"You all are something else. Are you trying to re-enact the era of the Warring States Seven? No, better said—the Six Warring States."
On an island in the East—where Korea is located—after leaving General Li Mu, I grew curious about the fate of Wei Zhuang and the others. Taking to the skies on my sword, I arrived here only to discover that the anti-Qin forces of the Shandong states of the Warring States period had reformed.
Back then, nearly all of the anti-Qin forces from the Shandong states had fled here; only a few ventured onto the steppes. Initially, the six states' forces fought unitedly, but upon realizing that the island's military strength was utterly insufficient, they quickly went their separate ways—almost even clashing over territory. Eventually, each state developed independently, and the six states were reestablished.
However, the situation now was different: Korea was no longer the weakest—it ranked second only to Chu. Chu, having the largest influx of soldiers and the most territory, dominated militarily. Yet in overall potential, Korea held greater promise—no doubt aided by my strong support for Wei Zhuang. As for Chu, they bore no friendship with Xiang Shaoyu.
Institutionally, modern Korea far surpassed the other five states. While the others still clung to the old feudal lord system, Korea's leaders—Zhang Liang, Wei Zhuang, and Hong Lian among them—implemented systems closely modeled on the Qin dynasty, even adopting many Qin technologies. In contrast, Chu, perhaps due to their intense dislike for Qin and Ying Zheng, rejected many state-enhancing technologies and resources. Although General Xiang Shaoyu was an outstanding commander, his ability to govern was sorely lacking.
"Are you here to laugh at us?" Zhang Liang's tone was sharp with displeasure. He had ambitions that far exceeded the complacency of others, but reality had dealt him a heavy blow.
In the early days on the island, the anti-Qin forces of the six states were full of ambition and had even drafted an alliance plan to someday return to the Central Plains. Yet before long, that so-called alliance collapsed. At first some tried to salvage the alliance—after all, Qin was the common enemy—but disputes over leadership soon led to bitter quarrels. Chu claimed dominance, invoking the old saying "When Qin falls, Chu shall rise." But the others retorted, "Come off it—now we only see you scurrying away with your tail between your legs. If you truly have the ability, why don't you fight rather than flee?" Such mockery nearly sparked a melee on the spot.
In the end, the alliance dissolved. Each state fought over resources. Whoever could secure the resource-rich areas—and even the barren, inhospitable lands—would have the advantage. The result was inevitable conflict.
"I'm only here on behalf of Han Fei and Zi Nu—to check on how you're faring," I said.
I wasn't here to laugh at them. Even if I hadn't known the full details, I could deduce much from the situation. After all, even in the Central Plains the anti-Qin forces of the six states had fought bitterly. Now, removed from the Central Plains, they were still no strangers to internal strife.
"Very well, I know you don't welcome my presence. Farewell."
"Han Xin has come, too," someone remarked. "That guy's ambition is no small matter—he'd rather be a chicken's head than a phoenix's tail. What a pity."
I've never had any intention of recruiting the "Warrior Immortal" Han Xin. I would rather secure the services of the aged General Li Mu than depend on a fickle opportunist. Han Xin was always overly ambitious; yet in unified Qin, no matter his talent, his rise would be painfully slow. Although Han Xin's abilities might eventually shine in Qin, the time required was simply too long. For Han Xin, who craves immediate glory, only a time of complete turmoil would suit him. Now, in Zhao, he was thriving—but commanding an army of over ten thousand was another matter entirely. After all, not everyone is willing to leave their homeland.
"Zhang Liang probably has no idea how many spies Ying Zheng has planted among the six states," someone whispered.
"Have you finally decided? Then let's begin."
In the basement of Stark's seaside villa, after sending General Li Mu off to the Tang Empire, I returned to Marvel. At that moment, Stark had also finalized his plans—namely, to resurrect his parents.
"These two are about to be sentenced to death; they're serial killers of the worst kind."
Inside the dimly lit underground chamber, two dazed prisoners—one male, one female—lay restrained. Stark had managed to extract them covertly from prison. Every precaution had been taken; even all digital records in Jarvis had been scrubbed clean so that no one could trace it back to him.
Using death row inmates in place of someone like Fury imposes no moral burden. Yet even Stark felt uneasy about it. That's why he handled the entire operation alone; not even Pepper or his trusted bodyguard Happy knew the full details.
Also in the chamber, within standard cultivation pods, were two children—clones who appeared no older than ten. Stark had cloned them using his parents' blood.
"Then I'll begin."
Once Stark's preparations were complete, I took out the Sun-Gold Sutra and the Necro Holy Bible and began to cast a spell—exchanging soul for soul. The process advanced very smoothly.
"Who are you?" Soon a young clone opened his eyes. True to Howard Stark's lineage, although initially shocked by his condition, he soon regained his composure. He didn't immediately recognize Stark—after all, many years had passed since his original accident claimed his life.
"Are you Tony?" the boy finally asked.
"Indeed, it's me," Stark replied, his excitement palpable upon seeing his resurrected parents.
"I won't linger here to be a nuisance. You all converse while I take my leave."
It was only natural that, having been separated from his long-deceased parents, the three would have much to discuss. I, however, chose not to interfere. This matter would become Stark's secret, and Howard Stark and his wife would not live with Tony.
"Emperor's Plan – I didn't expect this to surface. This world is truly fraught with calamity. With Godzilla on the loose, I wonder if Ultraman will also make an appearance."
In the penthouse suite of the New York Queen Hotel, as I reviewed the files on the Emperor's Plan handed to me by Liangzi, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of exasperation. Yet after so many years, I had learned to expect the unexpected. The documents contained numerous murals of giant beasts—members of the Emperor's Plan discovered during our explorations.
The "Hollow Earth Cavern Theory" supported the Emperor's Plan, and the many recorded murals lent the theory considerable credibility. As a result, several nations had invested in it – including the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, each maintaining their own bases.
Modern science has spawned countless theories. Some are valuable, and some are complete nonsense – for instance, there are those who claim that all contemporary science is a colossal hoax. There is even the "Heaven is Round, Earth is Square" theory; some believe the edges of the continents harbor deep abysses—although those truths are kept secret by the elite. And then there's the "Flying Noodle Cult" – regardless of how bizarre or irrational these theories seem, someone believes them. In comparison, the Hollow Earth Cavern Theory now seems rather normal.
"You came to find me so that we might search for the giant beasts together," I said.
"My purpose depends on your interest. My elder sister was supposed to handle this, but she's preoccupied at the moment, so it falls to me," Liangzi replied as she emerged wrapped in a bath towel from the restroom.
"Skull Island, huh? It just so happens that I'm free right now—let's take a trip together."
Even though I had already resurrected Howard Stark and his wife, I was prepared to explore another world. I wasn't particularly fascinated by Skull Island's King Kong per se; what piqued my interest was Godzilla. Unfortunately, evidence of Godzilla's existence was limited to murals—no one had ever seen a living specimen.
The Emperor's Plan had spent years probing the depths of the Earth. While we hadn't discovered many genuine giant beasts, we had still found some valuable artifacts – like the monstrous creature we encountered in Neon City.
That creature, Shidong Liulizi, was once a member of the Emperor's Plan. Later, differences in ideology led the Plan's seekers of giant beasts to pursue profit by controlling these creatures.
"Then I'll notify my elder sister."
The next day, under the lead of a private jet, Liangzi and I quickly arrived at a military base. There, we assembled to set off for Skull Island.
Although the Emperor's Organization was fairly widespread, it held little actual power – real authority lay in the hands of individual nations. Each nation's base was managed by its own government. After all, most members of the Emperor's Organization were experts – or like my own Liangzi's family, benefactors providing funding.
[Insert the newest "6 9 Shu Yi Ba Kan" meme here!]
Thus, this operation consisted of two parts: one composed of Emperor's Organization experts and the other, American military forces.
"Where are your two maids? They haven't come along."
"They have urgent matters to attend to," Liangzi replied. Her two maids, who were also high-level managers in her family's company, were not merely attendants.
"Poor Skull Island. Now that it's been exposed to the human eye, it will hardly remain quiet for long."
Given today's world, once something enters the public view, it won't be abandoned unless it holds no value at all. Even if a protective storm wall were to surround an island, it still wouldn't keep the humans at bay—indeed, look, people are already arriving.
Yet the storm isn't entirely useless; at least it kept the warships from approaching the island. The troops could only board via airplane.
"It really is a beautiful place—if one overlooks the hidden dangers within."
After a helicopter ride through the storm, we arrived at Skull Island. The accompanying archaeologists and reporters were visibly excited as they admired the island's scenery. My own presence, marked by an unmistakable aura of authority, soon spread across the island. I had sensed the presence of an extraordinarily resilient life form.
"Next, we must cautiously survey this island. Perhaps we'll locate our target," one of the archaeologists proposed during a hastily convened meeting at our temporary camp. Our search for giant beasts wasn't based on any confirmed tip—but on hints gleaned from various records.
"No need for such elaborate measures. Leave it to us," an American colonel interjected. With a sweeping gesture, he silenced the experts and began summoning his soldiers. His method was simple: bombard the area with weapons to agitate the giant beast.
Even though the experts and Liangzi strongly objected, nothing could stop him; after all, the soldiers were his subordinates.
"Don't you have any right to speak here?" I muttered as I watched the helicopters take off. Arriving in a new, unfamiliar place and adopting such an aggressive stance was bound to lead to disaster.
"That's just the way it is," Liangzi replied, clearly discontented. But here in Lirondon, my status as a young noble offered little sway.
"Found it."
Despite his reckless methods, they did indeed succeed. Explosive blasts quickly stirred the island's giant beast – a colossal, thirty-plus-meter black ape.
"Let's go."
Once the beast was spotted, the experts no longer hesitated; disregarding any need for rest, they immediately boarded helicopters in pursuit.
"Let's not go after it," I cautioned Liangzi. Although she was curious about the beast, her interest was that of a normal human rather than an obsessed fanatic. If it weren't for her sister's insistence, she might not have come at all.
As for me, I wasn't particularly interested in the giant ape. In the world of pirates there is an abundance of giant beasts. Even among apes, the ones on the islands near the Nine-Headed Serpent are plentiful.
I wasn't sure what would happen next. However, the military's actions had undoubtedly angered the island's creatures. This island wasn't limited to terrestrial life – the skies teemed with them as well. If I were to engage, I'd have to act swiftly.
Yet I had no intention of saving these people. If they chose to court their own doom, they must bear the consequences themselves.
Sure enough, as events unfolded just as I had anticipated, a swarm of airborne monsters attacked the helicopters, causing all to crash. What followed was nothing short of a desperate fight for survival on a barren island.
Liangzi, though kind-hearted, was no saint; she refused to have me risk myself to rescue them.
"Someone's coming," a voice announced.
Within moments, a group of about a dozen locals armed with ancient weapons surrounded the area. The roar of exploding missiles and crashing helicopters had undoubtedly alerted them.
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