"Finally, I can only say one thing. Goodbye, Tony." These were Obadiah's last words to Tony. After saying them, he pulled out a syringe and injected something into Tony's body.
This was a sufficiently lethal hallucinogenic drug, containing some narcotic components, but more so a powerful adrenaline stimulant. It would cause a person's adrenaline to exceed the threshold, thereby stimulating the body's blood circulation and heart rate to accelerate infinitely, until Death. Obadiah used this on Tony to create the illusion that Tony had overdosed on drugs.
Everyone knew that Tony hadn't been doing well recently, so drug use was an understandable behavior. This wouldn't fool everyone, but it could fool the media. And for Obadiah, that was enough.
As the drug was injected, a sickly flush spread across Tony's face. Obadiah ignored him, stepping over Tony's body and heading straight into Tony's underground laboratory. Because Tony hadn't had time to modify the identity verification, Jarvis couldn't stop him, so he entered the center of the laboratory unimpeded.
There, Tony's iron man armor stood silently on a display stand. The cold armor didn't attract Obadiah's attention; he had his own unique aesthetic. What truly attracted him was the miniature arc reactor at the very center of the iron man armor.
They had started proposing the concept of miniaturizing the arc reactor thirty years ago, but even now, the Scientists under Stark had not completed this project. Yet Tony, this true Genius, had achieved this in a cave with scrap metal. This couldn't help but make Obadiah Marvel; God was always unfair.
He removed the central miniature arc reactor and admired it carefully. Obadiah once again praised Tony's Genius. This reactor was no longer the sample made in the cave, but a finished product Tony had created after his return, using the best resources at hand. The brilliant blue light was dazzling, like holding a shining star in his hand. Looking at this thing, even the deeply cunning Obadiah couldn't help but grin.
However, he didn't continue to revel, because he knew he still had important things to do. In his dealings with the Ten Rings Gang, he had obtained Tony's armor technology. In recent days, relying on the internal research staff of Stark, he had already completed the manufacture of another Iron Man Suit, lacking only a suitable energy source. This was also why he happened to come to Tony.
It was because of this coincidence that he heard Tony's plans and learned that Miss Potts was already searching for evidence of his illegal activities within the company. So he had to respond.
And the iron man armor he named Iron Monger was his best Sharp Weapon for counterattack. As long as this weapon was displayed to the world, neither the Board of Directors nor the Government would have the courage or idea to target him. Because he held a weapon that could Dominator the future battlefield.
By then, Tony would certainly be gone. With him holding the core technology, he wasn't worried that these people would make decisions unfavorable to him.
This was the advantage of monopoly, because it could break some inherent theorems.
Having obtained what he wanted, Obadiah naturally didn't stay long. He drove directly to the military factory under Stark, where the basic model of the Iron Monger was located, only lacking a heart, and it would come to life.
And shortly after he left, Tony finally broke free from his paralyzed state. At this point, due to the strong hallucinogenic effects, not only had all his physiological functions become severely disordered, but even his thoughts and senses had become blurred. This caused him to be completely unable to control his body, only feeling the increasingly strong pressure coming from within his body.
He even began to worry that this gradually increasing pressure would burst his heart. But even with all the worry, it was useless, because he had no solution at all. The only thing he could do was to try his best to regain control of his body. Even if it was just a little bit, there might be a glimmer of hope.
His blood vessels began to swell and twist, and thick, dark veins emerged one by one from his body. His eyes also became increasingly red, fine bloodshot lines almost covering the whites of his eyes. This was an unimaginable pain; in his current state, Tony would find it very difficult to continue. But he was still trying, desperately racing against the God of Death. The stubbornness in his nature compelled him to do so; waiting for Death had never been his style.
And miracles often happen in such situations. When Tony's eyes could no longer withstand the immense internal pressure and began to bleed from the corners, Tony's efforts finally bore fruit. He regained partial control of his body. That was his right to speak.
In this situation, even if an ordinary person could speak, it might not be of much use. But Tony was different; he had an intelligent butler. He only needed to give a command, and Jarvis could do most of what he asked.
"Jarvis, contact Zhou Yi, help!" Tony, with his surging internal pressure, couldn't be more detailed, but this was enough for Jarvis. In an instant, he contacted Zhou Yi and forwarded Tony's plea for help.
And almost in a breath, Zhou Yi appeared before him.
Looking at the disheveled Tony, Zhou Yi extended his hand and began to heal his body. The divine power easily dispelled the abnormalities in Tony's body, allowing Tony to finally let out a long breath.
He lay on the ground, and after a long gasp, he picked himself up. He said to Zhou Yi.
"Thanks, pal. You saved me again."
"Who did it?" Zhou Yi didn't care about his thanks; such things didn't matter between them. What he cared more about was who was targeting Tony. This was truly a matter of life and Death; if he had arrived a moment later, he might have only seen Tony's corpse. He didn't know if he could save Tony in that situation, nor did he have any intention of trying.
"It was Obadiah, damn him. He actually killed my father. I'm going to make him pay!" Thinking of Obadiah's earlier confession, Tony said fiercely. At this moment, all his feelings for Obadiah had vanished, and all that remained was hatred.
"Where is Obadiah, do you know where he is?" Zhou Yi scanned the surroundings but found no trace of Obadiah. Clearly, Obadiah was no longer nearby.
"Damn it, he knows Miss Potts went to search for his behind-the-scenes dealings. I'm worried Miss Potts is in danger; Obadiah won't let her go." When Obadiah was mentioned, Tony immediately thought of Miss Potts, whom he had asked to find evidence. Given the current situation, if Miss Potts encountered Obadiah, the most terrible things could happen.
At this time, Obadiah was like a mad dog backed into a corner; he would bite anyone who might threaten him, including Miss Potts.
"You should contact Miss Potts and tell her what happened.
Tell her to be careful and avoid Obadiah. Also, where is Miss Potts? I'll go protect her." Zhou Yi narrowed his eyes and quickly made this decision. Under his protection, Obadiah couldn't possibly harm Miss Potts, and in fact, as long as he dared to show his face, he would only face Death.
But Tony disagreed. He grabbed Zhou Yi's clothes and said to him.
"Listen, I won't allow you to interfere. Obadiah is mine; he can only die by my hand. Besides me, I won't allow any of you to lay a finger on him. I will make him pay the price."
"Are you serious, Tony?"
"I've never been more serious than now, Zhou Yi. He killed my father, and now he wants to kill me. No matter what, he must give the Stark family an explanation." Tony Stark's gaze was terrifying. At this moment, the Family's hatred was entirely on his shoulders. He had to settle things with Obadiah; only then could the Family's hatred be concluded.
"Alright, this is the Stark Family's hatred; I have no right to interfere. I will only protect Miss Potts from harm. As for the rest, it's up to you to see what you can achieve!"
After saying this, Zhou Yi, just as he had arrived, suddenly vanished from in front of Tony Stark. And Tony, turning resolutely, walked towards his laboratory. There, he would put on his Iron Man Suit and head to the battlefield for the final duel with Obadiah.
Meanwhile, Miss Potts had an unexpected discovery. She easily obtained evidence of Obadiah's behind-the-scenes dealings and also saw his design blueprints for his Iron Man Suit. To some extent, she had already learned Obadiah's biggest secret.
The thrill of discovering this secret made Miss Potts involuntarily quicken her pace, wanting to escape from the building. But as soon as she reached the door, she was stopped by someone.
"Hello! Miss Potts, I had an appointment to meet you today, do you remember me?"
"You're from that… Homeland Strategic and Logistics Agency, I remember your name, Coulson, right?"
"Phil Coulson, we are now called S.H.I.E.L.D. Do you have time now, Miss Potts?" Agent Coulson asked with a smile. He noticed Miss Potts's current panic, but for him, this was an even better opportunity, an opportunity to get closer to Stark. Everyone knew the relationship between Miss Potts and Tony Stark; helping Miss Potts was essentially no different from doing Stark a favor.
"Of course, Mr. Coulson, please follow me, we can have a good chat now."
Miss Potts had already realized Agent Coulson's true identity at this moment: an organization independent of A and B. This meant it must possess a certain amount of power, such as arresting Obadiah.
Obadiah's alleged behind-the-scenes dealings had already violated U.S. law. He had sold weapons to hostile foreign powers. Based on this point alone, the Government organization had the right to arrest him. However, Miss Potts was still a bit uneasy. She looked at Agent Coulson and asked.
"Agent Coulson, can you call for more people?"
"Of course, but may I know what you intend to do, Miss Potts?"
"We're going to make an arrest. I have evidence proving Obadiah is involved in a very serious illegal arms deal. I think you should have the authority to arrest him!"
"Of course, we absolutely have the right to decide on such matters!" Agent Coulson smiled and gave a positive reply.