Having analyzed that Harold would likely move against him soon, Danny Rand cooperated fully by creating opportunities. He intentionally acted alone, for instance, by wandering solitary through secluded streets late at night.
His goal was to make Harold feel there was an opening, baiting him into striking early so that Danny could launch a counter-move.
Everything went exactly as expected. Harold finally lost his patience.
Nightfall. In a narrow alleyway on a remote street.
Danny looked at the circle of ferocious-looking thugs surrounding him with knives. His face remained calm as he tested the waters. "What is your objective? If it's money you're after, there's no need for blades and guns. We could just sit down and talk this over peacefully."
The leader, a blonde brute, hefted his machete. "Deepest apologies, but someone paid a high price for your life. Don't blame us when you're down in the afterlife; we're just doing a job."
Danny's eyes flickered with sharp insight. It truly was an assassination attempt. Having trained in Kun-Lun since he was nine and only recently returning to New York, he had virtually no entanglements with local factions and hadn't offended anyone.
Since his return, the only parties with conflicting interests or grievances were the Hand, whom he had dealt with previously, and Harold Meachum, regarding the ownership of Rand Enterprises.
The Hand was an international organization of ninjas and assassins; if they wanted him dead, they would never commission these superficial "thugs." These men looked exactly like common gang members looking for a street fight.
Furthermore, if the goal was pure assassination, wouldn't a long-range sniper be more reliable?
Of course, against Danny—who possessed the power of the Iron Fist—a sniper wouldn't be very effective anyway. Besides, the Hand knew enough about Danny's strength to know they shouldn't move against him lightly.
Therefore, these men were likely hired by Harold.
Harold probably wanted them to look "unprofessional" so the scene would appear as if Danny had simply been killed in a random gang encounter during a night run—a tragic accident rather than a calculated hit.
"Could you tell me who hired you to take my life?" Danny asked with perfect composure.
Though the blonde leader found Danny's calmness strange, he looked at his dozen brothers armed with gleaming weapons and tossed his concerns aside. He grinned cruelly. "Why ask so much? Do you really want to be a ghost who knows too much?"
"I am indeed curious about who wants me dead. I wonder if you could satisfy my curiosity? I don't believe I've offended anyone," Danny admitted with a nod.
"You're about to be a dead man. What's the point of knowing?" The blonde brute seemed to have a modicum of professional ethics.
Danny smiled slightly. "Then let's change the question. How much did the person who hired you pay for this hit?"
"What do you mean?" The blonde brute froze, staring at Danny.
"It means that no matter how much he's giving you, I can pay you double," Danny said casually.
"Boss... double the price..." a lackey next to the blonde man whispered urgently.
"Ahem..." The leader cleared his throat. "We are professionals."
Danny didn't blink. "Triple."
"How can I trust you have that kind of money? Or that you'll actually give it to us?" the leader asked. However, his machete had unconsciously lowered, clearly betraying his inner thoughts.
Danny sighed. "Do you know who I am?"
"Who are you?" the man asked.
Danny couldn't help but chuckle. They really were unprofessional; they hadn't even investigated their target's identity before attacking.
"Danny Rand. Heir to Rand Enterprises," Danny introduced himself. "The person who hired you most likely wants to stop me from inheriting the company. If you are willing to testify against the man who hired you, I will pay you four times his rate."
Danny boldly increased the stakes. If he could solidify the evidence against Harold, this was mere pocket change.
The blonde leader's eyes darted back and forth. After a moment, he spoke: "Deal. We can help you find the guy who commissioned the hit."
Danny smiled with satisfaction. Knocking out these amateurs would have been easy, but if he could use a few words to make them work diligently to find the mastermind, why not?
"Mr. Rand, don't you worry. We'll go grab that guy who's plotting against you, tie him up, and bring him right to your feet," the leader said with a fawning smile, tucking his machete away.
Danny shook his head slightly. "I want you to expose the mastermind so he can face legal justice."
Harold likely wouldn't have met these thugs in person for the transaction.
The blonde man nodded frantically. "Understood, understood. We'll make that middleman spit out the name of the guy behind it all."
Since Danny Rand was the one currently paying, everything he said was right.
"Mr. Rand, it's quite unsafe for you to be alone on the streets of New York so late. How about we escort you home?" the leader asked, his face now full of "concern."
Danny shook his head, watching the man whose attitude had done a complete 180 due to the "money bomb." "That won't be necessary."
"Truly a pack of shameless, faithless scoundrels. You all deserve to die!" a voice filled with suppressed rage suddenly rang out.
"Where did you pop out from?" The blonde leader gave a look, and a lackey stepped forward with a machete.
Danny, however, narrowed his eyes as he looked at the newcomer. "Harold?"
He felt something was wrong. Even if Harold wanted to confirm the hit, he wouldn't come in person and alone. Unless... he had some other form of support?
Harold gave Danny a twisted, savage smile. "You were missing for over ten years. Why did you have to come back? To take Rand Enterprises from my hands the moment you return?!"
Danny remained unmoved. "So you sent these people to kill me?"
Harold admitted it frankly. "Yes, I sent people to find these men. I just didn't expect them to have so little integrity—bought off by a little extra cash. They are pathetic."
The blonde leader realized this old man was the ultimate mastermind. He sneered. "You hired us to kill someone but didn't even tell us who the target was. The heir to Rand Enterprises for only fifty thousand dollars?!"
The brute wasn't stupid. Danny was offering four times the amount, no killing required, more money with zero risk. Only a fool would refuse.
Harold snorted coldly. "It doesn't matter. I originally planned to eliminate you all after you killed Danny to wipe away any loose ends. Seeing the situation now, it seems I must take matters into my own hands. None of you are leaving here alive today..."
"TRICERATOPS!"
With those words, Harold pulled out the Triceratops Memory and transformed into a Dopant.
(End of Chapter)