Crossing the River and Burning the Bridge

"You fucking lunatic! I already told you that now wasn’t the time to act recklessly, but you just ignored everything I said, didn’t you?" Talbot cursed furiously at Stryker, who was standing in front of his desk.

Although Stryker’s plan had not been completely successful, he had still eliminated one of the two major Mutant powers, Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, and obtained a great deal of material. He was in an excellent mood and did not care about being scolded by his superior.

"General, I didn’t attack the Martial Arts School. I merely sent those monsters from Xavier’s School to where they belonged," he said with a smile. "Besides, the people who took action were all nominal disciples of the Martial Arts School, and three of them even died. Even if Zhan Liu got involved, he should be standing on the side of his nominal disciples."

"Then do you know how many connections Professor Charles has built up in Congress and the Senate over the years? He isn’t a pauper like Magneto. He’s rich, and in this country, money means friends, and money means influence." Talbot glared angrily at his subordinate, deeply dissatisfied with his reckless actions.

Stryker had been prepared for this. He smiled and said, "Friends gained through money will naturally leave because of money as well. Only friends who share the same ideals won’t betray each other."

"There are plenty of voices in the military and political circles that are dissatisfied with the Mutants. I believe they must be very pleased with my work. I imagine they wouldn’t mind having a chat with those friends who are close to Professor Charles, paying a small price to get them to choose different friends."

"Of course, I won’t make things difficult for my friends. Although I lost quite a few men this time, my gains were substantial. I now have seven experts in the Magnetic Field Rotation Realm. The strongest is in the Fifth Heaven, and the weakest is in the Second Heaven. Whether as bodyguards or instructors, I imagine plenty of people will be interested in them."

Talbot was startled when he heard this. "How did you manage that?"

Stryker raised an eyebrow. "Very simple. Life-and-death battles! True battles to the death, not the kind of training games you people play."

Talbot hesitated for a moment before asking, "How many men did you lose?"

"Half!"

Talbot sucked in a cold breath and shook his head. "No. These people are trusted aides and elites from various families. We can’t afford to waste them like this! Besides, you’ve only reached the Fifth Heaven. Won’t you need even more people after that?"

"Actually, I don’t think you need to use elites for this at all. You can simply let the waves wash away the sand!" Stryker shrugged indifferently.

"Let the waves wash away the sand…" Talbot fell into thought. After a long while, he said, "We’ll leave this matter at that. I’ll arrange for people from the military to help you clean up the aftermath. But if you ever act first and report later again, watch out—I’ll send you to a military tribunal!"

With that, he waved his hand and sent Stryker out.

Everything happened as Stryker had expected. Although his actions had angered the military, no matter what, he was still a member of the military. While General Talbot berated him, he also took all the pressure upon himself.

He left the Pentagon in high spirits and returned to his research base at the Alkali Lake Industrial Center. There was still plenty of material waiting for him to organize a team to analyze and study. Most importantly, the Cerebro damaged by Erik had to be repaired. That was the key to solving the problem once and for all.

Jean and Ororo eventually learned what had happened to Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.

Jean reported the students’ situation to Professor X every day. Watching the students improve bit by bit each day was an immensely joyful thing for them.

However, when Jean called Professor X that afternoon to give her report, she discovered that she couldn’t get through to him. She tried calling other people, but no one at Xavier’s School could be reached. That was when she realized something had happened.

At first, she only worried that the signal at Xavier’s School had been cut off, so she and Ororo returned to the school together. There, they discovered ruins everywhere, and everyone had disappeared.

This sent them into a panic.

Fortunately, they found traces of a Magnetic Field Rotation battle at the scene. Such distinctive traces could be found nowhere else in the world. Without a doubt, the people who had taken action had studied at the Ultimate Limit Hall.

All entry-level disciples of the Ultimate Limit Hall were recorded in a register. At worst, they could investigate according to the register and would eventually find some clues.

However, they needed the help of Zhan Liu, the hall master.

Fortunately, Zhan Liu had always been easygoing, and this was only a minor matter, so they weren’t worried that he would refuse.

The two immediately returned to the Martial Arts School to see Zhan Liu.

"Master, Professor Charles and the others have all disappeared, including the children at the school. They vanished as well. We found traces of Magnetic Field Rotation at the scene, so we suspect that the people who took action are also connected to the Martial Arts School. We’d like to look at the register of entry-level disciples and investigate which faction was responsible."

Jean hesitated for a moment before continuing, "If necessary, I hope Master can help rescue them when the time comes."

Although Ororo had now also reached the Magnetic Field Rotation Realm, Jean had only recently arrived here and was still in the Current Drive Realm. Moreover, the number and level of the enemies were unknown. Since they had been able to defeat and abduct everyone at Xavier’s School, the two of them alone might not be enough.

If they could ask their master, Zhan Liu, for help, however, success would be guaranteed.

Zhan Liu knew who had done it, but he didn’t want to say.

He deliberately wanted Erik, Magneto, to suffer every possible hardship and endure endless torment in Hell, recognize himself, break through his limits, reshape his worldview, and fight his way out of Hell as a true Magnetic Lunatic.

He didn’t want to help, but since his disciple had asked, refusing would be inappropriate. Thus, he nodded and said, "The register is with your Fourth Senior Brother. Go check it yourselves. Call me when it’s time to fight."

Jean and Ororo were just about to leave when a group of people suddenly emerged from the crowd and blocked the entrance.

"Master, this is a matter between humans and Mutants. Since you’re from another world, it would be better not to interfere in Earth’s affairs."

"Oh? Emil, are you trying to teach me how to do things?" Zhan Liu’s expression darkened, and he was extremely displeased.

It was true that he was unwilling to help free Erik right now, but that didn’t mean anyone else could point fingers at him over it.

Especially since Emil Blonsky was his own disciple.

"Master, I’m only doing this for your sake. Xavier’s School secretly colluded with the terrorist Magneto and was ordered captured by the military. After their trial, they will receive the treatment they deserve. Considering your relationship with them, the Mutants inside the Martial Arts School have not yet been arrested by the military. It would be best for you to keep out of this."

Emil spoke calmly and confidently, his words carrying a threat. He did not take Zhan Liu, his master, seriously at all.

He had now become a Magnetic Field Rotation Adept and felt that there was nothing left for him to learn from Zhan Liu. Naturally, he no longer regarded this convenient master with any importance.

Thanks to book friend 20190412202540271 and Old Wang Next Door for the rewards!