One-Eyed Dragon couldn't understand why Tony Stark carried so much resentment. You keep insisting you don't care about age, yet everything about the way you act says otherwise.
He paused, then continued."Steve is actually easy to get along with. He has the simplicity and kindness of someone from another time. If you met him, I think you two could become good friends."
Tony Stark glanced at Hill, who was wiping her lips with a tissue, and said,"Steve is nothing more than an enhanced version of an ordinary man. His combat ability is probably on par with Natasha's. At that level, I could give you a set of Hellfire Armor and wipe out a platoon in an instant. Relics should fade with the times instead of pretending to be something more."
One-Eyed Dragon hadn't expected Tony Stark to put it that way. After all, Captain America was a symbol. Except when facing the Winter Soldier, Bucky, he was calm in every situation, with remarkable inner strength and unwavering conviction. He was the kind of superhero who would sacrifice himself for his beliefs. He believed in justice and fought relentlessly to uphold it, qualities that were rare in this era.
Still, Tony Stark wasn't entirely wrong. In raw numbers, Steve's body had been designed to reach four times the human limit. Among ordinary people, that was extraordinary. But in a world crawling with monsters, where Hulk was as common as a stray dog, that level seemed insignificant.
One-Eyed Dragon was left speechless by Tony Stark's bluntness. Only when Hill handed him a glass of lemon water did he recover. He patted his chest and decided not to push further, afraid the playboy might just talk him to death.
"Let's put Steve aside for now. What about the Avengers? Have you thought about it? If you're willing to join, I could even consider you as leader."
Tony Stark chuckled."Please don't. I've always been lazy, not the type who can shoulder the burden of leadership."
He knew himself better than anyone. If it were the original Iron Man, Tony Stark, perhaps he would fight for that title. But in his previous life, Tony Stark had been nothing more than a small-time loser.
Sure, he could indulge in food, drink, and women. But if you expected him to strategize and command like a general, you might as well pick a clever dog instead.
Wouldn't you rather rely on Banner, with his seven PhDs?Or Black Widow and Hawkeye, both trained under the harshest espionage regimes?Or Thor, a powerhouse who could crush nearly anyone with sheer strength?Or Scarlet Witch, who wielded chaotic magic strong enough to stand against a five-stone Thanos?
None of them were useless. Each was an elite among Earth's finest. How could they ever tolerate a braggart with no wisdom as their leader?
Ridiculous. Thinking that merely knowing a few storylines could make you the master of superheroes was no different from memorizing a handful of poems or Newton's laws and thinking you could time-travel back to ace the imperial exams and become emperor.
Tony Stark might not have much education, nor had he studied manipulative philosophies or self-help classics, but at least he knew himself. He had never even been a class monitor growing up. So asking if he wanted to lead the Avengers could only get one answer.
"Thank you for the honor, Director Fury. I am very interested in the position of Avengers leader. But since Captain Steve Rogers is here, I'd rather step aside and let the most suitable man take that role. It's best if I don't interfere."
One-Eyed Dragon hadn't expected Tony Stark to turn him down. Even Hill, who had stayed quiet until now, couldn't help but study him more carefully.
This wasn't Tony Stark's style at all.
Where was the arrogant "I'm the smartest man alive" Tony from before?Where was the man who scoffed at everyone and refused anything offered to him?Why had he suddenly changed?
One-Eyed Dragon had originally hoped to tempt Tony with the position of Avengers leader, using that vanity title to draw out his talents and resources to accelerate the team's growth. After all, a title was nothing compared to real benefits.
He had counted on Tony's vanity and hunger for glory when arranging this dinner. Yet even after bringing up Captain America and dangling leadership, he had failed. Director Fury's plan was in ruins.
One-Eyed Dragon forced a smile, unsure how to continue.He glanced at Hill with his one good eye, signaling her to step in.
Though Hill had little patience for playboys like Tony Stark, work came first. She swallowed her pride, lifted her wine glass, and gave him a charming smile.
"Mr. Stark, our director's proposal was made with good intentions. He admires your immense financial power and extraordinary wisdom. The Avengers are an organization he has carefully planned for years—an elite task force, independent of S.H.I.E.L.D."
Tony Stark studied the cold beauty with great interest. Weren't you the one ignoring me earlier? Weren't you unwilling to even speak to me?
Well, tonight was the perfect chance to turn the tables.
He couldn't help it. His mentality was still that of an ordinary man. Even dressed in a dragon robe, he couldn't play the crown prince.
Without a word, Tony Stark pressed a red button on the table. Moments later, the waiter, Xiao He, appeared.
"Happy to serve you, sir."
"Bring us a bottle of Moutai, the strongest one you've got."
Tony Stark had actually wanted to ask for Erguotou, but with his current status, that would have seemed far too cheap.
Though he disliked alcohol, especially strong spirits, this was his turf tonight. With One-Eyed Dragon and Hill here as his drinking companions, he naturally intended to enjoy himself. It was the perfect chance to show off.
Opportunities like this didn't come often. And who knew—after a few more drinks, something might just happen.
"Tony, what is this Moutai?"
One-Eyed Dragon had never traveled abroad, nor had he tasted strong Chinese liquor. He knew nothing about this spirit, famous only within the East.
(End of Chapter)
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