"Who's the distinguished guest who wants to talk business with me tonight? To be honest, ever since I got back into the game, not many people have approached me for business."
Qingshui straightened his collar slightly and followed Penguin towards a private room in the Iceberg Lounge.
"Oh, Watt, my friend, don't tell me you haven't done business with that Harvey Dent. I don't believe he'd just give you that piece of land for free."
Penguin adjusted his glasses, chuckling.
"So, who is this person who wants to do business with me this time? If he needs you to introduce him, what does he want to talk about?"
"His name is Marconi, and he's got a pretty big beef with Two-Face."
Penguin said.
"Beef?"
"Harvey Dent's face was splashed with acid by him in court, turning it into what it is now. Thanks to Marconi, Gotham got rid of a White Knight and gave the Dark Knight a huge headache."
Penguin shrugged.
"The Two-Face Gang must have given him a lot of trouble, right?"
"Of course. Marconi was almost thrown into a chemical plant's acid vat by Harvey Dent. But that guy defected to Falcone, and Carmine sent people to rescue him."
The Falcone Family, the Two-Face Gang, and Penguin's Iceberg Lounge are currently the three most powerful gangs in Gotham, operating across both legal and illegal spheres.
Falcone is the strongest and has the deepest roots, the Iceberg Lounge is the wealthiest, and the Two-Face Gang is a rising power, with the largest numbers. In terms of overall strength, they are on the same level as the first two.
In the past, the Two-Face Gang's position was occupied by Marconi's crime family. At its peak, it was even a rival to the Falcone Family, hoping to overthrow Falcone and become Gotham's biggest gang.
However, Two-Face ultimately rose to power by stepping on him, and the Marconi Family's influence plummeted. But it still remains a major gang in Gotham, with a semi-cooperative, semi-subordinate relationship with the Falcone Family.
If the old Kohl Gang was a low-tier small gang, and Spaletta was a somewhat capable third-rate small gang, then the current Hogg United, in terms of territory and numbers, barely meets the standards of a second-rate gang, and is considered a large gang in the impoverished areas.
The Marconi Family currently has more territory and members than Hogg United, but their assets in those territories, the overall quality of their personnel, and the quantity of their weapons are far superior to the less established Hogg United.
After all, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. The overall quality of the Marconi Family's gang members is not inferior to top-tier gangs. Falcone also needs a good blade to keep the increasingly powerful Two-Face Gang in check.
There are only three truly first-rate gangs: the Two-Face Gang, the Iceberg Lounge, and Falcone. Not only are their territories, numbers, and assets several times those of second-rate gangs, but their members also have high combat effectiveness and loyalty. Furthermore, they are not only successful in the criminal underworld but also have deep ties with the upper echelons of Gotham's government.
Qingshui followed Penguin into the most luxurious private room at the Iceberg Lounge.
The room was resplendent, with white chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, casting a soft glow that reflected on the fine, white wool carpet.
Several famous paintings hung on the walls. Qingshui couldn't identify the specific works but recognized the names of Da Vinci and Picasso.
Qingshui felt a little disappointed.
He had thought Penguin would arrange some hostesses for him and Marconi to accompany them during their business talk.
A middle-aged man with a receding hairline, dressed in a suit, proactively stood up from a leather chair and extended his hand to Qingshui.
"Oh, you're finally here, Boss Watt of Hogg United."
Out of politeness, Qingshui shook the man's hand.
"I presume you are Mr. Marconi?"
"It seems Cobblepot has already introduced me to you, so I won't introduce myself again."
Marconi sized Qingshui up and down.
The man before him wore a poorly made trench coat, clearly imitating the style of Italian Brioni menswear. However, the tailor's skill was so poor that it resulted in a coat that seemed to have some taste but was actually quite incongruous.
This must be a gang boss with some ability, but little contact with high society and a lack of vision.
"Gentlemen, I wish you a pleasant discussion."
Penguin smiled slightly at the doorway, made a hand-to-chest gesture, bowed, and closed the door as he retreated.
"Care to try? Opus X Cigar, it's the most popular cigar in the world. This box is a limited edition, three thousand dollars a box. And French Burgundy Wine, known as the Queen of Wines, this bottle is ten thousand dollars. These are my gifts to you, to celebrate our pleasant cooperation."
"Thanks!"
Qingshui plopped down casually opposite Marconi, pulling the so-called most popular cigars in the world and the bottle of Queen of Wines into his arms.
"Not going to try them?"
Marconi asked with a smile.
"Uh, sorry, I've always believed that alcohol and nicotine affect health, especially by interfering with the brain's ability to make sound judgments. So… can I just keep these as souvenirs?"
In reality, Qingshui wanted to pocket them and sell them later.
The Three Ninja Prohibitions were rules every ninja school student had to learn, and Qingshui had followed them since childhood.
Smoking wasn't a big deal; many ninjas smoked. But Qingshui didn't have the habit either, so it was better to sell them all.
Marconi couldn't help but be taken aback.
I know you're a bumpkin, and your reaction certainly is that of a bumpkin, but this move is a bit off-script!
"Ahem, since you've accepted the gifts, I suppose it's time we discuss business."
Marconi straightened up, his expression changing.
Qingshui gestured for him to continue.
"I know, Mr. Watt, you recently made a deal with Harvey Dent and acquired a large piece of territory. I presume Mr. Watt also knows that I have a bit of history with Harvey Dent, so I'd like to complete this deal with you on his behalf."
So he was here to steal business from Harvey Dent.
"And does Your Excellency know what kind of business Mr. Harvey and I are engaged in?"
Marconi chuckled, reaching out to move the newspaper on the table.
"I know, of course I know. A very big business, so big that you even brought Victor out."
Underneath the newspaper was another newspaper.
And Qingshui was very familiar with this newspaper's cover.
Under the rainy night and thunder, at the peak of Arkham Asylum, an image of Batman and Titan Joker facing off!
How did Harvey Dent manage to keep that a secret?!
"That's a very powerful force, powerful enough to give Batman a massive headache, even powerful enough to shatter Batman's spine. And the only person we can find right now who might still possess the seeds of that power is you!"
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