Eight o'clock in the evening.
The Continental Hotel.
Before heading to the hotel, Russell finally defeated the gun-wielding Sword Saint and cleared the entire game.
In a good mood, he drove his Porsche to the Continental Hotel.
Charon, dressed impeccably in a suit, was still at the front desk.
"Is Winston here yet?"
Russell asked Charon.
"Yes, he's in the restaurant."
Charon looked at Russell and replied in a professional tone that was impossible to fault.
Nodding at Charon, Russell walked directly towards the restaurant.
Although it was dinner time, there weren't many guests in the restaurant.
As soon as he entered the restaurant, he saw Winston and Kingpin.
Winston still had his gentle and refined demeanor, speaking softly with Kingpin.
Kingpin sat across from Winston, nodding occasionally.
"You're here. Let me introduce you, this is Mr. Wesley, also known as the famous Mr. Kingpin."
Seeing Russell arrive, Winston immediately stood up and introduced him.
Actually, he didn't need an introduction; seeing Kingpin's extraordinary physique was enough to know it was him.
Kingpin, standing at 2 meters tall and weighing 200 kilograms, looked like a small giant.
Just looking at his build, he was roughly twice as wide as Russell.
"Hello, I'm Russell!"
Russell said to Kingpin, who had also stood up.
Although Kingpin looked somewhat serious, he proactively extended his right hand and shook hands with Russell.
After the introductions, the three sat down separately.
"I wanted to meet you a year ago, but I didn't expect to have this opportunity until now."
Kingpin sized Russell up and down and was the first to speak.
"It's not too late to meet now, is it?"
Russell didn't mind Kingpin's scrutiny.
When they shook hands just now, Kingpin had the idea of testing him.
But for some reason, Kingpin ultimately gave up on this plan and just shook hands with him normally.
However, Kingpin's small movement of attempting to exert force and then giving up was still detected by him.
"That's right, it's indeed not too late to meet now."
Kingpin was not as arrogant as the rumors suggested, and his tone was completely devoid of pressure.
If it weren't for his inherently serious appearance, perhaps he could also take the gentle and refined route like Winston.
For the rest of the time, Kingpin didn't discuss any overly serious topics with Russell, conversing kindly and casually like newfound friends.
Since Kingpin didn't plan to state his purpose directly, Russell wasn't bothered to ask him.
Even if he didn't say it now, he would say it later, there was no need to rush.
While chatting with Kingpin, Russell enjoyed the top-grade Kobe steak from Japan in front of him.
He had eaten many meals in the hotel restaurant, but he never remembered them offering such top-grade steak.
The seared surface and the magical texture of the snowflake marble looked even more enchanting against the backdrop of the fat.
The rich but not greasy aroma of the meat, even before entering the mouth, had already begun to stimulate the diner's sense of smell and taste.
Gently cut it open with a delicate knife, pick up a small piece, and put it into your mouth.
The meat was tender and soft, the texture was firm and springy, and it was rich and juicy.
It melted in your mouth!
High-end ingredients often require only the simplest cooking methods. Russell, who had been busy (smithing) all day, began to experience the taste bud enjoyment brought by the Kobe steak.
Simple cooking methods, original and delicious taste.
It was obvious that these Kobe steaks were either from Winston's private stock or specially arranged by Kingpin.
Top-grade Kobe steak, 1er Cru.
A perfect pairing!
Although there weren't many ingredients on the table, it was clear that thought had been put into it.
At least Russell was very satisfied with the meal.
Clinking glasses, chatting and laughing.
Looking only at the surface, it would be impossible to tell that sitting at this table were a crime lord, a top assassin, and the manager of a killer hotel.
When the restaurant waiter cleared away the plates, knives, and forks, Kingpin looked at Russell with a complex expression, seemingly considering whether to discuss the main topic with him.
Russell saw Kingpin's strange expression but said nothing, simply picking up his wine glass and taking a light sip.
Although 1er Cru was a rare fine wine.
To be honest, he didn't taste anything particularly unique.
Kingpin also picked up his wine glass.
However, unlike Russell who took a small sip, he drank the fine wine, which resembled fresh blood, in one gulp.
After putting down the glass, he slowly said, "I have a commission here, I wonder if you're interested?"
"What kind of commission?" Russell also put down his wine glass.
"I want something, and I hope you can help me retrieve it."
"What is it?"
"Dragon bone!"
When he said the words 'Dragon bone', Kingpin's expression became incredibly serious.
Dragon bone?
Russell looked at Kingpin with some confusion.
Of course, he knew what dragon bone was.
But the question was, what did Kingpin want dragon bone for?
Did this guy also want to become an immortal monster?
"What is dragon bone?"
Russell pretended not to know anything and said slowly.
"Dragon bone is the bone of a divine dragon. You are from China, you should be very clear about what a divine dragon is."
"Sorry, I've only heard of the existence of divine dragons in myths and legends."
At this moment, Russell displayed extremely exquisite acting skills, as if he truly knew nothing.
"I can tell you clearly now that divine dragons are real and possess extraordinary abilities just like in myths and legends."
"I know where there is dragon bone, but my subordinates can't retrieve it."
"If you can retrieve it, I can give you an absolutely generous reward."
Kingpin didn't directly say where the dragon bone was, nor did he specify what the reward would be.
In fact, even if he didn't say it, Russell knew where the dragon bone was.
K'un-Lun, the Hand, and the New York Underground.
First of all, K'un-Lun could be directly ruled out.
Even if Kingpin knew of K'un-Lun's existence, he absolutely couldn't know its specific location.
That left only two options: the Hand and the New York Underground.
Russell knew that dragon bone was buried somewhere in the New York Underground, but he wasn't sure exactly where.
The Hand also seemed to be looking for these dragon bones, and he didn't know if they had any more specific information.
Based on Kingpin's words just now, the dragon bone he knew about was likely the one in the Hand's possession.
Although Kingpin was a crime lord and an unavoidable overlord in the New York underground world.
But the Hand was not a pushover either.
On the surface, the Hand was just a crazy killer group that followed ancient traditions.
They were basically in the same line of work as Russell!
But in reality, the Hand was a genuine supernatural organization.
From the perspective of supernatural abilities, the Hand's supernatural purity was even higher than that of Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D. combined.
After all, the Hand was truly dealing with demons from other dimensions.