A storm of cards surged into Hong Fei's body. He spun around, Gungnir flashing in his hand, and the corpse crumpled to the ground. He took a few steps forward, but his body suddenly wavered. He drove the Eternal Spear into the earth to steady himself.
Dark red blood trickled from the corner of his lips. The color drained from his face, replaced by an overwhelming exhaustion that left him teetering on the edge of collapse. At the Triskelion, Pierce watched the scene unfold through satellite feeds and drones, his eyebrow arching slightly.
John Garrett and Rumlow flanked Pierce. Rumlow glanced at the screen, then turned to the others.
"Aren't we going to move? He just killed that woman."
Pierce stayed silent, but Garrett answered, "Acting is easy. But can you guarantee you'll kill him? Or that you can finish off his subordinates and the Avengers afterward?"
Rumlow's frown deepened, his breath hitching as he wrestled with the dilemma. It wasn't HYDRA he cared about. No, this was personal. Hong Fei had humiliated him at the Rand Building, and Rumlow had been itching for payback ever since. But Hong Fei didn't even acknowledge him as a threat, let alone an enemy.
Still, when he thought about it, that humiliation might've saved him. Otherwise, he'd have ended up like the woman on the screen—or worse.
"Why would the Dragon King attack her so decisively?" he asked. "Did he know who she was?"
Pierce stroked his chin, his voice slow and deliberate.
"Most likely. He's the one who had Fury press that communicator. He probably knows more than we do."
"But how?"
Pierce shook his head.
"His past is a mystery. For over twenty years, he was nothing special. Then, a few years ago, he changed—and it hasn't stopped since."
Garrett lowered his head, thinking for a moment.
"Then we need to tread carefully. I've always felt there's more to him. Joining HYDRA's operations might just be a cover for his real agenda."
Pierce nodded.
"Send the order down. We'll proceed with testing gradually. No mistakes."
"What about Steve Rogers?" Rumlow pressed.
Pierce's eyes sharpened.
"He's uncovered some things, but not the critical evidence. Stick to the plan. The Federal Government will handle the propaganda. He'll lose his hero status soon enough."
"But... he's close to the Dragon King."
"Was he there just now?"
"Not that I saw."
"Then leave him be. Once we strip him of his title, he'll be forced into the shadows like a rat."
Pierce's lips curved into a faint smile.
"When the time comes, I'll negotiate with the Dragon King. We'll have him personally hand over Steve. Once we brainwash him, he'll become HYDRA's Captain—still mingling with the Avengers and the Dragon King."
Garrett looked up.
"It's a good plan. But dangerous."
"Of course," Pierce replied. "Every operation carries risk. We're HYDRA, not S.H.I.E.L.D."
After a few sounds of wind being broken, Frank, Xu Wenwu, and others flew in from a distance, converging around Hong Fei with worried expressions. Frank stepped forward, gripping Hong Fei's arm. His brow was furrowed, but his voice remained gruff.
"How are you?"
Hong Fei coughed heavily a few times, his voice hoarse, and his lungs emitted an abnormal rattling sound, as if they had aged several decades. Sif grabbed Hong Fei's other arm, her voice gentle as water, "Let's go back first."
Hong Fei shook his head, continuing to cough incessantly. As the Dragon Power receded into his body, his right arm gradually turned from normal to purple-black, and finally charred like coal, while his left arm resembled land that had dried up and been exposed to the scorching sun, appearing with streaks of chapped cracks.
These markings extended from his arm to his chest and neck, and eventually, abnormally hideous and terrifying cyan veins appeared across most of his body and half of his cheek. Such a change made everyone around him even more worried. Xu Wenwu looked at the Ten Rings hanging on Hong Fei's arms, which had lost their luster, and said, "Your consumption was too great."
"Cough... Yes, she was very strong."
"But you still killed her."
"I paid a great price."
"It's good that you succeeded; you are still alive."
Hong Fei nodded slightly. Sif gently lifted Hong Fei's arm, which had almost turned into charcoal. After her fingertips lightly touched it, she immediately retracted them, her eyes unable to help but turn red, "Does it hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt."
Big Head stepped forward, facing Hong Fei, and pleaded with a bitter face, "Boss, let's go back!"
Hong Fei remained silent. After waiting for another half minute, he sighed in disappointment, shook his head, and said, "Forget it, let's go, let's go back."
Trash Hydra-S.H.I.E.L.D., they didn't even dare to launch a sneak attack. At this moment, the quinjet flew in and landed.
After the cabin door opened, Banner looked at the land that was like a ruin and said, "I guess we're late?"
Frank and Sif supported Hong Fei from the left and right as he entered the cabin. Hong Fei suddenly turned back, "Take the body with us, burn it later."
Big Head nodded repeatedly, then turned over to collect Carol's corpse.
Not long after, the group swarmed into the quinjet and ascended into the high sky. Then, a missile was launched from the quinjet, and the violent shock and flames instantly engulfed all traces left on the ground.
"You are very cautious."
Xu Wenwu looked at the explosion behind them and nodded.
"This is necessary. No one knows if someone might be interested in her blood. If they really manage to create something out of it, then I will have endless trouble in the future."
Tony, sitting opposite, asked, "Is this the reason you wanted to kill her from the beginning?"
Frank sprayed some foam-like substance onto Hong Fei's charred right arm. As he smeared it, the scabs on the outside fell off piece by piece, revealing skin that was also covered in cyan veins.
Hong Fei's brows twitched from time to time, and he said to Tony, "Fury is dead."
"What?"
Tony was startled. Hawkeye Barton, who was piloting the quinjet, couldn't help but twitch his eyelids. Steve said from the side, "He was HYDRA; I have sufficient evidence."
Tony furrowed his brows, seemingly suspicious, "Are you sure the evidence is reliable?"
Steve nodded, "I am sure; there is simply no other possible explanation."
Tony looked at him, his eyes suddenly shifting, and asked in confusion, "Why are you unwilling to take off your battle suit even on the plane?"
"I am currently a wanted criminal being pursued by S.H.I.E.L.D. I must hide my identity while associating with you, otherwise, it will only bring you trouble."
Tony, Banner, and the others were equally shocked and confused.
"You killed Fury?"
"It wasn't me, it was Hong, but I could have."
"When did this happen?"
"Three days ago."
"Then why didn't we know?"
"Pierce kept it secret. Not many people know, but it will be announced soon."
"Then will Hong also be listed as a criminal?"
"No, they wouldn't dare."
Tony buried his face in his hands.
"My God, what the hell happened these past few days..."
As the quinjet touched down in Sokovia, Hong Fei barely had time to step off before Dr. Helen Cho grabbed his arm, pulling him toward her lab. At the same time, Sif took hold of his other arm. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment.
The sight of Hong Fei's battered body seemed to silence both women. Sif released her grip without a word, allowing him to follow Dr. Cho. Before leaving, Hong Fei paused and turned back.
"Dispose of the body immediately. Leave no trace, and don't let anyone study it."
"Understood, Boss," Big Head replied earnestly. "I'll keep an eye on it."
"I'm talking about you."
Hong Fei's tone was sharp, and Big Head's expression soured.
"Take a vacation. I wanted to involve you in the battle or have you assist, but you saw how intense it was. You should understand now—there's always someone stronger, and there's always a higher level. Think carefully about your own path. You're far from invincible. The universe is full of powerhouses, and you're still lagging behind. Reflect on your future and how you can improve."
He paused, then added, "Of course, if you're satisfied with where you are now, forget I said anything."
With that, Hong Fei turned and left with Dr. Cho.
Inside the lab, Hong Fei followed Dr. Cho's instructions, stripping down and climbing into a square metal pod.
"Feels a bit like a coffin," he remarked.
Dr. Cho, busy at her workbench, didn't look up.
"Then I'll use it to bury you when you die."
"I'm not dying."
"That's debatable."
The pod sealed shut as she spoke, and a clear liquid began to fill it. Through the glass, Hong Fei watched Dr. Cho intently monitoring the screens. Though he could go without breathing for extended periods, the liquid didn't hinder him. After a while, unable to make sense of the data, he closed his eyes.
His earlier display of weakness had been partly for Pierce's benefit, but the wounds on his body were real, and the pain was undeniable. The price he'd paid was steep, but the results were worth it. He'd eliminated a formidable enemy in the truest sense.
Carol and Fury were aligned, and despite their years apart, Carol's first impression of Fury had been favorable. Though Hong Fei had temporarily placated her with his silver tongue, her strength meant she'd uncover the truth quickly. When that happened, everything he'd built—the New York Manor, Sokovia, the Sky Base, the Superpower Foundation, the Dragon Palace still under construction—could be destroyed.
Carol's temperament and approach were diametrically opposed to his. He wouldn't begrudge her cosmic vigilante tendencies, but her mindset and moral compass were incompatible with his. She couldn't stand him, and he found her equally insufferable. Mutual disdain was inevitable.
Carol was constantly evolving. The current her was stronger than the past her, and also weaker than the future her. The past was untouchable, so if he was going to act, there was no better time than now.
Hong Fei struck first, catching Carol off guard before she could grasp his true capabilities. Leveraging his intimate knowledge of her fighting style, he seized the early advantage.
Even so, Carol still erupted in battle four times, and twice she nearly broke free and escaped. But the real prize lay in the skill cards he harvested—a first for Hong Fei. Never before had he claimed more than one card from a single kill. Now, four cards shimmered within him, neatly aligned: one purple with an orange hue, one orange edged in gold, and two like flawless, translucent crystals.