Blackstone Code-Chapter 402: A Small Punishment, a Big Lesson

Some people crave wealth, others crave power—but both share the same essence: privilege.

Lynch wasn’t just wealthy; he also held some influence—as a special advisor to the Federal National Security Council.

There were two types of special advisors. The first type were lower-tier—agents with exceptional skills recognized by the council but barred from full membership due to issues like alcoholism, drug use, or unsuitable backgrounds. These advisors had almost the same authority and duties as official agents, allowing the council to use their talents without formal induction.

Official agents resented them, seeing their existence as proof of the advisors’ incompetence.

The second type, like Lynch, were high-tier—people with wealth, status, and prestige. They weren’t in competition with agents but acted truly as advisors. Agents had no hostility toward these high-tier advisors and often enjoyed working with them, as their lives involved luxury hotels, exquisite food, and expensive wine, far from the cheap inns and low-grade drinks agents endured.

When Lynch arrived in the capital and asked the council’s branch to track Richard, they responded enthusiastically. Richard’s movements quickly came into focus.

His car.

Mounted police had spotted it, and after an hour of investigation around a certain area, Lynch pinpointed Richard’s location—classic public resource misuse.

Instead of confronting Richard immediately, Lynch went to the local company. His arrival stunned many.

Problems in a department rarely stemmed from just one corrupt individual. If one was caught, others were likely involved, or at least aware.

When Vera noticed payment issues in Sabin City, it meant the whole department was compromised.

Richard couldn’t escape; Lynch went after Richard’s subordinates first.

These young men confessed quickly, unlike Richard.

The issue extended beyond Richard skimming funds. Female sales staff had formed cliques where whoever made the largest weekly auction sales spent nights with the biggest clients.

Using their bodies as bribes flagrantly violated federal ethics and damaged the company’s reputation.

Some might ask why they didn’t turn to prostitution outright, but that revealed a contradiction in human nature: these women could endure sleeping with clients for work but couldn’t bear selling themselves to strangers purely for money—even if both served the same financial purpose.

After intense questioning, Lynch pieced together the situation and then appeared before Richard.

“Sit down, let’s talk and play a few hands…”

Lynch’s tone left Richard no choice. Facing someone who controlled his fate exposed his vulnerability.

Richard dragged his heavy steps and sat opposite Lynch, forcing a weak smile. “Boss, why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I should have picked you up.”

Lynch glanced at him and shook his head without speaking. He gestured for Richard to sit, then held up a deck of cards toward him. “Cut the deck.”

Richard hesitated but complied, placing the stack lightly on the table.

Lynch dealt swiftly, impressing Richard with his skill.

Within seconds, the hands were dealt. Lynch didn’t look at his cards but stared at Richard.

“I’ve figured out what’s going on here. You were one of my first followers. I’m soft-hearted—I’ll give you a chance.”

He held up three fingers. “We’ll play three rounds. If you win even once, I’ll let this go.”

His steady gaze ignited a desperate will to survive in Richard’s eyes.

“But if you lose…” Lynch produced a shining dagger nearly half a foot long and slammed it onto the table between them. Richard trembled violently.

“You took so much from me; you owe me an explanation,” Lynch said, straightening his clothes and sitting back.

Richard swallowed nervously and nodded.

“Good. We’ll play by your usual rules.”

This game was almost identical to one Lynch had seen before. In a small room, he’d met a self-proclaimed gambling king with only four fingers between both hands, yet undefeated. Everyone knew he cheated but never caught him in the act. s̈

People wanted to watch the king play, but besides losing all their money and cigarettes, no one cracked his method. Over time, the king became famous in that little gambling room.

Lynch had asked him why he taught tricks. The king asked why Lynch wanted to learn.

After thinking, Lynch said it wasn’t to win others’ money but to avoid being cheated out of his own.

The king taught him subtle techniques that seemed like miracles to outsiders.

“Reveal your cards.”

Lynch flipped his cards: three highest-value cards forming the best possible hand—no hand could beat his.

Expressionless, he looked at Richard without bothering to see his cards. “You lost. Again.”

He collected Richard’s cards, shuffled, cut the deck with subtle thumb and pinky marks ensuring the winning cards stayed on top or bottom.

Deal, reveal—smooth and flawless.

Again, the same unbeatable hand. Richard never got a chance to fight back.

“You lost again. You only have one chance left!” Lynch said, flipping his cards and gathering Richard’s into a pile to shuffle.

At that moment, Richard suddenly said, “I’ll shuffle and deal!”

They stared at each other briefly. Lynch released his grip, spreading the deck across the table. He tilted his head slightly. “Fine.”

That simple word hit Richard like a cannonball—Lynch’s straightforward confidence and the mocking disbelief in his tone struck deep.

Sweat began to trickle down Richard’s face. The dagger’s cold gleam on the table filled him with dread. Wiping his sweat nervously, he awkwardly shuffled the cards and dealt.

His fate depended on this. He dared not make a mistake. When the cards reached Lynch, Lynch flipped his hand immediately—again the highest hand. Richard, about to look at his own cards, froze.

He wasn’t wondering why Lynch kept winning. He wondered why he kept losing.

Someone was cheating. Lynch’s method told him that with enough motive and skill, cheating in a game like this was as easy as eating or drinking. He had been set up.

But whether or not someone set him up didn’t matter now. No one could force others’ thoughts. All traps relied on victims’ greed—without it, they never fell.

Richard pressed his lips together, pulled the dagger from the table. Sweat dripped noisily down his face, along his temple, cheek, and chin, finally falling onto the table.

“Mr. Lynch…”

“One finger. Which hand, which finger—I don’t care. This is your lesson…”

The words were a punishment, not a final judgment. A flicker of relief crossed Richard’s face, quickly replaced by resolve.

He placed his left pinky on the table edge. Holding the dagger in his right hand, he pressed the blade against the base of that finger. The sharp edge sliced through the skin, bright red blood stark against the white blade and pale flesh. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

His body trembled. He steeled himself. His breathing quickened, chest rising and falling. His whole body tensed. His right shoulder lifted sharply, then dropped suddenly.

Thud.

The blade cut through bone and hit the table, making a dull sound.

It wasn’t the violent crack of chopping, but it made teeth grit.

Blood poured out quickly. Richard clutched the wound, face pale as he looked at Lynch. “Mr. Lynch…”

Lynch nodded slightly and stood. “At least you’ve proven you’re not a coward, Richard. I want to see you at the company tomorrow morning.”

“Now, you can leave—with your finger.”