Chapter 1132: An “Acquaintance’s” Battle
Luke indeed didn’t know exactly what this stone door was made of.
But just like how the Destroyer’s skin hadn’t broken even after being hit by an armor-piercing bullet at close range, this wasn’t something that could be understood with Earth’s current science.
While this unknown thing might contain benefits, it could also be a trap. It wasn’t worth acting blindly.
Also, it would be very hard to move it, so Luke didn’t pursue it further.
As they were talking, Luke heard some activity. He used his ability to probe the top of the pit for a moment, and a strange expression appeared on his face. “Daredevil and his ex-girlfriend are here. Don’t move later; it’ll be easy for this guy to detect us with his hearing.”
Selina stood still obediently, but she couldn’t help but ask, “Ex-girlfriend? Isn’t he afraid Karen will run off?”
Pondering for a moment, Luke said, “What if he’s treating them both the same?”
Selina asked, “Are you talking about yourself?”
Luke said, “I’m still a kid, I’m not even 20 yet. I don’t have as much experience as a 30-year-old man.”
Selina: “Hehe.”
After talking over the internal comm for a bit, Matt and his ex appeared above the pit.
But before they could come down, several red figures ran out of the darkness and surrounded them.
Luke narrowed his eyes. “Ninjas in red? The Hand?”
Matt and his ex had probably alerted the ninjas, who definitely hadn’t been here just now, or Luke would’ve noticed them earlier.
Selina asked, “What are those ninjas doing? I haven’t seen them recently, so I thought they gave up on the Clinton area.”
Luke said, “Let’s take a look first.”
The duo above clearly didn’t have much to talk about with the Hand. Without saying a word, they advanced and immediately started fighting.
However, they were outnumbered. In just a few minutes, the duo fell to a disadvantage, and Matt decisively dragged his ex-girlfriend away.
It was obvious that this guy had learned his lesson. He knew that he couldn’t force his way through in certain situations, or a concussion, a tranquilizer dart or something similar awaited him.
Looking at the image sent by the drone above the pit, Selina suddenly said bewilderedly, “Don’t you think the leader of these ninjas looks familiar?”
Luke’s eyes flashed. “Yes. I stabbed him in the head with a knife last time, and I saw him die in front of us.”
Thoughts flashed through Selina’s mind, and she was shocked. “That group of ninjas next to the river? But didn’t you kill them with knives?”
Luke sneered. “I’m very interested in that too. Resurrecting the dead isn’t a common thing. Let’s go.”
Selina asked, “Aren’t we going to deal with them?”
Luke said, “Just monitor the situation first. The Hand won’t have just these few ninjas. Keep them alive and see if we can track them to their nest.”
These were all experience and credit points that had been sent to his door. It would be a waste if he didn’t take them.
He wouldn’t kill these ninjas so easily; who knew, they might come back to life again after a few days.
Coming back to life once after he killed them was already a miracle. If they did it again a second time, it would be a slap to his face. He wouldn’t be able to take this grievance.
Sneaking out, Luke installed surveillance cameras in various inconspicuous spots around the building to monitor it.
Early the next morning, Luke went to Foggy’s office and had him try persuading the residents who hadn’t moved away to accept the conditions and move out of the apartment building.
After thinking for a moment, Foggy’s expression turned ugly. “Is it dangerous?”
Luke didn’t give him a straight answer. He simply said, “I noticed strange movements with the people going in and out of the building. They’re not small-time hoodlums. Any residents still there might get pulled in if anything happens.”
Foggy didn’t doubt Luke.
Luke had already proven his character through his donations and actions.
More importantly, he found Luke pleasing to the eye, so he nodded and agreed. “Actually, the company offered decent conditions for relocation. The remaining families are used to the place, and public security has become a lot better, which is why they refused to move. If I explain the situation, they’ll probably listen.”
Luke nodded.
The Clinton area was in central Manhattan.
Its notorious reputation had been deliberately put about by Kingpin and the other gangs.
With a few reconstruction and renovation projects, a lot of capital would rush in, and real estate prices would skyrocket.
There were plenty of gangs that hid out in old apartment buildings to sell illegal drugs.
Gangs who operated out of luxury apartment buildings were very rare.
At the same time, the high property prices would lead to high taxes, and NYPD would have to pay attention to security.
At that time, it would be very difficult for any gang to do illegal business in the Clinton area.
Nobody was stupid. Everybody who owned real estate in the Clinton area aimed to make money one day.
The rent for houses in Clinton wasn’t high, but property prices had always been high.
It was through Jenny’s connections that Luke had been able to purchase his five-story building.
Otherwise, it was impossible to buy a place by relying on just money alone; owners would just wait for prices to continue increasing.
Most of the people who lived in that apartment building were renters, not owners.
Considering the strategic location and the ability to cut down on commuting costs, many people were reluctant to leave.
Now that they had to take their lives into consideration, however, they would ultimately choose to stay away.
After that, Luke was about to leave.
Foggy stopped him.
Luke waited a few seconds, but before the fatty could say anything, he saw the hesitant look on the fatty’s face, and wanted to laugh. “Foggy, I’m not a woman. What’s with that awkward expression? Don’t say that you’re coming out of the closet. I don’t discriminate, but it’s impossible for me to join that side.”
Foggy couldn’t help but raise his middle finger, and things returned to normal. “You know that we’re almost done with the community reconstruction project?”
Luke nodded.
The reconstruction project had been launched a few days before Christmas last year. It was already the middle of February, and should be completed in two months.
“What? You’re short of money, and you’re afraid that someone will cause trouble?” He casually mentioned the biggest possibility.
Foggy shook his head. “No, we’re keeping an eye on that, and it’s enough.”
The truth was that they were indeed a little short of funds.
Foggy was already prepared to take out part of this month’s 50,000, which the firm received as a “regular contribution,” to make up this deficit.
Luke asked, “So what’s the problem?”
Foggy said, “Actually, I think it could be considered a good thing, but there’s a little problem for now.”
Luke said, “Tell me. I’m worth hundreds of thousands of dollars a minute. I don’t have time to play word games with you.”
Foggy was stunned. Shouldn’t that be my line, as a lawyer? Though, I’m only worth several hundred dollars an hour in theory.
Inwardly roasting Luke’s terrible opening remark, Foggy nevertheless explained the details.
As it turned out, the problem was with the interim construction team, but it couldn’t simply be deemed a bad thing.