chsdbacks Page 33
Page 33
The atmosphere was solemn and respectful as dignitaries and representatives from around the world gathered to discuss global security issues. Flashbulbs blared as reporters stood ready.
Among this group of people dressed in suits and with serious expressions, Lin Tian's appearance with Wanda and Pietro was particularly eye-catching.
Lin Tian was still dressed in a casual suit, looking exceptionally handsome, with a faint smile on his face, as if he were not there to attend a serious international conference, but rather to go on vacation.
Wanda was dressed in a well-fitting suit and deliberately concealed her energy fluctuations, but her eyes, which occasionally flashed with a red light, and the undisguised dependence and possessiveness she showed when looking at Lin Tian, still exuded a unique and dangerous charm.
Pietro seemed somewhat uneasy. He disliked this kind of formal, restrictive occasion, and even more so the hypocritical faces of the politicians around him. However, he still forced himself to follow behind Lin Tian and his sister, acting as their bodyguard.
Their arrival immediately drew the attention of everyone in the know.
Tony Stark was chatting and laughing with a representative from a European country when he saw Lin Tian appear. His smile froze slightly, and a hint of barely perceptible fear and provocation flashed in his eyes.
Steve Rogers stood in a corner of the venue, his brows furrowed, his sharp gaze scrutinizing Lin Tian as if trying to see right through him.
Natasha Romanov felt her heart racing uncontrollably once again.
She was dressed in a smart black business suit today, trying to appear professional and calm, but when her eyes met Lin Tian's playful gaze in the air, her cheeks couldn't help but flush slightly, and she quickly looked away.
Nick Fury sat in the S.H.I.E.L.D. representative's seat, his single eye gleaming, watching Lin Tian and his group take their seats with an expressionless face. No one knew what this king of agents was thinking at that moment.
“It seems we’re quite popular.” Lin Tian sat down in the assigned seat and chuckled softly to Wanda beside him.
Wanda sensed the subtle probing and hostile gazes around her, and subconsciously moved closer to Lin Tian, whispering, "Lin, I feel like the people here have ill intentions."
“Of course,” Lin Tian smiled nonchalantly, “a flock of self-righteous sheep will naturally feel fear and unease when they see a tiger they can’t control.”
His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of several representatives nearby who were eavesdropping, instantly making their faces turn somewhat ugly.
The meeting began quickly.
The opening remarks were lengthy and tedious, followed by speeches from representatives of various countries who took turns explaining their respective positions and viewpoints.
Lin Tian listened listlessly, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the armrest.
He had no interest in these mundane political games. He was there simply to watch the show and to look for opportunities.
The opportunity came soon.
When the meeting reached the topic of the threat and regulation of superpowered individuals, the atmosphere became noticeably tense.
Steve Rogers, representing the Avengers, spoke first.
He eloquently explained the enormous harm that uncontrolled superpowers could bring, and called on the international community to unite and establish an effective regulatory mechanism to prevent a recurrence of events like the Sokovia incident, and to prevent powerful but ambiguous individuals from threatening world peace.
His words were clearly pointed.
Many delegates nodded in agreement.
Wanda and Pietro's expressions instantly turned ugly upon hearing this!
Regulation? They experienced Baron Strucker's "regulation," which was nothing short of hell!
Just then, a magnetic yet slightly languid voice rang out in the hall:
"Regulation? Captain Rogers, what gives you the right to do that?"
All eyes instantly focused on the source of the sound—Lin Tian!
He actually dared to openly interrupt Captain America's speech in this kind of setting?!
Steve frowned and looked at Lin Tian: "Mr. Lin, what do you mean by that?"
“What I mean is,” Lin Tian stood up, a faint smile on his face, but his gaze sharp as a knife as he swept across the room, “Power itself is neither right nor wrong. The key lies in the hearts of those who wield power, and those who attempt to ‘regulate’ it.”
He slowly walked up to the podium, ignoring the tense looks and gestures of the security personnel around him.
He stood next to Steve, his gaze calmly fixed on the crowd below:
"You want to regulate superpowered individuals because of fear—fear of powers you cannot understand or control."
"But have you ever considered that when you wield the big stick of 'regulation,' who will regulate the power you hold?"
History has proven countless times that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Is it really a wise choice to entrust the fate of all superhumans to a group of ordinary politicians and bureaucrats?
Lin Tian's words struck everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer!
Especially those representatives who also possess special abilities or are dissatisfied with the existing power system, their eyes gleamed with an unusual light!
“You’re inciting conflict, Mr. Lin!” Steve said in a deep voice. “We just want to establish order and protect the safety of ordinary people!”
"Order?" Lin Tian scoffed. "Whose order? Yours?"
He suddenly turned to look at Steve, his eyes becoming profound: "Captain Rogers, you were frozen for seventy years, and when you awoke, the world had changed beyond recognition. Are the 'beliefs' and 'justice' you upheld still applicable in this era?"
"Have you ever considered whether the organization you serve, S.H.I.E.L.D., is really as clean as you imagine?"
Lin Tian's words were like a bolt from the blue! They instantly caused the expressions of everyone present who knew the situation to change drastically!
Nick Fury's single eye suddenly contracted!
Natasha's heart was pounding!
Steve was struck dumb, staring at Lin Tian in disbelief: "What...what did you say?!"
How could Lin Tian know about Hydra?!
Is S.H.I.E.L.D. internally corrupt?
Lin Tian's earth-shattering words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples!
The representatives from various countries present may not have understood what was going on, but the core members of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers all had a drastic change in expression!
Nick Fury stared intently at Lin Tian with his one eye, his eyes filled with shock and murderous intent!
How could he know?! This secret is known only to a very small number of top-ranking members of S.H.I.E.L.D.! Does he really possess precognitive abilities?! Or is there a mole within S.H.I.E.L.D.?!
Steve Rogers felt his beliefs were being severely shaken!
He always viewed S.H.I.E.L.D. as a symbol of justice, a precious legacy left by Peggy Carter! Lin Tian actually said it's not clean inside?! How is that possible?!
Natasha and Hawkeye were also horrified! Although they had sensed something was amiss within S.H.I.E.L.D., they never imagined the problem would be this serious!
“Mr. Lin! Watch your words!” Fury finally spoke, his voice icy and full of warning. “This is the United Nations! Not a place for you to spread rumors!”
"A rumor?" Lin Tian seemed to have heard something amusing. He turned to look at Fury, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Chief Fury, are you sure it's a rumor?"
His gaze sharpened, as if it could pierce through all pretense and look straight into the depths of Fury's soul: "Or did you already know? Know that the spirits of Hydra, like parasites, had already infiltrated every corner of S.H.I.E.L.D.? Even including some of the people you trusted most?"
boom! !
If the previous statement was a boulder, then this statement is a nuclear bomb!
Hydra!!
The moment the name was uttered, the entire venue fell into a deathly silence!
Everyone who knew of Hydra's existence felt a chill run from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads!
Hydra has infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D.?!
This is simply unbelievable! Yet it sends chills down your spine!
Steve's face turned deathly pale! He remembered some of the doubts from before, and he thought of Bucky... Could it all be true?!
Natasha felt completely dizzy! She had always believed she was loyal to a righteous organization; had she been working for the enemy all along?!
"You...you're talking nonsense!" Fury stood up abruptly, his single eye filled with shock and rage. "Lin Tian! You're slandering me! You're trying to incite chaos!"
"I'm talking nonsense?" Lin Tian's sarcasm deepened. "Director Fury, do you want me to help you recall? For example, Alexander Pierce? This high-ranking official of the World Security Council, a veteran of S.H.I.E.L.D., your most respected senior, what is his true identity?"
Alexander Pierce?!
Fury's heart skipped a beat! His pupils dilated to their maximum!
Oh no! How could he know Pierce?! He even knew this top secret?!
At this moment, Fury felt that all his secrets were as transparent as could be in front of this mysterious Eastern man!
Steve also thought of Pierce, the kind-looking elder who had personally officiated at the museum's opening ceremony. Was he also a Hydra?!
The immense shock and sense of betrayal made even this battle-hardened super soldier feel unsteady on his feet!
The venue was in complete chaos!
Although the representatives from various countries did not fully understand what had happened, they sensed something unusual from the shocked and terrified expressions on the faces of the S.H.I.E.L.D. executives!
Could S.H.I.E.L.D., a powerful organization that has always styled itself as the world's police force, be hiding such a massive conspiracy within its ranks?!
Panic and suspicion spread like a plague through the venue!
Lin Tian, the instigator, stood on the podium, coldly observing everything, a chilling, all-controlling smile playing on his lips...
He was determined to completely puncture this boil!
He wanted to utterly discredit S.H.I.E.L.D. in front of the entire world! To cause it to collapse!
Only in this way can he take advantage of the chaos and get what he wants.
For example, the Mind Scepter stored in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secret base!
"It seems today's meeting can't continue." As if things weren't chaotic enough, Lin Tian "kindly" added, "Perhaps everyone should go back and thoroughly investigate the people around them?"
These words sent a chill down the spines of everyone present!
Hydra is everywhere?!
Panic has completely erupted!
Just as the venue was about to descend into complete chaos!
Another anomaly has occurred!
Boom! !
With a deafening roar, a massive hole was blasted open in the top of the United Nations building by some kind of powerful firepower!
Immediately afterwards! Several armed helicopters bearing the Hydra logo appeared in the sky above the venue, circling like vultures!
A barrage of bullets and small missiles rained down like a downpour!
Hydra actually launched an attack?!
And at such a globally significant moment?!
Are they crazy? !
Or was all of this part of someone's scheme?
Chapter 51: Hydra's Surprise Attack, Quicksilver's Disruption, Scarlet's Power, and Political Figures' Horror
The Hydra's sudden attack turned the already chaotic venue into a living hell!
Explosions, gunshots, screams, and cries echoed through the sky!
The sturdy bulletproof glass was easily torn apart! Debris kept falling from the ceiling!
World leaders and representatives panicked and fled in all directions like headless flies, seeking cover!
"Protect the dignitaries! Quickly!" Fury was the first to react, immediately roaring into the communicator!
Steve and Hawkeye instantly went into battle mode!
Steve raised his shield and stood at the forefront, deflecting the bullets aimed at the delegates one by one!
Hawkeye drew his bow and arrow, aiming precisely at the armed helicopter in the sky, attempting to shoot it down!
Natasha immediately drew her two pistols to cover the civilians' evacuation, while vigilantly observing her surroundings, searching for any possible inside help!
However, Hydra was clearly prepared this time!
Their firepower is exceptionally fierce! The helicopters are even equipped with energy weapons!
Steve's shield, though sturdy, couldn't protect everyone! Representatives and civilians alike continued to fall, riddled with bullets!
Although Hawkeye's arrows were accurate, they had little effect against the helicopter's armor and energy shield!
Natasha felt immense pressure! The enemies seemed endless! And they were perfectly coordinated and well-trained!
"Damn it! Their firepower is too strong! We need backup!" Natasha shouted into the communicator.
“Stark! Where are you?!” Steve called out anxiously to Iron Man.
"Coming right away!" Stark's voice came through the communicator, sounding somewhat flustered. "Jarvis is activating the counterterrorism protocol! But the signal interference here is severe!"