In the luxurious cabin of the private jet, Coulson's voice over the communication channel was as polite as ever, but Lin Huai could clearly sense that a one-eyed braised egg head was listening intently on the other end.
"Agent Coulson, before providing the script, I'd like to talk about my thoughts first."
Lin Huai leaned back on the sofa, spreading his hands in a gesture as sincere as could be.
"As for me, as you know, although I have this bit of insignificant power," he deliberately emphasized the word 'insignificant', "it's all bestowed by the gods. In the end, I'm just a weakling who could be taken out by a single bullet."
Then, in front of the holographic camera, he took out the deck of tarot cards and began shuffling them unhurriedly.
"I hope S.H.I.E.L.D. can help that big guy escape the Military's pursuit. It's simple for you; after all, you don't get along with General Ross's crowd anyway."
"I want him to join my... our little team; he'd make a great bodyguard." Lin Huai pointed at himself, then at Tony. "In exchange, I can tell you a very, very important secret. A secret concerning the survival and destruction of S.H.I.E.L.D. You know my credibility."
Tony immediately chimed in, crossing his legs and winking at the camera.
"Hey, Coulson, tell your one-eyed boss that this is one hell of a bodyguard." He gestured toward Happy, who was still suffering from airsickness in the corner. "The kind that can take on a hundred Happys. This kind of talent is perfect for our elite squad."
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the line.
Fury's raspy voice broke in directly: "Mr. Lin, tell me the secret first, and then I will 'consider' your proposal."
Hearing this expected answer, Lin Huai didn't argue. Instead, he laughed, his laughter full of playfulness and understanding.
"Director Fury, a mere 'consideration' from you doesn't carry enough weight." Lin Huai's tone remained flat, showing no emotion. "A secret that could change the future of the World in exchange for a 'consideration'? That deal doesn't sound very fair."
He paused, then changed the subject, his tone as casual as if they were just chatting.
"Actually, it's not like we absolutely need S.H.I.E.L.D.'s help."
He turned to Tony and asked in a consultative tone, "Tony, if we protect him ourselves without going through official channels, will it affect you much?"
"Yes," Tony admitted frankly, then shifted his gaze to the [Strength] card on top of the tarot cards in Lin Huai's hand, revealing a knowing smile. "But I think it's worth it. Those Military guys are nothing more than dogs for the old men on Capitol Hill. In the end, it's just a matter of more or less money. And me—I might not have much else, but I have plenty of money."
Lin Huai nodded understandingly; it seemed he had gotten the answer he wanted.
He turned his gaze back to the camera, the smile vanishing from his face, replaced by a straightforward, emotionless tone of notification.
"It seems we are capable of solving this problem ourselves. Director Fury, since we can't agree on the price for cooperation, we'll just have to see who can get what they want faster."
He didn't use the word "competitor," but the implication was even colder.
"Tony, go back and upgrade your tin can. As for me, I need to go back and perform a proper blessing to ask my Lord for a new revelation."
"Once we're ready, we'll go pick up our next team member."
Having said that, Lin Huai snapped his fingers at Jarvis.
"Jarvis, hang up."
"Certainly, sir."
The communication was cut off cleanly.
Silence returned to the cabin. Tony curled his lip and complained to the air, "What's a measly spy chief acting so high and mighty for? Once I get the Suitcase Armor done, I'll paradrop directly into his office next time."
Lin Huai smiled but didn't respond. The plane steadily turned around and flew back the way it came.
---
Night fell, and the plane landed smoothly on the private helipad of the Malibu mansion.
The sea breeze blew in with a salty, damp scent. Tony stretched, his brow furrowing instinctively at the dull pain of palladium poisoning in his chest. He returned to the living room, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and looked at Lin Huai, who was sitting alone by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the pitch-black sea.
"Still thinking about that one-eyed guy?" Tony walked over and sat down beside him. "Don't worry, I've already had Jarvis start a global search for that big green guy. As soon as he shows up, my new toy will be able to pack him up and take him away immediately."
"I'm just curious," Lin Huai turned his head, "what card our uncooperative Director will play against us."
As he spoke, he took out the exquisite deck of tarot cards from his pocket and spread them out on the smooth coffee table, creating a perfect fan shape with a flourish.
"Doing it again? Let me see, is it a desktop shortcut this time, or do you need to request permission?" Tony immediately became interested and leaned in.
Lin Huai ignored his teasing. He simply closed his eyes, his aura settling as his fingers brushed over the smooth backs of the cards. His spirituality flowed like water, connecting with the boundless gray fog.
He silently recited his question in his mind.
"How will Nick Fury act?"
His fingertip paused slightly on a card, as if drawn by some invisible force. Without hesitation, Lin Huai followed the feeling and drew the card.
He flipped it over.
On the card, a solemn goddess sat upon a stone throne. She wore a crown symbolizing Justice, her right hand holding a double-edged sword pointing toward the sky, and her left hand holding a pair of scales. The scales were perfectly balanced, neither side higher than the other.
Major Arcana – [XI. Justice].
Causality, Balance, Truth, Justice.
The moment Lin Huai's fingertip touched the card, a cold thought surged into his mind through the spiritual connection. His vision shifted abruptly; the luxurious interior of the mansion receded like a tide, replaced by rapidly flashing scenes from another place.
His gaze pierced through physical barriers, arriving at a top-secret training Base.
Inside the empty training room, the one-eyed man, Nick Fury, stood with his hands behind his back in front of a blonde man.
His focus narrowed on the blonde man. He had a determined face, and his eyes held a hint of confusion and wariness that seemed out of place in the modern environment, but more than that, they held an unshakeable sense of integrity.
On a giant holographic screen, footage of the Hulk's rampage in the favelas of Rocinha was playing. Buildings collapsed like toy blocks, and the Military's attacks were like mere scratches.
"His name is Bruce Banner, a top scientist," Fury's voice echoed in Lin Huai's "ears," sounding exceptionally cold. "The product of a Gamma Radiation accident. Now, he's a walking, uncontrollable weapon of mass destruction."
However, the man named Steve Rogers didn't let his gaze linger on the explosions and destruction.
His gaze pierced through the terrifying green muscle, locking firmly onto the Hulk's eyes.
There was no brutality there, no desire for slaughter.
Only pain, confusion, and an extreme fear of being hunted by the entire World.
That was no Beast.
That was a soul trapped in a cage, not knowing how to cry out to the outside World for help.
At this moment, Steve seemed to see his thin, weak self from decades ago, cornered in a Brooklyn alleyway by bullies taller and stronger than him. The same helplessness, the same anger, the same bewilderment.
His fists slowly clenched.
"I'm in," Steve said in a low voice, interrupting Fury.
He turned around and looked directly into Fury's one eye, his gaze firm and unquestionable.
"But, Director, my bottom line is this: my responsibility is to control the situation and protect civilians. Not to capture a suffering man and bring him back to be studied as a weapon."
These words seemed to resonate with the [Justice] card in Lin Huai's hand, a sense of awe-inspiring righteousness emanating from the scene.
In the vision, Fury watched him in silence for a long moment before finally nodding.
Steve said no more and turned toward the other side of the room. There, a brand-new uniform and a star shield were quietly waiting for their Master.
He donned the combat suit belonging to this new era and buckled the familiar shield onto his arm.
The shield was as heavy and reliable as ever, just like his unwavering convictions.
The divination scene ended there.
Lin Huai's consciousness snapped back. He was still in the living room of the Malibu mansion, with Tony looking at him curiously.
He lowered his head, his gaze falling back onto the [Justice] card, a playful smile curling the corners of his mouth.
So that's how it is.
"Interesting." Lin Huai put the card away and looked at Tony.
"What is it? What did you see?" Tony pressed. "Did that braised egg head get so angry he trashed his office?"
"No, it's much more interesting than that." Lin Huai leaned back on the sofa, picking up his glass and swirling the drink gently.
"Our competitor has also drawn a very powerful trump card from his deck."
"A... living legend."