Chapter 85: The Slacking-Off Scheme

“Jarvis, get my suit ready. I want to see who that bastard really is!”

“Yes, sir. However, I advise you to remain rational. The other party possesses a way to cure your palladium poisoning.”

Hearing Jarvis’s advice, Tony Stark cursed in frustration before sinking back into his chair. Jarvis was right—he needed something from this person. If he stormed in wearing the Iron Man suit and things went south, without a substitute for palladium, he’d be finished.

Though he understood this, Tony still felt stifled. He couldn’t just barge in and demand the cure—the pride and dignity of Iron Man wouldn’t allow it.

Still, he wasn’t at death’s door yet. There was time. Maybe, just maybe, he’d discover a suitable substitute element in the next moment.

But as he looked at the miniature toxin detector he’d just finished designing, Tony knew that deep down, he didn’t hold out much hope.

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to set aside these vexing thoughts. He picked up the program proposal for the Stark Expo’s opening ceremony that Pepper had just delivered. A faint smile crept onto his face.

“Jarvis, what do you think of this opening ceremony plan?” Tony Stark asked.

“It’s very much in line with your understated personality, sir.”

“Mm-hmm, I thought so too. But this speech—let’s cut it. I prefer improvising. It’s a good speech, sure, but I still… mm-hmm.”

“It doesn’t suit your style,” Jarvis helpfully added.

“Exactly! That’s what I meant. See, my efforts with you weren’t wasted.”

“Indeed, Mr. Stark.”

Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Wang Jing had just returned and called for Li Yiyi.

“I need you to find two people. One is Bruce Banner, formerly with the US military’s biological laboratory. He should be working at a beverage plant now.”

“The other is Hank Pym. He runs a company—should be easy to track down.”

“Boss, what do you need them for?” Li Yiyi asked curiously.

Wang Jing smiled. “Bruce Banner, during an experiment, was exposed to massive amounts of gamma radiation and turned into a giant green monster whenever he gets angry. He’s prone to losing control.”

“Hank Pym, on the other hand, is remarkable. He developed a substance that can shrink or enlarge objects—down to the quantum level, even entering the quantum realm.”

“That’s incredible! Doesn’t that mean there’s hope for your condition, boss?”

“Exactly. So get to work—maybe you’ll become an Ultraman someday.”

“What’s Ultraman?” Li Yiyi asked, looking up with curiosity.

Wang Jing pushed Li Yiyi’s head back toward the screen. “Quit the chatter and get to work.”

With a resentful glance, Li Yiyi returned to his computer. Meanwhile, Wang Jing slipped back to the main world. The transfer hall was already full of spies and negotiation teams, all waiting to be deployed.

“Alright, everyone. I’m sure you know your missions, but let me remind you: Hydra has been infiltrating SHIELD and the US government at every level since the end of World War II. Don’t trust anyone here—not even the so-called superheroes, and especially not government officials.”

“My only hints: focus on SHIELD’s council members, Alexander Pierce, the agent known as Crossbones, and Senator Stern. Your task is to identify all Hydra members, find proof, and if necessary, assume their identities.”

“Any questions?” Wang Jing scanned the room. Seeing none, he continued, “Alright, let’s begin!”

He assigned the spies in batches across New York, their identities already secured by Li Yiyi.

With the combined efforts of Moos and Li Yiyi, America’s central databases were as accessible as their own backyard—coming and going at will.

By the time all the spies were dispatched, it was nearly 5 a.m. Dawn’s first light crept into the sky.

Exhausted, Wang Jing returned to the hotel and collapsed into bed, but barely had he closed his eyes before Li Yiyi woke him.

“Boss, I’ve tracked down Bruce Banner. He’s in Porto, Brazil. The military has found him, too—they’re mobilizing forces to capture him.”

“Just keep an eye on him, don’t lose him, and don’t bother me,” Wang Jing mumbled, waving from the bed.

Li Yiyi sighed and returned to his computer to continue monitoring military communications.

Soon after, Li Yiyi saw the Hulk’s true form, joined by Alice and Liu Peiqiang.

“Holy crap, that’s straight out of science fiction! How does someone turn into a giant monster like that? Even bullets can’t hurt him!” Li Yiyi exclaimed in disbelief.

“Wait, he’s on the run—damn it.” As the military lost track of the Hulk, Li Yiyi grew anxious. Wang Jing had told him not to lose sight of Banner, and he’d already let him slip away.

Li Yiyi tried hacking into the military’s spy satellites to locate the Hulk, but the dense Brazilian forests rendered even military satellites useless. There was no sign of Hulk anywhere.

“Damn it! Lost him!” Frustrated, he slammed the keyboard. Suddenly, the laptop on his desk transformed into a tiny Transformer.

“Hey! Careful! Do you know how much that hurts?” The little Transformer stumbled over to a water cup and dunked its smoldering head inside.

There was a loud hiss as hot metal met water, followed by a contented sigh. The Transformer’s entire body went limp with relief.

After a moment, when there was still no response, Li Yiyi fished it out of the cup.

He shook the dazed little Transformer, water dripping from its still-smoking head. Amidst the little robot’s protests, he shook it dry.

Breaking free from Li Yiyi’s grasp, the Transformer said angrily, “Are you even human? It’s bad enough you and that witch torment me, now you—ugh, ugh!”

Before the little robot could finish, it convulsed and collapsed, its head steaming once again.

Moos’s angry voice rang out: “If you keep mouthing off, I’ll overclock you into a moron!”

“Y–yes, Your Majesty, I’m sorry, I won’t do it again!” the little Transformer whimpered, trembling.

Seeing the pitiful state of the Transformer, Li Yiyi nudged it and said, “If you’re not dead, get back to work. If the mission fails, it’s all on you!”

“You… you heartless monsters!” the little Transformer cried, transforming back into a laptop.