Chapter Twenty-Seven: Iron Man's Invitation

When Yang Xin and the others returned to their residence in Manhattan, they found Tony Stark’s bodyguard and friend, Happy, directing a crew as they installed defensive facilities. Coincidentally, Yang Xin’s neighbor next door had changed to none other than Captain America, Steve Rogers.

For the first time, Steve Rogers was experiencing the decadent comforts of imperialist luxury; with his pension, he could never afford such a mansion.

On Yang Xin’s other side lived Sharon Carter, while Coulson had also been assigned a place just behind Yang Xin’s. Out front stretched the Manhattan River, where people often sailed or fished. Thanks to the smart glasses Tony Stark had given him, Yang Xin was well aware that these individuals were all elite agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Rather than angered by the surveillance, Yang Xin was quite content. Being watched, from another perspective, meant he was valued—and closely protected.

So much had happened recently that, after returning home and soaking in a hot bath, Yang Xin went straight to bed. In the middle of the night, as he drifted in and out of sleep, a warm, voluptuous figure pressed close to him, and Yang Xin felt as if he were drifting among the clouds, or bathing in a hot spring...

Finally, a soft whisper lingered in his ear: “You need to work on your physical condition...”

“Was I just turned down?” Yang Xin mused in his drowsiness, before sinking into deep sleep.

The following morning, Yang Xin awoke feeling completely refreshed.

“Where’s Natasha?” He noticed her absence and was a bit puzzled. After the passion of the previous night, she’d vanished without a trace—what did that mean?

“On assignment,” Hill replied, bringing over his breakfast.

“Where did she go?” Yang Xin asked casually, then seemed to recall something. “If it’s a matter of confidentiality, you don’t have to tell me.”

“There’s no confidentiality between us. Now that you’re a Level 9 agent and special advisor to S.H.I.E.L.D., all our secrets are open to you.”

“No, thank you! Knowing too much isn’t a good thing. I don’t want to get too entangled with S.H.I.E.L.D.—I just care about those around me. So, where did Natasha go, and when will she be back?” Yang Xin replied quickly.

“Agent Natasha went to India. Return date unknown.”

“India?” Yang Xin’s fork paused mid-air. He immediately understood why Natasha had been dispatched. Dr. Bruce Banner was in the slums of India, offering free medical care to the poor. It seemed Nick Fury was accelerating the formation of the Avengers.

No sooner had Yang Xin finished breakfast than Tony’s image popped up before him. Only then did Yang Xin realize he hadn’t set a reject function on his personal terminal; Tony Stark had forcibly enabled incoming calls.

“Hey, buddy, I did it!” Tony Stark exclaimed, holding up a new model of the Arc Reactor. Unlike previous models, which were round, this one was triangular.

Yang Xin was a bit shocked. He’d known that Tony would eventually succeed in finding the miracle his father left behind and create a new element, but he hadn’t expected it so soon—just one night. Tony’s next words surprised him even more.

“Hey, pal, I finished making the Mark VI armor. Not only does it have a new power core, but it also comes with an arc pulse cannon. Come pick it up!” In the video, Tony’s eyes were red, his hair disheveled, looking every bit the mad scientist. Clearly, he hadn’t slept all night.

“I’m on my way!” Without hesitation, Yang Xin headed for Stark Tower, taking Hill and Coulson with him.

“How did you finish the new armor so fast?” Yang Xin gave Tony a big bear hug when he saw him.

“It’s all thanks to your alchemy! Man, it’s incredible—saved me so much time,” Tony said, signaling the robotic arms to present the brand new Mark VI armor.

“No, it’s your alchemy, Tony. In this world, there’s only one set of alchemy—and it’s already bound to your soul. No one can take it from you. Just be sure to use it wisely, and only when you’re fully prepared. Otherwise, alchemy will exact a price from your body. You’re a scientist—you don’t need me to remind you: research is dangerous, and experiments require caution!”

Yang Xin couldn’t wait to suit up in the Mark VI Iron Man armor. This was truly a super suit: capable of underwater operations, boasting formidable defensive plating, arc pulse cannons in the palms and chest, even equipped with a laser weapon—though it could only be used once. Still, it was undeniably powerful.

Satisfied, Yang Xin didn’t show off the armor, but after familiarizing himself with the controls in Tony’s training room, he stowed it away. After all, the wise keep their wealth hidden.

“By the way, there’s a world-class auto race in Mexico two days from now. I registered for it. As my friend, are you interested in coming to watch me compete?” Tony asked, clearly excited.

Yang Xin understood the playboy type—born at the finish line most could only dream of, never wanting for anything. What was left but to seek thrills?

The Mexico race was certainly Tony Stark’s kind of spectacle. But, in his excitement, Tony would soon encounter his next adversary there: Whiplash, Ivan Vanko.

But this time, Tony Stark was far stronger than he had been. Not only had he resolved the palladium poisoning, he’d also developed a new suit of armor. Unlike the original timeline, where he was facing death, now Tony was riding high.

“This is Tony Stark’s destined ordeal. Only through relentless trials can he, a mortal, become the Iron Man who stands shoulder to shoulder with gods,” Yang Xin thought.

Seeing Tony’s nonchalant exterior but hopeful eyes, Yang Xin nodded. “Alright, I’ll be there on time. I might bring a few friends along, though.”

“Friends? Hill, Coulson, and who else? Call them friends, but really they’re your subordinates—or your handlers. Tell me, why’d you even join S.H.I.E.L.D.? Wouldn’t freedom be better?” Tony sneered.

“We agents live by the code—life leaves us little choice,” Yang Xin replied, feigning a sigh.

Tony promptly flipped him off, then kicked Yang Xin out so he could get some rest. After all, he was only human, and he’d been up all night.

“Hill, have Nick Fury look into a Russian named Ivan Vanko. His father is Igor Vanko,” Yang Xin instructed as soon as they left Stark Industries.

“Who’s the real director here, Nick or you? Sometimes I feel like Nick Fury’s your errand boy,” Hill quipped, rolling her eyes, but she still relayed Yang Xin’s request.

Soon, Yang Xin’s personal terminal chimed.

“Who is this Ivan Vanko?” Nick Fury’s image appeared on the screen.

“A scientist second only to Tony, but with a twisted heart. He bears a deadly grudge against the Stark family and is bent on revenge. Useless to S.H.I.E.L.D.,” Yang Xin replied succinctly, shattering Nick Fury’s little schemes.

“Can the Sharingan hypnotize him?”