Hesitating for a moment, he turned to Lu Xiaofeng and asked, “Lu Xiaofeng, you mentioned earlier that the Marquis of the Blood Wardrobe was a traitor to Mount Shu. I want to know, how many experts of his level are there in Mount Shu?”
Time for a story!
“Lu Xiaofeng” braced himself against the edge of the bed and sat up straight, his expression turning solemn.
“Since we’ve bled and fought side by side, I’ll tell you all about Mount Shu.”
“Actually, Mount Shu isn’t on Earth at all.”
“Not on Earth? Are you saying you’re aliens?” Jessica blurted out, her face full of astonishment.
“No.”
“Lu Xiaofeng” shook his head with a chuckle and added, “In China, there is a saying about the ‘Thirty-Six Blessed Lands and Seventy-Two Grotto-Heavens.’ Mount Shu is located in one of those major grotto-heavens and blessed lands. The seniors are used to calling it the Mountain and Sea Realm.”
“Wait…” Jessica held up a hand, looking utterly bewildered.
“What are grotto-heavens and blessed lands? Those terms sound too mystical. I don’t get it.”
“I have a rough idea,” Matt, who had been listening quietly, interjected.
“Is it similar to a parallel dimension? Modern physics actually has hypotheses like that.”
“Exactly!”
“Lu Xiaofeng” nodded in agreement.
“The Mountain and Sea Realm is attached to the real world, yet exists independently outside of it. It’s a self-contained pocket space. In terms of nature, it’s somewhat like Asgard among the Nine Realms.”
“Asgard?”
Frank frowned.
“Isn’t that the realm of gods in Norse mythology? Don’t tell me Asgard actually exists?”
“Lu Xiaofeng” spread his hands.
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
[Shock Value from Matt Murdock (Daredevil) +600] [Shock Value from Luke Cage +600] [Shock Value from Jessica Jones +700] [Shock Value from Frank Castle (The Punisher) +600] …
In the hospital room, everyone stood frozen upon hearing that Norse mythology was real, their minds temporarily failing to process it.
After a good while, Frank was the first to regain his composure.
Half-believing, he asked, “Lu Xiaofeng, it’s not that I don’t trust you, but this is just too absurd. You have to give us some kind of proof, right?”
“In the future, you’ll see Asgardians on Earth with your own eyes.”
Knowing that too many words invited slips, “Lu Xiaofeng” refrained from saying more.
He naturally lay back down on the bed and closed his eyes to rest.
Yet that single sentence was like a spark falling into dry hay, stoking the curiosity of The Defenders so fiercely that they could no longer keep calm.
Jessica pounced forward, grabbing his arm to press him further.
“Lu Xiaofeng, how can you be so sure Asgardians will come to Earth?”
“Well…”
“Lu Xiaofeng” stroked his chin, feigning hesitation.
“The elders of my sect warned me repeatedly that this matter involves too much. I can’t just blab about it.”
“We’ve bonded over life and death!” Jessica’s eyes widened.
“Alright, fine.”
Seeing her so intent, “Lu Xiaofeng” chuckled secretly to himself.
That was human nature.
If he had spilled everything right when they first met like pouring beans from a bamboo tube, they would have assumed he was making things up or even doubted his motives.
Now that they had trusted each other in a life-or-death battle, letting them actively pry before reluctantly revealing a word or two doubled the credibility instantly.
“I actually don’t know much either. I only heard an elder mention it by chance.”
“Lu Xiaofeng” looked solemn, beginning his story with complete seriousness.
“That senior was proficient in divining heavenly secrets. He once asserted that before long, Earth would face multiple calamities in succession, and several alien forces would reveal themselves one after another.”
“No way?!”
Jessica blurted out in shock.
The others reacted the same way, their faces changing abruptly.
The hospital room fell so silent that a pin drop could be heard.
Frank lowered his voice, his tone heavy.
“Lu Xiaofeng, are you saying that before long, Asgard together with other alien forces will make a move against Earth?”
“No. To be precise, Asgard is actually Earth’s gatekeeper.”
Lu Xiaofeng shook his head.
“Though it indeed acts out of concern for its own survival, over the past few thousand years, it has genuinely blocked countless alien eyes and incursions for Earth.”
“In that case…” Luke Cage scratched the back of his head, feeling utterly baffled.
“According to you, if Asgard has always protected Earth, how did those other alien forces manage to invade later?”
“I only gathered this much; I really don’t know the finer details.”
“SHIELD?!”
Who among these street-level heroes hadn’t dealt with SHIELD?
Frank had even fought alongside Nick Fury for years, enjoying a deep personal friendship with him.
The moment those words left his mouth, all of them paled.
The hospital room became deathly quiet, filled only with the sound of breathing.
After a long pause, Frank spoke again.
“Lu Xiaofeng, what exactly is this Tesseract?”
“A supreme cosmic treasure—a rare treasure coveted by countless supreme powerhouses across the starry seas.”
Lu Xiaofeng paused, spreading his hands with a candid expression.
“I’m just an ordinary disciple of Mount Shu. That’s all I know. Some of this information was only gleaned quietly thanks to my decent popularity with others.”
“Someone like you… is considered an ordinary disciple?”
Jessica recalled Lu Xiaofeng’s movement speed—so fast it nearly left afterimages—and his steady, fierce martial prowess.
She couldn’t help but frown.
“Isn’t the entry barrier for Mount Shu a bit too high?”
“Without treading the immortal path, one cannot receive true teachings.”
A hint of gloom brushed across Lu Xiaofeng’s face, his tone sinking slightly.
“Not just me—Bai Yifei was also an ordinary disciple. Perhaps precisely because he saw no hope of attaining immortality, he completely turned his back on Mount Shu.”
[Shock Value from Matt Murdock (Daredevil) +800] [Shock Value from Luke Cage +800] [Shock Value from Jessica Jones +900] [Shock Value from Frank Castle (The Punisher) +800] …
At the thought of the Marquis of the Blood Wardrobe’s horrifying combat power, the corners of the Defenders’ mouths twitched in unison.
If even someone like that was merely an “ordinary disciple,” then if they tried to join Mount Shu, they’d probably have to take a number and wait in line just to sweep the floors or carry water.
For a moment, no one dared to touch the word “ordinary” again, as if taking another glance at it would make them look utterly delusional.
“So, you don’t need to worry too much.”
Looking at everyone’s unsettled, stunned expressions, Lu Xiaofeng chuckled softly.
“Bai Yifei’s scheme won’t come to fruition. I’ve already invited an extremely powerful friend to come specifically to deal with him.”
“Also someone from Mount Shu?”
“No. The Mountain and Sea Realm is vast and boundless. Beyond Mount Shu, there are many ancient inheritances. That friend of mine comes from the Zhuge Clan, which has endured for a thousand years.”
“Is he handsome?” Jessica blurted out.
Seeing everyone turn to stare at her with strange looks, she straightened her back and said indignantly, “What? I’ve been single for so many years—can’t I care about a handsome guy?”
“Sure, of course you can!”
Lu Xiaofeng nodded helplessly.
“Coincidentally, this friend of mine is indeed very handsome. When he walks down the street, he’s often mobbed by girls.”
Jessica’s eyes lit up.
“Then introduce us?”
“Uh…”
***
Meanwhile.
In Hell’s Kitchen, in front of a newly opened detective agency, John Constantine looked up with satisfaction at the four gleaming golden words on his sign: “Hellblazer.” Hooking an arm around the shoulder of the man beside him, he smiled meaningfully.
“Tony, no need for thanks. From now on, whenever you take a job from me, you get a twelve percent discount.”
“Rest assured, aside from today, I will never set foot in this place again for the rest of my life.”
Tony Stark swatted away the hand resting on his shoulder, let out a cold snort, and turned to get into his sports car.
“We’re even. Don’t let me see that punchable face of yours ever again!”
“That’s really hurtful.”
John Constantine shrugged, lit a cigarette, and slowly exhaled a puff of white smoke.
“I thought we were already life-and-death buddies. A guy like me always values true friendship higher than life itself.”
“I’d rather have afternoon tea with Thanos than be friends with you.”
Tony rolled down the window, gave John Constantine the middle finger, stepped on the gas, and the sports car roared away.
“Tsk, zero manners!”
John Constantine curled his lip, flicked the cigarette ash, and shifted his gaze to the nearby agent rocking an iconic bowl-cut hairstyle.
“Agent Phil Coulson, I don’t have a single bit of interest in your bullshit SHIELD. If you’re done, you can leave.”
“Mr. Constantine, I still suggest you give it some serious thought…”
“SHIELD’s duty is to prevent all major threats that could endanger the entire world. According to regulations, for a special existence from another realm like yourself, our agency legally holds supervisory authority.”
“Oh??”
John Constantine slowly blew out a smoke ring, his smile turning playful.
“Are you threatening me?”
“You misunderstand.”
Phil Coulson remained calm and composed.
“This is merely the first step to building mutual trust. If you are willing to serve as SHIELD’s Chief Magic Advisor, you will enjoy full official clearance and privileges.”
“Furthermore, SHIELD will immediately cease all surveillance on you and grant you full access to intelligence, equipment, and operational resources.”
“Sounds pretty tempting?”
John Constantine raised an eyebrow, then shook his head cleanly and decisively.
“But I refuse.”
“Well then, I shall visit again another day.”
Phil Coulson nodded with slight regret and turned to leave.
John Constantine suddenly called out to stop him.
“It feels kind of bad to send you away empty-handed.”
After rummaging through some drawers and boxes, he pulled out a shiny, deeply braised, aged rabbit leg.
“Here, a Lucky Rabbit’s Foot. It brings good luck and fortune. It’s yours.”
“This…”
Phil Coulson instinctively covered his nose.
“Mr. Constantine, are you sure this thing really brings good luck?”
“Absolutely.”
John Constantine smiled brightly.
“Don’t believe me? There’s a lottery shop right across the street. Go try it out right now, and you’ll see instantly.”
“Then… thank you, Mr. Constantine.”
Phil Coulson hesitated for a moment before extending his hand to take the rabbit leg.
Although he vaguely felt something was off, on second thought, this was a rare opportunity to draw closer to John Constantine.
Even if he had to suffer a small loss, he clenched his teeth and accepted it.
He tucked the rabbit leg into his belt.
Phil Coulson turned around and walked away.
Passing by the lottery shop across the street, he found himself ducking inside on a whim and bought a scratch-off ticket.
The result: he scratched off ten thousand dollars right on the spot!
“Could this rabbit leg really bring good luck?”
Phil Coulson was both shocked and delighted.
To investigate further, he handed the rabbit leg to five of his subordinates, having them wear it in turn and go scratch off tickets one by one.
Sure enough,
All five of them won!
Although the prize amounts weren’t quite as high, five thousand, two thousand, one thousand… a string of numbers steadily dropped into their bank accounts.
“Magic is actually this effective?!”
Phil Coulson shook his head in amazement and tucked the rabbit leg back into his waist belt.
The lottery shop owner glared at them like he wanted to swallow them alive, so the group bit the bullet and walked out the door.
Vroom—
A motorcycle suddenly sped past right in front of the entrance.
“Sir, watch out!”
A SHIELD agent acted fast, grabbing Phil Coulson, who was walking at the very front.
“Phew… thanks.”
Phil Coulson wiped away cold sweat, his heart still thumping wildly.
The team continued moving forward.
Careless for just a second, he stepped on a banana peel, his entire body slamming face-first onto the ground.
“Sir, are you alright?”
The agents immediately gathered around to help him up.
“What do you think… hurry up and take me to the hospital!”
Phil Coulson raised a face covered in nosebleeds with loose front teeth, his voice drifting erratically.
“On it!”