**Chapter 31: Sacred Shield Brotherhood, Allies**
However, Tang Song showed a hint of reluctance at the appropriate moment.
"Mr. Tang, do you have any other questions?" West asked directly when he noticed.
Tang Song adopted the persona of a businessman and said somewhat awkwardly, "There is indeed one issue. I promised Father Declerck that I would maintain stability in New York, but during this time, my subordinates, facing the vampires' counterattack, have also suffered quite a few casualties."
"After all, none of us expected someone to be so insane as to try and summon an Ancient Evil Being," Tang Song said, trailing off.
West and Father Declerck's eyes revealed a look of 'As expected.'
Merchants pursue profit; they had anticipated Tang Song's increased demands before coming.
If it weren't for an extremely important change happening in the Vatican for their faction, which prevented the Inquisition from deploying personnel on a large scale, the major incident involving the evil being in New York would never have fallen to Tang Song, a mere Demon Hunter, to handle.
"I heard from Father Declerck that Mr. Tang wants to get into the arms business," West said. "I have a deal here. I wonder if Mr. Tang is interested?"
Tang Song's face appropriately showed a curious expression. "What kind of deal? I'd like to hear the details!"
"Several divisions of Italy's defense forces are currently upgrading their military equipment, and they are preparing to update some of their weapons and equipment!" West paused.
Hearing this, Tang Song personally got up and poured them each a glass of high-quality French Bordeaux white wine, saying, "No arms dealer would refuse this kind of arms business, but I heard that this kind of business has very high requirements!"
West laughed. "The Minister of Italy's Department of Defense has some connections with me, and the person in charge of military procurement is an old acquaintance of Bishop Grant!"
After speaking, he looked at Father Declerck.
Father Declerck understood it was his turn to speak and nodded, saying, "Mr. Tang, Bishop Grant is already aware of the situation here. As long as the matter of the Blood God's descent doesn't affect the Vatican, he will take responsibility for the procurement."
Tang Song frowned, took a cigar from Lane beside him, and gestured towards the two. "You don't mind, do you?"
West spread his hands, indicating he should go ahead and smoke.
Tang Song smoked the cigar and smiled. "Then, for this business, I'll take 35%. I will register the Arms Company as soon as possible. Of course, on the buyer's side, I will need Mr. West's strong cooperation."
West nodded naturally, and Father Declerck also agreed from the side.
This was natural. Even if it was only a partial equipment change for a country's military, the profit involved would still be tens of billions of USD. Tang Song taking 35% meant the rest of the cake would naturally be divided among others upstream and downstream.
As for how they divided it, Tang Song didn't care.
...
With the business settled, Tang Song casually asked West, "Mr. West, I heard that priests are ascetics. I wonder what your hobbies are?"
West seemed surprised by Tang Song's question, hesitated slightly, and then organized his words. "Well, I'm very interested in Ancient Castles in various countries... Every year I travel around the European continent. To be honest, I'm a crazy enthusiast of medieval Ancient Castles. I might visit people in those Ancient Castles across Europe and explore some strange sights."
Tang Song looked at the small silver cross exposed on West's chest, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
Visiting strange people? He was going to inspect and monitor the vampires in the various Ancient Castles, wasn't he? Tang Song lightly clapped his hands, laughed, took out his checkbook, signed a blank check, and handed it to West.
"Mr. West, this is just a small token of my regard."
West smiled ambiguously and declined, "This, there's no need for this. Mr. Tang, we are already very grateful for your strong support in dealing with the Blood God matter, this..."
Tang Song said seriously, "I am a businessman, so businessmen always like to measure everything with money. I believe Mr. West is someone worth associating with. In the future, in business and in many other aspects, we will need the support of influential and powerful people like you. Are you not happy to accept such a small token?"
West licked his lips, glanced at Tang Song's eyes, and saw the cunning gaze of a complete shrewd businessman.
He smiled reassuringly, accepted the check, and put it into his wallet without hesitation. At the same time, he pointed at Father Declerck and said, "Then, I won't be polite either, Mr. Tang. For the next Republican Party election, I hope you can... well, the opinions of a big Boss with economic strength like you are very necessary for the Republican Party's help and support..."
Tang Song showed a look of understanding, calculated shrewdly for a long time, and then smiled.
Father Declerck and West both laughed and took their leave.
After Frank had seen the two off for a long distance, Tang Song rubbed his chin and said thoughtfully, "The Vice Chief Judge of the Inquisition, does he have such great power? He can even influence the Federation's political circles?"
The Inquisition was an institution established by The Church in the Middle Ages to judge heretics. Its purpose was to eliminate all anti-church heretics and people with heretical ideas. In the Middle Ages, the Inquisition had great power and could burn suspects directly without any trial. The witch burnings in the Middle Ages were their doing.
Although the influence of the Inquisition has declined now, the head of the Inquisition holds a position within The Church second only to the Pope. And West is one of the two Vice Chief Judges of the Inquisition. His status is second only to the Chief Judge and the head.
The Vice Chief Judge of the Inquisition is an Important Figure. No wonder his energy intensity is so high.
After sending off West and Father Declerck, Tang Song sat on the sofa and slightly narrowed his eyes, a unique divine sense flashing past. Unlike Father Declerck, he felt an energy on this Vice Chief Judge that was very similar to the cross on Father Declerck. However, in terms of energy, this so-called holy power on West was at least ten times that of the cross on Father Declerck.
Could this be the confidence of the Inquisition in sealing the Blood God?
Lane frowned. "Currently, the Vatican's influence is mainly in the realm of faith. On the political level, many countries won't comply with them. Perhaps they approached you this time for certain interests. This West, his strength is probably not weak."
Tang Song corrected his view. "Not just not weak, but very strong. Don't underestimate him. If a conflict really arises in the future, and you still hold the notion that he is merely not weak, you might as well kill yourself early... Of course, I won't let a conflict with them happen... Haha, they are using us, so why shouldn't we use them?"
Lane showed a look of understanding.
Tang Song said fiercely, "Hmm, go prepare to find a few arms companies to cooperate with. Forget Stark Industries, they are too expensive. We need the kind that is good quality and cheap. Only by keeping costs down can we earn more! Hammer Industries is good! Although the quality is a bit worse, I'm sure the Italian soldiers won't mind."
"It's a pity the Italian military doesn't use AKs. We have several warehouses full of these durable things."
...
After West and Father Declerck walked out of the Manor, Father Declerck said hesitantly, "Your Honor, this Tang Song gives off a feeling that is hard to see through, a bit mysterious. Blade mentioned the mysterious power on him, should we pay attention to it?" West asked, "Have you investigated his background?"
Father Declerck said boastfully, "Tang Song, Chinese, snuck into the Federation over two years ago. He obtained legal residency and a diploma from Oxford University in the Federation within half a year. Then he started fighting his way through the underworld, attracting a group of capable subordinates with money and violence, and has now become one of the more powerful figures among the New York gang leaders... Oh, he also took over The Hand's territory... According to the intelligence provided by Blade, he should also be a member of an Eastern Supernatural Force!"
West licked his lips and sighed, "The East, a mysterious country, a place where God's faith has never spread!"
Then West said arrogantly, "But on this land bestowed by God, we are the masters of the world. He is just a greedy, vicious businessman. But I like businessmen, because as long as you give them enough benefits, they will work their lives for us, understand?"
Father Declerck nodded in understanding and suddenly asked, "Why don't we recruit him?"
West laughed. "We want elites, not every superpower user is qualified to join our organization. Look at those brainless Mutants, they only deserve to stay in the Laboratory... Of course, if this Tang can show me his potential, I don't mind being his guide. As for now, let's wait and see. Father Declerck, the New York Diocese will be entrusted to you from now on. You must work hard and try your best to maintain the stability of the New York Diocese. We will fully help you become an Important Figure in this area. This is also what the Brotherhood promised you, understand?"
Father Declerck nodded. West sighed, "Since the Sacred Shield Brotherhood split, the Brotherhood today is far from what it used to be..."
"You cannot imagine the power we once wielded, a power that could easily overturn this world... Now we can only parasitize The Church and use its power to restore our glory~"
...
Tang Song withdrew a wisp of divine sense, spat, and said, "Damn, so he's a traitor! Hmph, hmph... Sacred Shield Brotherhood, I wonder how they compare to that group of Bald Mages."
Seeing Frank idly fiddling with the ballistic knife in his hand, Tang Song suddenly asked him, "Frank, are you still in contact with Nick Fury?"
Frank instinctively blurted out, "He contacted me before, wanting me to join his organization..."
He suddenly shut his mouth, looked deeply at Tang Song, and said, "I didn't agree. My personality isn't suited for his line of work. Boss, you saved my family, I won't..."
Listening to Frank dryly expressing his loyalty, Tang Song laughed heartily and interrupted him. After more than a year of getting along, Tang Song naturally knew what kind of person Frank was. The reason he asked Frank was that he vaguely remembered reading a Marvel Comics where S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra had split from this troublesome Sacred Shield Brotherhood. However, since Nick Fury had contacted Frank, then given that agent's mindset, his name was probably already in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s files.
...
Tang Song closed his eyes to rest. Behind him, a figure quietly walked over and directly pounced behind him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
*Mua!*
Skye wrapped her arms around Tang Song's neck, leaned over, kissed his cheek, and said with a giggle, "Boss, did you miss me?"
Tang Song turned his face, wrapped an arm around Skye's neck, and gave her a French kiss.
After a long while, Skye felt she couldn't breathe and finally struggled free with her hands. Tang Song, still wanting more, reached out and lifted Skye's chin. He then got up, picked her up, and held her in his arms, his hands moving over her, teasing her until she was soft all over. Only then did he get to the main topic.
"Just got back? How did things go?"
Skye leaned in Tang Song's embrace, feeling completely soft.
"Several hackers from Rising Tide have been poached, but some didn't want to join!"
"It's okay, we don't force anyone. Later, find Lane and have him give you some funds to buy some high-end computers!"
Tang Song held Skye in his arms, teasing her like a kitten.
...
You get what you pay for. After seeing enough money, Tang Song quickly showed West what efficiency meant. Everyone in his venue was sent out to look for suspicious individuals. In less than three days, Tang Song found a suspected hiding place for Deacon Frost. Of course, what West didn't know was that Tang Song had already found this location long ago. For him, it was just a game of nurturing the enemy to strengthen himself. After all, vampire heart blood was a renewable resource for Mr. Tang.
Night fell. At the New York Port, within an old, abandoned Dock, in an ancient Watchtower, a faint yellow oil lamp flickered like a firefly. This was a deserted Dock in New York. The city's overall planning hadn't reached this area for renovation, so these lighthouses, at least decades old, remained and became a place for creatures that couldn't be seen by day.
Frank led over a hundred gunmen, quietly surrounding the vast area near the Watchtower. Twelve elite snipers lay on the ground, aiming their Barrett Heavy Sniper Rifles from distant Rooftops towards the top of the tower. Inside the lit Watchtower, several burly men were sitting around the lamp, drinking and playing cards.
Directly below the Watchtower was an Underground Structure the size of two football fields. In a Secret Room within, a pool about a third the size of a swimming pool was filled with blood water boiling like hot water. Deacon Frost looked fanatically at the Blood Pool and the twelve pure-blood vampires tied to the Stone Pillars around it.
"Soon, soon, you will witness a miracle!"
A pure-blood vampire in a suit, with his hands tied to a Stone Pillar, rebuked him in a low voice, "Bastard, you won't succeed. The most important thing for the ritual to summon the Blood God is a Daywalker. Do you dare to provoke him? Hundreds of blood kin in New York have already died or been injured because of you. The European Elder Council won't let you off!"
"Daywalker!?" Deacon Frost walked up to the speaking pure-blood vampire with an arrogant stride and glared at him. "Speaking of which, it's really funny. When did the Elder Council ever care about the lives of us half-bloods!"
"Also, who told you that you must have a Daywalker to complete the ritual?" Deacon Frost said with an exaggerated expression, "Do you know? I found a perfect substitute!"
The pure-blood vampire snorted lowly. "'Impossible. The sacred book clearly states that only the blood of a Daywalker can complete the ritual and summon the Blood God!'"
"You pure-bloods, you always cling to these old notions, lying in your coffins. Times are advancing, humans are developing, and we can't fall behind either!" Deacon Frost patted the pure-blood vampire's face.
The pure-blood vampire let out a low roar, his angry eyes turning completely red.
"How about it? Come and meet my ally, and the sacrificial offering I prepared for the Blood God!"
As Deacon Frost's words fell, a long-haired figure walked out from the underground passage.
(End of Chapter)