Bullseye

Their conversation continued until late into the night.

However, Helen Zhao did most of the talking while Hong Fei listened, only occasionally asking a question or two.

Helen Zhao gave him a detailed explanation of her "Regeneration Cradle" project.

At present, more than half of the project's theoretical research and planning had been completed. Everything was ready except for funding.

The reason she had stayed in New York for so long, aside from the academic conference, was primarily to seek investors.

Although Helen Zhao had begun to make a name for herself in the scientific community, she was still young. So far, those interested in her either wanted her herself or intended to seize her plans and achievements for themselves.

She had accepted Hong Fei's invitation to meet only because she still held onto a sliver of hope.

If Hong Fei did not work out either, she planned to turn to the United States instead, since its terms were comparatively less harsh.

Compared to those people, Hong Fei felt that he truly was an upright gentleman.

Amid a friendly atmosphere, the two reached a preliminary agreement on cooperation.

Since it was already late at night, Hong Fei arranged accommodations for Helen Zhao. Only after breakfast the next morning did he have Number One personally drive her back.

Watching the vehicle disappear into the distance, Frank suddenly said, "I don't think you only have your eye on her knowledge."

Hong Fei's smile stiffened, and he immediately retorted, "What nonsense."

"Hmph. I know what young men like you are thinking. She's very nice." Without waiting for Hong Fei to respond, Frank turned and left.

Hong Fei rolled his eyes helplessly. Frank was both right and wrong. Knowledge and ability naturally came first; he had no need for a decorative vase. But once that first requirement was met, of course he would prefer someone good-looking.

Everyone loved beauty. Was there anything wrong with that?

Absolutely not!

Formal cooperation with Helen Zhao would have to wait until she finished arranging some of her current projects, and the detailed agreement would require further negotiations. But in Hong Fei's view, it was already a sure thing. No one was going to snatch her away from him.

Otherwise, he would not hesitate to unleash Frank the Three-Cannon.

Having completed another short-term plan, Hong Fei was in high spirits, and his training felt all the more satisfying.

Two days later.

Number Four and Number Five returned from Sokovia with a group of people.

"Boss, they're all Sokovians. They lost family members or jobs because of the war. After Number Five and I assessed them, these twenty can be trusted for now. There are another thirty still at Sokovia Castle."

Standing upstairs and looking through the window at the neatly lined-up crowd, Hong Fei nodded in satisfaction.

"Good work. Go hand them over to Frank. He's been waiting for manpower."

"Understood."

Twenty people were not many, but they could still relieve the immediate shortage. The underground expansion was underway, while the modifications could not be revealed to outsiders. Frank had been clamoring about it for ages.

Looking down over New York, Hong Fei's eyes shifted rapidly, and a smile rose at the corner of his lips.

It was time to do something bad. His energy growth had already fallen behind the increase in his physical attributes. He just did not know whether energy also had breakthroughs at different stages.

Of course, the boundary between good and bad was blurred. Different perspectives always led to different conclusions.

The specifics would depend on whether his energy or physical attributes improved after Hong Fei finished the job.

Besides, in gaming terms, it was about time for him to actively hunt monsters and collect Skill Cards.

As night fell, Hong Fei notified Frank, then drove away.

Hell's Kitchen was located in the Manhattan District. It was a major immigrant settlement, with a chaotic and impoverished environment, frequent ethnic conflicts, and persistently high crime rates.

Given a choice, almost no ordinary person would be willing to live here for long.

It was a cursed place in many people's eyes, yet a paradise for countless gangsters.

After dark, no one went out without reason. Even patrolling police officers were reluctant to come here.

Before the Afghanistan operation, Hong Fei had often come and gone from this place.

After leaving his car in a parking lot, Hong Fei carried a cloth bag, avoided the surveillance cameras along the way, and climbed onto a rooftop.

He pulled open the zipper. Inside was a set of black clothes and a white mask.

"Tony, I promise this will be the last time I wear these," Hong Fei murmured softly. After changing, he stood at the edge of the rooftop and surveyed the surroundings.

A moment later, Hong Fei fixed his gaze on a spot in the distance. He lowered himself slightly, then explosively pushed off with both legs. His body shot forth like an arrow leaving the string, crossing more than ten meters of open air before landing steadily atop the building opposite. Without stopping, he sprinted onward, weaving between the high-rises like a nimble ape.

Before long, as he neared his destination, Hong Fei slowed his pace.

Before Frank appeared, Hong Fei had already located several heroes and villains. For the sake of caution, he had not rushed to make a move at the time.

Now, the time had come.

He pushed open the courtyard door and headed downstairs.

The stairwell was dark and filled with all sorts of strange smells.

Hong Fei's steps were extraordinarily light, almost silent. When he reached a certain door, he pressed his ear against it and listened quietly.

His hearing, like the rest of his physical attributes, had been enhanced. Hong Fei caught the faintest sounds from within.

After confirming that the other person was home, Hong Fei initially intended to kick the door in. But after a brief thought, the corners of his mouth curled beneath the mask, and he raised a hand to knock lightly.

Knock, knock!

There was complete silence inside, as though no one were home.

Hong Fei leaned against the wall, turned his head up, and knocked again.

After doing so three times, there was still no response from the room.

Hong Fei swiftly turned back to the door and lifted his leg. As his muscles tightened and relaxed, immense force surged through him, and his foot struck precisely at the lock.

Bang!

With a thunderous crash, the door flew open. Hong Fei immediately darted aside.

Gunshots followed at once.

But the other party quickly realized there was no target at the doorway, and the gunfire abruptly ceased.

Hong Fei reached into his pocket and pulled out a cute little cylinder.

He yanked out the pin and tossed it through the doorway. The light clinking sounds were exceptionally clear, and Hong Fei immediately turned his back and tightly covered his head with both arms.

Boom!

A muffled blast rang out. Blinding light erupted, followed by a piercing shriek.

Two seconds later, Hong Fei instantly activated Shinigami Eye, turned, and charged into the room.

Inside, a man had his eyes tightly shut. One hand covered his ear as he screamed with his mouth wide open, while the other held a gun and pulled the trigger toward the doorway.

The moment Hong Fei entered, he sharply twisted his body. The bullet grazed past him as he strode forward. In just a few steps, he ran across the sofa and dining table, launching himself into the air.

As he closed in, he twisted his waist. His long leg snapped straight and crashed down like a battle-axe.

A crack of breaking bone came from the gunman's shoulder, and he immediately collapsed to the floor.

Seeing the target-like tattoo on the man's head, Hong Fei laughed without any sense of decency.