Recruitment, Doom’s Situation

"Tony moved fast enough."

Hearing Damon’s report, Wang Bert snorted and said, "Ignore him. I’ll head over in a while."

"Alright."

Damon hung up and said to Tony, "If you want to bail Reed and the others out, you’ll have to compensate for the damage they caused first."

"Small matter. I’ll cover it. Send the bill to Stark Industries."

Tony said arrogantly. What did a little compensation matter? "That’s good, then."

Damon did not care either. He took Tony to see the four in their cell. Tony waved at Reed behind the bars and called, "Hey, Dr. Richards."

"Tony, I didn’t expect to see you here."

Reed smiled bitterly. As two of the world’s top scientists, he and Tony had known each other for a long time, though they were not particularly close.

Tony said, "Alright, we can talk after you’re out. I’ve handled your bail."

"That’s great."

Reed was overjoyed and was about to agree when Susan grabbed him and said to Tony, "Mr. Stark, we’ll wait for Mr. Wang to bail us out."

Tony asked unhappily, "Why does he have to be the one to bail you out? Does he give gifts with the bail?"

Reed also looked at Susan in confusion. Susan sighed helplessly. Reed’s emotional intelligence was as low as his IQ was high. That was why she had broken up with him in the first place.

"Mr. Stark is very busy. He wouldn’t come bail us out for no reason. If I’m not mistaken, he wants our mutant abilities."

Susan explained, "In other words, he wants to recruit us. Reed, if you leave with him, that means betraying Mr. Wang."

Reed suddenly understood. "I see."

Tony shouted, "Hey, don’t make it sound so serious. You haven’t sold yourselves to Bert, have you?"

"I haven’t, but Reed has."

Susan said, "Without Mr. Wang, his company would go bankrupt immediately."

"Tony, sorry."

Reed smiled bitterly. Mr. Wang had been right. His luck in business was disastrously bad.

"So it’s a money problem. Easy."

Tony was about to unleash his Money Power when he suddenly thought of something and asked, "How much operating capital does your company need?"

Reed said, "A few hundred million, probably."

"A few hundred million?"

Tony had a headache. Under normal circumstances, it would have been fine, but Stark Industries really did not have that much spare cash right now. Little Pepper would never approve it.

Facing Susan’s teasing gaze, Tony coughed and said, "Reed can’t leave, but the rest of you should be able to, right?"

"Only Mr. Wang knows where Doom is. I can’t leave."

Susan shook her head. As for Thing, he sat dejectedly to one side, with no interest in anything.

Human Torch, wrapped in a blanket, stood up and said, "I’ll leave with you. I don’t care about that Mr. Wang. I was careless today. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have lost to Sin Buster."

"Well said."

Tony looked Human Torch up and down and asked, "By the way, are you Steve’s illegitimate son?"

Reed said, "Judging by his age, he should be an illegitimate grandson, maybe even a great-grandson."

"Why does he have to be illegitimate?"

Human Torch snapped, "I have nothing to do with Captain America. I asked my grandmother about it just recently."

"You actually asked?"

Tony was speechless. He glanced at Reed and the others and sighed inwardly. It seemed he could only poach one of them.

"Bert’s people really are hard to poach, but one is better than none."

Tony shrugged, completed the paperwork, and left with Human Torch. Susan wanted to stop him, but Human Torch would not listen at all. He had been rebellious even before gaining powers; now, he was even more rebellious.

Not long after Tony left, Wang Bert arrived with Thing’s fiancée. The moment Thing saw her, he excitedly lunged at the bars. His fiancée was so frightened that she backed away repeatedly.

"Don’t be afraid. He really is Ben, your fiancé."

Wang Bert explained, "He became like this because he was irradiated by the Cosmic Storm, but his heart has not changed."

Thing hurriedly shouted, "That’s right, my heart hasn’t changed."

Thing’s fiancée kept shaking her head. She simply could not accept Ben like this. Wang Bert sighed and said to Thing, "Ben, talk with her here. Remember, don’t come out, or I’ll take her away immediately."

Thing nodded repeatedly. "Alright, I won’t come out. I’ll talk to her properly."

"Reed, Susan, let’s go."

Wang Bert gestured to Reed and Susan and led them out of the cell block.

"Mr. Wang, sorry for causing you trouble."

Reed said apologetically.

"Small matter."

Wang Bert said, "But Reed, having superpowers does not mean having special privileges. Even Super Heroes must obey the law."

"This was indeed our fault."

Reed smiled bitterly. "We had just gained our powers, so we got a little carried away."

"It wasn’t your fault. If it hadn’t been for Johnny, this wouldn’t have happened."

Susan said, "Mr. Wang, sorry, Johnny left with Mr. Stark."

"It’s fine. Everyone has the right to choose freely."

Wang Bert waved it off. The current Human Torch was competitive and vain. He was not qualified to become a Super Hero at all.

"Thank you, Mr. Wang."

Susan relaxed. Thinking of something, she could not help asking, "Mr. Wang, where exactly is Doom now?"

When Susan mentioned Doom, Reed felt somewhat bitter. Over the past few days, their old feelings had rekindled somewhat, but Doom had always stood between them.

"At Kamar-Taj. Wait a moment, I’ll make a call."

Wang Bert took out his phone and called Wong. "Wong, can you give the phone to Doom? Someone wants to talk to him."

"Alright, wait a moment."

Wong readily agreed. A moment later, Doom’s deep, weak voice came through. "Who is looking for me?"

Wang Bert handed the phone to Susan. Susan said, "Doom, it’s me. Are you alright?"

Doom fell silent for a moment, then said, "I’m fine. You are fully responsible for Doom Corporation. If you truly can’t handle it, sell it. I’ll email the Authorization Letter over."

"Doom, wait."

Susan wanted to say more, but Doom directly hung up. Susan wanted to dial again, but Wang Bert took back the phone and said, "Contact him by email. They have internet over there."

"Alright."

Susan smiled bitterly. She did not care about Doom Corporation. She only wanted to have a proper talk with Doom. She had realized that she seemed to love Reed more, even though he had no emotional intelligence at all and was always making people angry.

Reed had no idea about Susan’s inner conflict. He asked curiously, "Mr. Wang, what exactly is magic like?"

"It is another kind of science."

Wang Bert smiled. At that moment, Thing’s fiancée ran out with tears all over her face. Wang Bert watched her retreating back and sighed. "The engagement ring on her hand is gone. It seems she still can’t accept Ben as he is now."

"It really is a bit hard to accept."

Reed smiled bitterly and asked, "Mr. Wang, how do you plan to arrange things for us?"

"I don’t plan to arrange anything for you."

Wang Bert smiled. "Dr. Richards, I’ll lend you an interest-free loan. You can make your own arrangements, but you must repay it within ten years."

Reed was stunned. The terms were not merely good; they were too good, good enough that he could offer himself in marriage.

"Don’t be surprised, Dr. Richards. Your intelligence is important to this world."

Wang Bert smiled and said, "Helping you is helping this world."

"Thank you, Mr. Wang."

Reed was deeply grateful. Then he thought of something and asked suspiciously, "Mr. Wang, did you not acquire my company because you were afraid I’d drag you down? Ouch!"

Reed cried out because Susan had pinched his waist hard. Susan said to Wang Bert, "Mr. Wang, if you need anything in the future, feel free to come to Reed. He will definitely help you get it done."

Reed finally reacted and hurriedly said, "Mr. Wang, if you need anything, please feel free to come to me."

"Dr. Richards, you should focus on scientific research and leave the company to others to manage."

Wang Bert shook his head. At that moment, heavy footsteps sounded from behind them. Everyone turned and saw Thing walking out with a gloomy expression.

Thing asked Reed, "Reed, can you turn me back?"

Reed solemnly promised, "I’ll do everything I can to turn you back."

"Just do everything you can?"

Thing sighed. After thinking for a moment, he said to Wang Bert, "Mr. Wang, can I join your Watchmen Company?"

Wang Bert asked, "You want to be a Super Hero?"

"Being a Super Hero is better than being a monster."

Thing gave a bitter smile. "After I become a Super Hero, she might change her mind."

"Watchmen Company welcomes you."

Wang Bert nodded in satisfaction. He had gained another capable subordinate. As for Reed, he owed him so much money that he was no different from a subordinate.

With Reed there, Invisible Woman Susan naturally could not escape either. Doom was destined to wear this green hat.

Thus, the plot of "Fantastic Four" was basically over. Wang Bert had gained quite a lot: God’s Blood, Elektra, the Fantastic Three, overseas operational authority for Super Heroes, and, oh right, he had also set off a nuclear bomb for fun.

At Kamar-Taj, Doom stared at his half-metallic face in the mirror and clenched his fists tightly.

Doom had miscalculated before. That suit of armor could not block the Cosmic Storm, and he had mutated just like the Fantastic Four.

Doom had two mutant abilities. One was metallic transformation of his body, and the other was controlling electric currents. Those were originally quite good, but because he had been stabbed by the Cursed Dagger during his mutation, something went wrong—half of his face could not return to normal and remained permanently metallic.

That was why Doom had not said much to Susan.

"Mephisto, I will have my revenge."

Doom gritted his teeth. Then he put on his mask and armor and went out to find Ancient One.

The mages of Kamar-Taj did not give Doom friendly looks when they saw him, but Doom did not care at all. Tigers traveled alone; only sheep gathered in flocks.

"Master."

Doom respectfully bowed to Ancient One, then asked, "Has my mother’s soul already been reincarnated?"

Ancient One nodded and asked, "Yes. Don’t you blame her for abandoning you?"

"She left because she knew that if she remained, I would definitely research forbidden spells to revive her."

Doom shook his head and said, "Master, why did you accept me as your disciple? My heart leans toward darkness and does not suit Kamar-Taj."

Ancient One said, "Because this world needs your intelligence and abilities. Also, you and those demon gods are locked in an endless struggle."

"I understand."

Doom nodded. He said frankly, "Master, I will do my best to protect this world in repayment for saving my life and teaching me. However, I will not act according to Kamar-Taj’s rules. I, Doom, will only walk my own path."

Ancient One did not mind. She said, "That is fine. I will not interfere with you. Once you have completed your studies, you may leave Kamar-Taj at any time."

"Thank you, Master."

Doom respectfully took his leave. As he went out, his senior brother Mordo happened to be walking in. Doom glanced at him without greeting him and left directly.

Mordo was irritated. Why had Master accepted someone like this as a disciple? He had no manners at all.

"It feels like Master has changed a lot."

Mordo shook his head. After bowing to Ancient One, he reported, "Master, the New York Sanctum has been rebuilt. However, Daniel the Wizard is somewhat dissatisfied that you accepted Doom as a disciple and is unwilling to serve as the guardian mage of the New York Sanctum again."

"Then have him return."

Ancient One said, "Have Wong take over."

Mordo frowned. "Master, Wong’s qualifications are a little lacking, aren’t they? Besides, he is better suited for the Hong Kong Sanctum."

Ancient One said, "Don’t worry. Someone will help him."

Mordo asked, "That Blood God? Master, he is a Vampire. Vampires are all evil."

Looking at her stubborn disciple, Ancient One said, "Mordo, race cannot determine whether someone is good or evil."

Mordo asked, "Could there be good people among demons too?"

Ancient One nodded. "There are. Wind Demon, New York’s Super Hero."

Mordo felt his teeth ache. Who knew why a demon would go become a Super Hero? He said, "He must be pretending."

"Mordo, a person’s character is not determined by race or origin, but by what they do."

Ancient One said, "I treat Blood God well not because I have some relationship with him, but because he has always been saving the world."

Mordo stubbornly said, "A Vampire is still a Vampire. Saving the world now does not mean he will not destroy it in the future."

"Mordo."

Ancient One sighed helplessly and asked, "Do you have anything else?"

"Yes. Kaecilius wants to borrow the Darkhold."

Ancient One’s eyes flickered. She said, "No one besides me may read the Darkhold. This is to protect all of you."

"I will convey your response to him. However, Kaecilius seems very interested in that book."

Mordo nodded, took his leave, and departed. Ancient One sighed. Some things were beyond even her power, such as the human heart.

The disaster-ridden year of 2009 finally passed, and time entered 2010. On this day, Wang Bert was unusually fulfilling his duties as a master at home, teaching Little Hela her lessons.

"Hela, you got this question wrong. Burying all the rebellious slaves alive is not the true solution to the problem."

Wang Bert said, "Where there is oppression, there will be resistance. Cruel rule cannot last for long."

"If anyone dares to resist, it only means not enough have been killed. As long as enough are killed, everyone will obey."

Little Hela said unconvinced, "Also, those empires collapsed not because of cruel rule, but because something went wrong internally."

"An empire without vitality will sooner or later develop internal problems."

Wang Bert was speaking when a rainbow-colored beam suddenly descended from the sky and landed on the lawn outside his house.