Hail Lucifer

At this moment, the sky had only just begun to brighten.

Lu Xi's sharp senses instantly caught something unusual at the villa entrance.

A figure stood silently there without the slightest movement, as though merged with the darkness before dawn, seemingly waiting deliberately for Lu Xi to notice him.

With a thought, Lu Xi extended his will like invisible tentacles and instantly saw the visitor clearly.

He was an elderly white man dressed in a suit, his hair gray and white, deep marks of age carved into his face.

Yet his upright posture and steady bearing still conveyed an authority forged through countless experiences.

Lu Xi's will penetrated the refined suit and clearly saw the name on the ID in his pocket—Alexander Pierce.

Those Hydra people had already been sternly warned by him last time.

Yet instead of staying far away, they actually dared to come knocking on his door?

He decided to see what Pierce wanted, and with another thought, the villa gates slowly opened.

When Pierce saw the gate open, delight immediately surged within him, and he secretly rejoiced that his first gamble had paid off.

He took a deep breath and stepped through the villa gate with firm yet somewhat restrained strides.

At this time, Lu Xi, wearing loose pajama pants with a robe-style nightgown casually draped over himself, also walked into the courtyard.

Pierce was already waiting in the courtyard. His posture was rather stiff, his hands lightly clenched into fists, and his eyes held a trace of nervousness and anticipation.

Lu Xi raised a brow and said:

"You're pretty bold. I told you people to stop bothering me, yet you still dared to come straight to my door?"

Seeing Lu Xi emerge, Pierce hurriedly forced out a smile and said respectfully:

"Great Lord Lucifer, I truly came to disturb you only because I have something extremely important to discuss."

At that moment, Lu Xi noticed Wanda and Pietro peeking out from beside the villa's side building, watching this way with curious expressions.

A thought crossed his mind, and he immediately beckoned for them to come over.

Pointing at Pierce, Lu Xi introduced him to Wanda and Pietro:

"This Pierce, like Baron Strucker, is one of Hydra's leaders. They just don't belong to the same faction."

Then he looked at Pierce and asked, "I'm not wrong, am I?"

Pierce hurriedly nodded in acknowledgment:

"That's right. Lord Lucifer knows even such confidential information so thoroughly. Your powers truly are unfathomable."

The moment Pietro heard that, his eyes instantly filled with rage as he looked at Pierce.

Back then, he and Wanda had been imprisoned by Strucker and subjected to endless torment for the sake of so-called superpower research.

That painful experience had left him both fearful of and hateful toward Hydra.

Wanda, meanwhile, looked flustered. A flash of fear passed through her eyes as she cautiously asked:

"Lord Lucifer, you're not going to... send us back, are you?"

Before Lu Xi could speak, Pierce hurriedly explained with a placating smile:

"No, no. It is your good fortune to be able to serve at Lord Lucifer's side. How could I possibly have the nerve to come asking for you?"

Lu Xi turned his gaze back to Pierce and said impatiently:

"Get to the point. What important business could Hydra possibly have with me?"

Pierce took a deep breath, his eyes showing resolve and sincerity as he said:

"My lord, ever since witnessing your unparalleled power, we have become increasingly convinced that only by following you can Hydra have a future and walk an even more glorious path!"

Lu Xi was slightly taken aback and asked in surprise:

"You? You actually want to join me?"

Pierce nodded with utter sincerity.

"Yes. Hydra is willing to offer you absolute loyalty. We possess immense resources and a vast intelligence network!"

"All of it can be placed at your disposal without reservation. Furthermore, I solemnly guarantee that from this day onward, all of Hydra will follow your lead alone, with no divided loyalties."

Lu Xi could not help feeling somewhat tempted.

Previously, if an infamous organization like Hydra had wanted to join him, he would not have spared it even a glance.

But now that he had a clear objective of collecting soul contracts, perhaps an enormous organization like Hydra could prove useful.

Lu Xi looked at Pierce and asked:

"Then after joining me, what exactly do you want in return?"

Pierce said carefully, "My lord, the members of our organization have different needs. Some wish to prolong their lives, some long to cure their illnesses, and others hope that you might grant them great power..."

After hearing this, Lu Xi snapped his fingers and said casually:

"Simple enough. I accept this deal."

Wanda looked as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself. A trace of hesitation flashed through her eyes, but she ultimately remained silent.

She and Pietro both knew that they were merely subordinates taken in by Lu Xi. They had no right to voice their opinions on such a major matter.

Upon hearing this, Pierce was instantly ecstatic. He unconsciously stood at attention, raised one hand at a seventy-five-degree angle, and shouted:

"Hail Hydra... no, Hail Lucifer!"

Lu Xi watched Pierce's ridiculous gesture, his eyelid twitching as he said irritably:

"Don't do such childish gestures. And don't shout that kind of slogan again!"

Pierce hurriedly nodded and bowed.

"Yes, yes, understood, understood!"

Looking at Pierce's aged face, Lu Xi said with an amused smile:

"Then the person who wants a longer life is probably you, isn't it?"

An awkward smile appeared on Pierce's face as he replied ingratiatingly:

"My lord truly has sharp eyes. My health has indeed worsened with each passing year in recent years. It is nothing like it used to be."

Lu Xi gently raised a finger, and a green radiance containing healing power descended over Pierce's head.

Immediately afterward, a thread of divine power flowed into Pierce like a gentle stream, helping strengthen his body.

Pierce instantly felt as though he had been reborn. His heartbeat became strong and steady again, while even the wrinkles on his face seemed to smooth out considerably.

He could not help stretching his limbs. His entire body felt filled with boundless strength, as though he had returned to the peak of his youth.

Watching Pierce's transformation, Lu Xi said:

"This treatment will allow you to live healthily for at least another twenty years. The bit of power I have granted you will also make your physique far stronger than that of an ordinary person. But if you want any further rewards, that will depend on your performance."

Pierce nodded repeatedly in excitement.

"Thank you for your grace, my lord. We will certainly devote all our strength to serving you and will not disappoint your expectations!"

Lu Xi's expression turned stern as he warned him:

"However, let me remind you of one thing. Do not try to play any tricks with me."

"If you betray a demon god of Hell, then death will not be the end for you. It will be the beginning of suffering."

A chill ran through Pierce's heart, and he hurriedly lowered his head.

"Rest assured, my lord. Heaven and earth can bear witness to our loyalty. We would never dare harbor the slightest thought of betrayal."

Lu Xi nodded in satisfaction, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Wanda, whose expression was conflicted.

Suddenly, an idea occurred to him, and he asked:

"Oh, right. I happen to have something to ask you."

"During the unrest in Sokovia more than ten years ago, Stark Industries weapons appeared there. Did Hydra have anything to do with that?"

Upon hearing this, Wanda's body jolted violently. Her eyes filled with nervousness and anticipation as she stared intently at Pierce.