No one spoke in response to Hong Fei's question. Tony didn't want to talk to him, Natasha had no thoughts on the matter, Barton was waiting to see how things would play out, and Luke Cage and Matt had even less to say. However, both Thor and Steve had looks of contemplation on their faces.
After a short while, the two of them looked up at the same time, but they both stopped and glanced at each other just as they were about to speak.
Hong Fei smiled from the side and said, "It's alright, one at a time. Thor, you've come a long way from Asgard and you're our guest, so you go first."
The corners of Thor's mouth immediately curled up, and Steve nodded in agreement.
"Hong, the Tesseract should be kept in Asgard; it's too dangerous. I will take it back along with Loki, but that scepter can be left to you."
After listening, Hong Fei nodded without saying much and turned his gaze toward Steve.
Steve shook his head and said, "Thor can take Loki and the Tesseract; they are both very dangerous. However, I don't think the scepter is a trophy. It can control people's minds, so we should keep it under strict guard."
Thor frowned. "Then wouldn't Hong have fought for nothing? I believe his contribution is worth a trophy!"
Steve replied, "I'm not saying it isn't worth it, it's just that this item is different."
Hong Fei interrupted their conversation, saying, "Alright, there's no need to argue. I don't want the Mind Stone, nor do I want the Tesseract or Loki. As for trophies, I don't think they should be discussed in this war."
Upon hearing this, everyone looked over in surprise. Hong Fei raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you looking at me?"
The group remained silent, while Hulk let out a roar for no apparent reason before turning around and leaving.
"I'll take the Tesseract for now. Thor, come find me to collect it before you leave. The remaining matters should be handled by S.H.I.E.L.D., so we'll be going now."
After saying that, Hong Fei picked up the box containing the Tesseract and turned to leave. Steve took a large step forward.
"Wait, you're leaving just like that?"
"Otherwise?"
Steve said helplessly, "No, didn't you have something you wanted to say to me just now?"
Hearing this, Hong Fei realized, "Oh, right. Wait a moment."
As he spoke, he handed the Tesseract to Frank, then turned and put his arm around Steve's shoulder, leading him to the side. Coming to the platform at the edge of the building, Hong Fei pointed down at the sprawling ruins and debris.
"Guess how long it will take for this place to return to its original state?"
"You're asking the wrong person. I don't understand the architecture of this era at all, nor do I know how powerful today's machinery is. But I don't think everyone's technological level is the same as Stark's," Steve said with a bitter smile and a shake of his head.
Hong Fei agreed, "You're right. Stark's technology is indeed in a league of its own. Among these destroyed buildings, some can still be used after some repairs, while others must be completely uprooted. To restore such a large area of buildings and streets, it will inevitably take years."
Steve nodded. Hong Fei suddenly changed the subject.
"Just wait and see; someone will definitely throw the responsibility onto us."
"How could that be?" Steve appeared very surprised.
"Oh, it's very likely. Do you know how much money the losses of these buildings and the items inside will cost?"
"But we did it to repel an alien invasion."
"So what? They lost their interests."
Hong Fei smiled calmly and said unperturbed, "Economic losses can be compensated with money, and since this was a case of force majeure, they won't dwell on it forever. However, the dead will not be resurrected. Once the living emerge from the shadow of war, they will explode with resentment because of their deceased relatives and friends. At that point, the government will be the first to face the brunt of it."
Steve listened with a deep frown.
"The government needs to maintain its credibility and authority," Hong Fei explained. "They won't face the anger of the people directly, but they can redirect the conflict. And who better to bear the brunt of that conflict than us?"
Steve frowned. "How is that even possible?"
"It's inevitable," Hong Fei replied calmly. "Someone has to take responsibility."
"But the aliens invaded us," Steve protested. "Why should we be the ones to shoulder the blame?"
"Because the aliens are gone, but the people's anger remains."
Steve opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words.
Hong Fei continued, "I know you might not agree, but the truth is, in the eyes of many, we're different. We can do things ordinary people can't. That alone creates a rift between them and us."
"It's undeniable that some people will admire us," he added, "but you must also recognize that others resent our existence. By exploiting that resentment, they can easily redirect the public's focus onto us. When rational individuals are swept up in a crowd, their reason evaporates, leaving only blind conformity."
Steve hesitated. "Then... what do you propose we do?"
Hong Fei didn't hesitate. "I've been thinking about this since before I even stepped into this situation. That's why I told you earlier that although the war has stopped, it's far from over—it's just the beginning. If someone intends to use us as scapegoats, we might as well take the initiative. But it's best if you're the one to lead this."
Steve looked puzzled. "Why me?"
"Because you have greater public support," Hong Fei explained. "During the years you were gone, this country turned you into a perfect propaganda symbol. If you take action, more people will see the truth."
Steve nodded slowly. "What should I do?"
Hong Fei smiled. "Before we get into that, I need to ask you a question."
"Go ahead," Steve said.
"Are you, Captain America, the Captain of the few—or the Captain of the many?"
Steve blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"
Hong Fei gestured downward. "In other words, is your goal to improve the lives of the countless ordinary people, or to protect the interests of those who've already seized the majority of society's resources?"
Steve's answer came without hesitation. "Of course it's for the former. I used to be one of them, and I know they need me more."
"Good," Hong Fei said, clapping Steve on the shoulder. "If we don't act now, this war might end here, but it will inevitably lead to a backlash in the future. So my decision is simple: we strike first."
He leaned in, his tone sharpening. "This was an alien invasion, yes, but every event has its precursors. The key here is that someone studied the Tesseract and sent a clear signal to the aliens. That's the first point."
"After the war began," Hong Fei continued, "S.H.I.E.L.D. deployed your team into battle. But throughout the entire process, I didn't see the military step in, nor did I see the government organize a proper evacuation. People were left to flee the city in chaos."
"Even now," he added, "I haven't seen any organized search and rescue efforts. The military's planes are scouting, and their tanks and armored vehicles are parked outside the city—are they afraid the citizens will steal their equipment? S.H.I.E.L.D. planes are flying back and forth, but they're only transporting alien debris. The rescue teams on the ground are pitifully small—do they think those people are already dead and not worth saving? And just now, I saw people waiting outside—did they intend to take both the Tesseract and the Mind Stone with them?"
Steve's face tightened as he nodded. "You're right. They also wanted to take Loki."
"Heh, if Loki weren't Thor's brother, he'd be the one taking the fall for this war."
Steve frowned at the thought. "Can't we just keep him here?"
Hong Fei shot him a weary look. "You don't get it. Asgard's power is on another level. They might not wipe out humanity, but they could easily crush anyone who tries to punish their prince—even a criminal prince."
"Thor joining the fight already shows where Asgard stands. They don't support or condone Loki's actions, and that's something to be grateful for. Let it go. Even if you were willing to negotiate with Thor, the people of this country wouldn't back you."
Steve nodded silently, absorbing the weight of Hong Fei's words.
"When everyone stays silent, someone has to speak up," Hong Fei continued. "The alien invasion wasn't some random accident. It was the result of one man's reckless actions, and humanity paid the price."
"If we sweep big issues under the rug and brush off the small ones, someone will eventually use it against people like us—people who are different."
Steve nodded again. "I get what you're saying, but if we go down this path, you'll get dragged into it too."
"Doesn't matter. Loki's our witness. He'll explain when he first learned about the Tesseract's location. Plus, the Mind Stone will stay on Earth. If anyone doubts its power, we'll let them experience it firsthand."
In other words, Loki could prove he knew about the Tesseract's location before Hong Fei took it, and he could have used it to open a portal to Earth at any time.
So, Hong Fei taking the Tesseract actually saved S.H.I.E.L.D. from disaster. And the Mind Stone would confirm that Hong Fei had been under Loki's control, clearing him of any suspicion.
After a long pause, Steve still hesitated. "Is this really our only option?"
"It's the only way. Don't forget—HYDRA won't let an opportunity like this slip by."
At the mention of HYDRA, Steve's resolve hardened. "Alright, but I'll need help."
"No problem. I'll have Big Head put together a professional legal team for you. They'll help bring those responsible to court."
Steve nodded, though doubt lingered. "But... can we actually win?"
"No," Hong Fei said bluntly.
"Huh?"
"We won't win, but that doesn't mean we're wrong. Sometimes it's not about the outcome—it's about the fight itself. The process matters."
"I see. We need to hold the responsible parties accountable. Their negligence shouldn't be erased just because the war's over. Even if we don't win, we'll make sure more people know the truth. That's the goal—to prevent this from being used as a tool for division in the future."
"Exactly. Oh, and one more thing—there's a ton of alien debris scattered across the city. S.H.I.E.L.D. can't haul it all away at once, so cleanup's going to be a massive job. Make sure to remind them."
"Will do!" Steve replied, determination settling in his voice.