"I'm going to make a move!"
Carter gave Steve a sidelong glance and, with a light shout, quickly stepped forward, throwing a straight punch towards Steve's chest.
Caught off guard, Steve couldn't dodge in time and was hit in the chest by Carter's punch, causing him to take two steps back.
Rubbing his slightly sore chest, Steve quickly gathered his thoughts and became serious, cautiously watching Carter.
Seeing Steve get into the zone, Carter nodded in satisfaction and threw another punch at him.
When Steve got serious, his combat skills were not inferior to Carter's, and their strength was evenly matched. Steve raised his hand to block Carter's punch and, before she could pull back, grabbed her wrist and pulled hard, trying to disrupt her balance.
Carter, having received professional combat training and with more combat experience than Steve, immediately sensed his intention. She turned with Steve's pull and delivered an elbow strike to his abdomen.
Steve, still holding Carter's wrist with one hand, quickly pressed down with his other hand, neutralizing her elbow strike.
Their combat abilities were evenly matched, and their strength was similar. They exchanged blows back and forth, fighting fiercely and evenly.
Watching the two of them spar, Chen Mo smiled with satisfaction.
Steve, this is as far as your master can help you.
In the end, their match concluded with Carter successfully throwing Steve with an over-the-shoulder throw. Carter wisely didn't mention challenging Chen Mo again and instead requested that Chen Mo include her in his training sessions with Steve.
For the sake of his disciple's lifelong happiness, Chen Mo agreed, much to Steve's delight.
Thus, Steve gained a much-desired "junior sister."
Chen Mo discovered that Carter's talent in combat was not inferior to Steve's. After some time of training, Steve often lost more than he won in their sparring matches.
However, Carter didn't look down on Steve. She knew what he had been through and how hard he worked. She admired and respected him, believing he would become even stronger in the future.
"But I won't let you surpass me easily," Carter secretly motivated herself.
…
As the research progressed, Chen Mo's understanding of the super-soldier serum grew, and his assistance to Dr. Erskine became increasingly valuable. Finally, the optimized new generation serum was successfully developed, and the long-delayed human trials were about to begin.
The issue of selecting a candidate for the experiment was once again brought up.
Colonel Phillips was not satisfied with the frail Steve. Although Steve wasn't as weak as he appeared, the colonel believed that a true soldier should be tall and strong like Chen Mo.
Colonel Phillips was not satisfied with the frail Steve. Although Steve wasn't as weak as he appeared, the colonel believed that a true soldier should be tall, strong, swift, and powerful like Chen Mo.
Dr. Erskine, however, was still undecided between the two. He admired Steve's kindness and integrity, which had moved him, but Chen Mo's performance was also excellent.
Unlike Colonel Phillips, the doctor valued inner qualities more. Chen Mo excelled in this area as well and had insightful views on war that the doctor agreed with. Therefore, he remained undecided and couldn't make a decision.
One day, the two argued about this issue again.
Unable to persuade the doctor, the colonel decided to prove his point with facts.
"In war, courage is what counts," Colonel Phillips said, then threw a fake grenade into the crowd.
"Grenade!" the colonel shouted.
Hearing the word "grenade," the soldiers scattered, each seeking cover, but Steve threw himself onto the grenade, using his body to shield it.
At that moment, an arm suddenly reached out.
Chen Mo quickly pulled Steve away, picked up the grenade, and threw it with all his might into an open area over a hundred meters away.
Agent Carter, who had been a step behind, stopped and smiled at the sight of the two men risking their lives.
The surrounding soldiers looked at the grenade disappearing in the distance and exchanged glances, feeling speechless. Chen Mo's throw was incredibly far.
When no explosion followed, everyone realized it was a training grenade.
Colonel Phillips and Dr. Erskine exchanged a glance, both feeling a mix of relief and frustration. The problem remained unsolved.
That evening, Chen Mo went to Dr. Erskine's room.
"Chen Mo? What brings you here?" the doctor asked, surprised to see him. "Come in."
After inviting Chen Mo in and sitting down, the doctor asked, "Is this about the experiment?"
"Yes, doctor," Chen Mo replied directly.
"I hope you choose Steve."
The doctor was somewhat surprised by this answer.
"Why?" the doctor asked, puzzled.
"Steve needs this opportunity more than I do. Going to the battlefield has always been his dream. This is his only chance, and I can wait for the next one," Chen Mo explained. The doctor's gaze softened. He had always admired Chen Mo, and this statement increased his appreciation and recognition of him.
"I've been torn between the two of you. It's been a difficult decision."
The doctor stood up, took a bottle of wine from the cabinet, and poured a glass for each of them. "Since you've decided, then alright. Tomorrow, you will still participate in the experiment as my assistant. I think Steve will need your encouragement."
"Thank you, doctor," Chen Mo raised his glass.
"No, I should be the one thanking you. I no longer have to worry about who to choose. Both of you are outstanding," the doctor also raised his glass.
As they drank, Dr. Erskine, who trusted Chen Mo more and more, began to talk about his past.
Dr. Erskine was German. After Hitler came to power and learned about his research, he sent him to Hydra's headquarters to create super soldiers for the Nazis.
The current leader of Hydra, Schmidt, was ambitious and, like Hitler, obsessed with superpowers and mythology.
He wanted to become a superhuman and gain the power of a god.
So, when Schmidt discovered the serum's capabilities, he forced the doctor to enhance him. However, the serum was not mature at the time, and the side effects disfigured Schmidt, turning him into the Red Skull.
The serum could enhance all aspects of a person, making the good better and the bad worse. As a result, Schmidt became even more evil, and his ambitions grew.
"He wants to rule the world," the doctor said heavily.
"Does Schmidt know you're here?" Chen Mo asked, leading into an important conversation.
The doctor paused, holding his glass. "With Hydra's intelligence capabilities, it's very likely."
"Then, doctor, I believe tomorrow's experiment could be dangerous," Chen Mo warned. "Schmidt won't just sit back and watch us create a batch of super soldiers."
"You're right. But…" the doctor began, but Chen Mo interrupted him.
"And even if the experiment goes smoothly, what then? Hand the formula over to the politicians so they can create a super army? What if the formula leaks and Schmidt or other ambitious people get it?"
Before the doctor could deny it, Chen Mo continued.
"Alright, even if the formula doesn't leak, the politicians will have this powerful force, win the war, and then what? Will they willingly give up this world-changing power or disband it? What will a group of super soldiers bring to the world?" Chen Mo's words left the doctor stunned. He had always hoped his research would end the war and maintain peace.
He had worried about Hydra stealing the serum but had never considered the reaction of the Allied leaders. Imagining the terrifying consequences of the serum being misused, the doctor broke into a cold sweat.
"What should we do?" the doctor asked urgently, looking at Chen Mo for an answer.
Chen Mo pondered for a moment.
"Perhaps we should talk to the colonel and Agent Carter."