As for Geralt running around everywhere, Su Ming also didn't have much of a solution. After all, even when he was moving between different All-Powerful Universes, what he saw was still based on the various worlds of American comics.
Geralt, on the other hand, seemed to cheat, jumping into worlds that were out of reach.
That's the nature of a Demon Hunter, going wherever they please with extreme independence, having no concept of home. With female sorcerers all busy with serious matters, it was normal for Geralt to feel bored.
Su Ming approached the second person, extending his left hand to shake, as the man had no right hand.
"Mr. Palham, I have to trouble you again this time."
"If it's action for judging sinners, then I'm duty-bound, for I am the wrath of God, the final guarantee of justice." The Evil Spirit Knight, still in human form, shook his head, politely declining the Supreme Mage's courteous words.
Hearing the unfamiliar middle-aged man speak this way, Magnetic King felt like he'd found a kindred spirit. He gave the Evil Spirit Knight a smile, but Palham didn't even look at him.
It wasn't out of rudeness but because Magnetic King was practically a live sin, all being sins of slaughter, like a humanoid demon. Palham feared he couldn't help but burn his soul.
Just like the last time following Deathstroke's action, with a Nether God and a Witch in his team, Palham basically didn't communicate with them either.
Justice and such were just something to listen to. The Earth Magical Realm was the Supreme Mage's domain; any sinner moving with the Supreme Mage was just considered invisible.
Palham was no longer young and was well-versed in these things.
Seeing Magnetic King a bit embarrassed, Su Ming then gently patted Charles on his bald head, pushing him toward Magnetic King: "Go on, Charles, meet your fellow kind."
Charles was stunned for a moment but quickly understood Deathstroke's intention. He nodded and approached Magnetic King, extending his hand: "Hello, I'm Charles Xavier, a mutant."
"Eric Lanshelle, Magnetic King. You say you're a mutant? Can you always say it so openly in your self-introduction?"
Magnetic King, although seemingly perfunctory in the handshake, was attracted by that warm smile, internally finding instant rapport with this much younger boy.
"Why not?" Charles smiled gently, grasping Magnetic King's hand firmly. He could feel the many calluses and scars on the palm, belonging to someone who had weathered much: "We need to eat and drink like ordinary people, experiencing birth, aging, sickness, and death. This identity shouldn't be a barrier to our integration into society. The mutant gene isn't a reason to separate us from humans."
Magnetic King withdrew his hand, looking at Charles, who only reached his chest, and subtly shook his head. This child obviously hadn't experienced the blows of life and didn't know how desperate the dark reality could be.
However... why did those naive words, spoken with a smile, bring such reassurance to listeners? As though it were true...
What was Charles? A live polygraph. Why did Deathstroke press his head and nudge him toward Magnetic King? Wouldn't just speaking do the trick?
Because that action was a hint, a hint connected to the brain.
Understanding, Charles immediately read Eric's mind, seeing his thoughts.
Despite disagreeing with Magnetic King's views, Charles still acknowledged his actions, as avenging family was surely proper. The difference was, he didn't have as much destructive power as Magnetic King and had previously relied on Deathstroke's power for avenging his father.
He also saw that not long ago, Magnetic King had massacred the army in various cities. Charles justified to himself for having seen it this way. Since there were over a hundred thousand Hydra soldiers invading the United States that night, killing the invaders was something humans would do, right?
Charles believed mutants were human too, and his bottom line was simply that as long as they weren't anti-human, other behaviors could be tolerated, whether they appeared radical or conservative. Mutants were really just yearning for others' acceptance.
He understood this.
This occasionally made Charles seem a bit like a Holy Mother, but this was also what Su Ming desired.
If there were two Professor Xs, one slightly sanctimonious and the other unscrupulous, which would you choose to use?
So Charles looked at Magnetic King with eyes full of concern. He saw his true name, his painful past, and understood this man, wishing to help him.
Watching Charles and Eric's destined meeting scene, Su Ming nodded emotionally, then turned his expressionless gaze toward Mr. Sinister.
Under the uncongenial gazes of him and the Master of Mischief, Mr. Sinister couldn't help but shiver.
"Long time no see, number 9527. Looks like you've been doing well recently, dressed like a gentleman."
Su Ming reached out and touched Horror's suit collar. It was a high-end handmade suit, probably tailored in London, exuding the gentlemanly style that differed from American handmade suits.
"No, I just, live..." Horror turned his face and wiped the sweat off his forehead.
Actually, he once fought Deathstroke to a draw back then, but over a dozen years passed, and while he remained stagnant, Deathstroke's presence became even more terrifying. You could tell he had grown much stronger without needing to engage.
He even took over the position of Supreme Mage. Horror, who had suffered under the torture of the Master of Mischief, naturally knew how powerful that title was.
Su Ming impatiently waved his hand to signal him to cut the crap: "Alright, years ago I sent you to go undercover in the Hellfire Club. Whatever benefits you gained are your own doing. But don't forget the contract with Emperor Vishanti; only I permit you to live and enjoy life."
"Yes, I understand." Horror responded with a low mood.
"Now, convey the intelligence you know, so I can judge whether you're still qualified to continue living." Su Ming didn't care if he was upset; he just wanted answers: "Who is the current Lord Imperial of the Hellfire Club?"
Horror didn't question how Deathstroke knew the internal hierarchy of Hellfire. Perhaps besides him, there might be other spies Deathstroke had planted within Hellfire, for all he knew. He answered honestly, "The current Chief is Sir Gordon Phillips."
Su Ming nodded indifferently; Horror wasn't lying.
The Hellfire Club began its activities in England in the 1760s, initially as a social club organized by the elite and wealthy grassroots of British society, similar to the popular salon culture of the time. Their main interests were how to spend money and enjoy life.
But gradually, these individuals played bigger games, to the point where these arrogant British aristocrats wanted to control a nation and even play with Earth itself.
They began to quickly descend into madness, often disregarding the moral standards of the time, and allowed members to consolidate the organization's influence in all aspects within Britain by any means necessary.
The club's goal was to achieve ruling power through covert and dark means, not by outward conquest or war.
They were civilized businessmen who abhorred the sight of blood.
Since its establishment, the Hellfire Club has only funded various military forces and orchestrated conspiracy assassination actions, including hiring the gunman to assassinate Duke Ferdinand.
As long as people didn't die in front of them and dirty the floor, any method could be used as long as it helped further the Club's development.
Membership in the Hellfire Club was hereditary but could also be acquired through wealth or influence, which provided an opportunity for a group of mutants with ulterior motives.
Take Selene, for example; she amassed a fortune over tens of thousands of years, which was enough for her to infiltrate the Hellfire and turn an ordinary person's corporate group into a fearsome tool led by mutants.
But for now, it seems she hasn't stepped onto the stage yet and is scheming in secrecy. Since the Lord Imperial is still alive, there should still be a fair number of ordinary people in Hellfire, and the threat has diminished considerably.
With the accumulation of wealth and power, combined with the passage of time, their gaze gradually shifted from the post-World War II declining Britain to the emerging United States.
Their original plan was to stir wars and extract benefits from within, but who would've thought the British army would be so inept? They didn't gain any advantage from both World Wars, instead allowing the U.S. to benefit.
Due to poor expectations of Britain's prowess, they were unprepared. During WWII, they had only money but lacked resources, and ruthless American enterprises like Wilson's sharply cut the British market slice.
But it's okay; capital can flow, so they just discarded Britain and moved elsewhere.
Thus, oblivious to their internal problems, they established many branches in the United States, in Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. There are others worldwide, like in HK and Paris.
Theoretically, each branch was supervised by the Lord Imperial. This title represents the emperor in darkness, though he doesn't occupy a position on the British government list. Yet every move Hellfire makes affects every aspect of the UK, representing the power of capital.
Nowadays, this supervision is likely nominal; how many branches still adhere to command is unknown.
As famous wealthy individuals, Howard and Su Ming received invitations from the New York branch, inviting them to join Hellfire.
But how could Howard's temper allow him to become someone's club member? He immediately poured capital into his 'Stark Mahjong House,' stubbornly opposing the Hellfire Club. And Su Ming, for certain purposes, also invested in his 'Peace Restaurant,' politely declining.
Hellfire raised its flag in New York, and their information would surely reach Deathstroke's ears. To monitor their moves, naturally, you would let them open it right under your nose.
Not too close nor too far; it's the ideal distance for surveillance. With the deep infiltration capability of the Spider Web, Su Ming is well-aware of the situation at the New York branch.
Currently, Bastian isn't in New York nor has he ascended to a higher position, so let's hear what the long-time spy Horror has to say about his whereabouts.