Chapter 75: Offense Is the Best Defense

Black Widow was taken aback and turned to glance at Egghead: The Avengers Initiative is such an important matter, and yet you just blurt it out like this—to someone we've only known for less than two weeks? Isn't that far too reckless? It doesn't fit your persona as the devious, cunning king of secret agents at all! Shouldn't you at least work together for a while before bringing this up?

Egghead ignored her; he had his own reasons. It had been over a decade since he fought side by side with Captain Marvel, resisting the Skrull invasion. Though they had managed to save Earth, Captain Marvel wasn't part of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Ant-Man had long since left. Now, with Hydra resurfacing and the threat of aliens ever-present, it was clear that interstellar relations were far less harmonious than many imagined. Should the Skrulls or some other extraterrestrial race invade again, who would defend Earth against threats both internal and external?

The sooner the Avengers Initiative began, the better.

As for sharing this with Master Wang, Iron Fist, or K’un-Lun? Ant-Man’s departure had already proven that superheroes could never be bound by S.H.I.E.L.D. or any other organization. The Avengers would inevitably be a loose alliance—he could assemble them, but never truly control them. As for K’un-Lun and Iron Fist, from all available information, he was fairly certain they posed no real threat.

If Hydra hadn’t reemerged, perhaps he wouldn’t feel so pressed. But now, urgency was unavoidable.

Because the first target for the Avengers would be Hydra itself...

Master Wang listened intently to Egghead’s words, calculating silently: Even without my involvement, Egghead would assemble the Avengers within a few months at most. The only difference is, he would have approached Iron Man first. Now, he’s come to me.

“There are many forces safeguarding this world. Earth’s continued survival, wedged between great interstellar civilizations and under the gaze of powerful beings from countless universes, is no accident. S.H.I.E.L.D. may understand this to some degree. K’un-Lun is one such guardian.” Master Wang spoke with mysterious depth, then—with a look of curiosity—asked, “A league of superheroes? Who are they, exactly? Are they as powerful as Captain America and the Winter Soldier?”

“...At the moment, there isn’t a single member.” Egghead had wanted to say that Black Widow and Hawkeye would join; after all, both possessed abilities beyond ordinary people—one had undergone physical enhancement, the other was innately gifted. By some measure, they could be considered superheroes. But now, he had lost his confidence.

Master Wang’s benchmark was Captain America and the Winter Soldier. The Winter Soldier was an enemy, so best not to mention him.

In the presence of Captain America, even Black Widow and Hawkeye together wouldn’t measure up...

Master Wang’s words cut deep. Egghead glanced at Black Widow, whose expression betrayed nothing, and quickly added, “Actually, there are a few, but that’s a S.H.I.E.L.D. secret.”

He thought of Ant-Man, who had long since gone his own way, and Captain Marvel, who had drifted apart. If only they could be brought on board, the Avengers’ standing would rise by several tiers.

But that would be exceedingly difficult.

Besides, Ant-Man was a stubborn, widowed old man who had no trust in S.H.I.E.L.D., and Captain Marvel’s situation was complicated—they were both troublesome. For now, best not to consider them.

Iron Fist seemed a far more practical option in comparison.

“I’ll inform Iron Fist about this. I think he’ll consider it,” Master Wang replied noncommittally.

He had no intention of joining either the Avengers or S.H.I.E.L.D. Even if Earth needed protection, he had his own plans. Why follow others when he could have them follow him? Master Wang was not someone who took orders—he preferred giving them.

To Master Wang, both the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. seemed somewhat tragic, a bit on the defensive. One only seeks vengeance after being wronged; one raises a shield after being struck. Captain America was always the one taking the hits, while the Winter Soldier with his powerful arm was the aggressor. Master Wang preferred to strike first.

Earth had always been on the defensive—because, in the vast expanse of the cosmos, Earth was indeed at a disadvantage.

Perhaps, with his own efforts, things could change...

“All right then, let’s discuss the specifics of our cooperation.”

Egghead had no intention of persuading Master Wang or the Iron Fist behind him with just a few words. In fact, if Master Wang had agreed on the spot, Egghead would have hesitated, suspecting some hidden agenda. The Avengers Initiative was brought up as a way to probe K’un-Lun’s intentions.

There’s a reason he’s called the “devious, cunning king of secret agents.”

Today was just the opening act. The real climax would only come through gradual guidance and ongoing negotiation. There would inevitably be friction along the way, but with sufficient lubrication, friction would become pleasure rather than pain—the result was bound to be favorable; the only question was who would take the initiative and who would follow.

Egghead fancied himself in the lead, but was beginning to realize that, compared to S.H.I.E.L.D., K’un-Lun was perhaps more robust, more resilient.

He had assumed that, after centuries or millennia of isolation, K’un-Lun would play a passive role, lacking experience in such matters. But Master Wang was anything but passive; his words were seasoned, and he seemed to understand Earth far better than S.H.I.E.L.D. did. His attitude represented K’un-Lun’s; his abilities matched those of S.H.I.E.L.D. itself. This made things complicated.

Patience would be required.

Black Widow accompanied Skye to a late-night eatery three hundred meters away to fetch supper for seven. Master Wang made sure to order dozens of extra marinated eggs for an all-night conversation with Egghead.

Before long, K’un-Lun and S.H.I.E.L.D. reached a comprehensive verbal agreement to cooperate in multiple areas—personnel, resources, intelligence, and more—and settled on their first joint mission:

Eradicating the Hand.

S.H.I.E.L.D., with its world-class intelligence network, would identify members of the Hand and dispatch trusted elite agents like Black Widow and Hawkeye to assist. The true main force, however, would be K’un-Lun.

S.H.I.E.L.D. was responsible for handling special incidents; K’un-Lun wanted to clean house. Master Wang and Egghead hit it off instantly, ready to take action.

To demonstrate sincerity, S.H.I.E.L.D. gifted thirty sets of titanium-alloy batons and gauntlets—the standard field agent equipment.

Master Wang was generous in return, offering a bottle of Baijiu infused with the essence of the Eternal Spring as a gift. As for the exact amount, he claimed he was always generous.

They talked from dusk till dawn. Egghead and Black Widow left, satisfied.

...

“Sir, why didn’t you ask about the Darkhold?” Black Widow asked as she drove, glancing at Egghead in puzzlement. Was he really willing to give up on the Darkhold, a book he’d sought for years?

“Because I suddenly realized something: We shouldn’t touch powers that don’t belong to humanity,” Egghead replied, sounding noble.

“Like the Cosmic Cube?” As a legendary agent and Egghead’s confidant, Black Widow knew well what S.H.I.E.L.D.’s tech division prized above all.

The Cosmic Cube wasn’t just another mysterious 084 artifact. Even the combined might of hundreds of such items couldn’t compare to the Cube.

If S.H.I.E.L.D. had already laid hands on the Cube, why fear the Darkhold?

“...” Egghead sighed. “The Darkhold is either in the hands of the Immortal Iron Fist or the Ghost Rider. And right now, I’m busy and don’t want to tangle with them. We’ll deal with it later.”

The corner of Black Widow’s mouth twitched. “I believe you.”