Egghead’s Invitation

Almost all of them?

Egghead and Black Widow exchanged a glance, both inwardly shocked. The True Pure Ones Society was that strong?

As long as they weren’t kung fu masters and hadn’t mastered "qi," they couldn’t dodge or block bullets.

But what if people like Stick and Elektra used guns too?

With such exceptional physical attributes, all they needed was basic training to become crack shots. One bullet, one enemy. And if they were proficient in things like Close-Quarters Gun Combat, each of them could take on ten.

Why was Captain America so powerful?

A comprehensive improvement in physical attributes brought a comprehensive improvement in overall ability. Strength, speed, reaction time, every sense would be enhanced—even the brain would work better than other people’s.

Doubling one’s physical attributes could increase one’s strength tenfold, or even more.

That was why General Ross insisted on restarting the Super Soldier Program.

If the True Pure Ones Society were given full sets of S.H.I.E.L.D. Field Agent Equipment, just how much would their strength increase…

Wait!

Master Wang had asked for ten sets of equipment. Could they have been intended for them?

The best weapons were always in the hands of the state apparatus. The True Pure Ones Society, The Hand, and even Hydra all lagged far behind in that regard.

Only the combination of extraordinary physical attributes and the most advanced weapons and equipment could produce a new generation of super soldiers.

Egghead suddenly thought of another issue.

If S.H.I.E.L.D. field agents all became kung fu experts as well, with their physical attributes comprehensively enhanced, their capabilities would surely rise by at least one level. Mission success rates and completion speed would improve considerably too, making them far more cost-effective.

Perhaps he could ask the people of K’un-Lun to help train Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.?

General Ross had painstakingly worked on the Super Soldier Program, pouring in who knew how many resources and making who knew how many backroom deals. In the end, he had failed to create even one super soldier. Instead, he had created a huge problem, one whose mess he still hadn’t cleaned up after four years.

Though that was mainly because Hulk’s ass was too big, that oversized ass had been created by General Ross himself. He couldn’t blame anyone else.

Meanwhile, perhaps Egghead could obtain a large number of super soldiers without conducting any experiments at all—safe, efficient, pollution-free, and without any side effects?

Of course, they would have to be screened carefully. There might be quite a few Hydra agents within S.H.I.E.L.D., perhaps even more than he imagined. He couldn’t spend his own money training talent for the enemy. That would be the greatest side effect…

Thinking of this, Egghead looked at Old Wang with longing in his eyes, as though he were looking at a giant humanoid treasure.

"Don’t look at me like that. If you have something to say, say it."

Although he had long grown accustomed to being the center of attention, Old Wang truly couldn’t accept such burning looks from men. They gave him the creeps.

Especially someone with Egghead’s looks—just seeing him made one want to eat. He could be admired from afar, but not approached lightly.

Old Wang wasn’t Marcus, that "Humanoid Sorrow." He had principles. He was only interested in female creatures; males were out of the question, undead were out of the question, and demons were out of the question… except Succubi, Destroyer Demons, Matrons, female Eredar, and female Felblood Elves.

"All right. I want to hire Kunlun People as special consultants for S.H.I.E.L.D., to teach kung fu."

Egghead got straight to the point. "If K’un-Lun can help me train a group of kung fu masters, the terms are negotiable."

"Kung fu masters?"

Old Wang’s expression turned strange. Egghead, were you kidding him?

How many kung fu masters were there in the entire world? Egghead definitely didn’t know, and neither did he, but they could at least make a rough guess, right?

Daredevil, Stick, and Elektra didn’t count. Neither did Black Widow or Melinda. S.H.I.E.L.D. didn’t have a single one, yet he wanted a whole group?

Old Wang wanted one too!

Egghead was experienced. One look at Old Wang’s expression told him there was no chance, so he asked curiously, "Master Wang, how many people does K’un-Lun have, and how many kung fu masters?"

I want to know that too… Old Wang’s face didn’t redden in the slightest as he replied inscrutably, "Many."

Egghead sighed inwardly. This Master Wang’s skin was too thick. It had the same effect as his own dark complexion—there was no way to tell from his expression whether he was lying. He was practically a born agent. So he asked, "Then can K’un-Lun send a group of kung fu masters to serve as S.H.I.E.L.D.’s special consultants?"

"Yes."

Old Wang’s words filled Egghead with delight, but then he heard what came next. "One hundred million per person per year. No overtime. Normal holidays off. Nine to five, with three hours for lunch at noon. Twelve days of annual leave every year, plus winter and summer vacations."

Egghead: "…"

What the hell were winter and summer vacations?

Now he understood. Master Wang was just talking nonsense. The meaning was obvious: don’t even think about it. It was impossible.

That made sense.

"Qi" and kung fu were K’un-Lun’s core strengths. Naturally, they couldn’t simply give them away to others. Besides, it was said that Kunlun People did not leave K’un-Lun casually. Having even one Immortal Iron Fist come out was already quite impressive.

Though this "Master Wang" was a kung fu master, Agent Romanoff had already investigated him thoroughly. He was merely an orphan favored by Iron Fist. Over the years, he had hardly ever left Chinatown and had a 99.9% chance of never having visited K’un-Lun. He was an absolute shut-in who spouted nonsense nonstop…

"K’un-Lun does not communicate with the outside world. Iron Fist came out this time to deal with The Hand and clean up the traitors."

Old Wang confirmed Egghead’s suspicions at just the right moment, then relented. "S.H.I.E.L.D. is a friend of K’un-Lun. Since a friend is in need, Iron Fist is willing to help. If necessary, Stick, the others, and I can serve as S.H.I.E.L.D.’s special consultants. The money is negotiable."

For the first time, Egghead felt that his own skin was thin—at least, not as thick as Master Wang’s.

The money was negotiable, yet he was still talking about money?

No matter what, since Master Wang had relented, it was good news. S.H.I.E.L.D. was not short on money.

He would leave the details to specialists. The director couldn’t possibly handle such trivial matters himself. He nodded and said, "I hope to meet the Immortal Iron Fist and begin comprehensive cooperation with K’un-Lun."

Old Wang was quite happy about becoming a S.H.I.E.L.D. special consultant.

With S.H.I.E.L.D. as a cover, everything would become much more convenient. When the time came, he could shove Skye, Robbie, Gabe, Matt, Elektra, and Stick all in at once. Whether they knew kung fu or not wasn’t important; Egghead probably wouldn’t quibble over that.

They could draw salaries and receive equipment too.

Of course, being a consultant did not mean joining S.H.I.E.L.D. There would be no official position. Old Wang didn’t want an official position either; it would be too troublesome.

He wasn’t part of S.H.I.E.L.D. It was merely a cooperative relationship.

As for meeting Iron Fist?

In fact, Egghead had already met him. Surprise? Unexpected…

Old Wang shook his head. "Iron Fist will not appear. I fully represent him. Comprehensive cooperation? What kind of cooperation does S.H.I.E.L.D. want? Dealing with The Hand and Hydra?"

"Not just that."

Egghead coughed and lowered his voice. "There is one more matter. I am planning to form a secret organization to protect the world—a Super Hero Alliance."