The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife

"Speaking of which, my relationship with Boss Xing is quite unique, you could say, rather 'intimate'. As for the HST project, I think I have some authority to speak on it." The demon exorcist intertwined his fingers, and when Ye Shikai mentioned the HST project, his expression suddenly became serious.

Sure enough, Ye Shikai didn't guess wrong; the demon exorcist indeed has a significant connection with the HST project.

"Are you also a test subject of the HST project?" Ye Shikai voiced his doubts. It was a bold decision, but the demon exorcist's answer seemed even bolder.

"Yes, Mr. Ye, you're right, I am indeed a test subject of the HST project." The demon exorcist nodded, and for a moment, Ye Shikai felt a deep sense of weariness on his face, as if he questioned life after experiencing many significant events.

"More precisely, you should say this is the third generation of the HST project."

"Third generation, so there were two earlier generations?" Ye Shikai was even more shocked. It was unexpected that the HST project had developed so far, yet it seemed he began to admire the demon exorcist a little for speaking so lightly about such matters. Though he appeared human now, the reality is that the test subjects of the HST project could only be called half-human, half-beast.

"Mr. Ye, you must be very shocked right now, but that's exactly what I wanted to talk about today." The demon exorcist's expression gradually became solemn. This matter felt like a heavy stone pressing down on one's heart, or like a scab, and by speaking of it, the demon exorcist seemed to be reopening old wounds.

"Why are you telling me all this?" They had only been meeting for five minutes, yet the amount of information Ye Shikai received seemed overwhelming. Why did he share such a secret?

"Mr. Ye, if I tell you that I, like you, also hate Boss Xing, would you believe me?"

"Why should I believe you? Since you're a test subject of the HST project, can't I suspect that this is part of your deception?" Ye Shikai showed a disdainful expression.

"It seems you still don't believe in my sincerity." The demon exorcist said quietly, seeming a bit disappointed, "So what would make you trust me?"

"That depends on whether you have the ability to convince me." Ye Shikai took a sip of coffee and said softly.

"I can tell you some important secrets about the HST project, or even share my entire experience with you." The demon exorcist continued.

"Wait." Suddenly, Ye Shikai interrupted the demon exorcist, switching to a cold tone, "Aren't you worried that I'll arrest you today?"

"Haha, Mr. Ye, if you really wanted to catch me, I wouldn't even be able to walk into this café. The guards from the National Security Bureau are all around us, aren't they?" The demon exorcist suddenly laughed lightly, resting his chin and taking a sip of coffee.

"It seems you do have some sincerity." Ye Shikai nodded, surprised that the other party had seen through the National Security Bureau's ambush but still walked in with such confidence. It appeared he was serious.

"Alright, tell me, what exactly is the HST project, and how did you become a test subject?"

"Whew~~ My name is De, and actually my early life was just like everyone else's: working, earning money, and sustaining myself."

"One day, I was walking on the street, and then... suddenly fainted." The demon exorcist's words puzzled Ye Shikai—how could someone just faint like that? It seemed so reckless.

"Yes, it was just that inexplicable collapse." The demon exorcist seemed to understand Ye Shikai's confusion, "And that's when my nightmare began."

"It was a dark experimental base, and I didn't know where I was. When I woke up, I felt there were some changes in my body, but at the time, I couldn't articulate it."

"You were injected with the HST serum." Ye Shikai said flatly, and the demon exorcist—or rather, De—nodded gently.

"I once saw those injected with the same serum—those Mothmen—they lost their self-awareness, becoming powerful puppets only capable of executing orders." As De spoke of this, he seemed somewhat terrified. If not for the mask glued to his face, Ye Shikai would have seen the fear in his eyes.

"The way you're speaking now, I'm starting to feel a bit sympathetic towards you." Ye Shikai said softly.

"Then I should thank you, Mr. Ye."

"Continue, please."

"The serum comes in several types—the Mothmen were the first generation; I don't know about the second generation. I just overheard it by accident. I was injected with the third generation serum, but regardless of which generation, there's a common characteristic: losing self-awareness, becoming a machine for killing."

"It seems you belong to a special case." Ye Shikai remarked firmly, no need to say, the current De has full self-awareness—something all 'rulers' dread since subordinates who don't fully obey and even harbor rebellious thoughts are often more frightening than powerful external enemies.

A thousand-mile dyke crumbles because of an ant hole; the strongest alliance often first collapses internally...

"I am indeed a special case in the experiment. I have self-awareness but gained the powerful energy of the third-generation serum." De suddenly shifted his tone, whispering mysteriously, "As a sidenote, I'm the only one alive among those injected with the third generation serum; everyone else didn't survive more than twelve hours."

"What?" Hearing this, Ye Shikai indeed felt a jolt of surprise. Now everything made sense—no wonder De clashed with Boss Xing last night. To the hidden forces behind the HST project, De not only represented a 'martial force rebellion threat', but also held immense 'research value'. Perhaps, the breakthrough for the third generation serum lies within him.

"Mr. Ye, I've said so much; you should be able to believe me now."

"De, if what you're saying is true, then I truly sympathize with you." Ye Shikai said softly, "You must have gone through considerable effort to escape, didn't you?"

"Indeed, not only took its toll on my energy but also carried life risks." De said with an earnest tone and continued, "Mr. Ye, you want to capture Boss Xing, while I want revenge. I wish to collaborate with you."

"What, you want to collaborate with me?" Ye Shikai suddenly burst into laughter, "De, even if I believe you, do you think collaboration is possible?"

"You are the Netherworld King Hades; even your kind of international underground forces can collaborate with the National Security Bureau, so why couldn't I? At least with me, taking down Boss Xing is critical for you, isn't it?"

"Since you know my identity, you should understand I'm not the National Security Bureau. Even if I agree to collaborate, do you think they would agree?" Ye Shikai countered.