The Russian mob in Hell's Kitchen was a notorious force in the underworld. Many gangs there were organized around families or countries of origin. Russians, Irish, Chinese, Japanese, and others all had their own factions in Hell's Kitchen.
Still, neither Norman Osborn nor Luo Xia knew much about them.
Norman Osborn was a successful businessman, so naturally he knew little about the seedy affairs of this slum.
And although Luo Xia was a transmigrator, his knowledge of Marvel came only from a few blockbuster movies and bits of hearsay. That was why he hadn't recognized Matt Murdock as the famous Daredevil when they'd met earlier.
Still, even without knowing the role Matt would play in the future, Luo Xia had no qualms about asking him for help.
"I have a friend who should know the ins and outs of Hell's Kitchen's underworld. I think he can help us rescue the hostage," Luo Xia explained to Norman Osborn.
That friend was, of course, Matt Murdock. As Hell's Kitchen's champion of justice, he ought to know all about the gangs there. And though Matt was blind, his hearing and other senses were exceptionally sharp, almost like a living radar.
Those abilities were practically perfect for sneaking in to rescue someone. The safest way to save a hostage was to make sure the kidnappers never noticed you. Slip in quietly, and don't fire a shot.
Luo Xia called Matt, but all he heard was a bout of heavy breathing.
"Uh, buddy, did I call at a bad time?" Luo Xia asked awkwardly.
It was already dark, so it was only natural that Matt might be getting some vigorous exercise.
Though it made no difference to Matt, who was blind, whether it was light or dark, it mattered a little to whoever was exercising with him.
"Luo Xia, whatever it is, make it quick. I'm busy here," Matt panted.
Luo Xia was about to suggest calling back in ten minutes, but that might have sounded like he didn't think much of Matt's stamina, so he decided to give him half an hour instead. Before he could say anything, though, rapid gunshots rang out from the other end of the call.
"Matt, did you get yourself into trouble again?" Luo Xia asked, changing tack.
"It's nothing major. What do you want? If you're just calling to chat, do it later," Matt said urgently.
"Do you know the Russian mob in Hell's Kitchen?" Luo Xia asked.
"That's a great question. The guys chasing me right now seem to be Russians. I just saw them trafficking people at the docks," Matt replied.
"Can you take them alive? I need to ask them a few things," Luo Xia asked.
"I think you should be more worried about whether you'll find me in the morgue next time we meet." After Matt said that, another burst of gunfire erupted over the phone, and then the call cut off.
Luo Xia turned to Norman Osborn, who looked anxious. "Looks like my friend has already crossed paths with those Russians. Norman, do you have any way to get me to Hell's Kitchen right away? Preferably without attracting attention. Otherwise, I can't be sure there aren't any other moles among your employees."
What Luo Xia really meant was: Hurry up and bring out the Goblin Glider!
At the thought of turning the Goblin Glider into his own robot, Luo Xia couldn't help getting excited. He wouldn't mind if it had quirks of its own, like Luo Fei and Violet.
To Luo Xia's great disappointment, however, Norman Osborn thought for a while and then said, "I know this hospital has an underground passage."
Well, without the Goblin Glider, the underground passage would have to do.
Norman Osborn ordered the doctor to inject Pierre with enough medication to keep him asleep for a long time. Then, while the doctors and nurses were busy, he led Luo Xia into the hospital's underground passage.
The place was well hidden. To get the elevator to reach the concealed underground floor, you had to punch in a whole string of numbers, as if entering a password.
The passage wasn't gloomy at all. In fact, it was brightly lit. That made sense; underground passages were generally built for escape, not to make a horror movie. There was no need to make it look sinister and terrifying.
But Norman Osborn's expression was no better than that of an actor in a horror film.
Luo Xia patted him on the shoulder. "Norman, don't worry too much. I think you'd be better off going back to Osborn and waiting for news. If you come to Hell's Kitchen, I'm afraid you could end up in danger yourself."
Luo Xia wasn't just trying to reassure him. He really did intend to do everything he could to save Harry this time. It wasn't just for OsCorp's medical machine or to help Tony with his surgery. More importantly, Norman Osborn had met him at that World of Warcraft offline gathering.
As a Chinese person, Luo Xia valued fate. Otherwise, he wouldn't have given Matt a pair of Sensor Gloves the first time they met.
Luo Xia's old boss in his previous life often said that he had a chivalrous streak. If he hit it off with you, he could share drinks and speak from the heart even if he'd only just met you—and even entrust you with his life.
As Li Bai wrote: "Three cups and I'd pledge my word; the Five Mountains would weigh no more."
Luo Xia wasn't quite that extreme, but
In a country where racial discrimination ran rampant, Norman Osborn had still gone out of his way to greet and talk to Luo Xia, an Asian man. He'd been friendly, at the very least, and that alone had convinced Luo Xia that he was a decent person.
So, since he'd promised Norman Osborn he would rescue Harry, he would give it everything he had and make sure Harry got back safely.
"I'm not planning to go play hero with you. I know my limits. But there's a secret equipment room in this underground passage. I think you might find something useful in there. It's all made with Osborn's latest technology."
Just when one door closed, another opened. The Goblin Glider wasn't going to slip through his fingers after all, Luo Xia thought to himself.
Norman Osborn led Luo Xia along the underground passage. When they passed a corner, he knocked lightly on the wall a few times. A seam appeared in the seamless wall, revealing a metal sensor door and a vast space beyond.
Norman Osborn led Luo Xia into the secret room. At the sight of everything inside, Luo Xia couldn't help letting out a gasp of admiration.
The room was crammed with all sorts of futuristic equipment. Luo Xia's eyes lit up as he wondered how many of these things he could activate as robots. The Goblin Glider, which had caught his attention most of all, rested on a stand in the middle of the room.
Unlike the one Luo Xia had imagined, this Goblin Glider was pure black, not silver or green.
But why were so many wires exposed on the Goblin Glider? It looked like it wasn't finished yet.
Before you continue