Chapter 514: The Joy of Getting Something for Free
Chapter 514: The Joy of Getting Something for Free
“What dangerous person?”
Fang Cheng was shocked. Tsukimi Narumi was one of the evil gods.
How dangerous must someone be for even her to consider them a threat?
Could it be one of the two strategic-level individuals from the North American United Government?
“You guessed right. A strategic-level is coming.”
Tsukimi Narumi said, “You’d better leave before they arrive. If fighting breaks out, escaping will become impossible.”
The North American government must’ve noticed such a huge disturbance here.
Though the entire area remained shrouded in dust, blocking satellite views, they’d surely send investigators.
“What about you?”
“I should go too.”
Tsukimi Narumi paused, her face half-hidden under the hood. “You performed adequately this time,” she added with clinical detachment.
Surprised by the praise, Fang Cheng chuckled. “How about letting me become your proxy instead?”
He envied Tsukimi Narumi’s policy of freely granting power to her subordinates. After questioning Ye Yuqing, he’d confirmed this evil god never eroded souls during power usage—a remarkably fair owner.
“Persuade Iyaya, and I’ll permit it.”
With those words, Tsukimi Narumi vanished, her cloak and silver armor dissolving into nothingness.
Ye Yuqing materialized, legs buckling instantly.
Fang Cheng caught her. “You okay?”
“Ah Cheng…” Ye Yuqing’s eyelids drooped. “So tired… need sleep…”
The prolonged divine possession had drained her stamina to critical levels, soul-deep exhaustion setting in. Sharing one soul with Asaka Akihime left both vulnerable to such strain.
“Sleep then. It’s over. I’ll get you home.”
“Mmm…”
Ye Yuqing nestled against his chest, breathing evening out as consciousness slipped away. The energy depletion forced Asaka Akihime into dormancy too.
As Fang Cheng adjusted his grip to leave, Iyaya’s voice interrupted: “Retrieve the Ark. Its engine mustn’t remain here.”
“Are you insane?” Fang Cheng snapped. “Steal that today, and tomorrow the North American government delivers nuclear bombs to my doorstep.”
The Ark wasn’t just hot property—it was radioactive. No sane person would touch it.
Iyaya stated, “This is mother’s item. Humans aren’t worthy to possess it.”
Fang Cheng retorted, “You admit mother came from outer space?”
Iyaya remained silent.
Fang Cheng reluctantly carried Ye Yuqing upward toward the Ark.
Upon reflection, this vessel didn’t belong to the North American government but to the Gates of Heaven.
He had every right to claim the entire Ark as his prize without hesitation.
Even Fang Cheng himself coveted it intensely, let alone Iyaya.
This was humanity’s first spaceship. Keeping it as collectible figurines at home would be worthwhile even if unused.
Should the backers discover this, they’d have to procure a strategic-level expert to confront him.
The main challenge lay in smuggling the Ark undetected from North America.
Fortunately, Dr. X’s memories revealed the Ark’s stealth capabilities surpassed standard invisible Aircraft—its nano-scale optical camouflage rendered it completely undetectable to human eyes.
With all conditions met, keeping this prize felt morally obligatory.
Fang Cheng returned Ye Yuqing to the Ark, secured her in a safe room, then proceeded to the cockpit.
His doppelgangers operated with machinelike precision, tireless and error-free.
As stealth mode activated, the turtle shell coating emitted prismatic brilliance.
The entire Ark momentarily shimmered before blending seamlessly into the nocturnal environment, vanishing without trace.
While monitoring the cloaking process, Fang Cheng received a message via doppelganger—Dr. X requested an audience.
Cleared for entry, Dr. X entered the cockpit crowded with identical duplicates, instantly identifying the idle original.
“Blood Emperor.”
Dr. X bowed. “On behalf of all survivors, we thank you for rescuing us from the evil god.”
Though absent during the battle, Fang Cheng’s unscathed state confirmed his victory.
This made him humanity’s hero, though many still deemed him a monster.
The title made Fang Cheng’s toes curl against the floor plating. “Drop the formalities. Call me something else.”
“Very well, Mr. Fang.”
Dr. X cut to the chase. “You intend to claim the entire Ark?”
“Obviously. It’s my rightful spoils.”
“Aren’t you concerned about angering its creators? These figures sway North American government policies.”
Fang Cheng feigned mild concern. “Could they pressure the government to assault Hokkaido?”
Dr. X’s cheek twitched. “Impossible. That’s Human Rights Coalition territory.”
“Can they convince the North American government to directly launch nuclear bombs at Hokkaido?”
“Anyone suggesting that would get strapped to a nuclear bomb and fired away.”
“Can they send strategic-level forces across the Pacific to cause me trouble in Hokkaido?”
“Strategic-level forces only protect North America’s safety. They don’t handle anything else.”
“Can’t do this, can’t do that.”
Fang Cheng spread his hands. “Then what should I fear?”
His concerns were the North American government, nuclear bombs, and strategic-level forces. Not because he feared being targeted himself, but because he worried about those close to him getting involved.
To brag a bit, Fang Cheng’s current power let him roam the whole world without dying. His survival skills far surpassed those of disaster-level beings.
Seeing Fang Cheng’s confidence, Dr. X stayed silent. “What will you do with us?”
Fang Cheng pondered. “Letting you go isn’t an option. Who knows if you’d snitch after returning? Work for me for few years first. We’ll discuss later.”
Dr. X was the Great God coveted by both North American government and Gates of Heaven. Perfect for developing more Divine medicine.
Dr. X sighed in relief. He’d truly feared Fang Cheng would slaughter everyone. Working temporarily sounded simple enough – they were just laborers switching bosses anyway.
After settling matters, Fang Cheng noticed Dr. X lingering. “Something else?”
Dr. X nodded. “There is one more thing.”
…
After the Ark departed, the collapsed mountain quieted, drifting dust slowly settling.
A figure abruptly appeared above the ruins.
A white male around thirty with rugged features and thick eyebrows, wearing skin-tight Combat Suit bearing North America’s flag. Marvel vermicelli would’ve shouted “Captain America!”
Steve Jackon.
One of two strategic-level superpowered individuals in the North American United Government.
He embodied a real-life Captain America, unlike self-proclaimed “Teacher Tony”. Not just sharing the comic hero’s name, but also matching background and virtues.
Thus Steve Rogers earned North America’s affectionate “Captain” title, commanding all superpowered individuals. The Marvel company here never sued – they milked Steve’s fame instead.
When the base mountain collapsed, satellites detected it immediately. Initially dismissed as geological earthquake. But persistent dust and the location’s identity as arms dealer Tony’s private ranch made North American government realize something was wrong.
“They wanted to send military aircraft to investigate, but were blocked.”
“The backers behind Gates of Heaven immediately received the message and didn’t dare let officials inspect the area, as the Ark would’ve been exposed.”
“They could only send people to assess the base’s situation while delaying government actions, trying to move the Ark away.”
“But their obstruction made the North American government suspicious.”
“During this stalemate, Steve in Nevada got the message.”
“Though a strategic-level ability user, Steve’s good-natured personality made him comply with reasonable government requests.”
“He journeyed to investigate unimpeded by Gates of Heaven’s backers.”
“Reaching the collapsed mountain, Steve frowned.”
“He sensed thick residual aura of an Arriving Evil God below.”
“Having fought descended evil gods before, Steve recognized this signature keenly.”
“An evil god had manifest here recently.”
“Wary, Steve gazed at the settling dust and activated his ability.”
“All particles instantly crashed to the Ground, leaving crystal-clear air devoid of debris.”
“His Observation confirmed the Ground’s story – an evil god’s arrival interrupted before causing major disaster.”
“Only a handful in the world could achieve this. Steve doubted those capitalists possessed such power.”
“Without nuclear bombs, only he and another North American strategic-level could repel evil gods.”
“Yet someone else had accomplished this.”
“Regardless of motives, Steve needed to uncover this identity.”
“Closing his eyes, he scanned gravity changes across wide surroundings.”
“Moments later, he flew swiftly toward a direction.”
…
“What?”
Fang Cheng stared at the old man with odd gaze: “You want me to touch you again?”
“Women teasing me’s bad enough – now old men too?”