Chapter Fifty-Six: Let's Open Another One

Passive Ability: Electrical Energy (Intermediate).

This ability sounds like the superpower of a certain blue-glow-wielding individual, but in reality, it’s simply knowledge related to electrical energy studies. As for the categorization of passive skills, after acquiring so many, Zhong Shenxiu has more or less figured out the hierarchy.

From lowest to highest, the order goes: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Mastery, and the most formidable is something like the “Heart of [Profession],” such as the “Agent’s Heart (Pseudo)” possessed by Agent Matt, which truly touches the pinnacle of what it means to be an “agent.”

By rights, Anton Vanko, as a high-level scientist capable of collaborating with Howard Stark to create the Arc Reactor, should not be classified merely as intermediate. It’s probably because he’s too old, hasn’t kept up with the times, and is on the verge of being obsolete… so Zhong Shenxiu mused.

Still, considering knowledge from decades ago can reach the intermediate tier, that’s quite impressive. Acquiring such an ability was an unexpected delight—not overly powerful, but certainly not lacking. It nicely fills Zhong Shenxiu’s gap in technological expertise.

After three seconds, Zhong Shenxiu halted the healing spell.

This left Anton Vanko in a rather delicate state: his cirrhosis had been greatly alleviated, shifting from the terminal stage to an intermediate-late stage. His life was no longer immediately threatened.

However, his liver wasn’t restored enough to fully heal itself. Thus, with the passage of time, Anton Vanko would gradually slip back into a terminal phase and once again face mortal danger.

This was one of Zhong Shenxiu’s subtle tricks.

Ivan Vanko, despite his current amiable demeanor—as anyone who has seen Iron Man 2 knows—has a dark heart. Zhong Shenxiu’s move was a safeguard, a card in reserve.

A card that would ensure Ivan Vanko remained firmly under his control.

As long as he wished his father to live, he could not betray Zhong Shenxiu.

For in this world, aside from Zhong Shenxiu, no one could offer a cure with zero risk for his father.

“All right, he’s temporarily out of mortal danger,” Zhong Shenxiu withdrew his hand and stood up, addressing Ivan Vanko.

Ivan Vanko, as expected, looked utterly skeptical.

This was only natural.

After all, anyone faced with such a situation would think the same: just placing a hand on the patient’s abdomen, a few seconds of green light, and a terminally ill cirrhosis patient is cured?

Ivan Vanko was a thousand times unconvinced.

If Zhong Shenxiu hadn’t demonstrated such astonishing abilities in prison, Ivan Vanko would have dismissed him as a charlatan.

“No worries, you can verify however you wish,” Zhong Shenxiu casually found a seat, waving confidently at Ivan Vanko.

Seeing this, Ivan Vanko’s doubts eased somewhat.

He stepped forward, gently shook Anton Vanko’s shoulder, and roused him.

“Papa, how are you feeling?” Ivan Vanko asked in Russian as he shook him.

Anton Vanko, woken from deep sleep, was initially irritated, his clouded old eyes brimming with faint anger. But as his mind cleared, his eyes suddenly widened.

With a swift motion, he sat upright.

“I… I feel so light! No dizziness anymore…” Every wrinkle on Anton Vanko’s face radiated surprise and confusion.

The surprise was at his body’s sudden improvement.

The confusion was at not knowing why.

“Especially my stomach—before it was always blocked, but now it isn’t! Ivan, what’s going on?”

Seeing his father’s joyful reaction, Ivan Vanko was finally reassured.

But almost immediately, greater shock followed!

He realized he had underestimated Zhong Shenxiu; not only did this man possess terrifying strength, he also had abilities rivaling a miracle healer!

No… perhaps it was divine power…

Just a few seconds, no surgery, no medicine.

Even if his father’s illness wasn’t fully cured, at least he truly felt comfortable now.

Gradually, Ivan Vanko himself was unaware that his gaze at Zhong Shenxiu was filled with envy.

Perhaps sensing Ivan Vanko’s gaze, Zhong Shenxiu continued:

“I suggest you take him to the hospital for a full hepatic arteriovenous imaging. That will put your mind completely at ease.”

“Alright,” Ivan Vanko nodded, then gently calmed his excited father, who nearly launched into a vodka-fueled celebration.

He then approached Zhong Shenxiu, gesturing for him to follow into a small side room.

Zhong Shenxiu naturally followed.

The small room was somewhat cramped, with a filthy wooden bed covered in dust; its cotton stuffing was long rotten and moldy.

“This is where I used to sleep. Aside from being dirty, nothing much has changed,” Ivan Vanko glanced around, unexpectedly sentimental.

“Tell me, why did you bring me here?” Zhong Shenxiu, lacking sentimentality, cut straight to the point.

Ivan Vanko wasn’t offended by Zhong Shenxiu’s cool demeanor. He asked, “I just want to know—what do you want me to do for you?”

There is no such thing as a free lunch. Well past forty, Ivan understood this principle.

“It’s too soon to discuss that. I know you still have doubts. Wait until you’ve taken Anton Vanko to the hospital and gotten the results—then we’ll talk.” Zhong Shenxiu could easily see through Ivan Vanko’s hidden concerns.

“Fine, I’ll take him now.” Though his schemes had been completely exposed, Ivan Vanko was a seasoned fox and nodded without changing expression.

He turned to leave.

“Wait.”

Hearing Zhong Shenxiu call out, he stopped and turned, adopting an attentive posture.

“I have other matters to attend to soon, and after that, I’ll be leaving. Here’s twenty thousand dollars. Take Anton Vanko to the hospital for the checkup; the rest can be used for plane tickets.

“The destination is Queens, New York, USA. Contact this phone number when you arrive. Also, make two fake identities—one for Ivan Vanko, one for Anton Vanko.”

As he spoke, Zhong Shenxiu pulled out a bank card and a slip of paper with a phone number.

The card was registered under a false identity and had no password. The funds were deposited in cash, courtesy of the mob, all in twenties. The phone number was similarly untraceable.

S.H.I.E.L.D. could never find any trace.

Zhong Shenxiu wasn’t worried Ivan Vanko would take the money and run, because once he visited the hospital, Ivan Vanko would never be able to escape his grasp. Zhong Shenxiu was confident in this.

Upon hearing about the two fake identities, Ivan Vanko unconsciously smiled.

“Oh, and make one more—for a fifteen-year-old girl. The relationship is up to you.”

Ivan Vanko’s face showed clear confusion, but he ultimately chose not to ask, merely nodded silently in response.