"So... that backward agricultural nation... those impoverished people who can't even afford shoes..." Tony's voice was dry, as if his throat were filled with a handful of sand.
"It was merely a necessary disguise to avoid the eyes of the secular World." Speaking of this, T'Challa gave Lin Huai a deep look, his eyes filled with immense complexity.
This outsider not only knew Wakanda's deepest secrets but was even fully aware of their disguises.
"Tony," Lin Huai walked up to him and lightly nudged the petrified genius with his elbow, a mischievous grin on his face as if he were enjoying the chaos. "About that bet... what kind of bald look do you prefer? Is it the 'local supporting the central' Mediterranean style, or a completely barren marinated egg? For a friend's sake, I can help you divine the most powerful 'Tony' stylist on Earth."
Tony Stark turned his head stiffly. He stared at Lin Huai's punchable smiling face, then looked back at that dreamlike city of the future, and finally let out a long, long sigh.
He had lost.
T'Challa paid no mind to the turmoil in the hearts of the Avengers. He led everyone onto a uniquely shaped maglev aircraft and headed straight for the most magnificent pyramid building in the center of the city.
The interior space of the aircraft once again refreshed Tony's understanding. There were no physical buttons; a holographic interface only emerged when a palm drew near.
"It's quieter and smoother than any of my planes," Tony couldn't help but whisper to Banner. "This isn't scientific. What exactly is the principle behind its anti-gravity engine?"
The aircraft finally stopped in a massive council chamber at the top of the pyramid. The entire hall was a perfect circle, with a giant holographic round table in the center projecting a three-dimensional map of Wakanda. On the high dome, blue energy patterns flowed like a galaxy.
"Now, we can talk." After settling everyone in, T'Challa got straight to the point. "Tell me everything you know."
Steve was the first to give a detailed account of the slaughterhouse they found in the jungle, the mangled animal remains, and the process of their first encounter with the Evil-Patterned Black Panther and the interference from the tribal people.
Dr. Banner added from a scientific perspective: "Its aggressive behavior is completely inconsistent with biological instinct; it's a pure venting for the sake of destruction and killing. Furthermore, its illusion ability isn't a simple optical illusion; it's more like a mental interference acting directly on the cerebral cortex. It's very troublesome."
"You're right, Doctor." T'Challa's expression darkened. "Over the past few months, I've led teams to capture it three times. Every time, we failed because of those eerie illusions that trigger one's deepest inner fears."
He paused, a flash of unconcealable sadness appearing in his eyes.
"You call it the 'Demon Panther,' but to me, it was once my partner, the most spiritual friend in the tribe who was most hopeful to guard this nation alongside me. Until three months ago, when it became crazed and bloodthirsty without warning, even starting to attack the citizens at the border. I must personally deal with this stain."
"Pollution..." T'Challa raised his head, his gaze fixed firmly on Lin Huai. "What exactly is this 'chaotic rule from outside the World' that you mentioned?"
At this moment, everyone's eyes were pinned on Lin Huai.
"It's a kind of... divine pollution, or in terms you can understand, a mental-level Erosion." Lin Huai sat steadily in his chair and began his bluff. "There are countless rules in the Universe. Gravity is a rule, time is a rule, and light is a rule. And what is polluting that Black Panther is a rule mastered by a powerful existence. That existence is too strong, and the panther is too weak. When power cannot be mastered, chaos ensues."
"It didn't choose that Black Panther by chance," Lin Huai continued. "I suspect it inherently possessed the capacity to carry the Beyonder power because, in the eyes of your citizens, it should be regarded to some extent as the incarnation of the panther god Bast. This is like forcibly stuffing a piece of viral code into a pre-written circuit board, eventually causing its system to crash."
This half-true, half-false "explanation" made T'Challa believe completely, because it explained all of his confusion.
"So, how do we deal with it?" T'Challa asked the most critical question. "That group of believers misled by it is the biggest obstacle. We cannot take action against our own people."
"Of course you can't." Lin Huai stood up with a smile and walked to the holographic round table, his confident gaze sweeping over everyone present. "Since it was once the incarnation of the panther god you recognized, related places will have enough attraction for it. Additionally, it is currently exhibiting bloodlust and cruelty, so some sacrificial offerings can also lure it in."
"What do you want to do?" Tony asked.
"First, we need a suitable stage." Lin Huai looked at T'Challa. "A location that is remote enough and easy to blockade, yet possesses the special significance I just mentioned to actively attract that Black Panther."
T'Challa thought for a moment and immediately marked a location on the holographic map. "The Valley of the Kings. It's an abandoned altar on the outskirts of the resting place of our nation's past kings. It's said that it was the original site for communicating with the 'panther god.' Very few people go there now."
"Excellent." Lin Huai snapped his fingers. "Then, we need an audience and bait. Its 'audience' is that group of fanatical believers; their prayers can be sensed by that panther. As for the bait..."
He grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. "...I'll play that part. I'll use some 'little tricks' to create realistic 'living beings' with the breath of life and hold a grand fake'sacrificial ceremony' around the altar. This three-pronged preparation will be enough to make it come out on its own."
"You're going alone? That's too dangerous!!!" Steve immediately objected.
"Of course not alone." Lin Huai waved his hand. "This is a carefully choreographed play; everyone has their own role."
He pointed to the holographic map and began assigning tasks, his demeanor exactly like a stage director in control of everything.
"Prince T'Challa and Captain Steve, you are the 'lead actors' of this grand play. Once that Black Panther is lured to the center of the altar by me, you need to draw its full attention from the front, using your powerful melee capabilities and Vibranium equipment to pin it down in the center of the stage."
"Tony, you are the 'lighting' and'sound' for this performance." He looked at Tony. "Dr. Banner was right; the key lies in cracking its illusions. You'll collaborate with Wakanda's scientists. Based on the intelligence provided by Prince T'Challa—that every time the Black Panther activates an illusion, the brightness of the purple patterns on its body increases sharply—you need to immediately develop a device that can capture this energy fluctuation and emit a counter-frequency, providing the two 'lead actors' with an interference-free performance environment."
Upon hearing he could collaborate with this super-technological power, Tony's displeasure was instantly replaced by excitement: "No problem. Give me a laboratory, and I can build you an earplug that can block out the words of God Almighty."
"As for Dr. Banner..." Lin Huai's gaze fell on the last person.
Banner nervously pushed up his glasses. "I... what can I do?"
"You are the most magnificent 'curtain call' of our grand play." Lin Huai's smile held a hint of unquestionable calmness. "When it is worn down and restrained, exhausted, we need a decisive force to complete the final purification. That big green guy is the best candidate."
The plan was assigned. It was a perfect proposal combining mysticism, top-tier technology, and extraordinary martial force. Everyone had their place, and every part was interconnected.
T'Challa gave Lin Huai a deep look. He was not only won over by the ingenuity of the plan but even more shocked by this outsider's precise grasp of his companions' abilities.
"Fine." He nodded heavily, representing Wakanda in agreeing to this international cooperation. "My sister, Shuri, will open the Royal Laboratory for Mr. Stark. The Royal Guard will be responsible for the perimeter blockade to ensure no civilians stumble into the Valley of the Kings. Tonight, you will rest here."
A consensus was reached.
"Then I wish us a successful performance in advance." Like a magic trick, Lin Huai pulled a deck of tarot cards from his sleeve, spinning them nimbly at his fingertips, his smile full of confidence and anticipation.
"The audience is in place. The show is about to begin."