Only a little over half a month had passed since Chen Mo left.
In that time, he had accomplished a great deal.
After learning of Wakanda's existence, Chen Mo secretly returned to Hydra's top-secret headquarters in Norway, where he systematically reviewed all intelligence related to Wakanda and identified Erik Killmonger, a Hydra agent with ties to the Wakandan royal family.
Subsequently, Chen Mo enhanced him with the Super Soldier Serum and used Ulysses Klaue's corpse as a stepping stone to gradually elevate him to the throne of Wakanda.
He then initiated a series of actions and plans to unify the entire African continent, all of which were now proceeding very smoothly.
Because Chen Mo acted decisively and swiftly—from his return to Wakanda with Erik Killmonger to seize the throne, to carrying out decapitation strikes, secretly controlling both military and political circles in Africa, and ultimately facilitating the joint African rescue operation—this series of actions and dramatic changes occurred rapidly within a very short period. Thus, when Chen Mo emerged from the martial arts school again, only a little over ten days had passed, and he did not arouse suspicion from the various forces monitoring him.
Although he had orchestrated many events and the dramatic changes unfolding in Africa, he had only appeared in Wakanda, which itself remained highly secretive. As a result, no one outside knew of his connection to these events.
Chen Mo's trip to Africa could be described as highly fruitful.
Wakanda's advanced technology, developed using the supermetal vibranium, far surpassed the technological level of the most developed nations in many aspects, nearly matching Hydra's capabilities. Notably, Wakanda also possessed top-tier scientific talent.
Princess Shuri, T'Challa's sister, is a highly intelligent young woman and a top-tier tech genius on par with Tony Stark. Many of Wakanda's advanced technologies were developed and breakthroughs achieved under her leadership. If Wakanda had previously maintained a decade-long technological lead over the world, under her guidance, that gap widened to twenty years in just a few years.
Sonic cannons, energy shields, the Kimoyo Beads, and spacecraft propulsion engines were all enhanced under her direction. Currently, she is focusing on developing nanotechnology, though without success yet.
Once successfully developed, the Black Panther suit will be stored in a necklace-sized device, deployable in seconds to cover the entire body.
Wearing the Black Panther suit will become incredibly convenient and quick, greatly enhancing its responsiveness.
Chen Mo cannot assist her in this endeavor; Hydra has made little progress in this area either. She must rely on her own step-by-step research. However, according to her, progress has been made, and realization may not be far off.
Having secretly left the martial arts school and disappeared from public view for some time, any longer absence would arouse suspicion. Besides, his presence was no longer needed there for now. Therefore, after copying all of Wakanda's technological data, Chen Mo left Erik Killmonger to rule his kingdom and continue implementing the African unification plan, while he quietly departed Wakanda.
After leaving, Chen Mo did not return directly to New York; instead, he first returned to Hydra's headquarters in Norway.
He still had an important matter to attend to, one that required an absolutely secure location.
One of the main gains from his Wakanda trip was the Heart-Shaped Herb, a miraculous plant mutated by the special energy radiation of vibranium. It possessed abilities similar to the Super Soldier Serum, significantly enhancing a person's various capabilities and physical qualities after consumption.
The difference was that it was safer than the improved serum and caused no significant change in body size. However, the only drawback was that the person would fall into a coma during the enhancement process, as if dead, completely losing the ability to defend themselves.
Therefore, Chen Mo needed a sufficiently safe place to consume the Heart-Shaped Herb for enhancement.
If there is one place in the world where Chen Mo could safely take the Heart-Shaped Herb and fall into a coma without worrying about his safety, it is Hydra headquarters.
Located deep in the Scandinavian Mountains of northern Norway, its location is extremely secluded and unknown to any outsiders. Coupled with its heavily guarded and powerful defense system, along with the unwavering loyalty of Hydra members, any danger is virtually impossible.
And if asked who Chen Mo trusts most in the world, it would undoubtedly be Eddie Albert. With him present, Chen Mo could be absolutely at ease, even if he fell into a complete coma after taking the Heart-Shaped Herb, without worrying about his safety.
In his spacious office at Hydra headquarters, Chen Mo leaned back in his large chair, took out a Heart-Shaped Herb from his spatial storage, and placed it in his mouth.
"Gulp!"
After a slight chew, the Heart-Shaped Herb transformed into a cool liquid, which Chen Mo swallowed in one gulp.
Chen Mo could feel a clear stream flowing down his esophagus into his stomach, quickly spreading throughout his body.
Wherever this clear stream passed, Chen Mo's already incredibly powerful cells began to evolve once more. His skin, muscles, bones, internal organs—every part of his body grew stronger than before.
However, at the same time, Chen Mo's brain was also undergoing changes. Under the influence of these changes, his consciousness began to drift. Though Chen Mo tried his best to stay awake, as the effects of the Heart-Shaped Herb fully took hold, the changes in his brain grew increasingly drastic, and the drowsiness intensified. Ultimately, Chen Mo's consciousness could not resist the drowsiness from the depths of his brain, and he fell into a coma.
At this moment, Chen Mo was arguably at his most vulnerable; a single bullet could kill him.
Outside his office, Eddie Albert personally led Colonel John, the base's defense captain, and a group of the most elite Hydra soldiers, fully armed and guarding the entrance.
Simultaneously, the entire base, inside and out, entered a state of highest alert. Every passage and key location was heavily guarded. With the current power dynamics on Earth, no one could break through their defenses and reach Chen Mo's office.
This is precisely why Chen Mo specifically returned to the Hydra base for the enhancement.