The Two Chapters

After defeating all the zombies, Guan Heng and Spider-Man looked at each other and laughed. "Peter, you've matured. You're a pretty convincing Spider-Man." Guan Heng wiped away tears of laughter and patted his shoulder. "You've really gotten stronger."

Spider-Man sheepishly scratched the back of his head. "Actually, when I first saw that Green Goblin guy, I was a little nervous. I wasn't sure if I should rush out immediately. But because of his bombs, Mary Jane was almost hurt. I got angry and just put on my spider suit and rushed out without thinking."

Guan Heng chuckled. "A man's greatest motivation is always the goddess in his heart. The moment she was in danger, you thought, 'I should strike while the iron is hot and encourage him to confess, lest he miss true love and regret it forever.'"

So Guan Heng continued, "Peter, I think Mary Jane likes you, but you're just too dense and lack confidence. If you ask me, you should go confess to her quickly. If you wait too long and she loses patience with you and falls into someone else's arms, it'll be too late to regret it."

Peter Parker pondered for a long time, then whispered, "Maybe you're right, Guan Heng. I should express my feelings. No matter the outcome, I'll face it calmly. Goodbye." With that, he waved goodbye to Guan Heng, flicked his wrist to shoot a web, and swung away.

Guan Heng watched his retreating figure soar through the air and laughed, "Good luck, buddy! Bring your sister-in-law to visit me when you have time."

Seizing the moment, Guan Heng patted his newly acquired Corpse Storage Bag and began the retrieval experiment on the four Corpse Soldiers on the ground. Three of them were successfully stored in the bag. Guan Heng rejoiced inwardly, "This Corpse Storage Bag is better than the previous one. It can hold at least three. This means besides Jiang Dabao, I can capture two more Super Zombies in the future."

With a thought, he threw the three ordinary Corpse Soldiers out. Guan Heng disdained such low-quality goods now. He knocked out the fangs and nails of the four zombies, rendering them useless and unable to bite or scratch anyone anymore.

Just then, S.H.I.E.L.D. vehicles arrived at the carnival venue.

"Agent Guan Heng, sir. Do you have any instructions?" An agent in black with black sunglasses appeared and respectfully asked Guan Heng. He knew Guan Heng was an expert in dealing with zombies, hence the question.

"Oh, you're here just in time. Recycle these zombies and incinerate them with high temperatures. They're safer now without teeth or claws," Guan Heng instructed the other agents carefully. "Also, investigate if any ordinary citizens were attacked by zombies and injured. Agent Hill has the antidote for Corpse Poison, go get it from him."

After giving all necessary instructions, Guan Heng mounted his motorcycle, said goodbye, and sped away.

He was heading to his apartment. Upon entering, he went straight to his room, locked the door, and ground all the Zombie Teeth and Zombie Nails he obtained today into powder, storing them properly. He muttered to himself, "At least until I get Metal Gear, the powdered Zombie Teeth and nails are a way to detoxify. I can't let Fury know about this. Once I have the item, it won't matter if I tell him."

Just as he stepped out of his room, he saw Simon returning home dejectedly, holding a bouquet of Red Roses, the petals scattered all over.

He looked as dispirited as the flowers. Guan Heng stroked his chin. It was obvious Simon's confession to that TV host had failed. "Poor guy. Hey, Simon, how did it go?" Out of concern and curiosity, Guan Heng greeted him.

"Ugh, don't even mention it. We were chatting smoothly at first, but then we got to the topic of food texture," Simon scratched his head and said with a bitter smile. "I made a few minor controversial statements, which might have upset her. In the end, she slapped a plate of Spaghetti in my face."

"Poor brother," Guan Heng hugged him and then brought out a plate. "You must be hungry. Come, turn your sorrow into appetite and eat this sandwich quickly."

"Wh-what's between these two slices of bread?" Simon asked Guan Heng, looking at the green finger sandwiched between the bread with utter shock.

"Don't ask too many questions, or you'll be even more afraid to eat it," Guan Heng mumbled quietly, then raised his voice. "Come on, brother, it's just a small favor for me. Take just one bite. I want to know where the owner of this finger has been recently. Hurry!"

Simon knew refusing was useless. He picked up the sandwich and took a bite. Instantly, his Food Spirit User ability to backtrack through food activated. Simon's head felt heavy, and he mumbled, "I... I saw a green-clad monster. His laughter was so creepy. He was making a deal with someone, handing over a box full of money to a bald, burly man."

Guan Heng quickly asked, "Are there any obvious landmarks nearby? Can you see where it is?"

Simon clutched his head, the veins on his forehead about to burst. "It was a Presidential Suite. From the open-air balcony, you could see the Sea View. The green monster was reaching for the doorknob. There was a Lion-shaped ornament on the handle. That's all... Ahhh! My head hurts so much, it's killing me!"

Simon, his head splitting with pain, suddenly fell to the ground and started rolling. Guan Heng was startled. Although Simon had experienced headaches before when activating his Food Spirit ability, they had never been this severe. Guan Heng made a swift decision and immediately took Simon to the hospital.

After examination, the results showed that Mr. Simon's headache was caused by excessive brain activity. The hospital doctors conducted a comprehensive check-up on Simon and then explained to Guan Heng, "He just needs more rest and to reduce mental exertion."

Guan Heng felt extremely regretful for causing Simon such a serious condition. Although Simon's Food Spirit User ability was very helpful in investigating incidents, it didn't mean Guan Heng could disregard Simon's well-being and continue to make him suffer headaches for work.

Standing by Simon's hospital bed, Guan Heng sighed, "I'm sorry, Simon. I shouldn't have repeatedly used your ability and caused you such headaches. I'm truly sorry."

Simon on the bed smiled slightly. "Alright, buddy, didn't you always tell me to cheer up? Slouching around isn't your style. I'm already happy I could help you out a little. You know I don't have many friends, and you're one of the few. I know those threats you made were just to scare me, and I never took them seriously. Plus, you gave me so many models and photo albums. I've never received so many gifts since I was a kid."

"Also, I know that one time, you almost got into a fight to grab that limited edition aircraft carrier model for me. Thank you so much." Simon's tone was quite sincere.

"All in all, the aftereffects of your ability are still too dangerous. To avoid side effects, you must use it less in the future," Guan Heng mused. "I won't trouble you unless it's absolutely necessary."

Chapter 0025: Watch from Here

Leaving the hospital room, Guan Heng sighed. "I really didn't expect that overusing Simon's skill would have negative effects on him. I'll have to be more careful in the future. But this time, I've already gotten some useful clues."

Riding his motorcycle to S.H.I.E.L.D., Guan Heng searched non-stop on the computer in the archives. He looked up all the hotels in New York City with a sea view, specifically those with presidential suites. He also drew the lion-head door knocker that Simon had described and scanned it into the computer for a search.

It wasn't until an hour later.

Bang! Guan Heng punched the desk. "Ha! That's it! Patu Crown Hotel, Presidential Suite, room 3015. It has a sea view and a lion-head door knocker. The features match perfectly!"

"Simon, I won't let the pain you endured this time go to waste," Guan Heng whispered. He immediately began preparing, bringing all the items he needed and the Chengying Sword.

After 9 PM, Patu Crown Hotel, top floor, room 3015.

"Damn it! I just asked the front desk manager and the attendants. The person checked out three hours ago!" Guan Heng cursed his bad luck, hands on his hips, inside the room. The room was dark; he had infiltrated secretly, not wanting to alert anyone, not even S.H.I.E.L.D. or the police.

"Did I come here for nothing?" Guan Heng's face darkened. Just as he was about to turn on a light to search further, he suddenly heard footsteps and men talking at the door.

The moment the door opened, Guan Heng agilely rolled over and flipped directly under the bedroom bed.

Two men entered the presidential suite. After turning on the lights, they began searching the room.

"This is unbelievable. Mr. Sam got drunk again last night," one of the men complained. "He lost something himself but made us come back to look for it. What a hassle. I even gave the attendant a fifty-dollar tip to get in."

"Stop complaining, buddy," the other man advised. "Let's find the thing quickly so we can return to base. Mr. Sam has a bad temper; don't give him a chance to get angry." He then added, "That thing is an important symbol of the organization; we can't lose it. Hurry up and look."

Hearing the two men talking, Guan Heng suddenly felt something poking him from underneath where he was hiding. He reached out and felt around carefully. It was a badge with a skull on top and snake feet below. He suddenly remembered a certain organization's classic slogan: "Cut off one head, and two more will take its place."

"These two guys are Hydra's lackeys!" Guan Heng wasn't alarmed but delighted. He had come alone to find clues about Hydra. He thought he had come for nothing, but unexpectedly, the cat was gone, yet it left him two mice to lead the way.

Taking advantage of the fact that the two outside were completely unaware, he gently pushed the badge out from under the bed, while he squeezed further inside.

Sure enough, after only a dozen seconds, someone exclaimed, "Great, we finally found it!" He picked up the badge and wiped it. "That's right, it's Mr. Sam's badge."

"Alright, since we found it, let's head back to base quickly," the other person said. "Thinking about Mr. Sam getting angry gives me the shivers. You know, he's as fierce and cruel to his subordinates as he is to his enemies. I don't want to suffer."

The two men put away the badge and turned to leave, not expecting Guan Heng to have secretly followed them.

Leaving the hotel, the two started a black sedan and drove straight southeast. Guan Heng got on his motorcycle and followed them at a leisurely pace.

The black sedan left the city and wound its way through the winding mountain highway, arriving at a vast area. Guan Heng watched from afar; tombstones and crosses surrounded them. It turned out to be a long-abandoned old cemetery.

At this point, the two in front had already gotten out of the car and were heading towards the end of the cemetery. Guan Heng hid his motorcycle and followed them, hunched over. Although the place was eerie and terrifying, Guan Heng, as a demon-slaying Taoist, was not afraid of such unholy places.

The two in front walked forward. Although they often came and went here, a gust of cold wind blew past, and they couldn't help but shiver.

"Seriously, I don't understand why the higher-ups chose this place as a stronghold. It's too creepy, makes my skin crawl," one of them complained.

The other replied, "Because it's hidden and secluded, no one will notice. Even we get spooked living here, let alone outsiders. They wouldn't dare come near." Guan Heng followed behind the two, getting closer and closer. He held his breath, his footsteps as light as a leopard's. The other party didn't notice him at all.

The people in front finally stopped. Before them stood a tombstone taller than a person. They twisted the mechanism, and the tombstone creaked open, revealing a staircase leading down into an underground palace.

Holding the oil lamp in his hand, they carefully lit the way and slowly descended. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew through the underground palace, extinguishing the candle in the oil lamp.

One of them cursed under his breath, "If only my flashlight wasn't broken, I wouldn't want to use this piece of junk." He lit the candle with a lighter. No one noticed as Guan Heng silently followed them into the stairwell. After walking down hundreds of steps, the two men reached level ground and came face-to-face with a bare-chested, burly man. The man was tall, with bulging muscles all over his body and a fierce expression.

"Joe Ethan, did you two find my badge?" the bare-chested man asked.

"Here, Mr. Sam," Joe respectfully handed over the badge. "Your subordinate did not fail you. Ethan and I retrieved it for you from the Presidential Suite."

"Well done. I'll reward you handsomely. Go down now," the bare-chested man, Sam, praised them briefly and waved them away.

Sam seemed to be the leader of this base. He was directing seven or eight subordinates as they carried a specially made metal box forward.

Suddenly, someone's foot slipped, almost causing others to fall. The box also shook. Everyone quickly stopped and reached out to steady the box together.

Sam roared, "Be gentler, you clumsy fools! Don't you know how precious the Experimental Subject inside the box is? He waved his hand and said, "Hurry and open the box to see if she shows any signs of waking up. If anything seems wrong, give her another injection. I warn you, once her molecular penetration ability activates, she can drill out of even the most densely structured container and escape. We won't be able to catch her then."

The group panicked, clearly frightened by Sam's words. They quickly opened the box. Guan Heng observed from a nearby dark corner. Inside the box was a brown-haired girl. However, she was no ordinary person. Her pale complexion, fangs protruding from her lips, and long nails all revealed her identity as a zombie.