lot of troubles and made everyone's life better, so he was able to become a leader.

Regardless of how they establish their personal prestige, every gang leader must have this, and enough of it.

With Rick dead, some people in the family changed some of their views on Alberto and Francisco, and now some young people are taking the initiative to approach and are willing to follow Francisco.

This is the specific manifestation of prestige. His determination to take revenge touched these people, and they are willing to stand behind Francisco.

But this makes others a little unhappy, they are still thinking about inheriting the family!

"If we continue to wage war against the Cassia family, it is indeed very likely to be wiped out, then Francisco's prestige can at least secure his current position."

"If we have a chance to get rid of Dover, then this position will be unshakeable."

"So they are now opposing it, the reason being that we also need to adjust and recuperate."

Lance glanced at Francisco in the distance, who was arm wrestling with Fordis, turned his head and asked, "Why not just kill those people?"

Alberto didn't react at first, "Who are you talking about?" But soon he realized that Lance wasn't talking about the Cassia family, but Francisco's uncles and grandfathers.

He said with a smile, "His father just died, and then we discuss killing his aunts, uncles, and grandfathers?"

He thought Lance was joking, but Lance was serious, "They've already affected some things. You know they'll make you uncomfortable, and you still want to keep them around. I think you need to seriously consider it."

They've already clearly shown malice, wouldn't it be fine to just kill them?

He looked again at Francisco, who had a smile on his face. Fordis was indeed someone who knew how to make people happy.

"He's going to be a gang leader in the future, not a family head."

"Loss, gain, the eternal choice."

Alberto fell into thought.

After a while, he took his butt off Lance's hood and shouted loudly at Francisco in the distance, "Cisco, come here!"

Faint echoes seemed to come from the distance, very slight, but they did exist.

"Come here…"

"Come here…"

Lance subconsciously glanced at the lake, hoping that Jason wouldn't suddenly jump out wearing a hockey mask and holding a bloody hockey stick to give him a whack?

Francisco ran over from the hillside, a little out of breath, "What's the matter?"

Alberto glanced at Lance. Lance pretended not to feel his gaze. He had to speak himself.

"We were just discussing things about your uncles."

The smile on Francisco's face quickly disappeared, becoming calm.

When Paul was around, these aunts, uncles, and grandfathers were very good to him. They would often bring him things.

Food, drinks, toys, books, or other things. Everyone seemed very nice, everyone seemed to like him very much, and he couldn't feel the malice of these people.

But after Paul suddenly died, things became a little…uncomfortable.

They always said that he was too young and didn't understand the operation of the family, and told him to go to school with peace of mind, and they would take care of the family's affairs.

He was just young, but that didn't mean he was stupid.

He actually knew in his heart that once the power really fell into the hands of these people, these relatives, he and his mother would very likely have no future.

After all, the things that these people have already eaten into their mouths are impossible to take out and return to him!

If they want to permanently occupy these, then the best way is to make them have accidents and disappear.

Affection and kinship suddenly became so fragile. If it weren't for Alberto, he felt that he might have already had an accident.

So he trusted Alberto extraordinarily.

At this time, Alberto talked about this issue, and he was in a bad mood, unable to smile anymore, just nodding, "About what?"

"We were just chatting, talking about these people, these things."

"They are, after all, your relatives. My idea is to wait until you grow up and control the entire family before deciding whether they should stay."

"But you've seen the situation these past two days. They will continue to prevent you from gaining more prestige and support in the family."

"Lance just made a suggestion, or rather, he said his previous idea again."

He paused here, and while he was considering how to word it, Francisco asked, "Is it to get rid of them?"

Alberto was stunned for a moment, but quickly nodded and said, "Yes."

"After all, this matter is your family affair, and we have to refer to your suggestion."

Lance interjected from the side, "It's not that we have no way to deal with these people. When they first showed malice towards you, you should have given them an ending."

"Whether you kill them yourself or we get rid of them, the result is actually the same."

"If you are concerned about your relationship with your relatives, we can consider arresting them and imprisoning them, but there may be some variables."

"In any case, we will support you."

Francisco's gaze kept shifting between Alberto and Lance. He thought of what his mother had said to him.

Regardless of Alberto's purpose in doing this, whether it was really to repay Paul or whether he had other ideas, at least for now, Alberto was the best choice for him, without one.

It looks like he still has a choice, but in fact, there is no chance to choose.

Lance and the others didn't urge Francisco. For a child, these things are indeed a bit cruel, but it is something he must experience himself.

After a long while, about seven or eight minutes, he even smoked a cigarette, and finally, he made up his mind.

Only a few people were purged, not everyone. In fact, he could still have some uncles and aunts survive.

Alberto and Lance couldn't really kill all his relatives, that's impossible, and it's not realistic.

He nodded, "I think this suggestion is okay. They didn't treat me as their nephew or grandson, then…"

The young man pursed his lips, and his childish face showed a bit of determination, "…I don't need to treat them as my relatives anymore."

Alberto didn't know what to say when he saw this scene, but after all, he was still a little gratified, because it not only represented that he had made a decision that was not so easy.

For many people, even if relatives are bad, they are still relatives, and as long as they are relatives, it is not so difficult to give up.

On the other hand, this also shows Francisco's trust in him.

He walked over and hugged the young man, "I promise, I will make everyone who hurt your father pay the price!"

Lance looked at him expressing his thoughts, and felt that he might stumble because of this matter.

I just hope he doesn't fall too hard!

"Okay, let's talk about my ideas."

"I will arrange for people to attack the Tita family, using some gunmen from Yalan."

"And you guys…"

Alberto immediately understood what Lance meant, "We were also attacked by Yalan gunmen, and lost some key members."

If only one family was attacked, it could be said that it might be a frame-up, that someone wanted to use these things to intensify their conflicts and make them continue to fight.

But if two families were attacked, and people died, then the meaning behind it is worth considering.

Even if Bandi knows that this is a frame-up, he has to consider whether the Cassia family is worth him continuing to protect?

This is actually a matter that can be understood at a glance. At least the two families are willing to hurt themselves by a thousand to kill the Cassia family, then if he goes to stop them, he is actually making a bad choice and standing on their opposite side!

The two agreed on a time to take action, and then began to prepare.

After talking about serious business, Francisco's face had more smiles, but this time the smile on his face was less worried than before.

Angel Lake is still so beautiful. As the sun sets, the lake reflects a red light, like a magnificent ruby!

Lance inexplicably thought of something. He took a piece of paper and a pen and began to record.

Erwin on the side was a little curious, "What are you doing?"

Because Lance had been recording for a while, Lance continued to record while saying, "I thought of a story and I plan to film it."

Erwin immediately became interested, "Is it for Gerald to use?"

He followed up with a sentence, "Can you talk about what it is about?"

"Of course!", Lance rubbed his wrist. He rarely writes so much, "It's related to Angel Lake, it's a horror movie."

"A guy named Jason was cursed and lives in Angel Lake…"

Erwin interrupted, "Sorry, would anyone live in the lake?"

"How does he live?"

Lance tilted his head, "Please, there are countless people living below now, this is normal!"

Erwin was a little speechless. He understood what Lance meant, "A water ghost, a ghost, is that what you mean!"

Lance pointed at him, "You reacted quickly, it's a cursed demon."

Erwin suddenly reacted, "You're not talking about that Jason, are you?"

"Yes, it's him. Although he is dead, he can still contribute some value to us!"

"Also, don't interrupt me, listen to me."

"There are rumors in the city about demons in Angel Lake. Some young people from other places don't believe these, they come to travel and explore."

Erwin wanted to say something, but he held back. He knew that this was the beginning of the plot.

"Then they did something stupid and released the demon in Angel Lake."

"Then he killed most of the people, leaving only the protagonist."

Erwin added, "Gerald."

Lance didn't mind his interruption. This was actually a supplement, "Yes, he finally survived and sealed the demon back into the lake."

"What do you think of this story?"

"There are already many legends about Angel Lake, why don't we make it more terrifying!"

Erwin nodded after thinking seriously for a while and said, "If the filming is okay, I think I will watch it. I want to know why there are so many people living below."

"And… honestly, Lance, this story makes me feel involved, after all, we created it!"

Lance laughed, "We didn't create him, he is still doing well below and won't come out, but we need him!"

The legend of Jason of Angel Lake will become an important cultural symbol. Although it is a horror film, Lance believes that it will be a classic, which will help Wanli Films open up the situation.

Horror films at this time are still in the exploratory stage, and people are not very clear about how horror films should be filmed.

It should not be a simple bloodbath, playing some execution scenes, or letting some people wear special clothes and walk around the street like headless corpses.

Maybe I will have an extra title of "Father of Horror Films" in the future?

But when he thought that this title was mostly given to directors, Lance pouted helplessly.

Bandi's request was indeed a bit difficult, so he gave these people some buffer time, which also gave Lance and Alberto time to prepare.

On Friday night, Lance took a large group of people to attend Ethan's first arena match.

The match was held in a boxing gym, and there were not many people present, because both Ethan and his opponent, who had two wins and one loss, were super rookies in the entire boxing world.

So new that people haven't even heard of them!

The sports industry is very simple and realistic.

Whether you are strong or not can be seen at a glance.

A difference of 0.1 seconds in running is a difference of 0.1 seconds. The number of battles and wins and losses in boxing is written clearly and clearly, and it is difficult to fake.

They will not pay attention to a rookie and a rookie. There are only the teams of the two players on the scene.

And Lance and them.

Ethan became a little excited and nervous when he saw so many people from Lance watching his game. He was very worried that he would perform too badly.

The coach saw his current situation, and while massaging him to relax, he told him that he was the strongest.

Lance walked to the side of the ring. The opponent's coach kept staring at Lance, fearing that he would hand Ethan a weapon or something.

This kind of thing has happened before, but fortunately Lance was just chatting with him.

"Want one?", Lance took out a cigarette.

Ethan's coach's face turned black!

"Mr. Lance, don't joke, Ethan is an athlete now, he can't have this!"

Lance certainly knew, he just wanted to joke, but he was also a little surprised, "Did you quit smoking?"

At this time, the tobacco group spends a lot of money every year to suppress all negative news related to cigarettes, including lung diseases, etc., but in sports, people will still find that smoking athletes are a little worse than non-smoking ones.

So after Ethan showed his talent, the coach immediately asked him to quit smoking.

Ethan nodded a little embarrassedly. To him, quitting smoking seemed like an embarrassing thing.

Lance threw the lit cigarette on the ground. He patted Ethan's calf - he was standing under the ring.

"Good job, I'll treat you to something delicious later!"

The opposite coach was a little unsure of what Lance was going to do. He walked to the referee and said a few words. The referee nodded and increased his voice a little, "Irrelevant personnel leave the ring, our game is about to begin."

Except for the referee and staff, Lance and the others were the only audience!

Lance waved his fist, "Knock him out!"