Trouble Has Arrived

Knowing that the visitors belonged to S.H.I.E.L.D., it was not hard to guess their identities.

That "bald egghead" had to be Nick Fury, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s director. As for the woman beside him, she was likely Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff.

Both were outstanding S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, and Nick Fury even bore the title of "King of Spies."

As agents, they had naturally undergone long periods of professional training.

They had an exceptionally thorough grasp of human nature and the like, especially agents who had risen to Nick Fury's level.

That was precisely why he always carried an air of confidence, believing he had a way to "persuade" anyone.

The moment he entered, Nick Fury maintained a stern expression as he walked over and sat on the sofa.

After a brief introduction, he said, "Hello, my name is Nick Fury. I assume Tony has already told you the general situation."

Luo Bai did not want to waste too many words, so he replied directly, "He did. I'm not interested in the Avengers."

Nick Fury did not seem surprised, nor did he continue pursuing the matter.

He changed the subject. "I heard from Tony that you're a mage?!"

"Mm." Luo Bai nodded.

Nick Fury sighed with emotion. "Although it's hard for me to believe that mages exist on Earth, I truly have no way to explain how you made Obadiah disappear into thin air... May I ask how many mages like you there are on Earth?"

Luo Bai frowned. "That's not a very polite question."

Nick Fury seemed to understand as well, and he explained, "You know that most of Earth's inhabitants are ordinary people. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s duty is to protect and manage Earth. So I must eliminate every factor that could pose a threat to Earth."

"So you believe... mages are a threat to Earth?" Luo Bai asked.

Nick Fury shook his head. "I'm not sure. If you really are a mage, then you possess power greater than humans. Mages and superpowered individuals alike... if one day they decided to destroy Earth, humanity would have a hard time resisting them."

When "superpowered individuals" appeared, some people might think it was cool, but others would worry that their existence could threaten humanity.

Clearly, Nick Fury was one of those people.

Luo Bai understood his concerns, but being questioned still left him somewhat displeased.

However, he did not argue too much. He merely smiled faintly and asked Nick Fury in return, "If mages truly intended to harm Earth, do you think you would have a way to deal with them?"

"The Avengers are the solution." Nick Fury answered seriously. "Everyone in the Avengers will protect Earth and stop any evil force from threatening it."

"So you think every 'superpowered' person unwilling to join the Avengers poses a threat to Earth?" Luo Bai asked, the smile on his face carrying deeper meaning.

Nick Fury froze for a moment before replying, "Yes."

Luo Bai said nothing, but the smile on his face gradually vanished.

His silence caused Nick Fury to fall silent as well.

Their eyes met, and the atmosphere became frighteningly heavy.

Perhaps sensing that the atmosphere was off, Natasha beside them spoke up. "I don't think Luo Bai would harm Earth. After all, he helped Stark resolve the previous crisis."

Natasha was also an agent, so naturally she stood on Nick Fury's side.

Although Luo Bai knew there was a high chance the two of them were putting on an act.

One played the good cop, while the other played the bad cop.

Still, Luo Bai found Natasha's words easier to accept.

"I think you speak far better than he does, so why aren't you the King of Spies?" Luo Bai asked.

Natasha shrugged and jokingly complained, "Probably because he's older than me. Experience matters a lot in our line of work."

"Then you've really been put at a disadvantage." Luo Bai replied in the same half-joking manner.

The two traded barbs, making Nick Fury's face grow even darker.

"Agent Romanoff, watch your conduct." Nick Fury rebuked her.

Natasha shrugged and said nothing more.

But Nick Fury had noticed something was wrong.

"You know I'm the King of Spies?" Nick Fury asked.

After all, every file within S.H.I.E.L.D. was top secret. Ordinary people could not access them at all.

The personal files of agents like them were even more classified.

How did Luo Bai know that he was the King of Spies?

"You investigated me? That shouldn't be possible... You shouldn't have been able to obtain my files!" Nick Fury was puzzled.

At that moment, the look in his eyes as he watched Luo Bai grew increasingly suspicious.

Luo Bai smiled brightly and replied casually, "Of course I know. I even know that you were an Army colonel during World War II and only joined S.H.I.E.L.D. after the war."

"How do you know these things?!" Nick Fury asked, his expression turning grave.

Rather than answer directly, Luo Bai asked, "Nick Fury, do you truly think S.H.I.E.L.D. is well protected and impenetrable? Is it possible that S.H.I.E.L.D. is actually completely different from what you imagine?"

"What do you mean?!" Nick Fury asked again, confused and even more serious.

Luo Bai still did not answer directly. He only said, "You believe everything can remain within your control and plans, but in truth, everything has long since slipped beyond your control. I don't believe you can protect Earth, so I have no desire at all to join the Avengers."

His words were already very direct—so direct that they were somewhat harsh.

It was no wonder Nick Fury's face darkened more and more as he listened.

Yet Nick Fury could not even find the words to refute him. Given the current situation, he had already lost this contest.

Nick Fury had tried every possible method and still found no information whatsoever about Luo Bai, while Luo Bai seemed to know everything about him.

From that point alone, he had already lost.

He knew it was impossible to persuade Luo Bai to join the Avengers, but he still wanted to struggle one last time.

"The Security Council will not permit unregulated 'superpowered' individuals to exist. Besides, there is barely any record of you anywhere in the world. If you refuse to join the Avengers, have you considered how you will face the doubts that follow?" Nick Fury asked.

This was not a threat so much as advice.

After all, no matter how much authority Nick Fury had, he still had to answer to those above him—the Security Council.

But Luo Bai was not worried in the slightest.

"Wasn't Tony being pursued all along before? He was also opposed at the United Nations conference. But do you see Tony caring?" Luo Bai asked.

Stark immediately chimed in, "I don't care at all. Just treat whatever those people say as farting."

At that point, Nick Fury was completely out of words.

"All right, then. I wish you luck from here on. I hope you won't take some of the things I said today to heart. After all, I only wanted to ensure Earth's safety," Nick Fury said.

Although some of what Nick Fury had said today had indeed been unpleasant, his intentions had been good.

Besides, Luo Bai did not want too much entanglement with S.H.I.E.L.D., so he did not take it too seriously.

"My luck has always been pretty good," Luo Bai said casually.

The matters that needed discussing had been discussed, and the matters that needed resolving were more or less resolved.

Nick Fury and Natasha also intended to leave.

As for Stark, he was in a hurry to deal with his poisoning and planned to leave as well.

Just as the three were about to go, Nick Fury received a phone call.

After taking the call, Nick Fury's expression turned serious. "Trouble has arrived. Tony, I think we'll need your help this time."