John stood up, glanced at Johnny, and nodded, "Not bad. It looks like Ross trained you well."
John was, of course, well aware of Ross's capabilities. As the captain of the Sacrifice Squad, his style was quite volatile and unrestrained.
His method of selecting and training new recruits was notoriously brutal; many couldn't even make it through his initial tests and were eliminated. Only the elite of the elite remained.
Furthermore, the Sacrifice Squad only recruited retired special forces members, offering them an alternative path to wealth.
As Johnny's master, John naturally noticed Johnny's changes at a glance.
He was lean and capable, exuding killing intent, and even his gaze had become much more resolute.
"The mission in Russia was well executed."
John picked up the black cloth bag that was on the piano and tossed it directly to Johnny.
The moment Johnny took it, his hand felt heavy, and he heard the low clinking of metal inside.
The bag was weighty, a bit heavy in his hand.
"Twenty gold coins are the reward for this mission. The remaining money will be transferred to your account." John was very satisfied with Johnny's performance in Russia; his old friend had even called him about it.
As for the codename Night Owl, he had no objections, even thinking it suited Johnny perfectly.
Cautious, acting only after careful consideration.
Although most of the time, this unlucky apprentice was always being hunted, either in the process of being hunted or on his way to be hunted.
He even found it hard to imagine how this guy managed to provoke so many people, but some of the hunts seemed to be related to himself, like this time with the Mafia.
Thinking of this, John swallowed the words he was about to say.
And Johnny, upon receiving the bag of gold coins, was overjoyed and immediately opened the bag to count them.
He had finally managed to look a bit like an assassin in John's eyes, only to revert to his original form, still a pauper, and a greedy one at that.
John:...Hard to judge, isn't it?
Then, John tossed Johnny an envelope with a gold-embossed surface, "This is an invitation. You go for me. Since I've already retired, it's better not to get involved in some matters."
Johnny took the envelope John threw to him, a bit puzzled, but still took a look.
The envelope had a string of English letters on it, also gold-embossed.
"Bloody invitation"
"Oh, my dear master, what kind of terrible mission have you gotten me into now?"
After glancing at the envelope's cover, Johnny couldn't help but tease.
However, after being met with John's expressionless gaze, he quickly composed himself, then tore open the envelope, revealing the invitation inside.
The invitation inside was entirely pale gold, still bearing the English words 'THE GOLDEN CIRCLE' in blood-red, but in the upper right corner, there was an irregular golden-inlaid circle.
"Quite luxurious."
Johnny curled his lips, then with a flick of his thumb, he opened the invitation.
"Esteemed Mr. John Wick (or should I call you 'Jordani'?),
On the peaks of the Cambodian mountains, my Golden Estate has never been so quiet, perhaps because the High Table's pawns are trembling at your 'great achievements.'
I heard of your feat of ending three men with a pencil, and I feel a deep sense of kinship; just as I guard this sea of flowers with mechanical hounds, you write an epic of slaughter with pure will.
Today's sincere invitation is not for hostility, but for cooperation: a feast to overturn the old order is about to begin, and you, Mr. Wick, are the only chess master worthy of the guest of honor's seat.
On the night of the full moon, October 31, 2014, 19:00 (Please do not be late; my pastry chef's clock, made with human blood martinis, never stops for cowards).
As for the value of participation?
You will gain true freedom, no longer forced to run for a few gold coins, or bow to so-called 'rules.'
'Fortune Favors the Brave' (Fortuna Fortes Juvat).
The motto on your back is also my creed.
Poppy Adams
Location: Poppyland, Cambodia"
Looking at the confident content of this invitation and the crazy remarks on it, Johnny suddenly felt a little surprised by his unlucky master.
I know your connections are wide, but showing them to me in this way seems a bit too much, doesn't it?
And what kind of crazy talk is written on it?
Overturning the rules of the old order?
Johnny almost burst out laughing. Someone actually wanted to overthrow the High Table's rule?
While the High Table was not the only top power in this world, its influence was indeed wide enough. But for just anyone to pop up and want to overthrow the High Table, wasn't that a bit too childish?
Johnny looked at John with some confusion, but John was serene, looking as if it had nothing to do with him.
Seeing this, Johnny could only helplessly put the invitation away, back into his suit's inner pocket.
"I say, Master, this invitation is clearly for you, but you threw it to me. That doesn't seem to follow the rules, does it?" Johnny said with a bitter expression, trying to struggle a bit more.
"You've already taken the invitation, and you've read its content, so these things have nothing to do with me."
John looked at Johnny expressionlessly, as if he knew nothing.
Johnny was instantly on the verge of tears. When did my Master John become such a sly old fox? If I had known, I wouldn't have led you astray.
"Right, I understand."
What else could he say? This was his master, after all.
After accepting the invitation, Johnny continued to ask, "My dear Master, is there anything else you need to instruct me on?"
John completely ignored Johnny's antics.
"Take it easy. The Mafia's hunt for you isn't over yet, but you'll be free soon after Giana sorts out the internal affairs."
John patted Johnny's shoulder, then walked out of the music store, leaving without looking back.
Johnny opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say. Finally, he slowly let out a "Motherfucker!"
What was all this?
John finally met him, only to give him a mission?
And it was July now, but the invitation was for October. Was he kidding?
However, the twenty gold coins he received somewhat diluted Johnny's frustration. After leaving the music store, he walked towards a taxi.
After getting into the car, he didn't know what to say.
"Just drive me around," Johnny could only manage that much.
Daniel wasn't that familiar with Orleans, but that didn't dampen his enthusiasm.
Soon, he was driving Johnny around Orleans in circles, but what they didn't expect was that while they were sightseeing in Orleans, someone was watching them.
A man in a light-colored suit stood in the shadows of an alley, watching the slowly departing peugeot 406, a chilling smile playing on his lips.
"I never expected to meet John's apprentice. I'd like to know how much of the Night Demon's true teachings his apprentice has inherited."
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