American Comics: Tales of Cultivator

**Chapter 167: Coincidence, Fried Chicken Restaurant, Emerge from Seclusion**

Five minutes before the bombing, after Phil Coulson entered the Villa, he went straight to the Villa's bathroom...

According to the method taught by Director Nick Fury, he removed the toilet's water tank lid, reached inside, and twisted an inconspicuous silver stainless steel button inside the toilet tank.

After two clicking turns, inside the bathtub on one side of the bathroom, a sound of running water rang out. The entire bathtub flipped directly downwards, revealing a pitch-black Cave inside.

Phil Coulson walked over, lowered his head and glanced at the Cave, then reached out and took down the shower head next to it. He turned it twice to the left and twice to the right, pulling out a hollow hose as thick as an index finger, made of soft metal material, from inside the shower head.

After pulling out three or four meters of this metal material hose, Phil Coulson used his hands to tie the hose to his armpit and waist. After pulling it twice more to confirm it was tied securely,

gripping a small flashlight in his hand, he directly leaped and jumped down into the pitch-black Cave.

Phil Coulson rapidly fell inside the Cave. The hundred-meter long metal hose behind him was stretched to its limit, letting him experience the joy of bungee jumping.

The force of the rapid fall was stopped by the taut hose, and Phil Coulson's body was directly bounced up, then fell again.

The special metal material of the hose reduced the arc of his swing, allowing his body to avoid hitting the rock walls on either side.

Waiting until the hose completely hung down, Phil Coulson used the flashlight to shine it around.

The sound of running water came from beneath his feet. The flashlight's light shone on his feet, revealing a shimmering expanse; beneath his feet was an underground river.

Holding the flashlight, Phil Coulson shone it around. On the Water Surface of the underground river, he quickly discovered an airboat.

Phil Coulson bit the flashlight in his mouth, reached out, and untied the hose restraining him.

Looking at the pitch-black unknown water surface beneath his feet, even Phil Coulson, this well-trained Agent, felt a bit unnerved.

However, he quickly suppressed the fear in his heart. Letting go, his entire body submerged into the water.

As soon as he entered the water, the icy underground river water made Phil Coulson shiver.

He endured the biting cold, swam to the side of the airboat, and scrambled onto the airboat using both hands and feet.

After climbing onto the airboat, Phil Coulson lay on the boat, gasping for breath. Before he could rest for long, bursts of rumbling, muffled thunder echoed above him.

After hearing the sound, Phil Coulson quickly got up from the airboat, shining the flashlight to find a remote control nearby.

He extended the remote control's antenna, and Phil Coulson pressed the button.

Listening to the successive explosion sounds ringing out above him, and the sound of stones falling into the water not far away.

Only then did Phil Coulson start the airboat's motor, driving the airboat towards the exit of the underground river.

"Officer, two Quinjets. Based on their appearance, they are our newest second-generation models, but the aircraft model numbers aren't in our database..."

In a Wooden House along a riverbank in the Rocky Mountains, Phil Coulson changed out of his wet clothes and warmed himself by the fire, contacting Nick Fury on the Helicarrier via encrypted communicator.

At the same time, he packaged and forwarded the surveillance footage from the micro camera he had set up to Nick Fury's secret email inbox.

"Based on database comparison, these armed Security personnel aren't people from our bureau either!"

"They are the Special Operations Team directly subordinate to the World Security Council!"

Inside the Director's Office on the Helicarrier, Nick Fury sat in front of the Office computer, looking through the footage Phil Coulson had sent back on the computer.

As one of only two people in all of S.H.I.E.L.D. with Level 10 Clearance, Nick Fury quickly identified this armed squad.

Not just this armed squad, but also the two Quinjets. These two Quinjets were also allocated to the World Security Council upon their debut.

Although he was mentally prepared, when he actually looked up Alexander Pierce and confirmed his suspicion, Nick Fury still took a sharp breath.

Alexander Pierce, his old superior, the former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., was actually also Hydra.

Just thinking about what this meant made Nick Fury's hands and feet turn cold.

Consider that Alexander Pierce served as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. for twenty years, recruiting and promoting countless Agents.

How many Hydra were among them, and how many Subordinates they had developed.

Nick Fury slumped into his Office chair. Phil Coulson's report in the communicator was still continuing, but Nick Fury didn't hear a single word.

His mind was buzzing, a chaotic mess.

If he had initially fantasized about clearing out the Hydra inside S.H.I.E.L.D. and tracing back to the source, after truly confirming Alexander Pierce's Hydra identity,

Nick Fury understood that Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D. were like two vines intertwined from the root. To separate them, both would have to be uprooted simultaneously.

Destroying S.H.I.E.L.D. was something Nick Fury couldn't do. He had dedicated almost his entire life to S.H.I.E.L.D., and only now sat in the Director's position.

He wanted to save S.H.I.E.L.D., but the current S.H.I.E.L.D. was like someone in distress with more than half their body stuck in a swampy mire.

Self-rescue was impossible, unless someone extended a helping hand.

Thinking of this, Nick Fury subconsciously touched the old pager he kept closely treasured in his pocket, but his finger had just touched the pager when his hand moved away as if electrocuted. Nick Fury understood that woman.

If Earth encountered alien invasion, summoning her would definitely be no problem. But for this kind of internal conflict between two human Organizations on the Planet, she might not help. In a sense, she was so altruistic that she couldn't even be called an Earthling.

Moreover, Nick Fury wanted to save this last trump card for when Earth faced a true alien crisis.

Giving up the plan to summon Captain Marvel, Nick Fury pondered who else he could ask for help from.

"Perhaps I can contact him!"

Nick Fury filtered through the powerful figures who could help him in his mind and quickly locked onto a target.

If there was still someone on the entire Earth who could quickly identify the Hydra lurking inside S.H.I.E.L.D., it could only be him!

Professor X Charles Francis Xavier!

The only Mutant on Earth on record with an S-Level danger rating.

Possessing the most powerful Psychic Power on Earth, he can read others' thoughts and memories without physical contact.

He can read others' thoughts within approximately a 250-mile radius, and can also create illusions and manipulate others' thoughts.

If he could lend a hand, he could definitely identify the Hydra hidden inside S.H.I.E.L.D.

However, Charles also deeply knew that his own ability was feared by human governments. He adhered to principles and rarely interfered with matters outside of Mutants.

Although it concerned Hydra, Nick Fury was also not sure if he could persuade him!

"Officer, are you still listening?"

Nick Fury was thinking about how to persuade Professor Charles. In the communicator, Phil Coulson, after reporting the situation, hadn't heard his response and asked somewhat surprised.

"Phil, go to Main Street in Albuquerque. There's a Hermanos Fried Chicken Restaurant there. I have a Safe House nearby. Hawkeye will meet you there for the handover!"

Nick Fury's Safe House Villa near the Rocky Mountains!

Several Hydra Agents wearing S.H.I.E.L.D. badges searched for a long time among the broken walls and rubble after the explosion, without any findings.

"Officer, no human tissue was found. I suspect this Safe House was just a disguise!"

The Cobra Commander of this mission walked to the side and contacted his directly subordinate Officer, Alexander Pierce, using a communicator! Inside the World Security Council Headquarters,

Alexander Pierce was inside the Office hosting the visiting Federation Secretary of State, Francis Underwood! The matters concerning this secret meeting between the Federation and Wakanda were handled by Francis Underwood.

His purpose in coming to find Alexander Pierce was firstly to ensure the Security issues of this secret meeting.

Another was wanting to learn more details about Wakanda from Alexander Pierce, so that he could take the initiative in this meeting.

The two of them were drinking coffee. Alexander Pierce was holding a copy of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s detailed investigation report on Wakanda, thoughtfully explaining Wakanda's intelligence to Francis Underwood.

As is well known, although the World Security Council is nominally a world Organization, its actual control has always been in the hands of the Federation.

Therefore, even if Alexander Pierce was the Secretary-General of the World Security Council, facing Francis Underwood, this Secretary of State, he still maintained superficial respect.

Buzzing-- Alexander Pierce was explaining to Francis Underwood the five main Tribes that constitute Wakanda, when a phone buzzing sound suddenly interrupted him.

Alexander Pierce glanced at the mobile phone he had placed on the table. He picked up the mobile phone, looked at the caller ID, smiled apologetically towards Francis Underwood, and pointed to his mobile phone.

Francis Underwood extended his hand and gestured.

Alexander Pierce picked up the mobile phone, walked to the side, and answered the phone.

The information coming from the anti-eavesdropping phone instantly made Alexander Pierce change complexion, but he quickly adjusted and issued orders with a calm tone!

"I understand. You can withdraw!"

After issuing the order, Alexander Pierce hung up the phone and adjusted the expression on his face with his back to Francis Underwood.

By the time he turned around, his face had already recovered a polite smile.

Hermanos Fried Chicken Restaurant, Albuquerque, New Mexico

A Middle-aged Man wearing a black suit sat in the Corner of the Fried Chicken Restaurant. In front of him was a large bucket of golden colored fried chicken.

However, his attention was clearly not on the fried chicken. He kept staring engrossed at the mobile phone on the table.

Behind the counter of the Fried Chicken Restaurant, the Black owner of the Fried Chicken Restaurant, wearing the fried chicken shop uniform and an apron, occasionally swept his gaze over this slightly bald-headed Middle-aged Man.

Gustavo Fring looked at the watch on his wrist. The agreed meeting time between him and Heisenberg (from Breaking Bad) was still half an hour away.

Because he was supported by the Italian Mafia Family and that Big Boss in New York, Gustavo Fring's recent Fried Chicken Restaurant business, besides being spread across more than a dozen states in the Federation, had once reached Europe...

The Godfather of the Gambino family, through means, bribed the French Coast Guard and seized two tons of goods shipped from The East,

While cutting off France's largest trade route, in one fell swoop they occupied 60% of France's market share.

Because the Big Boss doesn't touch these things, Willie Gambino took out 20% of France's market share and gave it to Gustavo Fring.

While sending a large amount of manpower to France, Gustavo Fring wanted to purify the quality of the goods so that he could squeeze some small vendors out of the market and better digest this 20% market share. For this, he arranged to meet Walter White at this Fried Chicken Restaurant.

Walter White is his Heisenberg (from Breaking Bad), an ordinary High School chemistry teacher.

But this Middle-aged Man who suddenly appeared in the store made Gustavo Fring feel some suspicion.

From his behavior and demeanor, Gustavo Fring felt this person was very much like an Agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)! Gustavo Fring thought for a moment, got a cup of cola from the beverage machine, carried it on a tray, and walked out from behind the counter.

Phil Coulson, who was looking down at the surveillance video, heard footsteps. His mobile phone quickly switched interfaces. By the time Gustavo Fring, carrying the cola, walked in front of Phil Coulson,

his mobile phone's interface had already changed to a general knowledge explanation encyclopedia about vehicle maintenance tips.

"Sir, I am the Boss of this store. I see you haven't eaten a bite of your fried chicken. Is it not to your liking!?" Gustavo Fring smiled as he looked at Phil Coulson:

Phil Coulson raised his head and looked at this gentle and refined Black man wearing glasses before him. When he entered this Fried Chicken Restaurant, he had seen this face on the sign outside the door.

"The fried chicken is very fragrant. This is a two-person portion of fried chicken. The person I'm waiting for hasn't arrived yet!"

Phil Coulson didn't notice anything suspicious from Gustavo Fring, and said to him with a polite smile.

Gustavo Fring picked up a large cup of iced cola from the tray: "Then I apologize for disturbing you. This is a complimentary cola from our store. If you need anything, you can tell me in advance!"

"Okay, thank you!"

Phil Coulson nodded in thanks towards the Black owner of the Fried Chicken Restaurant before him, then after watching him leave, only then switched back his mobile phone's page.

Approximately ten minutes later, Hawkeye, having changed his attire, pushed the door open and walked into this Fried Chicken Restaurant. He immediately noticed Agent Phil sitting in the Corner.

"The Director's order. The Safe House and Brock Rumlow will be taken over by me. You need to go to Washington D.C. to execute a Security mission!"

Hawkeye sat in front of Phil Coulson. His line of sight complemented Phil Coulson's, allowing them to cover the entire Fried Chicken Restaurant. Everyone in the entire Fried Chicken Restaurant was under their observation.

"What about Brock Rumlow's interrogation?"

"The Director's intention is to suspend the interrogation. Wait until Agent Hill returns with the Mind Reader. Not just Brock Rumlow, he will conduct a small-scale screening of a portion of the Agents in the bureau to find some usable manpower!"

After a simple mission confirmation, Phil Coulson and Hawkeye left the Fried Chicken Restaurant one after the other.

Phil pushed open the Gate of the Fried Chicken Restaurant. A bald-headed man in his fifties wearing a plaid shirt happened to push the door open and come in. The two crossed paths!

Gustavo Fring glanced at his Heisenberg (from Breaking Bad), lowered his head, and continued frying the chicken pieces in his hand.

Soon the chicken pieces were fried until golden brown and crispy.

Gustavo Fring poured the chicken pieces drained of oil into the fried chicken paper cylinder, sprinkling seasoning.

His gaze inadvertently watched the two cars driving away from here, one after the other.

"Nick, find some people to investigate those two people just now. See if they were just passing through or came specifically to Albuquerque. If they came specifically here, find out their purpose clearly!"

While smiling and preparing the fried chicken, Gustavo Fring instructed the Waiter next to him.

Now is a critical period for the development of his fried chicken business. Gustavo Fring certainly doesn't want to be targeted by people from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

If there is really trouble, Gustavo Fring plans to send a sum of money to New York to see if he can resolve these small problems through that Big Boss.

"Yes, Boss!"

The Waiter, faintly wearing a scorpion tattoo on his arm, walked to the Changing Room in the back, changed his clothes, pushed the door open, and walked out of the Fried Chicken Restaurant.

Gustavo Fring was still focused on making fried chicken,

In the original seat of Phil Coulson, the bald chemistry teacher sat there silently waiting without saying a word, just that his complexion wasn't very pleasant.

New York, Tang Manor

Tang Song, who had just emerged from seclusion, was in the Courtyard accompanying Skye and Fox as they fed the fish. Schools of Koi Carp swam in the Artificial Stream surrounding the Courtyard. The Koi Carp, just air-freighted from Japan, were colorful and vibrant, like Shusui Koi, Bekko Koi, Asagi Koi, Koromo Koi, Kawarimono Koi, Ogon Koi, Patterned Gin Rin Koi, Kinginrin Koi, Tancho Koi, and Patterned Gin Rin Koi. It is said that in order to decorate Boss Tang's Manor, each of these valuable Koi Carp was personally selected by Mariko Yashida!

In return, the construction company subordinate to Tang Group provided a series of conveniences for Yashida Corporation entering the New York real estate market.

Allowing Yashida Corporation to secure the development rights for three properties in New York. Of course, the contractor for these three properties was naturally handled by Tang Construction Company.

Perhaps because she saw the benefits, Mariko Yashida's prestige within Yashida Corporation sharply increased for a time,

Many High-level Staff from Yashida Corporation who originally supported Shingen Yashida also started to become wavering.

By the Artificial Lake, Tang Song, Skye, and Fox were each holding a small jar and feeding. Several hundred Koi Carp gathered, competing for the fish food,

Gathered together, they were like a colorful flower blooming in the water, very pleasing to the eye.

While scattering fish food into the water, Tang Song felt the surging power inside his body.

The Qi and Blood Power refined from the four Ghoul White Bone Banners fused within his body.

The aura on his body at this time became more profound and substantial. From skin to flesh and blood, from meridians and collaterals to internal organs, from bone to bone marrow, and even the most difficult to temper brain and nerves, were all strengthened and enhanced by this Qi and Blood Power.

Especially the strength of his meridians and collaterals and acupoints inside his body soared upwards dramatically. The meridians and collaterals became more flexible and spacious, and the acupoints became more substantial and vast.

The True Essence that Tang Song's meridians and collaterals could instantly accommodate also continuously increased by one time, two times, three times.

The most direct reaction brought by absorbing so much Qi and Blood Power was that Tang Song's height increased by a full seven or eight centimeters, and his body also became imposing and strong.

In a Corner of the Courtyard, the Big Cat was lazily lying there sunbathing its belly. Gu Zi Yun and Zheng Daojing were surrounding the Big Cat, occasionally picking up a piece of bloody beef and feeding it.

At this moment, Lane walked in, bringing a woman with a pale complexion.

"Boss! Miss Hei Mu Mingliang is here!"

Hei Mu Mingliang, the Black Wizard who had appeared in the Troll Black Market and was a forensic doctor from the New York City Police Department, looked at the man before her, feeling a drumbeat in her heart. She didn't understand why this demonic god-like man before her had summoned her.

Tang Song handed the porcelain jar containing fish food in his hand to Lane.

(end of chapter)