"Chief Instructor"
"Iron Gold"
Seeing their supreme leader in such a distraught state, everyone at the Supernatural Abilities Headquarters was dumbfounded. If they didn't firmly believe in the head instructor's invincible abilities, they might have thought Gu Xiaorou had used a mind-controlling spell on him. Even Luo Panxi, Li Zhongqi, and the other deputy head instructors were astonished. They had been colleagues for at least several decades and had never seen Tang Tiejin so out of control.
"Tiejin, are you alright? We're in America, and we still have important business to attend to." Luo Panxi was right behind Tang Tiejin. Seeing his unusual behavior, although he didn't know what was wrong, he could roughly guess what it was. He was mature and composed, so he didn't point it out. He just said something subtle, and Tang Tiejin would definitely understand what he meant.
"I'm fine, Lao Luo!" Tang Tiejin finally regained his composure and said to Luo Panxi without turning his head. He then turned his gaze to Xiao Rou's back, reaching out to call out to that lonely and slender figure. He hesitated for a long time, but in the end, he didn't say anything.
Fei'er, that stubborn and lonely woman from back then, left him without a word and disappeared without a trace. Young Tang Tiejin searched the world frantically, but found no trace of her. Due to the passage of time and the work at the Superpower Headquarters, Tang Tiejin had to give up the search and plunged his heart, filled with pain, into the unfinished work left by Lu Ximing, until he transformed the Superpower Headquarters into the most impregnable fortress in the world.
As the Skynet barrier became increasingly perfect, Tang Tiejin's once burning heart gradually cooled. For many years, Fei'er remained elusive, and despite his numerous secret inquiries, he found nothing. He could only conclude that his once beautiful and angelic lover had passed away. Therefore, he devoted himself to the work of the Superpower Headquarters, only silently and painfully missing her when the night was quiet and no one was around.
Today, a girl he had only met once suddenly revealed his deepest secret. How could Tang Tiejin not be shocked? Even now, his heart was still unable to calm down. His eyes suddenly became blurry as he watched Xiao Rou's receding figure. Suddenly, his vision completely overlapped with the image of a woman's back from a certain moment more than twenty years ago.
It turned out that Gu Ling'er was Fei'er. Tang Tiejin suddenly understood what Xiao Rou had said. Indeed, he was the only one in the world who understood that woman. And it was this woman who, just because he said he wanted to obtain the Heavenly Eye, resolutely left him and actually infiltrated the Heavenly Eye Society to become a major general. She even gave her life to steal the Heavenly Eye and was even prepared to sacrifice her daughter's life to find him. All of this was for him, Tang Tiejin.
The weight of life was unbearable; Tang Tiejin even felt like he couldn't breathe. "Fei'er, don't you know that all I want is to be with you? Wanting the Heavenly Eye was just youthful ignorance and recklessness. What did you do it for? For something so elusive, you sacrificed your youth, your life, and even the chance for your daughter to be with me. What did you do it for?" Tang Tiejin thought with a heavy heart.
Is this my daughter? Is she the bloodline that Fei'er left me? Looking at Xiao Rou, a voice in Tang Tiejin's heart was shouting loudly. This voice was so powerful that it pierced through all his dignity and profundity, turning into a surge of hot blood that made this number one person in the world boil.
So she has a daughter now, Xiaorou? No wonder I felt so familiar with her when I saw her last time. This daughter looks so much like Fei'er, with the same stubbornness, the same figure, and almost the same eyes.
Tang Tiejin suddenly felt his heart burning with passion. Moreover, his daughter was a super strong person second only to him. Tang Tiejin suddenly felt extremely proud. This sense of accomplishment emanating from his heart was unparalleled. Even the excitement he felt when the Skynet was perfected was not as great as seeing his biological daughter now.
"Tie Jin, cough cough, you don't look too good. Should we stop and rest for a bit?" Li Zhongqi, one of the super strong people who led the team, saw Tang Tie Jin's ever-changing expression and wondered what was wrong with his superior. Everyone was waiting in vain, so he had no choice but to ask.
In fact, the Superpower Headquarters mobilized its entire force for this trip to the United States; almost all the super-strong individuals came, and a large portion of the instructors were also present. Ordinary superpowered individuals, aside from those carrying out necessary missions, were also there to gain experience. Only one super-strong individual, a few instructors, and a dozen or so trainee superpowered individuals remained at the headquarters' premises. Since the Skynet barrier had been repaired and, after Tang Tiejin's subsequent readjustment, it was ensured that the previous blunder would not be repeated.
As long as the core space of Skynet exists, no one can breach the headquarters of superpowered beings. Moreover, Skynet is still being upgraded, and in the near future, it is very likely to expand to cover the entire world, like a panoramic view of the clouds. Such surveillance is irresistible.
Tang Tiejin was startled and snapped out of his reverie. Seeing everyone staring at him with strange looks, even with the authority of the head instructor, he couldn't help but blush and said in a low voice, "Old Li, you and Old Luo arrange the itinerary. I have something to talk to Xiaorou about."
Li Zhongqi nodded. That was exactly what he wanted to hear. The chief instructor was also a person with his own secrets. As a subordinate and old friend, he should not only uphold Tang Tiejin's dignity but also give him his own space.
After exchanging a few words with Luo Panxi, they began assigning tasks to everyone. Tang Tiejin then strode towards Xiaorou and Xia Lan. Coincidentally, the two girls were heading towards the town's park.
Chapter 402 You like Ling Yun too, don't you?
Xia Lan, her expression somber, recounted to Xiao Rou how Ling Yun had rescued her. After escaping from the Superpower Bureau, she quickly used the headquarters' unique communication methods to locate her colleagues who had already arrived in the United States, and then stayed with them.
Since only Ling Yunxiaorou and Li Zhongqi witnessed Xia Lan being kidnapped by a strange super-strong individual, no one, including Tang Tiejin, believed Li Zhongqi when he returned to the Superpower Headquarters and recounted the incident. The relationship between the Chinese Superpower Headquarters and the US Superpower Bureau, while not exactly a close partnership, was at least one of pleasant cooperation. Moreover, not long ago, Tang Tiejin had spoken with Wesh, discussing the recent frequent conflicts within the superpowered community. These two of the world's strongest individuals had simultaneously noticed the actions of the Sky Eye Society, exchanged views, and even agreed that the superpowered individuals from both organizations would work together to eliminate conflicts and wars among superpowered individuals worldwide.
Given this relaxed atmosphere and relationship, for the US Superpower Bureau to kidnap Xia Lan to blackmail the Chinese Superpower Headquarters would be a sudden and dramatic reversal of attitude. This is possible in private superpower organizations, where one person holds absolute power. However, the US Superpower Bureau is not a dictatorial organization; it is a legitimate official organization. Such capriciousness is not the behavior of a major power.
The Superpower Headquarters' instinctive reaction was the same as Li Zhongqi's: they both thought someone had framed them. However, since the one who kidnapped Xia Lan was a super strong individual who claimed to be from the American Superpower Bureau, that was a clue. This matter required negotiation with the American Superpower Bureau. Coincidentally, Tang Tiejin also had some matters he wanted to discuss with Weish recently. He also wanted to take this opportunity to hold a competition between superpowered individuals from both countries. This would not only showcase their strengths but also allow them to see each other's strengths and their own weaknesses, while also promoting communication and friendship between the two countries—a win-win-win situation.
Moreover, the US Superpower Bureau must be furious at being framed, which would essentially put them in cahoots with the Superpower Headquarters. This would give the Chinese Superpower Headquarters an extra powerful ally in rescuing Xia Lan. Therefore, after discussing the matter, Tang Tiejin and the others collectively decided to lead most of the superpowered individuals to visit the US Superpower Bureau and, incidentally, search for the whereabouts of the super-powered individual who kidnapped Xia Lan. According to Li Zhongqi, the kidnapper was a foreigner and a super-powerful individual, which narrowed the search to Europe or the United States.
The group arrived in the United States full of excitement. Just as they passed through customs and were still a long way from the Superpower Bureau, Xia Lan contacted the Superpower Headquarters. Everyone was surprised and delighted to see Xia Lan return safely, but their joy lasted less than fifteen minutes. After hearing Xia Lan's story, almost everyone was furious. They couldn't believe the Superpower Bureau was blinded by greed, making such a foolish decision. Weren't they afraid of retaliation from the Superpower Headquarters? That would be far more damaging than the loss of Xia Lan. They wondered what the Superpower Bureau's decision was based on. Tang Tiejin couldn't contact Weish and had no idea what the Superpower Bureau director was up to.
Kidnapping Xia Lan may seem like a small matter, but for superhumans representing official organizations, the consequences are often disastrous. It's tantamount to declaring war on an organization, or, to put it more grandly, on a nation. As one of the world's most powerful super-organizations, the Superhuman Headquarters would never tolerate the US Superhuman Bureau doing this. Even for the sake of political face, they would demand an apology and compensation from the US Superhuman Bureau.
Only a few seasoned and prudent super-powerful individuals remained skeptical, because there was another possibility: the US Superpower Bureau had an inside agent deliberately trying to sabotage the relationship between the US Superpower Bureau and the Chinese Superpower Headquarters. This method of framing was clumsy, but very effective. As long as no evidence could be found, the two super-organizations would have to negotiate legitimately. However, such negotiations were destined to be fruitless. The US Superpower Bureau would not admit to arresting Xia Lan, nor would it apologize, and the Superpower Headquarters would certainly not simply make a gesture of accountability and then leave it at that.
This is not a diplomatic gesture for negotiation. China's superhumans are giants who can stand shoulder to shoulder with the US Superhumans Bureau. American nuclear weapons and high technology have absolutely no effect on superhumans; they cannot and will not threaten them. Superhumans can represent China, but they do not represent the government's attitude on a global scale. They only need to represent the attitude of superhumans, therefore there is no room for negotiation.
All that's left is war, something neither side wants, but it has to happen because of damn politics and damn face-saving. This is the weakness exposed by official organizations, because every action must conform to national interests.
All of this hinges on evidence. We must find evidence of the super-strong person who kidnapped Xia Lan or evidence of framing her to prevent the two super organizations from killing each other. But since they have been planning this scheme for a long time, finding evidence is no easy task.
Moreover, the most important thing right now isn't finding evidence, but rather figuring out how to get Ling Yun out of there. According to Xia Lan's account, Ling Yun was ultimately stopped by six super-strong individuals, including Weish, working together. This is equivalent to several chief instructors from the China Superpower Headquarters, including Tang Tiejin, attacking simultaneously. No one in the world could withstand such an attack, unless they were the reincarnation of Buddha or the resurrection of Jesus.
Without a doubt, no matter how powerful Ling Yun was, there was absolutely no way he could escape from being surrounded by these six super-strong individuals. He'd be lucky to avoid being instantly killed. Although Xia Lan had witnessed Ling Yun display his true power, she wasn't certain he had entered the ranks of super-strong individuals, so she didn't mention it in her account. However, when she spoke of Ling Yun fighting against Weish and the others to save her, the girl's eyes reddened, and she barely managed to finish speaking, sobbing uncontrollably.
Along with her, Yang Yuqi and Xia Zhen were also sobbing uncontrollably. Both girls had their hearts deeply attached to Ling Yun, and they were extremely worried when they heard that something had happened to their beloved. The three girls almost broke down in tears.
First, Xia Lan was trapped in the Superpower Bureau, and then Ling Yun. The Superpower Bureau actually had six super strong people ganging up on a young man who was not even twenty years old? Don't they have any shame? Back then, Ling Yun practically turned the Superpower Headquarters upside down, and Luo Panxi and the others didn't even lift a finger. After all, they were juniors. The Superpower Bureau's actions are simply utterly disgraceful.
The anger of the Superpowers Headquarters was completely ignited. Xia Lan had witnessed the incident firsthand, and with witnesses and physical evidence, the Superpowers Bureau could not deny it. The experienced deputy chief instructors were also quite angry. They decided that they would not bother to exchange ideas with their American counterparts. Instead, they would go and confront these shameful guys to demand an explanation.
If the Supernatural Abilities Bureau is sensible, they'll hand over Ling Yun to apologize and explain the situation; then we can discuss it further. If they're not sensible, then, well, to paraphrase the formidable Deputy Chief Instructor Chen Mulong, we'll beat them until they know what's good for them!
The young superhumans were even more excited. Most of them had seen Ling Yun. Since the battle at the Superhuman Headquarters, Ling Yun's name and deeds had spread rapidly throughout the headquarters. In fact, the Skynet barrier had a detailed record of Ling Yun's rampage through the Superhuman Headquarters, fighting from the inside out and from the outside in, and finally defeating Oswit single-handedly to save the Superhuman Headquarters. All of this was silently recorded by the Skynet.
At this moment, Ling Yun, who was chasing after the Boeing plane, had no idea that he had become a celebrity in the Superpowers Bureau, and even an idol for all young superpowered individuals. He was a promising talent valued by the leaders, with a bright future ahead of him!
How could our red proletarian brothers allow such idols and promising talents to be detained by the superpower bureau representing American imperialism and hegemony?
Impossible! All reactionaries are paper tigers. Ling Yun must be released unconditionally and an apology must be made, otherwise imperialism will be driven out!
Moreover, when watching the Skynet recording afterward, everyone praised Ling Yun's combat prowess and indomitable spirit. This young man was truly a rare genius among superhumans. Most superhumans admired Ling Yun's combat process immensely, watching it again and again, and diligently practicing and learning from it. The instructors even used Ling Yun directly as teaching material for training superhumans.
Of course, the Skynet core also recorded Ling Yun's battle within the core space. However, this time, only a few super-strong individuals witnessed the battle between Ling Yun and Xue Tong, among others. Even these super-strong individuals were visibly shaken and their expressions changed drastically. Ling Yun, having mastered the core space's abilities, possessed a domineering power—a truly astonishing force. This record had been intercepted, and if it were released, it could easily cause a huge uproar. Furthermore, the fact that Ling Yun possessed the key to the core space also needed to be kept secret.
As for the fact that Xue Tong and the other two were killed by Ling Yun, it was completely ignored by everyone. These old devils were ruthless and should have died long ago. However, considering that only Tang Tiejin could enter and exit the core space, they were kept indefinitely until they grew old. The fact that they were unexpectedly killed by Ling Yun was exactly what everyone wanted.
Regardless, Ling Yun is one of the most important figures in the Superpower Headquarters. Such a person must be won over, not attacked. This is a decision made by the entire Superpower Headquarters.
Luo Panxi later made a self-criticism at a public meeting and publicly stated that he would personally apologize to Ling Yun and clear up the misunderstanding once Ling Yun returned to the Superpower Headquarters. This earned him unanimous appreciation from everyone in the Superpower Headquarters, and Tang Tiejin was also very gratified. This meant that the bureaucratic style of the Superpower Headquarters was gradually being eliminated, and all the changes stemmed from Ling Yun. Without his antics, things really wouldn't have turned out well.
Such an important figure was actually trapped by the American Bureau of Superpowers. How could the people at the Bureau of Superpowers let this go? So, under Xia Lan's guidance, the group hid during the day and went out at night. In just a few days, they had approached the western region. Just when they were about to make a final push and go directly to the Bureau of Superpowers to settle accounts,
As the group passed through the town, Tang Tiejin unexpectedly discovered several powerful and unfamiliar auras. He ordered the group to stop and investigate carefully, but unexpectedly, they found Xiao Rou, which triggered another event that was no less than a magnitude 10 earthquake for Tang Tiejin.
As Xia Lan spoke, she kept an eye on Xiao Rou's expression. After carefully recounting Ling Yun's experience of being trapped by several super strong individuals, she had already anticipated Xiao Rou's outburst of anger and was even prepared to face a storm. Even if Xiao Rou slapped her a few times, it would make Xia Lan feel a little better. In fact, Xia Lan had been living in agony these past few days. Whenever she had a moment of free time, she would think of Ling Yun's final roar: "Run!"
She dared not think about it; the mere thought of the suffering Ling Yun might endure pierced her like needles. Yuqi and Xiazhen's comforting words were of no use; instead, they only made Xia Lan more melancholy. But what pained Xia Lan even more was that she and Ling Yun had no relationship whatsoever, so she couldn't freely express her true feelings, and could only weep in secret—wasn't that a kind of sorrow in itself?