This Is Your Father's Legacy

"Director, I'm so sorry, but I was exposed in the end."

Inside the S.H.I.E.L.D. Director's office, Natasha reported her failure to Xia Ling, bringing Tony with her.

Natasha had never expected Tony's sudden attack. Her instincts kicked in, and she subdued him.

This revealed her extraordinary combat skills, something a mere secretary wouldn't possess.

"It's alright. Mr. Tony Stark is a genius, after all. He's one of the rarest, most brilliant minds in the world. It was already difficult enough for you to fool him for a while."

Hearing Xia Ling say this, not only Natasha but Tony also breathed a sigh of relief.

He hadn't been able to lick Natasha's feet before; his pride wouldn't allow him to do such a thing.

So, he suddenly went berserk and attacked Natasha. The result was predictable: she subdued him in less than a round.

However, this achieved his goal. Natasha could no longer maintain her disguise and directly confronted him, inviting him to meet her Director.

This surprised Tony. He hadn't expected her to be an agent of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division.

After a brief moment of thought, Tony agreed. Furthermore, he brought along The Gh'gth Revelations for the Director to see.

After all, Tony's father had written in his letter that the Director of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division was trustworthy, even though it was now called S.H.I.E.L.D.

"Director Xia, you..."

"Mr. Stark, you don't need to say anything. It's about your palladium poisoning, isn't it?"

Xia Ling interrupted Tony, stating it directly.

"Mr. Stark, your father left you some inheritance in our S.H.I.E.L.D. It happens to contain something that can solve your problem."

A flash of surprise, mixed with a hint of dissatisfaction, crossed Tony's eyes.

Why did his father leave his inheritance scattered everywhere except for him? Obadiah had a portion, and now S.H.I.E.L.D. had another part. How much inheritance had he left?

"Then how did you..."

"Mr. Stark, don't rush. Listen to me first."

Xia Ling interrupted Stark's question again.

Stark undoubtedly wanted to ask why they were only giving it to him now. Xia Ling wasn't going to take the blame for that.

Let the former Director bear this burden. After all, it was a burden he should have carried in the first place.

"There's nothing we could do. The previous Director was too busy with corruption and didn't do any real work, so he completely forgot about your matter. I only recently took over S.H.I.E.L.D.

It's not easy maintaining this mess. I only discovered this a few days ago and was planning to send it to you, which is why I had Natasha confront you."

Natasha, standing by, felt a headache coming on. Director Xia was truly skilled, effortlessly shifting all responsibility away with a few light words.

However, what he said wasn't entirely untrue. He had only recently taken office, and it would be too much to blame him entirely.

"So, Nata..."

"Natasha was sent by Nick Fury to monitor you. I personally believe that sincerity is best for cooperation, so we decided to be upfront with you after only a few days."

This left Tony speechless. It was a perfect answer, leaving him no room to find fault even if he wanted to.

Moreover, he was the one seeking cooperation now, so he couldn't possibly cause trouble.

"Alright, Director Xia, I accept your explanation. However, since you already know my situation, what are your plans moving forward?"

A hint of seriousness and anticipation entered Tony's voice.

Xia Ling smiled slightly, stood up, and walked to the desk. He pressed a button, and the desktop slowly opened, revealing an exquisite safe.

He entered the password, and the safe clicked open. Inside lay a flat rectangular box and a three-dimensional architectural model.

"This is the inheritance your father left with us. This 3D model is a carrier that hides a key technological secret. It's said to be capable of creating an energy source stronger than palladium with no drawbacks. Your father hoped this technology would flourish in your hands and bring about a revolution for the future of humanity.

This box contains your father's technical notes, research data, as well as some of his thoughts and last words. Your father loved you, Mr. Stark."

Tony's gaze lingered on the open safe for a long time, as if seeing his father's kind face and unfinished dreams through the objects.

"Director Xia, I..."

"Your father was also one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D."

Before Tony could ask, Xia Ling directly answered him again.

Now everything made sense. Why his father said he could trust the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., and why he left his inheritance there for him – because he was one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s founders.

Upon hearing this, Tony's doubts largely vanished, and a complex emotion surged within him.

"Director Xia, are you an emissary of the Lord?"

"What? An emissary of the Lord? Me? Of course not, at least not now. I haven't received His divinity, nor has His son, Hong Xiuqing, guided me.

Nor have any beautiful angels descended to give me the Lord's mission."

"I see. So you're not an emissary of Yahweh either. Then who is?"

A smile played on Xia Ling's lips. He wouldn't admit to the persona he had adopted so easily; it would be too demeaning. This prophet title was too cheap, was he really just some charlatan looking for fame and fortune?

"Who knows? Until Yahweh's will is revealed, who can say who the prophet is? Be patient, son of Howard. Your life's journey is still long."

How should the crime of showing off be handled?

Is it a death sentence?

Waiting online, urgent!

Looking at this S.H.I.E.L.D. Director, who was younger than himself, and was acting all high and mighty in front of him, Tony felt a toothache.

He wished he could throw a punch right then and there, to let him understand that he needed to learn to respect his elders.

However, Natasha, standing beside him, made Tony abandon this idea. Lecturing her Director in front of her? He was simply asking for a beating.

This woman, who could make him completely compliant with just one move, was truly not to be trifled with. Unless he put on his battle suit, he shouldn't even think about it.

"Let's change the subject. Do you have a solution for those two deities?"

"No."

The crisp and straightforward answer drove Tony mad. If he had no way to deal with it, then what was the purpose of his visit?

"Don't worry, Tony. It's come to this, and worrying is useless. Are you hungry? Let's go eat first."