Viper

"Someone will come save me soon. You and Tony Stark will both die horrible deaths."

Wanda stared at Wang Bert and shouted with a mixture of fear and stubbornness. Tony could not help but shout, "Hey, what exactly do you have against me?"

Wanda shot Tony a hate-filled glare, then turned away without saying anything.

"Tony, you should probably get a DNA test. You slept with so many women back then that having an illegitimate daughter would be perfectly normal. Or rather, it would be abnormal if you did not."

Hawkeye laughed. Tony rolled his eyes, but he was a little suspicious. A beautiful woman with reddish-brown hair… he seemed to have met quite a few before. Let me think. There were more than ten whose names started with A, over twenty with B, then C…

Skye ignored the farce and sent Wang Bert a telepathic message. "Master, what are you up to?"

Wang Bert replied telepathically with a solemn expression, "Child, I am your martial uncle, the Blood God’s senior brother. You may call me… uh, let me think of my name. Got it. Call me You Yazi."

"Could you at least be more professional when lying? Who comes up with their own name on the spot?"

Skye complained. She walked over to Wang Bert and called out, "Martial Uncle, thank you for coming to support us."

"No need to be polite. Your martial uncle is in seclusion, so he asked me to watch over you."

Wang Bert glanced at Tony and said disdainfully, "My junior brother told me you Super Heroes were very capable and could handle things yourselves, that I only needed to keep a slight eye on you. Yet… hmph. What a huge disappointment. It seems my junior brother is not very good at judging people."

"Hey, what do you mean by that? We could have handled it without you."

Tony flew into a rage, then asked suspiciously, "You are Bert’s senior brother? Why have I never heard of you? And where did that guy get a senior brother?"

"Do I need to explain myself to you?"

Wang Bert waved his sleeve, lifted the unwilling Wanda with his qi, and ran into the distance with her. "Skye, call me if anything happens."

"Yes, Martial Uncle."

Skye called out irritably. Nearby, Strange could not help rubbing his nose—he had recognized Wang Bert.

"These big shots sure know how to have fun."

Strange shook his head, opened a portal to the hospital, and said, "Let’s get the injured to the hospital first."

"Not the hospital. Take them to the Medical Room in Osborn Tower."

Tony said, "Bert has a Regeneration Cradle there that can quickly regenerate body tissue. It is expensive, but these warriors qualify for that kind of treatment."

"Dr. Helen Zhao’s Regeneration Cradle project succeeded?"

Strange was somewhat surprised. "When my hands were injured a few years ago, her project was still in the experimental stage."

"Bert threw several billion dollars at her, and then the device succeeded."

Tony shrugged. "As long as the damage is not too severe, nanotechnology can repair and regenerate it."

As Strange opened another portal, he said excitedly, "Amazing. I cannot wait to meet her."

Tony looked Strange up and down and sneered. "With your build, Dr. Zhao probably will not be interested in you. She only likes muscular men. Back when Bert was trying to get with her, he specifically turned himself into a super-muscular man.

Once he got her, he returned to his original form and dumped her without even needing to give her a breakup gift. He is the textbook example of a scumbag."

Tony spoke with great resentment, because Dr. Zhao had never paid him any attention.

Skye rolled her eyes beside him. Her Master was great in every way except that his personal tastes were far too unhealthy.

"I have a girlfriend. Besides, what I care about is that the Regeneration Cradle can benefit countless patients. It is an epoch-making masterpiece."

Strange looked utterly contemptuous. Tony snorted. From their first meeting, he had known this guy was a playboy, just like his former self.

People of the same kind were always more sensitive to one another.

Soon, everyone arrived at Osborn Tower. Dr. Helen Zhao happened to be there. Seeing so many injured people, she hurriedly sent doctors over to help while activating the Regeneration Cradle to "print" new body tissue for the wounded.

Strange eagerly stepped forward to speak with Helen. Helen recognized the world’s greatest surgeon, and the two began chatting happily.

Knowing quite a few inside details, Skye sighed. "The Regeneration Cradle is great in every way except that it is too expensive. There is no way it can become widespread."

"It uses cutting-edge nanotechnology, after all. I am planning to use nanotechnology in my next-generation armor too. When that happens, all these bulky suits will be obsolete."

Tony shook his head. Thinking of something, he lowered his voice and asked Skye, "Skye, was that guy just now that bastard Bert? When I was trapped in the illusion, that bastard beat me up. He must have been nearby."

Skye smiled. "He is my Martial Uncle. Also, Mr. Stark, I think you should reflect on why so many people want to beat you up."

"Skye, you have gone bad after learning from that bastard Bert."

Tony waved his hand dismissively. Skye shrugged and found a corner to call Steve and report the situation.

Tony was about to call Pepper when Damon suddenly came to find him and led him somewhere deserted.

Then, without wasting words, Damon explained everything about Mephisto in detail, including the Pitiful Plan and how Mephisto had been completely destroyed by Wang Bert.

"Mephisto reincarnated as my son?"

Even Tony was dumbfounded. He said, "I think I need a drink. Jarvis, bring me a bottle of whiskey."

Along with his shock, Tony felt quite grateful. Bert was truly a good friend. He really should not have thought about him that way before.

Damon said frankly, "Bert had something to do, so he asked me to explain it to you. Tony, although Mephisto is dead, I still do not think that child should be allowed to remain."

Tony shouted unhappily, "What are you trying to do? Buddy, that is my son."

"Mephisto is dead. I will not do anything further. It is only a suggestion."

Damon shook his head and said, "Oh, Bert also had a message. He said he would be very happy to see you get played by your own son. Also, he hopes you live a little longer, so he will have someone to laugh at."

"Tell him to go to hell."

Tony snapped, and his gratitude toward Wang Bert immediately dropped by half. That guy really was still a bastard.

"Tell him yourself. Tony, good luck. Your hard days are only just beginning."

Damon shrugged and left. Dawn was approaching, and he had to hurry to the police station for work.

"Is he not just Mephisto reincarnated? Do you think Iron Man cannot handle that? I do not believe that kid can play me."

Tony said disdainfully. Other than shock, he felt a trace of pride over his son being Mephisto reincarnated.

Tony Stark was just that amazing. Even his son was extraordinary.

At the Sokovia Hydra base, Pietro kept checking the time. After a while, he finally could not hold back any longer. Turning to Baron Strucker, who was discussing matters with the Grand Elder, he shouted, "My sister still has not returned. Something must have happened to her. We have to save her."

"We will definitely save her. There is no doubt about that. Pietro, I care about Wanda just as much as you do. I even regard her as my own child."

Baron Strucker turned around and said with absolute certainty, "But we cannot rush. You know how powerful the Super Heroes are. We cannot act recklessly."

Pietro shouted anxiously, "We should act as soon as possible. Wanda is in great danger in their hands. They will definitely torture her."

"You can rest assured about that. Super Heroes would not be so despicable."

Baron Strucker shook his head and said, "Wanda is very safe in their hands. At most, she will be locked up. We have plenty of time to rescue her."

"I cannot wait."

"Even if you cannot wait, you have to. Your injuries have not healed yet. Besides, do you know where Wanda is being held? That will take time to investigate."

Baron Strucker said, "Pietro, I promise you, the moment we are ready, I will send people to rescue Wanda."

"Ah!"

Pietro knew Baron Strucker was right, and he also knew the Baron cared deeply about the siblings, but he was still extremely anxious. He let out a roar, turned into a blur, and ran outside.

Only running could calm Pietro’s heart.

Baron Strucker smiled at the Grand Elder. "Sorry you had to see that, Grand Elder. He is just a child with a bit of a temper."

"It is nothing. Baron Strucker, I know you are Hydra, but I do not care."

The Grand Elder got straight to the point. "I came here for only one purpose: to eliminate the demon reincarnation. So long as we can achieve that goal, we are willing to give up even our lives."

"You and I are both people of faith."

Baron Strucker nodded in satisfaction. He asked, "By the way, things were so critical earlier. Why did you not ask your god for help?"

"God has been helping all along, but because of the Defense Net established by Ancient One and the Blood God, He cannot descend personally."

The Grand Elder said, "Otherwise, we would have purified this filthy world long ago."

"The Blood God is a major problem."

Baron Strucker sighed and said, "Grand Elder, your current strength is somewhat lacking."

"There are still quite a few Reincarnated Angels on Earth. I can find them and restore their angelic abilities and memories."

The Grand Elder glanced at Baron Strucker and said, "Also, the underground base from before sealed an Angel Legion. If you can help me obtain the divine artifact, I can unseal that Angel Legion and send them into battle."

Baron Strucker’s eyes lit up. "Where is the divine artifact?"

"It should be in the hands of the Super Heroes."

Baron Strucker was immediately somewhat disappointed. The Grand Elder asked, "Baron Strucker, surely your Hydra has more strength than this?"

"Of course. Grand Elder, rest first. Tomorrow, I will give you a proper tour of our Hydra base."

Baron Strucker said with a smile. These Holy Light Warriors were very useful pawns. He could not waste them.

"Very well."

The Grand Elder did not say anything else. He rose and left. Baron Strucker thought for a moment, then sent someone to New York to contact that foolish presidential candidate.

It was time to get in touch with him. After all, he had fallen to rock bottom and was practically beyond redemption.

"Bastards! They are all bastards! Those Super Heroes clearly blew up my hotel, so why do all the insurance companies’ reports say it was a natural disaster? Why will they not compensate me?"

The candidate cursed furiously in his office. The advisor beside him said flatly, "Because the insurance companies you bought coverage from are all owned by the Blood God Group. Naturally, they are helping their own people."

Although this advisor had also betrayed the candidate last time, he had shouted a few things, while the bodyguard and secretary took the blame, so the candidate had not suspected him. He was still the advisor.

"Damn Blood God Group! Damn insurance companies! Damn Super Heroes! I will sue them."

The candidate cursed through gritted teeth. The advisor said, "Of course you can sue them, as long as you have the money. By the way, your bank loans are about to come due. I spoke with the bank, and they will not accept an extension."

"Damn banks…"

The candidate cursed like a shrew. After a while, he slumped back in his chair as if all strength had left him, his eyes filled with despair.

It was over. Everything was over. Although he was still a candidate, no one had supported him since that farce.

Everyone thought he was an idiot—before, he had been a rich idiot. Now, he was an idiot on the verge of bankruptcy.

Just as the candidate was despairing, Hydra’s representative arrived—Viper, one of Hydra’s leaders, also known as Madame Hydra.

Viper had originally led one of Hydra’s factions. Some time ago, she had chosen to surrender to Baron Strucker and work alongside him for Hydra’s grand cause.

The woman, whose face bore a scar and who wore a green robe, got straight to the point as soon as she entered. "I am one of Hydra’s leaders. You may call me Viper."

"Hydra? Call the police, now."

The candidate was startled and hurriedly shouted at the people around him. To his shock, neither the advisor nor the bodyguards moved. They even remained stupidly frozen in their original poses.

"They have all been poisoned by me."

Viper smiled faintly and said, "Hear me out. You have reached a dead end. Only Hydra can help you. We will support you in becoming president."

"You think I am that stupid? If I fail in the presidential election, the worst that happens is bankruptcy. It is not like I have never gone bankrupt before."

The candidate shouted, "If I get involved with Hydra, I will die without a whole corpse sooner or later. When has Hydra ever beaten the Blood God?"

"Just because we have not won before does not mean we cannot win in the future."

Viper smiled. "It seems I will have to give you some confidence first. This time tomorrow, I will invite you to visit Hydra’s base. Then, you will understand just how powerful Hydra truly is.

Do not refuse me, because you cannot afford to refuse. Besides, we are your only chance to make a comeback."

With that, Viper turned and left decisively. Once the door closed, the candidate let out a long sigh of relief, his back drenched in cold sweat.

Then, the candidate tugged at his tie and prepared to call the guards outside. At that moment, the advisor and the others all woke up.

The advisor had no idea what had happened before. He said, "Sir, I think you should use your identity as a candidate to make money, so you do not go bankrupt after losing the election."

The candidate was somewhat alarmed by Hydra’s methods. He asked, "How can I make money? Everyone thinks I am an idiot now."

The advisor stared at the candidate without saying anything. The candidate froze, then understood. Somewhat angrily, he said, "You want me to act like a clown and pretend to be an idiot?"

"With your current fame, you can make a great deal of money."

The advisor said, "Sir, every suggestion I make is for your benefit."

"I will think about it."

The candidate sighed helplessly. Then he remembered Viper’s invitation, and his heart stirred. Perhaps he should go take a look. If Hydra really had enough power, it might be worth the gamble.

The candidate still wanted to become president. He believed it was his destiny, and besides, being president was the most profitable business of all.