Sokovia. Xu Wenwu had just returned from the Dragon Palace. The Vibranium needed to be transported back for safekeeping and forging. As the saying goes, "a wily hare has three burrows."
Hong Fei's network of strongholds now spanned the globe: a manor in New York, a castle in Sokovia, Blackwater Town, the Sky Base, and the Dragon Palace. Together, they formed an impenetrable web of security.
The Dragon Palace's entrance, in particular, was exceptionally secure. Each location had begun to take on distinct roles, tailored to their strengths and purposes.
The manor in New York remained unsold for several reasons. First, the city was a hotspot for chaos, and having a temporary residence was essential for operations. Second, its proximity to the Avengers Tower made it convenient for exchange personnel to stay there. Third, Hong Fei might need to train Spider-Boy there in the future. Fourth, the underground warehouse still housed a significant arsenal.
Though it had shed its role as the primary Base, it remained a crucial temporary stronghold. The castle in Sokovia, on the other hand, was unmistakably the residence of the Dragon King. Hong Fei often stayed there, and until the Regeneration Cradle project was completed, it would remain the central Base.
With the launch of the Superpower Park plan, the castle would continue to serve as a symbol of the Dragon King's presence. The Sky Base, inherited from the Red Room, had become the primary research and living space for the team's scientists while still functioning as the main Base for the Black Widows.
Hong Fei commanded over five hundred Black Widows, though they were dispersed throughout the U.S. government and S.H.I.E.L.D. Since he rarely issued major mission orders, their presence remained subtle. Finally, there was the Dragon Palace.
As an extra-dimensional space tethered to the Main Universe, it surpassed all other locations in terms of area, concealment, and habitability. It was the ideal candidate for the primary Base—a role it could maintain indefinitely.
Spanning over two million square kilometers, it was large enough to establish a country. Finding the entrance was nearly impossible; entering required courage, and surviving inside demanded strength. In short, it was impenetrable.
As a result, the castle's functions, aside from the Regeneration Cradle project, would largely be absorbed by the Dragon Palace. Vibranium, being such a precious material, was best stored there.
The fighter jet touched down behind the castle. The rear hatch opened, and Big Head emerged first, leading Shuri. Xu Wenwu waited nearby, his presence calm and commanding.
Big Head approached with a grin.
"Mr. Xu, the Vibranium and our little princess have arrived."
"Good work," Xu Wenwu replied, offering a rare smile before turning his gaze to Shuri. The young princess met his eyes with a defiant stare, her expression bold but ultimately childlike in his presence.
With a dashing smile, Xu Wenwu said, "No need to unload the items; I'll fly the jet away myself in a moment."
"Understood, Mr. Xu. How's the construction progressing?"
"It's going well. The mountain terrain complicates things, so preparation took time. But now that's done, progress will accelerate."
"They've got plenty of workers and heavy equipment here. Since we're not going overseas, this project shouldn't take any longer than the Superpower Park construction below."
Big Head nodded.
"Good. When we—"
A metallic vibration cut through the air. A red-and-gold blur crashed down before them with a resounding clang.
The faceplate slid open, revealing Tony's smirking face.
"We've got company in the sky."
Big Head eyed him with barely concealed amusement. This idiot was asking for trouble. Before he could speak, Xu Wenwu cut in.
"This doesn't concern you."
Tony's eyebrow shot up.
"I'm part of this team, aren't I? Why wouldn't it concern me?"
Xu Wenwu's smile never wavered.
"Correct. But you only concern yourself when I permit it. Until then, you keep your mouth shut and listen."
"Sounds like you're running the show. Where's Hong Fei?"
"Mr. Hong is away. Frank is away. That makes me the acting leader."
Tony barked a laugh. "So you're third in command? How many people does Hong Fei even have under him?"
Xu Wenwu shook his head slowly.
"Is this your idea of being straightforward, or are you deliberately provoking me?"
Tony shrugged.
"Couldn't care less what you think."
"Return to your quarters. Stay there like before. And keep your AI from snooping. Our hospitality doesn't grant you free rein."
"Got proof I did anything?"
"Since when do I need proof?"
"No proof? Then how are you better than a common criminal?"
"The difference is I can beat you to death, while the criminals you know can't."
Tony snorted, eyes flashing with contempt.
"You overestimate yourself."
Xu Wenwu went silent. After a beat, he walked past Tony toward the jet.
"Everyone stays. I'm taking the cargo alone."
Big Head opened his mouth to respond—until Tony couldn't resist one last jab.
"What cargo? Where'd you steal it from?"
Big Head's psychic senses screamed warning. His eyes caught the subtle shift in Xu Wenwu's stance—the coiled twist of his torso, the unrestrained rotation of his fist driving straight toward Tony's armored chest. Azure energy erupted around his arms.
BOOM!
The impact sent Tony's armor rocketing backward. It plowed through ancient tree trunks, demolished a flower bed, and finally skidded to rest in a cacophony of crumpled metal. But Xu Wenwu wasn't done.
He sprinted forward, fists hammering energy into the ground for propulsion. In one fluid motion, he launched skyward—then came crashing down like a meteor toward Tony's prone form.
Tony shook off the disorientation just in time to see death descending. His thrusters flared, barely rolling him aside as Xu Wenwu's fist cratered the earth where he'd lain.
Xu Wenwu landed, his fist smashing a large crater into the stone slabs and soil. Before the dust settled, ten glowing rings materialized—the first snapping around Tony's throat like a noose. Linked by crackling blue energy, they formed a deadly chain.
Tony's arm cannon whined as he took aim at the rings.
The collision of energies proved decisive—the pulse energy dissipated instantly, while the Ten Rings' power held firm. Tony refused to yield, the reactor in his chest humming as it began to charge. But before it could reach full power, Xu Wenwu yanked the Ten Rings' chain. The sudden force shifted the iron armor's position, disrupting the charging process.
The chain rattled violently, throwing Tony off balance. He struggled to stabilize himself, but Xu Wenwu's hands twisted the chain, spinning it with deliberate force. The momentum dragged the iron armor into a dizzying whirl, carving a deep circular groove into the stone-paved ground.
Tony tried to counterattack mid-spin, but his blows never landed. With a deafening crash, Xu Wenwu slammed him into a thick wall, sending debris scattering. As he advanced, Xu Wenwu slid the Ten Rings onto his arms one by one, their eerie glow intensifying. By the time he reached Tony, the man was still dazed, unable to react.
Xu Wenwu moved with precision. He looped the chain formed by five rings around Tony's wrists, pinning them behind his back. A sharp yank pulled the armor's neck backward, while Xu Wenwu's knee pressed firmly into its lower back, locking it in place. The rings on his right arm glowed a brilliant blue, their energy crackling through the air.
Then came the moment Big Head had been anticipating. Boom! Boom! Boom! Xu Wenwu's fists hammered Tony's head with devastating accuracy. Each strike unleashed pale blue shockwaves that rippled outward, their energy penetrating the armor's metal shell like a spectral force.
The dull, explosive impacts drowned out the clang of metal. Xu Wenwu's punches weren't blindingly fast, but their raw power and precision left no room for Tony to mount a counterattack. Locked at the wrists, waist, and neck, Tony could only endure the relentless assault. Blow after blow soon rendered him unconscious.
Unaware—or perhaps indifferent—Xu Wenwu tightened the chain and continued punching, his expression cold and focused. The shockwaves from his strikes pushed dust outward in waves, while strands of hair fluttered across his forehead. His icy gaze, glimpsed occasionally, sent a chill through anyone who dared to watch. Silence hung heavy in the air.
Shuri covered her mouth, her eyes wide with fear. Big Head, however, kept his composure. He rushed forward, shouting, "Enough, Mr. Xu! He's out cold. Look at the fist marks on the armor. If you keep going, you'll kill him!"
Xu Wenwu's raised fist hesitated, the tension in his arm easing slightly.
Big Head exhaled in relief. He'd wanted to see Tony Stark humbled, not dead. Until Hong Fei gave the order, letting Xu Wenwu kill Tony would only cause unnecessary trouble. But in the next moment, Xu Wenwu slammed down one final punch.
The impact drove the iron armor's head through the stone slabs, embedding it deep into the ground. A dull echo reverberated as a concave fist mark appeared on the back of the armor's head, flecks of blue energy still clinging to the surface. Xu Wenwu retracted the Ten Rings and stood, his voice calm but implacable.
"Drag him away. If he wants revenge after he wakes up, tell him he's welcome anytime. But if he still has this attitude in the future, I'll kill him directly!"
Big Head nodded quickly.
"Understood. If he dares to act like this again, I'm sure the boss will agree to let you finish him."