Though Richard recognized the feigned respect on Wilson Fisk's face, he paid it no mind. He didn't even bother examining the dragon bones in the open cases. His interest in them was minimal—this was merely a test of how far the Kingpin would go to enlist his help against Wenwu.
In other words, it was a matter of sincerity.
And Fisk had proven himself impressively sincere. While it had taken him over two weeks to acquire the dragon bones—not particularly efficient on paper—the achievement itself was remarkable.
The Hand might appear to be just another eccentric underground organization, superficially similar to other criminal enterprises. But their true power far exceeded that of ordinary gangs.
The Five Fingers of the Hand were former traitors to K'un-Lun who had sustained themselves for centuries using the power of dragon bones. Their legions of fanatical ninjas and the Black Sky assassins weren't adversaries to be taken lightly.
Moreover, the Hand served the primordial demon known as "The Beast." Though this entity wasn't particularly renowned in the Marvel Universe, that was only because the cosmos teemed with powerful beings—not because The Beast lacked formidable power.
Richard gave the artifacts a cursory glance before addressing Kingpin:
"I acknowledge your sincerity," he said. "I'll resolve the situation between Wenwu and the Ten Rings. You may leave now."
"Very well," Fisk replied immediately. "I'm grateful for your assistance, Mr. Wesley."
With that, Kingpin and his entourage departed the reception room.
After they'd gone, Emma Frost turned to Richard. "Do you intend to kill Wenwu and dismantle the Ten Rings organization?"
"That depends on how things unfold," Richard answered coolly. "I only promised to resolve the conflict between Wenwu and the Ten Rings. The method remains my choice."
Though Fisk had only delivered the dragon bones today, Richard had already commissioned research into Wenwu's background and recent activities.
The investigation revealed disturbing intelligence. Unlike the film version who had retired from criminal activities after marriage, this universe's Wenwu had never ceased his ruthless expansion. The Ten Rings had grown into a global criminal empire, trafficking in weapons, drugs, and human beings. Their operations left trails of devastation across continents.
Most troubling were the reports about Wenwu's son. Multiple sources indicated the young man had fled his father's organization, but Richard's initial assessment was that Shang-Chi was simply another weakling who couldn't handle the family business.
This intelligence hadn't been Richard's own discovery but came through the Hellfire Club. On the third day after his televised interview, the Club's only three remaining executives had approached him, expressing their desire to serve under his leadership.
After brief consideration, Richard had accepted their submission, assuming complete control of the Hellfire Club.
The following morning, after breakfast at the manor, Richard teleported away.
The distance between New York and San Francisco spans approximately 2,900 miles. A commercial flight would take roughly six hours to cover this distance.
Richard completed the journey in less than a minute.
Upon arriving in San Francisco, he didn't immediately proceed to locate Shang-Chi. Instead, he visited the Hellfire Club's local "base"—a mansion situated in an affluent San Francisco neighborhood.
When Richard materialized at the mansion, Isabel Nava—the "Black Bishop" overseeing the San Francisco operation—immediately greeted him with a respectful bow.
"Provide me with the latest information on Shang-Chi and the two women monitoring him," Richard commanded.
"Right away, sir," Isabel responded promptly.
She soon returned with detailed surveillance reports. As expected, Shang-Chi worked as a hotel parking attendant, taking pride in his menial position. His female friend Katie, despite her Berkeley education, seemed equally content with their humble circumstances.
What disgusted Richard wasn't their profession, but their attitude—the way they seemed to celebrate mediocrity and waste their potential.
After reviewing the intelligence, Richard made his decision. He would eliminate both of them for their pathetic existence, then deal with Wenwu.
From his aerial vantage point atop a downtown high-rise, Richard observed the hotel where Shang-Chi worked. Below, the young man moved about in his crimson valet uniform, parking cars for hotel guests with what appeared to be genuine enthusiasm.
Watching Shang-Chi and Katie work with such apparent contentment in their servile roles filled Richard with contempt. Here were two individuals who could have achieved so much more, yet chose to grovel for tips.
Without hesitation, Richard teleported directly to the hotel entrance.
His sudden appearance immediately drew the attention of Shang-Chi, Katie, and several hotel guests.
Killing intent!
Overwhelming killing intent!
The moment Richard materialized, Shang-Chi sensed his murderous aura—so potent it seemed almost tangible. He quickly realized this deadly intention was directed specifically at Katie and himself.
Though bewildered by this stranger's hostility, Shang-Chi instinctively prepared for combat, his body tensing for the inevitable confrontation.
"Wait, I know you!" Katie exclaimed, reaching for her phone. "You're Richard Wesley!"
As she raised her phone toward Richard, a wind blade approximately eight inches long materialized in the air.
Slice!
The razor-sharp energy construct sliced cleanly through her phone, splitting the device in half. The pieces clattered to the pavement.
Katie stared at the destroyed phone in shock, then looked up at Richard with wide, fearful eyes.
"Have you come to seek revenge against my father?" Shang-Chi demanded, his face contorted with rage and terror.
"No," Richard replied calmly. "Actually, I despise weaklings who waste their potential. I came specifically to kill you and that foolish girl."
Despite the numerous hotel guests and pedestrians within earshot, Richard showed no concern about witnesses to his statements.
Come specifically to kill Katie and me?
"Why?" Shang-Chi asked desperately. "We don't know each other... We've never wronged you!"
Never wronged me? Your pathetic existence offends me!
But before Richard could deliver his contemptuous response, he decided to probe deeper. Activating his telepathy, he delved into Shang-Chi's mind to understand what kind of person cowered before him.
What Richard discovered stopped him cold.
Memories flooded through his consciousness—a child no older than seven being forced to kill, brutal training sessions that left a boy broken and bloodied, psychological torture designed to strip away humanity and replace it with mechanical obedience. He saw Wenwu's systematic destruction of his son's psyche, turning a innocent child into a weapon through methods that would make hardened criminals recoil.
Richard witnessed Shang-Chi's desperate escape at fourteen, living on the streets, constantly looking over his shoulder in terror. The parking attendant job wasn't chosen out of laziness or lack of ambition—it was a desperate attempt to disappear, to become so invisible that his father might never find him.
The enthusiasm Richard had mistaken for pathetic contentment was actually the forced cheer of someone trying to convince himself he was safe, that he could build a normal life from the wreckage of his childhood.
Richard's killing intent evaporated instantly, replaced by something he rarely felt: pity.
This wasn't a weakling celebrating mediocrity. This was a traumatized survivor clinging to the first semblance of peace he'd ever known.
"You..." Richard began, his voice notably softer.
"Stop!"
A clear voice rang out from the distance. Turning toward the source, Richard beheld an Asian woman of extraordinary beauty, her long hair flowing gracefully around her refined features.
Ying Li!
She wore a pristine white garment resembling a martial arts uniform, appearing ethereal and distinctly out of place among the urban surroundings.
Beside her hovered a strange, furry, spherical creature lacking eyes, nose, or mouth, with six legs and two pairs of wings.
Dijiang!
It was unmistakably a Dijiang from Ta Lo!
Upon recognizing Ying Li, Richard realized she must have come seeking Shang-Chi for reasons related to Ta Lo. Her timing, however, was inconvenient.
Richard looked back at Shang-Chi, who had moved protectively in front of Katie, both of them staring at him with a mixture of fear and confusion.
"Consider this your lucky day," Richard said quietly. "Your father, however, won't be so fortunate."
Just as Ying Li opened her mouth to speak, Richard raised his hand.
Mind Freeze!
He immobilized her consciousness and body with telepathy, then used his gravity control to lift the Dijiang creature.
Under the stunned gaze of onlookers, Richard vanished with the immobilized Ying Li and the Dijiang, leaving only the distant wail of approaching sirens.