Chapter 20: “Encountering” Natasha again
Chapter 20: “Encountering” Natasha again
In the process of achieving his goal, Bi Xiao found that eliminating a piece of trash and also saving some innocent children was beneficial in every way without any drawbacks.
After making up his mind, Bi Xiao continued to experiment with the development of magical powers, mainly refining his control over magic.
Fortunately, he wasn’t a mutant enhanced human prone to emotional instability due to a sudden surge in power, which could become uncontrollable.
His enhancement was comprehensive, including physical health, magical power, and cognition, all integrated.
The surge of power seemed naturally mastered, limited to what he could use and manage quite well, allowing for some creativity but not reaching a precise and subtle level of control.
That's when Bi Xiao had to refine it himself.
He tried various methods and finally established a magic circuit within his body. These circuits, spreading throughout his body via blood vessels and meridians, facilitated the growth of magical power while keeping the body's cells and organs constantly strengthened.
Additionally, he multitasked by manipulating magic to perform transformations in the palm of his hand, such as forming shapes like lions, tigers, or dragons.
The hair and patterns were meticulously crafted.
Or he could manipulate magic at the cellular level to enhance metabolism, protein synthesis, DNA replication, cell division, and maintain nervous system health.
In general, he performed the finest manipulations of magic.
Regardless of the method, it was greatly beneficial to his body.
As the saying goes, "Eat your meals bite by bite, and walk step by step." Bi Xiao was different; he could eat a lot and walk fast without overeating or falling.
Quite rational.
Bi Xiao glanced around; two hundred-meter-diameter pits and collapsed ruins made it look like the area had been bombed by the military. The noise he made was considerable, and although it was in the suburbs with the nearest human settlement a kilometer away, the massive explosion sound would still likely attract attention.
It seemed he needed to find a remote area for further experiments and development.
The journey home was smooth, with no melodramatic incidents. Once home, he leaned on the sofa and scanned the room, already thinking about moving.
He had no particular attachment to this house, although he had lived there for many years.
He knew his savings weren’t much at this point, with significant expenses on food, clothes, and equipment over the months, leaving him with about $35,000.
Mostly old banknotes, which he had specifically saved for dealings with the underworld that required money laundering. Bi Xiao, cautious and initially needing to conceal his identity, had not gotten involved in those dealings due to his lesser need for money.
Now, he wanted a new house, a temporary place to stay.
Especially since traveling to other areas for killings and returning to Queens was inconvenient due to the distance.
The house didn’t need to be luxurious; ideally, he would have one in every district, and a car was also on his list. He still didn’t have a driver’s license; in New York, it could take about two months to get one, plus another year accompanied by someone else.
Quite complex and troublesome.
But Bi Xiao already had a solution for this, including getting a fake license and hacking into the Bureau of Transportation database to alter records.
He also planned to get a motorcycle.
After noting these plans, Bi Xiao changed into a white wool sweater and a black coat, and denim jeans, then headed out again. It was already night, and he didn’t feel like cooking, so he went out to eat. His area, though crowded and somewhat messy, had the advantage of being lively with many restaurants, fast-food places, and supermarkets nearby.
So he quickly found a restaurant, took a seat by the window, and ordered some food. While waiting, a familiar figure entered the door.
The woman scanned the room, then her eyes lit up and she walked straight toward Bi Xiao.
"Hey, Shaw, can I sit here?"
Bi Xiao saw the woman and chuckled inwardly but agreed: "You weren’t this polite before, Jenny. Please, have a seat."
"It’s been a while, I’ve been so busy with the clinic, I haven’t had time to cook, so I came here. I didn’t expect to run into you."
The woman was naturally Natasha, an undercover S.H.I.E.L.D agent, who seemed to be complaining but was really just providing a legitimate reason for being there.
Bi Xiao understood her implication but didn’t expose her.
Watching Jenny order quite a bit of food, obviously for the sake of authenticity, they started to chat casually.
"I haven’t seen you around for a few days, you haven’t been out for your morning runs?"
"I’ve been reading at home recently, so you know."
I understand all too well, you’ve been quite busy these days.
Natasha pretended to understand, but inside she was skeptical. Coulson had informed her of a bizarre incident at a Brooklyn bar named Stonewall, where a massacre had unfolded with many strange details.
Witness testimonies described a female bartender turning to ash after being beheaded, and sounds of battle indicating a fight, but no bodies were found afterward.
Many guns, ammunition, and bullet holes were left at the scene, with some ash tested showing no DNA information.
Just some scattered blood samples.
Considering Bi Xiao’s departure and subsequent taxi driver’s testimony, along with the surveillance footage being taken, she and Coulson were convinced that the Stonewall bar incident was the work of the seemingly cheerful and handsome man before her.
Despite many strange and puzzling elements, Natasha had t
o brave the risks and "accidentally" meet Bi Xiao. Honestly, her curiosity was piqued.