Tony Stark was about to speak upon seeing Chen Mo's return when he noticed someone following behind him. Taking a closer look, he recognized an old acquaintance.
"Wang Jin, what brings you here?"
Tony Stark had often been taken to the martial arts gym by Howard and later frequently practiced with Wang Kun, so he was naturally very familiar with this "junior" Wang Jin. However, after Wang Jin received the Super Soldier Serum enhancement and diligently trained, his strength increased dramatically. Tony Stark often found himself defeated by his own grand-disciple, which bruised his ego. Since he was already practicing only sporadically, he rarely went anymore.
It's worth mentioning that Tony Stark still hasn't undergone the Super Soldier Serum enhancement to this day.
Although Tony Stark had achieved considerable success in scientific research and contributed significantly to Stark Industries' prosperity, he himself was known for his frivolous, arrogant, and attention-seeking behavior—a typical playboy.
Howard felt he lacked composure and maturity. He feared that if Tony received the Super Soldier Serum and gained superhuman physical abilities, he might use them for absurd purposes. Therefore, Howard decided to wait until Tony was sufficiently mature before administering the serum.
This wait lasted over a decade. Tony Stark's psychological development seemed to have stagnated; even in his thirties, he remained largely unchanged. Left with no other option, Howard had to temporarily abandon his enhancement plans.
Chen Mo's appearance gave Howard a glimmer of hope, and he pinned his expectations on Chen Mo to guide Tony back on track.
Currently, everything appears to be moving in a positive direction.
Having experienced the attack in Afghanistan and Obadiah's betrayal, Tony Stark has matured considerably. Although he still seems somewhat carefree and unreliable, he is now capable of shouldering the responsibilities of a superhero, protecting civilians and Earth's safety.
It's believed he's not far from being eligible for the Super Soldier Serum enhancement. Should Chen Mo tell him then that Howard is still alive?
Chen Mo eagerly anticipates the scene of this father and son reuniting—will they embrace and weep or come to blows?
Chen Mo suspects the latter is more likely; the former seems simply impossible.
Unaware of his godfather's mischievous thoughts, Tony Stark was initially surprised to see his young apprentice Wang Jin, before a mischievous glint flashed in his eyes.
Having been defeated by Wang Jin, a diligent and hardworking junior, had been a humiliating experience for the arrogant Tony Stark. Wang Jin, whom he had practically watched grow up, not only surpassed him in combat skills but also in physical strength, leaving the self-proclaimed muscular and charming Tony utterly disheartened.
He remained unaware that Wang Jin was now capable of concealing his true power; otherwise, with three times the strength of an average person, a full-force blow would have sent him straight to the hospital.
Seeing Wang Jin again, Tony Stark, now clad in his powerful Iron Man suit, couldn't help but harbor wicked thoughts.
"Grandmaster Uncle, I've brought Grandmaster back."
The innocent Wang Jin, unaware of Tony's intentions, greeted him respectfully. Under Wang Kun's tutelage, Wang Jin was very mindful of seniority. Tony Stark's father was a comrade-in-arms of Grandmaster Chen Mo, having fought alongside his great-grandfather Wang Kun—he was his elder. Although Tony Stark was only about a dozen years older, he was essentially of the same generation as his grandfather, so Wang Jin remained very respectful in his presence.
"You've come at the perfect time! My new suit has just been completed. Let's have a spar!"
Tony said, a wicked smile creeping across his face. Finally, he had a chance to turn the tables and regain his dignity as the grandmaster.
Wang Jin was taken aback. He was to fight Tony Stark in his Iron Man suit?
He had seen the footage of Iron Man's battles. Although he possessed three times the physical strength of an average person, he was still far inferior to the high-tech, mechanical Iron Man suit. Fighting him would be sheer folly.
Seeing Wang Jin remain silent, Tony Stark quickly continued.
"It's alright, I won't use weapons. We'll fight hand-to-hand—let me test your skills to see if they've improved."
Tony's words made Wang Jin's expression even more troubled.
Hand-to-hand combat? If you're so capable, then don't wear your battle suit! But Tony Stark was, after all, his elder, and he couldn't be so disrespectful. He could only purse his lips and remain silent while casting a pleading look at Chen Mo beside him.
Chen Mo was also stunned by Tony Stark's shamelessness. Feeling Wang Jin's pitiful gaze, Chen Mo turned and glared at Tony before lecturing him.
"Want to spar? Then spar with me! You can use weapons! It'll be a good opportunity for me to see how well you've improved your suit lately!"
Tony Stark's expression changed upon hearing this. He couldn't help but recall the battle with Obadiah's Iron Monger at Stark Industries, where Chen Mo suddenly appeared and effortlessly decapitated the dominating Iron Monger with a single sword strike.
Although the gold-titanium alloy used in the Mark III's outer armor was tough, he didn't believe it could withstand Chen Mo's indestructible King's Sword. Moreover, the Mark III wasn't an enlarged version of the Iron Monger. If Chen Mo decapitated him with one strike, he wouldn't be as lucky as Obadiah to survive.
Recalling the image of Chen Mo swiftly closing in on the Iron Monger, leaping into the air, and beheading it with a single sword strike, Tony Stark couldn't help but swallow hard. He abandoned the idea of sparring and instead grinned as he approached Chen Mo, changing the subject.
"Dad, you've just gotten back—you should rest."
Seeing Chen Mo still expressionless and silent, Tony began to sweat. With Chen Mo's superhuman strength, if they really fought, he could easily dismantle the newly completed Mark III into scrap metal, and Tony himself would inevitably suffer a beating.
Thinking of this, Tony glanced at Dr. Ethan beside him, winking at him, hoping he would say a few words.
Dr. Ethan, seeing Tony's meaningful look, turned to Chen Mo, but under Chen Mo's cold and imposing gaze, he quickly averted his eyes, turning his head to the side and pretending not to see Tony's plea for help.
Tony Stark, seeing this, glared fiercely at Dr. Ethan before looking somewhat guiltily at Chen Mo. Finding Chen Mo still stern-faced, his gaze involuntarily wandered around the laboratory.
When his eyes fell upon the imposing steel rectangular prism standing in the center of the laboratory, Tony's eyes suddenly lit up.