Chapter 138: Argyle

After hearing Su Yan’s words, a name immediately came to Gu Chongyan’s mind.

Leech.

Leech was a mutant whose ability could suppress any superpower. Any superhuman power that came within ten meters of him would be suppressed.

From an outsider’s perspective, it appeared that anyone with superpowers would lose them upon approaching Leech, as if their abilities had been erased. In reality, that was not the case.

In the film *X-Men 3: The Last Stand*, the Worthington Corporation discovered Leech and used his blood to create a mutant-suppressing serum capable of eliminating mutant abilities and turning mutants into ordinary humans.

However, the suppression was not permanent. As time passed, the suppressed abilities would gradually return.

By the end of the film, Magneto, whose powers had been erased, had already regained the ability to move metal.

Leech’s suppressive power was extraordinarily potent. Almost no superpower could function in his presence.

Still, nothing in this world was absolute. Although Leech’s ability was powerful, it had its limits. His mutant power was effective only against beings below the Skyfather level. Once someone reached the Skyfather level, Leech would be unable to suppress them unless his own strength grew further.

Gu Chongyan had yet to reach the Skyfather level, so in theory, he fell within the range of Leech’s suppression.

However, his power was rather special. It was rooted in the mind—a manifestation of immense power belonging entirely to the self.

Leech’s power could suppress his magic, but it could not suppress it completely.

Even so, such an ability was already remarkably formidable.

Remembering his plan from not long before, Gu Chongyan could not help smiling. It seemed that just when he needed a pillow, one had been delivered to him. Leech had arrived at exactly the right moment.

Looking at Su Yan, whose face was filled with guilt and unease, Gu Chongyan smiled first.

“All right, don’t worry. You did the right thing. That child is very important. If someone with malicious intentions discovered him, it would certainly lead to disaster.”

“All right, go bring him out. Let’s get acquainted. From now on, we’ll all be living under the same roof.”

As he spoke, Gu Chongyan turned to Father Landon and said with a smile, “By the way, Father, would you be willing to adopt one more child?”

Hearing this, Father Landon looked at Gu Chongyan speechlessly.

“Sean, do you know what people outside have been saying about me since I adopted you and Su?”

“Uh… What have they been saying?” Gu Chongyan asked, confused.

“They say I’m a pedophile, that I adopted you and Su Yan with ulterior motives, and that the reason I adopted a Chinese boy several years after taking you in was because I have a particular fondness for boys of that age.”

“And now you want me to adopt another little boy. The rumors are likely to spread even further. The FBI and the Church may even intervene and investigate. Do you know what that means?”

Gu Chongyan suddenly understood.

He had forgotten that the social climate in the United States was different from that back home. Clergy and ordinary people—especially priests and young boys—were an extremely sensitive subject.

Cases of people adopting young boys to satisfy their own private desires were hardly uncommon, and various child-protection agencies kept a close watch on such matters.

Adopting Su Yan alone would not be a problem. But if Father Landon kept adopting young boys, he would have to face investigations by the FBI and the Church to determine whether his motives were charitable or selfish.

Father Landon was upright and beyond reproach, so naturally he had nothing to fear from an investigation.

But the other three were different. A wizard, a superhuman, and a mutant—if the investigation dug too deeply, it was hard to guarantee that no problems would emerge.

Yet if they did not take the proper legal route, their only option was to hide Leech.

Simply hiding Leech would not be difficult for Gu Chongyan. He could send him to Hogwarts.

That was his secret base, one even Su Yan knew nothing about. As long as Leech was hidden there, no one would ever discover him.

But Leech was not merely a mutant. He was also a child—a child who needed to grow up and receive a normal education. Keeping him hidden indefinitely was not a viable solution.

After considering the matter from every angle, Gu Chongyan could think of only one place truly suited to him: Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.

However, Leech’s power attacked indiscriminately, and at present Gu Chongyan also needed access to that ability. It would be better to wait and see.

“Then let’s hide him here at home for a while,” Gu Chongyan said. “After some time has passed, I’ll find a suitable place for him.”

“Okay. If you need any help, just tell me,” Father Landon replied with a faint smile.

As they spoke, a soft rustling of footsteps came from the stairwell. Two children descended the stairs one after another.

A thin white boy timidly followed behind Su Yan. He was so emaciated that his clothes hung loosely from his body, making him look even smaller.

His wary, frightened eyes reminded Gu Chongyan of the first day he had met Su Yan.

Seeing this, Father Landon and Gu Chongyan simultaneously put on gentle smiles, doing their best to make themselves appear approachable.

“Hello. I’m Father Landon. Can you tell me your name?” Father Landon asked softly.

The little boy glanced timidly at the two men, then instinctively hid himself behind Su Yan.

Seeing this, Su Yan gently pulled the boy out from behind him and spoke with the solemn air of a little adult.

“It’s all right. Father Landon and Brother Gu are good people, remember? I told you about them. I’m an orphan too. Brother Gu rescued me from the hands of demons and gave me a new life.”

Hearing Su Yan’s words, the boy relaxed slightly. He looked at Su Yan, then at Father Landon, and slowly shook his head.

Perhaps he felt that shaking his head did not make his meaning clear enough. In a voice as faint as the buzz of a mosquito, he whispered, “I… I don’t have a name.”

“I see. Then how about Agil? It comes from the word ‘angel.’ As for your surname, you can share Su Yan’s. Agil Su. Would that be all right?” Gu Chongyan asked gently.

Perhaps Gu Chongyan’s expression was gentle enough, or perhaps the surname Su had touched the boy’s heart.

After staring timidly at Gu Chongyan for a long moment, Agil gave a small nod of agreement.

Gu Chongyan smiled in satisfaction and extended his right hand toward him.

“Good. From now on, you’re Agil. Hello, I’m Sean Gu. You can call me Brother Gu, just like Su Yan does.”

“You’ve probably already realized that you possess a special ability. Don’t be afraid. It’s a special power bestowed upon you by heaven. Su Yan and I have powers too. From now on, I’ll teach you how to control yours.”

“Once you can fully control your ability, I’ll find a way to send you to school so you can return to a normal life—eating, sleeping, playing ball, and going to school just like any other child.”

“But until then, you’ll need to follow my arrangements. All right?”

After hesitating for a moment, Agil finally extended his small hand and took Gu Chongyan’s. He gave it a gentle squeeze.

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