Guns and Coffee in the World of Science

A black Rolls-Royce slowly approached and stopped steadily at the hotel entrance, understated yet imposing. The car's streamlined lines intertwined with light and shadow, like a lurking black panther.

At this moment, the entrance was already filled with dignitaries from all parties who had arrived earlier, and when this car appeared, their eyes, which were originally greeting or observing, all turned to the Rolls-Royce in unison, and the air seemed to be filled with a hint of solemnity.

The driver's door opened, and a beautiful woman in an exquisitely tailored cheongsam calmly stepped out. Her steps were light, but her expression was filled with a fierceness and vigilance that could not be concealed.

Kogoro Maori stood by the window, his eyes fixed on her, and he immediately recognized her - Scott, the woman who almost shot him.

Immediately afterwards, the passenger door was pushed open, and a woman wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a neat suit walked down.

She glanced around warily, her eyes as sharp as a hawk's, as if she was trying to identify and eliminate every possible threat. After confirming that there were no abnormalities, she quickly walked to the rear door and opened it with a clean and efficient movement.

The first person to step out of the car was Suzuki Sonoko, dressed in a well-tailored women's suit, exuding a sophisticated yet elegant demeanor.

She stood beside the car, bowing slightly. Her posture was natural yet carried a hint of dignity and composure, as if silently declaring her extraordinary status.

Immediately afterwards, a slender hand reached out of the car door and Mao Lilan got out of the car. She was wearing a simple dress, with a dignified look but a gentle smile.

When Chen Shuo emerged from the car, the atmosphere instantly grew more solemn. The man, dressed in a dark suit and a simple tie, wore a well-placed smile and walked with a steady gait.

His appearance was like a ray of light cast in the darkness, and all eyes were drawn to him, as if creating an invisible sense of oppression.

"Mr. Wu Chen, long time no see." Liu Meitang was the first to nod slightly, with a hint of respect in his tone.

"Mr. Wu Chen, seeing is believing." Zhou Sheng took the initiative to step forward and shook Chen Shuo's hand.

"Mr. Wu Chen, it's a rare opportunity to meet you." Yamaguchi Shinoda of the Yamaguchi-gumi bowed slightly. Although his tone was calm, it could not hide his importance to Chen Shuo.

Italian Mafia leader Vito Ferro, American Mafia boss Benjamin Gambino, and other bigwigs from all over the world also came forward to greet each other, and every word they said was full of respect.

Chen Shuo always maintained a decent smile and greeted every important figure politely, but his words were measured, neither flattering nor distant.

He is like a natural born protagonist, and every subtle movement reveals professionalism and calmness.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the group, led by the receptionist, slowly entered the hotel. Chen Shuo walked in the middle, Suzuki Sonoko and Mao Lilan on either side, while Shi Kao Bing and the woman with glasses flanked them, acting as silent guards. The imposing presence of the group was enough to make anyone feel the overwhelming pressure.

Maori Kogoro looked at their backs, pursed his lips, and a sentence emerged in his mind: "After tonight... the world will change..."

---

Led by the receptionist, Chen Shuo and his party walked through the hotel's magnificent corridor and arrived at a grand conference room.

Pushing open the heavy mahogany door, what comes into view is a huge oval conference table with a mirror-like smooth surface. On the table are neatly placed the logos of various forces and a cup of warm tea.

The surrounding walls are decorated with solemn murals and highly symbolic golden reliefs. On the top is a crystal chandelier, bright but not dazzling, which shrouds the conference room in a solemn and oppressive atmosphere.

The group took their seats one by one, and each person's seat was carefully arranged, fully reflecting their weight in the underground world.

Chen Shuo sat at the head seat at the oval table, his face stern and calm. Suzuki Sonoko and Mao Li Ran sat on either side of him, their expressions steady. Scott Skoubing and the girl with glasses stood behind him, watching their surroundings vigilantly like statues.

Representatives from other factions also took their seats. These individuals were enough to make the entire world tremble. As they sat, their gazes met, some with inquiry, some with caution, and most with silent recognition of Chen Shuo's position.

As the last representative sat down, the heavy wooden door of the conference room was closed with a low "click", as if isolating the world from all external sounds.

In an instant, the entire space became quiet, with only the sounds of everyone's breathing and the slight steaming of tea.

The air seemed to freeze. This wasn't just any ordinary meeting, but a grand gathering that would determine the future of the underground world. The underground world's territory, resources, rules, and even the balance of life and death would be rewritten here.

Chen Shuo glanced around briefly, a faint smile playing at the corner of his mouth, though it lacked warmth. He gently placed his hands on the armrests of his chair, his gaze sharp as a knife, yet carrying a certain irresistible majesty.

"Everyone..." His voice was low, but with a convincing magnetism, "I think we can begin."

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Chen Shuo, and the entire conference room instantly fell into a silent tension and solemnity. Tonight would be a turning point in the history of the underground world.

---

As Chen Shuo's calm voice fell, the lights in the conference room dimmed slightly, and everyone's eyes turned to the stage. At this moment, a familiar figure slowly walked out from the backstage.

Gin, the killer known for his cold-bloodedness and decisiveness, has changed his attire today.

He was not wearing a heavy windbreaker or a high-necked shirt to hide his figure. Instead, he was wearing a well-tailored black suit that highlighted his tall figure, making him look formal and solemn.

His expression was still stern, his brows revealing his usual calmness, but upon closer inspection, one could detect a hint of nervousness and excitement.

After standing still, he glanced around the audience, his eyes sweeping over the faces of every important figure. These targets, whom he might normally only observe from the shadows, were now all before his eyes, and in the context of a peaceful meeting.

Gin knew very well that these people were not prey that he could attack at will. The stomping of each of their feet was enough to make the entire underworld tremble.

He took a deep breath, suppressed the slight tension, and pressed the switch of the projector with an expressionless face.

A bright beam of light was projected onto the screen, and suddenly, the five large characters "Continental Hotel Plan" came into view. The font was steady and majestic, as if announcing a force that could not be ignored.

Gin stood before the projection screen, bowing slightly. His tone was calm yet solemn. "Good evening, everyone. My name is Kurosawa Jin, and I'm the current manager of the Continental Hotel's Tokyo branch. Now, I'll introduce you to the details of the Continental Hotel."

The people in the audience had different expressions. Some looked scrutinizing, some had a hint of curiosity in their eyes, and others nodded slightly without any expression, as if approving of Gin's opening.

Even so, the atmosphere in the conference room was still solemn. Everyone knew that every word Gin said might represent the future rules of the underground world.

Gin thought to himself, "These people cannot be killed. Today, we are not going to use bullets, but rules to speak."

---

Gin stood firmly at the front of the stage, his cold gaze like a sharp blade sweeping over the dignitaries below. He raised his hand slightly, pressed the air, and signaled for silence.

Then, he took a deep breath and spoke calmly, his voice low but penetrating:

"Your presence here in person demonstrates your recognition and expectations of the Continental Hotel. It is not an ordinary hotel, nor is it simply a safe haven.

The existence of the Continental Hotel is the pillar of the underground world's order, and this order is the foundation for our future survival in chaos and conflict."

He paused briefly, looking around, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's. "Next, I will explain the rules of the Continental Hotel in detail. I hope you will listen carefully, because each rule is not just a clause, but an iron law."

Gin pressed the remote control, and the first rule appeared on the projection screen: The Continental Hotel is a neutral zone.

"The first rule is the 'principle of neutrality.'" His voice was cold and hard, carrying an unquestionable force. "No matter how prominent your background is or how powerful your influence is, as long as you set foot within the confines of the Continental Hotel, you must strictly abide by this rule.

All forms of violence are strictly prohibited within the hotel, and no one is allowed to bring personal grudges into the hotel."

He paused, his tone becoming even deeper: “This will be the only safe haven in the underground world, a place where everyone can let down their guard.

If anyone dares to take action here…” Gin glanced at the crowd, “The only consequence is that they will be stripped of their membership and hunted to the ends of the earth by the hotel’s executive branch.”

The screen turns, and the second rule is: Gold coins are the only universal currency

"Let's talk about the second point." Gin raised the remote control in his hand and said lightly, "The Continental Hotel does not accept any external currency transactions. The only common currency here is the gold coins issued by the hotel.

These gold coins are not only the vouchers for paying for room fees, meals, weapons and other services, but also a symbol of credit and status. "

He paused for a moment and smiled coldly: “Anyone who destroys, forges or circulates gold coins privately is equivalent to declaring war on the Continental Hotel.

This "war" will only have one outcome: complete eradication. Mr. Wuchen has already conducted a pilot project in Japan, and the results are very good, so you can rest assured."

The third rule appeared on the screen: the service is comprehensive and absolutely confidential.

"The Continental Hotel is no ordinary hotel. Our services include intelligence, weapons, escape routes, identity protection, and even post-mortem cleaning."

Gin's tone was calm, but every word struck a chord with the heart, "No matter how difficult your needs are, as long as you can afford the gold coins, the hotel can arrange it for you. But please note..."

His tone suddenly became more serious. "Customer privacy is the lifeline of this hotel. Anyone who attempts to leak other people's information will face the same serious consequences as violating the 'principle of neutrality.' No matter who you are, if you break the rules, you will pay the price."

The screen switches to the fourth rule: The Continental Hotel is a witness to the contract.

Gin continued, "The hotel is not only a shelter, but also a witness to the contracts signed by various forces in the underworld. The agreements signed here are absolutely binding."

Violating the contract would not only mean losing the support of all hotels, but also potentially being listed as a 'global target.' Ladies and gentlemen, this is not a threat, it's a fact."

One final rule: Hotel management has the final say.

Gin retracted his gaze, stood up straight, and spoke in a steady yet dignified tone: “Finally, the management of the Continental Hotel is the maker and enforcer of the rules.

Every hotel manager has the final say over matters within their jurisdiction. In the Tokyo branch, that authority belongs to me, Kurosawa Jin.

He paused briefly, his eyes sweeping across the room, and said coldly, "Here, the rules are above everything else. I will personally deal with anyone who breaks the rules, no matter who it is."

As he finished speaking, the meeting room fell into a pin drop silence, the air filled with oppression. Gin straightened his body slightly and concluded in a low, powerful voice:

"The Continental Hotel is the center of order in the underworld. It provides shelter, but also requires unconditional adherence to the rules. These rules exist not to restrict you, but to allow us to continue in order."