Book 7: Chapter 43: The Ten Dons

Release Date: 2026-05-09 04:22:32

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After the fake auction, Kurapika gave the small glass case containing the Scarlet Eye to the last few bodyguards left from the Nostrade Family. Even though he knew this pair of Scarlet Eyes were fakes made by the Troupe, the young man still felt complicated, full of bitterness and pain.

At that moment, any hidden respect Kurapika had for the Phantom Troupe’s strength completely disappeared. His heart could no longer hold any feeling other than hatred. The doubts that Qin Lun’s ruthlessness and cruelty had caused were now gone. He became firm again, finally setting aside distracting thoughts and focusing on the young man’s revenge plan.

Melody looked at the cold-faced, beautiful young boy with unconcealed worry in her eyes. She had always worried that this young companion would let hatred blind him under Qin Lun’s guidance, eventually becoming someone just like that guy.

And now, how things were going proved that her worries were not just a passing feeling.

“Melody, don’t worry about me. I won’t become someone like Qin Lun!” Kurapika suddenly said softly, surprising Melody.

“But, one thing he said was right. To stop the Troupe, you first have to be willing to sacrifice yourself. I made a vow before my clansmen’s graves, promising to catch the ones who hurt them at any cost. I just didn’t think I would forget that so soon, and needed someone else to remind me.”

That’s exactly what I was afraid you would think! Melody shook her head with a bitter smile, but she knew nothing she said now would help. Whether Kurapika admitted it or not, Qin Lun’s repeated brainwashing talks had finally had a decisive effect. The young boy accepted his views.

No matter the outcome of this event, Kurapika probably wasn’t the kind-hearted boy he used to be anymore. He had unavoidably been “tainted” by Qin Lun.

“Kurapika!” While the two were silent, a happy greeting came from behind them.

“Jie, Killua!” Kurapika looked in surprise at the two boys younger than himself running towards him.

Of the two boys running to Kurapika, the one on the left had black hair and black eyes, his face full of warm smiles. The boy on the right had strange silver hair. Though his expression was cold and distant, his gray eyes unintentionally showed a trace of warmth when looking at Kurapika.

“Why are you still here?” Kurapika asked with wide eyes, angry.

“We said we would fight the Troupe with you!” The black-haired, black-eyed Jie said seriously. “After seeing them ourselves, Killua and I realized how dangerous the Troupe is. They really care about their companions, but refuse to show that kindness to others. I must stop them.”

“No, you almost died last time you followed the Troupe. I won’t let you get involved this time.” A flicker of emotion showed in Kurapika’s eyes, but he still turned around and refused coldly. “This isn’t a game. You’re too weak, you’ll just hold us back. Go back!”

“No matter what you say, we’re going to help!” Jie was slightly stunned, then said angrily. “Aren’t we friends? Killua, what do you say?”

“Huh?” The cold-faced Killua grimaced, but seeing Jie’s bright, big eyes, he helplessly nodded. “Yeah!”

“Besides, our tracking last time wasn’t for nothing. At least we found the Troupe’s hideout!” Jie waved his fist, full of energy. “If you don’t let us join, we’ll do it ourselves!”

“You found the Troupe’s hideout?” Kurapika’s back, turned to them, trembled slightly, but he quickly became calm again, speaking coldly. “Do whatever you want! Melody, let’s go!”

“Kurapika, is it really okay to leave them?” Melody glanced back worriedly and asked softly.

“Jie might be a bit reckless, but he’s not stupid. Besides, Killua will stop him from taking risks.” Kurapika said expressionlessly. “Without my abilities, Jie and Killua can’t get close to the Troupe in a short time. After tomorrow, we’ll have settled things with the Troupe, and nothing else will matter.”

“Kurapika, are you worried about Qin Lun?” Melody blinked, hitting the nail on the head about the boy’s concerns.

“Yes, from what happened to the Shadow Beasts and Dalzollene and the others, it’s clear Qin Lun doesn’t care about his new companions’ lives at all.” Kurapika paused, then said helplessly. “Jie and Killua aren’t useful to me like I am. If they get involved now, that guy will definitely use them as bait and discard them.”

…

“Jie, what do we do now?” Killua looked at Kurapika’s back, a hint of confusion in his beautiful gray eyes.

“Killua, Kurapika seems a bit strange!” Jie stared blankly at the retreating boy, then suddenly turned to Killua. “I thought for sure he would agree to let us join if I said that earlier.”

“I misjudged you. You look honest, but sometimes you’re more sneaky than me!” A vein bulged on Killua’s forehead, and he gave his companion a sharp knock on the head.

“Ow!” Jie held his head, laughing sheepishly. “How about we follow Kurapika and see what he’s up to?”

“Forget it. If Kurapika finds out, he’ll be even angrier!” Killua put his arms behind his head and shrugged casually.

“Excuse me, young masters!” While the two were arguing, a polite voice came from behind them.

“Huh?” The two turned around warily, looking at a man in black wearing sunglasses behind them.

“If you are friends of young master Kurapika, then please come with me. Someone wants to meet you!” The man in black bowed respectfully.

Jie, should we go? Killua threw Jie a look.

Of course we should go. Maybe we can find out what’s going on with Kurapika! Jie silently lifted his chin. The two boys, from their long time together, understood each other well. With just one look, they knew what the other meant.

Killua nodded, but he was more cautious than Jie. One hand slipped into his shorts pocket, sending a message to their other companion Leorio, who was back at the hotel. If they didn’t return by evening, Leorio should notify Kurapika.

…

“Chairman, I didn’t expect you to still be alive. This is truly fortunate!” Qin Lun smiled until his eyes became slits, looking very pleased.

The Serial Killer’s joy wasn’t fake, because the “Chairman” he mentioned was extremely valuable, adding significant weight to his upcoming plans.

“Hmph, if I hadn’t found that little girl from the Nostrade Family for a fortune-telling beforehand, I really wouldn’t have been able to avoid this life-threatening disaster.” The middle-aged gentleman sitting across from Qin Lun had a grim expression and looked very upset.

As the ruler of the underground world in the Yorknew continent, nearly dying on his own turf would make anyone furious and embarrassed.

This “Chairman” was one of the ten representatives who were supposed to have been killed by Illumi Zoldyck tonight. The only difference was that he wasn’t just a representative, but one of the actual “Ten Dons.”

The “Ten Dons” represented the leaders of major underworld organizations across the world’s six continents. Every year, they sent representatives to Yorknew City for a meeting disguised as an auction, but was actually where other underworld groups paid tribute to the higher-ups and coordinated interests.

This meeting was very important. Though most of the “Ten Dons” didn’t come personally, they sent sufficiently important representatives. Of course, the most crucial was the meeting’s chairman, one of the “Ten Dons” themselves, who took turns presiding over the meetings.

Among the “Ten Dons,” there were followers of Neon Nostrade. This year’s chairman, the “Ten Don” who controlled the Yorknew continent, was one such follower. This also made him lucky enough to avoid Illumi Zoldyck’s assassination.

Looking at the middle-aged gentleman before him, Qin Lun felt a touch of admiration. Even though this man controlled an entire continent’s underworld, he was still just an ordinary person. Managing to survive under the combined tracking of the Phantom Troupe and Illumi Zoldyck was truly not easy.

However, what Qin Lun admired wasn’t his survival skills, but his ruthlessness. This mafia boss, who had been hiding in the shadows and whom even Qin Lun thought was dead, actually dared to show up at this time and actively contacted the young man to launch a counterattack against the Troupe.

At this point, after two attacks by the Troupe, the mafia’s power in Yorknew City had greatly weakened, with the other nine “Ten Dons” representatives dead. Most importantly, the Phantom Troupe had returned the copied auction items, allowing the fake auction to proceed, superficially saving face for the mafia.

The underlying meaning here was that the mafia organizations, the Shadow Beasts headquarters, and Meteor Street had reached an unspoken agreement to no longer pursue the matter.

This “Ten Don” showing up to support Qin Lun at this time demonstrated the boldness and courage of an underground ruler.

After all, if Qin Lun and the others couldn’t deal a heavy blow to the Troupe, he would face immense pressure afterward, likely losing his current position and possibly even his life.

And if Qin Lun and the others did strike the Troupe hard, while he might gain prestige among the mafia and Shadow Beasts organizations, as long as any Troupe members survived, he would always face life threats.

“You truly have great courage!” Qin Lun praised sincerely.

“This is my territory. No one can slap me and walk away unharmed!” The middle-aged gentleman said calmly.

“Qin Lun, I’ve given you all the remaining power I have in Yorknew City. But you must understand, I will leave immediately. After tomorrow, regardless of the outcome, the mafia will cancel the bounty and assassination missions targeting the Troupe.”

“I understand. Please believe that whether I succeed or not, the Troupe won’t be able to capture me alive and extract information about you!” Qin Lun returned the favor with a smile.

“That’s best!” The middle-aged gentleman looked deeply at Qin Lun, nodding with satisfaction, then asked, “Do you want to meet those two people?”

“No need. Since you’re still alive, they naturally know what to do. Please inform them to wait for me tomorrow at the meeting point!” Qin Lun’s eyes gleamed briefly, then he shook his head calmly.

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Volume 7 Chapter 44: Jie and Killua »