Ancient One? Just Some Street-Corner Charlatan

Pierce saw that everyone in his faction supported him and nodded in satisfaction.

"Our Hydra has been scattered for far too long. One organization with several leaders—does that make any sense?"

"Now, we have finally welcomed a new supreme leader!"

Although he was already the leader of the sleeper faction and could force his orders upon them, this was ultimately a major matter of changing banners.

If they could not unite from top to bottom, it might even backfire later.

Crossbones and the other two excitedly raised one hand at a seventy-five-degree angle and habitually shouted:

"Hail Hydra!"

Pierce hurriedly stopped them.

"Lord Lucifer does not like that slogan. It is abolished from now on. The new slogan... is yet to be decided!"

Then he looked at Madame Viper, Zemo, and Malik, the leaders of the three other factions, and asked:

"And what about you? Will you join us, or leave Hydra from this day forward?"

Malik barely hesitated before stating his position.

"What Hydra God? What the hell is that? From now on, our faction will believe in Lucifer!"

Madame Viper immediately cried out as well:

"Long live Lucifer!"

Baron Zemo was actually somewhat unwilling, but everyone in the room now supported Lucifer. He was the only Hydra loyalist left.

As he watched the people around him stare at him with burning eyes, he knew perfectly well that if he refused, he probably would not leave this room alive.

Left with no choice, Zemo gritted his teeth and said, "Long live!"

Pierce was quite satisfied and said:

"The first task Lord Lucifer gave me is to completely purge Baron Strucker's faction."

"Let's plan this properly and get it done beautifully. We must satisfy Lord Lucifer and earn even more rewards!"

At those words, everyone's eyes immediately lit up like bulbs, as though they could already see endless power and longevity beckoning to them.

Pierce let out a hypocritical sigh.

"Ah, it was Baron Strucker himself who first proposed pledging allegiance to Lord Lucifer. He probably will not like the consequences, though."

Several days later, Lu Xi sat in the courtyard of his villa with a phone in his hand.

Pierce's respectful voice came through the receiver.

"Lord Lucifer, Baron Strucker's faction has been completely eliminated according to your instructions."

The corners of Lu Xi's mouth rose slightly as he said with satisfaction:

"Well done."

After hanging up, he turned his gaze toward the somewhat nervous chubby boy standing before him.

The boy looked quite young. Considering that Americans generally matured early, he was at most high-school age.

He had a round build, and his face still carried a trace of childish nervousness.

Lu Xi looked at him with interest and asked:

"So, how did you hear about me?"

The chubby boy puffed out his chest and said with a hint of pride:

"My dad is a senator! I secretly overheard him talking to someone and found out about you."

Lu Xi nodded slightly and asked again:

"Fine. So what was it that you wanted to trade for?"

The chubby boy's eyes gleamed with desire as he said:

"Lord Demon King, I want to win over the school beauty at my school! Of course, I understand the rules. I can trade my soul!"

"Pfft!" Lu Xi had been drinking tea when he heard that and instantly sprayed a mouthful everywhere.

His face immediately darkened. He pointed ruthlessly at the villa entrance and said irritably:

"You, get the hell out right now!"

The chubby boy was startled by the sudden rebuke, his face filled with fear.

He lowered his head in disappointment, looking back every few steps as he slowly walked out.

Using his mind, Lu Xi looked toward the front of the villa and saw a long line already waiting there. The corner of his eye twitched.

Ever since news of Peggy Carter regaining her youth had spread through certain circles,

these people had come flocking over like cats that smelled fish.

They all had their own motives, and the trades they proposed were equally bizarre.

Some wanted longer lives, some craved power, and some, like that chubby boy just now, were simps who wanted to win the hearts of their goddesses.

The most outrageous was a woman who had actually come seeking painless fat loss and breast enhancement. She even insisted that a Demon King's methods should work quickly and make the results look more natural!

These people had practically treated Lu Xi like an omnipotent wishing machine.

To be honest, Lu Xi really could fulfill most of their requests.

However, their souls were basically worthless, and they had nothing that could entice Lu Xi into making a trade. Naturally, no deal could be made.

Just as Lu Xi was feeling helpless, a military jeep came roaring over and stopped directly in front of the villa.

The door opened, and General Ross, dressed in military uniform, stepped out.

Seeing the long line before him, he frowned slightly, and a flash of disdain passed through his eyes.

General Ross had been under enormous pressure lately.

Although he had successfully captured Abomination, his research into him had made no progress at all, leaving him no choice but to imprison him for the time being.

However, Abomination had long since lost his appeal in Ross's eyes.

Lucifer, who could easily defeat both Abomination and Hulk, was what Ross truly wanted now.

And the battle between Abomination and Hulk had caused extremely severe consequences.

A large number of houses and roads had been destroyed, and quite a few innocent civilians had died as a result.

During this period, people had taken to the streets multiple times, demanding that the military compensate them and severely punish General Ross.

Under pressure from all sides, General Ross finally set his sights on this place.

He steadied himself, adjusted his uniform, then brazenly cut in line and swaggered straight to the front before walking directly into the villa as if no one else existed.

The people in line looked at the heavily armed, vicious-looking guards nearby. Though furious, they only dared to keep silent.

General Ross entered the villa's living room. When he saw Lu Xi, there was not the slightest hint of reverence in his eyes. Instead, he looked somewhat arrogant.

He got straight to the point.

"Lucifer, I do not care where you came from. I am now representing the military, and I demand that you cooperate with us in a series of studies."

"You should understand that the U.S. Armed Forces are the most powerful military force in the world. Cooperating with us will benefit you as well."

In General Ross's mind, Lucifer might be powerful.

But judging by the strength he had displayed while attacking Hulk, he was not invincible.

The military was not made of clay either, so his words were filled with arrogance.

Hearing Ross's overbearing words, Lu Xi revealed a rare expression of surprise.

He had been in the Marvel Universe for some time now, yet Ross was the first person who dared speak to him in such a wild tone.

Lu Xi narrowed his eyes slightly and said:

"You're pretty damn cocky. Even Ancient One did not talk to me like you do."

"Sure enough, weakness and ignorance are not obstacles to survival. Arrogance is."

General Ross frowned, his face full of disdain.

"Who is Ancient One? Some street-corner charlatan?"

"I advise you to know what is good for you and obey. The military vehicle is already waiting outside. Stop wasting my time, or you'll regret it."

Lu Xi was so angry that he laughed. He took a step forward, stared Ross down, and said:

"You really have some nerve, coming in here alone and talking to me like that. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you on the spot?"

But General Ross was completely fearless. He lifted his chin and said:

"You know how to fight? So what? What the hell is that worth?"

"When you're out in the world, you need power and connections!"

As he spoke, he suddenly turned around, pointed forcefully outside, and shouted:

"Outside, six infrasonic cannons are aimed right at this place, and an entire ground combat group is standing by!"

"Main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, artillery vehicles—we have everything! If you make the slightest move, this entire villa district will be blasted into the sky!"

(Many people have been asking for more chapters, so I added one temporarily. Also, I'm looking for names for minor characters—everyone is welcome to submit suggestions.)