Voluntary Retirement

Steve turned back and said to the two generals, "Han had two states. Normally, I could take fewer than fifty of his punches. But in that state just now, without my shield, I couldn't take even one. Han's physical strength far surpassed mine. It was something the Super Soldier Serum could never achieve.

Han could smash an enemy tank down until only the tracks remained with his bare fists. So if he wanted to kill everyone present, it would be effortless."

Han Lin's strength made the surrounding officials break out in cold sweat. After recovering from her shock, Michelle Lawrence, one of the senators, shouted with hollow bravado, "Soldier Han Lin, are you trying to kill us? Or are you a German Army spy outright? Guards, come protect us!"

Han Lin sneered. "I'm German Army? Hahahaha..."

Han Lin laughed heartily, then stomped forward and grabbed the senator by the neck, pinning her against a wall painted with the United States Stars and Stripes.

"I'm German Army? In less than a year, I pushed the European front forward by one hundred kilometers. I rescued nearly five thousand Allied prisoners and killed no fewer than ten thousand enemy soldiers.

I destroyed fourteen Hydra Research Bases and seized countless enemy weapons and ammunition, nine energy tanks, and twenty-three energy vehicles.

With all that under my command, I could wipe out the Allied forces in Europe. Do you think General Eisenhower could stop me? Who gave you the nerve to call me German Army?" Han Lin slammed his left fist into the wall, leaving a massive crater. Cracks spread outward, and the entire flag shattered.

Everyone present knew that Han Lin's figures were true. Dedicated personnel compiled statistics before them every day, and the actual numbers reported were only ever higher.

Eisenhower looked at Han Lin nervously. "Han, you are a soldier. You cannot treat a national senator like this."

As all the senators and generals watched Han Lin's imposing manner, fear rose in their hearts. Many of them had come intending to force the formula for the Super Soldier Serum out of him. As long as they possessed the Super Soldier Serum, their status would rise without limit. Everyone wanted to climb higher, which was why they had come here.

"So this is how the United States treats a soldier with such outstanding achievements? If I did not possess this strength, would you have tortured a confession out of me?

"The Super Soldier Serum—did you really think it was so easy to obtain? Two doses created Red Skull and Captain America. I believe that if Captain America wanted to rebel now, most of the soldiers in the military would follow him.

"A second Red Skull would be born. Do you think you could stop Steve? Do you know why Dr. Erskine chose this little guy? Because Steve would always be a good man, not a good soldier."

Han Lin's eloquent words left the officials dumbstruck. Thinking back, they suddenly realized everything was exactly as he had said. If Steve ran for the next presidency now, most people across the United States would cast their votes for this national hero. Cold sweat soaked through their undershirts.

"So now, I'll give you my answer." As he spoke, he threw Senator Lawrence to the ground, removed the epaulets from both shoulders, and tossed them into General Eisenhower's face. Then he mocked him.

"Now, you have lost your best soldier. You can crawl back to your European battlefield and slowly win this war. You can drag this war out indefinitely. No matter how many people die, it has nothing to do with me.

"You can come looking for trouble with me. And I am a major shareholder of Stark Industries. If you cause trouble for me, I do not mind having Howard shut down the military-industrial sector. If you can afford to play, I'll play along. I'll be in New York. I don't mind if you drop a nuclear bomb on me and have all of New York buried with me."

He gave the crowd the finger, then walked out under the stunned gazes of the senators and generals. As he passed Steve, he patted him on the shoulder. "Buddy, you can do it. Keep it up!"

After leaving the Senate, Han Lin looked at the bustling streets and raised his head to the sky, finally relaxing somewhat. A year of war had strained his mind to its limit. His retirement had disrupted his original plans, but it had also freed him from the battlefield. Without having to coordinate and command, he could accomplish more on his own.

Steve hurried after him. "Han, was what you said true?"

Han Lin nodded and said coldly, "Yes. I'll find every Hydra member from today's meeting and send them all to meet God. This is not the place to talk. Back to the base."

Han Lin nodded to Colonel Phillips, who had caught up from behind. Then the three got into a car and headed for the base. This time, Steve was not the only one promoted.

Because of Steve and Han Lin, Colonel Phillips had also been promoted to brigadier general. From then on, the Strategic Scientific Reserve would report directly to Brigadier General Phillips and would not be controlled by anyone else.

This way, S.H.I.E.L.D., hidden within the Strategic Scientific Reserve, could develop even faster.

The six of them sat around the conference table after returning to the base.

Han Lin recounted what had happened that day, then said to Agent Carter, "I need you to investigate everyone at today's meeting. No matter who they are or what position they hold, if they are Hydra, I will kill them. Are two days enough? Get those forty-odd people checked out."

Agent Carter nodded. "This is my specialty. I'll identify the people who stirred this up as soon as possible and see whether they are Hydra."

"Steve, what you need to do now is return to the battlefield. I said it before: you are a good man from the bottom of your heart. We did not make Captain America—you made yourself. Be a good man, not a good soldier." Han Lin counseled Steve, who was conflicted over whether he should follow Han Lin.

"Doctor, while I'm not out on missions in the coming days, I'll conduct experiments with you. I'm also very interested in Steinberg's Infinite Formula."

After arranging everything, Han Lin went to Howard's private lounge, took out a bottle of whiskey, and began drinking alone.

Steve and Howard followed him in. Seeing Han Lin drinking directly from the bottle, Howard took out three crystal glasses, accepted the bottle from Han Lin, and poured the amber liquor into them. The liquid slowly submerged the ice cubes, while Han Lin stared at it absently.

In a year, Han Lin had gone from a complete novice to a battlefield killer. He had earned the name Shura, and the richness of his experiences might have surpassed what others saw in an entire lifetime.

After drinking eight bottles with Howard and Steve, the three men, none of whom could get drunk, talked about meaningless things and teased Steve. For a brief time, Han Lin allowed himself to relax.

While Han Lin and the others drank, Roosevelt, then president of the United States, convened a large meeting. Han Lin's sudden retirement had delayed victory on the European battlefield. Without his spearhead assaults, the United States' position among the Allies had become unstable.

No one had expected the battlefield Shura to disregard the bigger picture and retire simply because Congress had interrogated him. Worse, the nation had no way to restrain him.

Roosevelt sat at the conference table and roared furiously, "Who was it? Who suggested that you idiots interrogate a war hero? You're all a pile of shit! The situation had only just changed, and you made the man who changed it retire! And you have no way to control him. Tell me, who led this?"

Michelle Lawrence spoke slowly. "Representative Brand had told us since Dr. Erskine's death that Han Lin possessed extraordinary power. He had always speculated that it came from the Super Soldier Serum. I think he misled us. He must bear full responsibility."

The senator directly threw out a small fry to put out the fire, but an enraged Roosevelt was not so easily fooled. "Every one of you will be interrogated by the intelligence department. If any of you were sent by Hydra to restrain Han Lin, then you will all go to hell."

Several people among the crowd exchanged furtive glances, secretly making plans of their own.

President Roosevelt then said to General Eisenhower, "Keep Han Lin's military registration intact. No one is allowed to make an issue of it. If I see a newspaper article tomorrow calling Han Lin a deserter or reporting his retirement, then your families and friends will all be placed under investigation."