Chapter 229: Takes the Pope Hostage, Turns the Tables

Chapter 229: Kidnapping the Pope, Turning the Tables

"Venerable Immortal, the Alliance has just issued a bombing order for Villa Town! Please evacuate immediately!"

A sinister smile curled at the corner of Long Xi's lips, "The Alliance, truly living up to its mission of preserving human civilization.

A devastating bombardment, how fitting for their style."

"Venerable Immortal, what should we do now?"

Long Xi stood up, "I was planning to wait for the pursuers and use the chaos to escape, but with the bombing order, few will dare to come in.

Let's go, we'll break out."

"Venerable, the entire north is sealed off by the Alliance!"

Long Xi laughed maniacally, "It seems that bombing Villa Town was just a ruse.

The Alliance likely intends to bomb the entire northern region. In that case, we will head north, cross the Far North Sea.

To the unknown map, to seek new life!"

"But Venerable, since the terror descended, those who crossed the Far North Sea never returned.

I've heard it's endless darkness, a black hole that devours the soul."

"Venerable!"

"Pope? Instead of calming the believers, why are you here now!"

"Elder, the severely injured Charles and his men came to me seeking medical help."

"At a time like this, we can barely protect ourselves. Who's got time to worry about Charles now!"

Long Xi whipped around. "Wait, bring Charles and his men. We'll pull out together."

"The entire northern region is Charles' territory. Now that the north is about to be bombed, Charles won't take this lying down."

"Taking him along might give us a way to break through the Alliance's defenses head-on."

"Right, right! Even if the Alliance plans to bomb the entire north, they can't just burn all bridges. After all, the Falcon is the Alliance's second-ranked team."

"Their military factories supply countless free weapons to the noble houses and corporate giants every year."

"But Elder, is Charles showing up now some kind of setup?"

Long Xi narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Whether it's a trap or not, we'll test him and see."

Long Xi stood up and, in the blink of an eye, made himself look completely ordinary. He followed behind the Pope.

"Go. You know the drill, don't you?"

The Pope replied, "Yes."

....

Charles was led by the healer to the Pope's chamber, a stark contrast to the dim plaza.

The Pope's room was vast and bright, instantly bringing a strong sense of comfort and joy to anyone who entered.

Clad in white robes, the Pope was a kindly, white-haired elder.

His eyes were full of compassion, and his gaze felt like a divine blessing.

"Sir, are you the one who needs my healing?"

Charles stepped forward with a nod. "Yes, Your Holiness. Please, Your Holiness, cure the ailments of my body."

The Pope glanced at Long Xi, who handed Charles a cup of water. "Mr. Charles, this is holy water from the Pope.

Kneel in thanks, then drink it.

This sacred water will purge all afflictions from your body, free you from pain and bring eternal peace."

Charles stared at the water in his hand, shooting desperate glances at Wu Yue from the corner of his eye.

Save me!!

Wu Yue shoved Wu Chong, who let out a piercing shriek,

"We’re in trouble!! The Alliance is about to bomb this place! Mr. Charles, we must flee!!"

Rex cried, "Mr. Charles! Your Holiness!!

Forget bliss—run for your life!!"

The Pope smiled serenely. "There is no need to panic. God protects us.

He’ll keep us safe from war."

Wu Yue fired three shots just past the Pope's head—BAM! BAM! BAM!

She strode forward impatiently, grabbing the Pope's white robe and yanking him up like a ragdoll.

"No time for your crap. Sorry, Pope, but I’m a staunch materialist and atheist.

We’re running for our lives, so you’re coming with us.

Once our captain is healed, we’ll let you go."

The whole room froze in shock!

Wu Chong and Shen Que exchanged frantic glances—What the actual hell?! This lunatic never plays by the rules!!

The Pope trembled in fear—Wait... this wasn’t part of the plan!!

Even Long Xi was dumbfounded—How did they flip the script so fast?!

The Pope was elderly, and even with the DX001 virus sustaining him, it was an aged, withered strain.

Manhandled by Wu Yue, he stumbled unsteadily as she marched him outside, followed by a panicked crowd.

Tripping over his own feet, the Pope staggered before finally getting his bearings.

"My child, the holy water capable of healing Mr. Charles has already been given.

Once he drinks it, his body will naturally recover. Let me go now."

Wu Yue turned to Charles, who promptly "fumbled" the cup. The water instantly seeped into the ground, leaving a sizzling black burn.

The whole room went dead silent.

Wu Yue remained calm, "We’re out of water now."

The Pope raised his voice, "I’ll send someone to get more!"

Wu Yue shook her head, "No need. From now on, your new identity is our Falcon medic."

"We’re doing you a favor letting you join the Falcons—don’t make us regret it."

"If you insist on being shameless, I’ll smack the shame into you."

The Pope had never felt so helpless in his life. Savagery!! Pure savagery!!

In panic, the Pope locked eyes with Long Xi, hoping for rescue.

Long Xi raised his voice, "This is no way to treat the Pope!"

As the crowd of faithful in the square closed in, Wu Yue pulled out a serrated knife.

She smiled, "I never wanted to hurt the Pope. You brought this on yourselves."

With a stab into the Pope’s thigh, she twisted it clockwise three times, then counterclockwise three times. The believers instantly retreated three steps.

The Pope, long corrupted by DX001, didn’t bleed.

Instead, a tree branch and a metal pipe spilled out from the wound.

Wu Yue praised sincerely, "Truly worthy of the Pope. The flesh is weak—long live steel."

"You’ve transcended flesh, becoming steel and iron. A little knife play shouldn’t bother you."

She casually switched to a 40-meter-long cleaver.

"Honestly, I have a relentless curiosity and an unyielding passion for research."

"I just want to see how you handle this."

The Pope stared at the cleaver nearly piercing the underground plaza’s ceiling and let out a strangled "Guh—" as his knees buckled.

Wu Yue, expressionless, flung the Pope at Rex and Huo Jieming. "Take him."

The two restrained him, hauling him off. The ruthless precision of the operation even impressed Charles, a mafia boss, who couldn’t help but record it for frame-by-frame study.

Long Xi watched the Pope being hauled off, shared three stunned seconds with his subordinates.

Then he came sprinting after them.

"Hey!!"

"Wait for me!!"

"No!! That guy’s worthless!!"

"I’m the legendary Long Xi, the man the whole Alliance wants dead—dammit!!"