Chapter 2685 - Ch: 44-53

Chapter 44: He Is Asian

Vought Corporation Headquarters.

Inside the top-floor conference room, outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows was the brightly lit New York.

Sitting on both sides of the long table were dozens of Vought executives.

Among them were board members, military representatives, as well as department heads in charge of superhero market operations, public relations, and political lobbying.

On the large screen at the end of the long table, two files were being displayed simultaneously.

On the left was Joanna.

Blonde, wearing a blue suit whose initial design had been completed, with a red cape symbolizing the colors of the American flag draped over her shoulders.

File Codename: [Homelander]

On the right was Lin Mo.

Black hair, black eyes. In the reference photo, his expression was calm, with no smile on his face, making him inscrutable.

However, the position for the file codename remained blank.

Stan Edgar sat in the middle of the long table, with his hands crossed in front of him.

"The plan for Joanna to enter The Seven has long been undisputed."

He said in a steady tone: "What needs to be discussed now is Lin Mo."

A white board member sitting opposite frowned.

"I don't think there is any need for discussion."

"Lin Mo is not suitable to join The Seven."

Edgar looked at him.

"Reason."

"His abilities are certainly sufficient."

That board member opened the materials in front of him.

"According to the research center's evaluations over the past few years, his strength, defensive capabilities, and recovery speed have already exceeded the vast majority of active superheroes, making him a front-line superpower user."

"But The Seven doesn't select people purely based on strength."

"We need to consider public image, market acceptance, and whether the American public is willing to regard him as a national hero."

The conference room fell briefly silent.

However, Edgar's expression did not change; he still maintained that calm and collected look.

Lin Mo had thought before whether this Edgar had also injected himself with Compound V, and his superpower was a poker face.

"To put it more bluntly."

That board member raised his head.

He first glanced at Edgar, and then slowly spoke.

"He is Asian."

The air seemed to freeze at that moment.

Another executive in charge of marketing immediately chimed in.

"The current social environment in the United States is very sensitive."

"Economic competition with Japan, Asian immigration issues, and rising ethnic conflicts in some regions could all affect the public's acceptance of him."

"The leader of The Seven has already been determined to be Joanna, and there is no need for us to introduce another Asian male who might spark political controversy."

Edgar looked at the person speaking and took a deep breath.

"So in your view, Lin Mo's abilities, growth experiences, and relationship with Joanna are all less important than his skin color?"

"This is not a skin color issue."

Seeing the other party immediately deny it.

A trace of an almost imperceptible sneer immediately appeared at the corner of Edgar's mouth.

"Of course."

"Every time you guys talk about skin color, the first sentence is always that this is not a skin color issue."

The atmosphere in the conference room suddenly became even more rigid.

An old board member sitting at the head of the long table tapped the desktop.

"Edgar, watch your attitude."

Edgar turned to look at him.

"What's wrong with my attitude?"

"As a businessman, I am proceeding from the overall interests of the company."

"Rather than targeting any race."

The old board member's face gradually sank.

"Don't misinterpret normal business discussions as racial issues just because of your own identity."

When these words fell, the conference room fell completely silent.

Several executives who were originally ready to speak closed their mouths simultaneously.

They could all hear that these words were no longer just aimed at Lin Mo.

Edgar was a black man.

Even though he had now entered the core of Vought's power and was in charge of the most important superhero project, there were always people who thought he shouldn't be sitting in his current position.

Edgar quietly looked at the old board member.

"My identity?"

His voice was still calm, yet colder than before.

"I thought we were discussing Lin Mo."

"It seems that what some people are truly dissatisfied with is not just an Asian entering The Seven."

A flash of anger crossed the old board member's eyes.

"Are you accusing the board of directors of racial discrimination?"

"I am just repeating what you guys just said."

Edgar leaned back slightly.

"Lin Mo possesses sufficiently powerful abilities."

"His image has no flaws."

"His intelligence, emotional control, and on-site judgment are even better than the vast majority of the company's active superheroes."

"Yet the only problem you repeatedly bring up is that he is not white."

A PR director hurriedly tried to smooth things over: "Things are not that simple."

"The Seven represents America."

"We must choose a superhero image that best matches mainstream public perception."

Edgar directly interrupted him.

"Are Asians not Americans?"

"I didn't say that."

"Then what do you mean?"

The PR director opened his mouth and couldn't answer for a moment.

Edgar didn't let him off and continued in a tough tone:

"According to demographic statistics, the Asian population is growing rapidly."

"They have a higher average level of education and considerable spending power."

"Vought has always wanted to expand the Asian market, but is unwilling to let an Asian enter the company's most important hero team. On one hand, you want to make money from them, but on the other hand, you worry about an Asian face appearing in The Seven."

"Is this what you call business judgment?"

The marketing department head frowned and retorted: "The Asian market and the American market are two different things."

"What's more, Lin Mo has no public event experience, and he hasn't even received complete superhero image training."

"That can be trained."

"His personality is too aloof."

"That can also be adjusted."

"He is not close to the company."

Hearing these words, Edgar paused for a moment.

Afterwards, he cast his gaze toward Joanna on the big screen and continued to ask:

"Do you think Joanna is close to the company?"

No one answered in the conference room.

Everyone knew the answer; the data provided by Edgarover the years showed it.

Joanna obeyed Vought's arrangements because Lin Mowas by her side.

She was willing to accept training, shoot promotional videos, and learn superhero lines she didn't understand, also because Lin Mo would give her affirmation after the training ended.

Vought's ability to control Joanna was not because the company held a very important place in her heart, but because Vought controlled Lin Mo.

Edgar picked up the remote control on the table and brought up the psychological evaluations of the two.

"Research over the past eighteen years has proven that Lin Mo is Joanna's only stable and irreplaceable emotional dependency."

"If Joanna enters The Seven as Homelander, she will inevitably demand that Lin Mo leave the research center with her."

"And then?"

"How do you plan to answer her?"

A board member said coldly: "We can refuse."

Edgar looked as if he had heard something utterly foolish, and almost laughed out loud.

"Refuse?"

"With what will you refuse?"

Despite these colloquial words, quite a few people in the conference room changed their expressions.

Edgar calmed his mindset and continued: "Right now, she can destroy the entire underground research center in one minute."

"Do you plan to tell her that Lin Mo must remain in the laboratory after she becomes the leader of The Seven, holding a public identity and a massive number of supporters?"

"Do you think she will accept that?"

"Or do you think Vought's existing security forces can separate them again?"

Chapter 45: Meeting in Person

No one present spoke.

Rejecting Joanna's request was, of course, not impossible.

The problem was, who would go to reject it?

And who would bear the consequences after she lost control?

What Vought wanted was a hero product that could create profits for the company, not a Homelander who might turn around and destroy the company at any moment because of Lin Mo's issues.

Seeing the people around him silent, Edgar let out a cold snort.

"Lin Mo joining The Seven is not just about utilizing his abilities."

"It is also to stabilize Joanna. As long as he stays by her side, it will be easier for Joanna to cooperate with the company's arrangements. He can likewise become a bridge between Vought and the Asian community, helping the company gain broader market support."

"From the perspective of commercial value, team stability, and political interests, letting him join is undoubtedly the most rational choice."

The elderly director seemed to have grasped some important information and said coldly, "You seem to value Lin Mo a lot."

Edgar raised his eyes to look at him and sneered, "I have never valued any particular person."

"What I only value is someone who can create value for the company."

"This is precisely what you have always claimed to care about most, or are you saying that when the person creating value is not white, your standards will change?"

"Enough!"

The elderly director slammed a palm onto the tabletop.

A dull sound echoed in the conference room.

"Do not bring your personal emotions into the board of directors!"

"Personal emotions?"

A trace of obvious anger finally appeared on Edgar's face.

Yet this anger did not cause him to lose control; instead, it made his voice carry an even greater sense of oppression.

"From the beginning of the meeting until now, I have provided ability data, market data, psychological reports, and risk assessments."

"And what are the reasons you have provided?"

"Skin color."

"Race."

"And the so-called mainstream American image."

"Now, you are telling me that I am making decisions using personal emotions?"

The two of them looked at each other across the long table.

The atmosphere in the conference room had already tightened to the extreme.

Several senior executives even subconsciously looked away, unwilling to be dragged into the conflict between the two parties at this moment.

Edgar did not yet completely control Vought at present, though his position was high enough.

The projects he was in charge of were also important enough. Once Joanna officially joined The Seven in the future, he could become Vought's true person in power, rather than having those older figures in the board of directors who held more shares constantly restricting and obstructing him as they did now.

But before Joanna's project was truly converted into commercial results, Edgar did not have enough capital to directly ignore all dissenting opinions.

After a moment, another director spoke up to break the stalemate.

"Postpone the decision."

"Joanna has not yet officially joined The Seven."

"Lin Mo's public image, market response, and political risks also require a more complete evaluation."

"We will revote in a few days."

This was clearly a compromise.

The opponents were unwilling to agree immediately.

Nor would Edgar allow them to directly veto it; the simplest method was to drag the issue out first.

Wait until more people completed private interest exchanges, and then decide whether Lin Mo could enter The Seven.

The elderly director said with a gloomy face, "We will revote in three days."

"Before then, no one is allowed to privately disclose the relevant plan to Lin Mo or Joanna."

Edgar did not speak, simply calmly tidying up the documents in front of his desk.

After the meeting ended, everyone left one after another.

When walking to the doorway, the head of marketing who had just been in charge slowed his pace slightly and called out to Edgar.

"Edgar."

He turned back and glanced.

"You should be clear that it's impossible for them to easily let an Asian person enter The Seven."

"Especially right now."

Edgar stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking at the lights of New York at night.

"I am clear about that."

"Then why do you still persist?"

"They will agree."

The marketing director frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled.

"You seem very confident."

Edgar turned around.

"Vought has never truly cared what race a hero is."

"They only care whether they can make money and whether they can control them."

"When they realize that the cost of rejecting Lin Mo is higher than accepting him, all the reasons regarding race from just now will instantly vanish."

"Yet the current vote count is unfavorable to you."

"The vote count will change when the time comes."

"How will it change?"

Edgar did not answer.

The marketing director looked at him for a moment and ultimately turned and left.

The conference room doors closed.

Edgar stood alone in place, with Lin Mo's profile still remaining on the screen, different from other superheroes cultivated by the company.

In fact, Edgar had long understood that Lin Mo had known since childhood that the researchers were utilizing him. Having met Lin Mo multiple times, he naturally knew that Lin Mo and he were essentially the same kind of person.

He cooperated with the experiments, yet never truly trusted Vought. On the surface, he looked to have no obvious aggressiveness, but Edgar knew very well that this type of person was the most dangerous.

An emotional out-of-control super-human was not terrifying, because Vought could predict their behavior.

They could be manipulated using anger, fear, praise, or public opinion.

Yet Lin Mo had never completely exposed his true thoughts.

However, the only thing considered controllable was that Lin Mo's strength was not yet that powerful. But if they continued to treat him as an experimental subject who could be arbitrarily arranged, problems would arise sooner or later.

Edgar did not like uncontrollable risks. Rather than waiting for Lin Mo to make his own choice, it was better to give him a plan ahead of time that looked sufficiently attractive.

Identity, freedom, the qualification to enter The Seven, and the chance to leave the bunker together with Joanna.

These things might temporarily trade for his cooperation.

As for the board of directors' orders...

Edgar picked up Lin Mo's file and turned off the large screen. No one was allowed to privately disclose the plan to Lin Mo.

Indeed.

But he was not prepared to disclose anything to Lin Mo; he simply wanted to go and see this young man locked up by Vought for eighteen years in person.

And by the way, ask him whether he was willing to become a hero.

Edgar walked out of the conference room and said to the assistant waiting outside, "Arrange the itinerary to head to the research center tomorrow."

The assistant was slightly stunned.

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"Do we need to notify Dr. Dr. Vogelbaum to prepare for a meeting?"

"No need."

Edgar handed Lin Mo's file to him.

"I am not going to see Dr. Vogelbaum; I want to see Lin Moand Joanna alone."

The assistant looked down at the photo on the file.

"But the board of directors just requested—"

Edgar stopped his footsteps and simply gave him a faint glance.

The assistant instantly swallowed back the rest of his words.

"Understood."

Edgar continued walking forward.

The elevator doors behind him slowly opened.

Before entering the elevator, he said lastly:

"There is one more thing."

"For this trip, do not let the other directors know in advance."

"Yes."

The elevator doors gradually closed.

Edgar stood inside, with no expression whatsoever on his face.

The board of directors thought that as long as they dragged the vote out for a few days, they could continue to maintain the initiative.

Yet they overlooked one thing.

What truly decided whether Lin Mo could join The Sevenwas never the ballots in their hands.

Rather, it was Lin Mo himself, as well as Joanna.

As long as these two people explicitly put forward the request, the board of directors' so-called choice would only leave one.

As for whether Lin Mo was willing to accept Vought's arrangements...

Chapter 46: True to Classic American Style

Edgar gazed at the reflection on the elevator door, his eyes gradually deepening.

Tomorrow, he would get the answer in person.

Early the next morning, Lin Mo got up. He had a habit of sleeping in, but he couldn't stop Joanna from coming to look for him.

This girl seemed to have infinite energy, never quite the same from day to day.

Sure enough, without the researchers' permission, she came straight to Lin Mo's room.

A year ago, the researchers would have tried to stop her.

But back then, Joanna's eyes directly flushed red, letting them experience what it felt like to have one's brain cooked. From then on, no one ever managed Joanna's movements in the bunker again.

Lin Mo hadn't actually known at the time, but Joanna took the initiative to tell him, leaving Lin Mo speechless. In the end, he didn't say anything either; since the people were already gone, what else was there to say? Besides, he had been fed up with Vought for a long time anyway.

As for his previous pipe dream of teaching Joanna not to casually hurt people, it was clearly a bit too idealistic of him. Being in the environment of the Vought bunker, it was simply too difficult to change a person.

Besides, Vought's personnel didn't count as people anyway; after studying Joanna and him for so long, it was about time to collect some interest.

That day, Joanna seemed to have discovered a new continent. Lin Mo didn't scold her, and the researchers didn't say anything either, leading her to mistakenly believe she could leave this place. At the time, she wanted to take Lin Mo and leave the bunker directly—she had the ability to do so—but he refused her.

The reason was also very simple: the two of them were still underage.

This left Joanna with a big question mark, but even if this wouldn't work, she could accept it. She had already waited over a decade; waiting a few more years would be the same.

And today, she wanted to do some things with Lin Mo that only men and women would do.

This was knowledge she had newly learned from a romance movie yesterday.

Unfortunately, she was still rejected by Lin Mo without hesitation.

What a joke.

Although Joanna was about to come of age, there was still a bit of a difference between being about to come of age and actually being of age.

What's more, her understanding of so-called romantic matters probably still lingered at the level where, after the male and female leads kissed in movies, it would automatically skip to the next morning.

If Lin Mo really went along with her nonsense, heaven knows if this girl would think in the future that as long as she liked someone, she could forcefully pin them down.

With her current strength, this kind of misconception was quite dangerous.

By then, if ordinary people encountered her, let alone resisting, it was hard to say whether they could even leave behind a complete human shape.

"Why not?"

At this moment, Joanna was sitting by Lin Mo's bedside.

She was only wearing a loose white pajama, her soft blonde hair draped somewhat messily over her shoulders, and a few strands of hair curled near her ears. At a glance, it was obvious she had just gotten out of bed not long ago, too lazy to even maintain the meticulously groomed look she wore during daily training.

Over the past few years, the little girl who once carried obvious childishness had now gradually blossomed.

Her bright golden long hair emitted a soft luster under the light, and her skin was so fair that almost no blemishes could be seen. The contours of her brow ridge and bridge of her nose were sharper than when she was a child, and her facial features were exquisite and three-dimensional, yet they hadn't completely lost the softness unique to her maiden years.

Especially those light-colored eyes.

Clean and bright, as if naturally carrying a certain extremely strong sense of presence.

Normally, when facing researchers, as long as Joannarestrained her expression slightly, she would give people an oppressive feeling that was hard to approach.

But in front of Lin Mo, that sense of distance almost never existed.

Right now, her hair was a mess, her face lacked even a trace of the standard smile trained by Vought, and she was even puffing out her cheeks slightly because she had just been rejected.

There was not a shred of the future leader of The Sevenleft in her. Yet precisely because of this defenseless state, her whole person appeared even more real.

Unlike the sleep-eyed Lin Mo, her eyes were astonishingly bright, staring straight at Lin Mo, filled with doubt and unconvinced defiance.

There was not the slightest trace of her still being half-asleep.

But who would have thought that she came to find Lin Moearly in the morning actually to sleep with him.

"In yesterday's movie, they clearly could do it."

"Movies are movies."

Lin Mo leaned against the head of the bed, reaching out to push her approaching head a little further away.

"And do you know why they did that?"

"Because they like each other."

Joanna answered without hesitation.

"What else?"

"Because they want to stay together all the time."

"What else?"

Lin Mo had originally just asked casually.

Who knew that Joanna would actually start thinking seriously about it.

Her brows furrowed slightly, as if recalling the contents she had watched yesterday.

A moment later, Joanna suddenly wore an expression of sudden realization.

"And also that boys and girls will take off their clothes first, and then..."

"Stop."

Lin Mo's eyelids twitched violently.

Being interrupted, Joanna looked at him with some confusion.

"What's wrong?"

"You don't need to say the rest."

"Why?"

"I don't want to hear it."

"But you just asked me if I knew."

"Now I know that you know."

Lin Mo said expressionlessly. Joanna knew, and she seemed to know quite a lot at that. This was getting a bit abnormal.

Originally, he had always thought that the so-called romance movies Vought showed Joanna were at most those cheesy romance flicks.

The male and female leads hug, kiss, and then the camera pans out the window, and then the next day the sun rises.

End of story.

But looking at it now, things clearly weren't that simple.

Lin Mo suddenly had a bad premonition.

"Wait."

He looked at Joanna.

"What version did you watch yesterday?"

"What version?"

Joanna tilted her head, quite puzzled.

"The researchers gave it to me."

"I'm asking, was it censored?"

"What is a cut?"

"..."

Lin Mo fell silent.

Very good.

No need to ask; there probably weren't any.

Instantly, a nameless fire welled up from the bottom of his heart.

What on earth were those bastards at Vought teaching her? An uncut movie, wasn't that just an adult video!

Before, they taught her how to lie in front of the camera.

Now they even started stuffing this kind of stuff into her study materials?

Lin Mo suddenly felt that he had still overestimated the bottom line of Vought's researchers in the past.

Those people didn't have a low bottom line; they simply didn't have one at all. However, this was also very consistent with standard American style.

"So I know."

Joanna was still explaining earnestly.

"The video explained it in great detail. If a boy and a girl like each other, they will—"

"Shut up."

Lin Mo raised his hand and directly covered her mouth.

Joanna: "Mhm?"

"You are not allowed to continue."

"Mhm mhm."

"Not allowed."

Joanna blinked her eyes, reached up to pull Lin Mo's hand down, and then hugged Lin Mo's hand into her arms.

Instantly, a soft sensation continuously came from his hand. His eyelids twitched, and he swept a subtle glance with his peripheral vision—Joanna had indeed grown up way too much.

"But I haven't finished speaking yet."

"I don't want to know what comes after anymore."

"Why?"

"Because what you know now already exceeds the scope of what I can accept."

Lin Mo reached out his other hand to rub his glabella.

To think that he was just thinking in his heart that this girl's understanding of so-called romantic matters might still be lingering around the camera automatically cutting to the next day after a kiss.

Looking at it now, the naive one was truly him.

Instead, Joanna found it somewhat strange, hugging his arm tightly and leaning closer again.

"Isn't this quite normal knowledge?"

"The knowledge itself is normal."

"Then why won't you let me speak?"

"Because knowing something is one thing, there's no need to sit by my bed and repeat it back to me early in the morning."

Lin Mo had black lines all over his face, especially since Joanna used that earnest tone, just like a study report.

Anyone who didn't know better would think that what Vought arranged for her yesterday wasn't a movie, but some special adult sociology course.

And that she came looking for him specifically to try it out.

Chapter 47: When to Leave Here

But Joanna thought about it for a moment, then said with a sudden realization.

"Then I won't say it."

"That's right." Lin Mo was quite gratified.

"Shall we just do it directly?"

"..."

The room suddenly fell silent.

Lin Mo slowly turned his head, while Joanna looked at him with an innocent expression.

The two of them stared at each other in blank dismay.

A full three seconds passed.

Lin Mo took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the urge to lecture her.

"Joanna."

"Hmm?"

"You'd better not say things like that today."

"Why?"

"Because I'm afraid I won't be able to help myself from finding the researcher who played that video for you yesterday."

"And then?"

"Ask him if he thinks he's living too comfortably."

Joanna blinked, and then the corners of her mouth curled up bit by bit.

"So you don't dislike me?"

"This has nothing to do with whether I like you or not."

"Then what is it?"

"Age."

"I'm going to be an adult soon."

"Soon isn't already—" Lin Mo really had a headache; this was getting impossible to explain.

"It's just a little bit away." Joanna shook his arm and pleaded.

"Even a day off won't do."

"What about a few hours?"

"Not even that." Lin Mo's tone was very firm; this couldn't be messed up.

Joanna's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Are you doing this on purpose?"

"Yes."

Lin Mo answered quite straightforwardly.

"I'm doing it on purpose."

"Anyway, before you truly become an adult, don't even think about this matter."

Joanna stared at him for a moment, but she didn't continue to pester him unreasonably.

After all, she had waited more than a decade.

Waiting just a little longer like this really meant nothing to her.

But the next second, as if remembering something, she moved closer to Lin Mo again and directly burrowed her body into his arms.

"Then can we after I become an adult?"

Lin Mo's body subconsciously stiffened for a moment.

It wasn't because of anything else.

It was purely because this fellow Joanna moved too fast; the second before she was sitting obediently on the edge of the bed, and the next second her whole person was already pressed against him, without even giving him time to react.

Her soft blonde hair brushed against his chin, carrying the faint fragrance of just washing up. Through his loose pajamas, Lin Mo could clearly feel the warmth radiating from her body.

It was warm, real, and indeed fragrant and soft.

Joanna's head rested against his chest, her hands wrapped around his waist very naturally, as if she had found the most habitual position, and after a few seconds, she completely quieted down.

Such a touch was different and tested his recoil-control skills a bit, but he was a Krypton after all, and his Super Brain could perfectly control his entire body, so...

Lin Mo lowered his head to take a look and could only see the messy golden top of her head.

"We'll discuss this issue later."

"Why later again?"

"Because I want to sleep now."

"You want to sleep every day."

Joanna rubbed her face against his chest, took a deep breath, and her slightly messy blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders.

"The researchers said that long-term excessive sleep will reduce brain activity."

"That group of people who rely on coffee to sustain their lives every day are worthy of teaching me how to sleep?"

Lin Mo sneered.

"If their brains were really active, how could they still think about how to control us every day."

Joanna raised her head and blinked at him.

The next second, as if she had figured something out, she nodded earnestly.

"You're right."

"They are indeed very stupid."

After speaking, she skillfully lowered her head and occupied Lin Mo's embrace.

Lin Mo turned his head to look at her.

"What are you doing?"

"Don't you want to sleep?"

A muffled voice came over, and Joanna said matter-of-factly:

"I'll accompany you."

"I don't need it."

"Now I need it." Joanna began to act unreasonably.

"Aren't you very energetic?"

"I'm sleepy now."

After saying this, Joanna closed her eyes and went to sleep lying prone on his body just like that.

Her actions were skillful, obviously not the first time she had done this.

Lin Mo looked down at her.

"That was just now."

"Now is now."

"..."

Very well.

For a moment, Lin Mo couldn't find any angle to refute.

In his arms, the corners of Joanna's mouth curled up slightly, clearly very satisfied with her victory.

After being quiet for less than half a minute, she opened her eyes again.

"Lin Mo."

"Hmm."

"When are we leaving here?"

Lin Mo's gaze, which had been somewhat lazy, changed slightly.

It seemed Joanna had always remembered this matter.

A year ago, after she killed the researcher who tried to stop her from entering Lin Mo's room, no one in the bunker dared to restrict her daily activities anymore.

At that time, she mistakenly believed that Vought had tacitly agreed to let them leave, so she excitedly ran to find Lin Mo, saying she would directly take him to charge out of the bunker.

Whoever dared to block the way would be burned to ashes.

The plan was simple, direct, and very much in line with Joanna's consistent style of solving problems.

Lin Mo refused at the time, not because he worried the two couldn't leave—with their current abilities, this bunker could no longer trap them.

The real trouble was after leaving. Vought possessed a massive political and commercial network, and was also tied to the military and the government behind the scenes.

If the two escaped without any preparation, Joanna would most likely choose to kill all the pursuers completely.

Then things would continue to escalate: pursuit, counterattack, massacre.

Until one side completely disappeared.

Lin Mo didn't mind Vought disappearing, but he didn't want Joanna to get used to solving all problems with slaughter.

To put it bluntly, he was also afraid of trouble, but if trouble came to his head, it would be different.

"Soon."

Lin Mo could only say this.

"How long is soon?"

"Sooner than before."

Joanna lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him earnestly.

"You said that before too."

"Before was to comfort you."

Lin Mo was very frank.

"What about now?"

"Now it's true."

Indeed, he was no longer the malnourished little Superman from before who hadn't basked in the sun enough. Furthermore, the system was back now, and for energy points, he wouldn't stay here for too long either.

Joanna stared into his eyes.

She could hear Lin Mo's steady heartbeat and catch the changes in his breathing.

Over the years, she had long since learned how to judge whether others were lying.

But Lin Mo was an exception; his physical control was stronger than anyone else's. If he wasn't willing, Joannasimply couldn't judge anything from his heartbeat and breathing.

"What happened?"

She asked acutely.

"Nothing."

Lin Mo reached out and pressed the back of her head, pushing her back onto his shoulder.

"When the time comes, I can take you to play in other places."

"When?"

"I can't tell you for now."

Joanna's body stiffened slightly.

The next second, she sat up again.

Her face, which had still carried a hint of a smile just a moment ago, quickly turned cold.

"Why can't you tell me?"

The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees at this moment.

What she hated most was concealment, especially when Lin Mo kept things from her.

Vought had deceived her with lies countless times.

Telling her that Lin Mo was only leaving temporarily, telling her that the experiments wouldn't cause harm, telling her that as long as she cooperated with the training, she could get more time to spend with Lin Mo.

But every time, behind the so-called promises lay new experiments and calculations.

She could accept the whole world deceiving her, but she alone could not accept Lin Mo doing the same.

Chapter 48: Cuckolded

Lin Mo naturally noticed the emotional changes in her.

"It's not that I'm not telling you."

"It's just that saying it now has no meaning."

He raised his hand and flicked Joanna lightly on the forehead.

"When the preparation is complete, you will be the first person I tell."

"Really?"

"Guaranteed to be true."

"You aren't going to leave by yourself, are you?"

Joanna pressed on, her voice noticeably lower when she spoke those words.

The earlier chill quickly receded, replaced by an uncontrollable sense of unease.

She didn't care what method Lin Mo had found, nor did she care where they were going; from beginning to end, there was only one thing she truly cared about.

Whether Lin Mo would leave her behind.

"Why would I leave by myself?"

Lin Mo suddenly found himself somewhat amused yet exasperated.

"Then it's a promise."

Joanna said in a low voice:

"Never leave me."

She didn't continue speaking.

But the fingers holding Lin Mo's arm tightened considerably without her realizing it.

If it were an ordinary person's arm, it would probably have been crushed to pieces by her at this moment.

Lin Mo was silent for a moment.

"Joanna."

"Mm."

"Look at me."

Joanna raised her head, her light-colored eyes clearly reflecting his face.

Lin Mo met her gaze, his tone unusually serious.

"No matter where I go, I will never leave you alone at Vought."

"You can remember these words for the rest of your life."

Who asked him to choose to accompany Joanna himself? As a man, he should see things through to the end.

The unease in Joanna's eyes slowly dissipated.

"Then can I always follow you?"

"Yes."

"You won't find me annoying?"

"That question depends on the situation."

"Lin Mo!" Joanna became a bit anxious.

"Just kidding."

Joanna pressed her lips together, and suddenly threw herself into Lin Mo's arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.

The strength was so great that even the bed frame let out a series of overloaded creaks.

Lin Mo's expression changed slightly.

"A little lighter."

"The bed is going to collapse."

Joanna didn't let go.

"If it collapses, make them change to a new one."

"I'm talking about my waist."

"You won't get hurt anyway," Joanna muttered. Having spent so many years with Lin Mo, how could she not know how terrifying his defense was? In private, she had even secretly tested it with Lin Mo; even with her laser eyes, she couldn't harm him in the slightest.

"Not getting injured doesn't mean there's no feeling."

"Then does it hurt?"

"Not to that extent."

"Then it's fine."

Lin Mo was speechless.

This girl's care always had a very personal characteristic.

Just as the two were talking, a knock suddenly came from outside the room.

Knock, knock.

The sound was very light.

Obviously, the person knocking was quite nervous, terrified that a slightly larger movement would anger someone inside the room.

The smile on Joanna's face vanished instantly.

She didn't let go of Lin Mo, only turning her head to look at the door.

"Who is it?"

A chilling voice penetrated the metal door.

It was quiet outside the door for two seconds before a researcher's slightly trembling voice came through.

"Joanna, Mr. Lin Mo."

"Mr. Edgar has arrived at the research center."

"He hopes to meet with Mr. Lin Mo alone."

Hearing this, two crimson lights instantly lit up in Joanna's eyes.

The originally warm room was instantly shrouded in a layer of dangerous red light.

"Alone?"

She repeated, causing the researcher outside the door to catch their breath, their tone becoming even more panicked and uneasy.

"It's... it's Mr. Edgar's request."

"I don't allow it."

Joanna's reply lacked any hesitation.

"Tell him to get lost."

There was complete silence outside the door.

The researcher probably already started regretting why it was their turn to come and deliver the message today.

Edgar could not be offended, and Joanna even less so. The former would at most make him lose his job, but the latter could make him lose his head.

This was simply not a difficult multiple-choice question.

The red light in Joanna's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Through the thick metal door, she could clearly hear the accelerated heartbeat of the person outside.

Fear, tension, and a hint of despair.

She didn't care.

She only knew that her time spent with Lin Mo had been interrupted by someone again.

Vought was always like this; she really hated Vought disturbing the two of them spending time together.

"Joanna, don't scare him."

Lin Mo called out to her. This child, whenever anyone got involved with him, she had to bully them a bit.

However, the red light in her eyes didn't disappear as she stubbornly defended herself.

"He wants to see you alone."

"I heard it."

"I don't like him."

"You haven't even spoken more than a few words to him."

"He belongs to Vought."

In Joanna's cognition, this was already a sufficient reason.

"Anyone who belongs to Vought cannot be trusted."

"There's no problem with that sentence."

Lin Mo nodded, then patted the arm she still had wrapped around his waist.

"However, I still have to go see him."

Joanna suddenly raised her head, somewhat unwilling.

"Why?"

"Because I want to hear what he has to say."

"He definitely wants to trick you," Joanna said anxiously. How could she not know what kind of temper Vought had?

"Then we have to let him speak first."

"I'm going with you."

"He requested a private meeting."

"I don't care about his request at all."

Joanna stood up from the bed, the crimson light constantly flickering in the depths of her eyes, her pajamas and blonde hair fluttering without any wind.

At this moment, she was no longer the girl holding onto Lin Mo earlier and unwilling to let go, but the strongest super human cultivated by Vought with their own hands over eighteen years.

As long as Lin Mo nodded, in the next second she could crash through the door and flip the entire research center from underground up to the surface.

"I care."

Lin Mo said calmly. There was no helping it; this girl was too clingy, and if his tone weren't a bit firm, it wouldn't work at all.

Joanna's body paused, the red light in her eyes flickering slightly before gradually extinguishing.

"You don't want me to follow?"

"No."

"Then why?"

"Because there are some things he won't say in front of you."

Lin Mo got up from the bed and came before her.

"Edgar personally ran to the bunker, yet only requested to see me, which shows that whatever he wants to talk about is mostly related to you."

"Related to me?"

"Most likely."

Joanna furrowed her brows, not liking this feeling of being excluded.

And even less liked Lin Mo facing Vought's people alone.

"I can hide outside and listen."

"Do you think they don't know you can hear?"

"Then I'll make them not know."

"What are you planning to do?"

"Kill everyone who knows," Joanna said matter-of-factly.

Indeed, dead people cannot leak secrets.

Lin Mo was silent.

There was likewise dead silence outside the door; the researcher had clearly heard those words.

Lin Mo could even imagine that the other party was probably already starting to think about how to write their will.

"Joanna."

"Mm."

"In the future, propose fewer plans like this that sound unreliable at first listen."

"It's very effective."

"Wiping out all the knowers is of course effective."

Lin Mo reached out and pinched her cheek.

"But I'm just going to see someone, not attack Vought Headquarters."

Joanna's face was gently pulled by him, but she still didn't smile.

"But I don't want you to go."

She suddenly felt a bit aggrieved. Wasn't a scenario like this—where a husband abandons his little pampered wife at home to go see someone else, leaving her feeling helpless—just like the storybooks she often read?

"I know."

"Then you're still going?" Joanna grew even more anxious.

"Because I need to know what Vought is planning to do next."

Lin Mo let go of his hand, turning instead to stroke her smooth blonde hair.

"If we want to leave here, we can't remain completely in the dark."

Hearing the two words leave, Joanna's tense expression finally relaxed a bit.

"Is this related to us leaving?"

"Probably. It's impossible for Vought to keep me locked up here forever."

"Will he let us go?"

"Of course not."

Lin Mo scoffed.

"If Vought were that kind-hearted, America would change its surname to Vought tomorrow."

"Then why still see him?"

"To see what tricks he wants to pull."

Chapter 49: Hope You Know What's Good For You

A meaningful glint flashed in Lin Mo's eyes.

After the system went online last night, his mindset toward Vought had already shifted; if he didn't mind, he could still shake up Vought's upper management.

It's just that Vought didn't know; they probably still thought Lin Mo was merely a test subject trapped in the bunker who was still cooperating for the time being.

Since Edgar took the initiative to come looking for him, Lin Mo naturally didn't mind listening to his conditions.

Perhaps he could even conveniently change the fates of a few important figures and add a bit of energy revenue for himself.

After all, he was still two hundred points away from being able to designate travel to a low-energy world; right now, he was dirt poor.

A plot character delivering themselves to his doorstep at a time like this looked every bit like a walking energy gift package.

If he didn't unwrap it, it would somewhat seem disrespectful to the system.

"Wait for me here."

Lin Mo reached out and patted her little head, trying to persuade her.

Joanna immediately shook her head, moving Lin Mo's hand on her head and making her already messy blonde hair even more disheveled.

"No."

"Be good."

"I won't." Joanna shook her head firmly.

"I'll be back soon."

"Every time they take you away, they say it'll be soon."

Joanna stared at him, her voice suppressing obvious anger.

"Sometimes an hour, sometimes half a day."

She remembered every single parting, and even clearly remembered how long Lin Mo had been away.

Those trivial matters that seemed completely insignificant to others had never truly passed for her.

"This time is different."

Lin Mo didn't find it strange that Joanna had such thoughts; living in this Vought environment, her psychology would definitely be different from ordinary people's, but he couldn't indulge her like this either.

"How is it different?"

"In the past, they decided when I would come back."

"This time, I decide for myself." Lin Mo solemnly guaranteed her.

Joanna looked at him.

The room fell into a brief silence.

She could feel that Lin Mo had indeed undergone some changes.

Starting this morning, he didn't seem to maintain the cold and restrained forbearance toward Vought like he did in the past.

His tone was still calm, but beneath that calmness, there was an indescribable stifled frustration.

It was as if something that had bound him for a long time had suddenly disappeared.

"Then how long will it take?"

Joanna finally relented.

"At most an hour."

"Thirty minutes."

"You even know how to bargain now?" Lin Mo was rather surprised; it seemed his little girl was growing up.

"Twenty minutes."

"How come the number keeps decreasing as you speak?"

Joanna didn't answer, just staring fixedly at him.

With the strong implication that if Lin Mo uttered another word of nonsense, she would directly shorten the time to five minutes.

"Fine, thirty minutes."

Lin Mo said helplessly: "If it exceeds thirty minutes, you can come looking for me."

He guessed that if Joanna had been raised by his hometown elders, she would definitely be an expert at grocery shopping, the kind who makes the other party dare not even squeak when bargaining.

Joanna's eyes lit up slightly, filled with some anticipation.

"By any means?"

Lin Mo's movement of getting up paused. As if thinking of something, he immediately admonished:

"You are not allowed to crash through the door."

"Then I'll go in through the wall."

"You are not allowed to demolish the wall."

"Through the ceiling."

"You are not allowed to damage the bunker."

Joanna frowned.

"Then how am I supposed to get in?"

"Just open the door normally." Lin Mo responded while getting up.

"Too slow."

"It takes just one second."

"Crashing in is faster."

"..."

Lin Mo suddenly felt that giving her freedom of action might be a mistake.

But seeing how reluctant Joanna's eyes were to let him go, he still reached out and gently hugged her.

"Wait for me to come back."

Joanna's body stiffened slightly.

Afterward, she raised her hands and tightly hugged Lin Mo.

Gently, just like holding a fragile treasure.

"You said it, come back early. I miss you."

"I said it."

"Accompany me after you come back."

"Okay."

"You are not allowed to do other experiments today."

"Okay."

"And you're not allowed to talk too much with other women."

Lin Mo raised an eyebrow. What kind of situation was this?

"What does this have to do with experiments?"

"Nothing."

Joanna said righteously:

"But I don't like it."

"But Edgar is a man."

"Then you're not allowed to talk for too long either."

"..."

Good grief, it seemed that possession-related things clearly didn't distinguish between men and women for Joanna anymore.

Lin Mo let go of her and turned to walk toward the door.

Walking halfway, Joanna suddenly grabbed the corner of his clothes from behind.

Lin Mo turned his head back.

She stood in place with her head lowered, but her fingers clutched tightly to his clothes, with no intention of letting go.

The dominance and danger she displayed earlier when facing the researchers seemed to have completely vanished at this moment.

"Lin Mo."

"Hmm."

"You won't lie to me together with them, right?"

Lin Mo looked at her.

A moment later, he raised his hand and gently placed it on Joanna's head.

"I won't."

"Never?"

"Never."

Joanna finally let go of her hand.

Lin Mo opened the door.

The researcher outside the door was pale with a forehead covered in cold sweat. Seeing the door open, he even subconsciously took half a step back.

Joanna stood behind Lin Mo, looking at him coldly.

"Start the timer."

The researcher froze, not yet figuring out the situation.

"Thirty minutes."

Joanna stretched out one finger, a faint red light emerging in her eye sockets.

"If it exceeds one second, I'll go look for him myself."

"I'll take Mr. Lin Mo over at the fastest speed!"

The researcher hesitated almost not at all.

He had never spoken so fluently in his entire life.

Looking at the other person's terrified appearance, Lin Mocouldn't help shaking his head.

"You don't need to be so nervous."

The researcher managed to squeeze out a smile.

You're naturally not nervous; you're not the one about to get your scalp split open by laser beams.

Lin Mo walked out of the room.

The metal door also slowly closed along with it.

Just before the door gap was about to completely disappear, he felt that Joanna was still standing in place, her light-colored eyes gazing at him without blinking.

The smile on Lin Mo's face gradually faded.

It seemed this meeting indeed couldn't be dragged out for too long.

Otherwise, what Edgar would have to face today wouldn't just be a test subject locked up by Vought for eighteen years, but also an impatient Homelander.

Fried Chicken Uncle, hope you know what's good for you.

Lin Mo followed that researcher forward quickly. Along the way, quite a few people subconsciously stopped the work in their hands after seeing him.

Some were curious and fearful; more of them were a kind of scrutinizing gaze that had lasted for over a decade.

Most of the personnel looked at him and Joanna holding a condescending attitude almost entirely; perhaps deep down in their bones, they never treated these so-called research results of theirs as humans.

Anyway, he had long been used to this.

Eighteen years already.

Ever since he was an infant, these people had been looking at him with such gazes. In Vought's eyes, both he and Joanna were merely special corporate assets.

The difference was merely that one had a higher value, and the other was easier to control.

In the past, Lin Mo couldn't be bothered to care, or rather, it wasn't time to care yet.

But now...

"Mr. Lin Mo."

The researcher's voice pulled his thoughts back.

"We're here."

Ahead was an independent conference room. Under Lin Mo's X-ray vision, the material was estimated to be some kind of special metal, and the heavy alloy door at the entrance was already open.

Lin Mo stepped inside, and only one person was sitting inside.

Stan Edgar.

Chapter 50: What If I Refuse?

With a dark complexion, a neat suit, and an inscrutable, calm expression, two cups of coffee were placed on the table.

Seeing Lin Mo enter, he picked up the coffee on the table, took a slight sip, and then looked Lin Mo up and down.

"Sit down. This counts as our second formal meeting."

That's right, this was already the second time Lin Mo and he had met. Several years ago, Edgar had specifically visited him in person. Both emotionally and rationally, as the direct architect of the Homelander project, he felt it necessary to meet with both Lin Mo and Joanna.

After chatting with Lin Mo back then, with his shrewd discernment, he immediately understood roughly what kind of person Lin Mo was, so he was quite confident about this conversation.

"Lin Mo."

"I know you."

Lin Mo casually pulled out a chair and sat down.

"The person in charge of Joanna's project at Vought."

Edgar did not deny it; naturally, the news had been released by him.

"To be precise, the person responsible for deciding her future commercial direction."

"That sounds much better than head of experiments."

Lin Mo leaned back against the chair and yawned lazily.

"So, you came all this way just to tell me what you do?"

Edgar looked at him, smiled, revealing a row of good teeth.

"I like talking to smart people."

"Then cut the crap," Lin Mo retorted in a flat tone.

The meeting room fell briefly silent for a moment.

Edgar gave Lin Mo a deep look. He always felt that Lin Moseemed different from a few years ago, carrying an indescribable sense of strangeness, but right now, this matter was more important.

"Good."

"Then I'll be direct."

He picked up a document from beside him and pushed it in front of Lin Mo.

The English letters at the very top were extremely eye-catching.

[ The Seven ]

The Seven.

Lin Mo glanced at it without reaching out.

"What does this mean?"

"I am preparing to let you join The Seven."

Edgar stated his purpose.

"Along with Joanna."

Lin Mo raised his eyebrows slightly.

Sure enough, just as he had guessed, Vought was definitely going to find something for him to do.

Edgar continued, "You are both coming of age."

"Continuing to keep you in the underground research center has no meaning whatsoever."

"Joanna will become the new leader of The Seven as Homelander, and you likewise possess the qualifications to enter The Seven. A public identity consistent with Joanna's, a hero title, independent housing, commercial resources, a personal team, and even a certain degree of freedom of movement."

"These things, you didn't have in the past, but as long as you accept, you can have them all."

After listening, Lin Mo suddenly smiled.

"That sounds pretty good."

Edgar's expression did not change.

"It is good to begin with."

"Ordinary people couldn't get these resources no matter how hard they worked their entire lives."

"Do you think I am the same as ordinary people?"

"Of course not."

Edgar leaned his body forward slightly and pointed at the document.

"That's why Vought is willing to give you a higher price."

A higher price was just a polite way of putting it; it was nothing more than him being valuable to Vought.

However, he had long been numb to this, and immediately asked Edgar in return.

"So in your eyes, how much am I worth?"

Edgar paused.

"This is not a matter of price."

"Is that so?"

Lin Mo reached out and tapped the document on the table, sneering.

"Yet the so-called public identity, hero title, commercial resources, and so-called freedom you speak of sound like benefits."

"In reality, it's just repackaging a corporate commodity and treating us as tools."

Edgar's gaze narrowed slightly.

Lin Mo sneered, "Moving me from the underground laboratory to in front of the cameras."

"Designing a uniform for me, making up an American Dream story like being discovered by Vought since childhood, receiving cultivation, voluntarily becoming a superhero after reaching adulthood, and then letting advertisers use my face to sell soda, sneakers, insurance, and toys."

"Oh, right, and by the way, telling all Asian Americans—"

"Look at that!"

"Vought also supports ethnic minorities."

The entire meeting room quieted down.

A faint smile hung on the corners of Lin Mo's mouth, but the bone-chilling coldness emanating from beneath that smile shrouded Edgar directly.

"Am I right?"

Edgar looked at him and said after a long moment, "You are sharper than what was written in the research report."

"Research report?"

Lin Mo put on an expression of sudden realization, the smile on his face deepening a bit more.

"Indeed, you guys really wrote quite a lot of things about me."

"Psychological assessment, behavioral analysis, emotional connection with Joanna."

"Let me guess."

"Is there also another point..."

"Utilizing me can effectively stabilize Joanna's emotions?"

Edgar finally did not answer him immediately.

Because this was the answer, and this was also Vought's consistent thought all along.

Lin Mo leaned back, and his voice followed.

"So you aren't here to give me freedom."

"You just think that turning me from an asset in the laboratory into an asset in front of the cameras can make more money."

"More importantly, with me following along, Joanna won't lose control."

"You can safely push her in front of the public, let her make money for Vought, increase your voice and influence, and help you climb step by step to Vought's highest position."

"As for me."

"Just utilize me along the way."

Lin Mo stared straight at Edgar.

"Right?"

This time, Edgar did not deny it.

He just said calmly, "I am a businessman; utilization is mutual to begin with."

"You need freedom, and I need a stable The Seven."

"You need to leave here, and Vought needs you and Joannato create profits."

"Each takes what they need; there is nothing unfair about it."

"This world is just like this to begin with."

Lin Mo narrowed his eyes slightly.

This was indeed very Edgar—never pretending to be a good person, nor wasting time talking about morals. Interests were interests, and a transaction was a transaction.

At least he was a bit more pleasing to the eye than those guys who talked on their lips about doing it for the country and for humanity, only to turn around and inject infants with Compound V, and much better than someone who casually discarded teammates for the sake of revenge.

What a pity.

Edgar had made a mistake right now.

He actually seemed to think that Lin Mo needed the things Vought gave him.

"What if I refuse?"

Lin Mo asked in reverse.

Edgar looked at him.

"You won't refuse."

"Why?"

"Because you want to take Joanna away from here." Edgaranalyzed the pros and cons for him.

"And in the United States, without Vought's permission, you have nowhere to go."

"No identity, no social records, no bank accounts, no legal past."

"You don't even exist within the normal social system."

"And—"

Edgar paused for a moment.

"You should know how much Vought has invested in you."

"The company will not allow its assets to just leave like this."

The smile on Lin Mo's face gradually disappeared.

"So this is a threat from you?"

"It's a fact."

Edgar said, "You might be very strong."

"But according to existing tests, you are not as dangerous as Joanna."

"But you are more rational and cautious than Joanna. That is precisely your advantage and equally your weakness; you will consider the consequences, while Joanna will not."

"So you will not choose to wage a complete war with Vought."

Edgar's tone remained steady.

Clearly, he had made full preparations before coming, and had even calculated the reactions Lin Mo might have.

Lin Mo couldn't be bothered to continue talking either; toward this group of capitalists at Vought, perhaps he shouldn't have wasted words with him in the first place.

But Edgar still thought he was practically acquiescing and continued, "I don't mean to threaten you."

"On the contrary, I am giving you a choice that both parties can accept."

"Join The Seven, and you gain freedom."

"Joanna can also leave with you, and Vought gets two top-tier heroes."

"This is the most rational plan."

Listening to Edgar's words, Lin Mo was angered into a laugh. Treating people as commodities and yet grandly calling it the most rational method.

"Rational?"

"Yes."

"Edgar."

"Hmm?"

"Did you misunderstand something?"

Edgar frowned slightly.

Lin Mo raised his head, pointing a finger at Edgar himself, his voice echoing throughout the meeting room.

"In the past, when I was willing to reason with you, it wasn't because I could only reason."

Chapter 51: Guess How Many Seconds I Need to Destroy This Place

The voice fell.

Bang!

The entire conference room shook violently.

Without any warning.

Lin Mo simply lifted one foot gently and stepped back down onto the ground.

Yet the alloy floor beneath his feet, which was sturdy enough to withstand the impact of heavy equipment, collapsed instantly like a piece of paper.

Cracks spread wildly outward with his foot as the center, the walls vibrated, the lights flickered, and the coffee cup on the desk jumped straight up.

Edgar's pupils suddenly contracted.

The alarm outside the door sounded instantly.

[Warning!]

[Abnormal vibration detected!]

[Warning!]

Lin Mo sat in place without moving.

"Have you guys always felt that I am not as strong as Joanna?"

Edgar stared at him intently.

"Your test data..."

"That is the data I wanted you to see."

Lin Mo sneered and directly interrupted him.

The next second.

A red glow slowly lit up in his eyes, condensed and blazing, like two stars compressed to the absolute limit.

Before Lin Mo even truly launched an attack, the metal desktop in front of him quickly turned red, the surrounding temperature rose sharply, and the air twisted violently under the high heat.

A trace of a crack finally appeared on Edgar's calm face.

Facing a truly tangible death threat, his expression changed for the first time.

"Lin Mo."

"Calm down."

"What?"

The corners of Lin Mo's mouth raised slightly.

"Weren't you quite composed just now?"

The words faded.

Hum——!

Two scorching red beams suddenly shot out from his eyes!

Edgar's pupils shrank violently. In his eyes, those two beams charged straight toward his head.

Heat Vision brushed past his scalp.

Merely brushing past, the terrifying high temperature instantly sent a searing pain through his scalp, and he could even smell the scent produced by a few hairs being burnt to a crisp.

Oh well, he didn't have many hairs to begin with, and now they were probably completely burned away.

The next second.

Boom!!!

The alloy wall behind him couldn't even block it for a single instant.

Steel plates melted through, concrete vaporized.

A straight crimson beam forcibly pierced through the entire underground research base, defensive structures blowing apart layer after layer, ultimately rushing out of the surface and shooting toward the distant sky.

The entire bunker vibrated violently at this moment, and the alarm sounded through the surroundings instantly.

Edgar froze in place.

Cold sweat seeped from his forehead for the first time.

Just a little bit more; if those two beams had shifted downward by just a few centimeters a moment ago, his head probably wouldn't exist anymore.

Lin Mo slowly withdrew his Heat Vision, the red light in his eyes gradually extinguishing.

He glanced at Edgar's hairless scalp, feeling somewhat relieved instead in his heart.

He really had to control himself just now.

With his current Heat Vision intensity, if he accidentally deviated just a bit more, Edgar would probably be roasted on the spot before he even had time to let out a scream.

That won't do.

This guy is still useful now, how wasteful it would be to kill him, but his anger hasn't dissipated yet.

"Weren't you very confident just now?"

"Do you think I would consider the consequences, fear Vought? Fear having no identity, fear having nowhere to go."

"Or even thank you for your great mercy in upgrading me from an experimental animal to a superhero commodity."

Boom!

Following that, Lin Mo punched down.

Vought locked him up for eighteen years, drawing blood, examining, and testing him every day, and always liked to use him to provoke Joanna.

He had always kept track of this debt.

The entire alloy conference table in front of him instantly shattered, and the huge shockwave blew away chairs, files, and screens completely.

Edgar was pushed back several meters by the air wave, slamming heavily against the wall.

Fortunately, Lin Mo controlled his strength, or rather, he deliberately used his Bio-field to protect Edgar and support the foundation, otherwise with this punch, judging purely by the shockwave intensity, let alone Edgar.

Not even a single complete speck of dust might be left of the entire conference room.

The security personnel outside finally rushed in.

"Don't move!"

"Lin Mo!"

"Stop immediately—"

Before they could even finish speaking.

Lin Mo disappeared, vanishing right under their noses; in reality, his speed was so fast that they couldn't capture it at all.

The next second.

Bang bang bang bang——!

Dozens of armed personnel flew out almost simultaneously.

Firearms snapped, severed human limbs and remains kept flying about, and the alloy walls were smashed into huge dents one after another.

In less than a second, everyone fell.

Leaning against the wall, Edgar clearly realized a problem for the first time.

They were wrong, wrong from the very beginning.

Joanna was not the most dangerous person in the bunker; Lin Mo was.

What was even more terrifying was that Joanna never hid her emotions.

Whereas Lin Mo had hidden it for a full eighteen years.

"Eighteen years."

Lin Mo suddenly said, standing at the door of the shattered conference room with his back to Edgar.

"Do you know how long I've stayed here?"

Edgar did not reply. Although the expression on his face had returned to its original unperturbed look, his brain was spinning rapidly, constantly pondering chips for survival.

"Eighteen years, drawing blood, checks, and tests every day."

"One time, you guys even deliberately harmed Joanna, wanting to see if I would lose control."

Lin Mo slowly turned around.

"I have always kept this debt in mind."

"In the past, I didn't move against you because going out afterward would be troublesome."

"I needed to consider Joanna."

"Did you think I was really afraid of Vought's pursuit? It's just that I didn't want to make it known to the whole world."

"But now..."

Lin Mo smiled.

"I suddenly feel—"

"There's no need."

An extremely bad premonition suddenly rose in Edgar's heart.

"What do you want to do?"

Lin Mo raised his head and smiled at him, except that this smile made Edgar feel a chill descend from his head to the soles of his feet.

"Guess how many seconds I need to destroy this place."

Super Hearing instantly covered the entire underground research base.

The constantly approaching footsteps, alarms, weapon cocking sounds, and the panicked breathing of the researchers.

Every single sound was incomparably clear.

"Clearing accounts."

The words fell.

Boom——!!!

The roof of the entire conference room shattered instantly.

Lin Mo shot straight up into the sky.

Steel bars, concrete, alloy isolation layers, and defensive structures several meters thick were all like paper-mâché in front of him, making no difference whatsoever.

He was like a meteorite falling in reverse, forcibly piercing through underground facilities layer after layer.

Following that, the entire bunker welcomed the most terrifying five seconds since its establishment.

Lin Mo's figure flashed continuously in the corridor.

Laboratories, armories, monitoring centers, sample storage rooms, ability testing areas, research centers.

Facility after facility was destroyed one after another, alloy doors directly smashed open violently.

Firearms and suppression equipment were eliminated by Heat Vision, and everyone trying to attack him didn't even have the chance to pull the trigger.

Merely sweeping across with Heat Vision, the base's power supply system instantly paralyzed, and the backup power source had just started when it was directly pierced through again.

The sound of explosions came layer after layer, and the entire underground structure began to vibrate violently.

Red alarm lights flashed continuously.

The voice in the broadcast was already completely chaotic.

"Target is out of control!"

"All units immediately—"

Chapter 52: Did he blow this place up?

Boom!

The broadcast stopped abruptly.

Lin Mo had no interest in listening to the end; eighteen years of experimental data and all samples related to him and Joanna were completely destroyed.

As for those who used to treat them like lab animals...

Lin Mo showed no mercy and naturally sent all of them to meet God—who told them not to love God so much on a usual basis.

It took less than seven seconds, and that was even with him holding back.

"Dr. Vogelbaum actually isn't in the bunker today. It seems he's quite lucky."

After searching several times and confirming there were no survivors, Lin Mo stopped the destruction.

However, the entire bunker was almost completely ruined. The ground above bulged suddenly, and then, amidst a terrifying roar, large areas collapsed.

Dust soared into the sky, and the trees in the distance were flattened outward by the shockwave.

"Awesome!"

Floating in the sky, Lin Mo chuckled softly.

Looking down at the gradually collapsing bunker below, for the first time, he felt an unprecedented sense of exhilaration.

Lin Mo slowly clenched his fists, causing the air in his palms to explode into a visible ring of airwaves.

"So... having power feels like this."

He had never released his power so freely before; as long as he wished, everything before his eyes could be easily destroyed.

But strangely enough, he wasn't excited to the point of losing control as he had imagined.

On the contrary, after killing so many people, deep down he was unusually calm, perhaps because of his Super Brain.

"However..."

Lin Mo looked into the distance.

There, several researchers had already been sent to a safe area by him.

They had once participated in the experiments, but some had also secretly helped him and given him some insignificant kindness.

Therefore, he didn't choose to kill them all.

"Humans really are complicated."

Lin Mo said softly. If it were himself when he first came to this world, he might have destroyed everything without hesitation—or rather, he had changed too.

Sunlight shone on his body.

Lin Mo raised his head, feeling the gradually active Kryptonbloodline within his body.

That warm energy from the sun was responding to his existence bit by bit.

As for Edgar, he was naturally still alive, having been brought out by him in advance.

Even before Edgar hit the ground after being pulled out by Lin Mo, the bunker had already been destroyed by him, showing just how fast Lin Mo was.

Thump!

Only then did Edgar crash heavily onto the grass.

His suit was already covered in dust, and a cut had been slashed across his forehead.

But he couldn't care about any of that; instead, he knelt on the ground, staring at the underground research center in the distance that was continuously collapsing.

He couldn't say a single word.

Decades.

The highest-level research base built by Vought with who knows how much capital and manpower.

Less than a minute.

Gone.

Completely gone.

Right at that moment.

Boom!

Another sound of air tearing came from the distance.

A figure rushed out of the bunker ruins almost instantly, her long golden hair pulled into a blur during the high-speed movement.

It was none other than Joanna.

The moment she landed, the grass beneath her feet exploded directly.

"Lin Mo!"

Without even glancing at Edgar, she rushed to Lin Mo's side at the first instance, grabbing his shoulders with both hands.

"Are you hurt?"

"What did they do to you?"

"Who attacked you?"

She spoke extremely fast, her eyes already glowing with a dangerous red light.

Obviously.

The sudden collapse of the entire bunker just now had completely terrified Joanna, who still knew nothing.

Lin Mo looked at her.

"I'm fine."

"Really?"

"Really, don't you know my defense by now?"

Although he said that, Joanna still checked him up and down.

Aside from some dust on his clothes, there were truly no wounds whatsoever, and not even his hair was much disheveled.

Only then did she visibly heave a sigh of relief.

Afterward, Joanna finally noticed Edgar standing nearby.

The worry on her face vanished instantly, replaced by coldness.

"Did he do this? Did he blow this place up?"

As soon as those words came out, Edgar's already dark face turned even darker.

"It wasn't him."

Lin Mo explained.

"Then who was it?"

"Me." Lin Mo pointed at himself.

Joanna was stunned, then looked a bit incredulous.

"You?"

"Yeah."

Then Lin Mo pointed to the ruins behind him.

"I tore it down."

Joanna looked at the ruins, then at Lin Mo.

Silent for two seconds.

"Why didn't you call me?"

"..."

Lin Mo originally thought she would ask him why he tore down the research center.

In the end, this was what she cared about?

"I can handle such minor matters myself."

"A minor matter?"

Joanna looked at the bunker behind them, which was fast turning into a giant crater.

"Call me next time."

She was obviously somewhat unhappy.

"I can tear down the other half."

Edgar: "..."

At this moment.

He suddenly and extremely clearly realized that Vought's plan over the past eighteen years might have fundamentally gone wrong.

They originally thought Lin Mo was the reins to restrict Homelander; now it seemed that these reins not only knew how to run on their own,

but were even more dangerous than the horse.

Lin Mo turned his head and looked at Edgar.

"Alright."

"Now we can talk again."

Edgar stood up and dusted off his suit.

The shock on his face had quickly disappeared.

Needless to say.

This guy's mental resilience was truly ridiculously strong.

If it were an ordinary person who had just experienced all this, they would probably already be kneeling on the ground praying.

Yet Edgar could still force himself to regain his composure. Since Lin Mo chose to spare his life now, it meant there was still room for discussion.

"You kept me alive."

He said.

"It shows that you aren't prepared to go to all-out war with Vought."

"Wrong."

Lin Mo shook his head and suddenly chuckled.

"To use your own words from before, I kept you alive simply because you're more useful than those people just now. To me, you still have value."

Edgar's gaze sank slightly as he asked,

"What do you want?"

"Didn't you say it just now?"

Lin Mo smiled.

"Join The Seven."

For the first time, Edgar showed clear surprise.

"You're still willing to join?"

Was this definitely not a joke? With that kind of attitude just now, and tearing down the research bunker, this was a huge loss!

"Why wouldn't I be willing?"

Lin Mo asked in return while letting Joanna toy with his palm.

"Vought has media."

"It has money and resources, political connections, and even a presence in other countries."

"I have no reason to refuse using these things just because I hate you guys."

"It's just—"

Lin Mo walked up to Edgar.

"Before, you guys wanted to treat me like a commodity."

"Now, it's me who has decided to utilize Vought."

"Understand the difference?"

When all was said and done, it was because Lin Moneeded energy points. Speaking of what kind of action could have a major impact, it was naturally becoming a superhero himself for publicity, using internet media to invisibly influence others, gaining the adoration of some people, and naturally harvesting energy points from ordinary people in large quantities.

Moreover, what he said was the truth; no one understood the internet better than Vought.

Besides, he had time. Even if he wanted to acquire energy points quickly, he couldn't just go on a killing spree—though there were exceptions under extreme circumstances.

Edgar looked at him.

"Do you think the company will accept what you just did?"

"Of course they will."

Lin Mo answered with absolute certainty, pointing at Edgar.

"Because you'll make them accept it."

Edgar narrowed his eyes.

"Why?"

"Because you're smarter than them."

Lin Mo smiled and said, "Even if that bunker is gone, the researchers are dead, and the experimental data is destroyed, it might look like Vought has suffered a huge loss, but the most important experimental subjects in your mouths—me and Joanna—are still alive."

"As long as we're willing to stand in front of the camera, this bit of loss can be earned back sooner or later, or even more."

"And after today, that group of people on your board of directors should also understand that they have no right to decide whether we are willing to become members of The Seven."

Lin Mo looked at him.

"They can only decide whether or not to cooperate with us."

Chapter 53 Godolkin University

Edgar remained silent for a long time.

"You have changed."

"Maybe."

Edgar sighed and didn't press further.

Now was not the time to investigate why Lin Mo had suddenly changed; what was truly important was how to clean up the current mess.

And how to keep these two entities, who could no longer be controlled by force at all, temporarily within the Vought system so that he could gain greater benefits.

Edgar glanced at Joanna again; she was still standing beside Lin Mo.

From beginning to end, she never asked how many people died in the bunker.

Obviously, as long as Lin Mo was fine, the life or death of others wasn't within her consideration at all.

This instead made Edgar's resolve even firmer.

They could not lose Lin Mo, and even less could they allow Lin Mo to leave Vought and take Joanna away with him.

"Joining The Seven is naturally not a problem. Let's continue our previous conversation."

Edgar said finally.

They could have sat down and talked nicely, but now, he had grievances he couldn't voice.

"This was originally my previous plan. Only for you, you are different from Joanna."

"Joanna was originally a key figure Vought planned to promote. Now many people outside already know that Joanna might take over as the leader of The Seven. In our external publicity, Joanna already has a popularity foundation."

"But she lacks social experience."

Joanna frowned, obviously somewhat displeased. Having her shortcomings exposed in front of the person she liked was naturally unpleasant.

"I don't need it."

Edgar didn't even look at her.

"You can certainly enter The Seven directly, and this was also my original proposal, but those old things on the board of directors didn't agree."

"But now..." Edgar took a deep look at Lin Mo, "they probably won't have a chance to stop it."

"However, there is also difficulty. You are not Joanna; you haven't been specially promoted by Vought and have no approval rating. Rashly making you a member of The Seven will carry risks."

Hearing this, Lin Mo nodded, and seeing him nod, Joannanodded along.

Lin Mo could understand this—first come, first served. But when all was said and done, this was just facing ordinary superpowered individuals; he was different.

"In order for you to ascend to The Seven in the future without any scandals, you can of course also choose to ignore all of this."

Edgar explained.

Now Lin Mo understood; wasn't it just worrying about dark history? Small issue. But since Edgar was doing this for his future consideration, he would give him some face.

"Tell me, what are you going to do?" Lin Mo asked.

Edgar paused. Having said so much in one breath, his throat felt a bit scratchy.

"You have lived in a closed environment since childhood, don't understand the social rules of ordinary people, and haven't truly experienced social life."

"Vought was originally prepared to arrange a transition phase."

Lin Mo grew interested.

"What phase?"

"Godolkin University."

Edgar said.

Lin Mo's eyes flickered slightly.

Godolkin University.

"Gen V."

A university established by Vought specifically for superhumans.

In the future, a large number of young superheroes would enter the entertainment industry and the candidate list for The Seven from there.

At this time, Godolkin University should already have quite a bit of fame. Most importantly, subsequent members of The Seven were almost all selected from the top rankings of the school. If he went, it would indeed fit the actual situation.

Better yet, compared to ordinary people, the energy points provided by superhumans would be more.

"You mean, let us go to school?"

"You can understand it that way."

Edgar said.

"There are a large number of superhuman students there, and the environment is more suitable for you than ordinary universities. Vought can also publicly establish legal identities for you."

"You can experience society there, and learn in advance how to get along with ordinary people, the media, and other superhumans. This is very friendly to Joanna."

"At the same time."

He paused for a moment.

"Wait for The Seven to officially complete its leadership transition."

Lin Mo didn't answer immediately; he had to milk more benefits out of them, but Joanna frowned.

"I want to live with Lin Mo."

"That can be arranged."

"We can see each other every day."

"Yes."

"No one can restrict us from going out."

Edgar looked at Lin Mo.

"Within a reasonable range, yes."

Joanna was obviously dissatisfied with the phrase reasonable range and was just about to speak.

But Lin Mo spoke a step ahead: "Yes."

Joanna turned to look at him.

"You want to go?"

"Go take a look."

Lin Mo smiled.

Godolkin University.

That wasn't just a school; inside were quite a few plot characters he was familiar with.

More importantly, for the current Lin Mo, what did that place equal? A plot character concentration camp. Although the timeline might not have reached the Gen V era yet, he could wait.

They were all walking energy sources, and he wouldn't even need to search the whole world for them—Vought was even taking the initiative to send him there.

Such a considerate arrangement.

What reason did he have to refuse?

"However, I have conditions."

Lin Mo looked at Edgar.

"Speak."

"First."

"Starting today, Vought can no longer conduct any experiments on me and Joanna, including drawing blood, capability testing, and collecting any physical samples without our consent."

"Besides, you don't even have this ability."

Edgar fell silent for a moment.

"Agreed."

What other choice did he have if he didn't agree? Now his future career was practically pinned on Joanna and Lin Mo, not to mention the bunker was already destroyed; even if he wanted to research, he couldn't.

"Second."

"We possess independent identities and property. You know what I mean—we will no longer exist in the form of Vought experimental assets."

"Agreed."

"Third."

"Joanna and I have freedom of movement."

"Vought can arrange work, but whether to accept it or not is up to us to decide."

Edgar frowned, trying to negotiate.

"Members of The Seven also need to fulfill contractual obligations."

"We can talk about the contract when the time comes."

Lin Mo looked at him.

"Don't bring that old way of ordering us around here."

"Because next time, what I demolish might not just be a research center."

The air grew a bit quieter.

Edgar looked at the still-smoking bunker in the distance. This threat was very persuasive.

"We can talk."

He said.

"As for the rest, if we can't think of them for now, we'll save them for later."

Lin Mo raised his hand and pointed at Joanna.

"Anyway, you guys don't have the strength to oppose Joanna and me."

"If there is a next time."

His tone was icy.

"I will go directly to Vought Headquarters."

"By then."

"I certainly hope tomorrow's American headlines won't feature stories about Vought."

Edgar's expression sank completely.

Joanna, however, revealed a smile beside him.

Obviously, she really liked Lin Mo's current attitude. It should be like this; don't waste words with them when the time comes.

Edgar was silent for a long time.

Finally.

He reached out a hand.

"Deal."