Half-step Purgatory

Durin stroked the black cat on the armrest of his chair, sitting on the black leather sofa. Through the glasses perched on his nose, his gaze passed over the long table in front of him and settled on the man kneeling on the carpet:
"I understand, you've made money in Naples, your business has been very successful, and you've led a happy life. You've had those secret police, friends in both the law and the underground, and even the Royal Family speaking on your behalf."
"You don't need a friend like me, I know that. You're afraid of owing me a favor, and you don't want to get involved in troubles."
"But now you come to me and say, 'I beg you, Mr. Durin of the Corleon family, please help me seek justice, so that my life and my family will not suffer and sink into despair.'
Yet, in your eyes, I was nothing more than a second-rate artist involved in movies and music. Even at the brink of death, you still show me such disrespect, not even willing to call me by my title... Keeper of Secrets."

Durin's Diary

Some might think that whether Old Yishu upstairs comes down or not, it wouldn't affect Durin's power and status as a Duke.


True, that's the case. Durin has the strength, and the Circle of Truth wouldn't allow Old Yishu to act recklessly. But the problem is—Old Yishu didn't come down. He didn't misbehave, he didn't embarrass Durin, and he especially didn't come down to acknowledge this child.


For Durin, it's hard to understand—no matter what, this child is Old Yishu's only boy. If it were Durin in his place, Durin wouldn't even know what he's lived these hundred years for, and he probably would have acknowledged the child.


Until now, Durin finally understood why those of the same generation as his grandfather all say he is a stubborn man.


This old mule, they really weren't wrong.


Chapter 307: The Beginning