Chapter 399: The Ancient One is Dead! What Good… What Awfully Bad News!
"Listen, Steve, you and Bucky are incredibly close comrades, but so is Tony. He's also the orphan of your old friend, Howard, and that shield you use was even made by Howard. As your superior and Tony's friend, I naturally don't want to see you two fall out. That would be very difficult to resolve, and it wouldn't be good for me either. So…"
"I won't do anything that crosses my line."
"It's fine; I wasn't even thinking of asking you to do those things."
So, there really are things that would cross my line, huh?
A hint of hesitation flickered across Steve's face.
"Then… then that kind of thing isn't okay either."
"What kind of thing?"
"I heard others say that you called me S.H.I.E.L.D.'s best ass, saying Natasha doesn't even have a butt like mine."
A few black lines appeared on Qingshui's forehead.
"But I was stating a fact. There really isn't anyone in S.H.I.E.L.D. with a better ass than yours. Also, I'm not interested in your ass. I like beautiful women, not men, and certainly not any other weird genders."
"That's good. I heard you rich people play a lot of games. It's good you're not that kind of person."
Steve breathed a sigh of relief.
"Playing games is normal. Tony and I both play a lot of games. Not many rich people don't. It just doesn't mean we play twisted games. In any case, just don't follow Nick Fury around making little moves, and just do what you're supposed to do."
"He did approach me, mostly about work, but he also said some other things."
"Oh? What did he say?"
"About you. Uh… I'm not sure if it was bad or good news. He said you're a very cunning schemer, good at hiding your ambitions, and that you'll bring a good side to S.H.I.E.L.D., making it stronger and more contributive. But he also worried that your ambitions would lead S.H.I.E.L.D. into an irreversible situation, bringing greater harm to the world, a bigger threat than Red Skull. So, he hoped I could tell him some of the things I'm doing, so he could supervise you as a contingency plan."
Steve recalled, then said seriously.
Damn it, you bastard.
Talking bad about your superior behind their back, huh?
"So, did you tell him?"
"No, I don't trust him."
Steve said earnestly, silently adding a thought internally.
And I don't trust you either.
You people are all so dirty-hearted.
Many times, you can indeed be trusted, especially on the battlefield.
But in other situations, he didn't dare to trust unconditionally.
Nick Fury had already proven this with his actions.
The fact that Nick Fury is so wary of you, and that you've consistently kept him under control since becoming director, shows that you're no good either.
Bucky's good, though.
Too bad Bucky's currently…
Sigh!
"Nick will be coming to support you tomorrow. Remember to pass a message to him for me then."
"What message?"
"You bastard, if you're so capable, why am I the director now and not you?"
"For the sake of team harmony during the mission, I suggest you tell him yourself."
"Fine, but remember to tell him my other message."
"Hm?"
"Starting tomorrow, I'm going to audit the funds allocated to Shadow S.H.I.E.L.D."
Qingshui didn't believe that Black Halogen Egg hadn't embezzled some of the money to build secret bases and develop hidden, unofficial personnel.
"Alright, I'll pass it on."
"Okay, that's all for now. Your current clearance level is eight. You can apply to visit the highest-level maximum security prison once a week, and I'll approve it. If you can get promoted to level nine, the number of visits will also increase, and you might even be able to bring Bucky some things to improve his living conditions."
"I'll work hard."
"Alright, I'm hanging up then. Remember to lead the team and execute this mission well. If an accident is unavoidable, then do your best to protect the old king of Wakanda and make them owe us a favor."
Qingshui smiled faintly and hung up the call.
With Bucky there, I'm not worried about you, Steve Rogers, not putting your heart into this.
Qingshui, who was about to continue working and try to thoroughly grasp the nanotech shared by Stark as soon as possible, received another piece of good news an hour after that call.
No, it was awfully bad news.
The Ancient One is dead!
What a shame… what a pity!
Such a pity, truly such a pity!
Pity and sorrow!
How could the great Sorcerer Supreme die so easily?
Isn't that letting them off too easily…
Letting those evil sorcerers off too easily!
Qingshui slammed the table, mimicking the gleeful expressions those evil sorcerers would make upon hearing the news.
He and the Ancient One didn't owe each other anything, and in fact, the Ancient One had helped him more.
But business was business, and personal matters were personal. Many times, whether it was in words or actions, the Ancient One always grated on his nerves.
He would take on the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme and do the things the Ancient One truly wanted him to do.
But there was another part, things the Ancient One didn't want him to do, that he had to do as well.
He had to get under the Ancient One's skin, too.
The Ancient One had passed away not long ago.
This morning, when Wong went to call the Ancient One for breakfast, he found the Ancient One had died in their sleep.
Wong was worried that the Ancient One might have just temporarily fallen into a deep sleep due to using an astral projection spell, so he waited for a while. After monitoring with magic and finding that brain cell activity had significantly decreased, he used a summoning spell to contact the Ancient One's spirit.
He had indeed died; his spirit would leave this world after the seventh day.
Specifically waiting until the seventh day to leave?
Still guarding against me, old man!
But it doesn't matter.
Isn't it more fun? More stimulating?
"Jorge! Where's that bottle of concentrated onion extract I prepared a few months ago? Find it for me."
Qingshui hurriedly found the concentrated onion extract. As soon as he opened it, a pungent onion smell wafted out.
His eyes immediately reddened.
Hmm, this smell is stimulating enough!
Tears were already welling up.
He dabbed a little on his finger and applied it to his cheek, a bit below and to the side of his eyes, making it look like unshed tears.
This way, the effect would be better and last longer!
Alright, now to cast a spell to mask ninety percent of the scent, so it won't be easily discovered.
Let's go!
A teleportation circle quietly opened in the study.
...
...
Himalayan Mountains, Kamar-Taj.
Beneath a shroud of light gray clouds, Wong, dressed in mourning clothes, walked slowly with a heavy expression, carrying the Ancient One's brass incense burner and black-and-white photo, placing them in the memorial hall.
Burning cedarwood shavings and paper money in the braziers flickered in the cold wind.
Strange, who had only recently joined, stood at the back of the crowd and sniffed.
Why do I feel... a faint, almost imperceptible scent of onion?
Is it my imagination?
Then, Strange saw his superior, the current director of S.H.I.E.L.D., appear at the small courtyard gate not far behind him, eyes red and demeanor sorrowful.
"Master Watt!"
"Master Watt, you've come!"
"We've all been waiting for you."
"Master Watt, Ancient One, he…"
Seeing Qingshui, many sorcerers turned and greeted him.
His status at Kamar-Taj was still very high.
It was all earned through his efforts.
In recent years, he had handled all the troubles that previously required the Ancient One's personal intervention.
Everyone also knew that he would be the next Sorcerer Supreme after the Ancient One.
His power was remarkably strong. In the current Sorcerer Supreme's later years, he had resolved many difficult issues, brought Rune Magic Tools that could replace some of the sorcerers' casting costs, and even invested money to renovate Kamar-Taj's dormitories and improve the food in the Kamar-Taj cafeteria.
No one would deny Watt's capability to be the Sorcerer Supreme, not even Wong or Mordo.
He was simply better than everyone else in every aspect.
"Master Liu."
"Master Hamir."
...
Qingshui nodded slightly at the group of sorcerers, exchanged a few words, and tried to muster up some emotion.
Hmm, can't manage it.
Qingshui had no choice but to painstakingly control the muscles in his face, making his expression appear more sorrowful. He slowly walked to the coffin in the mourning hall, sniffled, and tried to inhale more of the onion scent.
This smell...
Can't hold it in!
"Master Ancient One—!!!"
His cries shook the heavens.
Qingshui collapsed in front of the coffin, continuing to rub his eyes with fingers still damp with residual onion juice, his voice thick with sobs.
The tears, stimulated by the onions, streamed down his cheekbones, leaving two glistening trails. Combined with his deliberately disheveled forehead hair, it created a picture of profound, broken sorrow.
Those who saw him felt grief; those who heard him shed tears.
Everyone present couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Master Watt and Master Ancient One—their relationship, spanning two generations of Sorcerers Supreme, was truly profound!
In the mourning hall, beneath the black-and-white photograph, Ancient One's face bore a benevolent smile, as if watching everything unfold.
"You said you'd teach me Master Agamotto's Secret Technique of Space-Time, and you promised to travel with me to the astral plane to visit the Sorcerers Supreme of other universes..."
In the black-and-white photograph, Ancient One's face still held a benevolent smile, but a hint of confusion flickered in her eyes.
Did I promise all this?
It seems I really did...
Getting old, it's normal to be a bit forgetful sometimes.
"You also promised to personally hand over all the magic and treasures you've treasured for hundreds of years to me, but why did you leave today without a word!
But don't worry, I will definitely live up to your expectations and put these things to good use!"
No, I didn't promise that!
A certain spirit really wanted to jump up and question him.
But it's fine, those treasures were already squandered by him in his later years. What's left are just odds and ends that I, the old man, didn't care for. You can have the junk.
Wong reached out and helped Qingshui up, and Mordo also stepped forward to offer a handkerchief.
He noticed that Master Watt's tears seemed to increase the more he wiped them away.
Sigh, his bond with Master Ancient One is truly deep, unlike me. Even though I'm also heartbroken, I can only shed a few tears and my eyes get red, then I can't cry anymore.
Now that's true devotion!
"Master Watt, please pull yourself together. Kamar-Taj will need you as the new Sorcerer Supreme to lead us in protecting Earth."
Mordo said earnestly.
At that moment, Wong also pulled the Eye of Agamotto, containing the Time Stone, from his pocket and handed it to Qingshui.
"The Sorcerer Supreme's coronation ceremony will begin soon. We hope you can quickly master the Eye of Agamotto."
Qingshui took the Eye of Agamotto with both hands and hung it around his neck.
Hmm, the Eye of Agamotto and the Eye of Watt are a perfect match. They look so similar. Isn't it fate that this treasure should fall into my hands?
"Wong, Mordo, rest assured, I will definitely carry on Master Ancient One's legacy and fulfill her last wishes."
Qingshui said earnestly and righteously to Wong and Mordo.
"Master Watt, the Sorcerer Supreme truly chose the right person. Now, I will convey the Sorcerer Supreme's last wishes..."
"No need to say it, I know."
Wong: "?"
I'm the one who gathered the Sorcerer Supreme's last will before she died, right?
How do you know what her last wishes are?
But then again, Master Watt was chosen by Master Ancient One as the next Sorcerer Supreme months ago, so it's understandable that he might know her last wishes in advance... right?
"Without further ado, let's proceed immediately!"
Qingshui said with a serious expression.
Mordo and Wong exchanged glances.
Ten minutes later.
The mourning hall was quickly redecorated by Qingshui using items from the Devouring Pouch, transforming it into a makeshift stage that looked decent enough.
To enhance the atmosphere, a few magical flames were lit to serve as mood lighting.
With a snap of his fingers, Qingshui used the Mind Stone to cast an illusion spell, changing his clothes into a suit.
"Ahem, everyone, everyone! Please quiet down. I am the soon-to-be new Sorcerer Supreme, Watt. I believe you all know me."
Wong and Mordo tilted their heads, a look of confusion in their eyes.
"Next, we are going to fulfill the last wish of the old Sorcerer Supreme before his passing!"
The assembled mages below looked up, watching their new leader speak.
"Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap..."
Ill-timed applause broke out.
Strange looked around at the people staring at him, his movements stiff, and stopped clapping.
"Sorry, I'm new. It's just a habit to clap when the leader speaks..."
"It's fine, Strange!"
Qingshui shouted from the stage, holding a microphone.
"The old Sorcerer Supreme lived for over five hundred years before passing away peacefully. This is a joyous funeral, a good thing! We must hide our sorrow in our hearts and show smiles on our faces as we send off our beloved Sorcerer Supreme one last time!"
Qingshui's face showed an expression that was both crying and laughing.
His eyes were red, but his mouth was smiling.
He was crying because the onion juice was still effective, and laughing because he was about to lose it.
Yet, it was precisely this expression that made his emotions, as the new Sorcerer Supreme, Master Watt, seem so sincere!
"Let us all applaud the passing of the old Sorcerer Supreme!"
Qingshui actively raised his hand and started clapping.
The applause was sparse.
Hmm?
"Let us once again applaud the great old Sorcerer Supreme for his tireless sacrifices and contributions to protecting Earth over these past hundreds of years!!"
This time, the applause was thunderous.
Even Wong and Mordo joined in.
In front of the altar, on the black and white photograph, the Ancient One's face still held a benevolent smile.
Oh no! Why did he have a bad feeling?
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