Chapter Sixty: Sword Pointed at Wall Street

Taking a deep breath, Gu Zhongyan solemnly said to Nick Fury, “I apologize. I didn’t understand the situation and wrongly accused you.”

After all, when faced with an existence that even the five primeval gods could not destroy, S.H.I.E.L.D.’s decision to withdraw, though humiliating, was undeniably the right choice.

“It’s alright.” Nick Fury shook his head, grinning to reveal his dazzling white teeth.

“To be honest, your reaction actually makes me trust you more. At least, from my previous impression, you cared for nothing but your own interests, indifferent to the fate of others.”

“But now, it seems that while you do value your own gains, as long as there’s no conflict of interest, you’re not a bad person.”

“So, are you saying you now see me as someone trustworthy?” Gu Zhongyan quipped back with a hint of mockery.

Nick Fury merely smiled at this, neither confirming nor denying it.

Gu Zhongyan was not surprised. After all, mistrust was Nick Fury’s most defining trait. Even those who had fought alongside him for years—his most valued deputy, Maria Hill, or Phil Coulson, the designated next director of S.H.I.E.L.D.—had never earned his complete trust, let alone someone like himself.

“Enough about that. Do you still intend to go after the vampires? If so, I have here a damaged copy of the ‘Vampire Bible.’ It might be useful to you,” Nick Fury suddenly said.

Gu Zhongyan was taken aback, responding instinctively, “But didn’t you say there was an agreement between the vampires and the human authorities... Wait, do you mean—?”

His eyes narrowed as he began to understand Nick Fury's meaning.

Indeed, there was a pact between the vampires and the upper echelons of human society, a tacit permission for vampires to exist and a prohibition against waging war on them. But all this applied only at the governmental level.

That’s why over the years, Blade and other vampire hunters could continue to hunt vampires.

On one hand, humanity could use this method to control the vampire population, preventing an uprising. On the other, the vampires themselves knew that if their numbers swelled unchecked, humans would never sit idly by.

If things really got out of hand and humans went to war again, even if Dracula remained immortal, and the vampire race endured, that didn’t mean they wouldn’t be destroyed.

If they all died, what meaning would the continuation of their kind have?

Therefore, as long as it wasn’t an official operation, everyone turned a blind eye and feigned ignorance.

Clearly, Nick Fury intended to exploit this loophole.

As an official, as a representative of S.H.I.E.L.D., he could not take direct action against the vampires. But Gu Zhongyan was not bound by such rules; if he acted, it wouldn’t violate the agreement.

As long as he didn’t get carried away and decide to eradicate all vampires, there was room for maneuver.

Nick Fury nodded. “Just as you said, the vampires have overstepped their bounds. It’s time to teach them a lesson, make them behave.”

“Not just those hybrid vampires—the purebloods too. They know full well about the original agreement, yet they deliberately let the hybrids cause chaos. Clearly, they’re not playing by the rules either.”

“This time, let’s clean house—wipe out the pests in all of New York.”

“You, Blade, the Defenders, plus a little assistance from me behind the scenes. Taking over New York shouldn’t be too much of a challenge.”

Gu Zhongyan was about to nod instinctively, but suddenly realized something.

“Wait, why are you suddenly so enthusiastic? What’s your real motive?”

“Aren’t you the one who wants to go after the vampires? I’m just showing my support,” Nick Fury replied innocently.

Gu Zhongyan let out a cold laugh, seeing right through him. “Don’t play dumb. I know you too well. Even if you wanted to deal with the vampires, you wouldn’t be so eager without a reason.”

“First it’s the Vampire Bible, now you’re offering support out of the blue. There’s got to be a catch.”

“What are you really after? If you don’t come clean, I promise whatever you’re planning, I’ll ruin it for you.”

Nick Fury’s brows furrowed, as if insulted. “Am I really that untrustworthy? Even at this point, you still doubt me?”

A cold chuckle was his only answer as Gu Zhongyan fixed him with an unblinking stare.

“Fine, just a small request,” Nick Fury answered, his tone perfectly natural, not the least bit embarrassed.

Gu Zhongyan’s eyes flashed with understanding. “I knew it. What is it?”

Nick Fury explained, “Here’s the thing: vampires have always hidden within human society. The mindless hybrid vampires who only know chaos are one thing, but the purebloods—every one of them has lived for centuries, some for millennia.”

“The long years have allowed them to amass vast wealth. After the rise of the financial industry, they flocked to Wall Street.”

“So, when people say everyone on Wall Street is a vampire, it’s not entirely wrong.”

“Once those vampires are dead, Wall Street will be flooded with unclaimed capital. S.H.I.E.L.D. can’t directly intervene without provoking the vampire leaders. So…”

By this point, Gu Zhongyan had grasped his meaning and raised a hand to cut him off.

“I get it. You’re after the vampires’ money on Wall Street. When I take them out, you’ll swoop in and clean out the fortunes they’ve amassed over centuries.”

“So I risk my life on the front lines, and you just pick up the spoils in the rear. You take me for a fool?” Gu Zhongyan said with a scowl.

“That’s harsh,” Nick Fury replied seriously. “I’m just being realistic. After this, the vampire leaders will surely respond. S.H.I.E.L.D. will have to step in to help you stabilize the situation.”

“Besides, such a huge sum—you and the Rand Corporation could never swallow it all. Rather than let it go to waste, devoured piecemeal by the financial sharks, we should coordinate in advance and maximize the benefit.”

“You mean maximize your own benefit,” Gu Zhongyan retorted. “Even if we can’t claim it all, it’s still enough for Rand and me to make a killing. If I hadn’t caught on, you’d have pocketed the whole haul.”

Nick Fury showed not a hint of shame, but spoke earnestly: “How could that be? Don’t you realize stabilizing the situation means sharing the profits? Some has to be returned to the vampires, some goes to S.H.I.E.L.D., some must be overseen by the World Security Council, and the financial sharks will all take a bite.”

“With it all split up, there’s hardly any profit left. Besides, I did give you the Vampire Bible, didn’t I?”

“That’s just because you want me to help deal with the vampires—and even hope I’ll find some magical way to restrain Dracula,” Gu Zhongyan rolled his eyes and said impatiently.