"That prince? He doesn't look much like a prince, but he has a good aura."
Jessica acknowledged first, then expressed doubt: "Then all our preparations in Africa were wasted?"
"How is it a waste if we don't need to use those weapons?" Matt said quietly. Jessica gave him a look, not caring if he could see it or not.
"What do you know? We transported those weapons there a long time ago, captured three people as bargaining chips, and I've been looking forward to this big battle for ages!"
Matt retorted indignantly: "You just want to invade!"
Jessica didn't back down: "That's right, I want to take all the Vibranium, even that entire country, for myself. So what?"
Matt weighed his own capabilities and silently lowered his head.
Anyway, since your boss said we're not fighting, that means I win! Hong Fei soothed: "It's fine. If we can't use them this time, there will be other opportunities, and I believe it won't be too long. The key is whether the objective has been achieved. From the very beginning, my goal was the Vibranium. Now that goal is within reach. The focus of this operation is the result, not the process."
Jessica pouted: "But I remember you, boss, saying the process itself was also one of the objectives."
"Times change... Hey, wait, are you telling me how to do my job?"
Hong Fei suddenly raised an eyebrow at her. The dissatisfaction on Jessica's face instantly vanished, replaced by a thick layer of sycophantic expression. Hong Fei glared at her in annoyance, then followed her onto the aircraft.
If it weren't for T'Challa, Hong Fei would have inevitably caused great bloodshed in Wakanda this time, as only that could make the Wakandans 'willingly' hand over the Vibranium. However, as the saying goes, plans can't keep up with changes.
Since T'Challa was sensible enough and had value in being won over, and Hong Fei's impression of him was quite good, and there was even a female fan there, changing the plan temporarily wasn't a big issue. From start to finish, all plans were set by him alone. He could do whatever he wanted, and naturally, there was no room for dissent. This wasn't the Avengers. The aircraft took off.
Over in Africa, Bronski had already begun to move. But Hong Fei received a call request from Tony.
"Yes, it was me, but if someone bullies me, I can't just take it lying down, can I? Isn't it a bit much for you to keep chasing me like this? I'm telling you, if you do this again next time, I'm going to lose my temper!"
After finishing his sentence in one breath, Hong Fei directly powered off his phone and casually tossed it into a corner. In the New York Avengers Tower, Tony listened to the busy tone in his ear, his expression momentarily blank.
"Tony, what's wrong?" Steve asked with utmost concern. Tony snapped back to reality and quickly shook his head: "It's nothing."
However, the moment he lowered his head, his eyebrows involuntarily furrowed together: Could he really be angry? Steve asked with a smile: "Was it him?"
"Yes, it was him." Steve said with a tone of emotion: "I told you, we've all seen that dragon. But then again, now he truly lives up to the name Dragon King."
"Aren't you worried he might stir up some complicated trouble?"
"No. He knows his limits, and he always has long-term goals and plans."
"You've never had any doubts?"
"Of course I've had doubts, but he always manages to dispel them."
"Even if he does something wrong?"
Steve looked at Tony, suddenly stepped forward a few paces, personally poured him a glass of wine, then handed the glass to Tony.
With a sincere gaze, he said: "Tony, trust my intuition, trust my judgment. I know he's not a hero in the conventional sense, nor is he the kind of good person we might have hoped to see. But as a friend, as a comrade-in-arms who shares the same ideals, we can always trust him."
Tony took the glass, his expression momentarily complex.
"By the way, what do you think of Yelena?"
Tony gave an approving nod.
"Not bad."
"I think so too. While her combat skills overlap with Natasha's, the sisters have completely different personalities. And I appreciate Yelena's strict adherence to orders."
"Because you're a soldier."
"True. But even though the Avengers aren't soldiers, we still need team discipline."
Steve had originally planned to suggest bringing Hong Fei over, but Tony's expression and their history of disagreements made him hesitate. He covered the pause with a bright smile.
"Can I go next time?"
Tony stared blankly.
In Africa, the nation of Wakanda appeared clearly on any map. Yet visitors would only find classic African landscapes here—towering mountains, sweeping plains, and great winding rivers. The region teemed with wildlife and the world-famous, seemingly primitive Wakandan tribes. These isolated communities never traded with outsiders, appearing perfectly content in their self-sufficient seclusion.
The entire world believed Wakanda remained an undeveloped third-world country. But the real target wasn't the visible territory on maps—it was the advanced core region hidden beneath Wakanda's energy shield.
As their aircraft entered Wakanda's airspace, it suddenly dropped to just a few hundred meters above ground. Crossing a hill revealed a startling sight—a vast plain filled with modern military equipment. Dozens of wheeled rocket launchers stood in formation, barrels raised. The Abomination—Emil Blonsky's transformed state—loomed nearby, gripping a mace thicker than a man's torso, radiating menace.
Further ahead, armored vehicles surrounded by black-clad soldiers waited in formation. Their uniforms bore subtle golden dragon insignias at the collars and cuffs—a new design. The aircraft roared overhead as the Abomination bellowed a greeting. Immediately, soldiers scrambled into their vehicles.
Engines roared to life as the convoy charged forward while the aircraft slowed. Xu Wenwu stood in his signature white Zhongshan suit, sleeves neatly rolled to his elbows to display the Ten Rings. He gazed down at the herders and livestock dotting the plain below.
"If Wakanda's true technological level matches your description, they should have detected us by now—even without those herders down there."
Hong Fei shrugged.
"So what if they have? They won't reveal themselves easily."
Xu Wenwu shot him a look.
"Didn't you have them prepare?"
"I warned them. Maybe they chose not to listen. Or perhaps they simply don't believe we can strike the real Wakanda."
"That confident?"
The corner of Xu Wenwu's mouth curled. Hong Fei smiled back.
"Their confidence will surprise you."
Inside Wakanda's hidden capital, tracking systems had indeed locked onto the approaching aircraft. King T'Chaka, Queen Ramonda, Princess Shuri, and Royal Guard leader Okoye stood before a massive display showing not just the aircraft, but the advancing armored column and waiting rocket launchers.
"Do they truly think such weapons can threaten Wakanda?"
Okoye's voice dripped with disdain.
Shuri's worried expression contrasted sharply.
"These weapons may be inferior to ours, but they can still harm our people. The real danger comes from that aircraft—and they're holding my brother."
The Queen turned to her husband. T'Chaka's face remained impassive.
"No one threatens Wakanda."
The aircraft and armored vehicles maintained a steady pace across the landscape, moving in tandem. Through the windows, the group observed Wakanda's carefully curated exterior—tribal settlements dotting the terrain, grim-faced warriors galloping across plains on horseback.
Ulysses alternated between studying his computer screen and the passing scenery. Suddenly he pointed ahead.
"There."
The aircraft slowed to hover above the designated coordinates. As the rear hatch opened, the group leaped from the dizzying height. The vessel then banked sharply, ascending into the clouds.
Before them stretched an unbroken expanse of forested hills, seamlessly blending with the surrounding wilderness.
"This is it."
Ulysses exhaled sharply, shaking his head.
"Never thought I'd see this place again."
"How'd you get in last time?" Hong Fei asked.
The smuggler smirked.
"Had an inside man. Wakandans can open temporary gaps in their energy shield at ground level. If they hadn't caught me, I'd still be running vibranium shipments."
Hong Fei took point, his long strides eating up the distance. Xu Wenwu and the others fell into formation behind him, while further back, armored vehicles kicked up swirling dust clouds. Mounted machine guns gleamed under the sun, artillery crews made final adjustments, and the metallic clicks of loading weapons punctuated the air. Though their numbers were modest, their lethal precision hung palpable in the atmosphere.
Hong Fei moved with casual confidence, no trace of tension in his bearing. Xu Wenwu stepped forward.
Ulysses scrambled aside. He didn't know the man's identity, but the Ten Rings coiled around his forearms—mirroring Hong Fei's—spoke volumes.
"Direct assault or diplomacy first?" Xu Wenwu asked.
Hong Fei grinned and snapped his fingers. Two unconscious figures—T'Challa and Erik—were dragged forward. Wakanda's energy shield rendered the forest ahead indistinguishable from reality: wind rustling through branches, birds wheeling overhead, every detail flawlessly simulated.
"T'Chaka!"
Hong Fei's voice lashed across the landscape.
"Show yourself, or we'll consider your silence consent to begin this war with their lives as the opening salvo. Your choice."
Dragon Power shimmered through the air, coiling around the princes' throats. Their limp bodies levitated, suspended like macabre puppets.
A beat of silence. Then the forest illusion tore like tissue paper. The wilderness dissolved, revealing a gleaming metropolis nestled between mountain ranges—towering spires lining a broad river, aircraft darting between buildings. Only the faint hexagonal shimmer of the energy barrier remained, separating the invaders from the city.
A tide of Wakandan warriors surged forward, their aircraft swooping low with blue energy pulsing beneath their hulls. Within moments, a bristling wall of armed defenders stood assembled behind the shield.
Hong Fei's gaze locked onto the regal figure at their forefront.
"T'Chaka. Pity our reunion had to be like this."