Chapter: 7

"We actually met at the Berlin Tech Conference."

"I don't remember."

"Of course, you wouldn't remember. If I were as drunk as you were, I would have passed out long ago, let alone giving a speech about integrated circuits."

"Where are we?" Tony asked the question he most wanted to know at the moment.

"Quick, get up, get up!" Before answering Tony's question, sensing someone approaching outside the cave, he immediately urged Tony to stand up. "Do as I do, quickly raise your hands."

Tony hadn't figured out the situation yet, so he just followed along. But when he saw the weapon held by the incoming terrorist, he couldn't stay calm anymore. "Those are guns I created, how did they get their hands on them!?"

"Do you understand what I'm saying? Follow along with me."

Walking ahead, the person who seemed like the leader of the terrorists saw Tony, who had already woken up. He spoke rapidly in a language Tony had never heard before.

Seeing this, the unfamiliar man beside Tony translated for him, "He said welcome, Tony Stark, the greatest executioner in American history. He is honored to meet you and hopes you can manufacture the missile for him, the Jericho missile, which you tested."

"This one." Tony took a clear photo from the terrorist leader's hand and showed it to Tony.

Realizing the other party's intention, Tony was dumbfounded. His whereabouts and weapons, which should have been kept strictly confidential, were all exposed. He himself was severely injured with Stark Industries weapons obtained from unknown sources. And now, he was being threatened to work for terrorists using the weapons he invented. Tony understood that someone had betrayed him, but it was also because of this that he couldn't believe that as the soul of Stark Industries, he had been sold!

"I won't do it!" Tony, who had never experienced the harsh realities of society, couldn't be swayed by just a few words.

So, under the leader's command, they demonstrated their sincerity through their actions.

After being tormented and educated, Tony, led by the terrorists, arrived outside the cave. Here, there was massive firepower capable of destroying a small city. The inscriptions on each weapon were especially glaring.

"What are you thinking?" The unfamiliar man continued to act as the leader's translator.

"You have stockpiled many weapons I manufactured."

"He says he has all the components to manufacture the Jericho missile. He wants you to list the materials immediately and start working on it. Once it's completed, they will let you go."

"He won't." Tony pretended to agree and reached out to shake hands with the leader.

"That's right," the unfamiliar man agreed.

...

During the crucial time that followed, Tony, encouraged by the unfamiliar man, decided to play along and secretly work on creating hope to escape. He finally knew the name of his savior, Yinsen, and also learned the name of the terrorist group that kidnapped him—they called themselves the Ten Rings.

Taking advantage of the terrorists' desire for the Jericho missile, Tony obtained a rudimentary but usable workshop and had a heap of materials given to him to manufacture the missile. "Now, Tony Stark, it's up to your brilliant mind to figure out how to escape. There are people waiting for you at home! Yinsen, come and help me."

Boosting his morale, Tony and Yinsen began their plan.

Tony first used the high-purity palladium element among the available materials to create an arc reactor, which could generate 3 billion joules of energy per second to power the electromagnet in his chest. This allowed him to break free from the constraints of the battery and move freely.

"It can provide you with enough energy to live for four lifetimes!" Yinsen exclaimed.

"Or run a large-scale machinery for fifty minutes." Then he handed a pile of blueprints to Yinsen.

"What's this?" Yinsen asked.

He revealed his secret weapon that he planned to use to escape, "Stack the blueprints and take a look."

"Wow! It's amazing." When all the blueprints were overlaid, Yinsen saw an imposing suit of armor made of steel.

"I call it Mark I, named after my son. Many of his ingenious ideas have given me a lot of inspiration."

"He will definitely be as amazing as you in the future."

"No, he will be even more amazing than me!"

...

The plan progressed smoothly, and under the joint efforts of Tony and Yinsen, the various components of Mark I were gradually being constructed.

However, it was precisely because the plan was going smoothly that both of them let their guard down. They forgot that they were in the den of wolves, and every move they made would be observed by the Ten Rings.

As the components of Mark I continued to accumulate, the monitors began to realize that what they were creating was far from the appearance of the Jericho missile. After threatening them with their subordinates, the Ten Rings gave them a final deadline: they had to hand over the assembled Jericho missile the next day.

Time was running out, and tonight was destined to be a sleepless night. But the tension did not make them lose their composure. With orderly completion of all the armor components, the plan finally reached a critical moment.

"So, are you ready to move?" Yinsen asked, helping Tony put on the armor.

"No problem, I've never felt better!"

Suddenly, Yinsen frowned and stopped his movements. He heard footsteps coming from outside the door.

"Yinsen, Yinsen, Stark! Where are you? Come out!" A terrorist's voice came from outside, sounding extremely anxious.

"They've found us. What do we do, Tony!?"

"You say something first, keep them at bay."

"But they're speaking Hungarian."

"Then say this."

"But I don't know it."

"Well, what do you know?"

Yinsen thought for a moment and began responding to the person outside in a language he often communicated with the leader of the Ten Rings.

But it was of no use. The terrorists who couldn't understand what he was saying decided to come in and see for themselves.

Quickly unlocking the door, they were about to enter. But instead of finding Tony and Yinsen begging for mercy, they were met with a pre-set explosion trap.

Boom!

The blazing fireball devoured both of them.

The loud noise alarmed the terrorists throughout the Ten Rings base. "Go, bring them here!"

Taking advantage of the time delayed by the explosion, Yinsen began assisting Tony in loading the control system for Mark I. However, the approaching footsteps outside the door made Yinsen very anxious. "They're coming!"

"Don't worry, we'll succeed once we finish everything."

"We need more time." Suddenly, Yinsen seemed to make a decision. "I'll go buy you some time."

Seeing Yinsen about to rush out of the door, Tony immediately stopped him. "Yinsen! Stick to the plan!"

But Yinsen was not moved at all and continued walking towards the outside.

"Wait! Wait!" This time Tony shouted even louder. "At least put on my suit!"

"Are you suggesting that I die in a more dignified manner?" Yinsen couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and tears at Tony's request.

"No, do you remember me telling you that this is a gift from my son?"

"Yes, I remember."

"He's a genius, even though he's still underage. He's a genius that rivals me without any doubt. This suit utilizes a new type of nanomaterial he invented, which effectively protects your body to the maximum extent in the face of various weapon attacks."

"He will definitely become even more outstanding and great than you. He knows how to replace destruction with protection." After saying that, Yinsen put on the suit decisively and walked out of the room.