Scarlet Destiny

On a private jet.

Amid pulsing music, Tony Stark and Air Force Major James Rhodes drank.

A steel pole slowly rose from the cabin floor, and the flight attendants danced around it in revealing outfits.

Though their destination was a war-torn hell on earth, the plane was filled with song and revelry.

That suited Tony Stark's style perfectly—enjoy life while he could.

Not to mention that James Rhodes had been stood up by Tony for three hours before they could even depart. Now, emboldened by alcohol, he dragged Tony into an endless lecture...

Su Ming was currently on a plane returning to Manhattan, listening to old Obadiah's complaints:

"Tony, that bastard! I kindly arranged such an incredible bodyguard for him, and he didn't even want one! What stubbornness!"

Watching Obadiah perform, Su Ming wore an amused expression.

Keep pretending. Go on...

Without changing his expression, Obadiah switched his communication channel with Su Ming to private and said quietly:

"Mr. Destiny, it seems the bodyguard assignment was merely my wishful thinking.

But that's all right. Next, I'll arrange for you to go to Afghanistan, where you can directly begin the second assignment."

As he spoke, a glint of coldness flashed through his eyes.

Su Ming considered this.

"Fine, Mr. Employer. But I'll need some time before departing. Also, when the time comes, I want to know where Mr. Stark is."

A trace of hesitation flashed in Obadiah's eyes. To ensure Tony Stark's death, he had already contacted the Ten Rings Gang in Afghanistan.

But this was highly classified. How could the future chairman of Stark Industries possibly have any association with terrorists?

While calculating inwardly, he spoke with absolute confidence.

"As for that, no problem. I'll promptly inform you of his whereabouts through the mission phone.

Also, I'm sorry that Mr. Destiny lost the bodyguard assignment...

I'll give you five hundred thousand dollars as compensation."

Su Ming looked at the bald man before him in some surprise. Every wrinkle on his face radiated sincerity at that moment, as though he truly regretted Su Ming missing out on a million dollars.

Look at that. This is what capitalists are like—when profit is on the line, they dare to place their bets.

If Su Ming had not been capable enough, and if Obadiah had not wanted Tony Stark dead, he would never have been so attentive.

Su Ming thanked him and happily accepted Obadiah's compensation, while promising to complete the mission.

[+$500,000, Account Balance: $551,380]

Walking through the streets of Manhattan, Su Ming looked at a suit shop with "High-End Custom Tailoring" written on its sign.

He thought it was time to get himself a decent outfit.

Formal suits were certainly luxurious, but once a fight broke out, they would inevitably end up in tatters. Something more athletic would suit him better.

After explaining his requirements to the Old Tailor in the shop and having his measurements taken, he turned and left.

The Old Tailor watched Su Ming's departing back through his reading glasses and muttered:

"How long has it been since I've seen proportions this perfect? Making athletic wear for a physique like that would be such a waste!

I can't do it..."

In the blink of an eye, it was time to leave. Obadiah had urged Su Ming several times before he finally decided to depart.

"What's the rush? Tony won't be getting out anytime soon."

The man was still handcrafting his armor~

Su Ming first went to the Underground Exchange to collect his finished throwing knives.

Fifty Titanium Flying Knives gleaming with cold light were neatly slotted into a magic knife holster.

He casually drew one out. It had a slight weight to it and was a little longer than his finger. Its smooth blade reflected his face, while under Su Ming's powerful vision, the edge was incomparably sharp and even, without the slightest flaw.

He nodded in satisfaction, but he had no intention of immediately testing one out. It would not do to frighten the craftsmen.

After the craftsmen explained its functions, Su Ming put on the magic knife holster, and a hint of delight flashed across his face.

The design of the magic knife holster was ingenious beyond belief. Its conception and design leaned more toward actual combat, allowing Su Ming to easily draw throwing knives from different angles.

The holster held a full fifty Titanium Flying Knives. Their dense arrangement not only formed a layer of protection, but also did not impede Su Ming's movements in the slightest.

Even if it did, it was only somewhat heavy. But that amount of weight was no issue at all for Su Ming's enhanced body.

Su Ming said the delivery was fast, the quality excellent, the appearance superb, and it was worth every penny. Five-star review!

To be fair, Su Ming had initially thought that the Underground Exchange was charging an absurd price just to customize some throwing knives. He had assumed he had run into unscrupulous merchants.

But now, it seemed that expensive things had their reasons for being expensive. The craftsmen had truly put a great deal of thought into them.

With that in mind, Su Ming began looking forward to whether his custom combat suit would impress him as much as the throwing knives had and become something he could not put down.

Before long, Su Ming arrived before the Old Tailor at the suit shop.

At that moment, the Old Tailor looked as though he had aged ten years. His face was haggard, his eye sockets deeply sunken, and the heavy dark circles beneath his eyes made him look like a trainer from Undercity.

When the Old Tailor saw Su Ming arrive, he shouted:

"Wait one minute! Just one minute!"

Then he carefully swung a small hammer in his hand as he worked on something...

A tailor using a hammer instead of scissors?

Su Ming was puzzled, but the Old Tailor's focused expression gave off such an artisan's aura that Su Ming could not bring himself to voice his teasing remark.

One minute later.

"Done! Haha~~"

The Old Tailor raised the object in his hand, as excited as a child who had received his favorite toy.

Su Ming looked closely—it was a half-face mask forged from pure silver.

Its exquisite patterns had been carved out by the Old Tailor's hammer, one strike at a time, giving it an ancient and elegant beauty.

"This..."

Before Su Ming could speak, the Old Tailor shoved the mask into his hands.

While Su Ming was still dazed, the Old Tailor pulled a black box from the workshop behind him and placed it on the workbench before Su Ming.

"Shh!..."

Seeing Su Ming about to ask something, the Old Tailor raised a finger to his lips.

"Less chatter. Put it on and let me see! Hurry~"

His bloodshot eyes were filled with anticipation.

Su Ming had no idea what was going on, so he could only comply—craftsmen always had strange tempers!

When he opened the box and a sea of scarlet met his eyes, Su Ming froze.

"This is way too different from what we agreed on..."

Under the tailor's repeated urging, Su Ming changed into the outfit.

"Good! Good! Hurry! Put on the mask! Put it on!"

As Su Ming gradually changed into the clothes, the Old Tailor's eyes grew brighter and brighter. His thin arms trembled slightly from excitement as he urged him loudly.

Looking at himself in the mirror, Su Ming had to admit—the Old Tailor had real skill!

Even he was thoroughly stunned by how striking he looked!

The scarlet velvet-textured suit flowed beneath the bright lights with a sheen like liquid metal.

Its tailored cut outlined sculptural lines, while the handmade double-breasted amber buttons reflected a dim glow, like medals on the breastplate of an ancient Roman warrior.

The faint dark patterns on the lapels outlined elegant vine-wrapped totems with golden thread.

The ivory-white silk shirt beneath had a collar adorned with hand-embroidered nightingale feathers. The deliberately weathered creases around the collar stand added a touch of languid nobility to the whole ensemble.

The pure silver mask in his hand echoed the understated crocodile-skin embossing along the side seams of his trousers.

This entire outfit was practically a relic of an Art Nouveau-era aristocrat.

The moment Su Ming put on the mask, his entire aura changed once more—his nobility now carried an additional hint of wicked charm.

He seemed like an enchanting Lucifer, stepping through flames as he emerged gracefully from the depths of hell.

Most precious of all, although it looked like formal attire, it possessed astonishing elasticity and would not easily tear apart during intense movement.

The Old Tailor looked at the work before him—this was the masterpiece he had been most satisfied with in all his years!

His eyes warmed slightly. The Old Tailor waved at Su Ming, signaling that he could leave.

When Su Ming wanted to pay, he heard the Old Tailor sigh without even turning around:

"Young man, thank you.

You gave me the chance to become an artist instead of merely a craftsman...

You can go now...

Oh, and remember the name of this outfit.

—Scarlet."

Su Ming savored the Old Tailor's words, then remembered his own codename and murmured:

"Scarlet Destiny..."