Chapter Seven: The Supernatural Organizations of Huaxia

While waiting, Hao Yun glanced at the nervous military personnel and asked, “Um, I wanted to ask… Doesn’t Huaxia have any superheroes?”

The liaison smiled and replied, “Well, it’s not that we don’t—our circumstances are simply different. Compared to Western countries, which emphasize individual heroism, we place our trust in collective strength. Huaxia is a vast land with a huge population, and the dangers we face are even greater than yours. For instance, the alien invasion event you call the ‘2012 incident’—we encountered something similar as far back as the founding of our nation.”

“What?!” Hao Yun was even more stunned. Aliens invading during the founding era—what kind of story was that?

“You’re of Chinese descent yourself, and you’ve met the gods of Asgard. What do you think would happen if all the deities in Chinese mythology truly existed?” the liaison continued. Hao Yun’s mind turned to the age-old legends of his homeland. Setting aside the countless tragic tales of the supernatural, he thought of Journey to the West, known to all—where monsters with connections could eat humans and still be forgiven by the gods, who even took them away graciously, expecting gratitude in return. Among the four main characters, apart from Tang Sanzang, who among them was truly innocent? Even Tang Sanzang himself committed many wrongs—like promoting Buddhism so fervently that monasteries flourished, seizing lands everywhere, and causing harm to families.

Not to mention the story where a city suffered years of drought because the Jade Emperor was offended by a sacrificial ceremony, nearly killing hundreds of thousands. As the liaison watched Hao Yun’s changing expression, aware that he was beginning to understand the true nature of gods and demons, he continued his explanation.

“When the Grand Ancestor founded the nation, he decreed: ‘From this day forth, no spirits shall be allowed to ascend.’ That edict severed the path to immortality. Since then, the Heavenly Court completely turned against Huaxia, and the strongest of the human race were led by the Three Sovereigns of Huoyun Cave to guard Mount Kunlun, preventing any invasion from above.”

“Wait—doesn’t anyone from Huaxia work in the Heavenly Court? Aren’t there any human deities who speak up?” Hao Yun pressed.

“And what do you think happens to those who ascend from Huaxia?” the liaison asked in return. “Think about the sacrifices demanded by those so-called gods.”

Hao Yun fell silent. Even in mortal tales, offerings of boys and girls were required. What chance did humans have if delivered straight to the gods? Who’s to say the peaches at the Peach Banquet were truly just fruit or once-human immortals?

“The Heavenly Court deserves destruction, and so do its immortals!” Hao Yun, once a son of Huaxia and now of Chinese descent in this life, ground his teeth in anger.

“Exactly. That’s why, after the founding, the Grand Ancestor suppressed the nation with the mandate of heaven and the dragon veins. Anyone with cultivation talent was sent to Kunlun to prepare for a future counterattack against the Heavenly Court. As for the ones responsible for handling the demons and monsters of the mortal world, that duty falls to two organizations—the Dragon Division and the Phoenix Nest, both staffed entirely by disciples from Kunlun.

“So, you asked me if there are superheroes in Huaxia. My answer is: No! Because in Huaxia, every citizen is a hero. They support these guardians with their own salaries and taxes, and in turn, they are protected! Every powerful individual understands their duty and their mission—to guard the people.”

Hao Yun was speechless. Compared to the Illuminati he had painstakingly built, Huaxia, backed by the nation itself, truly regulated the strength of its extraordinary individuals and safeguarded its people. No wonder, even in the real Marvel universe, there was never any mention of upheaval in Huaxia. It turned out a hidden legion of heroes was protecting not only Huaxia, but perhaps the whole world.

Hao Yun wasn’t naïve enough to think that if the Heavenly Court broke through and conquered Huaxia, they would stop at just one nation. The Earth has seven continents and four oceans, after all. The best warriors never boast of their achievements—Huaxia’s quiet strength has proven this to be true.

“I am enlightened.” Hao Yun bowed deeply, paying his respects to the hidden guardians who protected humanity from the shadows.

“No need to be so formal. Your work is not easy either,” the liaison replied with a smile, accepting the gesture on behalf of the Kunlun guardians. Then, he delivered a pleasant surprise.

“There’s no need to worry about the Nine Realms Convergence. The Sorcerer Supreme has already informed Kunlun. The Dragon Division and Phoenix Nest are prepared to support the entire globe at a moment’s notice. But let me remind you: should the Sorcerer Supreme merge with the Dao, the cosmic barrier will strengthen greatly… We may no longer be able to contact the new Sorcerer Supreme.”

“What? Why? Isn’t the successor still going to protect Earth?” Hao Yun exclaimed. The only reason he dared to form the Illuminati and alter the storyline was because he had the backing of the Ancient One—his strongest support, not any system. Kunlun, it seemed, was the Ancient One’s backing as well—even greater than the Vishanti! If they lost contact after merging with the Dao, what would happen to his plans for more missions or interplanetary adventures?

“The new Sorcerer Supreme is not of Chinese descent. The Ancient One herself is only half Chinese.”

Hearing this, Hao Yun fell completely silent.

Though Huaxia was now open to the world and no longer isolationist, nor did it look down on foreigners, the deeply rooted tradition of passing on true teachings to one’s own had never really changed. For example, the old custom of passing family secrets only to sons and not daughters, or to the eldest son alone—these feudal remnants may have faded, but the rule that “outsiders do not receive the true teachings” remained ironclad. Even in the West, there’s a saying: “Science knows no borders, but scientists have nationalities.”

“Time’s up!” The sudden voice of Skybreaker, the nanobot controlling the barrier rod, interrupted Hao Yun’s wandering thoughts. He immediately refocused, staring intently at the space before him, afraid that a monster’s head might suddenly emerge.

But just as Tony and the others had calculated, the barrier held strong; the space showed no sign of disturbance. All was safe.

“Skybreaker, what’s the situation in the other regions?” Hao Yun asked. Skybreaker quickly connected to Tony’s private satellites and AI butler, transmitting intelligence from the other locations.

“With the exception of London, all other spatial barriers are stable, and there are no casualties.”

“That’s a relief,” Hao Yun breathed out. When the fifteen minutes were up, he handed the barrier control rod to the Huaxia official and prepared to request a sky route to London.

“Colonel, could you open a sky route for us? London may need our help.”

“No problem. The channels for all Illuminati members have already been approved. Just have your AI connect to Chang’e, our national AI.”

The official straightforwardly provided the communication link for Huaxia’s artificial intelligence. Hao Yun wiped away a bead of sweat—AI had already been woven into the machinery of the state, and the Americans had no clue. The Huaxia of the Marvel world was truly formidable!

“Oh, right,” the official added just as Hao Yun donned his armor and prepared to take off. He handed him a phone number.

“When the Nine Realms Convergence is over, be sure to visit Kunlun. The Human Sovereign, Xuanyuan, has requested an audience.”

“Ah?! Of course, absolutely!”