Let Go of That Boy, Let Me Handle This!

Fire was humanity’s symbol of progress toward civilization.

With fire, humans began eating cooked food, driving away the cold, and extending their lifespans.

Only once safety and longevity were assured did humanity have the time and ability to enjoy, discover, and create civilization.

With full bellies and warm clothes came lust.

Fire also had another very important use:

Light.

With fire, humanity could stay away from the terrifying darkness that concealed endless horrors.

Fire was darkness’s mortal enemy, its nemesis, and to some extent represented light.

And what was happening at the top of this building was a confrontation between fire and darkness.

Hellfire was being steadily driven back as darkness spread toward Robbie.

Sin and desire often emerged in darkness, or spread and manifested through it. As the darkness expanded, so too did sin and desire, growing stronger.

This primitive power could not affect the Spirit of Vengeance at all, but for Robbie, it was agony.

Perhaps because he was not strong enough—or, more likely, because of Beast—the Eye of Judgment could not judge the little boy who had killed hundreds. Instead, Beast’s power was constantly influencing Robbie.

This left the Spirit of Vengeance, which had chosen Robbie as its host, deeply displeased, enraged, and unwilling to accept it.

"You can’t even use the Eye of Judgment properly, and your chain technique is no good either!"

"You haven’t even mastered dimensional teleportation!"

"You’re even more useless than hotheaded Johnny!"

"And just like him, you won’t listen!"

The Spirit of Vengeance was immortal.

At the very least, it could not be killed by Beast, which had descended with only a small fraction of its power. Therefore, Ghost Rider was immortal as well.

But the humiliation of being defeated and brutalized still filled the Spirit of Vengeance with boundless fury.

Yet there was nothing it could do, no matter how angry it was.

It was not Beast. It had principles when it came to killing.

Only the guilty could be judged by the Eye of Judgment. Only then could it devour their souls through its host and strengthen itself.

Robbie was too restrained. He had been using his willpower to suppress it as much as possible.

Even more infuriating was that meddlesome Little Fatty Wang had actually taught Robbie to meditate, strengthening his mind!

Shouldn’t a Rider focus on strength, agility, and constitution? What did he need spirit for?

And what was the result?

The result was that he could not even defeat Beast, which had barely descended any power at all!

To the Spirit of Vengeance, its host was both the vessel through which it could wield power in the real world and a restriction on its own power.

"Could it be that Johnny picked Robbie precisely because he wouldn’t listen, so he dumped me on him?"

"Quick, go help him!"

Black Widow endured the pain throughout her body and the weakness from blood loss as she struggled to her feet, only to discover that she had no weapons left.

Her bullets were gone, her 30,000 volts of electricity were spent, and her tear gas grenades, mini bombs, and plastic explosives were all used up. Her only weapons were a tactical dagger and an empty pistol. Her combat strength had dropped straight from one Widow to 0.2 Widows, and with her limited mobility, she could basically only defend and had no way to attack.

When she looked at the others, Black Widow wanted to cry.

Stick was unconscious. Even if he woke up, it would be useless. Who knew how many ribs were broken? He was completely out of commission.

Matt was doing somewhat better, but his condition was about the same as hers.

Elektra’s combat ability was still largely intact, but that little girl had no idea what was wrong with her. She was standing there in a daze, not moving at all. Was she about to defect?

Ghost Rider was clearly no match for the little boy. A six-foot man could not beat a four-foot kid. This was ridiculous.

"God really wants me dead!" Black Widow sighed.

"Director, tell Clint… goodbye forever!"

She took a deep breath and caught her breath.

Gripping her tactical dagger, she prepared to risk her life.

Suddenly, someone blew a breath against her neck.

Black Widow’s entire body instantly tensed. She clenched her dagger and struck backward.

Clean and beautiful!

At the same time, she spun around, but saw nothing.

What was this…

A ghost?

An unprecedented fear surged into her heart, and goosebumps rose all over Black Widow’s body.

Were ghosts really real in this world?

Had Beast controlled the souls it had devoured?

"It’s me."

A low, magnetic voice sounded beside her ear.

So familiar, so gentle.

Black Widow’s heart trembled. It was as if she had heard the most beautiful voice of her life. She quickly turned and called out, "Master Wang, you finally…"

Before she could finish, she froze.

Old Wang appeared before her, a warm smile on his face. Yet he looked so unreal, like a beautiful bubble that would burst at the slightest touch.

"Master Wang, you… died?" Black Widow could not believe her eyes. A faint sense of loss and grief filled her heart.

Had Master Wang been killed by The Hand?

Sure enough, people should not be too reckless. The reckless ones all died. Captain America had died back then, Wasp died later, and now Master Wang, the Immortal Iron Fist from K’un-Lun, had died too…

"You want me dead that badly?"

Old Wang smiled.

Then, beneath Black Widow’s affectionate gaze, he slowly became clearer and more solid. The natural warmth emanating from his body made Black Widow certain:

Master Wang was really alive!

"Master Wang…"

The roller-coaster of emotions nearly made Black Widow lose control, but the exceptional professionalism of a legendary agent allowed her to calm down in less than two seconds. "Quick, help Ghost Rider! He can’t beat that little boy!"

"No rush. Ghost Rider isn’t that easy to deal with. He can hold on for a while longer."

Old Wang smiled as a stream of pure True Qi flowed through Black Widow’s shoulder and into her body. Green Mist of Soothing instantly healed her injuries.

As Old Wang’s strength increased, his healing output was nothing like before. He had gone from an A cup to a B cup.

Compared to the others, Black Widow’s injuries were actually rather minor. One cast was enough—healing until the end of time…

Feeling the True Qi flow into her body, the itch of her wounds closing, and that distinct masculine warmth, Black Widow completely calmed down and felt much better.

Old Wang raised his hand, and two streams of green mist fell upon Matt and Stick.

Blood Activation Technique, a Monk’s superior healing method.

Matt’s wounds quickly healed. Even his broken ribs were perfectly reassembled by the True Qi, seamlessly joined together before healing. The effect was a hundred times better than the finest orthopedic surgery.

Looking at the unconscious Stick, Old Wang roared, "If you do not wake now, when will you wake?"

Stick shuddered and opened his eyes.

"Master Wang, you’re here…" He was somewhat excited and hurriedly climbed to his feet.

The Immortal Iron Fist had arrived. They were saved!

Facing Black Sky, Old Wang stood with his hands clasped behind his back and said calmly, "You are not needed here. Go deal with the other members of The Hand."

"Yes." Stick immediately obeyed.

"Mm." Black Widow turned and followed him.

"But Elektra…" Matt hesitated as he looked at his former girlfriend.

"Her willpower cannot contend with Beast in its current state, but she has been resisting all along and has not yet been completely controlled. Don’t worry. Leave this place to me."

Old Wang narrowed his eyes slightly. "Go. I’m afraid I might hurt you by accident."

"…All right." Matt was decisive as well. He knew that in a battle of this level, he would only be a burden, so he turned and left.

"Now it’s our turn."

Old Wang glanced at Robbie, who was nearly being swallowed by darkness. "Let go of that boy, let me handle this!"

Thanks to "Pastoral Tabby Cat" for the 100 reward.

That part at the beginning of the previous chapter actually got swallowed by Qidian. Policy violation… was that really necessary? I was being very subtle, okay!