Chapter 23:
Seaside VillaDusk
Yang Jian pushed open the door. Warm light spilled across the entryway.
"Welcome back, sir." Origin's voice came from the villa's sound system, tone gentle.
"Hm." Yang Jian casually hung his coat on the rack and walked toward the living room.
"There is one matter I need to report." Origin continued.
"Tony Stark's artificial intelligence JARVIS is attempting to reverse-track our location."
Yang Jian paused mid-step, asking with interest: "Have you blocked it?"
"Already blocked. The other party cannot trace the exact coordinates."
"Unblock it. Let him come find us." Yang Jian said calmly.
"Just in time. I'd like to meet this world's soul figure."
Origin responded immediately: "Understood, sir."
Wanda was sitting on the living room carpet. A ball of scarlet chaos energy hovered between her hands.
Her brow was slightly furrowed, as if attempting some complex magical structure.
"The energy flow is too impatient." Yang Jian walked to her side and lightly tapped with a finger. The scarlet energy instantly became gentle.
"Chaos magic isn't brute force—it's weaving."
Wanda looked up at him, eyes carrying a trace of frustration: "I can never control the details properly."
"Take it slow." Yang Jian sat on the sofa beside her.
"Magic is like music—it needs rhythm."
Ten Minutes Later
Origin's voice rang out again.
"Sir, Tony Stark has arrived outside the villa."
Yang Jian gave a slight smile: "Let him in."
The villa's main door slid open automatically. A gold-red Iron Man suit walked in.
The faceplate flipped up, revealing Tony Stark's signature face—complete with a roguish grin.
"Wow, this place is even more luxurious than I imagined." He looked around, his gaze finally landing on Yang Jian.
Because of the bio-field, Tony Stark had no idea Yang Jian was the one who defeated Hulk.
"JARVIS says your AI tech is impressive—actually managed to counter his tracking."
"Origin." Yang Jian raised a hand.
"Say hello."
"Hello, Mr. Stark." Origin's voice carried a hint of teasing.
"JARVIS's algorithm is excellent, but it's still missing a soul."
Tony raised an eyebrow: "My AI just got roasted? That's a first."
Yang Jian gestured for him to sit: "So, Mr. Stark, what brings you all the way here?"
Tony shrugged and sat directly on the sofa: "Nothing major. Just wanted to see who could invent an AI like that."
"Now you've seen him." Yang Jian leaned back on the sofa.
"Any questions?"
Tony stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed: "You're quite the character."
For the first time, he felt a subtle pressure from someone else.
Yang Jian's eyes held no reverence, no hostility, not even any real interest in the conversation.
It was as if he had already seen through everything.
"Interested in being friends?" Tony suddenly asked.
Yang Jian gave a light laugh, picked up the bottle of red wine on the coffee table, and poured two glasses: "Of course."
The two clinked glasses and downed them in one go.
"Wanda." Yang Jian looked toward the kitchen. "Prepare some fruit."
Wanda nodded obediently and got up to leave. (Note: In this universe, Stark Industries missiles did not destroy Wanda's home.)
Tony's gaze followed her back, smiling: "You're lucky to have such a beauty by your side."
Yang Jian didn't respond, just looked at him calmly.
Tony wasn't embarrassed. He pulled a gold-embossed invitation from his suit's inner pocket and slid it toward Yang Jian: "There's a private party tonight. Only interesting people will be there."
Yang Jian picked up the invitation and glanced at it: "Your party?"
"More or less." Tony stood up.
"Of course, if you get bored, feel free to leave early."
"I'll consider it."
Tony nodded. The faceplate closed. He walked toward the door: "See you tonight then."
The suit's thrusters ignited. He shot into the sky and disappeared into the night.
Wanda returned to the living room with a fruit plate and saw Yang Jian sitting on the sofa, watching the direction Tony had left.
"Yang, are you going?" she asked softly.
Yang Jian took the fruit plate and picked up a grape: "Why not?"
"Sometimes when you're bored, it's good to go see what the outside world is like."
...
Night in New York – Brilliant Lights
A dark silver Ferrari slowly pulled up in front of Manhattan's most luxurious hotel. The low, rumbling engine drew glances from passersby and reporters alike.
One hand on the wheel, the other resting on the window ledge. A low-key platinum watch peeked from beneath the black suit cuff.
The door rose like butterfly wings. Yang Jian stepped out. His black bespoke suit looked even more noble under the lights.
Reporters immediately raised cameras; flashbulbs went off like crazy.
"Who is that?" someone whispered.
"No idea, but showing up in a car like that to a Stark party—he's definitely no ordinary rich guy."
Yang Jian walked the red carpet with one hand in his pocket, scanning the crowd with an indifferent expression.
Just as he stepped onto it, a bigger commotion erupted nearby.
"Tony Stark is here!"
An Audi R8 stopped at the end of the red carpet. The door opened.
Tony Stark stepped out wearing his signature sunglasses, a roguish grin on his face.
The moment he appeared, reporters swarmed. Flashbulbs nearly blinded everyone.
"Move aside—Iron Man needs to replenish his alcohol."
Tony waved casually, arms around two supermodels, striding forward.
As he passed a white-haired old man, he patted the man's shoulder: "Hey, Larry."
The old man froze, turned around: "Who called me?"
Tony was already gone. The old man muttered "What the hell?" and was pulled back into the party by his companion.
Tony reached the hotel entrance and spotted Yang Jian standing there. He raised an eyebrow; his grin deepened.
"Hey, look who showed up." Tony strode forward, greeting him with exaggerated flair.
"I thought you'd be at home watching my news."
Yang Jian gave a faint smile: "Sometimes it's nice to come see how you pick up girls."
Tony burst out laughing, then slung an arm around a supermodel and walked into the hotel with Yang Jian.
This immediately drew everyone's attention.
"Tony Stark actually approached that guy?"
"Who the hell is he?"
"No idea, but he's definitely someone important!"
Banquet Hall
Champagne clinked, beautiful people mingled.
The moment Tony entered, he became the center of attention. He casually took two flutes of champagne from a waiter's tray, handed one to Yang Jian, and led him toward the central sofa area.
"Come on, kid—enjoy yourself tonight." Tony plopped down and patted the spot next to him, motioning for Yang Jian to sit.
Yang Jian sat. Almost immediately, several socialites and models gathered around, naturally settling beside them.
Tony had a girl on each arm, laughing and clinking glasses. Yang Jian also had two beauties beside him, already holding champagne flutes ready to toast.
"How's that?" Tony winked and leaned in to whisper.
"Not bad." Yang Jian replied calmly.
Tony laughed and raised his glass: "Then cheers!"
The two clinked and drank.
Tony set his glass down and scanned the hall.
Suddenly he pointed at a well-dressed man laughing and chatting with investors in the distance.
"See that guy?" Tony lowered his voice.
"Justine Hammer, CEO of Hammer Industries—a fool who thinks he can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with me."
Yang Jian followed his gaze and nodded: "Indeed. A clown."
Tony nearly spat out his drink: "What?"
Yang Jian just smiled without answering.
At that moment, a black man in a suit walked over.
Without ceremony, he pushed aside the beauty next to Tony and sat down beside him.
"Tony, what are you up to now?" Colonel Rhodes frowned.
"The Department of Defense is going crazy. Where's the armor data you promised?"
Tony rolled his eyes: "Rhodes, relax. Tonight's party time."
Rhodes sighed helplessly, then noticed Yang Jian and paused slightly: "And this is?"
"Oh, right." Tony patted Yang Jian's shoulder.
"This is Yang Jian, my new friend—a real genius."
Rhodes extended his hand politely: "James Rhodes, Air Force Colonel."
Yang Jian shook it: "Yang Jian."
Rhodes frowned slightly—Yang Jian's grip was shockingly strong, almost painful.
Tony didn't notice Rhodes' reaction. He just laughed and raised his glass: "Alright, Rhodes—no business tonight. Come on, cheers!"
Rhodes shook his head helplessly but still raised his glass.
Thanks for sticking with the story until the end of this chapter!
Seeing readers enjoy the translation and leave comments/motivation keeps me energized to translate more.
Want to help support the translation and get early access to upcoming chapters?
Feel free to drop by my Patreon: Patreon.com/arthursink