Chapter 50: A Wise King Never Seeks Out War
After a warm dinner, Lan Xingyu and the others rested for a while before heading to the plane.
Arriving at Tony's private jet, Lan Xingyu intended to continue his gaming journey, and Tony tagged along.
Lan Xingyu had no choice, but he decided to switch to a different game for Tony to try. Perhaps Tony just wasn't suited for league of legends. Maybe he could become a grandmaster in another game?
After all, Tony was a man cursed with knowledge; it was impossible for him to have zero gaming talent... probably...
So on the plane, Lan Xingyu brought Tony into the world of monster hunter. Tony then perfectly illustrated why the game was nicknamed "Monster Hunts You." Can you imagine someone failing five times against a Great Jagras (the first large monster in Monster Hunter World)?
At first, one could excuse it as being unfamiliar with the game, but even when your health was critical, you still insisted on showboating in front of the monster. Just how much do you love your "unrestrained freedom"?
Xingyu carried him through the last two attempts. Even when the situation looked great and Xingyu was about to finish it off, Tony managed a perfect "triple-cart" game over. If he hadn't known it was Tony's first time playing, Lan Xingyu would have asked if he was a spy sent by the monsters.
Suddenly, Lan Xingyu thought of a game Tony would definitely be suited for: Dungeon & Fighter! This game was incredibly simple now, and a game where you could become stronger just by spending money was perfect for Tony.
After all, this game wasn't like the old days when maps had a certain difficulty. Current DNF was practically at a level where you could clear a map by rolling your face across the keyboard. Add to that Tony replacing his entire set with Divine Artifacts every five levels—not just a weapon, but a full set, including jewelry and everything. Plus a set of top-tier avatars...
Yes, this is the power of a tycoon. Tony was now the largest shareholder of three gaming companies... That's right, the company behind monster hunter hadn't escaped Tony's clutches either...
Now Lan Xingyu didn't even dare to introduce Tony to new games anymore. As for the reason... everyone understands.
Meanwhile, Pepper Potts worked on official business while watching the boisterous father and son, her face full of happiness. Time flew by in this atmosphere that was written as "pleasant" but read as "despair" (for Xingyu).
Getting off the plane, Lan Xingyu began looking for their destination. With a small hand raised, he cast the "Search" magic and located Mjolnir.
Odin had just thrown Mjolnir to Earth last night. Only a few people had gathered there now; the S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents hadn't even arrived yet.
After getting off the plane, Lan Xingyu's group got into the car they had prepared beforehand. They drove in the direction indicated by Meteor Shower and soon reached the impact site of Mjolnir.
Lan Xingyu and his group stepped out, all wearing sunglasses. They saw people using a chain to bind Mjolnir, with the other end tied to a truck. The truck started up, but the hammer didn't move; instead, the truck bed was ripped into two pieces.
As the rear frame of the truck was scrapped, an old man poked his head out from the driver's seat and asked, "How'd it go? Did we get it?"
This seemed to ignite everyone's spirits again, and the place was instantly filled with laughter.
Tony also found it very interesting and asked Xingyu, "Is that thing down there the Mjolnir you mentioned? He smashed this crater? Then why is there a pile of dirt lifting it up?" Tony looked curious.
"Uh... I'm not entirely sure about the physics of this hammer either." Because currently, Mjolnir was in the middle of the crater, yet it sat atop a mound of earth rather than being sunken into the ground.
"How about it, Tony? Want to give it a try?" Lan Xingyu asked with interest.
"Why not? We're already here, aren't we?" Saying that, Tony walked toward the hammer in the center.
He reached the hammer while no one else was there. Tony gripped the handle and pulled hard, but the hammer didn't budge at all.
"I think I need to design some equipment." Tony returned, planning to put on his armor and try again.
"Hey! Tony, do you want to ruin my first trip?" Pepper Potts said from the side.
"Uh... alright, then I'll just hang out here! I'll grab a hot dog. I saw someone selling them over there."
Afterward, Tony and his group blended into the festive atmosphere, eating and cheering for the people going up to lift the hammer.
With his sunglasses on, no one recognized Tony unless they looked closely. Lan Xingyu and the others felt like they were at a party. To add some fun, Tony even offered a bounty: anyone who could lift the hammer would receive one million dollars. This completely ignited the crowd's passion.
Everyone was having a great time, including Lan Xingyu and his group. At this moment, they cast aside their identities as heroes, leaving behind their various abilities and responsibilities. Right now, they were just ordinary people, enjoying the simple joys of life.
But the happy times didn't last long. Just after noon, S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents arrived. Then came the brainwashing of the public, claiming it was some kind of satellite wreckage.
Lan Xingyu and Tony spotted Coulson and went over to greet him.
"Hi! Coulson, long time no see," Tony said to Coulson.
"Hi! Tony, long time no see. You look like you're in good spirits."
"Of course. So you guys came to study this hammer too!"
"Yeah! After all, this is our job. By the way, what are you doing here?"
"Don't be nervous, we're just here on vacation. Go back to work then, you busy little bee." Saying that, Tony went back with Lan Xingyu. They planned to find a small town to rest.
Back in the car, Tony asked, "Xingyu, where's our next stop?"
"Head in that direction. I'll take you to meet my little brother, Thor, the God of Thunder," Lan Xingyu said.
"Alright, let's go." With Tony's cheer, they set off again toward the next landmark...
Why didn't Xingyu try to lift Mjolnir, you ask? Because he didn't want to scare people. That's right, Lan Xingyu could absolutely lift Mjolnir, but not through worthiness—he could lift it through sheer brute force alone. Thus, Lan Xingyu had no interest in lifting some hammer.
In a small town in New Mexico, Thor had just been brought to a diner to eat by Jane Foster, who had hit him with her car twice. Just as Thor finished a glass of beer, he smashed the glass on the floor.
This immediately drew the attention of everyone around, leaving Jane Foster and her group in an awkward position.
"Sorry, Izzy, it was an accident." Jane Foster said apologetically while cleaning up the glass shards.
"What do you mean by that?" Jane Foster said, somewhat annoyed.
"This is delicious! I want another!" Thor said, not feeling he had done anything wrong.
"Then you can just say so."
"I just did."
"I mean, with a friendlier attitude."
"I meant no offense," Thor explained slightly.
"I can guarantee that; he really didn't mean to be offensive. Boss, put that glass on my tab, along with their entire table's bill." A youthful voice took over for Thor.
Everyone in the restaurant looked toward the source of the voice and saw an incredibly cute child and... Iron Man, Tony Stark!
This instantly set the place on fire. Tony knew their subsequent conversation wasn't for ordinary ears, so he once again displayed his "money-power."
"Iron Man is on a case, everyone. I hope you'll cooperate. Lunch is on me for everyone here, and friends who cooperate will also receive a ten-thousand-dollar reward." At this, everyone left their seats. Who would be foolish enough not to take free money?
In no time, the restaurant was cleared. Then Tony said to the owner, "Here is fifty thousand dollars. I'm booking this place for the afternoon, how about it?" The owner naturally agreed; fifty thousand dollars was several months' worth of income for her.
The people Tony cleared out did not include Jane Foster's group. Lan Xingyu came to their table and greeted Thor, "How is it? Are you used to your first night on Earth?"
"Hi! Xingyu, it's good to see you. Hahaha. Are you here to see me?" Thor said.
"Yeah. Let me introduce you: this is my friend Tony, and this lady is my sister, Pepper Potts." Lan Xingyu introduced the two to Thor.
"This is the Thor, God of Thunder, I told you about. Theoretically, he's my little brother. But right now, he's weak as hell." Lan Xingyu mocked Thor without mercy.
Jane and her group were stunned by the conversation. What were they hearing? First night on Earth? Thor, God of Thunder? What was all this? A fairy tale?
Normally, if they heard this anywhere else, they would definitely think Lan Xingyu and Thor were crazy, but Iron Man was right here!
"I will recover soon. As long as I get back my weapon, the hammer Mjolnir, my divine power will return," Thor defended himself.
Tony and Pepper had already ordered lunch and sat down next to Thor with Lan Xingyu. At this time, Jane's assistant, a woman with a generous heart (and bust), Darcy Lewis, came up to Tony.
"Could I please have your autograph?" Darcy looked at Tony expectantly.
"Of course, I never refuse an invitation from a beautiful woman." Tony acted nonchalant, but Lan Xingyu still saw his lip twitch slightly and Sister Potts' hand resting on his waist...
After Tony signed, Darcy said excitedly, "This is the biggest gain I've had coming here for credits. Thank you so much."
Seeing that side finish, Thor asked Lan Xingyu, "Xingyu, do you know where my hammer is?" Thor asked impatiently.
Seeing Thor as he was now was within Lan Xingyu's expectations, but he was still somewhat disappointed.
"Thor, have you still not realized your mistake? Do you still think your actions were right? Do you even understand war? You must know, in war there are no winners, only losers," Lan Xingyu said earnestly.
Clearly, Thor didn't take it in at all and said, "As a king, one must always be prepared for battle."
"But a wise king never seeks out war!" Lan Xingyu replied.
Seeing Thor like this, Lan Xingyu knew he couldn't convince him now. Better to let his brother deal him a blow.
"Tony, can you have someone send this blockhead to where the hammer is?" Lan Xingyu said to Tony.
May the heroes who sacrificed themselves during this pandemic rest in peace. Rest assured, we will take over the final watch. Here, Er Ha also thanks all the doctors, nurses, soldiers, volunteers, transport personnel, etc., who worked hard during this pandemic. Thank you for bringing spring back to us! Er Ha, on behalf of myself, expresses the most sincere thanks and gratitude to you all.