"Next, we're going to put on a show for the arms dealer. You'll play the bad guy, while I'll be a..."
"Why don't you play the bad guy?" Frank asked, somewhat displeased.
Hong Fei lowered his head and fumbled around on himself for a long while.
Frank could not help asking, "What are you looking for?"
"I was looking for a mirror. Maybe then you'd gain a clearer understanding of yourself."
Frank's face instantly darkened.
In the end, Frank was assigned the role of the armed militants' leader, while Hong Fei reined in all traces of his martial aura and became an ordinary young tourist.
While changing clothes, Hong Fei added, "By the way, when will your old buddies get here? It can't just be the two of us forever. That arms dealer is smart—he might get suspicious soon."
The old buddies he meant were Frank's former comrades.
Frank had served for a long time and passed through many units before ending up in the Marine Corps, where he served before retiring. Many of his former comrades had already retired, and they were valuable resources.
Frank said steadily, "No rush. We need to identify the people we can truly trust. People change. I don't know whether they still feel the same way about me."
"That makes sense. We don't need many anyway. Five or six will be enough. It's not like we're going to war."
Tony had already awakened in the secret room. The bandages around his head had been removed by Hong Fei; there was no need for him to keep hiding his face here.
With effort, Tony forced open his heavy eyelids, his gaze still somewhat unfocused.
After looking around the dim secret room, his eyes gradually settled on his chest.
Beneath the bandages, two wires extended outward, eventually connecting to a battery beside the iron bed.
Tony was instantly alarmed. He forced his weak body halfway upright, tore open the bloodstained bandages on his chest, and suddenly saw a circular metal device embedded amid the flesh and bone at the center of his chest.
Thump!
He immediately fell back onto the bed, eyes wide as he gulped down air, his face full of disbelief.
Watching this through a concealed camera, Hong Fei, dressed in casual clothes, gestured to Frank, who had shaved his head bald and wore a black face covering. The two headed for the secret room's entrance together.
A moment later, the sound of keys clinking came from outside the room.
Amid a teeth-grating creak, the secret room door was pushed inward through a narrow gap.
Propping himself up on one arm, Tony turned to look over.
Boom!
A muffled impact suddenly rang out as a figure abruptly flew into the room. His body curled up like a shrimp, and after flying several meters, he crashed to the floor with a thud. Tony then heard pained cries mixed with violent coughing.
At the doorway, Frank, wearing a black mask, slowly lowered his leg.
Hong Fei lay on the ground clutching his abdomen, feeling as though his intestines had nearly snapped.
The original plan was for Frank merely to make the motion while Hong Fei used the ground to launch himself into the room. Who knew Frank would suddenly kick with full force? Though Hong Fei had reacted in advance, he was standing at the secret room entrance. He could not exactly activate Shinigami Eye and start fighting Frank—that would completely ruin his persona.
Frank was settling a personal score, and Hong Fei immediately recorded this debt in his little notebook.
Tony first stared at Hong Fei in astonishment, then shifted his gaze toward the doorway. The moment he met Frank's eyes, he saw the killing intent brimming within them. The folds of flesh creasing that gleaming bald head made him look anything but friendly.
Frank slowly stepped forward.
"Tony Stark, the world's most famous arms dealer and weapons inventor. I saved you."
Frank's words immediately stunned Tony.
Seeing this, Frank pulled out several photographs. They showed the US military convoy being attacked, as well as Tony lying unconscious on the ground, covered in blood after the explosion. Naturally, there were also photos of the armed militants' corpses.
"We helped you kill those armed militants, performed surgery on you, and pulled you back from Death's grasp. We did save your life. Now I want to know—how will you repay me?"
Tony's expression slowly changed. He understood what Frank meant.
"I'm deeply grateful that you saved my life. I think what you need more than thanks is money. How about this? Please send me to a US military base, and then I'll give you..."
With a swish, Frank tossed down another stack of photographs, cutting Tony off.
Tony lowered his head and saw photos of the Jericho Missile and scenes from its explosive testing.
Frank poked the photos with his index finger. "This missile is very good. Can you give me all its technical data?"
"No." Tony refused decisively, his tone light.
There was not a trace of viciousness in Frank's eyes, but he suddenly raised his arm and punched Tony squarely in the jaw.
Tony was instantly seeing stars, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
Frank did not waste any words. He grabbed Tony by the throat with one hand and dragged him off the bed. No matter how Tony struggled, he could not break free from that iron grip.
The wires from Tony's chest dragged the battery across the floor. Being hauled along so forcibly clearly caused him even more pain. Watching from the side, Hong Fei's heart pounded in terror, afraid that Tony would be tortured to death by this thug, Frank.
Tony was dragged all the way to the other end of the secret room. With a click, another light came on, illuminating a pile of terrifying-looking torture implements in the darkened area.
Before Tony even had time to panic, Frank shoved his head into a large water vat. After it happened again and again, Tony felt as though his soul had left his body, leaving behind only an empty shell.
With a flick of his hand, Frank brutally threw Tony onto the floor.
One foot came down, and Tony doubled over in agony as clear fluid burst from his mouth.
"One month. I'm giving you one month. Besides the complete technical data, I want you to personally build one for me. During that time, I can satisfy any need you have. But if I don't see it after a month, I'll chop off your head and throw it at the entrance to the US military base."
After saying that, Frank turned toward Hong Fei. He nudged him with his foot and said, "You'd better pray someone is willing to pay your ransom."
Hong Fei was so frightened that he immediately curled into the corner, hugging his head and trembling.
With a loud clang, the iron door was locked again.
For a time, the only sounds in the secret room were the two men's ragged breathing and sobs.
After a long while, Tony recovered slightly. Carrying the battery, he returned to the bed and lay down again. Staring at the low ceiling, he asked in a hoarse, broken voice, "Kid, who are you? Do you understand English?"
Hong Fei huddled in the corner without making a sound.
"Whether you understand or not, I have to tell you this: even if someone is willing to pay your ransom, that utterly vicious guy will still kill you."
Hong Fei abruptly raised his head, terror overflowing from his eyes.
Tony glanced at him, curling his lips in disdain. "Now you know fear? Tell me, where did you come from, and how were you caught and brought here?"
"I..." Hong Fei hesitated for a long time before saying softly, "I came from New York. I only wanted to travel around the world. I never expected to suddenly get knocked out on the street here. When I woke up, I was already standing outside that door."
"New York?" Tony turned over. "Then you must know me."
"That's right, I know you. Tony Stark, a playboy..."
"Ha, right. The media's reports are pretty accurate in that regard." As he spoke, Tony sat up. "Kid, listen to me. Right now, it's just the two of us here. In other words, we're dependent on each other. Tell me—do you want to live?"
Hong Fei nodded quickly.
Tony said, "Good. I also want to leave here alive. Come over."
Hong Fei slowly stood and cautiously approached Tony, as though afraid Tony might suddenly lash out and beat him up.
Tony could not stand Hong Fei's sluggish hesitation any longer. He reached out and pulled him directly in front of him, their faces nearly touching.
Tony lowered his voice. "Listen to me. Just now, when that bald bastard nearly stomped me to death, I suddenly got an idea. I have a way to escape from here, but you know my condition. I need someone to help me. Can you do it?"
"I... this..."
Hong Fei's timid appearance was maddening to watch. Tony slapped him on the head and demanded sternly, "Do you want to live or not? Do you ever want to see the sun again?"
Hong Fei froze for a moment.
Silently adding another entry to his little notebook, he then nodded firmly. "I do!"
"Good. Then we're allies. From now on, you do whatever I tell you to do, and you're not allowed to ask why. Time is tight, and there must be cameras here, so don't reveal anything in front of them. Once we get out of here, I'll throw a huge party for the two of us. You can be the star with me."
Hong Fei looked extremely tempted, but inwardly, he was utterly contemptuous.
I don't want to attend one of your parties reeking of capitalist decadence!
Before you continue