Guan Heng caught the punch with ease and smiled contemptuously. "Kid, that punch of yours couldn't even kill a fly. Now this is a real punch."
He immediately threw a Russian Hook. Bam! His opponent spun four and a half times in midair before crashing into the wall again, then crumpled into the corner, his life or death uncertain.
"Uh-oh, I think I used forty percent of my strength. I hope I didn't kill him." Guan Heng muttered under his breath. He'd planned to take the man alive and bring him back to report in, so he could find out where his four accomplices were hiding. "Hey, don't you dare die on me!"
His opponent struggled to his feet, swaying as he spotted Guan Heng. He lowered his body and swept out a leg. Guan Heng flipped over him in midair, landing behind him, then casually pulled out a large syringe and jabbed it into his neck.
Guan Heng smiled. "Relax. Once I've drawn your blood, you'll be done."
The skinny man's muscular body had just shrunk back to normal, and he was utterly bewildered. Terror suddenly flooded his mind. Pop! Guan Heng pulled out the syringe, now full of blood, then struck the back of the man's neck with a chopping hand. The man's eyes rolled back, and he passed out.
Guan Heng put the syringe away, then turned toward the alley's entrance and shouted, "Simon, if you're not scared to death, get over here!"
Simon Aleshek poked half his head out from behind the wall. "Is the danger over? Is it safe?"
Guan Heng looked at him with disdain. "With an attitude like that, you call yourself an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.? I have no idea how you got picked. Compared to your guts, even a mung bean is three times bigger."
Simon defended himself. "I was taking that frightened woman and her child to their car. She was really shaken up." Then he added, "Didn't I tell you before? I used to be an agent at the Food Safety and Health Administration. I carried a gun, but I didn't have much field experience."
Simon approached timidly and asked nervously, "What do you want me to do? Don't tell me it's another..."
Guan Heng rolled his eyes. "Obviously. Why else would I bring you along? Just to watch? I might as well have brought Hill. That would've been a perfect man-and-woman team—twice the work for no extra effort."
Simon trembled. "You can't force me like this. I have rights!"
Before he could finish, Guan Heng had already dragged him over to the unconscious skinny man. "Cut the crap and get to work. Otherwise, I'll cook you a feast when we get back: pork, beef, lamb, dog, rabbit. I'll let you taste every kind, so you can relive the slaughterhouse banquet in your head every day."
Simon looked so aggrieved he was about to cry. "If I'd known, I never would've told you I was a Food Spirit User. I regret it so much!"
Guan Heng chuckled. "It's too late to regret it now. Just do me a little favor, and I'll cover all your Beetroot Cans for the next half month. Now hurry up and finish so we can head home and get some sleep."
Simon had no choice. He grabbed the skinny man's arm and was about to take a small bite when Guan Heng said coldly, "If you bite too lightly and still can't recall where they're hiding, then eat his whole arm."
Simon's face changed dramatically. Cursing under his breath, he opened his mouth wide and bit down hard on the skinny man's arm. A flood of images rushed into his mind. A moment later, Simon rubbed his throbbing head and said, "Pier Number Six. Warehouse Number 652 is where they're hiding."
Guan Heng smiled, delight shining on his face. "Excellent! Simon, you really are the best Food Spirit User. Thanks, buddy!"
Ever since learning about Simon's ability as a Food Spirit User, Guan Heng had made use of him every few days, coaxing and pressuring him by turns. Simon liked all kinds of ship and airplane models, as well as photos of pretty models and collectible lighters. Guan Heng did his best to find them for him, no matter what they cost.
Now the secret of Simon's Food Spirit User ability was known only to the two of them, and they kept it absolutely quiet. Guan Heng wasn't stupid enough to let anyone else share in the benefits; Simon didn't dare tell anyone either. Guan Heng alone could wear him out—what would happen if everyone else found out?
A phone rang urgently. Guan Heng answered. "Hey, Hill. It's nice to hear your voice. Interested in having dinner with me and getting to know each other better?"
"Shut up. Have you finished the mission yet? It's been three hours, and I'm waiting for the results," Hill said irritably over the phone.
Guan Heng had been with S.H.I.E.L.D. for half a month and had already completed three missions, all on his own. It was unprecedented for a rookie to have no S.O. supervisor accompanying him. First, his primary supervisor, Nick Fury, had simply ignored the matter. The man was the director; he wasn't going to lead Guan Heng around everywhere. Second, his other supervisor, Phil Coulson, was busy cozying up to Iron Man and had no time to look after Guan Heng. The rookie had been left entirely to fend for himself.
Fury had deliberately given Guan Heng a hard time, hoping to make him look bad. If he couldn't handle it, he'd come crawling to Fury for help. Who could've known Guan Heng had a freakish Food Spirit User by his side? One bite from anyone was enough to solve most of a case. Even heaven seemed to be looking out for Guan Heng, sending Simon to help him. Who could've predicted that?
"Yes, yes. Reporting to you, Director Hill: Five fugitives, one captured. I'll have Simon bring him back," Guan Heng said with exaggerated seriousness. "I'm heading to their hideout now. I'll have good news for you soon. Are you sure you don't want to reconsider that dinner date?" Before Guan Heng could finish teasing her, she hung up with a snap.
Guan Heng chuckled. His boss was far too cold. He couldn't help trying to rile her up; it seemed like the only way to melt that Iceberg.
He nudged Simon, who was rinsing his mouth. "Hey, Hill wants you to take the prisoner back. Be careful on the way, and tie him up securely."
"Of course. If he finds out I bit him, he'll tear me apart!" Simon said with a mournful face. "This is all your fault. You make enemies for me everywhere."
"Come on, we're buddies. Don't be so petty. I'll give you two photo books of Ali Beyoncé later. She's the hottest young model around." Guan Heng made sure to sweeten the deal. Simon was a great help, and you had to use both the carrot and the stick.
The two parted ways and went about their own business.
Half an hour later, Guan Heng kicked open the Warehouse Number 652 at Pier Number Six and quickly beat down the four Gene Mutants. He drew their blood while he was at it, then left with five syringes in his pocket. He called Hill to have her send people to collect the prisoners, then hummed all the way home.
Back at the villa, Guan Heng glanced at the clock on the living room wall. It was already midnight. Looks like Simon won't be coming back tonight. Perfect—time for another round of solo training. Guan Heng rubbed his hands together. Fighting those criminals tonight hadn't done much to help him train. Dabao was a much better sparring partner.
With that in mind, Guan Heng went to the kitchen and fixed himself a late-night snack as a reward. If he wanted to train his body, he had to keep up his nutrition. He wasn't Simon, who could eat Beetroot Cans every day with a long face. Guan Heng couldn't live without meat. He bit into some ham, took a drink, and settled onto the living-room sofa to enjoy a brief rest.
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