Black Widow had already explained that, due to national border restrictions, a large-scale rescue operation to save Tony Stark was impossible.
Qin Xiao had assumed that SHIELD would send only a few people with equipment and supplies, allowing the two of them to infiltrate the Ten Rings camp.
To his surprise, SHIELD dispatched another trump card agent instead—Hawkeye.
At one in the morning, Hawkeye appeared on foot in front of Qin Xiao.
Just as Qin Xiao remembered from the movies, he was dressed in black tactical gear, a quiver on his back, and a collapsible bow in his hand.
He also carried a bag filled with various single-soldier combat weapons.
Qin Xiao couldn't help wondering if it was because the actors in the movies were generally older—every major character he had encountered so far looked much younger in real life than on screen.
Hawkeye appeared to be no more than thirty years old, full of energy, with a cold and focused expression.
"Clint Barton. Agent Barton," Hawkeye said. "You must be Qin Xiao."
Black Widow briefly introduced them.
"Natasha told me about you. You received Isaiah's blood transfusion and became a super soldier. You're a lucky kid."
Hawkeye extended his right hand.
Lucky kid? Qin Xiao laughed inwardly as he reached out to shake hands.
"So you're testing me?"
Noticing Hawkeye's well-built arm, Qin Xiao smiled slightly and tightened his grip.
Hawkeye's expression changed instantly.
"Hmm?!"
By all the gods, Hawkeye had only intended a normal handshake. Qin Xiao, however, had consciously increased his strength.
His power was now measured in tons. No matter how elite Hawkeye was, his strength was still within human limits.
"Qin—what are you doing? Let go!"
Fortunately, Natasha pulled Qin Xiao away in time. Otherwise, Hawkeye wouldn't have been able to draw his bow today.
"Are you okay?" Natasha asked, noticing Hawkeye's flushed face.
Hawkeye said nothing, only clenched and flexed his hand to indicate he was fine.
"What were you thinking? Are you crazy? Why did you squeeze so hard?" Natasha demanded.
Qin Xiao felt awkward. He'd known the moment he acted that this would happen. Hawkeye hadn't been testing him at all—otherwise he would have resisted.
Instead, he'd looked completely caught off guard.
Scratching his head in embarrassment, Qin Xiao explained, "I thought he was testing me… like in the movies. Calling me 'kid,' saying I was lucky…"
His voice grew quieter the more he spoke.
"I'm sorry, Agent Barton. If I hadn't fought back, would you have crushed my hand instead?"
He offered his right hand again.
Hawkeye glanced at him, suppressing the urge to punch him in the nose.
One look was enough to tell this guy was a complete rookie.
"You owe me one," Hawkeye said coldly. "Remember that."
With that, he turned to prepare his gear, his expression serious.
The moment his back was turned, his face twisted in pain—he looked like he was about to cry.
There was nothing he could do. His hand bones were still aching badly.
After a brief interlude, Hawkeye cut off contact again.
…
They say four in the morning is when humans sleep the deepest.
A shadow silently approached the Ten Rings camp.
"I've reached the designated position," Qin Xiao whispered, lying less than twenty meters from the camp, night-vision goggles the size of sunglasses covering his eyes.
"Received. Don't move yet. Observe the camp and await instructions. And stop saying 'over.' This isn't a movie, rookie," Hawkeye's voice came through the earpiece.
Less than a hundred meters from the camp, atop a small sand dune, Hawkeye switched off his mic and raised his bow.
"Same rules? Old style?" he asked.
Beside him, Black Widow held a sniper rifle fitted with a suppressor.
"Deal. I never thought I'd get the chance to fight alongside you in the desert. Looks like Nick really values Tony Stark."
She carefully studied the distribution of sentries through her scope.
"We're not here for Stark," Hawkeye replied calmly. "We're here for Qin. This is clearly a recruitment mission."
As he spoke, he adjusted the small monocular sight over one eye—standard equipment for long-range archery.
"On three," Hawkeye said. "One. Two. Three."
Whoosh.
Whoosh.
Since absorbing the super serum, Qin Xiao's senses had become far sharper than those of a normal human.
He clearly heard arrows slicing through the air.
At the same time, suppressed shots rang out.
Sentries in the camp fell one after another—some with arrows piercing their throats, others with clean holes punched through their foreheads.
Working in perfect coordination, Black Widow and Hawkeye eliminated every visible and hidden guard in less than two seconds.
Seven or eight men collapsed without making a sound.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Hawkeye quickly caught up to Qin Xiao, instantly nocking another arrow and locking his gaze on the camp.
Moments later, Black Widow flowed down from the sand dune like water, raising her rifle toward the compound without a word.
"I'll take the cave on the left. If anyone comes out, I'll block them. Stark should be on the right. You handle the rest. Any questions?" Hawkeye asked.
Qin Xiao made an OK gesture.
"Move," Hawkeye said.
Qin Xiao sprang up immediately.
It was proof of how effective basic combat training really was—not just fighting skills, but weapon handling, rescue protocols, everything.
Though this was his first real mission, his movements were smooth and decisive, nothing like a rookie.
Hawkeye gave Black Widow a subtle thumbs-up.
A true professional knows how to choose entry points, move quickly, avoid obstacles, and stay alert for threats.
You could tell at a glance whether someone was experienced.
"This kid's good," Hawkeye muttered, sprinting after him toward the camp.
Whether it was overconfidence or misplaced faith in their position, the terrorists had left the caves unguarded.
Only two men stood at the innermost iron gate.
They were asleep, leaning against the metal door.
Qin Xiao hesitated briefly, then drew his suppressed pistol and shot them both.
It was his first time killing someone.
He had considered using a blade, but after thinking it through, a gun felt more appropriate.
Whether it was because of the weapon, or because his mind was focused on saving someone, Qin Xiao felt no discomfort at all—even killing from just a few meters away.
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