Facing Mercenary Tao (Second Update, 3K Words)

Bai Cangshu had barely entered the mission world when he discovered that his reputation with the Vought Faction had become negative. He quickly found the reason: the survivor from Team 9527 had likely replaced Translucent by some means, thereby gaining a certain degree of influence over the situation.

After some brief thought, Bai Cangshu abandoned the Black Robe Faction. Choosing them when both sides of reincarnators knew the plot was no different from using an egg to strike a stone.

Once Homelander was persuaded, the Black Robe Faction would have no ability to resist at all.

Following the rule that the Space’s descriptions were extremely precise, Bai Cangshu soon realized that what had been affected was Vought International—the Vought Faction—not The Seven or Homelander himself.

Vought International was indeed immensely powerful. Its people were embedded throughout the military and government, and as a monopolistic giant in genetic weaponry, it wielded tremendous influence across every industry.

But ultimately, all of that stemmed from its control over Compound V, the genetic drug capable of creating Supernatural Ability Users.

By injecting infants with Compound V, those babies would develop superpowers once they grew up, while this phenomenon was dressed up as something they had been born with.

Even adults, provided their genes were stable, could forcibly awaken superpowers by injecting Compound V. However, such awakenings were highly unstable and could only last for a period of time. Prolonged use would cause genetic collapse and irreversible bodily damage, eventually leading to death.

The drug’s greatest successes were the first-generation Soldier Boy and the modern-day Homelander.

They were the two best results among countless test subjects.

Neither had developed degraded genes, and both had mutated into the finest possible specimens, granting them strength far beyond that of ordinary Ability Users.

Based on the plot, Bai Cangshu knew that Homelander actually hated being controlled. But Homelander was not particularly bright; he was an exceptionally powerful man who was very easy to "use."

That led to Bai Cangshu’s subsequent series of choices. After successfully defeating A-Train and seeing Homelander float over, Bai Cangshu presented his plan. Just as he had expected, Homelander did not attack him at any cost, sparing Bai Cangshu from having to rashly use the incomplete Secret Treasure: Cursed Blood Homology or the Werewolf Bloodline item.

Bai Cangshu had some guesses about the incomplete Secret Treasure: Cursed Blood Homology as well. If Kibutsuji Muzan had turned himself into a Man-eating Demon that could not withstand sunlight when all he lacked was the Blue Spider Lily, then Bai Cangshu might become some sort of opposite creature.

However, once Homelander accepted Bai Cangshu’s plan and intended to recruit gang members, including those from B45, Bai Cangshu no longer needed to take that risk. Homelander brought Bai Cangshu to Vought Headquarters and erased all records of the two of them appearing at the scene.

That was what had confused Queen Maeve. Homelander should clearly have rushed to the scene immediately, yet afterward, there was no trace of Homelander at all.

At that moment, under Bai Cangshu’s "guidance," Homelander nearly felt as though he had finally found the root of the problem that had plagued him all along.

It was because he had been "bound" by those people, who used so-called polling numbers and approval ratings to influence his decisions.

They had made him believe that he could only gain support by pretending to be some kind of wholesome good guy.

But Mercenary Tao had given him another answer.

"Look, B45 is a gang. They’re social lowlifes everyone hates, but what about now…"

"The entire country is obsessed with them. Teenagers imitate them and form neighborhood gangs. Celebrities and politicians are jumping on the trend too, fabricating stories about how they came from the bottom at one point in their lives."

Bai Cangshu did not speak loudly, but to Homelander, every word was a pearl of wisdom. He had perfectly voiced the thoughts in Homelander’s heart.

"Everyone needs recognition from others. So do those 1.4 million gang members, the group that used to fear you the most."

"Homelander, as long as you step forward now and speak for them, you’ll immediately become the hero in their hearts."

"And these people won’t blame you for being a little brutal when arresting someone, nor will they care what you usually do. They only care about one thing—you’re strong. You’re stronger than anyone else!"

Homelander let out a long breath and shook his head. He felt higher than he had ever been.

Unable to restrain himself, he nodded repeatedly, constantly affirming Bai Cangshu’s ideas.

"You’re right. Tao… what was it again? Who cares? You’re fucking right!"

"Black Noir, cooperate with him. Meet any request he has. I’m going to deal with that matter first. It’s time for my 1.4 million supporters to realize that someone in this world will still uphold justice for them!"

Whoosh.

Homelander was incredibly fast as well. He could fly at Mach 3, three times the speed of sound, and even on the ground, he was not much slower than A-Train.

In virtually an instant, Homelander appeared in the operations department and found the person responsible for coordinating with him.

"Arrange a press conference for me immediately. I’ll resolve the stampede incident in the Clinton District."

His tone brooked no refusal. Ashley from the operations department panicked slightly and instinctively looked toward the president’s office.

Homelander noticed this. Red light glowed in his eyes as Heat Vision gathered, ready to fire. The operations staff cried out and instinctively prepared to throw themselves to the floor.

Looking at these people, who normally dressed like elite professionals yet now trembled like insects at the mere sight of his eyes, Homelander became even more convinced that Mercenary Tao was right.

"I said, arrange a press conference immediately. My press conference."

"I don’t need anyone’s permission. Don’t you understand?"

With those words carrying a heavy threat of death, no one dared oppose him any longer. They immediately began notifying the various media outlets, while someone also contacted President Stillwell.

But the blonde woman only frowned and thought for a moment before choosing to yield.

She keenly realized that this time, Homelander had made a decision without coming to see her.

His mindset had changed. Angering Homelander now would likely cause their relationship to deteriorate rapidly.

She was not ready to truly sacrifice her body and sex appeal to control Homelander. That method could only ever be a final measure.

And so, Homelander successfully held the press conference.

To the astonishment of everyone, including Vought International’s operations staff, Homelander did not condemn the B45 Gang members who had caused the disastrous outcome.

Instead, he spoke on their behalf.

"I believe the situation at the scene was far too complicated. These pitiful people from the bottom of society were merely heading to help others who were equally pitiful and in trouble, only to be stopped by a group of overbearing police officers in the complicated environment of the Clinton District."

"Then, the bullet fired at gang leader Popi completely sent the incident out of control."

Homelander’s speech made his stance perfectly clear. He intended to speak for the B45 Gang and had firmly placed himself against the federal government.

The matter immediately caused a sensation and set off another wave of online frenzy.

Large numbers of gang members and lower-class people disillusioned with the government became convinced that government personnel had deliberately caused this incident in order to frame the B45 Gang.

At the same time, they felt genuine reverence for Homelander, who had spoken up for them.

Homelander’s support began to rise at a noticeable rate.

Homelander smiled brilliantly and continued posting statements online. He would seek the fairest possible treatment for the B45 Gang’s leaders. If not, when justice was no more, he would personally carry it out.

These nearly insane remarks stirred up a bloody storm for a time. Some believed Homelander was too extreme, but those who had long accumulated resentment toward the government and capital only felt that Homelander was exactly what they wanted, and began supporting him fervently.

Meanwhile, Bai Cangshu looked at the silent Black Noir and took the initiative to speak.

"Can you take me to see an old friend of mine now?"

He wore a grim smile. Black Noir could tell with a single glance that Bai Cangshu was thinking about how to kill someone.

Black Noir hesitated, and Bai Cangshu spoke at just that moment.

"Do you remember? When Homelander left, he told you to fulfill any request I made."

"You should know that from this point onward, The Seven are history. Homelander has no need for a fake Translucent."

Black Noir was persuaded. He quickly brought Bai Cangshu to the thirty-third floor, to Vought International’s internal medical ward, which was equipped with the finest medical conditions and technological equipment.

A clear smile lay on Bai Cangshu’s face as he arrived outside a spotless hospital room. Black Noir leaned against the wall and merely used his authorization to swipe the door open without entering.

Bai Cangshu walked into the room alone and saw a pale, youthful face.

"Hello, survivor of 9527…"

Hearing the voice, Wuxin opened his eyes. His face filled with terror as he stared at the ugly red face that had appeared before him.

His body instinctively turned transparent, but when he tried to move, the sharp pain in his chest quickly left him short of breath. A blade had pierced his lung. If not for Vought International’s technology, he should have been dead by now.

Bai Cangshu gently patted the other man’s wound. His hand quickly became sticky, yet the man’s blood was transparent too.

He said, "You’re different from this world’s Translucent. No, rather, your ability was never a superpower created by Compound V."

It had been mentioned before that this world’s superpowers actually conformed closely to physical principles.

Translucent’s invisibility changed the carbon molecular structure of his cells, allowing light to pass through him and making him transparent.

But such an ability clearly could not make his clothes transparent as well.

Therefore, the several invisible people in The Boys World all had to remove their clothes to become completely invisible.

When Bai Cangshu fought this reincarnator and grabbed him, he had clearly felt the man’s clothes. That was how he knew the man’s ability was not a superpower from this world. Likewise, he would not possess that diamond-like defensive power.

"You can’t kill me!"

"I hid the thing you want. If you kill me, you won’t be able to find it either!"

Wuxin dispelled his invisibility. His face was pale, but he forced himself to remain calm as he negotiated with Bai Cangshu.

At the same time, in the cell holding several women responsible for the building attack, one of the women had somehow turned into Kalpa.

He pressed his palms together. Golden chakra light shone forth, and the guards outside seemed to lose their souls as they walked over and opened the cell door.