Marvel: Killing Makes You Stronger

Chapter 65: Kingpin, a changed Man

No matter when or where, battles at the spiritual level are the most dangerous.

They are no less severe than a fight to the death.

Once damaged in a spiritual battle, recovery can be extremely difficult. Defeat is not merely a matter of death. Wishing for death might seem like a luxury. Often, it involves not just having one's memories accessed, but possibly being completely controlled by the opponent, turning into a mindless shell.

Especially for someone of her beauty and caliber, one can only imagine her fate.

Emma has always believed that the only person in the world who surpasses her in spiritual prowess is Professor Charles. That old man truly is the planet's strongest telepath.

Over the years, Emma has operated discreetly, hoping to avoid confronting that old man, as she would likely be at a disadvantage.

But aside from him, she is the strongest.

However, a confrontation in the psychic world of Kingpin shattered her beliefs. Suddenly, she discovered an unexpectedly terrifying psychic.

From the details of their confrontation, the opponent's use of psychic abilities was only half-sophisticated, somewhat crude.

Yet it was brutally simple—either a psychic storm or a bomb, aiming squarely at annihilation.

What shocked Emma most was the opponent's overwhelming psychic power, which she believed could rival or even surpass Professor Charles.

Even if the distance of 7500 kilometers partly constrained her abilities.

But she knew clearly, the opponent was stronger than her.

This realization terrified Emma, but fortunately, she was cautious enough to retreat in time. And since the opponent harbored no great malice, she remained unharmed. Otherwise, she might have suffered greatly.

Now, Emma is like a cat encountering something new, curious yet fearful.

She wants to approach the opponent, but fears being swallowed whole.

Thus, Emma plans to test the waters, but she intends to prepare well first. Caution is best at such times.

"Let's enjoy this game of cat and mouse, Boy."

Emma laughed. Her role was naturally that of the mouse, but who says a cat always catches the mouse? A cunning mouse can sometimes completely mock the cat.

At that moment, a handsome Russian nobleman with champagne approached.

But with a glance from Emma, he simply passed by her and left.

"I'm really not in the mood to deal with you all at this party."

After finishing her champagne, Emma set down her glass and elegantly walked out of the hall, unnoticed by everyone else, who were all immersed in the dance.

Once outside the hall, Emma got into the back seat of a luxury car.

"To the club," she said.

Kingpin acted quickly. Within three days, he spent $45 million on an estate on Long Island.

Long Island, located on the east coast of the United States, is a narrow island southeast of New York City.

It spans about 30 kilometers at its widest north to south and about 190 kilometers east to west, from Great Neck in the west to the resort destination of Montauk at the eastern tip, a journey of over two hours by highway.

Long Island enjoys excellent natural conditions, surrounded by sea on three sides, with its beautiful coastline, sandy beaches, prominent lighthouses, renowned vineyards, quaint historic towns, world-famous mansions, and classic English gardens.

This estate, called Swan Estate, was built by a very famous construction firm. The interior spans approximately 2100 square meters on a plot of 2.4 hectares. This unparalleled stone building embodies the essence of strategic architecture and design, aimed at showcasing a life of noble luxury.

Located on the north shore of Long Island, the estate boasts 13 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, ample living space to host large gatherings.

Approaching the estate, one is greeted by boxwood hedges, Tuscan-style columns from Italy, and a long stone driveway leading to a noble and elegant home.

The grand foyer features a multi-floor ceiling with large arched windows and a compass rose on the floor, leading to a spacious reception area.

One of the lounges includes a built-in cocktail area, large columns, coffered ceilings, and a panoramic view of Manhasset Bay through curved windows.

Impeccable woodworking, elegant paneling, and two facing libraries enhance the luxury.

The libraries feature custom British oak paneling and dark mahogany, respectively. Both include antique fireplaces—the former with 18th-century Louis XVI limestone, the latter with 19th-century French marble.

The formal dining room has an imported 19th-century fireplace, antique wall fittings, crystal chandeliers, custom-designed French doors, and opens onto a long stone terrace overlooking the gardens and sea.

The octagonal breakfast room is designed as an "indoor yet outdoor" space with colorful stained-glass windows and five sets of French doors, allowing natural light to fill the dining area.

One of the round foyers leads directly into a 3.65-meter high master bedroom, featuring a stone fireplace, uninterrupted sea views, a private sitting area, and separate bathrooms for the master and mistress.

Besides, there is a pool—an outdoor pool constructed with slate tiles adjacent to an indoor pool, surrounded by a round-roofed pavilion and a spacious bluestone terrace.

Outdoor facilities include a seaside tennis court, an ever-changing English garden, a greenhouse, a romantic lily pond, swan wood sculptures, a private deep-water dock, and a broad beach with sand imported from the eastern end of Long Island.

Despite its grand exterior and interior, the estate still exudes a very comfortable and livable ambiance. The estate itself is a true work of art, blending rich American architectural features from the late 1800s with modern elements. Undoubtedly, Swan Estate is an unmatched architectural marvel.

(TL: God Damnit, STOP!!! This is hard to translate, because I know I'm so goddamn poor!)

In this era, such estates are undoubtedly the luxurious residences of only the wealthiest magnates.

Moreover, the estate employs professional maids from the Maid's Union, senior butlers from the Butler's Union, security personnel, chefs, and more. The costs involved are not merely the $45 million spent.

Maintenance and other expenses will also amount to a significant sum annually.

Bi Xiao doesn't mind, with Kingpin, the cash cow behind him, he doesn't need to pay out of his own pocket. What pleases Bi Xiao more is that Kingpin decisively transferred $100 million to him.

This spending is a major outlay for Kingpin, coming out of his own pocket, including other business and underworld revenues that also need time and substantial financial support.

Though it pains him, Kingpin is very decisive in spending the money.

The estate was purchased in Bi Xiao's name, so no transfer agreement was necessary.

By last night, Kingpin had not come to see Bi Xiao again. He feared seeing his heart twitch, knowing how much money he had accumulated over the years, only to spend $160 million in one go, depleting his coffers significantly.

Fortunately, he secured Bi Xiao's commitment in return.

In the coming years, he shouldn't lack money, as there are no other significant expenditures. So, it might be several years before he thinks of Kingpin as a piggy bank again.

Kingpin isn't happy about this. He feels like no matter how hard he struggles, he will always be under Bi Xiao's shadow. The hard-earned money he's accumulated might one day be drained by Bi Xiao, a bitter thought indeed. He took this path unwilling to live repressed (oppressed).

Having become a mob boss and entrepreneur, he never expected to still live under duress (pressure?). Was his role as a mob boss all for naught?

If it were before, Kingpin would not have settled for this. He might not dare to resist openly, but he would certainly find every possible means secretly—either kill Bi Xiao, find a way to break free, or simply end it all, taking someone down with him.

Now, things are different. Kingpin has his own wife and children, a happy family, and he had even considered retiring. It's easy to see how domestic bliss has eroded his fierce spirit.

Facing someone as mysterious and powerful as Bi Xiao, Kingpin no longer considers engaging in such risky endeavors.

He'd rather just work quietly, thinking that besides having a Butcher above him, he's still the king of the underworld Hell’s Kitchen, a figure feared by countless mobsters.

Kingpin comforts himself with this thought, but it also stirs a vengeful mindset. Having inexplicably bled heavily, he must find a way to recoup his money.

With competent assistance from James Wesley in the business sector, he decisively targets other gangs. He plans to seize more territory and do more business, as Bi Xiao has promised not to interfere.

Of course, Kingpin steers clear of the organ trafficking and human trafficking industries.

Kingpin has played it safe. Even without Bi Xiao's admonition, he fears what might happen if Bi Xiao impulsively discovers his involvement in these businesses.

Who knows what this young man might think, with adolescent whims being unpredictable.

Fearing the worst, Kingpin decides to be thoroughly cautious. After all, these two industries don't significantly impact his profits—they're dispensable.

Kingpin's thoughts are unknown to Bi Xiao. If Bi Xiao were aware, he'd remark on how Kingpin has changed, no longer the underworld emperor he once knew.

He also thinks of Kingpin's wife Vanessa and their son as indirectly saving his family. Kingpin, as one of the largest mob bosses, could never show weakness when he embarked on this path. To live a normal life would signal to the world his vulnerability.

From a robust lion, he would seem like a sickly cat.

A robust lion would deter other ambitious lions from encroaching on his territory, but a sickly cat would only invite their aggression.

If Kingpin remained the lion, perhaps even more fierce, greedy, and ruthless, his abilities and temperament would likely keep other criminal forces in fear, in hiding, or in ruin.

This is akin to changing fate with money.

Of course, whether this truly alters fate, Bi Xiao can't be sure, but he has a premonition that Kingpin will become even more formidable than he's known, even without a clear target.

This intuition isn't strong, yet Bi Xiao faintly senses it might be a new ability emerging from his growing strength.

After all, predicting the future seems a common skill among the Celestials.

Even those not of Celestial origin seem to possess it; there's no reason he shouldn't.

If things turn out as he suspects, the unfortunate ones might not be Daredevil, the Defenders, or Spider-Man and other street-level heroes.

This could indirectly set them up.

Bi Xiao harbors a dark thought; he's quite looking forward to seeing those street heroes struggle.

That would certainly be interesting.

With another estate added, Bi Xiao naturally moved in (for the better), although his current demands for living quality aren't too high. But now that he has it, he naturally enjoys it, as it's the fruit of his hard labor.

Effort never disappoints, reinforcing Bi Xiao's determination to grow stronger.

Regarding the apartment in Queens, he has temporarily set it aside but has entrusted a service company with a year-long contract to clean and maintain the apartment weekly.

Life in the estate is utterly luxurious, best described as indulgent. The only drawback remains the absence of a lady of the house.

Additionally, he has given psychic suggestions to the other inhabitants of the estate, especially since a conspicuous Blackbird jet is parked on the lawn, visible to anyone but the blind.

This is also to avoid unnecessary trouble.

He has remained at the estate continuously until Christmas, America's most traditional holiday. Bi Xiao doesn't grasp the concept of Christmas, so naturally, he has no need for it.

Dressed in a white sweater, he sits by the estate's pond, sipping hot coffee at a gazebo table, with a laptop in front of him.

The internet is a wonderful thing.

On it, one can find countless obscure news items from around the world.

Many people like to share their daily lives or incredible events on social media or blogs.

Bi Xiao prefers to browse the latter, well aware that these incredible occurrences might lead him to new prey.

However, many of these are fabrications or misunderstandings, and verifying their authenticity is up to Bi Xiao himself.