Chapter 37: The First Step to the Iron Armor - The Arc Reactor Goes Online

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This time, Zhou Cheng didn't swindle Wade Wilson like some next-door granny. He paid the full amount owed without shortchanging him.

"Wait for my good news, Zhou Cheng!" Wade Wilson, lighthearted after receiving the money, bid Zhou Cheng farewell and left in a hurry.

"Zhou Cheng, it's a done deal!" It must be said, despite Wade Wilson's seemingly unreliable demeanor, he was quite dependable when it came to getting things done.

It was not even dark yet when he got back in touch with Zhou Cheng. "I've taken the commission in your name," he reported. "The party has also paid a 20% down payment, which I've deposited in a secure, anonymous account."

"I'll transfer the account to you later, but you must reimburse me for the handling fees!" 

Twenty percent? Isn't that $200,000? That money seemed too easy to come by.

Zhou Cheng couldn't help but sigh inwardly. But such money wasn't something just anyone could get their hands on with ease. Regardless of who the mastermind behind the bounty for Satan's head was, if someone took that $200,000 and didn't follow through with the job, the consequences would certainly be severe.

Of course, that's for ordinary people. Zhou Cheng, with his significant attributes, could afford to be a bit more reckless and arrogant. His plan from the start was to play a game of double-cross.

Accept the bounty to kill Satan, take the money, then take out the client as well. This way, he'd get the cash while eliminating a hidden enemy—a perfect two-for-one deal.

"I understand," Zhou Cheng responded, hiding his inner thoughts and replying impassively. "By the way, in addition to killing Satan, they've made another request."

"If you take out Daredevil as well, they will double the offer," Wade Wilson added.

Daredevil? Zhou Cheng raised his eyebrows slightly. The client sure had a big appetite, wanting to get rid of both him and Daredevil. This further confirmed that the person behind it all was indeed from Hell's Kitchen.

However, killing Daredevil wasn't something Zhou Cheng would consider. He may have wanted to make money, but he had his own moral lines that he wouldn't cross. "Let's put aside the Daredevil commission for now," Zhao said. "We'll discuss it after the Satan task is completed."

"Okay, we'll leave it at that for now," Wade Wilson agreed. "Keep your phone on; I'll contact you again." "And don't you die on me! I'm betting on you."

"Beep beep beep..." The call ended.

Zhou Cheng looked as if nothing had happened, casually pressing the remote and adjusting the TV volume to continue eagerly watching American TV shows. As if none of this had ever occurred. And for Zhou Cheng, it might as well be true.

He only needed to take a trip to Hell's Kitchen in a few days and take out that guy who'd put a bounty on his head. No big deal.

He'd just get back to his usual routine while awaiting the delivery of the bad news. Simple.

…

The next day.

At the Malibu luxury villa, in the basement.

Tony Stark stood in the middle of the spacious hall, conducting like a maestro with hands lifting and moving continuously. Floating around Tony Stark were many digital projections, flickering with a variety of data, models, blueprints, and other figures. Enough to dazzle any layman.

But Tony Stark thrived on it.

Those data, those curves, those formulas, in his eyes, they were the most wondrous notes.

Tony Stark casually tapped on the digital projections, executing the corresponding operations.

Soon.

"Model rendering successful!"

A notification chimed in his ear.

"Sir, you've done it, the Arc Reactor has been successfully miniaturized."

"You've achieved what Mr. Howard never did."

The considerate AI, Jarvis, immediately sent his congratulations.

"Yes, I did."

Tony Stark was in high spirits, staring at the projection before him, his eyes full of light.

With the core energy source sorted, the design of the suit seemed trivial to Tony Stark.

Compared to the Arc Reactor, the suit's tech was practically child's play; he, the great Tony Stark, could whip it up with little effort.

He was confident that it wouldn't be long before the Iron Man suit would come into existence.

Thinking about his impending kidnapping, about the Winter Soldier, Tony Stark felt a bit more reassured.

"What are you still doing here?"

"Your plane was supposed to take off an hour ago!"

Just as he was admiring his work, Pepper Potts appeared in a whirlwind of activity.

She stared straight at Tony Stark, questioning him.

"If it's my plane, then it should wait for me to arrive before taking off, shouldn't it?"

Tony Stark replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world and smoothly turned around.

He subconsciously looked Pepper Potts up and down, his thoughts beginning to drift away.

No wonder he was smitten by her—looks, figure, capabilities, she was top-notch in every aspect.

The more Tony Stark looked, the more satisfied he became.

He just wondered when Pepper, his little Pepper Potts, would break through that last barrier with her boss.

Whenever that was, the great Tony Stark was very much looking forward to that moment!

He even started to daydream about that scenario.

???

What was that expression on Tony's face?

Pepper Potts, on the other side of Tony Stark, instantly picked up on it.

Why did her boss's gaze seem a bit strange?

But now was not the time to delve into such matters, as there was a whole heap of work awaiting Pepper Potts.

Pepper Potts continued in her brisk and efficient manner, discussing work-related matters with Tony Stark.

In the process, there was a back and forth of banter and teasing with her boss.

She handled Tony Stark, the challenging boss, with ease.

Tony Stark temporarily paused his work and set out with his entourage of luxury bodyguards.

He met up with Colonel Rhodes, who had been waiting for a full three hours at the airport.

"What's wrong with you?"

Colonel Rhodes's face had gone completely dark, "I waited for you like a fool for three hours."

"The media interviews kept me."

Tony Stark's excuses came as naturally as breathing.

"Also, what's with all the bodyguards?"

Rhodes took off his sunglasses, taking a glance at the team of bodyguards trailing behind Tony Stark.

"Please, with my status, what if someone tried to kidnap me?"

Tony Stark half-jokingly, half-seriously said.

"Since when do you care about these things?"

Rhodes gave Tony Stark a curious look, then waved his hand, "Have them stay, today will be the safest day of your life."

The trip to Afghanistan, with so many military bigwigs there and a full contingent of soldiers for protection.

With such a setup, it would be ridiculous for anything to go wrong.