Chapter 141: Let's Start with Quantum Mechanics

Chapter 141: Let's Start with Quantum Mechanics

"Six hundred and sixty-fifth test, begin."

In a sealed room, a death row inmate sat in a chair. The cold, mechanical voice signaled the start, and countless robotic arms extended, aiming guns at the inmate.

"Fire!"

An endless barrage of bullets rained down, all targeting the inmate. Despite the intense gunfire, the inmate remained motionless and completely unharmed. A jade amulet around his neck emitted a faint light, creating a yellow protective shield that deflected all the bullets, causing sparks to fly as they hit the walls.

In front of the surveillance screen, a tall, straight-standing African American man with a patch over one eye and a shaved head stood confidently. Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and former king of spies, was the epitome of cool, efficient authority.

Next to him was a stunningly beautiful and curvaceous agent in a tight black bodysuit, the renowned Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff.

"A Barrett rifle can penetrate 20 millimeters of steel, yet it can't break through this jade amulet. What is this thing?"

Fury gazed at the jade amulet around the inmate's neck, his eyes filled with curiosity and desire.

He already had ideas for advanced weapons, but defensive gear had always eluded him.

Natasha shook her head. "I'm not sure. It was a gift from Luk to Tony."

"Miraculous healing, an unusual dog, and this jade amulet..." Fury's eyes darkened as various theories raced through his mind, but he quickly regained his composure.

"If possible, I'd like to return this amulet," Natasha interjected.

"Not so fast. Let's keep it and have the tech department study it."

Fury instinctively rejected the idea of returning it.

If they could replicate this defensive gear, it would significantly reduce casualties during S.H.I.E.L.D. missions and make their offensive operations more effective.

"But it was a gift from Luk to Tony."

"And you are a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, Natasha."

Fury frowned at Natasha. "Your job is to follow orders and think about S.H.I.E.L.D.'s interests!"

Natasha bit her lip slightly and replied in a matter-of-fact tone, "Luk knows the amulet's effects. He might have given it to Tony because he sensed Tony was in danger. If our actions put Tony at risk, who will take responsibility?"

Tony's father was one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D., and his aunt, Peggy Carter, was as well. His background was unique.

Because of this, even before Iron Man emerged, S.H.I.E.L.D. had always kept an eye on him.

Fury's dark complexion didn't change, and he remained silent.

"Until I figure out the secret behind Luk's miraculous healing, and until we know if he has other unusual items, it would be unwise to act rashly and risk losing the opportunity to learn more."

Natasha continued her argument.

The prospect of more discoveries made Fury's face twitch, and he reluctantly nodded.

"I'll arrange for someone to find an opportunity to return it. Where is Tony now?"

"He's in Afghanistan, showcasing his new weapon."

Natasha had a nagging feeling of unease. "We should hurry and return it."

As she spoke, Nick Fury's phone rang. He answered it, and his expression changed after a few seconds.

"The convoy transporting Tony Stark was attacked by terrorists. Tony himself..."

"Is missing!"

...

"Natasha, Natasha?"

A series of calls brought her back to reality. She looked up to see concern in Luk's eyes.

"If you're not feeling well, you can take a sick day. No need to push yourself."

"I'm fine, just didn't sleep well last night."

Natasha quickly regained her composure, smiling to show she was fine.

"Don't lie to me."

Luk sighed. "Is it because your alcoholic father beat your paralyzed mother?"

Natasha: "..."

When she fabricated her backstory, she focused on making it tragic but now realized it lacked depth. Fortunately, her boss was kind-hearted and easy to fool, otherwise, it would have been difficult to explain.

Seeing her silence, Luk asked again.

"Is it because your siblings need school fees?"

Natasha nodded reluctantly, going along with it. "Yes, boss, can I advance my salary for a month?"

"No problem, and I'll give you two days off to rest."

Luk displayed the moral standards of a conscientious employer. "You've been looking pale lately. Go home and rest. Don't worry, it's paid leave."

"I'm fine, boss, no need."

The TV program had just ended, and news reports and live updates kept pouring in.

"According to reports, Tony Stark, CEO of Stark Industries, went missing three days ago after being attacked by terrorists."

"Search teams are working around the clock to locate Tony, but there has been no progress."

"Stark Industries' stock has plummeted, with a continuous downward trend as many shareholders are selling their shares."

Natasha, noticing Luk's calm expression, couldn't help but ask, "Boss, you don't seem very worried about Tony's safety."

"He'll be fine."

After the amulet was taken, Luk had visited Kamar-Taj to ask Doctor Strange about the situation.

...

"Why did the defensive talisman I gave Tony end up with Natasha?"

Gu Yi put on a mysterious air and explained to him about "Schrodinger's Cat," "Quantum Mechanics," and "Parallel Universes."

In short, it boiled down to one thing:

Some things are set in stone, and even if you try to change them, the world will find a way to push you back.

Lu Ke listened in awe, marveling at the terrifying power of the world's correction forces!

"Is there any way to change things as I please?"

Lu Ke asked tentatively.

"Of course, as long as you're strong enough. Not only can you bring Tony Stark back unharmed, but you could even turn him into Tonya and have him marry Captain America!"

"How far am I from that level?" Lu Ke blinked.

Gu Yi sneered, looking at him with the same disdainful expression as Aqua when she saw the Excalibur. She reluctantly held up a finger.

"About that much."

Lu Ke: "..."

Old man, get ready for the third Supreme Mage's Singing Competition!

Thud—

"Lu Ke, what are you doing, hitting my second finger with your head!"

Gu Yi fumed, shaking her head, "I'm so angry, a strapping young man in his twenties beating up a centuries-old old lady, what is this world coming to?"

"Don't do that again!"

"I'm at the age where my bones are brittle. Your head is so hard, if you break my finger, how will you compensate me?"

If he were less kind, he would have already made Lu Ke pay for his rudeness.

Lu Ke: "..."

I have never seen such a shameless person!

"Nonsense, you can see it every time you look in the mirror!"

Lu Ke widened his eyes and pointed at her, "How dare you read my mind like that?"

"Hmph, I've been reading your mind since the first time we met, I just didn't tell you."

Gu Yi sneered, her experience told her that the best way to deal with someone like Lu Ke, who has no shame, is to hit them hard when you can. Even if you get revenge later, it's worth it.

After all, her record always stands!

...

"Relax, Natasha, Tony will be fine."

Lu Ke said confidently. After the jade pendant was stolen, he had left another mark on Tony, allowing him to sense Tony's vital signs and teleport to save him if needed. This mission went smoothly.

He had checked on Tony last night, and the arc reactor was already embedded in his chest. He looked rough, but he was out of danger.

Natasha gritted her teeth, thinking that Lu Ke's confidence came from the jade pendant. She felt a pang of guilt.

The training at the Red Room and her years as an agent had taught her to suppress her emotions, but suppression doesn't mean they don't exist. She was, after all, a human being.

"Boss, can you spend some time with me after work?"

Lu Ke leaned in, "Are you feeling unwell and want to go to the hospital?"

"The hospital can't cure my illness..."

Natasha smiled wistfully.

At her graduation from the Red Room, they performed a ritual to remove her uterus, eliminating a weakness to prevent her from being swayed by emotions. This made her a better agent but also an incomplete woman.

Lu Ke's face showed hesitation, as if he was considering whether to speak, but he finally said, "What if I could cure it?"

Natasha felt her heart skip a beat. The dog and the jade pendant had clouded her mind, and she had forgotten that the purpose of her investigation was to uncover Lu Ke's mysterious and extraordinary medical skills.

No matter the illness, big or small, the fee was always one billion dollars. But the treatment was always effective, and no patient had ever complained. Instead, everyone who left the clinic praised him as a miracle worker.

Bizarrely, Lu Ke's clinic had no medical equipment, no surgical tools, and the assistants were only hired to handle reception duties when he was too busy.

All treatments took less than two hours, and no one knew what happened during the sessions. She had tried to get information from some patients, but they only said, "I had a good sleep, and when I woke up, I was cured."

This unusual treatment method was what drew SHIELD's attention, and his contact with Tony Stark only made him a bigger target.

During her time at the clinic, she had seen many famous figures visit, but the dogs always guarded the door during treatments, making it impossible to see what was happening inside.

Now was her chance!

"But I don't have a billion dollars."

"Um... can it be an employee benefit?" Lu Ke scratched his cheek, maintaining his character.

Suppressing her guilt, Natasha bit her lip and asked, "Boss, how did you know?"

"Since I'm a very skilled doctor," Lu Ke blushed and looked down, "it's just that, it's such a private matter, I wouldn't bring it up if you didn't."

"If we were a couple, it wouldn't be private anymore."

Natasha looked at Lu Ke's face, deep in thought.

Lu Ke wouldn't hide any secrets from his partner, and it was time for her to endure some humiliation to make a contribution.

"Of... of course."

...

Late at night, Fury received Natasha's text.

[Successfully infiltrated, obtained all information.]



Truly, Natasha was efficient!

But why did the first sentence sound so passive?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end