Custom High-Tech Gear

The contract drafting and detailed negotiations that followed were all handled by Skye and Foggy.

Old Wang and Matt were mainly responsible for the final step—signing. The rest of the time, they simply stared at each other. One wore a faint smile, while the other was reeling inside.

Matt Murdock, the future Daredevil, had not reached the limits of human physical ability. He was probably not even as strong as Kingpin. What truly made him formidable was the enhancement of his five senses after losing his sight. In terms of combat ability alone, he was at most on Punisher’s level.

Old Wang did not know how things were in other worlds, but in this world—the Marvel movie universe—Daredevil was ninety-nine percent no match for Black Widow. He might not even be able to defeat his master, Stick, who was already in his seventies or eighties.

Daredevil had all-around enhancements similar to Captain America’s. His strength, speed, agility, endurance, even his fighting ability and intelligence, had all reached an extremely high level, though they were generally still inferior to Captain America’s.

And then there was his lack of sight.

But his powerful five senses made up for everything.

Since they had not fought, Old Wang had no way of judging Daredevil’s true strength. Still, since he had not cultivated Qi, was not very old, had trained under Stick for less than fifteen years, and lacked actual combat experience, no matter how strong his fighting skills were, they had their limits.

The rich relied on technology; the poor relied on mutation.

Daredevil was actually a kind of mutant as well. His enhanced five senses far surpassed those of ordinary people. If he could cultivate Qi, his strength would likely rise to a whole new level, surpassing Black Widow and Hawkeye to become a true Super Hero.

He was worth training.

And for Old Wang, holder of the title Shangxi Training Grounds Honorary Head Instructor for Life, teaching students could not be easier.

The only reason Skye had trained under him for three years, with him guiding her hand in hand and heart to heart every day, yet still had not cultivated True Qi, was because she simply had no talent for it. Even a good master could not teach a stupid disciple, alright…

Daredevil’s senses were sharp, he learned martial arts incredibly quickly, and he had received many years of instruction from Stick. What excellent golden leeks…

Pah, what excellent potential!

Not bad, not bad!

Old Wang smiled as he stared at Matt, while Matt stared expressionlessly back at Old Wang.

That thread of True Qi Old Wang had sent into his body had shown him another world—a brand-new world of Qi.

Master Stick had once said that Qi was life energy itself. Cultivating Qi meant that one’s life had undergone an essential transformation. One was no longer an ordinary person, but a person on another level—a kung fu master.

With Qi, one’s physical abilities would increase dramatically, and one’s lifespan would greatly lengthen. Eternal youth and immortality would no longer be a dream.

There were not many people in the entire world who had cultivated Qi, and most had acquired it through special means. Those who had truly cultivated Qi through their own abilities were practically nonexistent.

This energy could not only be used to injure and kill people, but also to save them—even bring the dead back to life.

Matt had once fantasized about one day meeting someone who truly possessed Qi, perhaps even possessing Qi himself.

But he had not expected that day to come so soon.

That thread of True Qi kept flowing through his body. Since it did not belong to him, it slowly dissipated, yet it brought him a new understanding. Just as a girl became a woman after that layer of membrane was pierced, Matt had seen hope of becoming a kung fu master.

He was only one step away.

That one step was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Just as few girls pierced that membrane themselves and needed a man or another woman to do it, Matt knew that relying on his own ability, he might not cultivate Qi or complete that essential leap in life even after years or decades.

But if he could receive the help of the Master Wang sitting in the recliner, perhaps he could do it in a few months—or even a few weeks, days.

But why would the man help him?

He lured me here, then tempted me with a thread of Qi. What exactly does he want me to do…?

Matt suddenly wanted to see the master he had not met in over a decade. Perhaps Stick could give him the answer.

"Done!"

The chubby blond kid beamed as he handed two contracts to Old Wang and Matt. "A pleasure doing business with you!"

"A pleasure doing business with you."

Old Wang and Matt signed in turn. Matt left in a distracted state, though his heart remained behind at the Azeroth Specialties Shop.

Old Wang smiled.

Once a fish caught the scent of bait,

It would not refuse the hook;

Once a cat caught the scent of salted fish,

It would not resist stealing a bite.

They said that gathering seven Super Heroes could save the world.

This was already the second…

No.

Counting Skye, it was already the third…

In that case, seven was far too few.

Should he gather the twelve zodiac animals, or the twenty-eight lunar mansions?

Thirty-six Heavenly Spirits, seventy-two Earthly Fiends—or perhaps the one hundred and eight heroes?

Wasn’t Egghead building the Avengers Initiative?

Perhaps he could build one that was stronger—or at least had more people?

S.H.I.E.L.D. was far more efficient than the relevant authorities.

The surveillance equipment they had promised arrived quickly. Egghead even sent people to install it themselves. The main control room was set up in the Azeroth Specialties Shop, and Skye could connect through her computer and phone to monitor every street in Chinatown at any time.

Security had improved considerably.

Of course, S.H.I.E.L.D. had definitely left a backdoor for synchronized surveillance.

S.H.I.E.L.D. surveillance meant Hydra surveillance.

Old Wang did not hold back. He had Skye rework everything, layering encryption onto the software, permissions, and everything else. Without her approval, no one would be able to access it.

That way, even Gabe’s safety was guaranteed.

Most importantly, whether it was S.H.I.E.L.D. or Hydra, it would be difficult for them to track Old Wang’s movements.

That was beneficial for him playing two roles—Kunlun Iron Fist and Master Wang.

Not everyone was Daredevil. At least for the time being, no one else would connect Iron Fist to him.

Afterward, Old Wang enjoyed Skye’s massage while calling Natasha.

He made his requests.

"Ten sets of S.H.I.E.L.D. Field Agent Equipment, the newest model."

"A metal staff. Length… radius… hardness… solid… As for the material, Vibranium would be nice… You don’t have any? Adamantium works too. Not the secondary kind—I want the real thing… What, you don’t have that either? You don’t even have secondary Adamantium? Fine, then give me a Titanium Alloy one. The high-tech kind."

"And a pair of gloves. Titanium Alloy too, lined with crocodile leather!"

Old Wang sighed.

Egghead was really stingy.

Even the Strategic Scientific Reserve had been able to get Vibranium during World War II and make such a huge Captain America shield. He did not believe S.H.I.E.L.D. had no stockpile.

Besides, Adamantium had been developed by the United States government. Its chemical structure was classified, and it was said to be difficult to manufacture—no worse than Vibranium.

Refusing to give him either was too much…

Titanium Alloy would do. Its hardness was not low, and it was barely usable.

In fact, even a fine-quality Adamantite staff from World of Warcraft would be better than a Titanium Alloy one, but it was not worth it. The shipping fees were too expensive.

If he was going to exchange for one, the worst it could be was epic-grade. Ideally, it would be an orange item, like the Brewmaster artifact weapon he had once been so used to.

But it was too expensive. He could not afford it.

Titanium Alloy it was. He would make do.

S.H.I.E.L.D. Triskelion Headquarters, Director’s Office.

Natasha hung up and glanced at Egghead. Her meaning was obvious:

Director, you are so stingy!

Egghead snorted and glared at Natasha. His meaning was even more obvious:

Agent Romanoff, do not forget your position. You are on my side!

Thinking of that fat bastard on the other end of the call gave Egghead a real headache.

S.H.I.E.L.D. did have Vibranium in storage, but it was for research. How could they give it to him?

And at ten thousand dollars per gram, a solid staff would weigh at least fifteen kilograms. That was one hundred and fifty million dollars, and on the black market, the price could multiply several times—perhaps even tenfold.

Forget not having any. Even if they did, you could not afford it!

The same went for Adamantium.

Secondary Adamantium was cheaper, but it still cost over a thousand dollars per gram, and it was scarce even at that price.

Wang the Fatty, you have gone too far!

"Have someone custom-make them for him! Not the people from the tech division. Let those two students who have not graduated make them. What were their names again?"

Egghead tapped his head.

His memory had always been excellent, but he had been too busy lately. Hydra, The Hand, terrorists, Tony Stark, Hulk—he was practically being run ragged. How could he remember the names of two students?

"Keep watching The Hand."

Egghead looked at Natasha and instructed, "Do your best to help K’un-Lun and Iron Fist. Find an opportunity to talk to them… S.H.I.E.L.D. needs allies too. Hydra is not easy to deal with!"

Thanks to Ziyuan882 for the 100 reward!