Chapter Fifty-Seven: Civil War — The Battle Between the Privileged and the Underdog

“Who?!”

“Yang Xin, Level Nine Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Special Consultant. Your sister Natasha is one of his lovers, and he’s my dearest friend—damn!” Tony Stark seemed to recall something and blurted out a curse.

“Mr. Stark, shouldn’t you be happy about that? Why the ‘damn’?” Peter Parker retorted, gesturing exaggeratedly.

“Because Xin is also well acquainted with that old man across from us,” Tony Stark said with a grimace.

Meanwhile, the Mark series armor from Mark VII to Mark 50 nanotechnology suits, stored in Stark Tower, and the Veronica suit deployed in space, all detected Yang Xin’s signal and immediately activated, flying toward S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters where Yang Xin was located.

Yang Xin and Nick Fury exchanged a glance. Yang Xin opened a spatial portal, and together they stepped onto the rooftop of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Triskelion. In that brief instant, the Iron Man suits arrived, surrounding Yang Xin. Without so much as a glance at Nick Fury, Yang Xin pulled out his Dimensional Pocket and swiftly stored the suits inside.

“So, Mr. Xin isn’t going to help us?” Peter Parker asked.

“Kid, has your Uncle Ben ever told you that children shouldn’t interrupt when adults are talking?” Tony Stark replied irritably. He had no idea which side Yang Xin would help, but that didn’t stop him from reaching out.

“Hey, Xin, it’s great to see you again! I’ve delivered the suits I promised you, right? Xin, come help me,” Tony Stark said directly.

“Tony, you know my position. Stuck between the two of you, it’s hard for me to choose,” Yang Xin said with difficulty.

“All right, my friend, that’s unfair of me to ask. As your friend, I shouldn’t make such an excessive request,” Tony Stark responded, without the slightest disappointment.

Yang Xin had made it clear he would help neither side, and neutrality was the greatest help Tony Stark could ask for.

“Tony, though I can’t help you directly, as your friend, I do have good news: you’re destined to win this battle.”

“Oh? How so? You’re that confident in me?!” Tony Stark’s eyes lit up, and he amplified his voice so everyone could hear.

Led by Captain Steve Rogers, the opposing group paused, eager to hear what Yang Xin had to say. Both sides returned to their standoff.

“It’s not just confidence—it’s absolute certainty. It’s an objective fact. Let me explain,” Yang Xin said slyly, clearing his throat with theatrical flair.

“Let’s start with your side, Tony. From you, specifically…” Yang Xin began, imitating the magnetic voice of a nature documentary narrator.

“Tony Stark, chairman of Stark Industries, America’s largest arms manufacturer. Inherited a fortune from his father, Edward Stark—a classic case of second-generation wealth. But our Iron Man, Tony Stark, is not some idle rich kid. Though he’s navigated countless affairs, he focuses on research. At fifteen, he entered MIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering, graduating with honors and acquiring countless degrees thanks to his extraordinary learning ability.

In summary: MIT, dual degrees in Electrical Engineering and Physics, plus several doctoral diplomas. Tony Stark is the most educated member of the Avengers. Not only wealthy and highly educated, but brilliant—he’s so accomplished, it’s almost criminal.”

“Next, my dear Natasha Romanoff. At ten, she was personally ordered by Stalin to undergo specialized spy training. The ‘Great Leader’ himself chose her! Though our Black Widow doesn’t have Tony’s glittering academic credentials, she received top-tier professional training—let’s call it a specialty in the arts.”

“Black Panther, real name T’Challa, King of Wakanda on the African savannah—a classic and exemplary political heir, and the wealthiest man on earth! Tony, don’t get jealous, he’s far richer than you. You can discuss the details in private. T’Challa, current King of Wakanda and superhero Black Panther, studied at Oxford University in England, earning a PhD in Physics. He has power, wealth, and diligence—another one who leaves no room for others to shine.”

“Third, War Machine—James Rhodes, Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps, one of Tony Stark’s closest friends. Colonel Rhodes wasn’t born into wealth or privilege, but after graduating high school, he entered the U.S. Marine Corps University, earning at least a bachelor’s degree, and later rose to the rank of Colonel through his own efforts.”

“Fourth, the kid Spider-Man, Peter Parker, pride of Ben Parker and Aunt May, a top student at Midtown High. Not only academically outstanding, he invents gadgets on his own. With parents who were a CIA agent and a data analyst, he’s a genius; MIT or Imperial College, take your pick. He’s the king of the academic hill, the best of the best.”

“Lastly, Vision—he’s not even human! He’s a cheat code. His body was crafted by Ultron in the Regeneration Cradle, made from vibranium, with life sourced from the Mind Stone on Loki’s scepter. Ultimately, Vision was awakened by Iron Man’s AI and Thor’s divine power. From the moment of his birth, he stood at a pinnacle most people can only dream of. Compared to him, debating academic credentials is like searching for gold in a sewer—hopeless!”

Peter Parker burst out laughing, “Mr. Xin, though I’ve never met you, you feel like family! You’re absolutely right—when it comes to education, our side is unbeatable!”

“Wow~ Xin, no need to praise us further. Hurry up and talk about those old relics on the other side…” Tony Stark’s smug expression was impossible to hide.

On Captain America’s side, faces were darkening and souring.

“Steve, your situation is rough. In your era, World War II broke out, and you dropped out of college to enlist. Overall, you’re a high school graduate, maybe a freshman dropout in the arts, though your chest is impressive.”

“Winter Soldier, James Buchanan Barnes, Lieutenant—Steve’s best friend and fellow WWII veteran, also forced to abandon his studies because of the war. High school dropout.”

“Hawkeye, Clinton Francis Barton, S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. Compared to Steve and Barnes, who couldn’t continue school due to war, Agent Barton’s situation is even sadder. His parents died in a tragic car accident, leaving him to work odd jobs in a circus.

As for education, he barely qualifies as a junior high graduate.”

“Falcon, Sam Wilson… Here I have to interject, Captain, your team is one tragedy after another. If we’re comparing misfortune, I’d call you the champion. Back to the point: compared to Hawkeye, who lost his parents but at least found work at the circus, Falcon’s story is even bleaker.

He grew up in a neighborhood plagued by street violence and gang warfare. His father died in an accident, and two years later, his mother was murdered by smugglers. Driven by rage, Falcon went astray, falling from a promising youth into a con artist—a truly miserable life…

Fortunately, he later joined the military, becoming a U.S. Air Force pararescue special forces operator. As for education, let’s call it elementary school graduation.”

“Scarlet Witch, Wanda Django Maximoff, former Hydra experiment, later an Avenger. You’re the beauty of the team, a rare gem with legs that make men want to commit crimes, but your education is simply tragic. Be honest—did you even attend elementary school?”

“Lastly, second-generation Ant-Man, Scott… He’s a bit better. The model of the prodigal son returning, once lived as a con artist like Falcon, even served time. But in prison, he studied hard and became an electronics expert, earning a master’s in electronics—a passable credential…

But really, does hanging out with these academic washouts do you any good? I think you should join Tony’s side—you’re at least an academic star, even if you turned your life around.”

“Damn!”

“Damn!”

“Damn!”

“Where’s that loudmouth brat? Come out here—I swear I won’t kill you!” Captain America’s team erupted in outrage, clamoring for Yang Xin and vowing to put him in his place.