Chapter 21 This is what it means to be alive, Bruce
Tony Stark's mind was blank.
He stared blankly at Lin Chen, as if trying to confirm whether what the other party said was true or false.
Lin Chen patted his shoulder and continued, "Don't look at me with that damn expression; I'm telling the truth."
"Actually, your father was quite smart. Find his belongings when you have time, and you'll know the answer."
"My father?"
Tony was stunned.
These words were like a bolt of lightning, splitting through the long-standing fog in his mind.
He stood rooted to the spot, his eyes unfocused, as countless memories flashed rapidly through his mind like a kaleidoscope.
"Let's go, Bruce."
Lin Chen's voice drifted over lightly. He stretched, "Let him digest it for a while. We'll go up and rest."
He waved to Dr. Banner, who was "touring" the laboratory, and gave him a look. Dr. Banner tacitly turned and followed Lin Chen out.
Leaving the entire laboratory to Iron Man, who was in a state of epiphany.
Lin Chen had no doubt.
With Tony Stark's top-tier brain on Earth, as long as he had a direction, unearthing the new element was only a matter of time.
As for whether he could grasp Howard Stark's painstaking efforts, that depended on his own fortune... One day later, the Malibu sun was still bright.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s efficiency was astonishing.
Phil Coulson, Director Fury's most trusted Agent, appeared in the Villa's living room in a suit.
With his usual gentle smile, he handed Lin Chen a brand new ID and a file bag.
"Mr. Lin, your new identity has been processed."
Lin Chen raised an eyebrow, took it, and opened it.
Driver's license, passport, bank card... all complete.
His name was still Lin Chen, but the background information below made his eyes twitch.
"Ancestors traveled across the ocean from the distant Eastern Continent, unfortunately encountered a storm, became the sole survivor, grew up in an orphanage, excelled in academics and character, extraordinarily gifted..."
A string of black lines appeared on Lin Chen's forehead.
Good heavens, with this background, it would be a waste not to go on "America's Got Talent."
He looked up at Coulson, who wore an expression of "you can trust us to handle things."
"Your storytelling skills are as high as your efficiency."
Coulson continued to smile, giving nothing away, "We just made the most reasonable background fill based on known information."
"Alright then."
Lin Chen couldn't be bothered to argue and tucked the documents into his pocket.
He had to admit that S.H.I.E.L.D., an organization similar to the "world police," was indeed professional when it came to these things.
Coulson then turned to Dr. Banner, who seemed a bit uneasy.
His tone became even softer.
"Dr. Banner, Director Nick Fury asked me to inform you."
"After urgent consultations between S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Security Council, the the military has withdrawn the global warrant for your arrest."
Dr. Banner's body trembled violently, and the hand holding his glasses stopped mid-air.
"Wh... what?"
His voice was laced with an incredulous tremor.
"Legally speaking, you are now free."
Coulson confirmed with a smile, "Which means, from now on, no one will bother you again."
Dr. Banner's eyes instantly reddened.
Freedom.
He hadn't felt that word for too, too long.
He no longer had to hide, no longer had to live in fear, no longer had to suppress his other self, living in the Shadow like a rat.
"Thank you... Really... Thank you all."
Dr. Banner's words were incoherent, but the gratitude within them was incredibly sincere.
"You deserve it, Doctor"
Coulson completed his task and politely placed a business card on the table.
"This is my contact information. If either of you needs anything, you can call me anytime."
"I'll be on call twenty-four hours a day."
With that, he bowed slightly and left briskly.
After Coulson left, Banner was still immersed in immense joy and daze.
He looked at Lin Chen, and Lin Chen also looked at him.
Just as Banner was about to open his arms to give Lin Chen a big hug, Lin Chen subtly moved a step to the side, then suddenly grinned and slung an arm around his shoulder.
"Hey, Bruce, to celebrate your new beginning..."
"Come on, I'll take you out to relax!"
"Ah? Where... where to?" Banner still hadn't quite reacted.
"To experience what life is all about, of course!"
Without a word, Lin Chen pulled Banner towards the underground garage.
"Since we're in America, how can we not experience its unique features, don't you think?"
"What unique features are there here?"
Banner looked puzzled, but he couldn't resist Lin Chen and was half-coaxed, half-dragged to the silver-gray Audi R8.
"Get in!"
Lin Chen stylishly opened the scissor door.
The moment Dr. Banner buckled his seatbelt, he still didn't realize what he was about to experience.
The next second.
Boom!
The violent roar of the engine suddenly erupted.
The Audi R8, which had been quietly parked in its spot, instantly roared like a awakened Steel Beast, and the entire car began to vibrate violently.
Then, before Banner could react, a terrifying push-back force pressed him firmly into the seat!
"Ah ah ah ah!"
The silver-gray R8 shot out of the garage like an arrow released from a bowstring, speeding along the winding mountain road!
The scenery outside the window blurred into streaks of light, and the speedometer needle on the dashboard reached 100 miles per hour (equivalent to over 160 kilometers per hour).
Dr. Banner's face turned White with fright, his hands gripping the seatbelt tightly, feeling as if his soul was about to be flung out.
"Slow, slow down! Lin! Slow down! We're going to crash!"
"Hahahahaha!"
However, what answered him was Lin Chen's unrestrained laughter.
He directly opened both car windows, and the violent airflow poured in, making his hair dance wildly.
This was the life he wanted!
In his previous life, he was just an ordinary person who took the subway, watching protagonists in movies zoom past in sports cars, his heart filled with envy.
And now, he was holding the steering wheel himself!
Even if it wasn't the most top-tier supercar, it still made him feel incredibly excited.
"This is what living is, Bruce!"
Lin Chen easily drifted around a corner while shouting at Banner, who was on the verge of fainting beside him.
"Relax, buddy!"
"Life is about being carefree and at ease!"
"Oh yeah!"
The silver sports car, like a streak of light, drew a dazzling trajectory under the California sun.
Amidst a flurry of shouts and commotion, it sped off into the distance.
Chapter 22 Bruce, Don't Be a Woman
Screech!
The sharp screech of tires almost sliced through the lazy afternoon air of California.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the sycamore leaves, casting dappled shadows on the asphalt of Rodeo Drive.
Under the awnings of the roadside cafes, people in exquisite afternoon tea attire were chatting softly, holding bone china teacups.
Amidst this tranquil scene, a silver lightning bolt, in the terrified gazes of countless passersby, carved an almost insane arc.
The Audi R8's body performed an extreme 180-degree drift, tail-whip, and came to a steady stop, hugging the carved railing by the roadside.
The acrid smoke from the tires rubbing against the ground dispersed, even startling a few sparrows perched on the branches.
Lin Chen, in the driver's seat, held the steering wheel with one hand, the other resting casually on the window sill, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
Then, with a 'hum', the Audi R8's engine transitioned from a roar to a low growl, settling down like a tamed beast.
This is Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive.
The global hub of top-tier luxury goods.
Million-dollar diamond necklaces were displayed in the street-side windows, and haute couture handbags were arranged like works of art in glass display cases.
Even the lampposts by the road were carved with intricate patterns, and the air itself seemed to be infused with the scent of money.
"Sir, your car..."
A valet in a red vest with a golden badge on his chest jogged over, his eyes gleaming, his words full of respect.
He had worked on this street for five years, seen countless luxury cars, but had never seen anyone drive an Audi R8 with such breathtaking skill.
This was simply a real-life "Fast and Furious"!
Lin Chen pushed open the scissor door with a flourish, took a long stride, his black casual shoes landing on the reflective clean road, and casually tossed the gleaming silver car key over.
The sunlight fell on him, making his simple White T-shirt appear exceptionally dazzling.
"Park the car properly, and your tip will be generous."
His voice was as casual as if he were saying "the weather is nice today," yet it made the valet even more excited.
He loved rich people!
"Yes, sir!"
The valet carefully extended his hand, shielding Lin Chenfrom the remaining sunlight.
Lin Chen then walked around to the passenger side and tapped on the car window.
"Thump thump..."
"Hey, Bruce, we're here, get out."
The car door opened, and Doctor Bruce Banner's face was ashen.
His usually neat hair was disheveled and plastered to his forehead, and he stumbled out on shaky legs, almost falling to the ground, luckily catching himself on the car door frame.
He leaned against a sturdy, emerald-leaved golden palm tree by the roadside, his stomach churning, unable to even utter a word.
"Ugh—"
The burger he had eaten at Tony's Villa at noon, mixed with the bubbles of cola, instantly transformed into a spectacular arc, splashing into the flowerbed by the road.
Lin Chen's mouth twitched fiercely, and he instinctively took two steps back.
"You mother..."
He extended his palm in disgust, pointing it at Banner, who was still dry heaving.
The power of the Horse Talisman quietly activated.
A gentle force enveloped Banner's body, instantly dispelling all discomfort within him.
Banner's previously tense body gradually relaxed, his pale complexion regained some color, and even his breathing became steady.
"I say, Bruce, you're the Hulk."
Lin Chen teased him with a speechless expression, "You have a green muscle-bound giant living inside you who can withstand cannon fire and overturn tanks, yet you yourself get carsick? And carsick in my car?"
He deliberately drew out his words, his eyes full of playful mockery, "If Tony knew, he'd definitely laugh his head off."
Dr. Banner adjusted his black-rimmed glasses, looking with lingering fear at the R8 being carefully driven away by the valet, his hands still trembling slightly.
"You... you call that driving?"
He took a deep breath, as if he could still feel the dizzying sensation from just now, "Several times! Several times I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my throat!"
"When you turned, I could even see the roadside billboards flying past my eyes!"
He gesticulated excitedly, his voice full of grievance: "I really thought I was going to die today..."
"Hahahahaha!"
Lin Chen burst into hearty laughter again, throwing an arm around Banner's shoulder and forcibly dragging him towards the brightly lit, palace-like shops.
"Let's go! To soothe your wounded little heart, I'll take you to experience what 'money power' is!"
"Let you know that besides the Hulk's fists, there are things that are even more reassuring!"
Banner wanted to retort but was pulled forward by Lin Chen, only able to sigh helplessly.
He had figured it out: being with Lin Chen would never lack surprises, or rather, scares... Half an hour later.
Inside the Rolex boutique.
"This one, and this one."
"The Green Gold and the Rainbow Daytona, one of each, put them on him too."
Lin Chen gestured with his chin towards Banner, who was still looking around beside him, his tone as casual as if he were ordering two coffees.
A hint of surprise flashed in the sales assistant's eyes, but being well-experienced, he quickly regained his composure, respectfully took out two wristwatches, and carefully put them on Lin Chen and Banner.
Banner looked at the wristwatch, worth tens of thousands of U.S. dollars, that had suddenly appeared on his wrist, and he felt completely numb.
The cold metal against his wrist felt heavy, making him feel like he was wearing a gold brick.
He instinctively tried to take it off, but Lin Chen held his hand down.
"Wear it, don't take it off."
Lin Chen raised an eyebrow, "This thing can not only tell time but also be used as a weapon. If you encounter bad guys, just throw it out; it's more effective than your fist."
Banner: "..."
He felt his Worldview had been shaken once again.
Who would use a wristwatch worth tens of thousands of U.S. dollars as a weapon!
...One hour later.
Armani Haute Couture workshop.
Two top tailors from Italy were quickly measuring data on the two men with soft measuring tapes.
"Use the best fabrics, the latest styles. Rush the production; money is not an issue."
Lin Chen sat with his legs crossed, like an extravagant spendthrift.
When he saw the string of Zeroes on the bill, Dr. Bannerfelt his breathing stop.
"Tens... tens of thousands of U.S. dollars for one suit? Lin, this... this is too extravagant!"
"Extravagant?"
Lin Chen raised an eyebrow, pulled out the black card Tonyhad given him from his pocket, and twirled it between his fingers.
The one billion U.S. dollars Tony had given him had long since arrived and was now quietly sitting in the card, gathering dust.
Tens of thousands of U.S. dollars was nothing to him now.
If he had money and didn't indulge in some revenge spending, what was the difference between that and wearing fine clothes in the dark?
His only regret was that he still wanted to experience the classic "showing off and slapping faces" trope from web novels.
For example, being mocked by a snobbish sales assistant, and then he would pull out a black card to shock the entire place.
What a pity.
The sales assistants here had such excellent service attitudes that he didn't even get a chance to show off; they provided smiling service throughout, treating him like their own father.
Boring.
However, Lin Chen's undisguised lavish spending soon attracted the attention of certain "special profession" people.
As he and Banner walked out of the clothing store, carrying large bags.
A group of curvaceous, brightly dressed blonde women, like sharks smelling blood, instantly surrounded them.
"Hi, handsome, are you alone? Do you need us to keep you company while you shop?"
A bold blonde woman directly pressed against him, rubbing her full chest against Lin Chen's arm.
Dr. Banner had never seen such a scene and retreated repeatedly in fright.
Lin Chen, however, chuckled.
He welcomed all comers!
He extended his long arms, directly pulling the two prettiest women into his embrace, one on each side, his movements so practiced they seemed rehearsed a thousand times.
A strong scent of perfume wafted over.
"Of course not alone."
Lin Chen gestured with his chin towards the blushing Banner, then waved grandly at the other women.
"See my shy friend over there?"
"Go, give him a good time!"
"Money, plenty of it!"
"Oh yeah! Long live the handsome guy!"
The women let out a cheer, instantly engulfing the bewildered Dr. Banner.
Dr. Banner's face turned beet red in an instant, like a cooked shrimp, held by several enthusiastic women, his hands not knowing where to go.
"I... I don't need... Lin! Help!"
"Relax, Bruce, show some masculinity, don't be a namby-pamby like a little girl..."
Lin Chen kissed each of the two women on the cheek, eliciting a chorus of giggles.
Embracing the two beauties, and followed by a large group of women and the coerced Banner, he pointed spiritedly towards the most luxurious hotel not far away.
"Let's go!"
"Let's try the Presidential Suite."
"Tonight, I'm throwing a party!"
Chapter 23 Bruce, you can't do it, right?
Four Seasons Hotel, next to the Presidential Suite.
The room was dead silent, a strange contrast to the noise next door.
Agent Phil Coulson was rubbing his sun Temple, looking utterly defeated.
He had a highly sensitive listening earpiece in his ear, and the sounds emanating from it were a challenge to human civilization.
The screams and laughter of the girls, the roar of heavy metal music, the clinking of glasses, and certain indescribable, hormone-filled chaotic sounds… it was a vivid, modern-day bacchanal!
"My God…"
Coulson took off his earpiece, feeling his soul had been polluted.
He took a deep breath and dialed the number he least wanted to dial.
The call was answered almost instantly.
"Coulson."
Nick Fury's unique, hoarse yet steady voice came through.
"Sir."
Coulson's voice carried an undisguised weariness.
"The target is currently in the Presidential Suite of the Four Seasons Hotel…"
He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully.
"…hosting a… well, a wild party that I don't know how to describe."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line.
"Any other anomalies?"
Fury's voice gave no hint of his emotions, "For example, have they discussed anything special?"
Coulson's mouth twitched.
Anything special?
The most in-depth discussion next door was probably about which color bikini looked better, or whose dinner milk was more fragrant.
"Sir."
Coulson gave up on verbal description.
He made an extremely wise decision.
He carefully moved his phone's microphone closer to the bug disguised as an outlet on the wall.
Buzz—
The phone receiver was instantly filled with the deafening party noise.
He could even clearly hear Lin Chen's powerful shout: "Music! Louder!"
"Open another bottle of '82 Lafite for this blonde beauty! Put it on Tony Stark's tab!"
"Hahaha, Bruce, why are you done so quickly? You can't be… impotent, can you?"
"…"
On the other end of the line, there was instant silence.
Then.
Beep… beep… beep… Nick Fury hung up the phone without saying a word.
Coulson sighed, resignedly putting his earpiece back on, continuing to endure this mental "torture"… Meanwhile, at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Triskelion Building.
Top floor, Director's office.
Nick Fury expressionlessly placed his phone on the table, his sole remaining eye seemingly spitting Fire.
He felt his blood pressure soaring at a dangerous rate.
"Bang bang."
The office door was knocked.
"Come in."
Maria Hill walked in, her high heels clicking, her expression solemn.
"Sir, they're here."
"The world Security Council members."
Fury slowly leaned back in his chair, pressing his fingers to his eye socket, "Understood."
He let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
What's meant to come, always comes.
Trouble never takes a break.
He stood up, tidied his black trench coat, and strode towards the conference room… Inside the conference room, the atmosphere was as cold as a Siberian wind.
On one side of the long conference table sat several suit-clad, serious-looking Council members.
Leading them was Gideon Malick, who had always disliked Fury.
"Fury!"
As soon as Fury sat down, Malick slammed his hand on the table, launching into an accusation.
"I need an explanation!"
"Why is a Terrorist who murdered a U.S. General not only not wanted, but instead a guest of honor at your S.H.I.E.L.D.?!"
Another Council member echoed sternly: "General Ross's death, the the military needs an explanation! The entire America needs an explanation! You must hand him over!"
Facing their aggressive demands, Fury remained unfazed.
He didn't even bat an eyelid, simply pouring himself a glass of Water at a leisurely pace.
"First, he is not a Terrorist."
Fury's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable power.
"Second, General Ross's death was an unfortunate accident. If he hadn't been so arrogant, if his foolish brain had been clear for just one minute… this tragedy wouldn't have happened."
"Absurd! Was he wrong to pursue a Terrorist?" Malick sneered.
"Then, third point."
Fury finally looked up, his sole eye as sharp as an eagle's, staring directly at Malick.
"Lin Chen is a super-powered individual whose strength far exceeds our imagination."
"He can catch tank shells with his bare hands, his speed is too fast for the naked eye to capture, and he even… possesses the ability to heal all injuries and illnesses."
Fury leaned slightly forward, enunciating each word: "Our recruitment of him is to add a powerful Guardian to this world, not to create an uncontrollable enemy."
"I don't care how strong he is!" Malick refused to back down, "He must face trial!"
"Is that so?"
A mocking curve appeared on Fury's lips.
"Then, Councilman Malick."
"If you think S.H.I.E.L.D.'s plan is inappropriate, you are welcome to use your authority to send your own people to try and capture him."
"I very much look forward to seeing the results."
"You!"
Malick was choked by these words, his face red, unable to utter a single sound.
Send people to capture him?
What a joke!
A monster that can even beat Hulk, who would they send? To sacrifice themselves?
The entire conference room fell silent instantly.
Ultimately, another Council member smoothed things over.
"Fury, we don't mean that. But you must ensure that this man does not cause any more trouble!"
Malick also took the opportunity to back down, adding viciously: "You better keep a close eye on that beast in your circus!"
"Otherwise, the first one to be held accountable will be you, the ringmaster!"
After delivering a string of meaningless threats, the Council members, their faces ashen, rose and left the conference room… Inside the Director's office.
Hill placed a steaming cup of coffee on Fury's desk.
"They left?"
"Mm."
Fury picked up the coffee, but didn't drink it, just felt the warmth in his palm.
"Sir," Hill hesitated for a moment, then spoke, "Lin Chen… he gives me a very dangerous feeling."
"He's not like Tony, and he's not like Dr. Banner."
"Although Tony is uninhibited, he has a bottom line internally."
"Dr. Banner is kind and timid."
"But Lin Chen…"
Hill frowned.
"He acts as he pleases, without any scruples, like an untamed beast. Keeping him in the Avengers Initiative, I'm worried it will be a huge hidden danger."
"Don't I know that too?"
Fury let out a long sigh, his voice full of weariness.
"But Hill, you have to understand, when facing this level of power, we can't push too hard."
"At least he's still willing to communicate with us now, willing to sit down and negotiate terms. That's enough."
"Once he's pushed to the opposing side, that's the real disaster."
Fury slowly stood up and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the bustling city below.
"All we can do is stabilize him for now."
"Give him what he wants, observe him, guide him…"
His voice became lower and lower, his sole eye flashing with deep and complex light, as if he was planning an incredibly distant future.
"…until we find the card that can truly counterbalance him."
Chapter 24 Creating God?
Just as Nick Fury was agonizing over how to counterbalance Lin Chen,
On the other side, in a secret research base located hundreds of meters underground, a base that didn't even exist on maps,
A conspiracy was quietly brewing.
The cold alloy walls emitted a chilling aura.
The shadowless lamps overhead illuminated the entire space as brightly as day, yet brought not a trace of warmth.
Gideon Malick, the council giant who had just spoken so disparagingly to Fury in the S.H.I.E.L.D. conference room, stood with his hands behind his back, before a massive one-way bulletproof glass.
His gaze was like a vulture circling high in the sky, sinister and greedy.
He looked down at the empty, pristine laboratory below, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"Fury..."
He murmured in a voice only he could hear.
"Do you think you can rest easy just by using that yellow-skinned monkey as your trump card?"
"Soon, I will let you know what true power is!"
"What is... the power of a God!"
"Click—"
With a soft sound, the heavy alloy door of the laboratory slid open to one side.
A figure entered Malick's line of sight.
It was a shirtless man, his entire body covered in bulging muscles, exuding a sense of explosive power.
Every step he took was steady and forceful, and his eyes burned with an almost fanatical flame.
"Who is this man?"
Malick asked without turning his head.
Beside him, a research director in a white lab coat and gold-rimmed glasses, looking refined and scholarly, immediately bowed and replied:
"Councilor, his name is Emil Blonski."
"A former member of the British Royal Marines, he was later seconded to a U.S. Air Force base and has been serving General Ross."
"After multiple failures in the mission to track Hulk, he developed an extreme craving for power."
The research director pushed up his glasses, a cold glint reflecting off the lenses.
"So, he voluntarily participated in our 'New God' project."
"Very good."
Malick nodded with satisfaction.
"A soldier who understands the craving for power is the best experimental material."
His gaze shifted from Blonski to the corner of the laboratory.
There, several monstrously shaped, giant pieces of equipment, full of violent aesthetics, stood silently.
Countless thick cables connected them like a spiderweb, the surfaces of the instruments were covered with complex gauges and buttons, and the core area was a huge Gamma Ray emitter.
If Doctor Bruce Banner were here now, he would surely be scared out of his wits.
Because these pieces of equipment were the very culprits that had turned him into that green monster all those years ago!
They had been secretly moved here from a the militarywarehouse by Malick, using his authority as a council member.
"Director."
Malick's voice became serious, "Have all safety measures been confirmed?"
"I don't want to see this base turn into another Culver University."
"Please rest assured, Councilor."
The research director's tone was filled with confidence.
"We have thoroughly upgraded and reinforced the equipment, and the base walls can withstand a direct nuclear bomb blast."
"Moreover..."
He glanced at Blonski, who was already lying on the experimental bed, a hint of fanatical smile on his face.
"We have also prepared an insurance policy for him."
...Inside the laboratory.
Blonski took a deep breath and voluntarily lay down on the cold metal bed.
His eyes showed no fear, only endless anticipation for the power that was about to come.
"Click! Click! Click!"
Several researchers walked forward expressionlessly, using heavy super-alloy restraints to firmly secure his limbs and torso to the bed.
A researcher picked up a syringe containing a tube of mysterious liquid that emitted a faint blue glow.
"What is this?"
Blonski looked at the vial of medicine and finally asked his first question.
His voice was hoarse, like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing against each other.
"Super Soldier Serum."
The researcher's answer was simple and clear, yet it made Blonski's pupils contract suddenly.
"Of course, this is just an incomplete replica."
The researcher seemed to read his mind and added coldly.
"Its purpose is not to make you a Super Soldier, but to give you a higher probability of... surviving the upcoming experiment."
"So, relax."
With that, he unhesitatingly plunged the needle into Blonski's arm, pushing all the pale blue liquid into his bloodstream!
"Ugh!"
Blonski grunted, feeling a cold torrent instantly rush through his entire body, followed by an indescribable sensation of intense heat erupting from the depths of his bone marrow.
He felt every cell in his body cheering, leaping with joy.
Power!
He felt power surging!
After the injection was complete, all the researchers quickly evacuated the laboratory.
The heavy alloy door slammed shut.
In the entire pure white space, only Blonski remained, and his increasingly heavy breathing... On the second floor, in the observation room.
The research director had returned to Malick's side.
"Councilor, everything is ready."
He respectfully asked for instructions.
"May we begin?"
Malick's eyes flickered with anticipation and madness.
He said nothing, merely nodded slowly.
"Understood."
The research director turned and gave the order to the assistant at the control panel.
"Activate the 'New God' program!"
"Lower the curtain!"
"Hum—"
Before Malick, a half-meter thick steel curtain slowly descended over the one-way bulletproof glass.
"Clang!"
A loud bang completely separated the two worlds, inside and out.
This was the final safety measure.
Even if the experiment went out of control, the monster born inside would absolutely not be able to break through this final line of defense.
And at this moment, inside the isolated laboratory,
Blonski lay on the bed, nervously watching the monstrous equipment slowly activate around him.
The humming grew louder and louder, as if an ancient beast was awakening.
The indicator lights on the equipment lit up one by one, changing from green to yellow, and finally, all turning a dazzling blood-red!
"Sizzle sizzle sizzle—"
The Gamma Ray emitters at the core of several pieces of equipment began to gather a heart-stopping energy.
Immediately after, a thick green light, like the gaze of the Grim Reaper, enveloped Blonski's entire body in an instant.
"Experiment beginning!"
"Gamma Rays, commencing release!"
A cold, electronically synthesized voice echoed in the sealed laboratory.
The next second!
Boom!!!
High-concentration Gamma Rays, like a bursting flood, instantly engulfed Blonski completely.
"Ah ah ah ah ah ah—!!!!"
A shrill, inhuman scream suddenly erupted from Blonski's throat.
Blonski's body, like a live fish thrown into boiling oil, began to twitch and thrash violently on the metal bed, clearly enduring immense pain.
And the blood vessels all over his body, like countless twisted earthworms, frantically writhed and bulged under his skin.
His eyeballs instantly became bloodshot, and two lines of bloody tears streamed from the corners of his eyes.
The muscles beneath his skin also began to swell uncontrollably into terrifying lumps, as if something was trying to burst out of his body.
Destructive energy was frantically tearing apart every one of his cells, destroying his gene chain.
However, just as his consciousness was about to be drowned by this boundless pain, and his body was on the verge of complete collapse... the incomplete Super Soldier Serum in his body finally took effect!
Blonski felt a powerful, vital energy erupt from his bone marrow, beginning to frantically repair his body, which had been mutated by the Gamma Ray radiation.
Destruction! Repair!
More destruction! More repair!
Two completely different, yet equally domineering energies, engaged in an incomparably fierce tug-of-war within his body.
Blonski's screams became even more shrill, even more frantic!
And his body, in this cycle of destruction and rebirth, began to swell abnormally at a visible speed.
One point nine meters!
Two meters!
Two point five meters!
His bones creaked, his muscle fibers were forcibly stretched and thickened, expanding like a constantly inflating balloon.
"Creak... creak..."
The super-alloy restraints, strong enough to bind a rhinoceros, began to groan under his strength, unable to bear the strain.
Tiny cracks appeared on the surface of the restraints.
"Ah ah ah—Roar!!!!"
A beast-like roar erupted from Blonski's throat.
His consciousness was being devoured by endless pain and newfound power.
Then... Snap!!!
A loud bang!
The restraint binding his right arm snapped with a burst of flying sparks!
Chapter 25 Banner's Request
Meanwhile, in New York, at the Presidential Suite of the Four Seasons Hotel.
Unlike the cold, oppressive atmosphere of the underground base, here... spring was in the air.
The rich scent of premium champagne mixed with ladies' perfume permeated the air, and on the valuable carpet, a dozen empty wine bottles and several crumpled pieces of women's underwear lay scattered.
Sunlight streamed through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow over this messy "battlefield."
Outside the suite door, Agent Phil Coulson had been standing there for a full five minutes.
His expression was a mix of emotions.
Hesitation, struggle, and even a hint of... discomfort.
As Director Fury's most capable subordinate, what storms hadn't he weathered?
But this was the first time he'd been sent as a messenger to a "dangerous individual" who had just hosted an all-night party.
Listening to the faint... er, indescribable whispers from inside the door, Coulson felt his eye twitch.
Finally, he took a deep breath and raised his hand.
"Knock knock knock."
The crisp sound of knocking echoed.
A few seconds later, a muffled, grumpy curse came from inside the door.
"Who is it!"
"Damn it, can't a person sleep this early in the morning!"
"Ahem..."
Coulson's mouth twitched again, but he steeled himself and cleared his throat.
"Mr. Lin, it's me, Phil Coulson."
"S.H.I.E.L.D. has urgent matters to discuss."
Silence fell inside the door.
After about half a minute, a rustling sound came through.
It sounded like someone was breaking free from some "restraint."
A little while later...
"Click."
The door was opened a crack from the inside.
Lin Chen, with a messy bed head, groggily poked his head out, his eyes half-closed.
He was loosely wrapped in a white hotel bathrobe, untied, revealing a large expanse of his muscular chest, still bearing a few bright lipstick marks.
He frowned, staring at Coulson with an annoyed expression.
"Coulson?"
"You'd better have something truly world-ending to tell me."
"Otherwise, I promise I'll throw you off this rooftop and let you experience what freefall is like."
Faced with this blunt threat, Coulson merely offered his characteristic gentle smile.
"I apologize, Mr. Lin, for disturbing your rest."
His gaze inadvertently swept downwards, and he saw the faint outline of an ancient and mysterious belt around Lin Chen's waist, visible beneath his open bathrobe.
Coulson felt a sudden sense of speechlessness.
This guy... did this guy even wear this belt to sleep?!
How much did he like this belt?
"What are you looking at? Haven't you seen a man in a bathrobe before?"
Lin Chen noticed his gaze and impatiently tugged at his bathrobe.
"Ahem..."
Coulson immediately averted his gaze, hiding his lapse, and pulled a strangely shaped black USB drive from his pocket, handing it over. "Mr. Lin, this is something Director Fury asked me to give to you."
"Oh?" Lin Chen raised an eyebrow and took it.
"What is this?"
"The intelligence the Director promised."
Coulson's tone became serious.
"It contains all public and non-public information S.H.I.E.L.D. has gathered since its establishment in World War II, with the exception of a few top core secrets."
"This includes organizational structure, personnel lists, historical mission records, data on various sub-bases, and our archives on all supernatural events and special items we've encountered in this world."
Upon hearing this, the impatience on Lin Chen's face finally faded, replaced by a look of satisfaction.
That one-eyed Egghead was still true to his word.
With this information, his understanding of this worldwould instantly surpass 99.99% of people!
This was more important than any amount of money.
"He's smart."
Lin Chen played with the USB drive in his hand, feeling much better.
Just then, Coulson's gaze curiously darted into the crack of the door again.
The luxurious scene inside the suite made even this seasoned Agent gasp.
Seeing this, Lin Chen's lips curved into a playful smile.
He suddenly pulled the door wide open, openly displaying the "masterpiece" behind him, then winked at Coulson.
"What's wrong?"
"Agent Coulson, would you like to come in and sit down?"
"There are still a few beauties inside who haven't left yet; perhaps you two could... exchange feelings?"
"No, no, no! No need!"
Coulson was startled by his sudden "enthusiasm," as if he had seen some monstrous flood, and quickly waved his hands, instinctively taking two steps back.
"My mission is complete; I won't bother you, Mr. Lin!"
"Farewell!"
With that, he almost fled, turning and walking quickly towards the elevator.
Watching Coulson's somewhat disheveled retreating figure, Lin Chen scoffed.
"Tch, so prim and proper."
He closed the door, his sleepiness and laziness instantly vanishing without a trace, his eyes regaining their clarity.
He turned and walked to the living room.
On the large bed, two curvaceous blonde women were rubbing their eyes, groggily sitting up, covered only by a thin blanket.
On the carpet on the other side, a figure also unsteadily sat up from the soft, warm embrace.
It was Bruce Banner.
He was holding his forehead, his face somewhat pale, his eyes filled with the haze of a hangover.
"Hey, awake?" Lin Chen said with a smile.
Then, he pulled out a thick stack of large U.S. dollar bills from the pants he'd left on the floor, which he had conveniently exchanged at the hotel front desk last night, took out fifty Franklins, woke up the women, and handed each a wad.
"Ladies, you worked hard last night."
"This is your hard-earned money."
The five women's eyes immediately lit up when they saw the thick stack of cash, all sleepiness gone.
They excitedly took the money, each giving Lin Chen's cheeks a "smack," leaving five even brighter lipstick marks.
"Thank you, handsome sir! You are so generous!"
"Next time you come to play, you must find us again!"
"No problem." Lin Chen smiled and waved his hand. "Now, put on your clothes and leave; I have important matters to discuss."
"OK!" The women cheerfully responded, unselfconsciously getting dressed in front of the two men, then, clicking their high heels and swaying their graceful figures, they left with a charming allure.
The room finally fell silent.
Lin Chen walked over to Banner, sat down beside him, patted his shoulder, and teased:
"How was it, Bruce?"
"Pretty wild last night, huh?"
"There's just one regrettable thing... Why didn't Hulkchange your physique? Or should I go ask Fury for some Super Soldier Serum for you?"
"Cough... cough cough..."
Banner's old face instantly turned red, as red as a cooked shrimp.
"Lin, don't... don't say anymore..."
He awkwardly scratched his head, his memories of last night a bit blurry, only remembering that he seemed to have done many outrageous things under the influence of alcohol and the atmosphere.
He cleared his throat twice, forcefully changing the subject, his expression becoming serious.
"Lin, um... can I discuss something with you?"
"Hey, with me, you still use the word 'discuss'?"
Lin Chen waved his hand dismissively.
"Just say what you want to say, and get to the point!"
"Who are we to each other, anyway!"
Seeing Lin Chen so straightforward, Banner no longer hesitated.
He took a deep breath and said:
"I... I want to leave for a few days."
"Hmm?" Lin Chen was a bit surprised. "Where to?"
"To take care of some personal matters."
Banner's eyes held a hint of relief and determination.
"Now that General Ross is dead, the whole world knows I'm innocent, and I'm free."
"I no longer need to hide; I can walk openly in the sunlight."
"I want to go back and see, see the place where I used to live, and... and also meet someone I want to see."
As he said this, Betty Ross's image appeared in his mind.
Lin Chen looked at him, was silent for a few seconds, then smiled and nodded.
"Alright, of course, no problem."
"This is a good thing!"
"People, after all, need to have their own lives."
"Do you need me to drive you? My driving skills, you know, are lightning-fast, guaranteed efficiency!"
As soon as he heard the words "driving skills," Banner's face instantly turned green.
He remembered yesterday, Lin Chen driving that silver R8 recklessly on the winding mountain road, almost scaring his heart out.
"No, no, no! No need!"
Banner shook his head like a rattle-drum.
"I'll take a car myself! Really! Public transport is good, environmentally friendly!"
"Alright then." Lin Chen shrugged, not insisting.
He stood up.
"But before you go, I'll take you to open a bank account."
"You're not a fugitive anymore, so I'll transfer some living expenses to you first. Go wherever you want, buy whatever you want, don't embarrass our brotherhood!"
Banner opened his mouth, wanting to say no, but seeing Lin Chen's unyielding gaze, it finally turned into a warm sigh.
He nodded heavily.
"Okay."
"Thank you, Lin."
Chapter 26 Mutants?
Half an hour later.
At the entrance of the New York Four Seasons Hotel.
Lin Chen patted Bruce Banner on the shoulder and handed him a newly processed black-gold bank card and a mobile phone.
"Use the money inside for now. If it's not enough, call me anytime."
Banner looked at the heavy card in his hand, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He couldn't remember how long it had been since he had felt like a "normal person" with his own property.
"Lin..."
He opened his mouth, a thousand words, but in the end, they only became two.
"Thank you."
"Thank me for what?"
Lin Chen laughed, scolding him, and gave him a firm hug.
"Finish your business and come back soon."
"I still need a brother to drink with."
"Okay!"
Banner nodded heavily, his eyes slightly red.
He turned, hailed a taxi, waved at Lin Chen, and got in.
Watching the taxi merge into traffic and gradually disappear, Lin Chen's smile slowly faded.
He turned around, and a valet in a hotel uniform had already respectfully driven the car over and parked it in front of him.
Lin Chen took out the stack of U.S. dollars from his pocket, casually pulled out a Franklin, and slipped it into the valet's pocket.
"Good job."
"Thank you, sir! Have a pleasant day!"
The valet's eyes widened when he saw the one-hundred-dollar tip, his face flushed with excitement, and he bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle.
Lin Chen opened the car door and got in.
Accompanied by a furious roar of the engine, the silver lightning, like an arrow leaving the bow, instantly shot onto the street... on the way back to Tony Stark's beach Villa.
California traffic was as maddening as ever.
"Damn it, how did it get so jammed?"
Lin Chen irritably slapped the steering wheel, and the R8 let out a reluctant growl.
He peered out the window; a few hundred meters ahead, traffic had completely solidified, turning into an endless steel dragon.
Countless drivers honked their horns in frustration, their various honks merging into a cacophonous symphony.
"What the hell is going on?"
Lin Chen frowned.
Even during rush hour, it shouldn't be this gridlocked, should it?
Just then!
"Boom—!!!"
A deafening roar suddenly came from ahead.
The sound was like a fully loaded truck exploding violently.
Immediately after, the screams of people and the piercing car alarms instantly echoed throughout the entire street!
Lin Chen saw that drivers not far ahead were abandoning their cars and fleeing, their faces filled with terror, as if they had seen a ghost, running desperately in his direction.
"Something's happened."
Lin Chen's gaze sharpened, and he immediately unbuckled his seatbelt, pushed open the car door, and jumped out.
He moved in a few flashes, easily navigating through the chaotic crowds and traffic, reaching the center of the disturbance in a few breaths.
The sight before him caused his pupils to constrict slightly.
In the middle of the street, a behemoth was rampaging wildly!
It was a "humanoid beast" nearly three meters tall.
Its entire body was covered in thick, coarse black fur, its muscles bulging and hard as granite, its limbs as thick as ancient tree trunks, and its fingernails long and black, gleaming with a blade-like cold light.
Overall, it looked like a giant black bear walking upright!
"Roar—!!!"
The "black bear" let out an inhuman roar, and with a casual swing of its massive paw,
A yellow taxi nearby was instantly sent flying like a paper toy, tumbling a few times in the air before crashing into a roadside shop window with a "clang," shattering glass everywhere!
It seemed to have completely lost its mind, leaving only the most primitive urge to destroy.
But through that crazed, bestial face, Lin Chen could still clearly discern that the creature's facial features retained human characteristics.
This was clearly a monster that had mutated from a human!
Lin Chen's mouth twitched violently, and a term instantly popped into his mind.
"Mutant?"
"This is really... bizarre."
Lin Chen rubbed his temples, unable to resist cursing under his breath.
He was already a bit confused about which Universe he had arrived in.
But one thing was certain: for a Mutant rampage of this level, S.H.I.E.L.D. or Professor X's people would definitely arrive at the first opportunity.
But the problem was, this was the city center.
By the time they arrived, who knew what this street would be ruined into, and how many innocent passersby would die.
Of all the places for this guy to go berserk, it had to be on my way home!
"Forget it, consider yourself unlucky."
Lin Chen stretched his wrists, exerted a little force with his feet, and was about to rush forward to "calm" this big guy down in the simplest, most brutal way.
However, just as he was about to move.
A tall, burly figure walked unhurriedly from the other end of the street, against the fleeing crowd.
Lin Chen's movements instantly stopped.
The expression on his face became a little strange.
"Oh, really?"
He raised an eyebrow, and instead of going forward, he took two steps back, then with a nimble leap, he jumped directly onto the roof of a nearby Hummer.
He sat down cross-legged, his arms crossed over his chest, looking leisurely as if ready to watch a good show.
Since he was already here, wouldn't it be a loss not to watch a free live-action "Street Fighter"?
...On the street.
The man walking against the flow went straight to about ten meters from the "black bear" and stopped.
He had short, silver-gray hair, a resolute face, and eyes as calm as Water.
It was Piotr Nikolaievitch Rasputin.
"Hey, friend!"
Piotr raised his hands, indicating he had no ill intent, trying to soothe the other party with a loud yet gentle voice.
"Calm down! Listen to me, I can help you!"
"Whatever trouble you've encountered, it can be resolved! Don't hurt innocent people anymore!"
However, the "black bear" was clearly beyond hearing any words.
Its eyes held only a blood-red madness.
"Roar—!!!"
It roared, completely ignoring Piotr's persuasion, turned, grabbed a motorcycle, and hurled it fiercely towards Piotrlike a baseball.
The motorcycle cut through the air with a sharp whistle!
Piotr looked at the flying police car, sighed helplessly, and the gentleness in his eyes was instantly replaced by an iron-like resolve.
"Since you're unwilling to communicate..."
"Then I can only say I'm sorry."
The moment his words fell!
"Click! Click-click-click—!!!"
A grating metallic friction sound rang out.
Piotr's body, from skin to muscle, underwent a drastic change in an instant!
Chapter 27 Steel Warrior
His bronze skin rapidly receded, replaced by a gleaming, silver-white organic steel that shimmered with a cold luster.
The metal surface wasn't smooth; instead, it was covered in subtle patterns resembling muscle fibers, subtly rippling with his movements, as if alive with a chilling glow.
His physique also swelled dramatically, bones cracking, and muscle lines beneath the metal became even more menacing. In the blink of an eye, he transformed into a giant over two meters tall, composed entirely of metal!
His broad shoulders and narrow waist exuded an oppressive presence, each finger as thick as a steel pipe, and his fingernails gleamed with a sharp, cold light.
It was Colossus!
Facing the police car hurtling towards him, Colossus didn't dodge. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he stomped his feet hard on the ground.
"Bang!"
The asphalt instantly cracked, spiderweb-like fissures spreading several meters from him.gravel flew up, hitting a nearby lamppost with a crisp sound.
Like a heavy tank moving at full speed, he didn't retreat but advanced, charging fiercely towards the motorcycle!
"Boom!!!"
A loud crash.
Colossus's shoulder and the motorcycle's front end collided in the most primal, savage impact!
The unfortunate motorcycle's front instantly caved in and deformed, parts scattering everywhere, then it was violently thrown backward by an irresistible force, crashing heavily into a fire hydrant by the roadside.
Water gushed out with a "whoosh," forming a puddle on the ground.
Colossus's speed didn't falter. His metal feet splashed through the puddle, and he became a silver afterimage, directly smashing into the chest of "Black Bear," who hadn't yet reacted.
Before "Black Bear" could recover, he saw a giant silver shadow rushing towards him.
He instinctively raised his large, fan-like bear paw to block, but only felt an immense force travel up his arm, his bones cracking as if they would be snapped in two.
"Thud!!!"
A dull impact, like a battering ram striking a city gate.
"Black Bear's" massive body was knocked off its feet by this terrifying impact, its belly fat jiggling violently.
Like a broken sack, he flew backward over ten meters, continuously overturning several parked cars on the roadside before finally stopping.
The sound of denting car bodies and the wailing of alarms mixed together, creating a chaotic scene.
"Owoo..."
He lay on the ground, his thick paws clutching his chest, emitting a pained howl. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, and he struggled to get up.
But as soon as he propped himself halfway up, he fell back down heavily, the intense pain in his chest making his vision blur.
But Colossus gave him no chance at all!
He bent his legs, a faint glow appearing at his metal joints, and his muscles powerfully tensed!
"Boom!"
The ground beneath him completely exploded, and he shot into the sky, arcing through the air like a silver meteor, plummeting head-first towards the fallen "Black Bear"!
"Time for a good sleep!"
Colossus roared, his large, pot-sized fist leaving an afterimage in the air as he brought it down hard on "Black Bear's" head!
"Bang!!!"
One punch!
It landed squarely on Black Bear's head!
The sound was even duller than a sledgehammer hitting a watermelon.
Black Bear's head was knocked to one side, dark red blood flowing from his ears, his eyes wide and filled with disbelief.
"Awoo—!"
Black Bear let out an extremely shrill scream, his voice filled with despair.
But this was only the beginning.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Colossus straddled him, his knees pressing into his back, and unleashed a barrage of punches with both fists, a storm of blows as rapid as drumbeats, landing one after another!
Each punch struck vital areas like Black Bear's head and chest, the hammering sounds making one's scalp tingle.
The ground trembled slightly, and the car roof beneath Black Bear was continuously deforming under the pressure, emitting groaning "creak, creak" sounds, as if it would collapse completely at any moment.
Each punch was accompanied by a dull impact and the "crack" of bones shattering.
Black Bear's wails grew weaker and weaker, from the initial shrill screams, gradually turning into faint whimpers, until only heavy gasps remained.
On the car roof, Lin Chen watched, his eyes twitching, subconsciously touching his chin, muttering to himself:
"Damn... that fierce?"
"He's beating him to death! Are the X-Men really this ruthless?"
As he complained, the once arrogant "Black Bear" was, in front of Colossus, like a helpless punching bag.
His wails gradually faded, and his massive body slumped limply to the ground, only his limbs occasionally twitching.
In less than a minute, his head lolled to the side, and he completely passed out.
With his unconsciousness, his massive body also began to shrink rapidly, like a deflating balloon.
His thick black fur receded, revealing bruised skin underneath. His bulging muscles disappeared, and his physique gradually returned to the size of a normal person.
Finally, he transformed into a young man who appeared to be only in his twenties, covered in injuries and completely naked.
Colossus then stood up.
He glanced at the unconscious youth, then, like carrying a chick, single-handedly hoisted him onto his shoulder.
The youth appeared exceptionally small beneath his metal arm, like a worn-out doll.
He ignored the stunned onlookers around him and walked directly towards an open space nearby.
There, a blackbird jet, futuristic in design and completely black, had silently hovered in mid-air at some unknown time.
The jet's wings were hidden in shadow, its fuselage covered in a faint optical camouflage. If one didn't look closely, it would almost blend in with the surrounding environment.
The cabin door slowly opened, and a soft White light shone out, illuminating the ground below.
A familiar figure, dressed in a black suit with a worryingly receding hairline, also appeared below it at the opportune moment.
He stood with his hands behind his back, his face bearing his usual serious expression, and his sharp gaze swept across the surroundings. It was Agent Phil Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Colossus, carrying the youth, strode to the jet.
Coulson looked at him and said with a serious expression:
"Piotr, keep an eye on this kid."
"The world Security Council has strong opinions about you Mutants right now. The council members are already putting pressure on us."
"This time, the compensation for damaged vehicles and public facilities alone is no small sum, and the impact is very negative. I will try to suppress it, but I don't want there to be a next time."
Although Colossus's metal face didn't show much emotion, a hint of apology still appeared in his eyes.
He nodded slightly, his voice low: "I apologize, Agent Coulson."
"This kid is a newly awakened Mutant who lived in an orphanage in the suburbs. Yesterday, he suddenly lost control and transformed, injuring a caregiver before escaping into the city."
"Our tracker was unable to pinpoint his location until he caused chaos just now, allowing us to determine his coordinates. It was our mistake not to find him sooner."
"On behalf of Professor X, I apologize for this incident."
"No need for apologies."
Coulson waved his hand, his tone softening slightly, "Now is not the time to dwell on right or wrong."
"Manage your people and don't let them cause chaos in the city again; that's the biggest help you can give us. The Council is already discussing a revised version of the 'Mutant Registration Act,' and if you cause more trouble, it won't benefit anyone."
The two briefly exchanged a few more words, mainly about how to handle the youth afterward and how S.H.I.E.L.D. would cooperate with the X-Men to appease public sentiment.
Subsequently, Colossus, carrying the unfortunate fellow, turned and walked into the jet.
His metal body brushed against the doorframe as he passed through the cabin door, emitting a slight collision sound.
The hatch slowly closed, a faint stream of air sprayed from the bottom of the jet, and the fuselage gradually became transparent, eventually disappearing completely into the air, leaving only faint traces of un-dissipated airflow on the ground.
From start to finish, they never noticed that, not far away, on the roof of a Humvee, there was still a pair of eyes watching everything with great interest.
Lin Chen stroked his chin, his eyes flickering, and a playful smile slowly curved his lips.
"Interesting."
"It seems this Universe is even more lively than I imagined."
Before he finished speaking, his figure began to become transparent and ethereal, like smoke blown away by the wind.
A lifelike silver snake shadow coiled around the talisman at his waist, its snake eyes gleaming with a cold, eerie light.
The next second, the Humvee roof was empty.
Only a gentle breeze swept through, stirring the dust on the roof, as if the figure who had been watching the show had never appeared.
Chapter 28 Uninvited Couchsurfer
The Blackbird jet engine emitted a faint hum, cutting through the sky.
Lin Chen, hidden above the clouds, was like a ghost following a giant whale, effortlessly maintaining synchronized flight.
The Horse Talisman at his waist radiated an imperceptible warmth.
The power to heal everything also included providing him with an endless supply of stamina.
"The X-Men base..."
Lin Chen's gaze pierced through the sea of clouds, looking down at the massive estate below, which resembled a paradise.
"As expected, it's quite grand."
He smacked his lips, his anticipation for the upcoming show already at its peak... Ten minutes later.
Westchester County, New York.
The picturesque Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.
On the huge helipad in the backyard, the Blackbird jet slowly landed, stirring up a burst of airflow that made the lawn undulate like waves.
"Tsk—"
The hatch opened.
A young girl in a yellow tight-fitting uniform with pretty brown short hair was the first to lightly jump out.
Shadowcat, Katie Pryde.
Immediately after, Colossus's hulking metal body also emerged, carrying the unlucky Mutant youth on his shoulder.
At the edge of the helipad, two people were already waiting.
One of them was exceptionally tall and muscular, covered in a thick layer of blue fur, wearing gold-rimmed glasses; his refined demeanor formed a stark contrast with his beast-like appearance.
"beast" Henry Hank McCoy.
And beside him stood a blonde, blue-eyed little girl with pigtails, who looked only thirteen or fourteen years old.
When the little girl saw Colossus, her eyes instantly lit up, and she ran over like a joyful fawn.
"Brother!"
She grabbed Shadowcat's arm, tilted her small face up, and asked with some concern:
"Sister Katie, did my brother cause you any trouble this time?"
Katie smiled and ruffled her head, saying affectionately:
"Of course not, Illyana. Your brother was super cool today; he took care of a big guy all by himself!"
Colossus looked at his younger sister, and a rare hint of tenderness appeared on his steel-like resolute face.
But soon, he straightened his face and said in a feigned serious tone:
"Illyana Rasputin!"
"How long have I been gone? Did you skip Jean's magictheory class again?"
The girl called Illyana, hearing this, playfully stuck out her tongue and made a big funny face at her older brother.
"No way! Professor said you were back and told Uncle Hank and me to come pick you up!"
"Hmph, you always have so many excuses."
Colossus snorted, clearly having no way to deal with his beloved younger sister.
At this moment, Beast also walked up and nodded gently at Colossus.
"Welcome back, Piotr."
He glanced at the unconscious youth and said:
"Hand him over to me; I'll take him to the medical bay for a comprehensive check-up."
"Also, Professor is waiting for you in his office; he has something to discuss with you."
"Okay, thank you, Hank."
Colossus carefully lowered the youth from his shoulder and handed him to beast.
He turned around and gave another instruction to his sister.
"Illyana, study hard with Uncle Hank, and I'll have Katiewatch you. No more mischief!"
"I know, you nagging brother!"
Illyana impatiently waved her hand.
Colossus shook his head helplessly and turned to walk towards the main academic building in the distance.
However, no one noticed.
The moment Colossus turned around, Illyana's smile suddenly froze.
Her small brows furrowed slightly, and a flicker of imperceptible confusion passed through her azure eyes.
She subconsciously turned her head, looking left and right behind her, where no one was present.
"Strange..."
"Why do I feel... like someone is watching me?"
...Main academic building, top floor.
Professor X's office.
"Knock knock knock."
"Come in."
A gentle and steady voice came from inside the door.
Piotr, who had returned to his human form, pushed open the heavy wooden door and walked in.
"Professor, you wanted to see me?"
Charles Xavier was sitting in his iconic hovering wheelchair, with his back to the sunlight outside the window, a benevolent smile on his face.
"Yes, Piotr, about today in California..."
He was halfway through his sentence when he suddenly stopped.
Charles frowned slightly, raised his hand, and rubbed his temples as if tired.
This subtle movement made Piotr's heart tighten.
"Professor, are you feeling unwell?"
"No, I'm fine."
Charles waved his hand, but his gaze went past Piotr, towards the empty guest sofa not far behind him...
Then, he said something that left Piotr bewildered.
"This guest, since you're here, why hide?"
"Can we... talk? How should I address you?"
Piotr was stunned, and subconsciously turned his head.
Behind him, there was only a brown, high-quality leather sofa.
It was empty.
Where was any "guest"?
"Professor, you..."
He was about to ask if he was hallucinating.
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
A crisp round of applause suddenly sounded from the empty sofa!
The sound was extremely abrupt, and in the quiet office, it was particularly jarring.
Piotr's pupils suddenly contracted, and his muscles instantly tensed!
He saw that at the location of the sofa, the air violently twisted and rippled like water.
Immediately after, a young figure in casual clothes appeared out of thin air there.
He sat casually on the sofa, legs crossed, a playful smile on his face, slowly applauding.
It was Lin Chen!
"What... the fuck!"
Piotr's mind buzzed, and he almost instinctively blurted out a curse.
He was about to activate his ability instantly, and his body surface already began to gleam with a metallic sheen.
When did this stranger come in?
He hadn't noticed him at all!
Moreover, he was able to sneak into the Professor's office without a sound.
This was an unforgivable intrusion!
However, just as he was about to transform into Colossusand smash this audacious intruder into a meat paste...
"Piotr, stop."
Professor X merely waved his hand calmly, and an invisible yet irresistible telekinetic force instantly stopped Piotr's actions.
Piotr felt a gentle force envelop him, preventing him from taking another step forward, and the rage in his heart miraculously subsided.
On the sofa, Lin Chen stopped clapping. He looked at the bald old man in the wheelchair, his eyes full of admiration.
"As expected of the most powerful telepath on Earth, Professor X Xavier."
"This perception ability is truly a bit overpowered."
Charles showed a gentle smile on his face and shook his head.
"No, I didn't sense your presence, Mr.."
"Your mind is like being wrapped in an impenetrable barrier; I cannot read it, nor can I perceive it."
Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Then how did you discover me?"
Charles smiled and pointed to the sofa beneath him.
"It's very simple."
"Because I saw that the empty sofa... it sagged on its own."
Lin Chen: "..."
The expression on his face instantly froze.
The next second, he clapped his forehead in annoyance.
"Damn it!"
"I messed up, I messed up!"
Damn it, the Snake Talisman allowed him optical invisibility and could even block most energy detection, but he forgot... he bloody forgot he still had weight!
Ignoring such simple, basic physics knowledge, his attempt to show off completely backfired.
Looking at Lin Chen's embarrassed expression, Charles's smile grew wider.
He didn't press for Lin Chen's origin or purpose. Instead, as if greeting an old friend he had known for years, he asked in a relaxed tone:
"So, this... uninvited sofa guest, what would you like to drink?"
"Tea or coffee?"
This sudden change also stunned Lin Chen, then he gave a carefree laugh.
"Black tea, please."
"Alright."
Charles nodded, then looked at Piotr, who was still in a daze, and instructed:
"Piotr, please make a good cup of Oriental black tea for our guest."
Chapter 29 The Situation of Mutants
Piotr's chiseled face was filled with 'reluctance' and'suspicion'.
But he still turned and walked with heavy steps towards the small bar outside the office.
The large office fell into an eerie silence for a moment.
Sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long streaks of light on the floor, and dust motes slowly floated in the air within the light beams.
Lin Chen maintained his usual nonchalant posture, leaning back on the sofa, observing the legendary Professor X with keen interest.
Charles Xavier, meanwhile, kept his gentle and benevolent smile, his eyes as deep as the starry sky, making it impossible to discern what he was truly thinking.
This was a silent standoff.
The clash of mental powers had already begun in another dimension the moment Lin Chen appeared.
Although the 'Life Authority' granted by the Rooster Talisman isolated his mind from probing, Lin Chen could still feel a vast, mountain-like will gently 'observing' him.
Interesting... Lin Chen's lips curved slightly upward.
Not long after.
'Thump, thump, thump...'
Heavy footsteps approached from afar, breaking the silence.
Piotr returned, carrying a tray.
His expression was as sour as if he had just brawled with a dozen Hydra Agents in the kitchen.
'Clang!'
A crisp sound!
The delicate bone china teacup was placed heavily on the coffee table in front of Lin Chen, causing a few drops of warm black tea to splash onto the glossy wooden surface.
Piotr did not apologize, nor did he even glance at the spilled tea.
After doing all this, he 'thumped' and stood like a metallic human statue beside Lin Chen's sofa.
He crossed his arms, his blue eyes fixed intently, unblinkingly, on every subtle movement Lin Chen made.
That gaze seemed to say: 'Dare to move? I'll twist you into a pretzel instantly!'
The atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point again.
'Ahem.'
Professor X cleared his throat softly, breaking the awkwardness.
He smiled and said to Piotr:
'Piotr, that's enough.'
'Please wait outside the door for a moment; I need to speak with this guest... alone for a few words.'
'Professor!'
Piotr was taken aback and immediately objected.
'This guy's origins are unknown; he's too dangerous! I must stay here to protect you!'
'It's alright, Piotr.'
Charles's voice remained gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority.
'Trust me, I can handle it.'
Piotr's lips moved, as if he wanted to argue further.
But upon meeting Charles's calm and resolute gaze, he ultimately swallowed his words.
He took a deep breath, then abruptly turned and glared fiercely at Lin Chen.
'You'd better behave yourself!'
He practically gritted his teeth, squeezing out the words.
After uttering this utterly unthreatening remark, Piotrreluctantly turned and strode towards the door.
'Bang!'
The heavy office door was slammed shut by him.
However, he did not go far.
Piotr's tall physique stood guard outside the door, his ear pressed tightly against the door panel, carefully listening to the movements inside, his entire body's muscles in a state of readiness to explode at any moment.
If there was the slightest unusual movement inside, he would burst through the door in 0.1 seconds!
At the same time, he quietly pressed the hidden button on his wrist communicator, quickly sending out an emergency message.
'Attention all personnel on campus, a Level 1 intruder has appeared in the Professor's office. Please come for support immediately!'
...In the office.
Lin Chen seemed completely oblivious to the intense killing intent outside the door.
He leisurely picked up the teacup, brought it to his lips, and took a small sip.
'Pfft—'
The next second, his brows instantly furrowed into a frown, and he spat out all the tea.
'Tsk.'
He placed the teacup back on the table with a look of disgust.
'I don't like sweet tea.'
Professor X's smile stiffened slightly, then returned to normal, and he said apologetically:
'My apologies for the poor hospitality. Piotr probably thought guests from the East prefer sugar.'
He did not dwell on the topic, his gaze gently fixed on Lin Chen, finally asking the most crucial question.
'So, Mr. Lin.'
'What exactly... are you here for, risking so much to infiltrate my school?'
Upon hearing this, Lin Chen leaned back, sinking into the soft sofa.
He spread his hands, his expression as innocent as could be.
'Don't make it sound so serious, Professor.'
'I've just long admired Professor X's reputation and always wanted to pay a visit.'
'Today, on the way, I happened to run into your big hulking subordinate. He seemed easy to follow, so I just tagged along to see.'
He smacked his lips and added.
'Originally, I really didn't mean to disturb; I just planned to take a peek from the sofa and leave...'
'Who knew your eyesight was a bit too sharp.'
These words, half-true and half-false, sounded like an impromptu act by a powerful yet extremely bored top-tier individual.
Professor X listened quietly, not interrupting him.
When Lin Chen finished speaking, a subtle glimmer flashed in his eyes, which seemed to penetrate everything.
He clearly didn't fully believe Lin Chen's explanation.
But he didn't press Lin Chen further about his origins.
Because he knew that wasn't the point.
Charles leaned slightly forward, his fingers interlaced on his lap, and with an unprecedentedly serious tone, posed a new question.
'So, Mr. Lin.'
'What do you think of us... of the Mutant community?'
Lin Chen paused slightly, then understood this was a test from him.
After a moment of thought, he said: 'Professor, strength never brings arrogance; instead, it brings a clearer understanding of the essence of power and groups.'
'I know many outsiders constantly label Mutants as 'monsters' and 'threats,' but they are actually making the same mistake...'
'They only focus on the mutated abilities, but forget that you are, first and foremost, people who possess power.'
'In my opinion, your Mutant abilities are just tools; what truly matters is what you choose to do with them.'
'Oh? It seems this gentleman doesn't dislike us?'
Professor X sat up slightly, a gleam appearing in his eyes.
Lin Chen didn't respond to his comment, but continued to voice his thoughts.
'I believe the core dilemma of Mutants is never that their abilities are too strong, but that the world has not yet learned how to accept different races.'
'After all, what humanity fears is never your genes, but the unknown they cannot control. Just as ordinary people fear lightning, but do not blame the sky for raining.'
'And the internal divisions among you, such as Magneto's Mutant supremacy ideology versus your coexistence philosophy, are essentially a confusion about how power should conduct itself.'
'As for Mutants in my eyes? They are merely a group that has taken a slightly faster step in natural evolution.'
'Whether it's Colossus's transformation ability just now, or your telepathy, compared to ordinary humans, they are fundamentally ways for life to adapt to the world, with no superiority or inferiority.'
'So, you don't need to be pitied, nor do you need to be worshipped. What truly needs to be seen is your struggle, like everyone else, to find a balance between power and responsibility, and your humanity that still wants to protect your kind amidst prejudice.'
At this point, Lin Chen paused, and Professor X had completely sat upright, his eyes fixed on him with a brilliant gaze, as if looking at a kindred spirit.
'I imagine that you built this school not to cultivate stronger Mutants, but to cultivate people who can control their power, right?'
'Just like me, my strength might easily withstand human artillery fire, but it cannot stop humanity's fear of the unknown, nor can it replace the understanding Mutants earn through their own choices.'
'So... the core of coexistence is never about who tolerates whom, but that everyone must understand: whether it's the X-gene or ordinary humans, the humanity behind the power is what all groups should respect the most.'
Lin Chen.
Chapter 30 What I Just Said Was All Nonsense
The moment the words fell, a strange silence descended upon the office.
Even the sunlight seemed to freeze at this instant.
In Charles Xavier's deep blue eyes, a monstrous wave surged!
His breathing even quickened a few beats.
"Buzz..."
The anti-gravity wheelchair beneath him let out a faint hum, his entire body leaned slightly forward with excitement, and the knuckles of his hands, resting on his knees, turned slightly white from the effort.
For decades, he had campaigned for the future of Mutants, lobbying politicians worldwide, founding this school to shelter children abandoned by the world.
He endured fear and hostility from humans, as well as radicalism and misunderstanding from his own kind.
He was a lonely pioneer, a solitary figure bearing the fate of an entire race.
Yet, never had anyone, like this mysterious Eastern man before him, so accurately pinpointed the core of the Mutantdilemma, precisely dissecting his deepest ideals and struggles.
These words struck his heart more powerfully than any weapon!
"You... you..."
Professor X's voice carried an almost imperceptible tremor; he was so excited he nearly rose from his wheelchair.
"Sir, you... you completely understand! You truly understand!"
He felt like a traveler trudging through a long, dark night, finally seeing a glimmer of understanding.
This powerful, non-Mutant, mysterious visitor was not an enemy, not a covetous foe, but a... kindred spirit!
However, facing Professor X's excited reaction, which was akin to "finding his people," Lin Chen's expression remained unchanged.
He even let out a lazy yawn.
"Professor, don't get emotional just yet."
Lin Chen picked up the sickly sweet black tea, swirled it in his hand, hesitated, then put it back down with a dismissive 'clink'.
That faint sound was like a bucket of cold water, instantly dousing Charles's fervent heart.
"In my opinion, your approach..."
Lin Chen shifted into a more comfortable position, crossed his legs, and a playful smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"...is too idealistic, and too naive."
The excitement on Charles's face instantly froze.
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean is..."
Lin Chen pointed at him unceremoniously, "You constantly preach coexistence and understanding, hoping to enlighten the entire world with love and peace. This path sounds grand, but what about in reality?"
"Have you ever considered that young Mutants, who have just awakened their abilities, are treated as monsters by family and friends, hunted by society, and live in daily fear and self-doubt—what they need most isn't some grand ideal of integrating into human society, but basic psychological counseling and self-acceptance!"
"You taught them how to control their abilities, but you didn't teach them how to accept the fact that they are Mutants!"
Charles Xavier's face began to turn slightly pale.
Lin Chen's voice was not loud, yet every word was a condemnation, like a heavy hammer, striking the soul of this master telepath over and over again.
"Also, your so-called hidden identity and integration into society—to put it nicely, it's protecting them. To put it bluntly, isn't it a form of hypocrisy?"
"You're asking a group inherently different to suppress their true nature, to imitate and cater to a world that rejects them."
"This isn't coexistence; this is asking a vulnerable group to collectively abandon themselves and live with their tails between their legs!"
"What's the fundamental difference between this and those racists who shout that Mutants should be locked up? One uses an iron cage, the other uses moral and 'for your own good' shackles to imprison them!"
"I..."
Professor X's lips moved, wanting to argue, but he found himself unable to utter a single word.
Every one of Lin Chen's words was like a sharp scalpel, precisely cutting open the festering wound that Charleshad wrapped in idealism for decades, exposing the bloody reality beneath the sunlight.
His face alternated between green and white; the wall of belief he had built over decades now showed faint cracks.
Embarrassment, shame, and a hint of anger at having the truth exposed—all these emotions intertwined, making this most powerful telepath in the world feel the inadequacy of words for the first time.
"I... my entire life, I have fought for their peace with humanity! I established the school, formed the X-Men, to prevent war, to..."
Charles tried to defend his ideals, but his voice sounded somewhat lacking in conviction.
"Alright, alright, Professor."
Lin Chen impatiently waved his hand, cutting him off directly.
"Don't give me all that high-minded stuff."
He leaned forward, his dark eyes fixed on Charles, the cynical expression on his face instantly vanishing, replaced by an absolute, undeniable dominance.
"Let me tell you the truth."
"All that bullshit I just said about humanity, about understanding, about coexistence..."
Lin Chen paused, then said, word for word: "...It's all nonsense!"
"Wh-What?"
Charles was utterly bewildered.
He felt as if his brain had been struck by a bolt of lightning from a clear sky.
One second they were engaged in a profound philosophical and sociological discussion, and the next it was... "What I really want to tell you is just one sentence."
A flamboyant curve reappeared at the corner of Lin Chen's mouth, his smile carrying a savage, primal sense of power.
"In this world, never expect to persuade your enemies with reason."
"Because, in the end, this world is about whose fist is bigger, and who the hell is right!"
"..."
Charles Xavier fell into a prolonged silence.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting Lin Chen's long Shadow, half light, half Shadow, across Professor X's stunned face... Outside the door.
Piotr had his ear pressed to the door, anxious as an ant on a hot griddle.
At first, he could faintly hear Professor and the intruder talking.
But now, it had been silent inside for several minutes!
Dead silence!
Something was wrong!
Something must have happened to Professor!
This thought shot through his body like an electric current.
"No more waiting! Everyone, prepare for a forced entry!"
Piotr growled into the communicator, no longer hesitating.
He stepped back two paces, took a deep breath, and his entire skin instantly transformed into gleaming steel!
"Boom—!!!!"
A deafening roar!
The office door, made of special alloy and capable of withstanding rocket fire, was shattered into pieces like a fragile biscuit by Colossus's massive body!
"Protect Professor!"
"Where's the intruder?!"
Amidst angry shouts, several figures rushed in right behind Colossus, each in a combat stance, various colored energies flickering around them, the atmosphere instantly charged with tension.