I sparked a mythological frenzy in Marvel.

Chapter 200 Interlude

S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.

"Today is another leisurely day, and I'm starting to miss the fulfilling times of the past."

Nick Fury sighed, thinking back to how fulfilling his days were when he was still the director.

Compared to now, being a gatekeeper isn't busy, but it's far too leisurely.

"Fury, wake up. You're not the director anymore. It's not good to daydream."

Odin interrupted Nick Fury's reverie, causing the latter to frown.

His colleague, who also worked as a gatekeeper, always liked to use reality to discourage him.

How could he not know? That Director Xia had thoroughly subdued him.

Normally, he wouldn't have such thoughts, but Xia Ling has already gone to the island nation.

Nick Fury sighed, ignoring Odin's teasing, and instead asked, "Odin, do you think Director Xia's trip to the island nation will really be able to completely solve the demon problem there?"

Odin shrugged and replied, "Who knows? But judging from Xia Ling's abilities, there shouldn't be too much of a problem. After all, he's someone who can even deal with the God of Death."

"That being said, this situation seems a bit different." Nick Fury frowned. "Those demons are no ordinary enemies; they seem to have a more complex background and power behind them."

"How complicated can it be compared to the God of Death?" Odin said dismissively. "Since Xia Ling dared to go, it means he's confident. Let's not worry about it and just do our jobs."

"If he could"

Before he could finish speaking, Nick Fury caught sight of someone and immediately shut his mouth.

"Frey, what did you just say if he could do what?"

Xia Ling looked at Nick Fury with a smile, but to him, that smile was like the calm before a storm.

Nick Fury's heart tightened, and he quickly changed his tune, saying, "Oh, I meant, it would be great if Director Xia could resolve the island nation's issue smoothly. We could all breathe a sigh of relief, wouldn't we?"

Odin watched Xia Ling arrive, a barely perceptible hint of awe flashing in his eyes. He whispered to Nick Fury, "Looks like your 'leisurely days' are coming to an end. Director Xia is back."

Xia Ling slowly approached, his gaze sweeping over Nick Fury and Odin, seemingly seeing through their recent conversation. "Fury, Odin, it seems you two are getting along quite well here. But don't forget the task I assigned you; guarding the gate is also part of protecting headquarters' security."

Nick Fury nodded quickly, forcing a smile: "Of course, Director Xia, we remain vigilant at all times to ensure that headquarters is absolutely safe."

Xia Ling smiled slightly, not pursuing the matter further, and instead said, "I have a new mission for you. Tony has already reported to me on the recent situation in New York; a mysterious organization is operating covertly. I need the two of you to assist the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents in conducting a secret investigation into this organization."

Nick Fury was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly asked, "Chief, what's the mission?"

"Oh, it's simple. When the agents go out on missions, just keep an eye on this place and don't let anything suspicious come near."

Xia Ling's words left Nick Fury and Odin exchanging bewildered glances, momentarily at a loss for words. Xia Ling, however, remained unusually serious, showing no sign of joking.

"Don't get me wrong, this is no easy task," Xia Ling continued. "This mysterious organization operates covertly and uses cunning methods, so we can't let our guard down. Although your main responsibility right now is guarding headquarters, this is also a crucial part of the fight against them. After all, headquarters is the brain of S.H.I.E.L.D., and if something happens here, the entire organization will fall into chaos."

Nick Fury sighed; he had given away similar opportunities to others before.

He should have realized long ago that he would be lucky to spend the rest of his life working as a doorman; why did he have to think so much?

"Don't worry, Director," Nick Fury said solemnly. "We'll guard this place and prevent any suspicious persons or items from entering headquarters. At the same time, we'll keep a close eye on the outside situation and provide the agents with the necessary support."

"Great, I feel much more at ease with you all here. Remember, stay vigilant and be prepared to respond to any emergencies."

Xia Ling nodded, looking at the gatekeeper in front of her with satisfaction.

"Also, Fury," Xia Ling added, "I have a preliminary solution regarding the island nation's demons. However, the specific situation still requires further observation and analysis. You don't need to worry too much; I will adjust the strategy as needed. But as Odin said, everyone's role is indispensable, and you are all here serving the greater good."

"Yes, Director, we understand. Wherever we are, we will do our utmost to live up to the mission of S.H.I.E.L.D."

Odin also chimed in at the opportune moment: "Director Xia, rest assured, we will guard this door and prevent any threat from infiltrating."

Xia Ling listened to Nick Fury and Odin's assurances and smiled. Nick Fury's position was not as good as before, and after being suppressed by her so many times, he did not seem to have given up at all and was always thinking about climbing up.

There's nothing wrong with that, it's just a pity that he's not in my future plans.

"Very good. It is my greatest honor to have comrades like you." Xia Ling said gently. "Next, I will arrange for the special agent team to develop a surveillance plan for that mysterious organization. As gatekeepers, you don't need to worry so much."

Nick Fury and Odin responded in unison, but a hint of disappointment appeared in Nick Fury's eyes.

"Chief, please don't hesitate to ask if you need our help," Odin volunteered, his tone resolute and unwavering.

Xia Ling smiled slightly and patted Odin on the shoulder: "With you all here, I'm naturally at ease. However, your most important task right now is to guard the headquarters. Remember, this is our root and our central hub. As long as this place is secure, we can calmly deal with any challenge."

During the conversation, an agent hurried in and handed Xia Ling a report. Xia Ling quickly glanced through it, her brows furrowing slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

"It seems our adversaries have already begun to act." Xia Ling handed the report to Nick Fury and Odin. "This is intelligence on the recent activities of a mysterious organization. Take a look first, and then we'll discuss our countermeasures."

Nick Fury and Odin took the report and began to read it carefully. As the information became clearer, their expressions grew increasingly serious.

This mysterious organization is clearly more cunning and powerful than they previously imagined, and their target seems to be the very core of S.H.I.E.L.D.

"Chief, what should we do?" Nick Fury looked up at Xia Ling after reading the report, his eyes filled with anxiety.

"You just need to guard the gate. Do not make any moves without my orders."

Although Nick Fury was somewhat unwilling to be just a goalkeeper, his years of training and experience told him that obeying orders was the top priority.

He took a deep breath, composed himself, and said, "Understood, Chief. We will closely monitor any suspicious activity to ensure the safety of headquarters."

Xia Ling nodded in satisfaction. He knew that maintaining internal stability and unity was of paramount importance in the current situation.

"Very good, I feel at ease with you all here. Now, I need to immediately arrange the action plan against this mysterious organization. Remember, keep communications open, and report to me immediately if anything happens."

After saying that, Xia Ling turned and left for her office, leaving Nick Fury and Odin to continue studying the report.

Before he even reached the office, Hawkeye walked over.

"Director, didn't you say you weren't planning to send Fury on the mission? Why did you show him classified documents?"

Xia Ling shrugged indifferently and said, "There's nothing to take seriously. I'm not like Nick Fury, who values ​​everything so much."

Besides, it's good for him to see. We're all busy here, it's not good for him to be idle, I don't like seeing that.

"Furthermore, while this intelligence is important, it's not top secret. Nick Fury and Odin are both experienced veterans; they know how to discern the importance of information and understand the importance of keeping secrets." Xia Ling stopped and looked intently at Hawkeye. "No matter what, I'm not the devil. Wouldn't it be better to let them feel that they are still an indispensable part of S.H.I.E.L.D., rather than marginalized gatekeepers?"

Hawkeye paused slightly, then nodded, seemingly understanding Xia Ling's intention. "Chief, you always have your reasons. So, regarding this mysterious organization, do you have any specific plans?"

"Of course there's a plan, and it'll be exciting. But now's not the time to reveal it. Go back and prepare; action will be taken soon."

Upon hearing this, Hawkeye's expression hardened, and he immediately saluted. "Yes, Chief, I'll go prepare right away."

Watching Hawkeye's departing figure, Xia Ling took another step, pondering to himself.

Xia Ling entered the office, closed the door, and sat down behind the large desk. He stared at the globe on the desk, but his thoughts had already drifted far away.

"Knock knock knock." The knocking sound interrupted Xia Ling's thoughts. He looked up and saw an agent standing outside the door, holding an encrypted document in his hand.

"Chief, this is the latest intelligence on the mysterious organization." The agent's voice was calm and powerful, revealing an unquestionable determination.

Xia Ling took the document and quickly glanced through it.

"Chief, do we need to take action?" the agent asked quickly upon seeing the situation.

Xia Ling pondered for a moment, then shook her head.

"No, now is not the time. We need more intelligence to find out their true colors, and we also need to pay attention to the situation on the island nation. I can't put all my eggs in one basket."

Upon hearing this, the agent nodded and then silently left the office.

Xia Ling fell into deep thought again, then picked up the phone and dialed Tony's number. "Tony, I need your help analyzing this intelligence to see what this mysterious organization is all about."

Tony responded with a "yes" on the other end of the phone and then hung up.

Not long after, Tony's phone rang again.

"Tony, what are the analysis results?"

"Director Xia, this mysterious organization is indeed not simple." Tony's voice was tinged with seriousness. "They seem to have mastered a technology that can distort reality. If this technology is used in an attack, it will pose a huge threat to us."

"Reality distortion? Don't you think this sounds like something the Brotherhood of Yellow would pull?"

Upon hearing this, Tony frowned, a sense of foreboding rising within him. "The Brotherhood of Yellow Kings? If it's them, then things are in trouble. Continue your investigation and see if there's a direct connection between the two."

Xia Ling responded with a "yes" on the other end of the phone and then hung up.

Just then, the knocking sounded again. Xia Ling looked up and saw Hawkeye standing in the doorway, his expression grave.

"Chief, there's an emergency."

Xia Ling gestured for Hawkeye to come in, and the latter immediately walked to the desk and handed Xia Ling a report. Xia Ling took the report and quickly glanced through it.

The report indicates that a large number of unusual energy fluctuations have suddenly appeared in the New York City area, and these fluctuations are closely related to the activities of a mysterious organization.

"It seems they've already begun their operation," Xia Ling said. "We must take immediate action to stop their plot."

Hawkeye nodded, then asked, "Director, should we notify Nick Fury and Odin?"

Xia Ling thought for a moment, then shook her head.

"No, now is not the time. Their primary task right now is to guard headquarters and ensure its security. We can't afford to distract them. You immediately notify the special agents to prepare for the mission."

Upon hearing this, Hawkeye's expression hardened, and he immediately saluted.

"Yes, Director, I'll get ready right away."

Watching Hawkeye's departing figure, Xia Ling fell into deep thought once again.

Just then, there was another knock on the door. Xia Ling looked up and saw an agent rushing in, holding a report in his hand.

"Chief, this is the latest intelligence on the activities of the mysterious organization." The agent's voice carried a hint of urgency.

Xia Ling took the report and quickly skimmed through it. The report indicated that the mysterious organization had established multiple outposts in downtown New York City. These outposts seemed to be closely connected, and their activities were becoming increasingly frequent, with the intensity and range of their energy fluctuations constantly expanding.

Xia Ling frowned, realizing the situation was urgent. He had to act immediately to stop the mysterious organization's plot, or the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Immediately notify all agent teams to prepare for the mission. Simultaneously, contact Nick Fury and Odin to have them increase security at headquarters and ensure safety here."

With Xia Ling's order given, the agent obeyed and left.

Just then, a bolt from the blue resounded throughout the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.

(End of this chapter)