Chapter 21: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind
The sun rose slowly, its soft light like a gentle tulle, falling upon the vast earth. The evil spirits, touched by this warm sunshine, also lost their power. Their forms changed from trembling skulls back to normal humanoids.
Carter adjusted the unique denim hat on his head, then gently stroked his beloved steed with affection. Johnny, on his motorcycle, looked around with a blank, lost expression. Then his eyes rolled, and he seemed to lose all support and fainted.
"What's wrong with him?" Wesman asked in confusion.
Carter shrugged gently and said calmly, "Don't worry about it; novices are often like this."
After speaking, he calmly pulled a cigar from his pocket, lit it with a lighter, and asked after taking a deep breath, "Who is the Supreme Master? And why the witch?"
At that moment, the roar of car engines suddenly sounded. Five cars kicked up a cloud of dust. Immediately afterward, a group of armed men, well-equipped and looking sharp, quickly exited the cars and surrounded the three of them. However, for the time being, their muzzles did not indicate any intention to attack.
Carson, a man with slightly thinning hair, quickly walked up to Wes and respectfully handed him a business card. "Mr. Elvin, we are..."
Wes interrupted Carson without politeness: "I remember you. You participated in the auction."
"I'm glad you remember me," Carson said, maintaining a pleasant smile on his face. "We truly mean no harm; we simply want to ask a few questions."
"No malicious intent?" Wes raised his eyebrows and looked sharply at the agents surrounding them. "Do you think I believe that?"
"After all, I'm just an ordinary person. When facing individuals with special abilities like yourselves, one inevitably feels a lack of security," Carson tried to appease him. "Please rest assured, they will never do anything excessive."
"Really?" Wes flashed a chilling smile, making people shudder.
The next second, something unexpected happened. Half of the agents suddenly raised their guns, quickly disengaged the safeties, and, without hesitation, aimed at their companions. This sudden change left the other agents present frozen in terror, not daring to move.
"Oh! Oh, easy! Everyone, stay calm!" Carson panicked and hurriedly raised his hands, trying to signal that he posed no threat.
"Mr. Elvin, please calm down. There must be some misunderstanding between us." The smile on Carson's face had become a little stiff, looking very awkward.
"Misunderstanding? I don't think so," Wes said coldly, his fingers shaking gently. "The first time you participated in the auction was a year ago. That means, at least since then, you've been secretly watching me."
Wes rubbed his temple, which throbbed slightly, and continued, "You must have tracked me here from New York. And yesterday's fierce battle? You must have been hiding in a corner, secretly observing."
"What? Did you think I'd be gone after the fight, and you wanted to seize the opportunity to take advantage?"
Carson's back was instantly soaked with sweat, his clothes clinging to him. Every word Wes spoke was accurate. According to Nick Fury's instructions, they had indeed intended to control him while he was weak after the battle, and then extract the secrets of magic from him. But they never expected Wes to still possess such power.
"It seems I guessed right."
A strong murderous intent flickered in Wes's eyes, and the atmosphere became extremely tense. Just as he was about to act, a sudden phone ringtone broke the silence.
Carson quickly pointed to his pocket and said carefully, "It's our director's call. I hope you'll listen."
Wes took out the phone without hesitation and answered.
"Hello, Mr. Magic. It seems my subordinates have some significant disagreements with you. I apologize for this." Nick Fury's voice came clearly through the phone.
"Hmm... hmm, what do you want to say?" Wes was expressionless. He quickly pulled off a button from Carson's clothes, revealing an extremely tiny camera on it. "I seem to be quite a fan of technology's power. You must have put in a lot of effort to discover my identity."
"Mr. Elvin, you understand that we are an organization committed to protecting the people of the world." As soon as Nick Fury opened his mouth, he began to spout platitudes.
Wes listened stubbornly, secretly sighing that whether it was officials in the East or the West, they all had the same tricks up their sleeves. "Alright, less nonsense. Time is urgent now; I don't have time to listen to you."
Nick Fury frowned, dissatisfied. Since becoming director, no one had dared to speak to him like that. But his subordinates were still with Wes, so he could only swallow his anger. "I can let your subordinates go..."
"What are your conditions?"
"How much power does your organization have?"
Nick Fury said very proudly, "In the United States, there's nothing we can't do."
Wes was too lazy to call out Nick Fury's exaggeration, simply saying lightly: "Listen. If you want your men to be safe, prepare a large excavator and forklift for me. Have them all transported to the designated place before the sun sets today."
Hearing Wes's request, Nick Fury was relieved. "That's simple."
"Remember, don't fool me, unless you want to make hell come."
"Hell comes? What do you mean?" Before Nick Fury finished his sentence, Wes mercilessly hung up. This move enraged Nick Fury so much that he paced like thunder in his office, yelling, "Motherf*cker!"
Wes threw the phone back to Carson.
"Mr. Elvin, can you release your magic?"
"No," Wes refused coldly, with no room for discussion in his tone.
When Carson tried to say something else, Carter reached out and held his shoulder. Carson looked at the cowboy in doubt.
Carter said with a world-weary look, "Don't say anything more. This wizard doesn't have a good temper. Don't make things worse."
After listening, Carson could only offer a bitter smile.