When it comes to the Umbrella Corporation, one cannot fail to mention its current figurehead, Bruce. Although he is not the CEO, Bruce, as the actual executor of Umbrella's various missions, has truly surprised Bai Qi.
He never expected this fellow, who appears honest, to be so shrewd. As the person in charge of the acquisition of the Osborn Group, his task was completed remarkably well.
"Holy Lord, here is what you requested. We have located it for you."
Lao Su approached the Holy Lord, holding a tablet.
Having spent these past few days with the Holy Lord, Lao Su and the other two have transitioned from their initial fear of him to a state of accustomedness. As long as they work diligently, this demon treats them well. In fact, he occasionally rewards them for their hard work.
A single reward is almost equivalent to a month's salary from Valmont. No one dislikes more money, and besides, weren't Lao Su and the others drawn to the Black Hand for the sole purpose of earning more?
Bai Qi raised an eyebrow, removed his sunglasses, and looked at the tablet in Lao Su's hand. It was indeed accurate.
The screen displayed a map of a region. As Lao Su zoomed in, Bai Qi saw a vast expanse of continuous snow-capped mountains. On the peak of one of these mountains, a human structure could be vaguely discerned.
Lao Su said, "This is deep within Zhonghua Jia's Xi Zang region. According to our investigation, the locals refer to these snow mountains as the place closest to the devil, the only location that fits your description."
Bai Qi nodded with satisfaction upon hearing Lao Su's words. He had the ninjas hand over a briefcase full of cash to Lao Su, saying, "You have handled this matter well. This is a reward for you."
Seeing the briefcase, Lao Su's eyes lit up. He took it and quickly expressed his gratitude.
Watching the three of them on the boat, dividing the money, Bai Qi fell into thought.
When Bai Qi first arrived, influenced by the original plot, he held a preconceived notion that these three were utter failures. After all, how could members of the mob who couldn't even defeat an archaeologist, an old man, and a young girl be anything but hopeless?
However, his perspective had shifted after spending time with them.
These three are not genuinely foolish. It's just that when it comes to matters involving the main protagonists, their intelligence seems to inexplicably drop, and their words and actions become astonishing. But when engaged in tasks unrelated to the protagonists, as they are now, their intelligence is like a sketch comedy, with their sharp minds reasserting their dominance.
The item Bai Qi asked the three to find was none other than the Pan Ku treasure box, essential for releasing the demon.
As a transmigator, Bai Qi indeed knew the importance of the Pan Ku treasure box. However, due to the passage of time, his memory of many plot details was hazy. He did not know the exact location of the treasure box, only that it was somewhere within an ancient structure in Xi Zang.
The Pan Ku treasure box, as the key item for opening the portal to hell, possesses immense defensive capabilities in itself.
The exterior of the treasure box is indestructible, and there is no way to force it open, not even with high-powered electric tools, which would leave not the slightest mark. Furthermore, the treasure box is imbued with righteous magic, so anyone with dark magic (including those possessing others in spirit form) will be harmed upon contact. As soon as they touch it, they will be attacked by magical electricity or green demonic flames emanating from the box. Prolonged contact can lead to unconsciousness or even death.
Of course, Bai Qi had considered having his henchmen, the Shadow Ninjas, conduct a massive, thorough search in Tibet. However, unfortunately, the commotion caused by his resurrection was too great. Zhonghua Jia was already fully prepared. As a nation with a civilization that has never experienced a complete break, Zhonghua Jia possesses an awe-inspiring foundation accumulated over millennia.
Almost three days after Bai Qi's revival, Zhonghua Jia assembled over a hundred mages and more than a dozen Archmage-level mages. They established a formidable magical barrier along their national borders.
While this magical barrier has no effect on ordinary people, it effectively blocks dark energy. Even if a powerful demon like the Holy Lord were to force their way through, the barrier would emit an alarm, alerting border troops and mages.
Did you think that was all?
You would truly underestimate the "infrastructure maniacs" then.
To protect the safety of its citizens, almost every province in the country has one or two Archmages stationed there. A large number of mages have voluntarily joined the military camps, imparting magical knowledge to the soldiers.
They truly ensured foolproof security, making them leagues ahead of countries like the United States, which have only a century of history.
Therefore, Bai Qi could only rely on the Black Hand trio to try their luck. Who would have thought these three would actually find it?
Next, the challenge would be finding a way to enter Zhonghua Jia's territory and seize the Pan Ku treasure box.
Individuals like Kraven and the Mimic are out of the question. Do not underestimate Zhonghua Jia's intelligence capabilities. These individuals, who have records with S.H.I.E.L.D., are certainly anticipated by Zhonghua Jia. If they were to infiltrate, they would likely be intercepted at customs before even starting, leading to a completely different scenario.
"Who has a clean record and possesses some strength?"
As Bai Qi pondered, a person flashed through his mind.
Bai Qi cursed himself for being so foolish. The ideal candidate, possessing both qualifications, had just been subdued by him.
That's right, the person Bai Qi thought of was the origami thief, Kazahara.
His background is sufficiently clean. The theft of those cultural relics was done by the origami thief, and Kazahara himself was not involved. This is one of the few things Kazahara did right.
Furthermore, in an instant, Bai Qi even devised a method for Kazahara to enter the country legitimately.
Didn't Zhonghua Jia have many precious cultural artifacts lost overseas in the past? Kazahara's collection happened to include a few such items from Zhonghua Jia. He could enter the country under the guise of donating these artifacts. Given Kazahara's social standing, he might even receive protection from Zhonghua Jia upon his arrival.
However, these were all Bai Qi's unilateral thoughts. Although Kazahara, in his current situation, had no choice but to comply, the thought of him having to part with his valuable treasures so soon after joining, and before reaping any significant benefits, must be agonizing.
But these are not concerns for Bai Qi. Subordinates are meant to be utilized, are they not? If a subordinate has no value, why else would one keep them?
Speaking of subordinates, as Valmont's true powerhouse, Tohru was Valmont's most favored subordinate.
As for Adfoo, who was recruited later, he was poached by that demon, the Holy Lord, after only a few days of service.
And now, Tohru has reformed, leaving the Black Hand to join the ranks of the main protagonists.
It is rather strange. Valmont could never understand why Tohru, who was always so loyal, suddenly rebelled after the Holy Lord's resurrection, as if it were all prearranged.