What kind of weapons should be forged with Uru and Vibranium? Hong Fei didn't have a pressing need for now; at the very least, he didn't need the help of the dwarves of Nidavellir at the moment, and there was almost no need to run outside of Earth to forge armor with Vibranium and Uru. However, this meant losing the portable, quick-equip advantage of the nano armor for the time being.
Integrating Vibranium and Uru into nano-materials would also take some time, but Hong Fei now had the Portal and the Dragon Dimension, so he wasn't short on time or portability. He was acquiring Vibranium because the Regeneration Cradle project was nearing completion. He wanted to make a full-Vibranium body for Arthur.
An Ultron-level combat force was definitely not weak, and the six Infinity Stones would be even more powerful, but the latter might be uncontrollable, so Hong Fei would keep his guard up in advance. Seeing the Dragon flags scattered all over New York, Hong Fei couldn't say he was overly happy, but a sense of novelty was inevitable.
It wouldn't be impossible to plant the Dragon flag on the New York City Hall building in the future. Among the Black Widows scattered by Hong Fei throughout the United States, many were employed within the New York City government. If Hong Fei were willing to put in the effort and care, there was a very high probability of pushing them into the positions of mayor or even governor.
If his ambition were any larger, the chair in the White House wouldn't be out of reach either. Withdrawing his gaze, Hong Fei returned to the manor. Sif had changed into another outfit. Her attire today looked softer than yesterday's, and her makeup had changed slightly as well. Seeing Hong Fei enter the door, she immediately stood up to greet him, a radiant smile on her face: "You're back."
"Hmm. Are you reading?"
Hong Fei glanced at the closed book on the table. Das Kapital, author: Karl Marx. This book was something Hong Fei had specially bought back, and he had basically never read it himself while it was at home. Its greatest purpose was to be gifted by Master Hong to Steve Rogers one day in the future. Of course, the things he prepared were not limited to just this one book.
Master Hong had high hopes for Steve. Not just him personally, but all the American people were surely in urgent need of a Captain who loved the people. More importantly, even without Hong Fei's guidance, Steve had already gradually developed this kind of ideological change, which was particularly evident after the Dark Invasion event.
In the Dragon Dimension, the black armor prepared for Steve was already ready. There were no flashy stars or stripes, only a deep, ink-like black. In addition, there was a design to facilitate him holding and carrying his shield, and Arthur in the built-in system would also provide him with dedicated service. Clearly, Steve had already taken the first step on his own.
"I just happened to see it placed on the table, so I took it out to look at it."
Sif said with a faint smile, while taking a step closer to Hong Fei, "It is a very interesting and also very reasonable theory, but I don't think it is suitable for Asgard."
As if it would be suitable. Asgard really had gods, and the physical fitness and lifespan of Asgardians crushed humans entirely. Besides, the All-Father of Asgard, His Majesty Odin, ruled the entire Nine Realms in the name of a monarchy. It wasn't that there weren't people who wanted to overthrow him, but you had to ensure you wouldn't be stabbed to death by Odin's spear first. Therefore, the innate fundamental conditions were completely different, so naturally, one could not copy it mechanically. This was scientific.
"You dare say it's not scientific? That's 500,000!"
Hong Fei subtly retreated a step.
"This work comes from an Earthling, a great thinker. A pioneer—and mentor to many."
Sif stepped forward again.
"I know. I've learned to use the internet. Midgard's internet is quite the invention."
"Hmm, but don't get too addicted. It can harm your health."
"Then what should I get addicted to?"
Hong Fei raised an eyebrow.
A fierce glint sparked in Sif's eyes, transforming her back into the silver-armored warrior with blade in hand—heroic, dashing. As she closed the distance, Hong Fei stood his ground.
"Do you know what you're doing?"
"Of course."
"Do you know I—"
"I know. But I believe I'm the best. I am a goddess."
"A Midgardian goddess. That carries more than one meaning."
"Whatever it means, I am the best."
"Last question—you don't strike me as the proactive type."
"That's because I hadn't met you."
Master Hong found himself thoroughly teased. A goddess is a goddess, after all. The ensuing battle was, in Hong Fei's estimation, the most grueling he'd ever fought. If not for HYDRA's sudden return visit, he doubted he'd have made it out at all.
The thin blanket Sif had draped over her chest slipped down her smooth skin. She turned, her profile tracing a flawless curve from cheek to shoulder, flowing gracefully to her slender waist, then rising and falling dramatically to her long, toned legs—honed by constant training and combat.
Her jade toes shifted slightly, catching the blanket and slowly covering the stunning glimpse she'd just offered. Her gaze locked on Hong Fei's, brimming with provocation. This was an indomitable foe.
"You wait."
Hong Fei tossed out the threat before turning and leaving, closing the door behind him.
Instantly, Sif fell back onto the bed, her chest heaving violently. The thin blanket revealed tantalizing undulations and contours. Her bright eyes fixed on the snow-white ceiling, and the corners of her lips curled into a captivating smile.
In the living room, Hong Fei descended the stairs to find his visitor—Stephanie Malick, a lobbyist for the Malick family. She had once invited Hong Fei to lead HYDRA. Now, it seemed their patience was wearing thin.
Hearing footsteps, Stephanie rose from the sofa, her expression earnest. Hong Fei remained unmoved by her smile, his demeanor calm and collected.
"Sit. Miss Stephanie, here to pressure me again?"
"No, of course not. I happened to be near New York, so I dropped by to visit—and to ask you a question."
"Go on."
"What's your take on the government?"
Hong Fei smiled. What's my take? I look at it with my eyes!
"I have no opinion."
"Mr. Hong, have you ever imagined a world where governments are replaced by a more efficient, precise, and highly effective institution?"
Hong Fei shook his head. From the first sentence, he'd already guessed their intent. By the second, he fully understood the purpose of this visit.
This was a probe—a test of Hong Fei's stance. HYDRA wanted to know exactly where he stood regarding governments. Not just the one beneath his feet, but all governments worldwide. Clearly, HYDRA couldn't help but court disaster.
HYDRA wasn't in the habit of vetting outsiders. But Hong Fei's performance in New York must have raised red flags—why else would Stephanie show up today? That bullshit about being "in the neighborhood"? Please. Even if she was, nobody just happened to pass through what remained of New York these days. There was only one reason HYDRA would make contact now: the Insight Project.
The realization sent a thrill through Hong Fei. Though Insight was HYDRA's grand scheme to dominate the world through S.H.I.E.L.D., Alexander Pierce and his ilk had woven it seamlessly into the agency's own operations. The delicious irony? Nick Fury knew about it. Approved it.
A new thought struck him: since Fury's very public resignation and subsequent disappearance, had the master spy been quietly advancing Insight behind the scenes? If so, the chessboard just got infinitely more interesting.
Without Fury at S.H.I.E.L.D., the dominoes wouldn't fall. No nudge sending Steve or Barton—or the long-gone Natasha—to investigate a suspicious ship. No breadcrumb trail leading Steve to uncover the conspiracy. No confrontation between Fury and Pierce about moles in their ranks. No assassination attempt confirming Insight's true purpose.
From Steve's perspective? He was neck-deep in Superpower Foundation work, coordinating relief for millions displaced by the Chitauri. The last thing on his mind would be some random vessel at sea. Acting Director Hill only handled Avengers affairs, while Pierce—the real power behind the throne—was HYDRA's man through and through.
That ship would sail unnoticed. The Insight helicarriers would launch without a hitch. The entire Winter Soldier plotline? Erased. And for HYDRA? A golden opportunity. They'd even conscripted their greatest adversary—Fury himself—into unwittingly furthering their goals. The sheer audacity made Hong Fei's pulse quicken.
Time to play the good guy. He met Stephanie's gaze.
"Everything prepared?"
She blinked, then broke into a grin.
"Of course! Just say the word, and we begin transfer immediately."
The "everything" wasn't his demands—it was HYDRA's promised incentives for joining. Leadership of a branch. Personnel. Funding. Resources. To an organization like HYDRA, a division head was just a title. They had bodies to spare, and money meant nothing.
But adding a Dragon King to their ranks? That could elevate HYDRA to unprecedented heights. Which raised the question: weren't they afraid he'd turn the tables and take over?
Truth was, they probably weren't. Cut off one head, and two more grow back. Thousands of years of history, a global web of operatives—they had every reason for confidence. If anything, they were likely salivating at the chance to devour Hong Fei and everything he brought to the table.
This was the game now: predator and prey, each plotting to swallow the other whole.