Apocalypse Forecast

Forty-six hours ago, Yingzhou.

At 23:05 in Current Circumstances, a light drizzle descended from the sky; outside Kobe·Jinling Street, a car with a Tanbo license plate quietly stopped at the intersection.

The young man in the back opened the door and stepped out, leisurely opening an umbrella.

His slightly immature face, illuminated by distant neon lights as he raised his head.

Ahead at the street corner, two rows of suit-clad men stood without umbrellas, showered by rain, with serious expressions, calling out respectfully as they bowed in greeting.

"Wow, such a grand occasion?"

Wood Cottage whistled, laughing: "Even for a family dinner, is it necessary to be this extravagant?"

Someone stepped down from the passenger seat.

The middle-aged man’s appearance was extraordinarily peculiar, dressed in a tracksuit, yet with a crooked Tachi at his waist. His face was unshaven, hair curly and unruly, back hunched, resembling an Old Monkey.

Following behind the young man, he grinned at the welcoming party standing on either side.

The cigarette at the corner of his mouth fell to the ground, and he casually extinguished it.

And thus, swaggering alongside the young man, he walked into the heart of the Triad.

Walking through the silent Long Street, under countless gazes, they stepped through that vermilion gate, crossing the hall, moving straight ahead.

Familiar as if returning home.

Along the way, Lin Nineteen smiled warmly, greeting familiar faces passing by. However, this time the usually enthusiastic smiles appeared somewhat forced, retreating quietly, unwilling to speak much.

Moreover, outside the hall, in the waiting open space, there were unfamiliar faces with varied expressions.

Tattooed Shinra people, tracksuit-clad Russian Federation Men, impeccably dressed Yingzhou People resembling office workers... bronzed Americans, and even jet-black Egyptians.

Those outsiders who kept their distance and were distinctly separated smoked and chatted, whether old or young, male or female, each uniquely different.

Yet without exception, they all carried a certain aura of brutality.

Like beasts mingling within the crowd.

Upon hearing footsteps approaching from afar, hostile glances turned towards them.

Following behind Lin Nineteen, Old Monkey scratched his cheek.

Yet Wood Cottage ignored it, continuing forward.

Moving unimpeded.

Until finally, before the large door, a blood relative blocked him with an arm.

A middle-aged man with arms crossed leaned against the door, examining Lin Nineteen, gesturing for him to raise his arms.

"Do you really have to frisk me, Eleven Brother?"

Wood Cottage widened his eyes in confusion: "It’s really that distant?"

Lin Eleven pursed his lips: "Uncle Liu said, anyone else is fine, but Little Nineteen must be searched in case there’s another sting operation he can’t handle."

"How could that be, haha."

Wood Cottage shrugged innocently, allowing his cousin to search him: "Our teacher isn’t here; even if I were covered in explosives, it wouldn’t harm a hair on Uncle Liu, right?"

Eleven Brother did not respond, carefully frisking him head to toe. Finally, he released him, patting his shoulder, stepping aside to clear the way.

Old Monkey with the sword tried to follow, but Eleven Brother raised his hand to stop him.

The middle-aged man’s grin was warm, reminding him, "No entry for the idle, please."

"I’m the bag carrier," Old Monkey raised his eyes, earnestly explaining.

Lin Eleven said nothing, simply smiling at him.

Old Monkey also smiled, looking at his neck.

Fingers on his waist flicked.

As if they were dancing upon invisible keys.

Silent standoff.

Until Wood Cottage at the door turned back: "No need to worry, Kudagawa Predecessor, it’s just family having tea... Uncle Liu certainly wouldn’t harm me, right?"

The latter half was spoken to the smoky interior.

Where inside, amidst a frozen atmosphere, both sides of the long table were filled with guests from various backgrounds, smoke swirling above grim and somber faces.

Only the elderly man at the end of the table smiled kindly.

"What nonsense is that, my Little Nineteen is on Uncle Liu’s turf; who could touch a hair on you?"

Thus, Wood Cottage’s smile grew even more cheerful.

Entering, he closed the door.

Swaggeringly taking off his jacket, hanging it on the rack, sitting on the last chair at the end of the long table, he raised his head, surveying the faces around, whether familiar or strange.

Greeting warmly.

"Did everyone arrive this early? Have you eaten? Don’t just drink tea at an older age; it’s bad for your stomach."

No one responded.

Wood Cottage didn’t expect an answer either.

Leaning on his chin without feeling awkward, examining their appearances.

K Party’s third hand, ’Red Nose’ Ronnie; Light Illumination Sect’s Grand Pope, Marsh Origin Kenichi; Angry Ji Group’s representative, Daishi Kuonshi; Great Circle’s red pole, Chen Libo; American Mafia’s old godfather, Johnson; Egypt’s illicit drug magnate, Cyrus...

All the renowned underground leaders in Kyoto were unexpectedly gathered here today.

Even those beyond Wood Cottage’s expectations...

He raised his eyes and looked at the elderly woman beside Uncle Liu, dressed in a suit, exuding elegance: "Fourth Aunt is here too?"

"Isn’t it so?"

Fourth Aunt smiled kindly: "I heard Little Nineteen has achieved something, the old master is concerned, so he sent me to take a look. Rest assured, with Fourth Aunt here, no one can touch you today."