Add Another Lock

"The situation in the wasteland world is about to get very bad—perhaps even worse than it was forty years ago."

Old Barton spoke slowly, his voice calm. "We caused plenty of trouble back then, but those supervillains still had at least a shred of ‘humanity.’ With them keeping things in check, the punks below didn’t dare get too out of line. But things are different now."

The old Punisher strongly agreed with Barton. His experiences over the years had taught him just how insane punks became once they got their hands on power.

"Civilization has been broken apart. Most people have lost even their most basic kindness. Once the various factions go to war, they won’t give a damn whether civilians live or die. The entire world will be shrouded in fear and death. To deal with all this, Barton, we’ll need more help."

"I met an X-Men member at Murderworld before, codename Blindspot. She used to be Scott’s student. And Logan—now that the world is in chaos, no matter how unwilling he is to come out of retirement, he’ll have to think about his family and children." Barton said casually.

"I can contact what remains of S.H.I.E.L.D. They have connections with local armed forces everywhere, so they might be able to help us." Frank thought for a moment before continuing. "And I can contact the Avengers Vivian, Vision’s daughter, founded."

Hearing Old Barton and Frank talk, Pietro could not help but laugh. "It seems that no matter how dark the world gets, there will always be people who yearn for the light. Counting it all up, we’ve got quite a few reinforcements."

Pietro’s words eased the tension that had been hanging over the room.

They had not realized it until they counted them up. The scattered armed organizations across various places actually formed such a massive network of forces.

"In that case, if all we’re doing is preserving our strength, taking in refugees while waiting for you to return, then it should be enough." Barton nodded, then turned to Zhang Ye. "Is there anything else you want to add?"

Zhang Ye pursed his lips, his mind constantly reviewing the factions of the wasteland and the capable individuals among them.

Setting aside Star-Lord, who might not arrive on Earth for who knew how long, there were still quite a few descendants of heroes left in the wasteland. But after such a massive upheaval, it was hard to say how many of them were still alive.

After pondering for a moment and seeing everyone looking at him, Zhang Ye cleared his throat and spoke.

"Uniting the factions is one thing, but recruiting powerful people is just as important. I heard Black Widow Yelena is still alive. You can try to find her. There’s also that kid with Ant-Man’s helmet, as well as Luke Cage’s daughter. Try to find the legacies and descendants of those superheroes whenever possible."

"That makes sense." Frank set down his glass and said seriously, "There’s also the technology left behind by those supervillains. If Red Skull can make use of the heroes’ legacies, then we can do the same."

"But you still need to be careful." Zhang Ye warned them sternly. "Magic is being reborn right now, and plenty of things in the darkness are stirring. I’ll have Blood Baron form a new Midnight Sons, but you still need to watch your safety."

Previously, magic had been gradually dying out, and all kinds of dark creatures had been going extinct. But now, seeds of magic from another world had taken root and sprouted. No one knew what changes they might bring.

The darkness in the shadows had opened its eyes once more. Children’s laughter had returned to empty rooms. Everything was coming back, and these changes would inevitably add fuel to an already chaotic situation.

"I’ll be careful," Frank replied. Then he exhaled a cloud of white mist and gave a stiff smile. "Winter is almost over."

"Yeah. As long as we make it through the coming long night, we’ll see the rising sun again."

No one could understand how Frank, Barton, and the others felt at that moment. It was an indescribable excitement. They had lived in a wasteland filled with despair, unable to free themselves from the sins of the past and the sacrifices of old friends.

In that environment, no one could see hope. Everyone had lost their dreams and drifted through each day. Even Barton had been the same. He had muddled through most of his life. If glaucoma had not driven him to come out of retirement, he probably would have kept suppressing himself.

But now, everything had changed. Osborn had been wiped out. Zemo had been nailed to his wheelchair. Even the once-arrogant Red Skull had become history.

So even though the whole world would soon face the turmoil of war again, Barton and the others were still filled with excitement, because while war was not desirable, it had at least allowed them to see hope.

They had waited more than forty years for that hope!

"Next, let’s discuss who will be going to Dinah and Jason’s world."

The moment Zhang Ye finished speaking, half the people in the room raised their hands without hesitation, including Old Barton.

"Dad, what are you joining in for? Don’t you need to stay here and coordinate the various factions?" Ashley glared at her eager father irritably.

"Frank and Kate can do a better job than I can, hehe." Old Barton scratched the back of his head.

"The hell with ‘hehe.’ I don’t know where Yelena or that X-Men member you mentioned are, so stay here with me and behave yourself," Frank said helplessly.

Watching Hawkeye act like an old child whenever he got the chance, Zhang Ye could not help but smile.

"I know you want to see what another world is like, but we’re going there to save the world, not sightseeing. If you were forty years younger, that would be one thing. But now? You should take it easy, sir."

Besides, one more person meant more power consumption.

Zhang Ye had realized that he was becoming nearly obsessive about managing electricity. Then again, it was no wonder—this stuff was far too precious.

After speaking, Zhang Ye turned to the others and continued.

"There’s no need to say much about Pietro. You’ve got enough experience. But Kara, I need to remind you of something. I know you really want to see your cousin from another world, but that world has kryptonite. It’s extremely dangerous for you."

"I understand. Black Canary told me some information about that place. I’ve already prepared myself mentally." Kara nodded seriously.

"That’s good. I’m quite at ease about you."

Since Black Canary had already warned her beforehand, Zhang Ye did not need to say much more. He turned to Ashley. "Once we get there, follow orders in everything. Understood?"

"Yes!" Ashley and Venom answered at the same time.

"Mm. Finally, there’s the most important matter."

Zhang Ye stretched, then looked at the hammer in Black Canary’s hand with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"What is it, Zhang Ye? Can’t this hammer be brought over?"

Black Canary noticed Zhang Ye’s gaze and grew a little nervous. It was the first time she had obtained such powerful strength. It gave her hope of saving the world, and she did not want to give it up.

Zhang Ye merely shrugged and smiled.

"That’s not it. I just need to add another lock to this hammer. Otherwise, once we get there, seven or eight new owners might suddenly pop up. Whether the hammer will still listen to you is hard to say."