Chapter 55: Chapter Fifty-Six: I

The Queen’s Underground Bar was filled with dazzling lights flashing everywhere, heavy metal rock music shaping its atmosphere.

Here, America’s fallen gathered—free to go mad, free to indulge, savoring the euphoria brought by white contraband.

Ye Nan wore a black tank top and sat at the bar counter, where row upon row of premium cocktails crafted by master mixologists lined the surface.

“Hey, handsome, won’t you buy me a drink?” A wild blonde woman approached, her vivid red nails brushing across Ye Nan’s cheek, orchid scent drifting against his ear, a faint itch stirring.

“I’m not of age. I can’t drink.” Ye Nan rejected the blonde outright.

He saw her attire and knew she was a regular here. He always avoided alcohol—had he not needed to meet Kenneth, he’d never have come. After all, this place teemed with all kinds of people, perfect for hiding one’s identity.

“There’s no federal law here, little brother,” the blonde leaned in, exhaling lightly before his face.

She’d been watching him since he walked in—she sensed immediately how different he was from the others. It was a gap of social rank, like the divide between a millionaire and a beggar.

Indeed, after entering, he immediately ordered several expensive drinks, treating money like dirt. That made her suspect he was some wealthy family’s son—and stirred a faint urge to fish for him.

Having spent years haunting the Queen’s Bar, she was tired now. “Queen of Flowers,” “Queen of Liquor”—only in this midnight revelry did such titles mean anything. By day, that world belonged to the light, not to sinners like her, cast out by God.

She was sick of this life. She didn’t want to fish for marks on the ground—she wanted to walk in sunlight, become a queen, a true queen who lived in the light and basked in the cheers of thousands.

But wealthy sons rarely came to the Queen’s Bar; those who did always came with pure, innocent girls beside them. Someone like her? They didn’t even notice her.

“Sorry, I’m not interested in you,” Ye Nan shook his head, dismissing her. These bar girls made decent underground lovers—but he was still young, had no need for one, and didn’t want the trouble.

“But I’m interested in you,” the blonde purred, inching closer, her whole body about to collapse onto Ye Nan.

“Say one more word, and I’m not interested. Leave,” Ye Nan said coldly, a trace of annoyance rising.

“Fine,” the blonde rose from his side, glaring at him with resentment. “I’ll find you again.”

Ye Nan watched her go, lifted a glass, and downed it in one gulp. The burn of strong liquor down his throat eased his inner gloom slightly.

Kenneth wore a black short-sleeved shirt over a dark green military vest, black gloves on his hands, all ten fingers exposed, clenched into fists.

His mood was unsettled—not just from the danger of his mission, but more from his own anxieties.

Ye Nan, president of ICQ Corporation, had sent him a message: meet at the Queen’s Bar in New York. He’d initially thought to tell the mercenary group’s leader, Ed, but quickly dismissed the idea.

The messenger said Ye Nan wanted to discuss his daughter’s illness—forcing him to abandon telling Ed and go alone.

Ye Nan saw Kenneth arrive as agreed and smiled instantly. “You’re here. Half an hour early. Surprising.”

“Why did you bring me here?” Kenneth removed his gloves, placed them on the counter, grabbed a bottle, and drank deeply. The harsh alcohol numbed his thoughts, briefly intoxicating him.

“You do need some liquor—you’re about to face a choice,” Ye Nan smiled faintly, snapping his fingers. “Bring this gentleman the strongest liquor you have. All of it.”

“Got it,” the bartender replied, excited. He pulled out every kind of liquor, blending them into potent cocktails—customers’ demands were always met.

“Kenneth, born in 1966, age twenty-nine, has an eight-year-old daughter named Sola. Three years ago, she contracted a rare illness: her blood cells are dying rapidly. She survives only through constant blood transfusions. What a pitiful little girl,” Ye Nan said with a look of sympathy—though he wasn’t pretending. Anyone seeing the photo of that pale girl lying in bed would feel the same.

Hearing Ye Nan’s words, Kenneth stiffened. His drunken gaze sharpened. For a sharp mind, alcohol never truly clouded thought.

Kenneth had once been a U.S. Marine. After his daughter Sola fell ill, he took on massive debt, quit the military, abandoned his promising career, and entered brutal underground fighting rings.

Even so, his daughter survived only by the barest margin—her blood cells kept dying, and current science couldn’t diagnose the cause. Only constant transfusions kept her alive.

Because of this, he poured every cent from his underground fights into her care, amassed enormous debts, and joined a mercenary group, becoming a man walking the edge of death.

He joined the Satan Mercenary Group. In these three years, his calm mind and exceptional skill completed one mission after another, earning the admiration of his comrades and the trust of their leader, Ed—rising from a common mercenary to the group’s second-in-command.

But he knew well: as a mercenary, he made enemies. If anyone discovered where his daughter was, she’d be targeted for revenge. So he moved her hospital and forged her ID—all without telling a soul.

But today, Ye Nan’s message shattered his peace. He knew exactly what the man wanted—and he hesitated.

“You’re talented. Without you, the Satan Mercenary Group would’ve taken at least ten more years to reach its current state. Join me. Build me a mercenary unit. I’ll cover all your daughter’s medical costs—and cure her.”

Ye Nan was like a devil from hell, whispering seduction into Kenneth’s mind, making him waver.

“Think—why did you join the mercenary group in the first place? For your daughter. Now, you can abandon the group to help me—for her.”

“I know you’re reluctant to leave your comrades. But back in the Marines, didn’t you cut ties with emotion then? Why can’t you do it now?”

“You know your daughter is at the prime of youth, lying in bed day after day. That’s no life. I can gather the most renowned hospitals in America to study her illness.”

“For your daughter. For her future. Cut the ties. Start anew. You’ll find you gain far more.”

“Let me think. Give me time,” Kenneth’s head throbbed. On one side: three years of comrades, Ed, whom he treated like a brother. On the other: his daughter. The two choices crushed him. Add Ye Nan’s voice echoing endlessly—he nearly went mad.

“Fine. I’ll give you time. I have plenty. But remember—your daughter can’t wait. Her condition has worsened.” Ye Nan turned and walked away, a confident smile on his lips. He knew Kenneth couldn’t resist. He’d surrender in the end.

Hearing Ye Nan’s final words, Kenneth’s heart tightened. He bolted out, sprinting back in frenzy.

PS: Recommend a friend’s excellent book

[e=The Supreme Divine Technique]

The genius teenager Han Mo, reincarnated five years back after being betrayed in his past life, carries supreme martial arts and ascends to the pinnacle of martial cultivation, dominating the world.

My will is the sole decree of heaven and earth! Those who obey live; those who defy die!

Though heaven and earth perish, I shall not perish. Though sun and moon fade, I shall not fade. In all realms, martial arts alone reign supreme! I alone am supreme!