Chapter 110: The Green Doctor

“The harvest was quite good. Time… just over two months, not bad at all.”

Khan’s absence had been considerable. His power was growing ever larger, now encompassing a Biological Research Center, a Biopharmaceutical Company, Umbrella Military Security Company, and a newly registered Energy Corporation.

In the future, he could leave a shadow clone in the Marvel world. Without engaging in combat and by using sealing techniques to further suppress chakra, he could probably hold out for over a month.

As for the basilisk, after unsealing the frozen creature, he spoke to it: “From now on, you’ll live in the nearby sea area. I will regularly supply food for you. Remember, never let anyone discover your existence.”

In the latter half of the Hogwarts year, Khan had also applied the celestial chakra seal on the basilisk. After six months of gestation, the connection between them had grown closer, allowing him to sense the creature’s thoughts.

Now, Khan essentially controlled the basilisk’s life and death. After adapting to the celestial chakra, the creature’s body, dozens of meters long, began to grow again. Khan was uncertain of its current growth limit, but fortunately, there was a nearby coastal area where it could remain hidden.

His greatest gains this time were a series of spells: flight charm, soul theft curse, and transfiguration, among others. These spells elevated him far above ordinary people. As long as he was cautious of extraordinary forces like Kamataji, Khan could safely develop for ten years.

In ten years, with biological and mechanical technology, Khan would undoubtedly be able to build an overwhelmingly powerful army, perhaps even elevating Earth’s civilization to become the fourth great empire of the cosmos.

This was Khan’s ambition, but not an impossible one.

Yet for now, he needed to develop gradually, as his companies had yet to firmly establish themselves in America.

After delegating accumulated matters to his shadow clone, Khan picked up the phone and dialed directly: “Betty, are you busy?”

...

“To be honest, I’m not clear about your development direction. From my perspective, clean energy should at least wait until after you’ve developed the biopharmaceutical company. Do you realize how much backlash you’ll face if you push clean energy now...?”

Since Khan took charge, Betty Ross had been reporting the latest developments to him, with a hint of grievance. Khan had vanished for such a long time, yet Betty could mobilize a quarter of his industries and funds. If she harbored any ill will, Khan’s empire would be in danger. His top priority remained the Desolation Virus, a collaboration with the military, which Betty controlled.

However, she found it hard to harbor such thoughts. She wasn’t short of money, didn’t dislike Khan Penter much, and didn’t want to see others targeting him. Betty often felt she was on the brink of madness.

Her reluctance regarding clean energy stemmed from worries that Khan would be targeted by the traditional resource magnates — people who had even defeated her father and were willing to wage localized wars over energy issues.

During Khan’s two-month absence, she hadn’t forgotten him; in fact, she missed him more. Even inside the car, Betty began unconsciously rubbing her legs but masked her actions by pretending to retrieve documents. Thankfully, she had switched to a Lincoln with a sealed cabin.

“Don’t worry, Betty. Wanke and the others won’t truly develop for at least two more years. By then, even if someone acts maliciously, I can handle it.”

Khan reassured her. If he were an ordinary person without supernatural powers, he’d have to be wary of those resource barons — but he was not.

Within two years, the Wanke father and son would keep the Ark Reactor project under wraps. Anton Wanke, having experienced expulsion from America, understood the consequences of rushing. His health was improving, so he could afford to wait.

“Setting that aside, how is the Desolation Virus progressing?”

Noticing Betty’s gaze and the subtle movement of her legs, Khan embraced her waist and lifted her onto his lap. “Report to me like this. I want to hear everything clearly.”

“The Desolation Virus is progressing smoothly. We’ve already… accepted the first batch…”

After only a few words, Betty angrily pushed his hand away, saying it was impossible to report like this. Yet, feeling his body’s warmth, she swallowed hard. Finally, Betty—

(Chapter unfinished!)

Chapter 110: Dr. Green

Hastening her report, Betty revealed that she had special channels to gather intelligence on the super soldier squad from the military. Khan’s estimated success rate was around 70%, but the military’s was only 50%. Many failures were unrelated to the serum but linked to the user’s emotional state.

This conclusion came from military researchers: the Desolation Virus serum was heavily influenced by emotions. Excessive excitement or fright could trigger heart rate spikes that caused the virus to rapidly heat and explode.

However, the successful soldiers gained superhuman strength, capable of crushing four-millimeter steel plates with ease. Their speed, reflexes, and regeneration matched super soldier standards. Compared to Steve Rogers’ data, they were slightly weaker but had regeneration many times stronger.

“Khan, my father plans to entrust several serums left by Dr. Erskine to your Biological Research Center. If you can perfect them, he will continue cooperating with you to develop new serums… We’re almost there.”

Betty drew back Khan’s mischievous hands, almost losing patience, and quickly adjusted her clothes and makeup.

“Of course, I agree to that. Help me set up a meeting with General Ross sometime.”

After getting out of the car, Khan spoke to Betty. If his memory served, those were likely copies of Erskine’s super soldier serums with significant defects that had been frozen. The success of the Desolation Virus serum had given Ross hope to restart the project.

“I heard your father got promoted?”

Betty shook her head. “Not that easy. He just gained more power and political leverage. Unless there’s a world war, it’s hard for him to rise further. The super soldier squad is just a political chip to increase his influence.”

Betty was now studying management, though she kept it well concealed. She had become even busier. Since the last time Khan interrupted her meeting with Bruce, she had only spoken to him a few times briefly on the phone.

...

At the Biological Research Center, before departure, Betty informed Laura, CEO of the Biopharmaceutical Company, about the progress on the recovery serum.

The recovery serum was nearly perfected—a key moneymaker in the early stages of Khan’s biopharmaceutical enterprise.

This serum broke traditional drug boundaries, prompting some regulatory adjustments. Khan had filed for approval two years prior. Recent breakthroughs and military orders accelerated the serum’s market launch.

In half a year, the recovery serum could be publicly sold, coinciding with the formation of the military’s first super soldier squad. General Ross and beneficiaries of the squad had promised to help expedite the launch process.

After all, the military was already using it, with many officers suffering from amputations.

The serum would be divided into several treatment stages, but a single limb regeneration course would cost at least $300,000.

Poor Americans could not afford this medicine yet. Spending a family’s savings for one arm was not something the merciful Khan wished to see. Thus, the initial production would be reserved for the wealthy.

The market was huge, with hundreds of millions in need. Even if Khan’s factories ran day and night, they could only supply 0.3% of demand in the coming years.

For nearly half a day, Khan discussed the serum launch, factory construction, and press conferences with Laura, Betty, and others.

Khan felt many things could now be entrusted to others. In a few months, the seal’s effects would improve. Unless sabotaged externally, betrayal was impossible.

His shadow clone had also communicated with the Wanke father and son. Anton Wanke’s Ark Reactor was still first-generation; they needed to upgrade several generations before announcing it publicly.

...

“I’ve been busy all day, Miss Betty. Any restaurant recommendations?”

“Let’s go to Brooklyn. There’s a decent restaurant there.”

Betty opened the car door and continued, “You barely spoke today, my boss.”

“Listening is also exhausting, Betty.”

After getting in, they told Paul the destination. On the way, they chatted about other matters. Betty had gathered information on the Eugene Gene Laboratory, but a powerful backer made acquisition complicated.

Soon, Paul dropped Khan and Betty off at the restaurant, promising to wait outside and drive them home after dinner before resting.

“I’ll order. You haven’t been here before, so try my recommendations.”

Betty began ordering, knowing Khan’s appetite was large, so she chose many dishes to be served in batches.

The restaurant’s service was fast. Soon, their dishes arrived. Khan hadn’t eaten many delicacies in the Harry Potter world, mostly relying on food from his spatial backpack. The dishes prepared by Hogwarts house-elves were mediocre.

After tasting several dishes, Khan praised, “The food here is indeed good. Looks like you’ve been here many times.”

“Almost missed it last time because you called me back. This time, I tried every dish…”

Before Betty could finish, a figure suddenly appeared beside her. She looked up, heart pounding.

“Bruce?”

Bruce wore a perplexed and incredulous expression. “Betty, you said you were working. How come you’re here? And who is he?”

“He’s my boss. We just finished work and came here to eat. Bruce, why are you here?”

Betty stammered, surprised to see Bruce. Calvert University was some distance away. How did Bruce come here?

“Finished work? Betty, will you come back later? I remember you said you’d rest for a few days. My colleagues and I were dining nearby and just finished…”

The longer Bruce Banner looked at Khan, the more uneasy and troubled he felt. Khan’s striking appearance triggered an instinctive threat. Bruce wanted to believe Betty but the unease stabbed at him like a thorn.

“Maybe… I’ll work overtime, Bruce. Don’t wait up for me. You should rest first.”

Betty lowered her head slightly, cutting her last piece of steak into several small bits.

Bruce saw his girlfriend, so beautifully made up, still working late and felt heartbroken. “Betty, it’s already late…”

“Bruce, I really have some things to do…”

Having instinctively refused earlier, Betty decided to refuse completely.

Bruce’s heart sank, and without another word, he left the restaurant.

...

After a while, Khan finished eating and stood up. “Let’s go, Betty. I’ll work overtime with you.”

Chapter 110: Dr. Green