Xia Lei stayed home with his wives for the next few days. Despite that, he also tried to squeeze in some work in between hours when his wives did not demand his attention. He began designing Thunder Horse’s very own bomber planes and fighter jets. There was no need for computers or other tools. All he needed was his trusty brain.
With the experience of designing the Jing Ke drone, he took on the task himself. However, it did mean that the task had gotten easier. Fighter jets and bomber planes were far more complicated than drones, there were more stringent requirements in all aspects. It was also significantly difficult to manufacture.
To design their very own bomber planes and fighter jets was Thunder Horse Organization’s final contribution to the country. Even if the goal was difficult to achieve, Xia Lei was adamant to see it through.
Time passed day by day, Xia Lei’s seemingly leisure and boring vacation were actually contrastingly productive.
One week was gone silently.
On this particular afternoon, the four female knights had decided to pay Xia Lei a visit as he stood beside his four pregnant wives, who were admiring some goldfish on the side.
The four female knights were a marvellous sight to behold with amazing proportions crowned with golden hair and a pair of shimmering sapphire blue eyes. They approached them in a line, almost as if they were part of a Victoria Secret’s catwalk.
Long Bing and Liang Siyao couldn’t help but give each other a look. Both women seemed to have felt the same feeling.
Giovanna stepped forward with a brilliant smile. “Good day, madams! You look wonderful today!”
A classic Western-style greeting.
After a year’s worth of Chinese classes and intensive practises, the four Italian women were getting better at the language.
Liang Siyao nodded. “Giovanna, is there something we can help you with?”
“We’re here for…” Giovanna averted her gaze onto Xia Lei but did not finish her words.
Xia Lei was fully aware of the reason behind their presence. He replied, “Giovanna, let’s go to the study.”
The female knight obediently nodded. “Alright, no problem.”
Liang Siyao was evidently displeased by this, lips pulled into a taut line. “Hubby, can’t you do it here?”
Honestly, Xia Lei had no plans of making the matter known but Liang Siyao’s ‘hubby’ had successfully melted his heart. He confessed, “Siyao, I’m not trying to hide this from you. I’m just worried about what this is.”
Liang Siyao felt dejected. “If you don’t tell us, we’re bound to get more worried. We’d be worried sick.”
A lopsided smile appeared on Xia Lei’s face. “Alright, I shouldn’t hide this from everyone. It’s about Hattori Mei. The longer she lives, the more anxiety I suffer. She’s as venomous as a scorpion. If I don’t get rid of her, our family will be in danger. For the sake of a better environment and peace for you and the children, I need to get her out of the picture.”
“Hattori Mei?” Something cold flashed across Long Bing’s eye. “If it wasn’t for Tang Yuyan last time, we would’ve been dead for long. That woman is indeed too dangerous, you mustn’t spare her.”
At this point, Jiang Ruyi and Fan Fan had lost the mood to admire the goldfish. They stared at Xia Lei worriedly. However, things like these were literally Liang Siyao and Long Bing’s field of expertise, there was nothing much the other two women could offer in a situation like this.
Long Bing looked at Xia Lei. “Hubby, I know you’re doing this for us and the children but you need to be careful. No matter what you do, please keep us in mind.”
Xia Lei merely nodded and led the female knights into the Peace Mansion.
As soon as they entered the study, Xia Lei immediately spoke, “Damn, you’re really efficient. You managed to get the information within a week.” He huffed a quiet chuckle. “So tell me, what have you brought today?”
Giovanna reported, “Boss, our brothers and sisters had managed to locate her. Hattori Mei is in America at the moment. Specifically, Las Vegas, Nevada.”
Xia Lei was taken aback. “Sin City? What is she doing there?”
Stella continued, “She’s definitely not there to gamble. America’s most mysterious Area 51 is in Nevada.”
Theresa carried on, “The Seventh Fleet had brought six faceless warrior statues from Israel to Nevada. Its destination is confirmed to be Area 51.”
Rosa supplied, “Hattori Mei is there for the statues. Currently, she’s lodging in Caesars Palace Hotel. Though she’s keeping on the down-low, she will not be able to escape from our informants as long as she is not invisible.”
The Grey and Russo sisters finished each other’s sentences and completed their report.
Xia Lei mused, “The AE Research Centre is also located in Area 51. Looks like the Americans had passed the six statues to the research centre for further studies. Hattori Mei is part of Japan’s HyperTech and her clan holds significant power over their domestic military scene. She is also a high profile employee of Lockheed Martin. With her numerous important positions, it’s not weird for her to be invited.”
Giovanna asked, “Do you need our brothers to kill her?”
Xia Lei pondered. “Can your brothers do it?”
The Grey and Russo sisters took a step back and studied each other’s faces. From their expressions, they wished to offer Xia Lei a solid answer but they had no guarantee. After all, they’re up against Hattori Mei. Forget about regular hitmen, it was already difficult for a professional assassin to take her out with the level of protection surrounding her. This fact alone suggested how tough it was to get rid of her. Under this situation, how could they afford to promise Xia Lei that?
Xia Lei had his own deduction. “You’ve already done a great job at tracking her steps. Killing her is bound to be difficult. Qian Jun and Sa’im are already in America. Qian Jun is an expert in this, I’ll have him do it instead.”
“But…” Giovanna stopped herself. They wished to seize this chance to insert themselves more but Xia Lei was thinking of handing the task to a Chinese Zodiac Battle Team member to get it done. She was understandably upset.
Xia Lei offered them a smile. “I know what you’re thinking about. There’s no need to take things personally. The Chinese Zodiac Battle Team is a unit of their own. They have their own expertise. The Relief Society is not the same thing. You and your siblings are good at different things. There’s no need to compete against one another. Using the current matter as an example, you managed to build an impressive intelligence network and located Hattori Mei. Just leave the rest to Qian Jun. That way, you’ll avoid unnecessary sacrifices. What’s so bad about that?”
Xia Lei’s words had gotten through the four female knights well. What was once pouts had melted away into faint smiles instead.
“Then we shall focus our efforts on Zhu Xuanyue now. Please give us half a month on this, we’ll be back with more information,” said Giovanna.
Xia Lei’s interest was piqued. “Did you find any clues?”
Rosa said, “Not at the moment. But if we place all of our manpower on this, I believe we’ll arrive at something very soon.”
“Just how many brothers and sisters does the Relief Society have in America?” Xia Lei was curious.
Theresa answered helpfully, “Until today, we have 832 regular siblings and 128 important members. This data is only temporary as we expect our numbers to grow. It’s difficult to give you an exact idea of what this society will grow into.”
Xia Lei was genuinely surprised. There were already so many members from America alone. Added with members from other countries and areas, there were possibly more than tens of thousands of them!
This was the power of faith and religion!
Giovanna elaborated, “The one billion USD you gave us was helpful. We’ve got churches all across the globe in the middle of its construction and we were able to provide aid to those in need. After you offer them warmth and support when they need it the most, they tend to become devoted followers. That’s how we gain their trust.”
“So… Try not to be too surprised if we manage to reach the scale of the old glorious medieval Knight Hospitallers.” Stella laughed.
Xia Lei was at a loss for words.
As long as the funds were sufficient, building churches in places with demand and reaching out to those in dire situations brought on by poverty and chaos was indeed beneficial for the development of the Relief Society. Perhaps they might really become as huge as the Knight Hospitallers. Sadly, Xia Lei wasn’t sure if he’d live long enough to see that happen.
“Then that’s settled. Please have your siblings investigate Zhu Xuanyue’s whereabouts,” requested Xia Lei.
To which Stella nodded. “Sure, no problem.”
“Boss, there’s something else I wish to tell you but…” Giovanna paused.
“What’s the matter?” Xia Lei tilted his head.
There was a moment of hesitation before Giovanna bit the bullet. “You built those churches and eased their troubles. They refer to you as the… Son of God.”
“Son of God?” Xia Lei spluttered. “What do you mean?”
Giovanna answered, “They claim you are the son of God that had descended from heaven to save them under God’s instructions.”
Rosa chirped, “Those in Africa even said that you’re God’s only son.”
Those revelations brought upon a flood of complex feelings inside of Xia Lei’s gut. Everything that had occurred had reminded him of something inexplicably.
With the powers he received, the prehistoric chosen one led his people to conquer most of the planet. He built his own kingdom and reigned supreme over every inch of his territory. That was why his people had called him the chosen one and saw him as a divine figure.
Tying this to his current situation, wasn’t he also using his capabilities to make the people of China stronger? The Relief Society formed by his four female knights was the source of his powers and its followers had hailed him as God’s only son. They were willing to serve him and even sacrifice themselves in his name. At this rate, was he destined to become the king of this realm?
This felt almost like reincarnation.
“Boss?” Rosa called. “What are you thinking about? Are you upset about it?”
Xia Lei regained his composure. “Uh… No, I wasn’t thinking about anything in particular. I’m not upset either. I can understand their gratitude. However, please don’t treat this like some new religion. I’m no god and I don’t need worshippers. Do you get what I mean?”
Giovanna merely shrugged. “Boss, we’re not trying to play god. They had interpreted it based on everything you’ve done for them. The more you deny it, the more they’d think that you’re just being humble. They will only worship you more than ever.”
Theresa grinned. “Honestly, I too think that you’re our angel. This is not a joke, I mean it.”
Xia Lei was speechless.
“No matter what, we’re yours. We’re willing to do anything for you. Everything we have belongs to you. We were raised this way and so were the members of the Relief Society. So please, just allow things to progress naturally,” uttered Stella.
Xia Lei could only smile wryly. He was only left with around 600 days to live. The development of the Relief Society was the least of his concern. He mentioned, “I’ll hand the Relief Society to your care. If you need money, do not hesitate to reach out to me for more. My hands are soiled with blood. I’m just doing my best to help those in pain to compensate for my sins.”
The four female knights watched him, eyes full with respect and something inexplicable.
Xia Lei brought out his satellite phone and dialled for Qian Jun. “Qian Jun, Hattori Mei is in Las Vegas, Caesar Palace Hotel…”
Qian Jun’s reply rang through the device. “I’ll move right away. Please await my development.”
“After you get there, get in contact with the members of the Relief Society first. They’d provide you with assistance,” instructed Xia Lei.
“The Relief Society?” This was the first time Qian Jun had heard of its existence.
“It’s Giovanna and her sisters’ contact. I’ll hand the device to them now.” Xia Lei passed the satellite phone to Giovanna.
The woman held the device and spoke, “Hi, this is Giovanna. After you reach Las Vegas, head to Pande Town. There is a church there…”
Thus began the very first joint coop mission between the Chinese Zodiac Battle Team and the Relief Society..