In the desert near Casablanca, at the High Table headquarters.
"I presume many of your businesses have recently been ruined by Kingpin of Hell's Kitchen." A Middle Eastern man with a turban on his head said, seated at one of the positions at a large round table.
This large round table had twelve positions, representing the twelve seats of the High Table. Currently, only ten of these seats were occupied; those not present had their video calls open.
Today was the High Table's Elder meeting, specifically addressing the recent retaliation from Hell's Kitchen.
Those not present were the Marquis, who was currently on the run, and the people from the Antonio Family, who had already died.
"Damn Marquis, why didn't he come? I wanted to discuss compensation with him. It's all because of his arrogance that we've incurred so many losses." A Russian Elder roared furiously.
"So we must retaliate. Kingpin is challenging the authority of our High Table. He's making outsiders think that our High Table is easy to bully." A man from a Korean country who resembled a celebrity said.
"Peace is precious, isn't it? Everyone is here to make money, after all. Besides, I heard that the Marquis was the one who broke the rules first, going directly to Kingpin's territory to cause trouble for his godson. I think it's better to find someone to talk to Kingpin first. I heard that Kingpin's godson is also very interested in joining our High Table."
The person speaking at this moment was an Asian-faced Elder on the screen.
"Any Tom, Dick, or Harry wants to join our High Table now." An old man in samurai attire said disdainfully.
"I heard that Kingpin's godson is also a Mutant, controlling magic. And now John Wick and Marcus, these two former legendary assassins, are under his command, along with two unkillable mercenaries." An Elder named Makutum said.
Then, Makutum, holding a remote control in his right hand, turned on the large screen and played the video of Chen Ye's fight in Hell's Kitchen that day.
The Elders watched Chen Ye on the screen, flying, stopping bullets, magical bombardments, and that terrifying speed, astonishing strength—all of which conveyed his immense power.
After watching the video, the expressions of the many Elders, both on the screen and seated in the conference room, varied: some were disdainful, some shocked, and some expressionless. But without a doubt, they were all stunned by Chen Ye's power.
"Kingpin really hit the jackpot, having such a powerful godson." One of the Elders said enviously.
"Hahaha, I'm quite eager to meet this young friend." The Elder of the Hongmen said in his booming voice.
Elder Makutum, seeing this, also seized the opportunity to say, "There are no eternal enemies, only Eternity of interests. This World has always been for those with ability."
"I think it's better to talk to Kingpin. I believe everyone here is very clear about Kingpin's power; I don't need to elaborate.
"How about this, I'll be responsible for talking to him about a ceasefire. After all, for every day we delay, we lose another day. Let's start voting: peace or war."
After a round of voting, Elder Makutum began to tally the votes: "Six votes in favor of peace talks, two votes in favor of war, and two abstentions."
"I will be responsible for talking to Kingpin. That's all; meeting adjourned."
...
Fisk Tower,
Kingpin's massive body was seen sitting on a high-end Italian custom-made sofa, on the phone.
"Kingpin, it's time to stop, isn't it? You people in Hell's Kitchen have had enough attention these past two days, haven't you? Do you really think our High Table is a pushover? Are you truly going to go for broke for a godson? Besides, your godson is fine, isn't he? You know, our High Table also has our own trained Arbitrators." Elder Makutum threatened.
Clearly, the High Table knew Kingpin; after all, they were all top existences in the Dark Dimension, and business dealings were quite normal.
"Makutum, we're old friends. What do you mean, 'for a godson'? It's a good thing my godson is fine, which is why I gave you High Table a little lesson. We in Hell's Kitchen come and go as we please. If anything had happened to my dear godson, I would have risked my life to make everyone in your High Table pay."
Kingpin smoked his cigar, completely unconcerned by the threat from the High Table.
"Besides, 'going for broke,' do you even qualify?" Kingpin said disdainfully.
Elder Makutum on the other end of the phone took a deep breath after hearing Kingpin's mockery; after all, it was indeed not easy to break ties now.
The High Table, after all, was formed by the alliance of twelve top families and was not a monolithic entity.
Everyone had their own selfish motives; it was impossible to throw away their family fortunes for a Marquis.
To be honest, Kingpin and they had no direct enmity, and there were even some existing interests.
If war truly broke out, some of them might even defect to Kingpin's side.
"State your terms. What will it take to quell your anger?" Makutum asked helplessly.
"Very simple, I want a seat on the High Table. The Continental Hotel in New York must be opened in our Hell's Kitchen, with the High Table paying for renovations, and my people managing it. Furthermore, you must compensate me and my godson for emotional distress, and Hell's Kitchen for labor costs. Five hundred million U.S. dollars." Kingpin demanded a hefty sum.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible. Not to mention that behind each of the High Table's twelve seats stands an ancient family, so you can't possibly take one. And rebuilding a Continental Hotel, do you know how much that would cost? Then let's go to war!" Makutum seemed to lose his composure upon hearing Kingpin's terms.
Kingpin unhurriedly poured a glass of red wine, then said, "Don't rush. I know your High Table has an ancient tradition: a one-on-one duel."
"The winner can obtain any promise from your High Table. Can I have my godson participate and duel that Marquis? Once the Marquis loses, we can then eliminate his family's forces together, and the assets gained will be enough to rebuild a Continental Hotel and cover the compensation. The rest of your High Table won't have to pay a single penny."
Makutum's pupils constricted upon hearing this; only then did he realize Kingpin's enormous appetite. He not only wanted a seat but also to wipe out an entire family—truly worthy of Hell's Kitchen's overlord.
"But, as you know, the prerequisite for initiating a duel is to first join a family. Chen Ye is not part of the twelve families."
"It's fine. I've already sent people to eliminate everyone from the Antonio Family in New York. That family no longer exists in the World, so Chen Ye can represent my Fisk family. Also, just give the High Table seat to my godson. I'm old, so I won't join."
Kingpin said indifferently, as if the recently annihilated family had nothing to do with him.
"Alright, I can approve your godson's seat, and I will also notify them about the duel. However, the Marquis's family has significant power, so we might not intervene." Makutum agreed.
"Sixty-forty split. I get sixty, and as for the remaining forty, I don't care how you divide it." Kingpin interrupted Makutum and stated his price.
"We will intervene. Provided your godson can win." Hearing Kingpin's offer, Makutum also agreed.