Chapter 62

The final result of the negotiations was that Zhou Yi would provide two complete sets of Dawn Armor, while the Department of Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics (SHIELD) would offer about 200 pounds of Adamantium and possibly the last 5 pounds of Vibranium in the world.

Both parties were very satisfied with this deal. They had exchanged things that were not very useful to them for what they most urgently needed. This was especially important for Zhou Yi.

He needed Adamantium to develop the latest Alpha Nano Metal and also to store a considerable amount to make weapons for himself. A single unfinished spear was far from meeting his weapon needs. He needed better metals to create more advanced weapons.

The plan had been temporarily put on hold due to the scarcity of Adamantium, but now that SHIELD had come forward, he was not averse to taking the opportunity to snatch the metal from General Striker, who possessed it.

As for how General Striker felt about the demands of the powerful figures behind SHIELD, that was not something Zhou Yi needed to consider.

Seeing Coulson and Maria Hill to the gate, Zhou Yi patted Coulson's shoulder affectionately and said with a satisfied smile, "I am very satisfied with this deal. Compared to the cooperation you mentioned earlier, I think this transaction is the most important consensus we reached today!"

"Um! Although you say that, I still think our previous cooperation talks are more important," Coulson said, straightening his face. "I look forward to inviting you to join us again with a team that will satisfy you."

"Let's talk about that when you find the right teammates," Zhou Yi waved his hand, not believing that Coulson could easily resolve the matter. After all, the Avengers he knew, except for the two working for SHIELD, were either still sleeping or had not been born yet. So, he was in no rush on this issue.

"Alright, then. See you next time," Coulson extended his hand and said sincerely.

"Of course!" Zhou Yi returned the gesture and then turned his gaze to Maria Hill. "Miss Hill, I hope you can set aside your prejudices when we meet next, even though I still don't know where they come from."

Looking at Zhou Yi's extended hand, Maria Hill lightly touched it, barely acknowledging it, and then walked away without looking back. Although her behavior was rather cold, it was at least a slight improvement in attitude compared to before.

This was enough for Zhou Yi. He did not intend to have a deeper relationship with the sharp-tongued ice queen. He just wanted to maintain a normal relationship to avoid conflict with the organization she represented.

Coulson seemed a bit awkward about Maria Hill's cold response. Her behavior today was unexpected. He tried to smooth things over by saying, "Perhaps Commander Hill had some personal emotions today. Normally, she's not like this."

"Relax, I don't hold grudges against women," Zhou Yi said, patting his shoulder and glancing at Commander Hill, who was already in the car. "It's not easy for a woman to reach this position. They have to give up a lot. So, you don't need to explain anything; I understand."

Coulson pursed his lips and looked relieved.

"It's great that you understand. Well, we won't disturb you further. Goodbye."

"Goodbye!"

Watching Zhou Yi and his vampire assistant slowly disappear from view, Coulson let out a long breath. He adjusted his tie and looked at Commander Hill, who was driving with a cold expression, and asked, puzzled, "Can I ask why?"

"Better not," Commander Hill said with her usual icy demeanor. "This was a personal issue, and I will reflect on it. Don't worry, it won't happen again."

"That's the best," Coulson muttered. "I was sweating bullets just now. Honestly, I was really worried about being thrown out. You know, he's strong enough to lift a giant airliner."

"He wouldn't do that. I know him well enough," Commander Hill said without a hint of apology, explaining matter-of-factly.

"That's what worries me the most," Coulson thought to himself, looking at the focused Commander Hill. As an excellent analyst, he found Commander Hill's unusual attitude toward the Dawn Knight concerning. Neither of them was easy to deal with.

"That lady's attitude is really strange," Serana, hugging Zhou Yi's arm, asked curiously. "Did you do something to offend her?"

"I wish it were that simple," Zhou Yi shook his head. "But I'm sorry, I just met her recently."

"Then it must be a clash of star signs. What a pity, if I knew more about her, I could help you check," Serana had a strange hobby—astrology. Who knew how a vampire developed such a peculiar interest. Honestly, Zhou Yi was afraid she would attribute everything to the stars.

But he had his own way with the vampire girl.

He smiled mischievously.

"Do you want to know about star signs? Then let's find a quiet place to study them."

"Wait, you bad guy. What are you going to do?" The vampire girl called out, blushing, and then ran away in a panic. Zhou Yi smiled. The vampire girl was already his, so there was no need to rush.

Flirting had become a daily activity for Zhou Yi. For General William Striker, who dedicated his life to eradicating mutants, torturing the mutants he captured and seeking ways to eliminate them was his daily routine.

William Striker, an unknown U.S. Army Brigadier General, rarely appeared before arms dealers. But this did not mean he was a powerless general. On the contrary, he controlled a highly specialized organization that did not even report to the President. His authority came from the Security Council behind SHIELD.

These were the true power holders in the world, with terrifying power far exceeding that of the President.

However, in front of the Security Council, the organization controlled by General Striker was just a pawn, far from matching SHIELD. Even so, he still wielded significant power.

Generally, powerful people would pursue personal desires. But General Striker had no such flaws. He was not interested in women, nor was he greedy for wealth, and he had no particular hobbies. He had a strict military demeanor and treated his subordinates well. Such a general was extremely rare among the top officers in the United States.

But there was one thing: he harbored an intense hatred for mutants, to the point of dedicating his life to their eradication. The reason for this hatred was a tragic story.

The tragedy came from a mutant, and this mutant was none other than his son. Mutant genes are recessively inherited, passed down through the paternal line. Some people never awaken these genes and remain normal. But when their direct descendants awaken, they break free from this restriction and become mutants.

William Striker's son, Jason Striker, was a mutant who had awakened and possessed a powerful ability. William's tragedy stemmed from his son.

Jason's ability was to create illusions, influencing others with the brainwaves he generated. These illusions could be endless, depending on what Jason imagined.

This ability was extremely dangerous, especially for a child. A child's brain is not under their control, and their natural tendency to fantasize, which is usually a good thing, became a disaster for the Striker family.

William and his wife were repeatedly driven to the brink of madness by the illusions created by their son. To save their nearly shattered family, he took his son to Professor Charles Xavier's school, seeking help from the world's most powerful telepath.

At that time, although William Striker worked for an organization that strongly opposed mutants, it was only because of orders from above. Due to his son's problem, he still had some sympathy for most mutants.

Because of his work, he understood Professor Xavier's power and had great hope that he could handle Jason's ability. But he was wrong, underestimating the strength of his son's power. Jason's illusions were so powerful that even the Professor was at a loss. Jason's illusions could even affect the Professor's abilities.

Although the Professor wanted to bring William to his side, he had no choice but to let William take his son back home. Jason's power was too strong, and the Professor did not dare to risk keeping him at the school, as it would pose a threat to the other students.

This decision sealed William's tragedy. Unable to bear Jason's increasingly powerful and terrifying illusions, William's wife, driven to the brink of madness, drilled a hole through her temple with a power drill.

The perfect family was shattered instantly. William not only lost his wife but, in a sense, also lost his son. When this great tragedy struck, William made a lifelong decision.

He would eradicate the evil mutant race from the world, by any means necessary.