Is That How You Do the Math?

Nick Fury stared blankly at Xia Ling, completely at a loss as to what this Director was talking about.

"Sorry, Director Xia, I didn't understand what you meant. How do I owe you ten thousand? Didn't you only front me five thousand?"

It had only been five thousand, yet somehow it had turned into ten thousand. Nick Fury was utterly baffled.

"That money wasn't borrowed for free. We have to add a little interest. After all, I have a family to support too."

Seeing his reaction, Xia Ling gave a sly smile and deliberately lowered his voice.

Nick Fury's brow furrowed even more. He hadn't expected Xia Ling to suddenly bring up interest, and the way he said it made him sound like a loan shark. "Director Xia, are you... charging usurious interest? That's illegal!"

"Hey, don't make it sound so bad. I'm just charging a reasonable fee. Money comes with costs, after all. Besides, are you really going to sue me? Who would believe you?"

Nick Fury's chest heaved. He had never been so angry, never been bullied like this in his life. This was simply—

Coulson watched anxiously from the side, afraid that if Nick Fury threw a punch, he'd have to go buy equipment. That stuff wasn't cheap.

"Come on, don't get so angry. Be grateful—I haven't even charged you for the clothes you're wearing."

You're charging me for the clothes I'm wearing too?

You naturally evil Asian bastard, I'll personally—

"By the way, Mr. Fury, I proposed at the Security Council that we form a force made up of people with superpowers. The representatives were very impressed with the plan. I was wondering if you'd be interested in becoming one of its commanders?"

At those words, Nick Fury's anger seemed to be doused by a bucket of cold water. He stared wide-eyed at Xia Ling, disbelief mingling with his fury in a complicated swirl of emotions.

Was he really planning to bring me back into service?

"Not a small team, but an entire force?"

Nick Fury suddenly felt tempted. With his deep understanding of people with superpowers, even when he was Director, he'd only planned to establish a small team.

And this Director Xia was actually planning to form an entire force?

Before even asking whether the Security Council would agree, there was one obvious question: where would they find so many people with superpowers?

"That's right, Mr. Fury. As the world changes, the threats we face are becoming increasingly complex and diverse. A force made up of people with superpowers will be vital in confronting these unknown challenges."

Nick Fury took a deep breath, trying to sort through his complicated feelings. He knew what this opportunity meant to him, but...

"Director Xia, I accept your offer, but only on the condition that our partnership is built on mutual respect and equality."

Nick Fury's tone was firm and resolute. He truly needed the position, but he wasn't a beggar who would simply accept charity.

"I was just saying it offhand. Don't take it seriously."

"You!"

As soon as Xia Ling finished speaking, the atmosphere froze. Nick Fury pointed at him with trembling hands, his face turning livid. He could hardly believe his ears.

His emotions had lurched from anger to astonishment, and now to a mixture of disappointment and fury, like a roller coaster.

"Director Xia, are you making fun of me?"

"Ah, my signal's bad. I'll hang up now, Mr. Fury."

Xia Ling quickly hung up, leaving Nick Fury to rage helplessly on the other end.

The reason he did this was that a certain young woman was coming to report to him in person today, and she'd be here any minute.

Naturally, he didn't feel like chatting with Black Egg.

"Come in."

The door opened gently, and a woman in a sharp business suit walked in. It was Natasha Romanoff.

She was on leave today, so she'd decided to stop by and meet the Director, as well as give him an in-person update on how things had been going.

Natasha Romanoff stepped into the office, exuding professionalism and alertness.

She quickly surveyed the room and had to admit that the New Director knew how to enjoy himself—and was quite bold, too.

The previous Director had just been ousted for corruption, yet the new one was already doing this. He must have powerful backing.

But that had nothing to do with her. She was just a lowly agent; all she wanted was to stay out of the Bureau's political battles.

"Director, I'm here to brief you on my recent work and take care of a few personal matters."

Natasha's voice was calm and clear, breaking the silence in the room.

"Agent Romanoff, have a seat. It's rare for someone to take time out of her leave to come see me. Let's start with your work."

Xia Ling gestured for Natasha to sit.

Natasha took a seat, pulled a detailed report from her bag, and began to brief him on the results of her mission.

She'd documented everything, from her first encounter with Tony Stark to yesterday, when Tony had spent so long looking for the book that he'd nearly lost his mind.

"Excellent work, Agent Romanoff. As always, you've done a superb job."

Xia Ling skimmed the report, then casually tossed it onto the desk. Natasha frowned but said nothing.

"I asked you here today not only to hear your report, but also to discuss something important with you."

Hearing this, Natasha grew curious. She looked up at Xia Ling, waiting for his next instructions.

"We're about to form a force made up of people with superpowers to deal with the increasingly complex and diverse global threats. I think you'd be an excellent choice to lead its special operations team, carrying out high-risk, high-difficulty missions."

Natasha wasn't surprised. Compared with Black Egg, the New Director was more ambitious. He was establishing a force, not just a small team.

Given her abilities, joining the force was only natural. It was just that...

"Will Tony Stark be part of it? Director, with all due respect, I doubt that playboy would join a force like this and let himself be controlled by others so easily."

"Tony Stark? Yes, he's certainly someone we can't overlook. He'll join the force—and he'll be begging me to let him in. Just not yet.

"Before that, I hear our genius is in a bit of a bind?"

Natasha nodded at once. She'd mentioned all of this in her report, but the New Director didn't seem inclined to read through the lengthy documents.

"Does he still have no leads on The Gh'gth Revelations?"

"That's right, Director. I think that book might not even exist. We don't know how to find it."

Xia Ling smiled and beckoned Natasha over.

When she came up to him, Xia Ling spoke softly.

"Then why not ask the Magic Conch?"