Preparing to Leave

Howard was deeply jealous of Chen Mo's extravagance. He knew perfectly well how valuable Vibranium was. Even as the chairman of Stark Industries, the largest arms dealer in the United States, he could not bear to use it so lavishly.

But Chen Mo needed it for battle. He was the commander of the Special Operations Team, and Steve would also be an important combatant for S.H.I.E.L.D. in the future. Other than being envious, Howard could do nothing about it. After all, he was not a combatant.

A scientist responsible for logistical technological equipment support had no use for such a set of gear. Was he supposed to wear an Alloy Combat Suit while conducting experiments? Under the excuse that his experiments were too dangerous and he needed protection from explosions? He was not researching bombs. If he dared use that excuse, Chen Mo would definitely show him what real danger was.

It was not that Howard had never considered simply joining the Special Operations Team. Following behind Chen Mo every now and then to fight an easy battle for fun was one thing, but being made to face gunfire and fight enemies on the battlefield every day? He would rather stay obediently in his laboratory and research his black technology.

Chen Mo, on the other hand, felt nothing about it. With HYDRA's influence, money was merely a number to him, and this Vibranium was nothing more than rare material.

He had long since ordered HYDRA to secretly gather Vibranium. Following the Doctor's formula, once it was made into Adamantium, there would be enough to build a whole war vehicle. As a wealthy tycoon and the big boss behind the scenes, Chen Mo had every confidence in freely using the Vibranium Howard considered incomparably precious.

The composition ratio of Adamantium differed greatly from the primary alloy used in Chen Mo's shield. Although he did not know the exact ratio of Primary Adamantium, the fact that it weighed only one-third as much as ordinary steel showed that its Vibranium content was extremely high.

Adamantium, however, was different. Its weight was roughly the same as steel's, and according to the proportions in the Doctor's formula given to Chen Mo, its Vibranium content was less than ten percent.

In other words, the several dozen kilograms of Vibranium in the secret laboratory could produce several tons of Adamantium—enough for Chen Mo to squander freely. Not to mention HYDRA. With its immense power spread across the world, it would only collect more Vibranium. Chen Mo had not merely been talking when he mentioned building a war vehicle. He truly intended to use Adamantium to build himself a Super War Vehicle!

Who knew whether Howard would cough up blood in fury if he found out.

A few days later, the new Alloy Combat Suit and the twenty throwing knives Chen Mo had requested were completed. It was time for Chen Mo and Howard to return to Europe.

Before leaving, Chen Mo gathered everyone from the Martial Arts School before him.

After this departure, Chen Mo did not intend to return. Once he had dealt with HYDRA's affairs, he planned to return directly to the real world, and the group of subordinates at the Martial Arts School all needed to be arranged for.

There was no question about their loyalty, so Chen Mo naturally would not simply abandon them.

Looking at the few people standing silently before him, Chen Mo slowly began to speak.

"You have all followed me for quite some time, and I have seen your performance all along."

"After I leave New York this time, I will not be coming back for a very long time. You may choose to follow me to Europe, or stay here and manage the Martial Arts School and Brooklyn's underground forces for me."

"Of course, neither choice will bring peace. It may even be said that both are very dangerous. Fighting and killing will become commonplace. So if anyone does not want this kind of life and wishes to leave, I can give him a large sum of money—enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your lives."

Raising a hand to stop the anxious-looking group who were about to speak, Chen Mo continued.

"But there is one thing I must make clear in advance. Whether you go to Europe or remain to manage the Martial Arts School, you will come into contact with some of the secrets behind me. So once you make your choice, there will be no turning back. You had better think carefully."

The moment Chen Mo finished speaking, Han Qing and the others hurriedly said, "Of course we'll follow you, Master!"

"That's right! Wherever you go, Master, we'll go too!"

"Master, you saved my wife and child. This life of mine is yours!"

"I'm going to Europe! I'll fight enemies at your side!"

Without exception, all four chose to leave with Chen Mo.

Leaving aside the fact that Chen Mo had taken them in and recognized their worth, his displayed strength and mystery alone were enough to make them willing to follow him. In this war-torn world, following the strong was human instinct.

More importantly, Chen Mo treated his subordinates exceptionally well. He had always treated them generously, and after Wang Kun's wife and child had been kidnapped, Chen Mo had personally entered the trap laid by their enemies. Alone, he rescued the mother and son from the encirclement of dozens of gunmen and wiped out the force responsible for the kidnapping.

Afterward, he thoroughly eliminated the two families that had planned and driven the whole affair from behind the scenes, removing every hidden danger for them.

With such a boss who cared for and protected his subordinates and always considered their interests, they had long since made up their minds to follow Chen Mo for the rest of their lives!

There was even less need to mention Old Albert. If he had not met Chen Mo, he might have long since curled up in some cold, dark corner of Liverpool's streets, dying alone and miserably from cold and hunger.

When he had already accepted that lifeless and hopeless existence, calmly waiting for his life to fade away, it was the young man before him who brought hope into his lonely, gray life and led him into a brand-new life filled with sunlight.

Having long since looked beyond life and death, Old Albert only wished to spend the rest of his years repaying Chen Mo—to follow him, care for him, and protect him until the end of his life. From the day he met Chen Mo, every day afterward had been an extra day, brand-new and full of hope, and Chen Mo had brought him all of it.

Likewise, Chen Mo had always trusted and valued Old Albert greatly. Though he was nominally a butler, Chen Mo truly regarded him more as a friend and family member.

Although he said nothing, Chen Mo knew that, without question, Albert would choose to leave with him.

Their gazes met, and an unspoken understanding arose between them. Many things no longer needed to be said.

Nodding gently, Chen Mo's gaze slowly swept across the faces of Huang Quan, Han Qing, Luo Zhen, and Wang Kun. In their eyes, he read sincerity, gratitude, and reverence.

Chen Mo had always been satisfied with the four of them and had consistently trained them as his trusted subordinates. They had not disappointed him. None of them wished to stay behind and take control of Brooklyn's entire underground force, nor had any chosen to take a huge sum of money and leave.

Neither power nor wealth had shaken their loyalty. Without hesitation, they chose to continue following Chen Mo. With Chen Mo's keen senses, no one could deceive him. Clearly, they were all sincere.

Although he was pleased with their choice, Chen Mo still had to select one person to remain in New York. The newly established Seven Precepts Gang needed someone to control it, and the future New York was a crucial part of Chen Mo's plans.

When Chen Mo returned next time, the Seven Precepts Gang, developed according to his plans, might perhaps play an unexpected role.