The press conference buzzed with tension, but Hong Fei remained composed as he turned to address the room.
"Currently, all Foundation personnel are hired on a temporary basis or are volunteers. Naturally, I welcome S.H.I.E.L.D.'s assistance."
He paused, his gaze shifting between Coulson and Hill.
"You two joining isn't an issue, but there's one condition—the Foundation doesn't accept anyone tied to organizations like S.H.I.E.L.D."
Coulson's expression tightened, but he nodded slightly.
"I understand."
Hong Fei continued, his tone firm. "Work is work. It shouldn't be muddled with anything else. But if you're coming in, you need to come in clean."
He didn't elaborate further. Coulson knew better than to push. The Foundation was Hong Fei's domain, meticulously built from the ground up. Interfering wasn't an option—not unless Coulson wanted to join the long list of cautionary tales. The memory of Hong Fei shoving a gun barrel into his mouth was still vivid enough to keep him in line.
Without another glance at the bustling park, Hong Fei opened a portal and vanished, returning to the manor. Meanwhile, Steve Rogers was still at the podium, passionately explaining the Superpower Foundation's mission and goals. His speech dragged on, but eventually, it wound down, and the event shifted into the Q&A session.
The initial questions focused on the Foundation itself, but it didn't take long for the tone to shift.
"Why didn't the Dragon King attend the press conference?" a reporter asked.
Steve smiled politely. "He doesn't attend press conferences or appear in public settings. But we know who he is and what he's done, and that's enough."
"So, can we confirm the Dragon King is male?" another reporter pressed.
"Yes," Steve replied without hesitation. "He's a young and handsome man."
Tony Stark, standing to the side, curled his lips in disagreement. Handsome? Sure. Young? Not so much.
"Captain Rogers," another reporter chimed in, "we noticed the Dragon King wore new iron armor this time. Is there any connection to Mr. Stark? And what about his companions? They all have iron armor too. Mr. Stark, what's your take on this?"
Steve glanced at Tony before answering.
"The Dragon King's armor has no connection to Stark. Additionally, Stark proposed equipping us with armor, but we declined. We don't need it."
"Do you mean you're stronger than the Dragon King's companions?" the reporter pressed.
"No, but—"
"Then why don't you need armor? Is Mr. Stark unwilling to provide it?"
"That's not the case," Steve replied firmly. "As I said, we actively rejected his proposal."
"But why?" the reporter persisted.
"We don't need it," Steve repeated, his patience wearing thin.
At that point, Tony stepped forward, snatching the microphone from Steve's hand.
"Enough," he said, his tone clipped. "I know what you're fishing for, so let me clarify. Yes, I considered equipping the team with Iron Man Armor, but it's a complex process. Not everyone's combat style suits it. Next!"
The room fell silent for a moment, the audience and reporters alike caught off guard. Even the other Avengers looked surprised. None of them had known Tony had such plans.
Tony handed the microphone back to Steve, pulled out his sunglasses, and slipped them on, radiating an air of indifference. The next reporter stepped forward, his eyes darting around nervously before he spoke.
"We've also noticed that the Dragon King's armor, its color scheme, dragon patterns, and the dragon itself seem closely tied to a specific country."
Steve's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing.
"What are you implying?"
"I—well, we all want to know where the Dragon King comes from," the reporter stammered.
Steve's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Tony cut in, his voice sharp.
"Next question."
The tension in the room thickened, but the press conference pressed on.
Steve shook his head, "That is not important!"
The reporter continued to press, "It may not be important, but I think we should have the right to know. I think all the Avengers should know this question."
Steve directly countered, "Who told you we all know? And does your right to know also involve directly asking about privacy that others do not wish to disclose?"
"Of course not. I am just asking, and you also have the right not to answer."
Seeing this, Tony was about to step forward again, and looking at his expression, he was clearly about to start ranting. Fortunately, Steve didn't let him speak. He said directly, "Does it matter where he comes from or what country he is from? Or are you saying that your reporting, your attitude towards the Superpower Foundation, depends on which country he comes from? Or even checking his skin color and gender? I remember the person who was concerned about the Dragon King's gender just now seems to have been you?"
In an instant, the crowd below snapped out of their curious, bystander state and suddenly turned to stare at the reporter.
Facing countless gazes, the reporter finally seemed to panic a little. He hurriedly said, "I don't have such thoughts; I am just asking as a matter of routine."
"Then why didn't you ask for the Dragon King's specific age, or ask if he is married or has children, instead of focusing on his iron armor color scheme and nationality? And..."
Soon, the reporter was rendered speechless by Steve.
Facing the strange and even angry gazes of the many people around him, he could only lower his head, turn around, and slink away. Meanwhile, Xu Wenwu, who was watching TV at home, happened to see this scene on the live broadcast, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly. In his arms, his wife Yingli, although she couldn't see his expression, still said, "This person is problematic."
Xu Wenwu nodded slightly, turned his head, and snapped his fingers. A subordinate immediately stepped forward. The manor. Sif was sitting very quietly on the swing on the lawn. She had changed out of her previous silver armor and was now wearing a beige long dress, with her long black hair draped naturally and smoothly over her shoulders. Her temperament was much softer than before.
There were still elite members stationed in the manor, and Hong Fei had specifically hired people to provide daily services, so there was no need to worry about her living conditions here. Hong Fei did not deliberately hide his footsteps while walking over, so Sif quickly noticed, turned her head, and a smile blossomed. Hong Fei started by saying, "I'm going to Asgard. Do you want to go?"
Sif's smile stiffened slightly.
"I don't mean I want to send you away. I mean, if you want to go back and take a look, or go back to get something, or go chat with your friends, or something like that..."
"I'm not going."
"Alright then."
The atmosphere was a bit awkward. Hong Fei turned around and said, "Then I'm leaving."
"Wait a moment."
Hong Fei turned back.
Sif frowned slightly, "You seem unhappy to see me."
"No."
"Then why are you avoiding me?"
"I'm not. I've just been a bit busy these past few days."
"Antonia, your subordinate, she told me that you would come back to stay, but you haven't."
Hong Fei's facial muscles twitched, "I..."
Sif immediately followed up by asking, "When will you come back to stay?"
Hong Fei thought while observing Sif's expression. Seeing that she had no intention of giving up the questioning, Hong Fei had to say, "I'm going to Asgard and will be back tomorrow."
"Good."
After responding, Sif turned back directly and continued sitting on the swing, presenting a dazed posture and expression.
Hong Fei pressed his lips together, turned, and opened a portal straight to Asgard's Bifrost Bridge hub. As he stepped through, Heimdall stood before him, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Hello?" Hong Fei offered a casual greeting.
Heimdall's voice was warm.
"Dragon King, you could have let me bring you here."
Hong Fei chuckled.
"Wouldn't that be too much trouble? Don't worry, I won't open portals anywhere else. I'll always meet you here first—your eyes can see that."
Heimdall's smile deepened.
"You killed the leader of the Dark Elves and thwarted their conspiracy. You're more than a friend of Asgard. If you were one of us, you'd already hold a high position."
"My status is fine as it is," Hong Fei replied.
"Thor is waiting for you," Heimdall said. "And Loki too."
"He's been released?"
"Yes. If he hadn't been, he might've been the first god in Asgard to go mad."
Hong Fei nodded, bid Heimdall farewell, and flew toward the Heavenly Palace. Thor was already waiting at the entrance, Loki standing beside him. Loki wore his usual attire, but his expression was stormy, his eyes gleaming with restless energy.
Thor didn't need to look at him to sense it. He leaned in slightly and murmured, "I'd advise you not to entertain any ideas about him. Even I couldn't save you if you did."
Loki's deference vanished, replaced by bitter resentment.
"He tricked me! He nearly drove me mad in that dungeon!"
Thor shrugged, though amusement flickered in his eyes.
"What can I say? You offended him back on Midgard. He's grown far stronger since then. Of course he'd want revenge."
"I want revenge too!" Loki snapped.
"You can't beat him."
"I don't need to fight him head-on."
"He saved Mother."
Loki's expression faltered. Thor pressed on, "Mother is deeply grateful to him. She likes him very much."
"He's a liar!"
Loki's voice rose, his agitation palpable.
Thor finally turned to face him fully.
"Loki, are you serious?"
Loki's cheek twitched. He fell silent, his jaw clenched. For Loki to accuse someone else of being a liar was news indeed in Asgard. But he wasn't about to let Thor have the last word. Quickly, he composed himself, a sly smile spreading across his face.
"I heard your girlfriend left you?"
Thor's eyes dimmed.
"Jane has her own path. She's tenacious and independent."
"She doesn't want you anymore."
"That's not it."
"That is a fact."
"You've never truly cared for anyone. You wouldn't understand."
"Women are nothing but obstacles and shackles."
Thor narrowed his eyes and nodded slowly.
"Well said. I'll be sure to tell Mother your thoughts."
Loki's smile vanished instantly.