K'un-Lun maintains a deeply traditional isolation, rarely engaging with the outside world and typically viewing it with detached indifference. Yet this seclusion doesn't imply ignorance—especially after Hong Fei crippled their current Iron Fist and stole his power. That act shattered any pretense of K'un-Lun remaining aloof.
Lei Kung served as their initial probe. When Hong Fei swiftly defeated him, K'un-Lun withdrew their overt challenges—but their silent observation never ceased. The city couldn't afford to lose the Iron Fist's essence, and more importantly, Shou-Lao the Undying would never tolerate half its Dragon Power walking free. Hong Fei kept his own watch on K'un-Lun in turn.
Their envoys' arrival came as no surprise. If anything, Hong Fei found their response delayed.
"Identified the visitors?"
"Surveillance suggests two targets based on their movement patterns after entering the city."
Hong Fei pulled out his phone as two images appeared. His laughter rang out sharp and sudden.
"Did they send runaways? One's a washed-up failure, the other... barely better. What exactly do they think this accomplishes?"
The photos showed Danny Rand and Lei Kung's son, Davos—the self-styled "Steel Serpent."
"Send Bronski to collect them both."
"Understood. Sir, Big Head's team confirms they'll meet at The Foundation's temporary base."
"Temporary base? Where?"
"Southeast corner of Manhattan's Central Park."
"Prime location."
He took flight toward New York.
Hong Fei's descent into Central Park revealed the sprawling rectangle of urban greenery. The Foundation's makeshift headquarters occupied a building on its southeastern edge—former Stark property now leased for their use.
Hill and Coulson were exiting a van as Hong Fei arrived. Hill stepped forward first with Coulson trailing. Hong Fei acknowledged them with a nod before eyeing their cargo.
"That much equipment?"
"Salvaged from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s remains."
Hill hesitated.
"Why would Pierce ever authorize this transfer?"
"Ask him yourself. Now that you're with The Foundation, focus on the work. No labyrinthine bureaucracy here, no political backroom deals—past, present or future. Our operations stay self-contained. You can ditch those politician-handling tactics for good."
Hill's brow furrowed.
"With respect, Mr. Hong, I've studied The Foundation's mandate. External relations remain critical."
Hong Fei gestured toward Coulson.
"He'll handle diplomacy. We'll negotiate, bargain, even cooperate—but our terms are binary. Commit or walk away."
Coulson maintained his placid smile. Hill pressed on, "This approach invites unnecessary conflict."
"Short-term friction prevents long-term disasters."
"Consolidating every superpowered individual will make us a global target."
"Shall we blind their surveillance teams?"
Hill's eye twitched at the suggestion. Hong Fei chuckled.
"Relax. Let them watch. We operate regardless. If we were to hesitate and consider multi-party relationships from the outset, there'd be no purpose in establishing The Foundation separate from the Avengers as a coordinating body. I understand your perspective—your caution is thorough. But the world's changed. Yesterday's rules won't govern tomorrow."
The future will inevitably see organizations like ours emerge. If we worry too much about how governments perceive us, we'll either get infiltrated or collapse under our own hesitation.
Hong Fei leaned forward, his voice firm.
"That's why we need unshakable principles from day one. The Foundation exists to gather superpowered individuals who might threaten global security. We address their concerns and channel their abilities toward maintaining world peace. Even the Superpower Park is just business as usual."
He spread his hands.
"Our path stays clear regardless of politics or borders. Let's keep it simple—they handle their affairs, we handle ours. Best if we all mind our own business."
Hong Fei's smile turned sharp.
"But if someone reaches across that line, or tries to cut us out... Coulson, what would you do?"
Jolted from his thoughts, Coulson met Hong Fei's deceptively pleasant expression.
"We could... negotiate?"
"Really?"
Hong Fei arched an eyebrow.
"Consult?"
"Is that so?"
"Issue a warning?"
Hong Fei barked a laugh.
Coulson's jaw tightened.
"Break their damn legs."
Master Hong's smile widened approvingly.
Hill, who'd been observing quietly, folded her arms.
"Our operations span multiple nations. We'll need their cooperation. And superpowered individuals come from those countries—governments could block their citizens from joining."
"First point," Hong Fei held up a finger. "After we finish relief efforts in New York and London, we'll make a formal appearance at the UN General Assembly. We'll negotiate agreements, publish a list of participating nations, and stay out of non-signatory countries' affairs entirely."
"Second," another finger rose, "every nation and superpowered individual has free will. We respect that choice completely."
His gaze locked onto Hill's.
"Any other concerns?"
She studied him for a long moment before shaking her head.
"No immediate questions. Though your answers feel... layered."
Hong Fei's grin didn't waver.
"You'll need to read between the lines. And remember—we might call ourselves The Foundation, but we're a violent organization at heart. Thoughts?"
"I see that now. But—"
He cut her off with a raised palm.
"Enough for today. Write down your questions. We'll address them all after headquarters renovations finish."
"Where is headquarters?"
"Sokovia."
"That's a tiny country."
"My castle serves as the base."
"Won't that disrupt your privacy?"
"I'll relocate."
"Where?"
"Dragon Palace."
Hill blinked.
"Where's that?"
Hong Fei's eyes narrowed as he gave her an appraising once-over.
"So many questions. Sure you want those answers?"
Under his blatant scrutiny, Hill took an involuntary step back.
"Just curious," she said quickly.
Behind them, black SUVs rolled to a stop. Big Head and his team emerged, approaching in formation.
"Boss," the four women chorused with Big Head.
"Where's Wenwu?"
"Taking inventory at Fury's base."
Hong Fei nodded toward Hill.
"He'll meet you upon return. Xu Wenwu is—and will remain—The Foundation's operational manager."
Frank, their nominal leader, preferred spending his time dismantling global crime syndicates. Even though he had long known very clearly that things like criminal networks could never be fully eradicated—that they were inevitable shadows cast by the world's own flawed order—he pursued them out of habit. Managing The Foundation held no appeal, so Hong Fei had gladly delegated those duties to Xu Wenwu.
"Understood," Hill said. "I'll be ready."
Hong Fei lifted his hand out of habit, about to pat her shoulder—then stopped. Remembering her guarded look, he brushed his hair instead and smiled.
"Work hard. Wenwu isn't the type to hoard power. He'll likely delegate much of it to you. In the end, you'll have final say on most Foundation matters."
His smile faded.
"Just remember one thing."
Hill straightened, meeting his gaze.
"Tell me."
"The Foundation doesn't compromise. Not for anyone. Not for any reason."
Her brow twitched, but as she took in the grave expressions of Hong Fei and the team behind him—Big Head and the others—something clicked. Her nod was sharp, final.
"Understood."
"Good. Get to work then."
He turned, jerking his chin at the team as they filed into the building. The interior felt hollow. With barely a hundred official staff and most temps deployed across New York's disaster zones, only logistics personnel lingered in the halls.
They claimed the first empty conference room. Hong Fei didn't sit.
"You're in for a long haul."
Big Head exchanged glances with the others. No dread showed on their faces—just raw, crackling anticipation.
Hong Fei held out his palm. White Light Energy streamed forth, weaving itself into a humanoid figure. At his will, the glow shifted hues until a perfect replica of a living being stood before them.
"Skrulls. Aliens. Their trick?"
The construct's edges blurred.
"They shapeshift. The external simulation similarity is 100%, and under specific conditions, even their genes can't be distinguished."
As he spoke, the Light Energy Skrull rippled—and became an exact copy of Hong Fei himself.