“Are you ready?” I asked Xialing who clearly looked quite nervous.

We were currently in the secret infirmary at a SHIELD base to visit Xu Wenwu who had been admitted here due to his identity. Moreover, the cause of his injuries was supernatural in nature and even Ancient One had visited a few times to check up on him. As such, it made sense for him to be admitted in a secret infirmary.

“I am fine, Peter. There is no reason for you to worry too much.” Xialing replied, although I could see that her hands were shaking.

After all, it was the first time she would be having a proper conversation with him in several years. The last few times, she had only been able to exchange a few words with him and most of them were hostile in nature.

However, Wenwu had proved from his attack on the X-Mansion that he indeed loved his children, albeit in his own unique way.

“I believe we should now enter.” Master Ying Nan said to the siblings as she entered Wenwu's room with the rest of us following after her.

As we entered, I could see Wenwu lying on the infirmary bed. He didn't look much ever from before but I knew from his report that his insides had been literally burnt out.

The use of Hell's energy and especially in such huge amounts that it had transformed his body entirely had clearly quite a toll on his body even if the transformation was only for a few minutes.

“All of you are here….. Uhh!” As Wenwu saw us enter, he tried to sit up but couldn't because of his injuries.

“Just lay down quietly, Wenwu. This is no time or place for you to show your needless pride.” Master Ying Nan admonished Xu Wenwu.

“Ha ha ha ha!!” Wenwu actually started laughing after hearing Master's words.

“This is quite funny you know, Ying Nan. I fought you and even tried to kill you because I believed that Ta Lo had no right to my children after they had banished Ying Li. Yet here you are, showing sympathy towards your enemy.” Xu Wenwu said, laughing at the irony of the situation.

“Because I know that what you did was due to your love for your children, however twisted it may be. Besides, we had realised our fault when the news of Ying Li’s death had reached us. I even wanted to take in the children after I learnt about their situation but unfortunately my hands were bound by the rules.” Master Ying Nan said to Wenwu.

“Twisted! Ha ha ha ha!! Indeed, this is what I have become, a twisted mockery of myself. If Ying Li saw me today, she would have spit on me because of how I had treated our beloved children.

Xialing! Shang Chi! My precious children! Your foolish father apologizes for how he had treated you all this time. I wish I could have been the father both of you deserved.”

To our surprise, Xu Wenwu apologized to Shang Chi and Xialing for his conduct towards them all the while cursing himself for his foolishness.

It was honestly impossible to believe at this moment that this bedridden man was once the most feared human on Earth. An ancient human, 500 years old, who could once topple entire governments.

“Don't say it like this, Father. Even though you had changed after mother's death, it was only because you are grieving.” Shang Chi said, trying to refute Wenwu's words, perhaps still seeing the Father in him he used to be.

“One doesn't grieve for years, Shang Chi. I had realised how much I had changed the moment Xialing attempted to escape just an year after your own escape. That is why I let her escape easily and never contacted any of you since then. Deep inside, I knew that I was not capable of becoming your father anymore.” Xu Wenwu said to his children, revealing all of his thoughts to them.

Both Shang Chi and Xialing were silent, their eyes moist as they looked at their father, now just a shadow of his former self.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Albion, I would also like to apologise to you. Even though you had stolen one of my Ten Rings, I should not have tried to attack you so cowardly. In that form, the thought of attacking you suddenly appeared in my mind out of nowhere as I started losing against Ying Nan.” Xu Wenwu said, apologizing for attacking me so suddenly during the duel.

“It's all in the past. But I need to know where did you get that eleventh ring. It's extremely important.” I asked Wenwu.

“It was a blue humanoid figure formed completely of energy, as if it was just a hologram. It introduced itself as the creator of the Ten Rings. For some reason, it was extremely fascinated with you and wanted to gain as much information as possible regarding you. That's the very reason he had given me that ring.” Xu Wenwu explained everything he knew about that mysterious figure.

“Do you know anything about that figure which could point to its identity?” I asked.

“I think I had heard something but I just can't remember what it was.” Xu Wenwu said, revealing his helplessness in this matter.

“It seems that your mind has been tampered, Mr. Wenwu. In the end we know nothing about this mysterious figure which could easily inject hell energy into you through that ring.” I said with a sigh, realising that it was a dead end no matter what we tried.

“Hell energy?” Xu Wenwu asked, confused about the term.

“Yes, Hell energy. The transformation your body went through was because of this hell energy. The reason you are on this bed is also because of the hell energy. Using the power of hell and at such message amount had quite a large toll on your body.” I explained.

“How much time do I have left? Don't lie! I know my body all too well.” Xu Wenwu asked seriously.

“At most, two years. And it was only because of the Ten Rings. If it was not for them, you would likely have died on spot.” I explained.

The Ten Rings were still on Wenwu's arms they had been the reason his condition had been stabilized till now.

“So be it then. It seems that I would be joining Ying Li soon.” Xu Wenwu said, accepting his fate.

“I had hoped to give Shang Chi the Ten Rings. But it means impossible now.” Xu Wenwu said, remembering what they had transformed him into.

“Indeed. The Ten Rings have quite a mysterious origin. As such, it would better for them to be locked. But you don't need to worry. Shang Chi will get an artefact from Kamar Taj vansh he is proficient in Ta Lo martial arts.” I said, assuring Xu Wenwu.

Knock! Knock!

A knock on the door interrupted our conversation as Director Nick Fury entered the room.

“Hello, Xu Wenwu, the famed leader of the Ten Rings. You know, I have been trying to find even a single trace of you for years but was always unsuccessful. Still, this is not have I had imagined our first meeting would be.” Director Fury said as he greeted Xu Wenwu.

“What do you want, Director?” Wenwu asked directly.

“Given your crimes against America, you deserve death sentence, Wenwu. However, with your condition, I believe I can let you live the few years you have left for a natural death.” Director Fury said, allowing Xu Wenwu to live his last few years in peace.

“Thank you, Director!” Shang Chi thanked Director Fury for this grace.

“My business is actually with your daughter. I want her to lead the Ten Rings now that you can't run it.” Director Fury said, directly revealing his motive.

“You can't be serious!” Xu Wenwu said, flabbergasted by his words.

“I am. With everything that is going on nowadays, I need the underworld to be under our surveillance. To do this, we need control over a powerful underworld organisation for which the Ten Rings would suffice.

I choose Xialing for this over your son because she already has experience in leading an illegal organisation. The experience she has gained on the streets would be more than enough to lead the Ten Rings properly.

Xu Wenwu fell into deep thought after hearing Director's words. After a few minutes, he spoke to Xialing.

“What do you want, Xialing? I will accept whatever is your decision.” Xu Wenwu said, respecting Xialing’s own decision.

“I will do it, Father. It has been a dream of mine ever since I escaped the Ten Rings. I would take over the position of the leader of the Ten Rings.” Xialing said resolutely, accepting Director Fury's proposal.

“Very well then. I hope that you can run it properly.” Xu Wenwu accepted Xialing’s decision and even give her his well wishes.

“What about you, Shang Chi? What are you going to do from now on?” Xu Wenwu asked.

“I will join Ta Lo and learn its martial arts. After seeing you transfer into that monster in front of my eyes, I believe that I am not strong enough in this ever changing world.” Shang Chi answered.

“But you will not be able to come out of Ta Lo ever again.” Xu Wenwu objected.

“Don't worry about it. I have talked about this matter with the elders. After what happened with Ying Li, we are willing to loosen the restrictions a little. Shang Chi will be able to come out and visit often.” Master Ying Nan answered, erasing Xu Wenwu's doubts.

“If you say so. I hope that you all have a happy life unlike your father.” Xu Wenwu said, giving his blessings to both Xialing and Shang Chi.

“Enjoy the time with your father now. Forget about your other worries.” I said as I left the room with Director Fury.

“Peter!” Director Fury addressed me as we left the room.

“This world is changing far too rapidly. From ancient overlords, mages, aliens to even gods are now arriving on Earth. I hope that we all are strong enough to resist everything that comes towards us.” Director Fury said, realising that the future was likely going to be tough.

“I hope so, Director Fury! I really hope so!”