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Chapter 425: I Want Your Corpse
Metropolis, LexCorp Tower.
Lex Luthor sat comfortably on a sofa carved with a Greek meander pattern, a wine glass in his hand. As he swirled the glass, the intoxicating dark red liquid coated its inner wall with a faint red film.
On the screen before him, the fires of the front line were being broadcast. Two powerful armies were colliding, erupting into a brutal war.
The entire Indian Ocean had become a battlefield.
In Lex Luthor's eyes, the endless cannon fire and explosions were a delightful sight.
"How interesting."
Luthor ran a hand through his shoulder-length golden hair, an affable smile on his handsome face. But for some reason, the strange curve of his lips seemed to carry a hint of sarcasm.
His eyes, which seemed to hold the wisdom of the entire universe, casually watched the screen. Only in their occasional movements could one sense a fraction of his unfathomable thoughts.
"Two different life forms, fighting to the death on the Earthlings' planet."
The curve of Lex Luthor’s lips widened.
The most laughable part was that the people of Earth were completely indifferent, especially the high-ranking officials of the various governments representing The Authorities.
It was actually a very clever idea. Even if the Decepticons won, they would suffer considerable casualties, which would be very beneficial for certain cynical politicians. Lex Luthor was well aware of this.
But the more this was the case, the more a certain stubbornness and pride in his heart could not be suppressed.
They were being a little too clever for their own good.
He knew those guys were waiting. Even if the entire Decepticon army was wiped out, it wouldn't matter. This was just a very normal probe. Pushed to the brink, Kamar-Taj would definitely intervene.
But if they were going to rely on Kamar-Taj for everything, what the hell were they even for?
"A bunch of pitiful people, only capable of their sad little schemes, yet forced to ignore the one thing most worthy of attention..." Lex Luthor's smile grew even more piercing.
The one most worthy of attention was that Sorcerer Supreme… He was not a patient man.
It wasn't that those officials couldn't remember; it was that they deliberately chose to "ignore" him.
Because they couldn't stop Tony from doing whatever he wanted. There was simply no way to stop him.
"But this way, the relationship between Tony and the human authorities will grow colder, and it might even cause Tony to leave Earth ahead of schedule."
Lex Luthor took a sip of red wine, pondering.
In his laboratory, he had half the corpse of a Transformer, which he had gone to great lengths to retrieve from the seabed. According to the intelligence he had obtained, this was a "grunt" belonging to the Decepticon Legion, not even a Type I warrior.
To be honest, Lex Luthor had been busy plotting against these strange life forms for a while, but he was later surprised to discover that these guys, who were all clamoring about the Decepticons and Cybertron, didn't consider Earth their home at all.
The Decepticons never hid this fact; they all clamored about following Primus to build their own planet.
This was undoubtedly a piece of news that brought both joy and sorrow.
Countless people would rejoice if a domineering fellow like Tony was willing to leave—but what about after he left? Even if there was a next Sorcerer Supreme, who would it be? Would they choose to observe from seclusion as they had for the past few thousand years?
In Lex Luthor's view, having a guy like Tony guarding Earth was far more beneficial than forcing him to leave.
Because Tony's growth trajectory was very clear. Although his power had surged so rapidly that it left them bewildered, it was still somewhat understandable. Moreover, Tony rarely interfered in their internal affairs—or rather, he disdained to. This was also why many people had a favorable impression of Tony.
Well, except for the last Chitauri incident, when Tony threw an idiotic fat pig onto the battlefield.
At the very least, when trouble struck, having a ruthless guardian like Tony backing things up behind the scenes was undoubtedly very reassuring.
But… who could guarantee that the next Sorcerer Supreme would be someone they knew? Or that they wouldn't just directly interfere in their internal affairs? Or that they wouldn't just watch Earth with indifference, refusing to act until the moment the human race was on the verge of extinction?
All of these were possible.
The universe was a very dangerous place. What could be more important than keeping a guardian who, despite his somewhat foul temper, was reliable and safe?
Or perhaps… he could personally grasp that immense power…
Lex Luthor's long, cunning eyes shifted slightly, focusing intently on the red wine in his glass. His universe-class brain was rapidly calculating something.
After a long while, he slowly stood up and dialed a number.
"Colonel Stryker, can our cooperation continue?" Lex Luthor asked in his characteristic fast-paced tone, laced with a hidden frivolity and playfulness.
For a military hardliner like Stryker, this kind of flippant way of speaking was the most detestable.
"Luthor, you need to be clear. It was you who backed out of our agreement," Stryker said with a cold laugh into the phone, having just dropped a corpse and pulled his hand from its bloody viscera.
"At least I was the one who provided you with Tony's DNA. You are still enjoying the fruits of my labor," Lex Luthor chuckled softly, picking up his wine glass again.
Stryker paused, glancing back into the laboratory. In the darkness, it seemed something terrible was being concealed. He hesitated for a moment before speaking into the phone.
"Luthor, I've run into a problem. If you can help me solve it, our cooperation will continue."
"Excellent, Colonel! This is undoubtedly the wisest decision you have ever made!" Lex Luthor's voice suddenly rose, the higher-pitched tone reaching Stryker's ears.
Stryker sneered inwardly. He didn't believe for a second that this cunning bastard would get excited so easily. Lex Luthor, a man with conspiracy etched into his very bones.
Stryker said in a deep voice, "The DNA I have in my possession all began showing signs of collapse not long ago! Listen clearly, all of it!"
Lex Luthor's eyes flickered, a thoughtful expression on his face. Subconsciously, he glanced at the screen showing the intense battle, a flash of wisdom flowing through his eyes before vanishing.
"In that case, Colonel, send me a copy of the data you have..."
After Lex Luthor hung up, he carefully placed the phone back in its original position, not off by a single centimeter. He stood there silently, his thoughts unknown.
...
Aboard the Kryptonian Mothership, inside the Genesis Chamber.
Tony watched Zod with a placid expression, revealing nothing. As he looked at the other man's face, a trace of admiration and killing intent flashed in the depths of his eyes.
General Zod was a hero of Krypton, a true hero, but he was a mortal enemy of Earth.
By extension, he was also Tony's mortal enemy now, because he was indeed very interested in some of the things the Kryptonians possessed.
He felt no psychological burden in taking things from his enemies; he would plunder them with a clear conscience.
"While I was in the universe, I heard of you—Earth's Sorcerer Supreme. Your name is spoken in many places," General Zod said, a look of caution in his eyes.
"That is an honor I deserve. Only blood and corpses can win respect and fear," Tony said, his face devoid of expression.
General Zod looked at the Sorcerer Supreme before him with some surprise. Such words were usually only spoken by conquerors like himself.
Yet they came from the mouth of the leader of the reclusive and self-contained Kamar-Taj.
"So you and I are the same kind of person..." General Zod said in a cold voice.
"Then prepare to die. I need your corpse to research something."
Tony suddenly looked up, a terrifying ferocity instantly appearing in his calm eyes.
(end of chapter)
Metropolis, LexCorp Tower.
Lex Luthor sat comfortably on a sofa carved with a Greek meander pattern, a wine glass in his hand. As he swirled the glass, the intoxicating dark red liquid coated its inner wall with a faint red film.
On the screen before him, the fires of the front line were being broadcast. Two powerful armies were colliding, erupting into a brutal war.
The entire Indian Ocean had become a battlefield.
In Lex Luthor's eyes, the endless cannon fire and explosions were a delightful sight.
"How interesting."
Luthor ran a hand through his shoulder-length golden hair, an affable smile on his handsome face. But for some reason, the strange curve of his lips seemed to carry a hint of sarcasm.
His eyes, which seemed to hold the wisdom of the entire universe, casually watched the screen. Only in their occasional movements could one sense a fraction of his unfathomable thoughts.
"Two different life forms, fighting to the death on the Earthlings' planet."
The curve of Lex Luthor’s lips widened.
The most laughable part was that the people of Earth were completely indifferent, especially the high-ranking officials of the various governments representing The Authorities.
It was actually a very clever idea. Even if the Decepticons won, they would suffer considerable casualties, which would be very beneficial for certain cynical politicians. Lex Luthor was well aware of this.
But the more this was the case, the more a certain stubbornness and pride in his heart could not be suppressed.
They were being a little too clever for their own good.
He knew those guys were waiting. Even if the entire Decepticon army was wiped out, it wouldn't matter. This was just a very normal probe. Pushed to the brink, Kamar-Taj would definitely intervene.
But if they were going to rely on Kamar-Taj for everything, what the hell were they even for?
"A bunch of pitiful people, only capable of their sad little schemes, yet forced to ignore the one thing most worthy of attention..." Lex Luthor's smile grew even more piercing.
The one most worthy of attention was that Sorcerer Supreme… He was not a patient man.
It wasn't that those officials couldn't remember; it was that they deliberately chose to "ignore" him.
Because they couldn't stop Tony from doing whatever he wanted. There was simply no way to stop him.
"But this way, the relationship between Tony and the human authorities will grow colder, and it might even cause Tony to leave Earth ahead of schedule."
Lex Luthor took a sip of red wine, pondering.
In his laboratory, he had half the corpse of a Transformer, which he had gone to great lengths to retrieve from the seabed. According to the intelligence he had obtained, this was a "grunt" belonging to the Decepticon Legion, not even a Type I warrior.
To be honest, Lex Luthor had been busy plotting against these strange life forms for a while, but he was later surprised to discover that these guys, who were all clamoring about the Decepticons and Cybertron, didn't consider Earth their home at all.
The Decepticons never hid this fact; they all clamored about following Primus to build their own planet.
This was undoubtedly a piece of news that brought both joy and sorrow.
Countless people would rejoice if a domineering fellow like Tony was willing to leave—but what about after he left? Even if there was a next Sorcerer Supreme, who would it be? Would they choose to observe from seclusion as they had for the past few thousand years?
In Lex Luthor's view, having a guy like Tony guarding Earth was far more beneficial than forcing him to leave.
Because Tony's growth trajectory was very clear. Although his power had surged so rapidly that it left them bewildered, it was still somewhat understandable. Moreover, Tony rarely interfered in their internal affairs—or rather, he disdained to. This was also why many people had a favorable impression of Tony.
Well, except for the last Chitauri incident, when Tony threw an idiotic fat pig onto the battlefield.
At the very least, when trouble struck, having a ruthless guardian like Tony backing things up behind the scenes was undoubtedly very reassuring.
But… who could guarantee that the next Sorcerer Supreme would be someone they knew? Or that they wouldn't just directly interfere in their internal affairs? Or that they wouldn't just watch Earth with indifference, refusing to act until the moment the human race was on the verge of extinction?
All of these were possible.
The universe was a very dangerous place. What could be more important than keeping a guardian who, despite his somewhat foul temper, was reliable and safe?
Or perhaps… he could personally grasp that immense power…
Lex Luthor's long, cunning eyes shifted slightly, focusing intently on the red wine in his glass. His universe-class brain was rapidly calculating something.
After a long while, he slowly stood up and dialed a number.
"Colonel Stryker, can our cooperation continue?" Lex Luthor asked in his characteristic fast-paced tone, laced with a hidden frivolity and playfulness.
For a military hardliner like Stryker, this kind of flippant way of speaking was the most detestable.
"Luthor, you need to be clear. It was you who backed out of our agreement," Stryker said with a cold laugh into the phone, having just dropped a corpse and pulled his hand from its bloody viscera.
"At least I was the one who provided you with Tony's DNA. You are still enjoying the fruits of my labor," Lex Luthor chuckled softly, picking up his wine glass again.
Stryker paused, glancing back into the laboratory. In the darkness, it seemed something terrible was being concealed. He hesitated for a moment before speaking into the phone.
"Luthor, I've run into a problem. If you can help me solve it, our cooperation will continue."
"Excellent, Colonel! This is undoubtedly the wisest decision you have ever made!" Lex Luthor's voice suddenly rose, the higher-pitched tone reaching Stryker's ears.
Stryker sneered inwardly. He didn't believe for a second that this cunning bastard would get excited so easily. Lex Luthor, a man with conspiracy etched into his very bones.
Stryker said in a deep voice, "The DNA I have in my possession all began showing signs of collapse not long ago! Listen clearly, all of it!"
Lex Luthor's eyes flickered, a thoughtful expression on his face. Subconsciously, he glanced at the screen showing the intense battle, a flash of wisdom flowing through his eyes before vanishing.
"In that case, Colonel, send me a copy of the data you have..."
After Lex Luthor hung up, he carefully placed the phone back in its original position, not off by a single centimeter. He stood there silently, his thoughts unknown.
...
Aboard the Kryptonian Mothership, inside the Genesis Chamber.
Tony watched Zod with a placid expression, revealing nothing. As he looked at the other man's face, a trace of admiration and killing intent flashed in the depths of his eyes.
General Zod was a hero of Krypton, a true hero, but he was a mortal enemy of Earth.
By extension, he was also Tony's mortal enemy now, because he was indeed very interested in some of the things the Kryptonians possessed.
He felt no psychological burden in taking things from his enemies; he would plunder them with a clear conscience.
"While I was in the universe, I heard of you—Earth's Sorcerer Supreme. Your name is spoken in many places," General Zod said, a look of caution in his eyes.
"That is an honor I deserve. Only blood and corpses can win respect and fear," Tony said, his face devoid of expression.
General Zod looked at the Sorcerer Supreme before him with some surprise. Such words were usually only spoken by conquerors like himself.
Yet they came from the mouth of the leader of the reclusive and self-contained Kamar-Taj.
"So you and I are the same kind of person..." General Zod said in a cold voice.
"Then prepare to die. I need your corpse to research something."
Tony suddenly looked up, a terrifying ferocity instantly appearing in his calm eyes.
(end of chapter)
