As an old hunter, Kraven possessed exceptional alertness, a habit he maintained even after being recruited by Bai Qi. He found it unbearable not to have a couple of safe houses in every city. After rescuing Caitlyn, Kraven led the two of them to a nearby safe house. He instructed Jiao (Screamer) to stay put while he escorted Caitlyn back to report.
Upon returning to the Black Hand headquarters and entering Bai Qi's office, they found four other people present besides Bai Qi. They were the Master Mimic, Scorpion, and Black Spider, three of the four mercenaries dispatched to rescue Caitlyn. However, their condition was far from ideal; they were all covered in dirt and grime, looking as if they had just retreated from a Middle Eastern battlefield rather than a mission to Sector 13.
Seeing Kraven enter, the three of them simultaneously shot him glares filled with murderous intent.
Master Mimic approached Bai Qi and said, "Holy Lord, what is the meaning of this? You hire us to rescue someone, and then you have your subordinate go rescue them in secret. Do you not trust us, or are you intentionally trying to withhold our payment?"
Master Mimic's words instantly filled the office with a palpable tension. Black Spider and Scorpion both turned to look at Bai Qi.
It was worth noting that Scorpion and Beetle had suffered the most significant losses during this rescue mission. Scorpion's technologically advanced suit was severely damaged, as was Beetle's armor. In addition to the damaged equipment, Beetle had also lost a squadron of drone aircraft. They were counting on this commission to recoup their losses, and the thought of Bai Qi refusing to pay immediately caused them to become agitated.
Bai Qi scanned the three of them and said, "To be honest, I am indeed very disappointed in you. Three mercenary groups acting in concert were beaten back so thoroughly by Sector 13, and now you return here to act so aggressively. Who gave you the audacity?"
As he spoke, a powerful dragon's might permeated the entire room. Tables and chairs creaked ominously under the pressure. Black Spider and Beetle immediately knelt on the ground, with only the more resilient Master Mimic struggling to remain upright.
Bai Qi withdrew his dragon's might and said, "I did indeed contemplate whether or not to pay you. But considering your efforts, even without success, I will give you your payment. Take your money and get out."
Sensing the undisguised killing intent radiating from Bai Qi, Black Spider and Beetle did not dare to hesitate. They snatched their respective portions of money from the table and scrambled out of the Black Hand headquarters.
"Why aren't you leaving?"
Bai Qi looked at Master Mimic.
Bai Qi did not believe that mere dragon's might would render Master Mimic incapable of movement.
As it turned out, Master Mimic looked at Bai Qi for a long time before stepping forward and kneeling. "Holy Lord, I have witnessed your power. I now humbly request permission to follow you."
Bai Qi was somewhat taken aback by Master Mimic's sudden pledge of allegiance and did not immediately agree.
Admittedly, in terms of strength, Kraven, Alfred, and T-Rell combined were no match for Master Mimic.
However, Bai Qi valued loyalty more than acquiring an incredibly powerful subordinate.
This was precisely the strict criterion Bai Qi had set when he instructed Kraven to find suitable candidates.
Kraven and Alfred, while not particularly strong in this heavily modified world, were unwavering in their loyalty. Even T-Rell, before being subjected to the forceful intervention of the Righteous Qi, had been 120% loyal to Valon.
In contrast, Master Mimic, a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, even a top-tier operative, had gained the ability to mimic and replicate others' fighting techniques through the injection of a special serum.
Yet, he ultimately betrayed S.H.I.E.L.D., even betraying his direct superior, Nick Fury, who had personally trained him.
After considerable deliberation, a shadowy ninja appeared before Master Mimic at Bai Qi's behest, holding a small vial containing a colorless, odorless, clear liquid.
Bai Qi said, "Drink this to prove your loyalty."
Bai Qi openly told Master Mimic that this was a potion he had meticulously concocted. Drinking it would grant him greater strength, but if Master Mimic ever harbored thoughts of betrayal, the potion would turn into poison, causing him to die in the most agonizing manner, his soul tormented for eternity.
If it were anyone else, Master Mimic would have scoffed at the notion that a liquid resembling plain water could test a person's loyalty, and would have unhesitatingly shot them in the head.
However, coming from Bai Qi, the statement was entirely different.
A talking evil dragon stone statue, an Eastern ninja with a cunning mind, and an almost suffocating aura of power. Now, the individual presented a potion that could test loyalty, and it seemed entirely plausible.
After a moment of hesitation, Master Mimic resolutely picked up the potion from the ninja, uncorked it, and drank it down in one gulp.
Master Mimic had proven his loyalty through his actions.
Master Mimic was, after all, a shrewd individual who would not engage in a losing proposition. His primary reason for submitting to Bai Qi was his assessment of Bai Qi's strength. Schemes and stratagems were rendered useless in the face of absolute power.
Master Mimic then surveyed Bai Qi's current subordinates, finding only Kraven somewhat noteworthy, while the others were insignificant compared to himself.
Adding splendor to an already beautiful scene was less appealing than providing aid in a snowstorm. By joining now, he was confident that his supreme combat prowess would earn him significant favor.
There was another, even more crucial reason that solidified Master Mimic's decision to join.
Not long ago, Master Mimic had raided a S.H.I.E.L.D. safe house and obtained a piece of intelligence: S.H.I.E.L.D. was secretly assembling a large number of superheroes into an organization called the Avengers. As a traitor to S.H.I.E.L.D., he would undoubtedly be the first to be brought in and dealt with.
Given how powerful this devil in front of him was, it was better to pledge allegiance to him now. If S.H.I.E.L.D. ever came knocking, at least he would have someone taller to stand in front of him.
As for the potion he had drunk, Master Mimic was not worried at all.
As long as he did not betray, everything would be fine. Moreover, even if he wanted to betray, he had to consider the possibility of success.
After Master Mimic's calculations, if he were to betray, he would be caught between the dual pressures of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the devil, and his chances of survival would be infinitesimally close to zero.
Therefore, until S.H.I.E.L.D. was dealt with and the antidote for the potion was found, Master Mimic was absolutely loyal.
As for the antidote, Bai Qi could guarantee with his chest that it could not be found even by searching the entire universe.
This was because what Master Mimic had drunk was not a magic potion at all, but ordinary tap water. Bai Qi, finding it bothersome, had the ninja fetch it directly from the tap in the restroom behind them, without even bothering to boil it before bringing it up.
Bai Qi did not know if a potion that would immediately kill a target if they harbored thoughts of betrayal truly existed in the world, but at least it was not present in the Holy Lord's memories or collection.