Ultraman Noah from Marvel

22. There is one more option.

Upon hearing Stark's words, Ji Yuan roughly understood what was going on.

It's nothing more than the government wanting the armor technology, ostensibly to prevent more casualties, using a kind of "moral blackmail" to force Stark to hand over the armor technology.

Stark was no fool, and the first negotiation obviously ended badly, so the military sent Colonel Rhodes, one of Stark's few good friends, to persuade him.

Stark was torn between handing over the goods and not handing them over.

Friends or technology?

"What do you think I should choose?" Stark asked.

Ji Yuan smiled, stood beside Stark, and looked up at the sun high in the sky. He said, "Mr. Stark, the sun will eventually set, and you, in fact, have already made your choice. We're friends, aren't we?"

Stark is such an eccentric person. He's a playboy who seems to take everything lightly. To outsiders, he's an arrogant and cynical person.

In reality, he is two-faced. After witnessing the disaster indirectly caused by his weapons, he fell into deep self-blame, which is why he shut down Stark's weapons division. In a sense, the military's actions are still forcing him to manufacture weapons.

It's the kind of scheme that involves getting something for nothing and emotional blackmail, which not only goes against the original intention of closing the weapons department, but also goes against the original intention of an entrepreneur.

Stark sighed and said, "You damn unscrupulous doctor, I have to admit that when it comes to psychology, you can call yourself Stark."

"Rhodes is my best friend. He was the one the military sent to persuade me. When he was driven to the brink by his superiors, only I could help him, just as he always helps me."

"Oh, damn it, these scheming politicians make me feel like I've eaten a bite of expired butter."

Stark was furious, but he had to admit that he was too kind compared to those politicians, who would stop at nothing to achieve their goals.

"Actually, you could also hand over the technology to S.H.I.E.L.D. and let them play along with those people," Ji Yuan asked tentatively.

Stark suddenly turned his head, revealing an ugly expression, and said, "You also want me to hand you over to S.H.I.E.L.D.? I know what you do at S.H.I.E.L.D., you can't be a lobbyist sent by S.H.I.E.L.D.

Stark was very certain of his judgment of Ji Yuan. During the investigation, S.H.I.E.L.D. seemed to be treating this unscrupulous doctor like royalty.

"This is just a suggestion I made based on the current situation. Didn't Fury also have the idea of ​​getting the technology when he contacted you?" Ji Yuan said with a smile.

Stark nodded, looking somewhat weary, and said, "Fry does have that idea, but some things my father left behind have given me a different perspective on S.H.I.E.L.D. My gut feeling tells me that if the technology of the armor falls into the hands of S.H.I.E.L.D., it will only cause more trouble."

Ji Yuan's eyes lit up; it seemed that Stark's father, Howard, might have discovered something.

If SHIELD were to obtain this technology, it would only lead to an even greater disaster.

"Actually, you have another option," Ji Yuan said.

"Yes!" Stark's face flushed, and he suddenly became excited. "Let me guess if he's manipulating both sides, forcing them to give up something, and favoring whoever pays more, just like a woman stringing two men along, getting close to whoever pays more without having to pay any price."

"Oh, I really am the most charming playboy, Stark, who understands women's hearts the best..."

"But you wouldn't choose that." Ji Yuan suddenly said this.

This sentence was like a dark cloud appearing in a clear sky, unleashing a torrential downpour, completely extinguishing the excitement Stark felt from guessing Ji Yuan's thoughts, leaving him utterly chilled.

“Yeah.” Stark stood up, then reclined on the sofa. “When I found out that Rhodes had been speaking up for me, even vouching for me in front of his boss, I wasn’t going to do it anymore.”

"Perhaps this is what friendship is? He did something for me, and I have to do something for him in return. Giving up some armor technology is nothing, because no one will ever surpass Stark in armor technology, never!"

"But……"

Ji Yuan stood in front of Stark, arms crossed, his tall figure blocking out the sunlight, casting a shadow that completely obscured Stark.

He picked up where Stark left off: "But do you know how many innocent people the weapons you created have hurt? You spend your days in guilt for hurting others, and you present yourself as a cynical person."

"Therefore you shut down Stark Industries' weapons manufacturing division as an attempt to atone for your sins, but the military's demands have undoubtedly pushed you back into the abyss."

"The armor that saves lives has become a war machine for killing, and the wisdom that saves the world has become their ambition to destroy it."

"But there's nothing you can do. This matter eventually has to come to a conclusion. Choosing Rhodes is the best option for you, am I right, Tony?"

Stark was stunned by Ji Yuan's barrage of words, his eyes unfocused as he stared at the ceiling. Ji Yuan's words were a true reflection of his inner thoughts.

Between the two, I chose Rhodes and my friend; there's no perfect solution to everything.

Seeing Stark's lifeless state, Ji Yuan decided to give him a little push: "Hey, Stark, perk up! You look as weak as your masculinity right now."

These words, when they reached Stark's ears, were like a boulder dropped onto a calm lake, instantly igniting him.

"I've told you, I'm top-notch in this area. Where did you hear those rumors, you unscrupulous doctor? If I find out who spread them, I'll make sure they know how powerful Stark is!"

When Ji Yuan said those words, Stark subconsciously cut off Pepper's listening privileges.

Without turning his head, Ji Yuan said, "Lies aren't sharp blades; the truth is the real weapon. Why are you in such a hurry?"

"You!" Stark choked, not knowing how to retort.

"Can we stop talking about this? Let me get hypnotized. I want to have a good night's sleep."

Stark was very sleepy, but the images kept replaying in his mind as soon as he closed his eyes, making it difficult for him to fall asleep.

Ji Yuan turned around, and a ray of sunlight shone on Stark's face, like a ray of hope in despair. Stark couldn't help but close his eyes.

All I heard Ji Yuan say was, "I heard from Pepper that you're going to Washington for a hearing. Just stick to your current choice. When you come back, I'll tell you there's an even better solution, and I also have some unorthodox methods to help you regain your virility. Now, you should get some sleep."

"Snapped!"

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh—"

With a snap of his fingers, Stark instantly fell into a deep sleep. Jarvis carefully adjusted Tony's sleeping position, and a smile appeared on the electronic screen.

Ji Yuan stood by the window, gazing at the magnificent New York cityscape.

"Once the hearing is over, it will be a good time to steer Tony in another direction, and at the same time, it will confirm whether my guess is wrong."