“Just as I thought. I knew it all along.”
“But do you think this is a gift?” Zhang Xi said slowly.
“On the contrary, I think it’s a curse. No matter whether your ability is good or bad, you’re still an outcast. That’s why I have to hide my power, just like you do—constantly concealing yourself. It’s truly exhausting.”
As he spoke, Zhang Xi’s expression turned desolate, as if his words were genuine.
Uncle Li watched him in silence.
“Sigh, forget it. Let’s not talk about it,” Zhang Xi said, shrugging his shoulders.
“You know my family background, right? It’s mediocre—nowhere near yours. I really feel like a hero with no place to use his skills. That’s why I hope you can help me rise to success.”
Uncle Li replied warily, “Help you? Heh, who are you trying to fool? You’re the one who just caught me.”
“That’s right. I want to make a name for myself,” Zhang Xi said.
“But Chen Haiming’s behavior just now disappointed me. I’m the one who did all the work, yet he gave me nothing. Instead, he sent me here to interrogate you. He’s treating me like a dog. But you’re different. If I’m not mistaken, you must have a powerful family backing you, too. How about this: we cooperate. I’ll release you, and then we’ll go together. What do you say?”
No one truly welcomes death.
Although Uncle Li had already resolved himself to die after being captured, there now seemed to be a glimmer of hope.
Some people believe they aren’t afraid to die and can face it with composure.
But when the hope of survival appears, they realize they were wrong.
Uncle Li gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, and made his decision.
“Alright. I’ll tell you. The Li family is behind me. Li Yang, the head of the Li family, sent me.”
“Li Yang?” Zhang Xi gasped.
*That bastard’s ambition is huge!
How dare he plot against the head of the Chen family!*
Admittedly, the Chen family was no match for the Li family in terms of strength.
But as one of the Five Great Families of Mechanical City, to plot against them so brazenly… wasn’t that a bit too arrogant?
Uncle Li continued, “I’m Li Yang’s distant cousin. I don’t have much talent, but I can fight. He trained me to be a mole in the Chen family. As you know, the Li family is in the metal manufacturing business, but the Chen family has recently been trying to move into that field. So, he ordered me to kill Chen Haiming!”
*So that’s why,* Zhang Xi thought.
*No wonder that flying dagger could pierce my skin.
It must be made from the Li family’s unique Super Metal!*
“If you let me go, I’ll recommend you to Li Yang. Trust me, the Li family will give you benefits beyond your wildest dreams!”
Zhang Xi chuckled.
“Sorry, if you were from any other family, I might consider it. But you’re from the Li family. I can’t do that.”
Uncle Li froze.
Before he could even react, Zhang Xi added, “Brother Chen, you heard everything, right? I think it’s about time you came out.”
The door swung open, and Chen Haiming stood there, his face livid. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Uncle Li’s face turned green with fury.
*Damn it, that cunning brat!*
He glared at Zhang Xi.
As the old saying goes, if looks could kill, Zhang Xi would have been sliced into a thousand pieces.
Zhang Xi stood up.
“Alright, you can ask the rest yourself. But Brother Chen, let me give you a piece of advice: it’s best to swallow your pride for now.”
Zhang Xi spoke tactfully, but Chen Haiming understood exactly what he meant.
Their current strength was still no match for the Li family; it was best not to provoke them into a direct confrontation.
“Don’t worry, I know what to do.”
Zhang Xi nodded.
“Then I’ll take my leave. I’ll visit you again another day.”
“Thank you. I won’t keep you any longer. Once I’ve sorted this out, I will properly thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
After leaving the Chen family residence, Zhang Xi pondered his next move.
He had already established a strong rapport with Chen Haiming, so funding should no longer be an issue.
It seemed time to visit the Marvel World and seek some technology from Stark.
Besides, he still had a throwing knife made of a rare metal.
As far as he knew, aside from Vibranium, metals of such hardness were scarce in the Marvel World.
This could potentially be a new technological breakthrough.
***
Marvel World, Stark Tower.
Zhang Xi, wearing sunglasses, looked up at the slightly peculiar building before him.
This was the Avengers’ headquarters, representing the pinnacle of technology in this world.
“Yeah, better keep a low profile,” Zhang Xi muttered under his breath before heading inside.
“Hi, sir. Who are you looking for?” a blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman asked.
Zhang Xi smiled slightly.
“Hello. I’m here to see Mr. Stark.”
“Tony isn’t in, but he’ll be back tonight,” the woman replied.
“If you don’t mind waiting, please have a coffee over there. By the way, may I ask who you are?”
“I’m X. Mr. Stark knows me,” Zhang Xi said.
This was going much smoother than expected.
After all, Stark was notoriously difficult to get an appointment with.
Zhang Xi sipped his coffee in the lounge, pondering his next move.
*He certainly knows how to live,* he thought.
*This coffee is fantastic.* The Marvel World seemed to be in a quiet period, with no major plotlines unfolding at the moment.
Suddenly, the lounge door swung open.
Zhang Xi looked up and froze.
The newcomer stopped dead in his tracks, staring back in surprise.
It was none other than Captain America, Steve Rogers.
“X? What are you doing here?” Rogers asked, his voice tinged with surprise.
“Oh, I’m here to see Mr. Stark,” Zhang Xi replied.
“What about you, Captain? Do you have business here too?”
“Yes, I do,” Rogers said, his tone turning cautious.
“But… who are you, really?”
Zhang Xi was taken aback by Rogers’ sudden change in demeanor.
Their last encounter had been perfectly cordial.
Why was he being so serious now?
“I’m X!” Zhang Xi protested.
Rogers rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on Zhang Xi.
“You’re lying,” he said coldly.
“You’re hiding something—some secret you’re keeping from us.”
“Hey, Captain!” Zhang Xi exclaimed.
“What’s with the attitude? I’m not your enemy!”
“You’ve fought by our side, yes,” Rogers countered, “but you possess the power of Thor, yet you refuse to reveal your true identity. That makes you a threat. I have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the public.”
*This is Captain America’s spirit,* Zhang Xi thought.
*He’ll neutralize even the smallest potential threat before it can escalate.*
As Rogers stood his ground, Zhang Xi knew a fight was imminent.
He had no desire to clash with the Captain, but it seemed he had no other choice.
“I’m giving you one last chance. Are you going to tell me?” Rogers asked.
“It’s not that I won’t, Captain,” Zhang Xi replied with a wry smile.
“It’s just that even if I did, you wouldn’t believe me.”