Pierce saw that everyone in his faction supported him and nodded in satisfaction.
"Our Hydra has been scattered for far too long. What kind of organization has several different leaders?"
"Now, we have finally welcomed a new supreme leader!"
Although he had always been the head of the sleeper faction and could forcefully command them, this was still a major matter of changing allegiances.
If they could not unite as one, 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 other three factions, and asked:
"What about you? Will you join us, or withdraw from Hydra from this day forward?"
Malik declared his stance almost without hesitation.
"What Hydra God? What the hell is that? From now on, our faction will believe in Lucifer!"
Madame Viper immediately shouted:
"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 everyone around him stare at him intensely, he knew perfectly well that if he refused, he probably would not leave this room alive.
Helpless, Zemo could only grit his teeth and say, "Long live!"
Pierce was quite satisfied.
"The first task my lord gave me is to thoroughly purge Baron Strucker's faction."
"Let's plan this properly and make it look good. We should strive to satisfy my lord and earn even more rewards!"
At those words, everyone's eyes lit up like lightbulbs, 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 suggested pledging allegiance to Lord Lucifer. He probably will not like the outcome, though."
A few days later, Lu Xi sat in the villa courtyard with a phone in his hand.
Pierce's respectful voice came through the receiver.
"Lord Lucifer, Baron Strucker's faction has been completely wiped out, as you instructed."
Lu Xi's lips curved slightly as he said with satisfaction:
"Good work."
After hanging up, he turned his gaze toward the somewhat nervous chubby boy standing before him.
The boy looked quite young. Given that Americans generally matured early, he was at most high-school age.
He was round and pudgy, and there was still a trace of childish nervousness on his face.
Lu Xi looked at him with interest and asked:
"So, how did you find out 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 about you."
Lu Xi nodded slightly and asked again:
"Fine. What was it that you wanted to trade for?"
The boy's eyes gleamed with longing.
"Lord Demon King, I want to win over the most beautiful girl at our school! Of course, I understand the rules. I can trade my soul!"
"Pfft!" Lu Xi had been drinking from a teacup, but at those words, he directly spat out a mouthful of tea.
His face darkened instantly. He mercilessly pointed toward the villa entrance and snapped:
"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.
Lu Xi looked through his mind's eye toward the villa gate and saw a long line already waiting there. His eye twitched.
Ever since the news of Peggy Carter regaining her youth had spread through certain circles,
people had come flocking to his doorstep like cats drawn by the smell of fish.
Each had their own motives, and the trades they proposed were all bizarre in their own ways.
Some wanted longer lives, some craved power, and others were simps like that chubby boy, hoping to win the goddess of their dreams.
The most outrageous one was a woman who had actually come seeking painless fat loss and breast enhancement. She even argued confidently that a Demon King's methods should work quickly and make them 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 possessed nothing that could tempt 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 outside the villa.
The door opened, and General Ross stepped out in full uniform.
Looking at the long queue before him, he frowned slightly, a hint of disdain flashing through his eyes.
General Ross had been under tremendous pressure recently.
Although he had successfully captured Abomination, research on him had made no progress at all, and they could only keep him imprisoned for the time being.
However, Abomination had long since lost his appeal in Ross's eyes.
Lucifer, who had effortlessly defeated both Abomination and Hulk, was what Ross truly coveted now.
And the battle between Abomination and Hulk had caused extremely severe consequences.
Countless homes and roads had been destroyed, and many innocent civilians had died as a result.
During this time, people had repeatedly taken to the streets to protest, 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, straightened his uniform, then swaggered past the line without a care in the world and walked straight into the villa.
The people waiting in line looked at the heavily armed, vicious-looking guards nearby. Though furious inside, they only dared to stay silent.
General Ross entered the villa's living room. When he saw Lu Xi, there was not the slightest trace of reverence in his eyes; instead, he carried himself with arrogance.
He got straight to the point.
"Lucifer, I do not care where you came from. I now represent 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 strongest military force in the world. Cooperating with us will benefit you as well."
In General Ross's mind, Lucifer might be powerful.
But judging from the strength he had displayed while fighting Hulk, he was not an invincible being.
The military was not made of clay either, so Ross's words were full of arrogance.
Upon hearing Ross's overbearing words, Lu Xi actually showed 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 brazen tone.
Lu Xi narrowed his eyes slightly and said:
"You're pretty damn cocky. Even Ancient One did not talk to me with that kind of attitude."
"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 wandering charlatan?"
"I advise you to know what is good for you and obey. A military vehicle is already waiting for you outside. Stop wasting my time, or you'll regret it."
Lu Xi was so angry that he laughed. He stepped forward, glaring at Ross as he 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?"
Yet General Ross showed no fear whatsoever. He craned his neck and said:
"You think being able to fight is enough? What the hell is the use of that?"
"When you're out in the world, you need influence and connections!"
As he spoke, he suddenly turned around, forcefully pointed outside, and shouted:
"Six infrasonic cannons are aimed at this place outside, along with an entire ground combat group standing by!"
"Main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, artillery vehicles—we have everything. If you dare make any suspicious move, this entire villa district will be blasted into the sky in an instant!"
(Many people asked for an update, so I added an extra chapter at the last minute. Also, I'm looking for names for minor characters, so feel free to submit them.)
Before you continue