Skye’s Disappearance (Second Update)

Older memories meant deeper layers that were harder to access; longer lifespans meant a greater volume of memories.

Combined, that meant a longer mapping process.

Old Wang naturally would not cooperate with the Five Fingers. People could lie, but memories could not.

There were two purposes behind the resurrection:

First, it was to obtain more detailed and intact memories, allowing him to better take over the resources, wealth, and knowledge controlled by The Hand. Also, living Five Fingers should be easier to use to pry open the Kunlun Gate than dead ones.

He had already waited several months. Old Wang did not mind waiting a few more days. According to Fitz’s estimate, it would be completed within two weeks at most.

The standards and efficiency of top American laboratories were indeed impressive. Of course, that also had something to do with Egghead’s status, influence, and personal charisma. With sufficient materials and manpower, the Secondary Adamantium components were quickly manufactured and delivered to The Laboratory by Quinjet.

Before that, Fitz had already finished making the other components.

As soon as the Secondary Adamantium arrived, they began assembly. The calibration was completed in less than an hour.

A brand-new mechanical arm worth tens of millions of dollars appeared before everyone.

According to Fitz, this thing was essentially an upgraded version of the Titanium Alloy Gauntlets. It had even more functions than Black Widow’s Widow suit, and its abilities in every respect had risen to another level. Naturally, its physical requirements were also much higher.

Simply put, even if Black Widow’s arm were cut off and the mechanical arm attached to her, she would not be able to use it. The burden on her body alone was beyond what Black Widow could withstand.

After spending so long in their little world of three, Winter Soldier finally emerged from the Biochemistry Laboratory.

"Is this for me?"

When he saw Old Wang nod, he hurriedly took it and fitted it on. Then, while listening to Fitz’s explanation, he began testing it.

"Uh… aside from the electromagnetic shielding and weapons systems it already had, its main upgrades are a comprehensive enhancement to the mechanical arm’s defense and attack power… mainly attack power. Vibranium focuses on defense, while Adamantium focuses on attack."

"Secondary Adamantium can keep your mechanical arm intact against attacks with a hundred tons of force. Uh, unless you go head-on against a twenty-car train or get struck directly by a meteor over ten meters in diameter, there is basically no way anything will go wrong with the arm. No one in this world has that much strength… well, except Hulk."

"If you run into him, run as far as you can. He might not be able to break the mechanical arm, but your body definitely would not be able to take it. Secondary Adamantium might not even be able to hurt him either… his material is good enough, but your strength is too weak."

"Also, the strength amplification system has been enhanced."

"The ultraminiature Arc Reactor provided by Mr. Stark serves as its power source. The power system can increase your arm strength to a maximum of five tons… More is possible, but your physical condition is not good enough to withstand it…"

Before he could finish, they heard an "Ah!"

"Mr. Stark?"

Hearing that title, Winter Soldier froze. "Which Stark?"

"Tony Stark, chairman of Stark Industries, Howard’s son," Old Wang answered truthfully.

Winter Soldier went completely still.

Scenes from the past surfaced in his mind.

December 16, 1991. He would never forget that day.

Hydra received intelligence that Howard Stark had secretly restarted the Super Soldier Program, attempting to recreate the Super Soldier Serum—and had succeeded.

He had been ordered to seize the serum.

On that road back to the Stark residence, he killed Howard and his wife.

Howard had recognized him then, but he had already been brainwashed.

His old friend had died by his own hand.

How was he supposed to face his old friend’s son?

"Even though it was not your choice, I still have to say… this is going to be difficult." Old Wang shrugged.

Winter Soldier fell silent for a moment, then said in a muffled voice, "I have killed many people. I remember every one of their names, every one of their faces."

Apologies were meaningless.

Hatred could not be resolved.

What had to be faced would eventually be faced.

"We’ll talk about it later." Old Wang had a headache.

The murder of one’s father was an unforgivable blood feud. If something like that happened to him, voluntary or not, he would kill the man first and talk later.

A blood debt had to be repaid in blood.

Whoever dared stop him should not blame him for showing no mercy.

No one was qualified to interfere in such matters. Only they themselves could resolve it.

No matter the final outcome, Old Wang could understand it.

Whether it was Tony, Captain America, or Winter Soldier, none of them were sniveling sissies. The outcome could not possibly be like some domestic TV drama where everyone laughed and buried the hatchet. They were all adults, and everyone had their own principles and choices.

"Captain America is still waiting for you in Greenland."

Pointing at the square outside, Old Wang said, "A Quinjet has already been modified. The detection equipment and other necessary gear have all been prepared for you. If you need more energy, contact me anytime… You can leave now."

Winter Soldier was in a poor mood. He nodded and left in silence.

The Quinjet took off. Alone, he flew toward Greenland to search for his best friend, from whom he had been separated for many years.

It was a bond flowing through their blood, etched into their hearts.

Eternal and unchanging.

Old Wang gently shook his head, then suddenly frowned.

A powerful energy fluctuation came from the nearby Virtual Laboratory, carrying even a familiar spatial distortion.

The laboratory, which had originally held only one person, now contained two life forms.

There was no time to open the door or fly over, not even time for his soul to leave his body. With a thought from Old Wang, the Crimson Magic Belt around his waist shot toward the Virtual Laboratory like a red bolt of lightning, smashing through the glass and arriving in an instant.

As fast as his thoughts were, the magic belt was just as fast.

Yet the energy fluctuation suddenly vanished. Everything returned to silence, as though nothing had happened.

But someone had disappeared without a trace.

The Crimson Magic Belt flew back and wrapped around Old Wang’s waist, rubbing against his belly ingratiatingly. This really wasn’t my fault. That guy teleported without even a countdown. That was way too much!

Old Wang ignored it.

Sure enough, it was a useless knockoff that only shared the name.

Two minutes later, the door was slammed open. Carl rushed in, veins bulging across her neck and eyes bloodshot. "Jia Ying contacted me. She knows where I am, and she sent Gordon to take Skye away!"

"Don’t panic, Mr. Johnson. Skye will be fine. If things really come to blows, among all those Inhumans in Afterlife, probably not one of them is her match."

Old Wang turned to Fitz. "How is it? Can you track her?"

"Uh… that place is rather strange. Of course, it may also be affected by some kind of interference. For now, I can’t track Skye’s implanted subcutaneous communicator. Give me some time," Fitz replied as he looked at the computer.

"It isn’t strange. There simply isn’t any signal in that place!"

Carl was so anxious her eyes seemed to spit fire. "Afterlife is in the mountains, but I don’t know exactly which mountain! There isn’t even any cell phone reception. The people there do not communicate with the outside world at all. Their only means of contact is Gordon!"

"That can be solved too."

Fitz said, "As long as she’s still on Earth, there is satellite coverage. We can use communications satellites to receive the signal. Well, with Skye gone, I can’t hack into the communications satellites of every country, but we can ask Mr. Stark for help."

"Then do it quickly."

Old Wang narrowed his eyes slightly. "Afterlife, Inhumans, Hive, the moon, Black Bolt, Medusa…"

The Inhumans were a group that produced Special Ability Users in abundance. Every awakened Inhuman possessed some kind of ability, all strange and varied.

Some abilities might be completely useless, while others could rival Hulk or Thor.

Like Black Bolt.

He had to seize hold of this thread.

Starting with Afterlife.