Through the Mind Stone, Luo Bai saw clearly what was in Stark's heart.
He didn't say anything but activated the power of the stone.
A green light enveloped his body.
In the next second, Bucky, who had been dead, ca back to life.
After it was done, Luo Bai turned to Stark and asked, "Is this the result you wanted?"
Stark's eyes widened in shock as he stared at Bucky, who was now breathing again.
He had hated Bucky, yet at this mont, he felt nothing but relief. Luo Bai had truly brought him back.
"I don't know why... I hate him, but... killing him with my own hands made feel even worse," Stark muttered.
His hands trembled as he grabbed onto Luo Bai's arm, as if holding onto a lifeline.
His body was shaking uncontrollably.
Hatred, regret, guilt—Stark was torn between them all.
Luo Bai hadn't been present before, but through the energy of the Mind Stone, he understood everything that had happened.
Captain Arica's words had cut deep.
He had blad Stark, saying sothing that hit where it hurt the most—
That Stark Industries had built the very weapons that destroyed lives.
Ever since Stark was captured by terrorists and realized his weapons had fallen into their hands, he had been burdened with guilt.
And after Wanda appeared, her hatred for him only deepened his self-reproach.
Every ti soone brought up his past as an arms dealer, it was like a blade stabbing into his heart.
And now, Captain Arica had compared Bucky's actions to Stark's own past.
It was too much.
The overwhelming psychological pressure had finally broken Stark.
He was trapped in an endless struggle between hatred and self-bla.
At this mont, he needed soone to pull him out of this abyss.
Pepper Potts and Luo Bai were the people he trusted the most.
But he couldn't tell Pepper about this...
So, he had turned to Luo Bai for help.
Luo Bai understood his pain. That was why he had chosen to resurrect Bucky first—to relieve so of Stark's burden.
At the sa ti, he wanted Stark to understand sothing.
"Tony, I know you're struggling right now. But I don't think you actually need to be," Luo Bai said calmly.
"Why?" Stark asked, still lost.
Luo Bai thought for a mont before answering seriously, "I already gave you the answer."
"You hate Bucky, but you also hesitate because he was manipulated.
Your kindness is what makes you conflicted.
As your friend, I have to take your feelings into account.
So don't worry—no matter what choice you make, I'll handle everything for you."
Stark was stunned.
In that mont, he understood what Luo Bai ant.
Luo Bai was telling him—
If you want revenge, take it.
If one day you regret it and want him back, I'll bring him back.
And if you decide you can't bear to see him alive, kill him again.
No matter what you choose, I'll take care of it. So don't overthink it.
Realizing this, the inner conflict that had been tearing Stark apart suddenly faded.
He felt a strange sense of clarity.
"Is that really possible?" Stark asked after a long pause.
Luo Bai remained calm. "Others may not be able to do this. But I am a mage."
Stark was still hesitant, so he asked again, "Will this put you in danger? Or the world?"
Luo Bai shook his head. "No."
In the universe, whenever soone gains a power, it inevitably changes sothing.
Just like how, in another tiline, Doctor Strange had used the Ti Stone to save Wong.
However, not all changes threaten the world itself.
Altering a fixed point in ti could have disastrous consequences, but the fate of the Winter Soldier was not one of those monts.
This incident, at its core, was a personal matter—between Stark and Bucky.
And Luo Bai had simply given Stark a choice.
Captain Arica, as Bucky's friend, naturally got involved in this matter.
And as Stark's friend, Luo Bai also beca a part of it.
Since he was already involved, Stark's stance would also be his.
With that in mind, Luo Bai calmly said, "I won't interfere with whatever decision you make, Tony. But like I said before—no matter what you decide, I'll stand by you."
Hearing Luo Bai's words, Stark's gaze grew more resolute.
Regret and guilt often stem from the fact that there is no way to undo the past.
But when you have a friend who can offer you the chance to go back, the choice doesn't seem so difficult anymore.
All you have to do is stay true to what you feel in the present.
With that thought, Stark glared at Bucky and spoke slowly, enunciating every word.
"Right now... I just want him to take responsibility for his actions."
Captain Arica's eyes widened in shock.
Bucky had just been brought back to life—how could Stark be thinking of killing him again?!
Realizing what Stark was about to do, Captain Arica imdiately stepped forward.
"Stark, you can't do this! Bucky—"
Before he could finish, Stark interrupted coldly.
"I know he was used by Hydra. But right now... at least right now, I can't forgive him.
I'm not a saint, Steve!"
Then, without hesitation, he shouted, "Stop him, Peter!"
Peter Parker, who hadn't expected to be dragged into this, blinked in confusion.
After a brief pause, he muttered, "?? Wait... how do you know my na?"
Even as he spoke, his body moved on instinct.
With a flick of his wrist, strands of web shot out, binding Captain Arica in place.
While Steve was unable to move, Stark fired another laser blast—
And just like that, Bucky died again.
"!!! Bucky!!"
Captain Arica's voice was filled with anguish, his emotions on the verge of collapse.
Anger, grief, and desperation swirled inside him.
His only hope now was Luo Bai.
Looking at him, Steve asked anxiously, "You just brought Bucky back once, so you can do it again, right?!"
Luo Bai's expression remained calm as he replied, "Yes. But I won't."
"Why?!" Steve demanded.
Luo Bai's response was simple. "Just like you chose to help Bucky, I chose to help Tony. Unless he asks to, I won't interfere."
Captain Arica understood instantly.
Convincing Luo Bai was impossible.
The only person who could change this outco was Stark himself.
With that in mind, he softened his tone.
"Tony, you know Bucky was being controlled.
Can't you at least hear him out before deciding to take revenge?"
Stark's voice was firm. "It doesn't matter what he says—he's a murderer.
He should be held accountable and face the consequences."
His eyes darkened as he added, "Steve, don't forget—the shield in your hands was made by my father!
My father trusted you, but I don't think you deserve to hold it anymore."
The mont those words left Stark's mouth, Luo Bai suddenly asked, "Steve, if the woman you loved was killed, do you think the murderer should be punished?"
Captain Arica's expression changed.
He did have soone he loved.
For a mont, a painful mory flashed through his mind.
This ti, he had no rebuttal.
Perhaps, deep down, he still held onto a sliver of hope.
After a long silence, he asked, "I admit that Bucky is responsible.
But... will you give him a chance? A chance to live?"
Stark's expression wavered.
His emotions were still in turmoil.
"I don't know," he muttered, his voice laced with hesitation.
Steve didn't push further.
Instead, he quietly handed his shield to Stark.
Then, without another word, he picked up Bucky's lifeless body and walked away.
As he watched Captain Arica's retreating figure, Stark knew—
This was the end.
The Avengers had completely fallen apart.
A part of him felt sorrowful, but he accepted it.
Because in the end... Luo Bai was still here.
With that thought, Stark turned to him and said, "Thank you, Luo Bai.
I know you told you could bring Bucky back just to give an out."
Luo Bai simply smiled. "Actually, I just wanted to tell you—don't overthink it, Stark. Just be yourself."
Before Stark could respond, Peter Parker suddenly blurted out excitedly, "Wait, wait, wait—hold on a second! You're a soul mage, right?! Right?!"
Luo Bai paused and turned to look at the fully suited Spider-Man standing beside him.
Then, he chuckled and greeted him.
"Hello, Peter Parker."
Peter's eyes widened. "????Wait, why does everyone know my na?!!"
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