Gonggong Laboratory

The yacht had naturally been rented. Although Hong Fei had money, he would not spend it on something with no practical combat value at the moment.

After returning the yacht, Hong Fei went straight home. Frank quietly departed to investigate the recent changes among New York's underground forces.

There were far more police officers on the streets, and even soldiers carrying guns had been deployed. Armored Vehicles cleared the way as they drove through, and pedestrians generally kept their distance.

Clearly, those people had nearly gone mad searching for Hong Fei.

The bookstore reopened, and Number One, who had been waiting, handed Hong Fei a stack of documents and photographs.

The top photograph showed an estate nestled against mountains and beside water, far from the bustle of the city. According to the documents, the estate covered more than twenty acres. Aside from its luxurious main building and beautiful scenery, it contained forests, a lake, hills, and several other types of terrain. From the top of the main building, one could take in more than half of New York City at a glance. It also had a spacious, completed two-level underground area.

Fifty million dollars.

A smile had spread across Hong Fei's face when he read the introduction, but the instant the price entered his sight, it vanished completely.

Number One studied his expression and said softly, "Boss, there are two more places below."

Hong Fei continued flipping through the documents, his brow furrowing from time to time.

The latter two locations cost at least half as much, if not less, but neither fully met Hong Fei's requirements.

He knew all too well what he would be doing in the future. Looking at the aerial views, he could already map out their approximate future uses. Preventing surveillance, maintaining privacy, and constructing powerful multilayered security defenses were his highest priorities.

Moreover, New York would be his core base for some time to come. Master Hong still had to make a living off those heroes and villains, so there was no way he could move too far away.

After a brief moment of thought, Hong Fei nodded at the first estate. "This one. Get it done as soon as possible."

"Understood. Boss, the information you need is at the very bottom."

Hong Fei pulled out the bottom set of documents. A clear photograph was tucked outside the file folder.

It showed a black-haired, fair-skinned woman with delicate features and a gentle demeanor. She wore a white lab coat, her gaze directed beyond the camera, a faint curve at the corner of her lips making her smile especially captivating.

Helen Zhao, a Korean-American scientist, had applied interdisciplinary research combining biology and machinery to practical medicine. In this field, she truly stood at the forefront of the world. She was currently in New York for a top academic exchange conference, so the timing was perfect.

Of course, he was not looking for her because she was beautiful. Hong Fei was face-blind, so he could not tell whether she was pretty or not.

Hong Fei did not want to see that doctor who charged two million dollars per visit a second time, so he had thought of Helen Zhao.

She understood biology, so she could study Hulk and aliens for him in the future. She understood machinery, so she could help work on the Arc Reactor and other things. She understood medicine too, which was even better—he would not have to worry about headaches or colds in the future.

As for whether she would join, Hong Fei was not worried in the slightest.

Since Master Hong had set his sights on this person, her opinion was not all that important.

Of course, it would be even better if she came willingly.

Seeing Hong Fei's determined expression, Number One cautiously tested the waters. "Boss, Number Three is following her. She only has two pathetic-looking bodyguards with her. How about I have Number Three just take her..."

Hong Fei abruptly turned and stared at him, and Number One immediately fell silent.

After a moment, Hong Fei rubbed his chin. "Not a bad idea, but there's no need for it yet. Put it down as a backup plan. Courtesy first, force second. Arrange a meeting with her in the name of Gonggong Laboratory."

Number One looked confused. "Boss, what is Gonggong Laboratory?"

"A name I just came up with. It's a private biological laboratory. Treat it as the third thing you need to handle."

"Okay."

After Number One left, Hong Fei took out his phone and looked at it again and again. Finally, he sighed and called Tony.

"Something wrong?" Judging by his tone, Tony did not seem to be in a good mood.

That made sense. Getting knocked unconscious while wearing an Iron Man suit would indeed leave a narcissistic genius feeling rather frustrated.

"Mr. Stark, can I ask you for an autograph?"

"Ha, we've known each other for nearly two months, and only now you want an autograph? And you're asking over the phone?" Tony rattled on. "An autograph is fine, of course, but you'll have to wait a while. I'm busy right now."

The moment he finished speaking, he hung up.

What could Tony possibly be busy with? At this stage, it was nothing more than tinkering with and modifying his suit. Especially after Hong Fei had knocked him unconscious barehanded, Tony would surely work hard to bring the suit closer to perfection.

If he had not promised Peter, Hong Fei would not have made that call. He also hoped Tony could become Iron Man sooner, so he could gradually draw out those people hiding in every nook and cranny. Whether they were good or evil, Hong Fei wanted to have a heart-to-heart with them.

Hong Fei tossed aside his phone and glanced at the date. Tomorrow was the first, the date May Parker had agreed upon with him. Starting tomorrow, Master Hong would no longer have to spend every day sitting blankly in the bookstore.

Late at night, Hong Fei closed the shop and went upstairs. Frank the Three-Cannon, who had been out roaming all day, returned as well.

"Any news?" Hong Fei asked first.

Frank nodded and gave a chilling grin. "Things are very lively out there right now."

Whether they were ordinary businessmen or people who made their living by keeping their eyes on the criminal code, New York was an undeniable major market.

There were people here, money here, opportunities to earn, and opportunities to spend.

The moment Kingpin died, the balance among the underground forces was shattered. A delicious cake had suddenly lost its owner—how could the onlookers possibly resist?

The Hand moved the fastest.

They were already a major international organization, with personnel in many countries and regions around the world. The instant Kingpin died, The Hand wasted no time gathering people and swallowing up the territory he had left behind.

The Russian Mafia came next. Those bears were just as bold and lawless, but their actions were more than a step slower than The Hand's. In the end, they only obtained a small portion.

The Mexican Cartel kept the lowest profile. They held still and watched the fire from across the river, as though everything happening outside had nothing to do with them. But considering their status as suppliers, that was only reasonable. No matter how you fought or how much territory you claimed, wouldn't you still have to come to them to buy goods in the end?

As for Kingpin's subordinates, after losing their leader, they had wanted to set themselves up as kings. But The Hand and the Mafia clearly would not allow that to happen. Their final outcome was naturally either death or surrender.

Further down the chain were the inconspicuous small gangs. They might not have many members or much strength, but plenty of them were the sort who wanted money more than life. Even when the police came knocking, they could pull out guns and start shooting in broad daylight. Such groups were often swaggering arrogantly today, only to be wiped out tomorrow.

To fight over scraps at the edges, these small gangs were the ones causing the fiercest turmoil now.