Chapter 190: Identity Exposed? Xi Nian and S.H.I.E.L.D.!
"Hm."
In the car, Xi Nian suddenly frowned.
"What is it?" The one-eyed Black man glanced at him.
"Nothing."
Xi Nian shrugged. For a brief moment, it felt like someone somewhere was talking about him.
"Let's get back to the real topic, Uncle."
Sitting casually in the car, Xi Nian tapped his thigh with his finger and grinned. "No, I should say… Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. What's a big shot like you doing coming to see me personally?"
"I've investigated you. Your former assistant instructor, Natasha Romanoff, is one of my agents."
Nick Fury switched the car into autopilot and leaned back in the driver's seat. It was his opening line—both a show of sincerity and a warning.
"And?" Xi Nian looked a little surprised. "Why investigate me?"
In truth, he had guessed the moment Natasha appeared at school as his assistant instructor.
"You should know this," Fury said slowly. "Your guardian is a Justice League member—a superhero. Wonder Woman."
Xi Nian hesitated, then nodded. Pretending ignorance here would've been pointless.
At the same time, understanding flashed in his eyes.
So this was why S.H.I.E.L.D. had targeted him.
At first, when Natasha appeared, he thought it was because his identities as the Cat Trinity or the Magnetic Spider-King had been exposed.
But later he realized it wasn't that.
After all, Natasha had fought Cheetah to protect him. That proved she didn't know his real identity, or even that he had extraordinary powers.
Which meant the problem lay with his aunt.
When his aunt Wonder Woman kept appearing on the world stage as one of the Justice League's founding heroes, of course S.H.I.E.L.D. would start investigating her hidden identity.
And then they would've discovered something shocking—
That the demigod Wonder Woman had adopted and raised a human boy.
For whatever reason, S.H.I.E.L.D. would want to know where he came from, and whether he really was just an ordinary human.
But one thing puzzled Xi Nian.
From the way he'd acted in front of Natasha last time, his abilities shouldn't have been exposed.
So why approach him again?
Nick Fury soon gave the answer. "That cat of yours at home… it's not an ordinary cat, is it?"
"You mean Xiao Huang?"
Xi Nian froze.
He quickly ran through his memories, trying to recall when Xiao Huang might've revealed herself—but came up blank.
Still, the fact that Fury asked so directly meant he already knew.
Xi Nian didn't bother to deny it. "Yeah, Xiao Huang has powers normal cats don't."
Fury's one good eye grew deep and somber. "If I'm not mistaken, it's a Flerken."
"A… Flerken?"
"That's right. A species from outer space. Extremely powerful, extremely dangerous."
Fury lifted the black eyepatch over his left eye, revealing the scars underneath and the lifeless, milky eyeball. "I was clawed by a Flerken. The wound never healed. Even with transplants, this eye will never see again."
"Xiao Huang is that strong?!" Xi Nian's eyes shone with excitement.
"…"
Fury had meant it as a warning, but it seemed to have backfired.
"If you're willing, we can take that young Flerken off your hands," Fury said gravely. "We'll make sure it receives the best care."
Xi Nian blinked.
So S.H.I.E.L.D.'s real target wasn't him, or Wanda.
It was the house cat.
Seriously?
Out of all the extraordinary beings at home, they'd locked onto the cat?
And this legendary Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. came here… just to scam a cat?
…
"I trust Xiao Huang. She'd never hurt me. I want to keep her by my side."
Xi Nian refused outright, then added bluntly, "How about this, Director Fury—you can talk it over with my aunt instead."
Talk with Wonder Woman?
Fury went silent.
Back when the Justice League was first forming, he had already spoken with Batman.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had once hoped to merge the Justice League with the Avengers into one massive team. But while both groups wanted to protect Earth, their philosophies and methods were worlds apart.
The Avengers, with Iron Man and Captain America as their twin pillars, were decisive, pragmatic, and flexible.
The Justice League, led by Batman and Superman, upheld ideals of justice and refused to kill.
Core beliefs clashed.
The result: cooperation was possible, but union was impossible.
To avoid stepping on each other's toes, they had settled into a subtle balance.
In New York, the Avengers usually handled threats. In Gotham and Metropolis, the Justice League took point.
They were rivals, but allies of convenience.
Kind of like Gwen and Kara, really.
Only this time, the "cake" wasn't Xi Nian—it was the Earth itself.
…
"How about this."
Realizing he couldn't treat Diana's adopted son like a gullible kid, Fury changed tactics. "There may be times we'll need the Flerken's abilities. Could we borrow it then?"
"Ah, so that's it. You should've just said so."
Xi Nian chuckled. "If it's just borrowing, we can discuss renting Xiao Huang out."
Fury blinked, half convinced the boy was just a small-time hustler. Still, he nodded. "Alright. How much for a rental?"
"Cheap price. Ten billion a day." Xi Nian said it without hesitation.
"…"
Did this kid think billions of dollars were game coins?
Seeing Fury's expression darken, Xi Nian waved. "Fine, I'll discount it—one billion."
"Thirty million. That's my ceiling." Fury's tone was firm.
"Deal." Xi Nian nodded immediately, as if he'd just sold Xiao Huang off without a second thought.
A thirty-million-a-day contract, closed just like that. If word got out, it would shock the world.
"Oh, and I'll need to see your S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters," Xi Nian added casually. "I want to check what kind of environment Xiao Huang would be working in."
"Fine." Fury considered, then agreed. "This weekend. Bring the Flerken with you, and I'll arrange for you to visit headquarters."
"OK."
Xi Nian's tapping finger stilled as he smiled.
He hadn't really planned to lend Xiao Huang.
But the chance to enter S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters—and maybe find clues about Wanda's brother—was too good to pass up.
As for Xiao Huang, no problem. If anything went wrong, she could retreat immediately. Between her Flerken powers and the Venom symbiote, nothing could pin her down.
S.H.I.E.L.D., so closely tied to the Avengers…
Xi Nian couldn't help but wonder. Aside from Black Widow, were there any other extraordinary women in that organization?
Purely out of curiosity, of course.
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