Hydra, Stay Out of This

Wanda asked with a face full of suspicion:

"Why do you know all this? And what evidence do you have?"

Lu Xi shrugged and said:

"I just happen to know a little about your organization. As for evidence... I figure you'll see it for yourself after a while."

After all, the plot of Iron Man had already begun.

Once Obadiah was completely finished, it probably would not be difficult for S.H.I.E.L.D. to investigate who had sold those missiles back then.

Wanda watched Lu Xi warily and asked:

"What are you trying to do by telling me all this?"

Lu Xi looked at Wanda with interest and said:

"How about this? Let's make a bet."

Wanda asked in confusion:

"Bet on what?"

Lu Xi silently worked out the timeline and continued:

"Stay here with me for the time being. We'll bet on whether evidence will emerge in three months proving that what I said is true."

"Of course, you can investigate it yourself then as well. If I win, you'll work for me from then on. If I lose, I can help you grow stronger, or personally help you get your revenge."

Wanda was already starting to waver.

Based on Baron Strucker's own description, the man before her was very likely the legendary Lucifer. There was really no reason for him to lie to her.

After thinking it over, she realized she had nothing to lose from this bet. At the very least, she could learn the truth and find her real enemy.

Wanda wanted to accept, but remembering that her younger brother was still with the Baron, she could not help hesitating.

"But I still have a younger brother. He's in Strucker's hands. If I betray the Baron, then my brother will..."

Lu Xi snapped his fingers and said casually:

"That's easy. I can get him back for you."

Hearing that, Wanda had no reason left to refuse. She gritted her teeth and said:

"Fine. I'll take the bet."

Lu Xi rose from his recliner and asked:

"Tell me, where is your brother?"

Wanda answered:

"He's at a base in the outskirts of Sokovia. I don't know the exact location."

Lu Xi nodded.

"A general location is enough. Wait here for a moment."

As soon as he finished speaking, three pairs of enormous wings instantly spread from his back.

With a gentle flap of those wings, he shot into the sky amid terrifying wind pressure and sonic-boom clouds, vanishing over the horizon in the blink of an eye.

Wanda was stunned by the sight and stood there for a long while without recovering her senses.

Only twenty-five seconds later, Lu Xi had crossed six thousand kilometers and arrived in Sokovia.

His powerful consciousness spread out and instantly found Pietro within the base.

Pietro was locked inside a compartment. He was skin and bones, dressed in filthy clothes, and clearly in terrible condition.

Outside Pietro's compartment stood a man wearing a monocle, speaking to him.

"If your sister dares betray us, do you know what will happen to her?!"

"Don't think you're anything special just because you have a little superpower. In our hands, you're nothing."

Carried by a raging gale, Lu Xi flew directly into the base like a bolt of white lightning and instantly appeared outside the compartment.

The moment Baron Strucker saw Lu Xi appear out of nowhere, he recognized him.

He thought Wanda's contact attempt had failed, and that Lu Xi had now come to confront him.

His legs immediately began trembling, and his lips quivered so badly that he could not utter a single word.

Lu Xi stared coldly at him.

"Strucker, right? Looks like you know who I am."

Strucker glanced at those conspicuous three pairs of wings. He did not even dare lie and nodded shakily.

Lu Xi pointed into the compartment.

"I'm taking the person inside. Any objections?"

Baron Strucker hurriedly said:

"N-No, none at all. Please, do as you wish, sir."

Lu Xi directly formed an invisible giant hand with his consciousness, then clenched it hard and smashed the compartment to pieces.

He then pulled Pietro out and made him float beside him.

Before leaving, Lu Xi turned back to Strucker and warned him:

"I can't be bothered getting involved in your affairs with S.H.I.E.L.D., so stop coming to make trouble for me."

"That includes Pierce and the people he has planted inside S.H.I.E.L.D. Understand?"

Cleaning up Hydra was S.H.I.E.L.D.'s job. Lu Xi could not be bothered to do it for them.

Strucker nodded repeatedly.

"U-Understood."

He did not even have the courage to ask how Lu Xi knew so many secrets. All he wanted was to send this terrifying figure away as soon as possible.

Lu Xi took off with Pietro floating beside him. The moment he slightly accelerated in midair, Pietro was buffeted wildly by the fierce wind.

His hair stood straight up, turning into a ridiculous broom-like mess.

Lu Xi frowned. He had barely accelerated, yet Pietro could not take it. If he went all out, would he not blow him to death?

But if he flew at this snail's pace, it would take forever to get back.

He suddenly recalled the inspiration he had gotten while driving last time. Immediately, he covered Pietro with divine power and wrapped him in a protective shield.

Sure enough, Pietro immediately stabilized.

Lu Xi accelerated again and returned to the villa in only twenty seconds.

Wanda watched Lu Xi descend from the sky with Pietro floating beside him, and she was nearly numb from shock.

The entire trip had taken only around a minute, and her brother was already standing before her.

Pietro landed, saw Wanda, and cried out excitedly:

"Big sis!"

Seeing Pietro's miserable state, Wanda's eyes brimmed with tears as she said heartbrokenly:

"Pietro, how could they treat you like this?"

Not only was her brother's face crooked and twisted, but every strand of his hair stood upright as though he had been strapped to an electric chair.

Pietro secretly glanced at Lu Xi. He did not dare tell the truth and hurriedly said:

"Uh... it's actually nothing. I just haven't been resting well these past few days."

Lu Xi gestured to the two of them and pointed at the annex beside the villa.

"Go to the annex over there and find yourselves somewhere to stay."

That annex was normally meant for maids or drivers, but Lu Xi disliked having outsiders around, so it had remained empty all this time.

Wanda looked at Lu Xi gratefully and said, "Thank you."

Then she carefully supported Pietro, who looked utterly disheveled with his broom-like hair standing straight up, and led him toward the annex beside the villa.

Lu Xi turned around and leisurely headed back into his own house.

The moment he entered, Daisy poked her head out from the side like a little ghost.

Her face was full of curiosity as she asked suspiciously:

"Who are those two?"

Lu Xi smiled faintly and said with a hint of pride:

"Two superpowered people with a lot of potential. They'll be working for me from now on."

"Superpowers?" Daisy's eyes widened in surprise, and her mouth fell open in an O as though she had heard something utterly fantastical.

"This world is getting more and more magical. I feel like I'm dreaming."

Lu Xi was already used to such things. He shrugged and said:

"This stuff has actually existed on Earth for a long time. Ordinary people just can't come into contact with it."

"It's like the tip of an iceberg. Most people only see that tiny bit above the water and have no idea how vast the hidden world beneath it is."

Daisy nodded thoughtfully, then dejectedly shook the magic book in her hand and sighed.

"I probably can't learn this magic. If only I could be like them and have some kind of superpower."

Seeing Daisy's crestfallen look, Lu Xi's heart stirred. After giving it some thought, he said:

"That's not impossible. Once I experiment for a while, I might be able to help you awaken some kind of ability."

"Really?" Daisy's eyes instantly lit up, like a flame suddenly igniting in the darkness.

In her excitement, she threw herself at Lu Xi, wrapping both arms tightly around his neck, her eyes filled with anticipation and delight.

Lu Xi looked at Daisy's expectant expression and smiled indulgently.

"Don't worry. As far as I know, there are plenty of ways to awaken abilities. We just need to spend some time trying them out."

The moment Daisy heard that, she became wildly excited. She planted a loud kiss on Lu Xi's cheek and said happily:

"You're the best! I knew you'd have a way."

Lu Xi's eyes instantly lit up, and a mischievous grin curled across his lips. Without another word, he hoisted Daisy over his shoulder.

Daisy cried out in surprise, waving her arms in the air as she shouted in shock and delight:

"Hey! What are you doing?!"

Ignoring her cries, Lu Xi strode toward the bedroom and said:

"Of course, we're going to do something more interesting..."