Chapter 81 – Louvre Museum
Recon finished; Zhang Xuan moved to the next stage of the plan—hunt for the real treasure.
According to HYDRA's files, deep beneath the Louvre lies its vault, where the authentic versions of many paintings are stored.
Right now, however, Zhang was simply wandering the underground passages, memorizing the outer routes so his getaway would be smoother.
While casing the place, he ran into someone he knew.
"Felicia?!"
A few hundred metres ahead, Felicia was studying a small painting, a faint smile on her lips.
It was as if she already considered herself the owner of the canvas.
Zhang walked up behind her and tapped her shoulder, startling her out of her reverie.
"Boss?!"
She spun around, and when she saw it was Zhang, she exclaimed in surprise.
Once upon a time, she and Missy had been employees Zhang recruited, but for certain special reasons they'd ended up jobless.
While the two of them sat hugging each other and cursing Zhang the big con-man, they received a text message.
It was an offer to become Osborn Group's "mess-cleaners."
They hadn't believed it at first, but seconds later Zhang called and told them to report to Osborn Group for work.
After refusing once, they promptly swallowed the words "we're inexperienced, we're too young, we don't know Osborn's business" the moment they heard the monthly salary.
"Boss, we swear loyalty to you unto death."
After that, the two of them began running the nearly defunct Osborn Group.
Because the author was too lazy to think of a new name, Osborn Group kept its old one, though the interior had been completely overhauled.
Shareholders with clean records but meddlesome habits were quietly brought under HYDRA's control; those whose crimes were beyond redemption were simply eliminated by HYDRA in the shadows.
Thus the two girls became Osborn's sole voice, letting them take control of the conglomerate without a hitch.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be busy earning money for me instead of sightseeing?"
Zhang delivered the classic heartless-boss line.
Felicia rolled her eyes. "Boss, it's Missy's and my vacation."
Zhang gaped in shock and fury. "Missy's here too? If both of you leave, who's running the company?"
Seeing his ugly capitalist face that wanted to squeeze the last drop of blood from employees, Felicia was full of disdain.
"Boss, the new company rule: the weekly two-day weekends can be saved up; as long as it won't seriously affect profits, staff may take leave whenever."
"Who?! Who made that rule?! I'm the boss and I didn't know!"
Felicia pointed at herself, beaming. "I did."
Zhang simply couldn't stand seeing his subordinates so relaxed; every day he had to hunt brand-new sinful items to grind his passive skills.
His employees actually got holidays?! He couldn't remember the last time he'd given himself one.
He and his clones sometimes collapsed foaming from exhaustion, yet even then he never thought of resting, toiling away diligently every single day.
"Felicia, this is too much. I, the boss, work hard every day, yet you give those people such long vacations?"
If Felicia didn't chat with Wanda now and then and know exactly what Zhang's "work" entailed, she might have been fooled by his hardworking act.
"Boss, don't kid yourself. You only deal with a dozen people a day; I'm handling the survival issues of tens of thousands."
"I don't care—you have to cancel their leave. Two days off a month is the limit I can stomach."
"Two days a month?!" Missy's voice rang out behind him. "Boss, you're the real boss here—so bossy."
Missy looked more mature now, but still wore her trademark wine-red glasses.
Zhang stared at her with the same disappointed, rotten-capitalist expression:
"Missy, I never thought you'd fall too, letting the evil Felicia mislead you. How can humans have two-day weekends?"
"Weekends are outright blasphemy to capitalist society; in this country, even taking a holiday is disrespectful to capital."
"Nine-to-nine, six days a week is your blessing; seven-twenty-four is the most basic, most perfect work schedule."
Missy didn't catch the 724 part and asked, "What's 724? I know 996."
Hearing Zhang's outrageous words, Felicia was so shocked she didn't dare look at him.
She was afraid that if she looked any longer, Osborn's vacations would turn into paid-leave schemes.
Passers-by who overheard Zhang also shot him disgusted glances.
Only the patrolling Curator's eyes lit up; he even produced a notebook and fountain pen, ready to jot down whatever Zhang said next.
Zhang stuck out his tongue, his face twisted in a vicious grin, eyes like a ferocious Pleasant Goat, and declared:
"Seven-by-twenty-four means seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, multiplied by 356 days a year. Base salary at the legal minimum, the rest paid by performance."
"And I'll pour more money into every country to quietly rewrite their labor laws."
"If anyone finds out, I'll use the media to bury the story and leave them with nowhere to file a labor complaint."
The museum director nodded approvingly; he would go back and redesign the museum's work schedule—these people were too idle.
Every time he saw employees on break or sipping tea, he felt as if coins were dropping out of his pocket.
Young Missy and Felicia were horrified—someone could actually conceive such fiendishness.
Both edged away from Zhang with looks of utter revulsion.
Seeing the two beauties leave, Zhang rubbed his twisted, jealous, rotten-capitalist visage, restored his normal face, and hurried after them.
"Wait—why are you two here?" Zhang caught Felicia's forearm and pulled her close, whispering:
"Besides, Felicia, the way you looked at that painting wasn't normal."
Felicia's cheek against Zhang's chest flushed pink; hearing his words, her expression turned flustered.
"Y-you're talking nonsense. I don't plan to steal that painting tonight or anything."
Missy: ( ﾟжﾟ ) "Girl, aren't we just sightseeing?"
Realizing she'd said too much, Felicia dragged the two of them away in a hurry.
Only after they were outside the Louvre did she relax a little.
"Can you two stop spouting nonsense? Why would I steal a painting at night?"
Felicia protested that they actually suspected her of art theft.
Missy: "I didn't say anything."
Zhang nodded. "You said it all yourself."
Felicia tapped her chin, recalling—indeed, neither of them had said a word.
Crap, I jumped the gun; that line was supposed to come after they questioned me. Nerves made me blurt it out first.
Chapter 82 – The Louvre Renovation Crew
Zhang Xuan looked at Felicia with a grin, while Missy was clearly terrified.
Felicia took a deep breath, on the verge of exploding.
Ugh~ Σ_(꒪ཀ꒪」∠)!
The stench that wafted over made Felicia almost throw up her lunch.
Oh, too late—she already had.
Zhang Xuan quickly pulled out a gas mask and connected it to an oxygen tank.
His muffled laughter reached Felicia's ears. "Romantic Paris—want to settle down here?"
Felicia tried to yank off his mask, but Zhang Xuan blocked her hand.
Missy ran back indoors, where the air was slightly less lethal.
Felicia tried to follow, but Zhang Xuan held her back.
"Let go of me, you damn—" Felicia struggled, yet her strength was nothing to him.
"Ugh~ Σ_(꒪ཀ꒪」∠)!"
"Bast—bastard, let go… ugh…"
She vomited again. Locals smirked at the sight; no one intervened—watching a beauty suffer was rare entertainment.
Some even sipped coffee amid the stench, filming her retching.
A glance at the footage confirmed: a gorgeous girl puking was his favorite scene.
Zhang Xuan ignored them, but her slur stung; he wanted to show her just how popular a certain type could be.
Yet seeing tears in her eyes, Zhang Xuan—no monster—softened and led her to safety.
Paris was one giant stink-cloud; Felicia and Missy feared stepping outside.
Watching Felicia, Missy lost all desire to leave.
"Paris is terrifying—every corner's a toilet."
Zhang Xuan decided to show them the city's cleaner outskirts.
"Come with me—I'll show you the Paris beyond the tourist traps."
Missy agreed eagerly; Felicia rolled her eyes but nodded.
Zhang Xuan contacted HYDRA's France chief and whisked the girls to a rural village.
The car would take half an hour; meanwhile he walked Felicia through the museum's layout.
"Got the route memorized?"
He asked as she studied every exit.
"All of it. The two heavy security doors are the worst—if we're slow, we're trapped."
She kept walking, noting details.
"I'll handle the big gate; you just get me out," Zhang Xuansaid.
Felicia hesitated. "You sure? That gate's twenty centimeters thick—grenade-proof."
"And the glass is ballistic-rated; without pro gear you won't scratch it."
He tapped his mask. "Child's play. I'll demo once we're outside."
Seeing his confidence, Felicia brightened.
"Then I'll enjoy the show, Boss~"
Missy: I might be surplus, but running now would be worse.
She timidly raised a hand to remind them she existed.
(っ¯͒﹏¯͒c)ノ
"C-cabinet…"
Zhang Xuan's alarm blared. "Where's the cabinet?"
Seeing his murderous look, Missy quickly explained:
"N-no! I meant… can I sit this out? I'm slow—I'll hold you back."
Zhang Xuan smirked: (｀∇´)ψ
He hoisted Missy by her shirt.
"No way. You're in. If you can't run, I'll carry you—light as a chick—"
Rrrrip—
His hands froze; Missy landed on her feet.
Good thing they'd ducked into a secluded corner.
Missy: (งᵒ̌dishᵒ̌)ง
Zhang Xuan: ╮( •́ω•̀ )╭ Oops, overplayed it.
A minute later, Missy emerged in Zhang Xuan's spare clothes.
"Missy, it was my bad—but did you have to hit that hard?"
Zhang Xuan: (#•̌mouth•̑(#)
Missy: "Hmph!"
Felicia snickered, then echoed "Hmph!" and followed Missy.
(｡･∀･)ﾉﾞ "Hey, exit's this way."
Missy spun round, passing him with another
(˃ ⤙ ˂ )ა "Hmph!"
Felicia copied her, giggling, and marched off.
Rubbing his swollen cheek, Zhang Xuan wondered if his defense had tanked or if Missy was secretly some alien powerhouse.
Two slaps had shattered his mask and puffed his face like a balloon.
"Must be the fury of a mortified woman…"
They reached the exit; soon the car arrived.
"Ladies, time to board."
Zhang Xuan opened the door with gentlemanly flair for the still-harrumphing pair.
He shut the rear door—two seats only—and moved to the front.
But as he reached for it, the car drove off.
Zhang Xuan: ( ´ﾟωﾟ)? Wasn't this my ride? I'm still outside!
Inside, the fuming Missy blinked at Felicia.
Felicia lost it, bursting into laughter.
Missy joined in, while the driver—unaware he'd soon be posted to the worst Middle East detail—chuckled along.
When the car finally returned, the driver was near tears—an epic career-fail scene.
"Terribly sorry, sir. I didn't know there were three guests, and your face…"
He half-turned, avoiding the vivid slap-marks on Zhang Xuan's cheek.
He stifled a laugh to keep his job.
The ladies in back couldn't; even faded, the red handprint was comedy gold.
"Heh-heh… heh-heh…"
"Ah-haha…"
Zhang Xuan: (#)▀ʖ̯▀(#)
Half an hour of highway later they stopped at a quiet estate gate.
The gates swung open; the car rolled up to a towering castle.
Inside, all three were dazzled.
A medieval castle, lavishly renovated.
Outside, crumbling yellow stone; within, a hidden paradise behind the walls.
Chapter 83 – The Ministry of Agriculture's Castle
Past the city wall, what greeted them wasn't the castle gate, but another gate. Inside it, an Old Man stood smiling as he welcomed them.
Through the gate behind the Old Man, the castle's lavish interior could be seen.
The car stopped in front of the gate. The Old Man eagerly stepped forward to open the door—only to find two stunning women inside.
The Old Man's expression flickered; he stuck his head in to look around.
He asked the two, "Who are you?"
The women were still dumbfounded—why had this Old Man suddenly stuck his head in?
"I'm over here."
Zhang Xuan opened the passenger door and stepped out.
The Old Man straightened, turned toward the voice, and, seeing Zhang Xuan, exhaled in relief—though his face was now grave.
"Marshal, please verify your identity."
As he spoke, an elegant butler emerged from the open vestibule, holding what looked like a palm-print scanner.
Zhang Xuan, slightly surprised, still placed his hand on the device.
The Old Man tightened his grip on his cane, ready to strike; inside the castle, hidden cameras and weapons locked onto Zhang Xuan under the control of the back-room staff.
Then the device chimed: "Identity verified. Welcome, Marshal."
"Aiya, Marshal—you scared me to death! I thought something had happened to you. Thank heavens you're safe."
Frame 1: the Old Man tossed aside his trick cane. Frame 2: he hugged Zhang Xuan's thigh. Frame 3: he burst into loud sobs.
Zhang Xuan, about to praise the Old Man's vigilance, was startled by the thigh-hugging scene.
"Alright, get up. This looks bad."
The Old Man wiped away tears that hadn't quite fallen. "Marshal, you terrified me. If anything happened to you here, Butler Sebastian would have my head."
Zhang Xuan walked straight ahead, giving the Old Manno chance to keep talking.
"You did well. Stay this cautious."
Praised, the Old Man beamed as he opened the rear door for the Marshal's two female companions.
He had no idea who the women were, but being respectful couldn't hurt.
"Thank you for the praise, Marshal. It's all thanks to the new S.H.I.E.L.D. regulations you set—we follow them to the letter."
The Old Man caught up, then darted ahead to point the way.
"Marshal, this way upstairs. Dinner's being prepared; you may rest here a while."
Under the Old Man's guidance, Zhang Xuan reached the second-floor sunroom.
The setting Sun in the west cast golden rays across the endless plain and scattered woods, painting a perfect dusk tableau.
"So beautiful," Missy murmured to Felicia, who stood by the floor-to-ceiling window—whether she meant Feliciaor the sunset, no one knew.
Felicia sat before the huge window, elegantly lifting a glass of happy water for a delicate sip.
"You really know how to live—owning such a massive castle and decking it out so luxuriously."
Zhang Xuan sat too and took a swig of happy water.
"Ahh—refreshing."
"This isn't my castle; it belongs to my subordinate. I'm just borrowing it."
As soon as Zhang Xuan finished, the Old Man hurried to flatter.
"You jest, My Lord; this is organization property—I'm merely resting here a while."
"All the castle's décor was paid for out of my own pocket by this old coot."
"The organization raised me; I ought to give back. Those wages came from my time working at France's Ministry of Agriculture."
The Old Man claimed it as organization property, cleared himself of any misuse, and styled it as his contribution.
Zhang Xuan surveyed the sunroom, then said teasingly, "But even a minister's salary couldn't afford décor on this scale, could it?"
The Old Man rubbed thumb and forefinger, smiling. "Of course, there were some other minor sources of income."
Zhang Xuan didn't press further. "No matter. I don't care. You may go; we'll dine here shortly."
The Old Man looked awkward but dared not object and respectfully withdrew.
"Boss, what exactly do you do? First you're wanted, then the warrant's lifted, and now you've got this huge castle in France whose owner is the ex-Minister of Agriculture."
Felicia's curiosity was piqued; she wanted the full story.
Zhang Xuan poured another happy water. "Just a would-be World-conquering villain."
Pfft—Missy, mid-sip of soda name, couldn't hold it in; the soda shot out her nose.
Cough, cough—
Felicia grabbed tissues and handed them to Missy.
Zhang Xuan stared speechlessly at the bespectacled Missy.
"Was that really so funny?"
Felicia's lips curled. "Actually, it is kind of amusing."
Zhang Xuan rolled his eyes. "Don't believe me? Then let's talk about the Louvre heist."
Missy had just cleaned soda from her nose when Zhang Xuan dropped this bombshell.
"Boss, I refuse. I'm just an ordinary president of Osborn Group—I don't want in."
Missy sat there meekly, sipping a little soda name.
"Pity. Thought you'd want to join. It's my first outing as a Gentleman Thief."
Zhang Xuan wasn't surprised by Missy's refusal; it was exactly what he expected of her.
Felicia needed no urging—she was the mastermind; she had to be in.
Felicia patted Missy's head. "Missy, such a good girl."
Missy rolled her eyes. "Weren't you a good girl once too?"
Felicia giggled behind her hand. "I'm different. Before, I lacked power and resources; now I have them, so I can take those ill-gotten gains—and use them to help more people."
Missy understood; lately Osborn Group's biggest expense had been its orphanage.
Since the World upheaval, many U.S. children had been left orphaned, and under Zhang Xuan's direction they'd founded a massive orphanage in Osborn Group's name.
Outsiders had raised doubts—chiefly that they'd experiment on or exploit the children.
Those voices vanished quickly; the two women had wondered why, but soon found out.
Zhang Xuan had simply "questioned" those accusers, after which no one questioned the orphanage again.
A simple Information Cocoon: with no one spreading the claims, everyone focused instead on changing their own gender.
Chapter 84 – A Jealous Missy
Missy said she wanted to tour the Castle and, while she was at it, check out the rooms, so she left.
"I'll go look at our room first."
"Off you go, off you go. We need to discuss our next moves."
Zhang Xuan called up the local Hologram, and a full-view map of the Louvre unfolded before Felicia.
Felicia looked at Zhang Xuan. "So why do we still have to go on-site? Didn't you say you already have it?"
Zhang Xuan replied, "We've got nothing better to do; might as well get familiar with the route."
"Watch here—after this point there's no route, so to get in we'll need to use some tricks."
Zhang Xuan zoomed in on a corridor deep beneath the Louvre and read the notes beside it.
Felicia rolled her eyes. "I'm not blind; I can see it."
Opening the image, all they could see was a huge black steel door.
"Looks like a seriously sturdy door."
Felicia gazed lazily at the picture of the steel door, already brainstorming how to get inside.
"Give it up. I say we just steal something from the public galleries."
Felicia nodded—anything that makes money is fine, inside or outside.
"First rule out paintings; they're usually copies." Zhang Xuan deleted the painting galleries from the Hologram.
Felicia agreed. "Right, we should go for the easy grabs—jewelry and such."
Zhang Xuan deleted the large-object halls. "Gone. So, of what's left, what catches your eye?"
The Hologram now showed the remaining few galleries for Black Cat to choose from.
"Indian stuff? Skip—I find it dirty."
Felicia deleted the India Gallery, leaving two.
"Would you actually let me hit the Eastern Gallery?"
Felicia glanced at Zhang Xuan, expecting a no, but the answer surprised her.
"If possible, grabbing a few wouldn't hurt, but the location's awkward for a quick exit."
Zhang Xuan deleted the Eastern Gallery, leaving only one—the Apollo Gallery.
Felicia didn't even need to open it; she knew what was inside.
"The crown, necklace, and earrings from Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense's parure.
The necklace and earrings from Queen Marie-Louise's emerald set.
A reliquary brooch, Empress Eugénie's diadem, tiara, and great corsage brooch."
Felicia rattled off the inventory like a menu and added a tip.
"There's more, but we can't carry everything; we'll cherry-pick the smaller pieces."
Felicia opened the Hologram to see why Zhang Xuan said the location was ideal.
"I don't see an easy spot here; the second floor actually looks tougher to access."
Zhang Xuan's mouth curved like a kitten's.
(｀ω´*)
"Leave it to me. I'll prep tonight; we move tomorrow."
Felicia was stunned—what trick did Zhang Xuan have to let them act tomorrow night?
"How about you tell me the plan now so I can critique it? I hate walking in blind."
Zhang Xuan kept her guessing, answering mysteriously:
"Relax, I'll get you out. Even if it's just for my own sake, I'm getting out."
Felicia looked at him with amused curiosity. "So why are you stealing this stuff?"
Zhang Xuan's bean-eyes blinked for a second. "Just doing whatever I feel like—no reason needed."
Felicia slipped an arm around his neck, her red lips breathing the scent of happy water.
"Such an interesting boss… here's your reward…"
Hearing "reward," Zhang Xuan wouldn't miss the chance and went to claim it himself.
Like a lone air-drop, the fabricated Mai Xiaowen added the drop of the man who arrived late and once saved her life.
Felicia hadn't expected him to start collecting the reward right away, but she wasn't stingy and simply enjoyed it.
A minute later, oxygen-deprived and dazed, Felicia lay in Zhang Xuan's arm.
Zhang Xuan was about to take her to the bedroom to continue discussing "plans" when—
"Boss, are we having…"
Seeing Felicia's spring-time eyes fixed on Zhang Xuan, Missy quickly corrected herself:
"…having Felicia for dinner, huh?"
With that, Missy pretended she'd seen nothing and left.
Zhang Xuan's spell was broken; Felicia lost interest and didn't want to continue.
Zhang Xuan set her down, withdrew the hand that had wandered under her clothes, and led her toward the dining room.
"Time to eat—tonight's a mega French set menu."
In the dining room, the original ten-meter-long table had been replaced with a normal three-meter one.
"Count McCray, let's start. Those two probably won't eat for another couple of hours."
Missy walked over, picked a seat at random, and said to the Castle's former Master, Count McCray, across from her.
"Oh? Miss Felicia must be quite the charmer—she bagged the Marshal in a single day."
Count McCray's eyes sparkled as he plotted how to send the pretty girl in front of him to the Marshal's bed, along with the dozen new candidates he'd found.
Missy's expression stiffened; she knew Zhang Xuan's track record—hopelessly flirtatious.
He already had Sister Wanda, Sister Natasha, Sister Mei, Sister Helen, Yelena, and Sister Melina, yet still pounced on Felicia—scum of the earth.
Even Gwen was close to the boss; if Zhang Xuan didn't contact Gwen for a few days, Gwen would bring him up.
And if the boss did message Gwen, Gwen would share every funny thing he'd said.
She was grateful to Zhang Xuan, but she wasn't ready to join that sorority.
Damn it—Sister Wanda, Sister Natasha, Sister Mei, Sister Helen, Yelena, Sister Melina, all such great women, snatched by this bastard. Now even Felicia… Damn! Couldn't you spare me two, you jerk! Jerk! Jerk!
The more Missy thought, the angrier she got; the egg and steak on her plate were chopped to bits.
Count McCray's eyes glittered even brighter at the sight.
Little girl's jealous. Tomorrow Grandpa will give you a hand—may you become one of the Marshal's madames soon.
"Missy, what are you doing? That egg's turned to crumbs, and the steak's mince."
Felicia leaned over Missy's shoulder, watching her massacre the egg and beef.
With carpet muffling every footstep, Felicia had crept up unnoticed until she draped herself over Missy's shoulder.
Chapter 85 – Atlantic, Indian, Squid Oceans; Trade, Understand?
Missy stared at Felicia in surprise; she hadn't expected the two of them to fail to make it into the house.
"Felicia, you didn't…?"
Felicia clapped a hand over Missy's mouth. "It's all your fault—you ruined my chance. I could've…"
Missy happily chewed the piece of beef Felicia popped into her mouth.
Zhang Xuan
sat at the head of the table, watching Missy's behavior and trying to figure out what felt off.
"Let's eat first. Where's my fully-cooked beef stir-fried with scallions?"
Felicia, seated beside Missy, blinked at the mention of Scallion-Burst Beef, not understanding the dish.
"Boss, this doesn't seem like French cuisine?"
Zhang Xuan: "Of course it's not all French. We've also hired a pricey Eastern Chef—back home we care about big portions that fill you up."
Count McCray picked up the thread: "Exactly, those two cooks are amazing. I used to eat there often."
"Still, today was rushed, so they're only serving quick Stir-Fry dishes."
Zhang Xuan: "No problem—I love Stir-Fry."
He shot a look at Felicia as he said it.
Felicia missed the meaning, but Missy, head down over her bowl, twitched slightly.
Thanks to constant web surfing, Missy was fluent in plenty of coded slang.
Zhang Xuan took a bite of beef and suggested they tour the East someday.
"When you visit China, skip any restaurant with tiny portions—they're basically scams. Hit the crowded street stalls; that's where the real good food is."
Zhang Xuan forgot to warn them about certain specialties, which later led the group to sample some Old-Beijing Swill being sold as gourmet.
Felicia, Missy, and Count McCray all stared at Zhang Xuan, waiting for an explanation.
"Why avoid places with small servings?" they asked, Felicia voicing the question.
Zhang Xuan explained: "Because Soft-Rice Fragrance has never touched their tongues, and they think only fools fall for it."
"Huge plate, tiny food, empty space crowned with a single leaf."
"Dab of sauce, sprinkle of crumbs—eight thousand eight hundred for the dish."
"Name must be long, vibe must be posh, origin must be remote."
All three nodded, wearing looks of sudden insight.
Missy grumbled: "Just like the Michelin-starred places Dad drags me to—tiny and crazy expensive."
Felicia added: "Exactly. Every time I leave I feel scammed, and I ask Dad if we actually ate anything."
Count McCray lapsed into thought, recalling a dinner with fellow tycoons on a farm: twenty-grand 'Pig-Snout Fungus'—ahem, Black Truffles.
Everyone else raved about the flavor; to fit in, he'd praised it too.
The meal was pleasant—at least Zhang Xuan always enjoys his food.
Afterward Zhang Xuan gave Count McCray a few instructions.
"McCray, get me a Black Utility Truck with an Lifting Basket, plus a couple of Worker Outfits and Yellow Reflective Vests."
McCray didn't understand but set about arranging it.
Ten minutes later he returned with a video of such a truck and showed it to Zhang Xuan.
"Marshal, please take a look—does this meet your needs?"
Zhang Xuan played the clip: a yellow utility vehicle with a folded lift-basket mounted at the rear.
The video demonstrated raising and operating the basket.
"Good, this one. I'll smash a window here to enter the Louvre; set up an exit route for me."
He pointed out the exact window, then told McCray to plan the getaway.
"Marshal, if you want something inside, I can pull strings and swap the original for a replica in a few days."
McCray couldn't see why Zhang Xuan fancied ordinary jewels; priceless but useless to HYDRA.
A simple switch would suffice—no need for the Marshalto act in person.
Zhang Xuan shook his head and said:
"McCray, sometimes you have to make work for yourself; too much leisure breeds strange hobbies."
McCray's heart lurched, fearing the Marshal was alluding to his past habit of discriminating against multi-gender people.
"Marshal, I understand. Looks like I need to find some new pastimes."
Zhang Xuan was curious. "New hobbies? What were your old ones?"
Asked outright, McCray hesitated to answer.
Zhang Xuan saw his reluctance and smiled. "Speak freely; I won't mind."
He'd already decided: if McCray confessed something huge, he'd send him off without regret.
If it was trivial, then it was nothing.
If it's nothing, why bother me? Solve it yourself.
"Actually, I'm a racist and a sexist."
Zhang Xuan's gaze sharpened, fixing on McCray.
A chill shot through McCray, and he felt an odd burning sensation.
Red Hulk runs hot, so Zhang Xuan gives off heat; whenever he erupts, the women beside him complain it's sweltering—and it truly is.
"Marshal, I only look down on Blacks, Black-Asians, and anyone outside male or female—but I adore the Chinese."
"And I despise the Japs and the Koreans; they wag their tails like Poodles begging to stick to me."
Hearing this, Zhang Xuan threw an arm around McCray's shoulders.
"Old McCray, that puts me at ease. France's underworld will keep growing—excellent merchandise."
Count McCray stammered, "M-Marshal… you're reviving the Atlantic trade?"
Zhang Xuan casually added, "Not just the Atlantic—the Indian and Squid Oceans too."
McCray was overjoyed; he broke free, dropped to his knees and kowtowed.
"Ancestors bless me—McCray lives to see the family glory restored!"
After bowing to the sky, he turned to kowtow toward Zhang Xuan.
"Marshal, if you don't disdain me, McCray is willing to call you…"
Zhang Xuan quickly stopped him. "Enough, up you get—we're partners. From now on France's supply is in your hands."
McCray was elated; he'd surpassed his forebears, turning from Planter to Supplier.
"Thank you, Godfather."
He kowtowed again; this time Zhang Xuan let it go, only correcting him.
"Watch your words—Marshal."
McCray: "Right, right—my sloppy mouth. Thank you, Marshal."
Zhang Xuan waved him off.
"Go get the truck ready—I still plan to take a stroll around the Louvre tonight."
Chapter 86 – stihl cut-off saw
Thinking of Atlantic trade, Zhang Xuan also thought of another good supply source—300,000 dark-force births a year; that's a huge order.
Only problem is the location; moving talent out is tricky. He'll have to handle it himself—no one inside cares. If he doesn't, some so-called Emperor of Mystery might really appear later.
But no rush for now; he can bait out a few fake humans who aren't prejudiced, then send their whole families to the Mines.
Help me and I'll help you. Breed in my house, though, and it's one clean cut.
Still, he isn't utterly evil—he can leave a few Black Pearls behind.
Not the time for that; right now he has to prep for tomorrow's Thief Simulator job.
Zhang Xuan planned to get familiar with the stihl cut-off saw; he'd need it for breaking the window later.
"McRae, get me another stihl cut-off saw and two angle grinders."
"Yes, Marshal."
Next morning, Missy stared at Zhang Xuan resentfully, listlessly shoveling rice into her mouth.
Felicia was a bit embarrassed too—her voice had been rather loud last night.
"Missy, I'm really sorry, but that was the only time. It won't happen again."
Felicia felt awful; she'd disturbed Missy.
"It's fine. After this, you'll be used to it and won't make a sound."
Felicia nodded and promised, "I swear it won't happen again—at least I'll keep my distance."
Listening to the two women, McRae knew the Marshalhad claimed Miss Felicia last night; his own room was ultra-soundproof, so he'd heard nothing outside.
But he understood he'd better start currying favor with Miss Felicia.
Zhang Xuan found the chatter exasperating.
"We only played for two hours last night; was there really a need to stay up all night?"
Missy shot Zhang Xuan a glare, then quickly looked away—he was her boss.
Her eyes turned plaintive. "Work's worn me out; the Doctor says I'm neurasthenic—sleep's hard."
Zhang Xuan snorted. "Sleep issues? Off to the Worksitetomorrow—three days and I guarantee you'll sleep like a log."
"McRae, make sure it's arranged."
McRae blinked at being named. "Marshal, I've meds for poor sleep—Missy could try them."
Zhang Xuan waved him off. "No need—pills cost money. Let her earn while she cures herself."
Or rather, cure herself while she earns.
Missy pouted at Zhang Xuan, looking pitiful.
Felicia wouldn't have it; she hugged Missy and told Zhang Xuan:
"No way—you can't send a girl to a Worksite. Her little hands will get rough."
Zhang Xuan: "We played with the Stihl saw together last night, so you share the blame for her state—don't dump it all on me."
Felicia retorted, "If you hadn't insisted on testing it last night, we could've done it this morning."
Zhang Xuan shrugged, saying no more.
"Eat up. One of you naps later; the other comes with me to gear up—then we move."
Hearing the topic closed, Felicia and Missy resumed eating.
McRae's phone quietly sent messages in the background, securing support for Zhang Xuan.
Though Zhang Xuan had said no, McRae couldn't risk it—an accident would be his chance to shine.
Outside the Yellow Utility Van, Zhang Xuan donned yellow coveralls, Shades, and a Hard-hat.
Felicia emerged from the Castle, already changed.
"I told you to change down here—no one's around."
Felicia snapped, "You can't even swear you wouldn't peek—how could I relax with all these cameras?"
Zhang Xuan: "Weren't you wearing clothes underneath? Think I didn't notice?"
Felicia opened the rear door and climbed in.
Zhang Xuan opened the opposite door and lay straight down, resting his head on Felicia's white-clad, overall-wrapped thighs.
Felicia accepted the situation without protest.
As they neared the target, the driver—face still buried—called back:
"Marshal, we're almost at the drop point."
Zhang Xuan and Felicia donned full facial protection; it looked odd but kept them safe.
The Louvre Museum was open to visitors as the van parked outside the Apollo Gallery.
The driver got out and raised the Lifting Basket to window height.
Zhang Xuan stepped out unhurriedly, took the Stihl saw, and climbed the ladder to the window.
Unnoticed, two figures in worker coveralls and neon-yellow vests moved along the scaffolding by the Seine.
Felicia was jittery—her first crime, and in broad daylight.
The stress made her forget to grab the angle grinder as she stepped into the basket.
"A-hem—your tools, miss."
The driver courteously avoided saying her name, clearing his throat instead.
Felicia stepped back and took the offered angle grinder.
"Screeech—"
"Whiiir—"
Under Zhang Xuan's control the Stihl saw bit into the thick Security Glass.
Tourists inside the Apollo Gallery merely glanced in surprise at the daytime work outside.
"Honestly, cutting in broad daylight—can't they do nights?"
Night-shift folk: "Seriously, do it in daylight—why keep us up?"
Zhang Xuan quickly carved a big hole and checked the time.
"Thirty seconds—get in; we're short on time."
He stepped into the Apollo Gallery, Stihl saw in hand.
From behind his back he drew a Pistol and fired into the ceiling.
Bang!
A quarter-second later the crowd erupted.
"Aaaah—killer!"
"Run!"
"Son, over here—we'll hide and grab leftovers later."
A savvy dark-force member dragged his boy behind a pillar, ready to scavenge leftovers.
The kid, born rascal, instantly grasped his (maybe) dad's plan and hid behind a display case.
For "guest safety," all Guards moved downstairs, blending into the crowd to "protect" visitors.
The Alarm had triggered the moment the window shattered, but Police response takes time.
Security? Of course they're protecting the tourists.
Chapter 87 – The Louvre Museum Heist
Felicia started cutting the display-case glass with an angle grinder.
Zhang Xuan still wielded the stihl cut-off saw, even though it sprayed glass shards everywhere.
But diamonds can't be shattered, so he kept slicing without worry.
Watching the saw take twenty seconds per cut, Zhang Xuan abandoned the stihl cut-off saw.
With one hand he punched, combining blinding speed and colossal force to pierce the bullet-proof glass in a single strike.
The glass never had time to react; it didn't even get to splinter before a gaping hole appeared.
He reached in, pulled out an unfamiliar crown, and stuffed it into his backpack.
Next target.
Felicia stared, utterly stunned.
Glancing at her own cutter and grinder, she gritted her teeth and kept working—before entering they'd agreed: whatever you grab is yours.
Seeing Zhang Xuan almost clear the entire hall in under a minute, she frantically kept cutting her own case.
At the 90-second mark she finally extracted the Tiarafrom its showcase.
She turned to brag—only to find Zhang Xuan wearing a crown, three diamond necklaces around his throat, and a Scepter in hand.
Plus a bulging sack of jewels; her urge to show off evaporated.
"Take this lot downstairs; I'm hitting another wing."
Zhang Xuan handed the ten-kilo pack to Felicia, then stalked off—crown on head, necklaces flashing—to loot the surrounding galleries.
Eyes gleaming, Felicia hugged the jabbing treasure and refused to set it down as she left.
Back at the car the driver's jaw dropped at the sack of jewels she unloaded.
"Give me a bigger pack—I'm going back in."
At 2:30 Felicia returned to the window, backpack gaping open toward Zhang Xuan.
Fresh from raiding another hall, Zhang Xuan met her crescent-moon smile and wordlessly dumped his haul into her bag.
"Hurry—one more run; we've got ninety seconds left."
She shoved a new empty pack at him, took the half-full one, and slipped back down.
Zhang Xuan rolled his eyes; he'd been ready to leave until she produced another sack.
"Fine, fill it. Evac was always timed for four minutes anyway."
He took a different route into unfamiliar galleries; whatever the artifacts were, he stuffed them in.
Anything that fit went straight into the pack.
He considered porcelain, then decided against it—too fragile—and moved on.
He filled the bag in a minute and used the remaining thirty seconds to head back.
Twenty seconds later he was in the car with ten seconds to spare.
"Ten seconds—drive!"
He chose the car over the bike; the exit route was already planned.
As they pulled away sirens wailed, but the driver stayed calm, weaving through traffic.
Two minutes later they reached the designated switch point.
The driver floored the accelerator and rolled straight into an open truck.
The rear door slammed shut and the truck rolled out.
Inside the cargo bay Felicia hugged Zhang Xuan; he moved to return the embrace—she'd already let go.
Zhang Xuan: (⇀‸↼‖)
Felicia had already slipped off her backpack and was riffling through his loot.
Watching her sparkle-eyed appraisal, Zhang Xuan found it amusing.
The usually cool Felicia could get this excited.
He plucked a diamond from her view; she bared her teeth in mock menace but made no move—protective instinct, not action.
Zhang Xuan tapped the driver's shoulder and tossed a thumbnail-sized diamond onto the dash.
"For you. Cool head, steady nerves—France's future rests on youngsters like you."
The driver gaped at the gem, speechless.
"Marshal, it's my duty; serving you is already my honor."
Zhang Xuan clapped his shoulder. "Keep it—sell it or pass it down—but never give it to a woman, got it?"
Felicia bristled. "Why not women?"
Zhang Xuan shrugged. "She'll flaunt it, word gets out, you get cuffed—seen it in a dozen movies."
Felicia rolled her eyes. "That's fiction; not everyone's a show-off."
"Art imitates life. You think TV's nuts? Reality's worse. Ever notice how few women stay long at Osborn Group? Gives you the wrong sample."
Felicia tapped her lip—her assistant was male; she'd never bothered switching.
Only work contact, no big deal, so she'd left it that way.
"Exactly," Zhang Xuan said. "Post a 'Fairy' recruitment ad and interview again—you'll meet a different species."
"Swap a few light projects to an all-female team; if they finish, I'll eat my hat."
The driver couldn't stay silent. "Boss, I disagree. My mother's a great woman—hard-working, sensible—"
Zhang Xuan raised a hand. "I know; my mom's the same."
"I'm talking about the new 'woke' crowd—feminazis and fairies."
The driver nodded; he'd once clashed with dorm-feminists, swallowed the insult, then taken leave to 'remove' them.
Yet revenge brought no satisfaction—only the feeling that the World had gone insane.
Seeing the driver lost in memory, Zhang Xuan grinned. "Sounds like you've got a story—let's hear it."
Chapter 88: The Shark That Ate the Pseudo-human
The driver sorrowfully recounted what he had seen.
"I once set out to kill those people, but I realized I was wrong—they didn't need me to lift a finger. With a few petty tricks, they'd wipe themselves out."
Felicia was desperate to hear what happened next.
"Spit it out. Stop dawdling like an old woman."
The driver stopped wasting words and told them everything he'd witnessed.
"That night I took my gun to their hang-out, but I'd had a drink and my first shot went wide. After that I never fired again."
Felicia asked curiously, "Why didn't you fire again?"
The driver clutched his scalp in horror, as if reliving something terrible, and groaned,
"Because that single bullet kicked up a spark—and ignited the portable gas stove they were using for their party."
Zhang Xuan was puzzled. "How could a spark set off a portable gas stove? Were they raised on inhaling gas?"
Felicia: "What's a portable gas stove?"
Zhang Xuan tapped her. "A portable gas stove is basically a little gas can with a burner."
"Oh." Felicia gave an understanding grunt.
The two then swiveled toward the driver, eyes gleaming with gossip.
"Maybe they really were huffing gas. I only produced a spark, and the whole place blew—followed by a chain of explosions."
The driver described what he'd seen as though he'd stared straight at monsters masquerading as humans.
"Those fakes were terrifying; even while burning they dashed for the nearby Garage."
"Another lunatic waved her arms and charged the Pharmacy. The door was open, so she ran in, grabbed a bottle of water and tried to douse the flames."
"I still remember the little Pharmacy clerk's terrified eyes, as if she'd seen a big xx."
"Even though she was scared stiff, she still tried to stop the fake from grabbing alcohol to fight the fire. But the fake acted deaf and even tried to hug her; the clerk dodged, ran outside and called the cops."
"The alcohol bottle hadn't even been opened before the heat burned a hole in it; the alcohol shot out straight into the fake's mouth. What happened next I don't know, but the Pharmacy burned to the ground."
"Next was the Garage. I didn't see what went on, but two men smothered in oil ran out—and then it exploded."
Zhang Xuan and Felicia wore the expressions of people who'd just heard a string of curses.
Then they stared at the driver as if to say, 'You're making this up.'
Yet the terror on the driver's face when he spoke of the fakes couldn't be faked.
The two chose to believe him.
Zhang Xuan: "Didn't expect the world to be crawling with fakes—letting gas hiss out of a portable gas stove. What were they trying to achieve?"
The driver caught his breath. "Later I heard they wanted to light the stove, but they argued over who'd stir-fry and who'd grill. The valve stayed open, venting gas, until my shot blew the canister."
(portable gas stoves are safe—lack of brains isn't.)
"Whoa~ I'd love to watch fakes fight."
Felicia, dying to know how many survived, asked, "So they all died?"
The driver said, "Nope. Seven fakes, three walked away."
Felicia gaped in disbelief. "Modern medicine is insane—they actually lived through that?"
The driver quickly corrected her. "No. Before they'd fully healed, the three went diving at sea. Two were eaten by sharks; the last one died of infected wounds."
Felicia:...
Chapter 89: The Construction Speed of the Great Apes
After finishing the journey in France, he returned to the Base in Indonesia to check on Molly's condition.
Molly was growing larger and larger, already much taller than the surrounding trees, reaching the 50-meter range.
However, he didn't stay long and instead went to the Red Room's location at the border of Mongolia.
Looking at the super-sized orphanage zone under construction, he felt a sense of pride.
Don't worry about where these orphans came from; it's not important.
Seeing these orphans living in simple, unfinished houses but with smiles on their faces while eating, Zhang Xuanfelt quite gratified.
However, Zhang Xuan unexpectedly noticed a few discordant colors.
He asked the Widow on duty, "What's with those different colors?"
The Widow on duty replied, "That's the Children's Relief Foundation. They said there needs to be skin color equality and forced in a balance of multiple races."
Zhang Xuan asked, puzzled, "What is this Children's Foundation?"
Widow: "They are sponsors. They allocated tens of millions to build this place."
Zhang Xuan: "They? Are they Saints?"
Widow replied: "Yes."
Zhang Xuan: "If they want to be Saints, they should be like Joan of Arc. Go arrange it; this organization is ours now."
The Widow replied happily, "Yes, Master."
Zhang Xuan was speechless. To think there was actually an organization that dared to set conditions while giving him money. Since Joan of Arc was their role model, arranging things for them according to their role model would be like helping them chase their idol.
The next day, the wolves in the outskirts of Mongoliawere frightened away by creatures they had never seen before.
A Black Bear bumped into a few soft saplings at night, gave them a casual swipe, and then left.
During the day, the Microbial Army launched an all-out fungal assault.
From then on, goods were occasionally transported across the Mongolian border to build the zone.
The transport team complained, "It's so troublesome to have to come through Russia."
A team member said, "There's no choice. The aerial detection on the Eastern side is too strict, so we can only take a detour through Russia."
The Captain said, "Go take a look. Don't let those guys starve to death."
A team member reluctantly walked to the truck's cargo hold to scatter fodder.
With the addition of biological weapons, the construction of the orphanage zone was accelerated by more than several times.
A Widow Supervisor said, "I remember my Grandpatelling me he hoped I could restore our ancestors' glory. I didn't expect I would actually achieve it."
"Get to work." Another Widow cracked a whip, driving the bio-engineering machines to work.
"Yeah, I guess this counts as restoring the glory of my ancestors too."
"If my Grandpa were still alive, he would definitely be gratified to see this and show off to his own grandfather that our family has been revitalized through me."
A month later, the zone's construction was completed. Although every room was just a shell, because the biological weapons lacked intelligence, they needed to be trained from scratch in masonry, carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work.
This process actually took ten days before the biological weapons mastered basic construction techniques.
However, it was still relatively humane, as the biological weapons were given appropriate rest time.
Basically, biological weapons need rest after 24 hours of operation; they only made the biological weapons work for 16 hours and rest for 8 hours.
They even provided some Happy Fat Water that they had never drunk before.
After another month, the residential area of the zone was completed. However, it was filled with the smell of formaldehyde and couldn't be inhabited yet, let alone by children.
Today the Supervisors were very happy and had a meal of fried chicken. The leftovers were thrown to the biological weapons, who didn't even leave the chicken bones behind.
Supervisor 1: "The biological weapons the Boss created are truly powerful. They only need three meals a day and basically don't need rest."
Supervisor 2: "Yeah, and they've been physically and chemically castrated, so there are no future worries."
Supervisor 3: "It's just a pity that in a few decades, we'll have to go to Lingnan to catch more. It's very difficult to catch them there."
Chapter 90: Loki Invades Earth
In a distant unknown galaxy, the Purple Potato Spirit sat high upon the throne that Gamora loathed.
He looked expressionlessly at Loki, who was below requesting to go into battle.
"I give you the Mind Stone. Go and conquer Earth for me."
Loki: "Great Thanos, I will return with the other stones."
Loki did not hesitate; what was there to hesitate about when he could go to the countryside to show off?
Loki left, and Thanos remained expressionless, seemingly indifferent to Loki's guarantee.
Soon, Loki finished his preparations to head to Earth.
Because if he didn't go to Earth soon, the armor squadron Tony built could solo Loki.
After all, it was his own Tesseract; for Loki to use it later was like coming home.
After a few failed attempts, Loki gave up.
"Damn it, why haven't these people activated the Tesseract yet? Are they keeping such a powerful thing just to let it gather dust?"
Thus, Loki held the scepter and waited for a full week.
"Finally, it's finally being used."
Loki laughed like a Mediterranean cork tree breaking its seal.
"Earth, your Master has arrived."
Loki had only one purpose this time: revenge!
He couldn't beat Thor, but could he not beat that guy on Earth who was pummeled by the Destroyer?
Zhang Xuan: If I let out too much Water, do you really think I'm Water?
After a surge of blue spatial fluctuations, Loki appeared on Earth.
However, to his surprise, before him stood a Slave, which piqued his curiosity.
"It seems Earth has truly fallen, to let a Slave use the Tesseract."
Everyone present naturally turned their gaze toward the person at the very front.
At this moment, Nick Fury's face was dark, and he stared angrily at the suddenly appearing Loki.
"State your purpose, and tell us how you came to Earth."
Loki said, caught between laughter and tears, "You're not really letting him speak for you, are you?"
Barton, Hill, and Dr. Selvig, who had been sent by the boss, all lowered their heads in shame.
Barton and Hill could only cry out to their ancestors in their hearts: 'My ancestors, it is my incompetence.'
If Barton wasn't a Racial Knight, why didn't he marry a black girl?
If Hill wasn't a Racial Knight, why would she die? It must have been the real Nick Fury who fired the shot and framed the Skrull.
Under Zhang Xuan's influence, Selvig was somewhat reluctant, but hearing Loki's words, he stepped forward.
"Alien, state your purpose."
Loki became interested; his true form appeared before Dr.Selvig, and he tapped the Mind Stone against his chest.
Selvig had been successfully NTR'd by the enemy, his brain taking the shape of Loki.
Then Loki's true form vanished and appeared before Barton, though unfortunately, no one could see it.
"Now — kneel."
Loki was embarrassed; only the controlled Selvig chose to kneel.
The seven or eight Agents in the background all aimed their guns at him, and Hawkeye also aimed his bow and arrow.
Loki wore a mocking smile.
"You have no chance."
With that, the Mind Stone in his hand emitted an energy beam toward the crowd.
Just as Hawkeye was about to shoot, the tip of the Mind Stone's blade pressed against his chest.
Hawkeye: "Oh shit."
Hawkeye was successfully NTR'd, his brain also taking the shape of Loki.
Then Hawkeye swapped for another arrow and shot it into the crowd.
Nick Fury looked on in pain at the Agents blown to pieces by the explosive arrow. Those were his people, his most beloved subordinates.
Half of them were taken out by a single arrow from Hawkeye.
Nick Fury reacted quickly; while his men held back the intruder, he grabbed the Tesseract and prepared to run.
"Hill, spread the word: all personnel, prepare for battle."
Hill issued the notice and was then pulled into the car by Nick Fury.
Then disaster struck. Seizing the moment, Loki fired a mental laser, blowing the large Hummer away.
Loki picked up the Mind Stone and took it away, simultaneously controlling the remaining survivors into his shape, turning them into his subordinates.
After Loki left, Nick Fury struggled to crawl out of the car, and Hill followed, enduring her injured leg.
"That bastard surely didn't expect my car's defense to be so strong; he didn't kill me."
Hill couldn't be bothered with him. She knew this Basewas about to explode; otherwise, this bastard wouldn't be running so fast.
This bastard actually expected others to stay and fight while he fled; he truly was an uncivilized Slave.
However, she ran even faster and was already ahead of Nick Fury.
The Base exploded; those dead subordinates at least had a grave now.
Would their families be sad because they couldn't find the remains? Please, I'm already black, would I even notify their families?
Hill's back was injured by flying stones, but fortunately, they didn't hit her head.