Recruiting the Punisher (Part Two)

"Go back and fire whoever was in charge of vetting these people!"

Wang Bert said irritably. Black Widow was a Blood-thirsty Clan member? Then was Captain America Hydra? It seemed S.H.I.E.L.D. had quite a few hidden agents within the Blood Clan!

Natalie Rushman was Black Widow Natasha's alias—names could deceive, but photos could not! Mercury froze for a moment. "Is there something wrong with her?"

Wang Bert sneered. "Black Widow, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top agent. Do you think there's something wrong with her?"

"What? Black Widow? She's that Black Widow who's famous in the underworld?"

Mercury was utterly shocked, then killing intent surged in her eyes. "I'll go kill her. I told you S.H.I.E.L.D. wouldn't leave us alone!"

Wang Bert set down his laptop and said, "No need. Hire her as my secretary!"

Mercury did not understand. "Blood God, why hire her when you know she's Black Widow?"

Would I tell you it's because I'm lusting after her body? This is Black Widow at the peak of her beauty. It'd be such a waste not to see it for myself!

Wang Bert grumbled inwardly before saying, "S.H.I.E.L.D. won't stop watching us. Rather than let them keep sending hidden agents, we might as well choose one we know. Uh, don't deal with that manager yet. After some time, find an excuse to arrest and interrogate him."

"Isn't that too dangerous? That's Black Widow."

Mercury said, "Gathering intelligence is one thing, but what if she ambushes you?"

"Don't worry. Anyone can die but me!"

Wang Bert laughed confidently. He had hundreds of lives—did she think he was joking? Mercury could only agree. Then, thinking of something, she suggested, "Blood God, should we use this to test Ms. Carter? She definitely knows that woman is Black Widow!"

"I have an agreement with Carter. She won't tell me anything related to S.H.I.E.L.D., and I won't use her against S.H.I.E.L.D."

Wang Bert shook his head. "Mercury, don't overthink it. We need Carter right now!"

"Yes, Blood God!"

Mercury lowered her head unwillingly, but she had not given up at all on the idea of defeating Carter. That woman was too formidable. If she did not fall, the Purebloods would have no future!

Wang Bert knew this perfectly well, but he did not stop her, because he needed the two sides to keep each other in check!...

That day, Frank had been in a good mood until he opened the document envelope Wang Bert had given him in his study. After only a few glances, his blood rushed to his head. His face turned red, veins bulged, muscles twitched, and even his hair nearly stood on end! Frank was not overreacting. The information recorded in those documents was simply too horrifying!

Someone within the U.S. Military had been smuggling illegal drugs from the Middle East into the country. To avoid detection, they hollowed out the corpses of fallen soldiers and stuffed the illegal drugs inside, because no one would inspect the remains of soldiers who had died in battle!

There was no question that this was utterly inhuman. Anyone with even a shred of humanity would never do such a thing! Yet someone had done it. Worse, in order to eliminate rivals and silence those who knew too much, they had used their authority to establish a special unit. They gathered elite soldiers in the military who knew nothing and had them kill for them! This operation was known as Hound Action, and unfortunately, Frank Castle had been the captain of that task force! Frank's friend Billy Russo had been the task force's deputy captain, but unlike Frank, he had known the truth. For money, he had chosen to wallow in the mire.

Now, those despicable people intended to wipe out everyone involved in Hound Action. That way, no one would know about the vile things they had done! The information was extremely detailed, even listing evidence—Frank's old superior, code-named Blacksmith, was currently selling illegal drugs in Hell's Kitchen. He had even driven Madame Gao of The Hand out of business.

In addition, several soldiers from Hound Action were already dead!

"How dare they?"

Frank trembled with rage from head to toe, nearly unable to hold onto the documents. He was like a volcano on the verge of eruption. He had seen plenty of darkness in his life, but he had never imagined anyone could be so vile, so shameless! They had actually used the corpses of heroes to transport that stuff, used soldiers' patriotism to help eliminate their enemies, and then planned to silence them afterward. Even the devils of hell were no worse than this! If this is true, I'll kill those bastards!

Frank finally could not hold back any longer. He slammed his fist down hard on the table, smashing a huge hole directly through the solid wooden surface. It was obvious just how furious he was! The loud noise from the study startled Maria. As she hurried toward the room, she shouted, "Frank, what happened?"

Maria's voice instantly pulled Frank back from his fury. He took a deep breath and called out as gently as he could, "It's nothing, Maria. The table broke. I'll fix it myself."

Maria actually sensed that something was off, but she still stopped outside the door and said, "Frank, the children are about to sleep. Do it tomorrow!"

"It's fine. I won't wake them. Go to bed first!"

Frank said. After Maria left, he let out a breath, took a book from the shelf, and opened it. Inside was an extremely old telephone!

After hesitating for a moment, Frank picked up the phone and dialed. A deep voice soon came through. "Frank?"

"It's me. Help me look into something..."

"Someone actually did something so utterly inhuman?"

The other party was shocked after hearing what Frank had to say. "Give me six hours. I'll give you an answer!"

"Fine. I'll wait six hours!"

Frank nodded. Few people could investigate something this major within six hours, but his friend was one of them, because he was Nick Fury! Very few people knew Frank and Nick Fury were friends. In fact, Frank had even done some private jobs for Nick Fury!

After putting down the phone, Frank sat weakly in his chair. He remained there for a full three hours. He was not only furious, but also guilty. He had once believed that everyone he killed was evil, but he had never expected that he had killed so many good people!

Frank even felt that he himself deserved to die! And Billy... he's actually this kind of person!

Frank clutched his hair in agony, wishing he could pick up a machine gun and spray that group with bullets. Those people all deserved to go to hell! Three hours later, Nick Fury called Frank and told him to come outside. A car was waiting for him. Frank did as he was told, and to his surprise, Nick Fury was actually in the car! Frank got in without closing the door and immediately asked in a low voice, "You came personally. That means the information is real, doesn't it?"

Director Fury said, "Yes. We captured Blacksmith—your old superior—and he confessed to everything. The information you have is real!"

"Good!"

Frank nodded expressionlessly, preparing to get out and grab his guns. Those people all had to die! "Frank!"

Director Fury hurriedly pressed a button, and the car door closed automatically. He shouted, "Have you thought about Maria and your two children? If you really kill them, you'll become a wanted criminal, a murderer!"

Frank, who had been about to get out, instantly froze. If Nick Fury had mentioned anything else, he would not have cared at all, but his family was always his weakness! Frank turned around and asked through gritted teeth, "Are you going to let them go?"

"Of course not. In a moment, I'll speak with the Directors of the military and the CIA. They'll give you an explanation. Not one person on that list will be allowed to live!"

Director Fury said, "However, this matter will not be made public. I believe you can understand. Once it goes public, it will become a massive scandal!"

Frank shouted indignantly, "If I insist on making it public, will you kill me too?"

Director Fury patted Frank's shoulder and said, "There are many shameless people in this world, but there are also many people with convictions. Frank, don't think the world is entirely dark!"

Frank stared at Nick Fury for a long while, then took a deep breath and said, "I'll be watching you. They all have to die!"

"They will all die!"

Director Fury promised with absolute certainty. Frank nodded and was about to leave, but Director Fury grabbed him again!

Facing Frank's puzzled gaze, Director Fury said, "Frank, I want to ask you for a favor!"

Frank said, "No wonder you came to see me personally. What favor? Go ahead!"

Director Fury said, "I want you to agree to the request of the New Blood Clan Chief, Blood God Bert Wang, and become his personal bodyguard!"

"What?"

Frank's eyes widened in astonishment. The New Blood Clan Chief? A Blood God? What the hell was all this? Director Fury took a file from a box beside him and handed it to Frank. Frank said with disgust, "I really don't want to take another file right now. The last one made me want to shoot myself! Uh, turn up the lights. Why do you always like sitting in the dark?"

Director Fury turned on the lights and said, "It creates an air of mystery. It scares people!"

"Your face is scary enough. Huh? That kid really is a Vampire?"

After reading the file, Frank stood there in a daze. What was wrong with this world? Vampires had come out of nowhere, and one of them wanted him to teach him practical combat? Director Fury said, "He is, and now he's become the leader of the vampires. You really are good at teaching students!"

Frank put down the file and asked, "Looks like I should charge him more tuition. By the way, he says he saved the world. Is that true?"

"Saved the world?"

If Wang Bert had been there, Director Fury would have sprayed him in the face. Without him, the Blood Clan would have already been pacified. How could there have been so much trouble? And he still had the nerve to claim he saved the world? How could someone be so shameless?

Director Fury said with a dark expression, "He poses a major threat, Frank. I hope you can help me!"

Frank refused without the slightest hesitation. "Sorry, I can't help you. I never betray my friends!"

"When did he become your friend?"

"From the moment he gave me those documents, he became my friend! I owe him the truth, and I owe him my life!"

Seeing that he could not persuade Frank, Director Fury could only throw out his trump card. "Frank, he's dangerous. Do you know that? He has nuclear bombs!"

Frank was startled. "Nuclear bombs? Isn't that a little exaggerated?"

Director Fury said with great seriousness, "It's not exaggerated, Frank. I need your help to save the world!"

"This world really is fragile. It needs people saving it every day!"

Frank was somewhat irritated. "Bert isn't the kind of person who would use nuclear bombs to blow up the world. He's not that crazy!"

"But we must guard against that possibility. That is my job—to stop crises before they happen."

Director Fury said, "Besides, vampires have always wanted to turn us humans back into slaves. Bert Wang may not show any signs of that for now, but we must prepare for the worst."

Frank snorted. "Nick, in your eyes, everyone is a bad person, right?"

"I told you, it's my job."

Director Fury said, "Frank, I'm not asking you to become a spy. I'm asking you to become insurance. If one day Bert Wang really wants to destroy the world, or turn humanity into slaves, then we can stop him in time!"

Frank punched the car door in frustration, producing a heavy Bang! Why did he keep running into this kind of bullshit? After thinking it over, Frank said, "I won't pass intelligence to you, but if he tries to destroy the world, I'll stop him!"

"Fine. That's enough!"

Director Fury breathed a sigh of relief. At last, he had planted an insurance nail beside Wang Bert. He had never lowered his guard around this Blood God!

This man was too mysterious. What Director Fury hated most were mysterious people he could not control!

The next morning, in the coffee shop, Wang Bert asked Natasha Romanoff, who had come to report for duty, "Natalie, why do you want to become a Vampire?"

"Because I want to remain beautiful forever!"

Natasha elegantly spun in front of Wang Bert, fully displaying her perfect figure. To be honest, Wang Bert's eyes went a little blank. This truly was Black Widow at her peak! Could that Black Egg be trying to use a honey trap? Should I go along with it, or should I go along with it?

Wang Bert smiled and had a waiter bring over a cup of coffee. He then dripped a drop of his own blood into it and raised a hand toward Natasha. "Please!"

Natasha did not hesitate at all. She asked happily, "Boss, are you going to grant me immortality now?"

"No. I need a human secretary right now, so I can't turn you into a Vampire for the time being."

Wang Bert said, "This drop of blood will merge with your blood. When I need it to, it will turn you into a Vampire. Also, it will keep you safe. If you die by accident, it will revive you!"

"Thank you, Boss!"

Natasha raised the cup with a delighted expression and drank it, while secretly praying inwardly, I hope the antidote that prevents me from becoming a Vampire works. Being too outstanding isn't always a good thing. I keep getting the hardest missions. Sigh, what can I do? I'm blessed with both intelligence and beauty.

"Very good. From now on, you're one of us. You can call me Blood God or Clan Chief."

Wang Bert sensed his blood merging with Natasha's and nodded in satisfaction. "Now, I need you to do your first task!"

Natasha put down the cup and said sharply and efficiently, "Please give your orders, Blood God!"

Wang Bert took out a copy of Maxim magazine and said, "Set up a meeting with the cover girl of Maxim magazine. I'm taking her on a date this afternoon!"

"Huh?"

Natasha was somewhat stunned. It was actually that kind of task? Hadn't Fury said this kid was deeply scheming? Why was he like this? And with a stunning beauty like her standing right in front of him, he was not thinking of claiming her first. Instead, he was asking her to find him another woman. What kind of thought process was that? At the very least, he should settle her first! Natasha was about to speak when a man entered with Mercury at his side. He smiled and said, "I didn't expect you to have the same taste as Tony Stark. You both like the cover girls of Maxim!"

The newcomer was none other than Frank Castle!

"Tony Stark is the rich man I understand best, so I wanted to learn from his lifestyle and see whether it suits me!"

Wang Bert stood and shook Frank's hand, smiling. "Instructor Caster, don't tell me you're here to accept my offer. I'd be so happy I'd die!"

"Vampires probably aren't that easy to kill."

Frank said with some emotion, "Bert, I never dreamed that everything you told me would turn out to be true!"

"So you finally know. Hahaha, too bad I didn't get to see your expression back then. I've been waiting for it."

Wang Bert laughed loudly. "Instructor Caster, allow me to formally introduce myself. I am the New Blood Clan Chief, Blood God Bert Wang!"

Frank said, "Someone already told me. A big shot who helped me deal with those bastards!"

Wang Bert was a little surprised. "A big shot? I was planning to help you deal with those guys!"

"No need. They won't have a good ending."

Frank's face darkened slightly at the mention of those bastards. Then he shook his head and said, "Bert, you told me the truth and saved my life. I can work as your bodyguard, but first I want to ask you this: do you have any intention of destroying the world? And do you want to turn all humanity into slaves?"

Natasha listened closely. Wang Bert laughed and said, "Frank, do you know what kind of people least want the world to be destroyed?"

"What kind?"

"Rich people. Rich people who can have anything they want."

Wang Bert said flamboyantly, "I'm a rich man now, one of the richest in the world.

With one phone call, more than half the actresses in Hollywood would obediently come to my door. With a single word, I can decide the jobs of tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of people. If my shoes get dirty, countless people would want to polish them for me! Most men around the world wish they were as rich as I am, and countless beautiful women around the world wish to become my woman—like this world-class beauty of a secretary!"

Wang Bert pointed at Natasha. Natasha cursed inwardly but had no choice but to step forward and kiss Wang Bert on the cheek. Then, with an excited expression, she said, "Blood God, everything I have belongs to you!"

Frank whistled. Even he had to admit that Natasha was a top-tier beauty, prettier than Hollywood actresses. Of course, she was still a little inferior to his Maria. His Maria was the most beautiful woman in the world—no, in the Entire Universe! Wang Bert wrapped an arm around Natasha and laughed loudly. "Frank, in a situation like this, how many times would a donkey have to kick me in the head before I'd want to destroy the world?"

Frank laughed. "Probably not even if it kicked your head to pieces?"

"Of course not!"

Wang Bert laughed, released Natasha, and sat down. "In fact, I'll actively protect this world. If it gets destroyed, where would I go to enjoy myself?"

"That makes sense."

Frank nodded in agreement, and Natasha nodded secretly as well. If she were as rich as him, she would not destroy the world either. She would gather all the muscular men in the NBA and have them sweat in front of her. She liked muscular men! "As for turning all humanity into slaves, not only have I never considered it, I'll stop other vampires from doing it too. Honestly, those Blood Clan members who always think they're superior to everyone else are absolutely disgusting."

Wang Bert shook his head and explained his reforms for vampires. After listening, Frank cursed Nick Fury viciously in his heart. Bert Wang had gone this far, yet he still suspected him. That man's heart really was black! "Bert, I formally accept this job. As for the military, I'll handle that myself!"

Frank said, "But let me make this clear first. I won't help you do evil, and I certainly won't turn a blind eye to evil!"

"Absolutely no problem!"

Wang Bert smiled. "Mercury, hurry and bring in the contract we prepared yesterday! Don't give Frank any chance to regret this!"

The Punisher had joined the team!