An Actor’s Self-Cultivation

He went straight through the door into Egghead’s office, and the first thing he saw was a pair of long, slightly parted legs.

When looking at someone, Old Wang liked to start with the legs and work his way up.

From this angle, the beauty before him was indeed quite attractive—at least an 8.5 out of 10.

"Master Wang, the director is waiting for you in the World Security Council office."

Hill made a "please" gesture, then took the lead.

They passed through a long corridor and office area before arriving at an enormous office on the other side.

It was very spacious. The entire conference room held only Egghead and several seemingly simple pieces of equipment.

All the equipment had been activated. Four holographic projections appeared above them, representing the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—the five S.H.I.E.L.D. councilors, or rather, senators—

Only four were present.

The United States councilor had been Alexander Pierce.

With his downfall, the position had remained vacant for several months, with no suitable candidate found.

As S.H.I.E.L.D.’s director, Egghead could not also serve as a councilor unless he voluntarily resigned.

The United States government and military high command were now fighting over this position.

By convention, the Secretary of National Security should take over.

However, the current secretary lacked both ability and connections and had no chance of taking the seat. The president and Secretary of State were overwhelmed with work and could not possibly take on the role themselves. The most likely candidates were the Minister of Defense and Air Force General Thaddeus E. Ross, the "Thunderbolt Ross" who had been rather unlucky in dealing with the Hulk and seemed to have seen through life, deciding to enter politics.

Egghead’s relationship with the former was ordinary, while the latter was practically his sworn enemy. Ross had always wanted to get his hands on S.H.I.E.L.D., and the two could not stand each other.

No matter who took the position, it would not be good news for Egghead.

In Old Wang’s opinion, Egghead was not that young anymore. Why not continue Pierce’s tradition and become both Secretary of National Security and a Security Council member? It was not as though no one else could be S.H.I.E.L.D.’s director.

Hill would be a good choice, and Coulson could do it too.

If neither worked, Skye from his family could take the position. Then Director Wang would handle the offense, while Director Johnson handled the defense. Earth would be their home, and the two of them would have the final say. Wouldn’t that be great?

Before he even entered, Old Wang heard fierce arguing.

"You’re playing with fire, Director. That isn’t a power you can control." A deep, resonant voice rang out.

Egghead’s voice followed immediately. "Have you ever fought in a war, Councilor? A real war? What can ever be completely controlled in war? All right, everyone. The president has promised that the new councilor will take office within a month. Within half a year, I will find a way to completely control the five Winter Soldiers. Now, let us move on to the next agenda item."

This guy was pretty tough… Old Wang cast him an inquisitive look.

Egghead gave Old Wang a subtle don’t worry look, introduced the four councilors one by one, then pointed at Old Wang.

"Everyone, this is Master Wang. I believe you all know that he is the Immortal Iron Fist, guardian of K’un-Lun, friend of Ghost Rider, the Sorcerer Supreme, and the Inhumans, leader of the True Pure Ones Society, the ender of The Hand and Hydra, partner of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Stark Industries, and the new owner of Hammer Industries."

The string of titles gave Old Wang the feeling that he had returned to Azeroth. Back at the Alliance and Horde summit, Varian Wrynn had introduced him to the other leaders just like this. Poor Varian Wrynn.

"The United Nations General Assembly has approved the president’s proposal to establish the Shengun Bureau. However, the choice of director and the specific details still require discussion by the World Security Council. Like S.H.I.E.L.D., the Shengun Bureau will be an organization subordinate to the Security Council."

The British female councilor, who resembled a younger version of Her Majesty the Queen, said, "The Shengun Bureau was established to address possible extraterrestrial threats… Please forgive me for using the word ‘possible.’ This is a wartime organization. Its director should be an experienced general, not a young man who has never participated in a war. Our nation’s General Harold Choforth is the most suitable candidate."

The French male councilor immediately followed. "General Choforth is nearly seventy, isn’t he? Does he still have the energy? Our General Pareci Hubert is not yet sixty. He is more suitable."

The Russian and Chinese councilors also voiced their positions, nominating generals from their own countries.

The four of them directly ignored Old Wang’s presence, which displeased him. He gave Egghead a meaningful look.

Buddy, didn’t you say it was all settled? Do you have some misunderstanding about what ‘settled’ means?

Egghead gave Old Wang a please rest assured look, while inwardly sneering at him.

This was a World Security Council meeting involving such important decisions. On a grand scale, it concerned the lives and property of all humanity. It was being recorded, and the leaders of every United Nations member state would watch it. How could they make a decision so casually?

Although the matter had long been decided through backroom deals, they still had to oppose it in public. Otherwise, how would they explain it to their people?

Young man, you’re far too green!

After satisfying his urge to mouth off inwardly, Egghead gathered his words and said, "Master Wang is the candidate recommended by the president and the Secretary of State, as well as by me. The Shengun Bureau was established to deal with aliens and enemies from other dimensions, such as the Dark Dimension, or the hells found in every nation’s myths and legends… I believe you all know those are not merely myths."

He paused before continuing.

"According to the intelligence we have obtained, Kamar-Taj is responsible for dealing with threats to the multiverse. K’un-Lun itself is connected to aliens, while the Inhumans are descendants of humans and the Kree. Master Wang is a friend of K’un-Lun, Kamar-Taj, and the Inhumans. He understands Earth’s threats best, and only he can unite all parties to face those threats, even take the initiative to eliminate them."

He paused again, giving the councilors time to raise objections.

Sure enough, as if rehearsed, the female councilor immediately challenged him. "Master Wang is one of the Kunlun People? Such an important position can only be held by an Earthling!"

The Chinese councilor’s mouth twitched slightly.

Although it had already been decided in advance and everyone was acting, wasn’t her acting too terrible? Could she stop asking questions that insulted everyone’s intelligence?

Egghead somehow produced a remote control and pressed it. A huge stack of projected documents appeared before everyone.

"This is the birth certificate issued by Chinatown Central Hospital. It bears the signatures of the relevant doctors and nurses."

"This is the adoption certificate from the Chinatown orphanage, signed and certified by Director Li. There is also a black-and-white nude photograph taken during a storm outside the orphanage… Director Li took it."

"These are all of Master Wang’s textbooks and exercise books from his school years."

"These are investigation records from Chinatown residents, along with a joint petition signed by 1,234 people proving that Master Wang had lived in Chinatown since childhood, always obeyed the law, often helped old ladies cross the street, and had even sold rice cakes and tea eggs. He had supported himself since the age of fourteen."

"This is the hotel room record provided by the police. There is one entry in total…"

Egghead introduced them one by one, then concluded, "All the evidence proves that Master Wang was born in New York, grew up in New York, and never left New York before the age of eighteen. He is a Chinese American."

A satisfied smile appeared on the female councilor’s face as she continued asking, "Then how is he connected to K’un-Lun?"

Egghead pointed to the last few dozen books and said, "When Master Wang was young, he caught the attention of an elderly man of unknown origin and name. The man believed him to be a once-in-a-century, one-in-ten-thousand martial arts prodigy and personally taught him for a period of time. These books are proof. In fact, that old man was…"

Old Wang hurriedly took over. "Lord Lao."

Pfft!

The Chinese councilor nearly failed to hold it in, his face turning bright red.

With the evidence conclusive, the female councilor smiled faintly. "If no one has any objections, I believe Mr. Wang is the most suitable candidate."

"No objections."

"No objections."

"I agree."

The other three councilors had no interest in acting alongside such an unprofessional performer. They only wanted to end this farce as soon as possible.

"Then let us proceed to the next agenda item: the Shengun Bureau’s base location, organizational structure, internal personnel appointments, and first round of funding."

The female councilor gave Old Wang a meaningful glance, then looked at Egghead. "Director Fury, this is an internal Shengun Bureau meeting. Please leave."