Kestin was finally here. He staggered along very slowly with more than ten large and small cuts on him. It was already a miracle that he could walk since he had been stabbed in the chest.
Xia Lei’s eyes were focused on Kestin. To him, any part of Kestin was a target. All he had to do was pull the trigger and Kestin would die.
Should he kill or capture Kestin?
After a moment’s hesitation, he chose the former.
Kestin might not provide the information he needed despite the capture, and keeping him alive was a threat to his women and children, even China. After all, Kestin still had an ongoing Dragon Slayer project.
After making his decision, Xia Lei focused on Kestin’s chest and aimed his XL2500 assault rifle at his heart.
However, just as he was ready to shoot, Kestin suddenly retreated back into Cave 13.
Xia Lei furrowed his brows. “Did he see me? I’m two thousand metres away and lying on my stomach on this roof. He must have eaten the AE capsule too to be super-evolved like me if he did see me.”
Xia Lei’s suspicion had been confirmed in the underground pyramid because Kestin was almost as powerful as Xia Lei in terms of strength and agility. Plus Xia Lei could not penetrate Kestin’s mind at all. Kestin’s ability to develop the Dragon Slayer war machine was also evidence.
If that was the case, Kestin must die.
Xia Lei got up and prepared to head down to kill Kestin in Cave 13. That was when he heard a soft voice behind. Turning around abruptly, he saw a stunning face behind him.
He had no idea when Zhu Xuanyue arrived.
All four eyes locked in a gaze. One naked, one clothed… One pair cold, one pair nervous.
A few seconds later, Zhu Xuanyue broke the silence. “I knew what you wanted to do the moment you left. Do you really want to kill a follower of mine that badly?”
“I just want to know what truly happened. Give me an answer and I’ll go now.”
Her eyes turned icier. “Do you really think I won’t kill you?”
“I know you will and you’ve made it clear. You no longer owe me anything and you will kill me if you want. Killing me won’t bring you any benefits though. If you let me leave, it is not out of compassion but because I am still worth something to you, right? It’s the same as what the prehistoric chosen one thought. That was why he gave me three years and forced me to eat the last AE capsule. What the hell do both of you want?”
Zhu Xuanyue knitted her brows but did not answer his question.
“What do you both want from me?” asked Xia Lei.
Zhu Xuanyue shook her head. “One day, you’ll understand. But not right now.”
“Then tell me, who is Kestin? He has swallowed the AE capsule too, right?” Xia Lei changed the subject.
“Just go, I will not answer any of your questions.”
Xia Lei was unwilling to move.
“It’s best you leave now. Kestin has already contacted the American CIA and they have dispatched troops over. You have about twenty minutes to leave. Even I cannot guarantee your survival if you’re too late.”
It was a subtle threat.
However, he was unconvinced and even smiled. “You and the prehistoric chosen one can kill me so easily yet you all are keeping me alive. I am still spared even when I try to fight you two. I am now a little more confident about what you need from me.”
“What do you think it is?”
“I do not know it yet but I’ll figure it out soon. You don’t have to tell me. I’ll work with the prehistoric chosen one and give him the thing you both want,” said Xia Lei.
Far away, Kestin walked out of Cave 13. He did not walk in this direction but chose to lie down on an empty piece of land. He was waiting for the CIA reinforcements.
But Xia Lei had already given up on his plan to kill Kestin. With Zhu Xuanyue here, he would not succeed. After keeping his XL2500 assault rifle, he walked downstairs.
“Will you really choose him?” came Zhu Xuanyue’s voice.
Xia Lei turned to look at Zhu Xuanyue. “You were the one who pushed me into making this decision. When I almost died in the underground pyramid, Kestin said you wanted to kill me and he had designed the death trap. How could I continue to work with you, if you and Kestin treat me like that while you still owe me a favour?”
He continued walking down the stairs.
“He is…” Zhu Xuanyue hesitated but eventually blurted, “Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci.
Xia Lei stopped walking out of shock.
Kestin was Da Vinci!
One of the smartest people in human history.
In the future, history might write Xia Lei as the smartest person but during Xia Lei’s lifetime, the most intelligent person was still Da Vinci. So that was why he was about to conceive the Dragon Slayer project.
How was a person alive during the High Renaissance period alive today? When he died, he was recorded to be a white-haired old man yet Kestin was a young, handsome blond. Based on his physical appearance, he was no more than thirty years old.
Da Vinci was born on the 23rd of April, 1452 and died on the 2nd of May, 1519 at 67 years old. This was recorded in history and remained undisputed. If that was not true, based on his birth year, he must be at least 560 years old now!
How could a person live this long?
The part he was most confounded by was that if Da Vinci was Zhu Xuanyue’s follower, why did he not resurrect her himself? In truth, Zhu Xuanyue would not have resurrected in this era without his help. Maybe after a hundred years, maybe after hundreds of years.
Amidst Xia Lei’s shock and confusion, Zhu Xuanyue replied flatly, “I know what you’re thinking about. I can tell you the truth but you must agree not to work with the prehistoric chosen one.
Xia Lei nodded and turned to look at Zhu Xuanyue with a smile. “Of course I would prefer to work with you. Two women I love are in your body.”
He was not willing to work with either but this was part of his strategy. Xia Lei, Zhu Xuanyue and the prehistoric chosen one were like the Wei, Shu and Wu kingdoms during the Warring Kingdoms era. He was currently the weakest, Shu. If he wanted to continue living, he must not make both of them his enemy at the same time, instead choosing to work with whoever who benefited him. These were just verbal promises anyway, it did not cost him money.
Xia Lei’s smile and proclamation of love seemed to have touched the two other women in her body for her gaze softened for a moment. It was just a flicker, her eyes turning cold immediately after. “I’m warning you, do not try waking them up again.”
He shrugged. “I did not do anything, that was all you. Tell me the truth.”
“You think he has consumed the AE capsules? You’re wrong because the world’s only AE capsule was in that piece of amber but it is now in your body.”
“If it’s not the AE capsule, then Da Vinci…”
“It’s just biotechnology from our world. He’s not the Da Vinci that lived since the Renaissance era either. He is just a clone I created using his genes and biological components. I injected some of my powers during his cloning process so he would become smarter and stronger. I need a helper like him to complete my plans.”
That was the truth.
During the Renaissance period, Da Vinci had met Zhu Xuanyue and fallen in love with this demon. Since he was the smartest person in the world, Zhu Xuanyue took him under her wing. Then, she cloned him to proceed with her plans. Kestin’s current appearance was exactly as Da Vinci’s younger self. Since he already possessed extremely high intelligence, after the addition of Zhu Xuanyue’s powers obtained from consuming humans, this Da Vinci clone was even more powerful than the original!
If Zhu Xuanyue could make a body for herself in India, she obviously also had the ability to clone Da Vinci.
“You mentioned your plan again. What the hell is it? Are you really going to destroy this world?” probed Xia Lei, holding back his shock.
“It’s time for you to go.”
“Last question,” said Xia Lei. “Tell me, why are you performing missions for the US?”
“For the US?” Zhu Xuanyue laughed. “With the powers I wield, do you really think I’m working for the US? Do you think they’re paying me a salary?” She pointed at Da Vinci. “Leonardo’s descendants formed the wealthiest clan in the world, his family can influence the US both politically and economically. They’re even as powerful as the top decision-makers. Tell me, am I working for the US or is the US working for me?”
A chill went down his spine.
The US was the most powerful country in the world. If a demon was controlling it through special channels in the shadows, it would spell huge trouble for the world!
“I have already told you the truth, you should go,” she said flatly. “Do not forget our agreement. If you choose him, I will destroy everything you have. Your Thunder Horse Group, your wife and children and even your home country.”
Her tone was flat and nonchalant but it bore the heaviest threats.
“You’re very impressive. You’ll get what you want in the end.” He then turned to leave.
He had just left the Alliance Mining factory area when more than ten helicopters appeared in the sky, including Apache and Chinook aircraft. From far, Xia Lei could see the CIA agents and elite task force soldiers in the Chinook, plus FA Group members, Yan Fo and Augustan, as well as elite armed fighters from the FA Group.
However, Xia Lei was no longer worried about them. Since Zhu Xuanyue had let him go, the American soldiers and CIA would not come after him. The FA Group would never cross Zhu Xuanyue either.
Xia Lei’s Nigerian adventures had come to an end.
As he walked along the tracks, he felt utterly exhausted.