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Assassins' Alliance – The Textile Factory
A garbage truck stopped outside the textile factory. The rear doors swung open, and John Wick jumped out. The truck turned the corner and drove off without a trace.
John Wick surveyed the building in front of him, confirmed the location, then stepped forward and knocked on the door.
A small window in the door slid open. Wesley looked at the man outside and said,"Mr. John Wick, we're very pleased you could make it."
John Wick replied angrily,"I came as agreed."
The factory gate opened, and Wesley led John Wick inside.
This was John Wick's second time here. As he walked, he carefully observed his surroundings. There were clearly many more guards at the entrance than before. Once inside the complex, he saw countless looms running nonstop and workers moving busily between them.
Yet John Wick could clearly sense that these were no ordinary workers. He asked no questions, simply following Wesley onward.
They crossed the factory floor, passed the employees' rest area, and stopped outside a room. Wesley said,"Go on. Push the door open."
The moment the door opened, sunlight spilled onto John Wick, as if he no longer needed to hide in the shadows.
Smith Doyle sat alone on a sofa, watching as John Wick entered. He noticed the bloodstains covering Wick's white shirt and the unsteady way he walked. Clearly, it had not been a pleasant day for him.
John Wick stepped forward, dropped to one knee before Smith Doyle, and said in a voice filled with longing,"Mr. Smith, I'm here."
Smith looked down at the man kneeling before him and knew that he had reached the end of the road. He asked calmly,"What do you want?"
John Wick raised his head to look at the man before him. The rising sun streamed through the window, bathing Smith Doyle in golden light, making him appear imposing and majestic.
"Mr. Smith, I ran into trouble at the Continental Hotel. I hope you can protect me."
Smith took out John Wick's blood oath marker, toyed with it for a moment, then said,"John Wick, you have been excommunicated from the Continental. Your bounty has risen to 2.1 billion dollars, of which the Dragon Balls alone account for 400 million."
"You are currently the highest-bounty target ever issued by the Continental. Every assassin in New York is hunting you. If assassins in other regions discover your whereabouts, they'll swarm in as well."
"John Wick, what benefit is there for me in taking you in?"
As John Wick listened to Smith Doyle describe his predicament, he realized he had no other choice. He made his decision instantly.
He produced two Dragon Balls from his person, placed them on the ground, and said solemnly,"I am willing to swear allegiance to you and join the Assassins' Alliance."
Smith Doyle did not look at the Dragon Balls on the floor. Instead, he fixed his gaze on John Wick and asked,"Have you heard of the Assassins' Alliance?"
John Wick shook his head."Not much. Only that its power is enough to rival the High Table."
Smith Doyle said,"The Assassins' Alliance was founded over a thousand years ago. It is an organization with a very long and profound history."
John Wick was taken aback. He knew that the country they were in had only existed for a little over two hundred years. He had never imagined that the Assassins' Alliance had endured for so long. No wonder it could stand against the High Table.
After explaining the Alliance's history, mission, and ideals, Smith Doyle continued,"John Wick, you left the world of assassins five years ago for the sake of a woman you loved."
"Though you caused a great deal of bloodshed during that time, you still insisted that you never truly returned."
"Now tell me—are you ready to go back?"
John Wick had never expected the Assassins' Alliance to be an organization devoted to eradicating evil. No wonder they were always either eliminating assassins or wiping out criminal gangs. Hearing this, he answered earnestly,"I'm ready."
"My hands have been stained with blood. It was only after I met Helen that I chose to leave the assassin's life."
"But Helen's death made me realize that someone as guilty as I am cannot enjoy true peace."
"I am willing to swear loyalty to you, to join the Assassins' Alliance, cleanse the filth of this world, and atone for my past sins."
Smith Doyle nodded in satisfaction and said,"John Wick, I accept your allegiance."
Hearing this, John Wick finally felt the weight lift from his heart. He immediately picked up the two Dragon Balls and presented them to Smith Doyle as a sign of loyalty.
Seeing this, Smith was even more pleased. John Wick was still as sharp as ever.
Smith Doyle did not take the Dragon Balls. Instead, he asked,"John Wick, has your wish changed?"
John Wick replied in a low voice,"My wish has not wavered in the slightest. I only want my wife, Helen, to be brought back to life."
Smith Doyle said,"Keep the Dragon Balls. I will tell you where to find the next one."
John Wick still held his hands up and said,"Lord Smith, the High Table is still hunting me. If the bounty isn't canceled, once I leave here, I won't be able to take even a single step."
Smith Doyle knew he was right. If the bounty remained, John Wick wouldn't survive a day after leaving the Alliance.
"John Wick, if you want to land safely, there are only two paths."
"The first is to be reinstated by the Continental Hotel and have the High Table revoke the bounty on you."
"And the only ones truly capable of doing that are the twelve elders of the High Table."
John Wick could tell from Smith Doyle's tone that this wasn't the option he meant, so he asked,"And the second path?"
Smith Doyle smiled faintly and said,"If we eliminate the so-called 'High Table' and the 'Continental Hotel,' then the bounty on you will naturally cease to exist."
John Wick's pupils contracted sharply. He had never imagined that Smith Doyle's ambitions were so vast—aimed at shaking the very foundations of the underworld.
In the eyes of most assassins, the High Table was an unfathomable, terrifying colossus. But when viewed through the lens of the Assassins' Alliance's mission, it all made sense.
The underground world was about to change.
"Master Smith, what do you need me to do?"
Looking at John Wick's shocked expression, Smith laughed and said,"Don't rush. In your current condition, you're not fit for anything yet. You need a proper wax bath to recover."