Sokovia, Castle Chamber

On the plane, Hong Fei, having changed out of his combat suit, lay resting in his seat. On the other side of a single door from him, a surgery of no small risk was underway.

In this operation, because there was subjective intent to kill and concrete actions had been taken, the bad elements undoubtedly outweighed the good.

The energy within Hong Fei had increased by nearly a fifth.

Behind this considerable growth lay a massive consumption of funds.

Since he had turned a blind eye and let Tony's danger run its course, even saving the man didn't count as a good deed.

As for the Skill Card, Tony's injuries weren't directly caused by him, so naturally nothing dropped.

Frank sat across from Hong Fei, frowning the whole time, making his already stern face look even more ferocious.

"What's wrong?"

Frank didn't move. "I'm thinking, what kind of person does this world really need?"

Hong Fei was a bit surprised. "When did you suddenly get so profound, starting to ponder philosophy?"

Frank shot Hong Fei a glance. "You just paid money, and that airport turned a blind eye to a vehicle clearly loaded with weapons and ammunition. They even personally put you on the plane. What if you were a drug lord?"

Hong Fei immediately sat up straight. "I solemnly remind you again: don't ever say that kind of thing in front of me! Otherwise, you'll grow red fur all over and lose your mind! In my past life, this life, and even my next life, I will never have anything to do with what you just mentioned!"

Frank rolled his eyes and simply lay back.

Hong Fei lay back down as well. After a long while, his voice sounded again in the cabin.

"Actually, the world doesn't need anyone. Only people need people with specific qualities. Like the officer in charge of that airport—he needs rich people. In a place ravaged by war, he doesn't care if you're carrying guns or something else. He put me on the plane to make sure I didn't pull a gun in the airport. As long as I don't touch his money-making tool, he'll see me off with a smile for the sake of the cash."

Frank didn't say a word, so Hong Fei continued. "You can become the person a few people need, or the person many people need. When necessary, you can even make your enemies need you. But you can never become the person everyone needs at the same time."

In the ensuing silence, Hong Fei gradually drifted off to sleep.

He woke again only when the door behind him opened with a beep.

A middle-aged doctor took off his mask, bent over in front of Hong Fei, and smiled. "Mr. Hong, the surgery was a success. Following your plan, we've successfully stopped the fragments inside the patient from moving further. Although you're not a doctor, you have the innate potential to become a famous one."

The flattery didn't cheer Hong Fei up, because the price the other party had quoted beforehand was enough to wipe any smile off his face.

Picking up his phone and tapping a few times, Hong Fei said, "The final payment has been sent. Check it yourself."

Seeing the transfer notification on Hong Fei's phone, the doctor's smile grew even brighter.

"Mr. Hong, thank you very much for your trust. I look forward to our next cooperation."

Forget it, I can't afford you!

"Same here. You've all worked hard. Go get some rest."

The other party readily complied, nodding at Frank as he turned to leave—clearly, the two knew each other.

After the doctor left, Hong Fei curled his lip and asked, "How do you know him?"

Frank said bluntly, "He's taken bullets out of me many times. He's always been a skilled surgeon, but he never refused a bribe, so he got fired. If you ever need surgery and can't go to a hospital, you can find him again."

Hong Fei immediately refused. "Forget it, I don't have that many two millions."

That's right, the other party's appearance fee was exactly two million US dollars, no more, no less.

"Expensive has its benefits. At least he won't sell you out."

Hong Fei shook his head. "I'll find someone to hire long-term myself. Actually, I do have someone in mind."

"Oh?"

"A beauty, and a scientist to boot."

Frank immediately sneered. "I doubt she'll be willing to work for you."

Hong Fei sneered back. "I don't need her to be willing."

Their bickering ended as the plane began to descend.

After the plane docked, medical staff waiting on the tarmac immediately carried Tony, wrapped head to toe in gauze, down on a stretcher.

It was a necessary measure for secrecy.

The doctor bid Hong Fei farewell again, his smile as sincere as could be.

Off the plane, Hong Fei glared at the still-unconscious Tony through gritted teeth.

"Do you know how much I spent? Over thirty million! Dollars! Not Vietnamese dong! If I can't squeeze at least ten times that out of him, I'll personally send him off myself!"

Frank: "Send him where?"

"Hell!"

A rare smile crept onto Frank's face. He patted Hong Fei on the shoulder. "Don't be so mad. At least you let me experience the joy of being rich for the first time in my life. Think about it—from Afghanistan to Sokovia, countless strangers served you along the way. You didn't know anyone, and they were all seeing you for the first time, but every single one treated you like their most honored boss."

After leaving the airport, the group didn't head into the city but drove toward the mountains instead.

"Where are we going now?" Frank asked, puzzled.

Hong Fei looked out the window. Through layers of dense forest, the corner of a gray-white castle on the mountaintop peeked into view.

"See that castle?"

Hong Fei said calmly, "It's mine."

Frank was stunned once again.

"Didn't you say you had no money?"

"Yeah."

"Then how do you own a castle?"

Hong Fei looked at Frank with disdain. "Do you think a castle is that expensive? It cost me even less than the appearance fee I paid that doctor!"

This castle had cost less than one point five million dollars.

A castle requires upkeep. Although he had bought it, Hong Fei now had the right to use it while also bearing the responsibility of maintenance—a fixed annual expense that might even exceed the purchase price.

He hadn't bought it because he was dazzled by the castle's vastness and scenery, nor because he planned to retire and enjoy life after this job. Rather, he needed to use money to avoid a host of troubles in such a barren little country, while also securing a large, sufficiently private space.

A castle in Sokovia.

Just from the name, it was clear—it perfectly met Hong Fei's requirements.

The motorcade entered the castle and stopped. Hong Fei and Frank walked straight to the edge of the gray stone wall.

Beyond the waist-high wall was a cliff, and below it lay a vast lake.

This castle, with over five hundred years of history, was built into the mountain, covering an area of more than five thousand square meters, imposing in scale. Besides the lake right at its doorstep, the other side opened onto a winding, emerald-green river valley. From anywhere in the castle, a glance into the distance would catch the endless snowy mountains.

It had both historical depth and stunning beauty.

One point five million dollars—was that expensive?

Damn right it was expensive!

Because the actual cost was at least one point five million per year!

Hong Fei only hoped Tony would hurry up and get the Arc Reactor working, so he could sell this castle sooner.

After dismissing the temporary hires, Hong Fei and Frank sent Tony down into the castle's underground space—a very hidden secret room, perfectly suited as Tony's workplace for the time to come.