We're Concerned About This

In the end, the fit just wasn't right.

Xia Ling sighed inwardly.

He'd originally planned to use Tzeentch or Yog-Sothoth to deal with Tony, but neither was a good fit for him, and at this stage, he had no need to spend more divine power.

The other gods of wisdom were even less suitable. Their positive images were far too strong.

Ever since becoming a reincarnator, Xia Ling had done plenty of anthropomorphizing. That made them an even worse fit.

So using Gh'gth to take the hit was the most suitable option.

What Xia Ling hadn't expected, though, was that the Great Old Ones and the Outer Gods could also be classified as gods.

That really had taken him by surprise. Just like how he hadn't expected Dark Ranger's talisman to turn out to be a summoning skill.

Perhaps the Great Old Ones and the Outer Gods were classified as gods because they embodied certain cosmic laws?

Whatever the reason, he still couldn't use them now.

"Director, we've received a report. The Military is planning to move against Red Hulk."

Coulson walked into the office and handed over a stack of documents.

Xia Ling skimmed through them. "Not bad. The news got to us fast. Our people in the Military acted quickly."

"Director, we have people embedded in every organization, both at home and abroad."

Which meant every organization had someone embedded in S.H.I.E.L.D., too, right?

Xia Ling smiled and tossed the file in his hand aside.

"Director, aren't we going to pay attention to this?"

As the former director's trusted aide, Coulson knew a thing or two about Red Hulk. He knew he'd been a reserve member of Nick Fury's superpowered team.

He didn't know why Red Hulk had turned red again, but there was no way they could ignore such a powerful combat asset.

"Pay attention? Of course. Tell our people to keep an eye on things. That's all."

"Huh?"

Coulson was startled, but immediately understood what the Director meant.

"Director, are we going to stand by and do nothing?"

"Stand by and do nothing? Watch how you talk. I mean that, to avoid causing panic, we'll act as if nothing's happened for now. Have our agents keep an eye on things. Don't interfere with the Military's business."

"Uh, and then?"

Xia Ling smiled faintly. "Then we'll express how seriously we take this heinous incident. But to avoid increasing the casualties, we won't be able to take any action. We'll just let the Military charge in."

Coulson looked a little dazed. Xia Ling continued, "If Red Hulk wipes out the Military, then even if S.H.I.E.L.D. is capable of taking action, what can we do against such a terrifying monster? We're powerless."

"So we can't do anything at all?"

"Of course we can."

Looking at the still-bewildered Coulson, Xia Ling couldn't help shaking his head.

"That's the final step. We'll report to the Security Council and say that perhaps we could have done something, but we lacked the resources and were therefore powerless. Then we can use that as a reason to demand more funding. We might even get approval for plans that usually wouldn't pass—like that team made up of superpowered individuals."

By the time Xia Ling finished, Coulson was staring at him, dumbfounded. How come every director was more underhanded than the last?

He'd thought that Fury, being Black, was already the gold standard when it came to having a dark heart.

He hadn't expected the new Director Xia to be even worse. Inflating expense reports was already ruthless enough, but Director Xia was going to sacrifice the Military to secure more funding and get his plans approved.

He really was still too young—nowhere near as seasoned as an old man.

As the Old Village Chief was still lamenting how purehearted he was, an unfriendly voice rang out, making his hair stand on end.

"Coulson, come to think of it, I still haven't settled the score with you for that time you went behind my back."

"Director, I can explain."

Coulson's expression changed dramatically. He'd seen what Director Xia could do. He'd put Nick Fury through the wringer.

If he ended up on the Director's blacklist, would he even survive?

But before he could explain, Xia Ling stood up and draped an arm over the Old Village Chief's shoulder.

"I know. Old people tend to feel nostalgic. I can understand that."

Coulson nodded repeatedly, though the hell-no in his heart had already burst out.

At most, he was middle-aged. How had he suddenly become an old man? Was it his receding hairline?

"Director, you really understand me. Fury looked after me so much in the past. It's just—"

"Hold it. You don't think that makes us even, do you? Do I look like the kind of person who'd let something like that go?"

Xia Ling's gaze suddenly sharpened, and the corner of his mouth curled into a meaningful smile, as if he could see right through every little scheme in Coulson's head.

"Director, what do you have in mind?"

Coulson asked cautiously, his heart uneasy.

"Nothing much. I heard Fury has a special pager. Bring it to me, and we'll call it even."

As Xia Ling spoke, the atmosphere in the office instantly froze. Surprise and confusion flashed across Coulson's face.

"Director, can I know what that thing is for?"

Coulson didn't know what the pager was for, but one thing was clear: Director Xia wouldn't ask him to do something pointless just for the fun of it.

"It's nothing. You don't need to know. Just follow my orders, get the pager, and bring it to me. Nick Fury's going to work at my farm anyway, so go meet with him and pick it up while you're there."

Coulson was speechless. Was that supposed to be an errand on the way?

Getting something the King of Spies treasured from him was harder than climbing to the heavens. Why did the Director make it sound like he was just borrowing an eraser?

"Director, I don't think I—"

"What? Coulson, you're willing to take on this assignment? Good. Do a good job, and I'll give you a promotion and a raise. Now get going, and be quick about it."

"Director, I—"

"Go on. You don't want to miss this month's paycheck, do you?"

Whoosh!

At the mention of that, Coulson immediately saluted, then dashed out of the office at lightning speed.

Sorry, Fury. It's not that I'm a bad brother; it's just that if I miss this month's paycheck, I'll lose my car.

Surely the understanding Nick Fury wouldn't want to see his loyal former subordinate reduced to walking to work one day.

He wouldn't, right?

"What a mess. Sigh. An honest man, hardworking and brave, has been driven to this. It's an absolute outrage. It's all that Black Egg Nick Fury's fault!"

Xia Ling casually and firmly pinned the blame on Nick Fury. He'd been director of S.H.I.E.L.D. for so many years and had carried plenty of blame already. Surely he wouldn't mind carrying one more?