Subduing Charlie

Hearing Blood God and President Ellis, the representatives of the various nations fell silent. Watching the battle on the screen, they could not help feeling stirred. So Earth had already become this powerful.

Wang Bert continued, "Civilization, nations, races—none of those are problems. At worst, every country can be assigned a planet in the future. The Earth Federation must be established as soon as possible, and then the entire world can advance into the interstellar age together."

The Russian representative said, "Blood God, Earth’s top-tier strength is indeed formidable, but its mid-tier and lower-tier strength are still far behind, aren’t they?"

Everyone nodded. Earth’s current technology was severely unbalanced.

Wang Bert said, "I’ll help make up for that. The key is whether you have the determination to enter the interstellar age. As long as you have the will, everything can be solved."

The representatives exchanged glances, then all nodded. President Ellis said happily, "We’ll officially convene at United Nations headquarters next month to discuss it."

"Good."

The representatives agreed, and Wang Bert nodded in satisfaction. There would still be countless problems ahead, but at the very least, it had begun.

Within five years, the Earth Federation would definitely be established.

Putting that aside for now, seeing the Ravagers’ fighters suffer a complete rout, Charlie gritted his teeth. He knew he had lost—completely lost.

Charlie could not help entering the public channel and shouting, "Who exactly are you?"

Steve answered majestically, "The Earth Federation Guard!"

"Earth natives? How is that possible?"

Charlie stared in disbelief. Hadn’t they said Earthlings could not even leave their own planet?

The other Ravagers were equally dumbfounded. If they had known Earth was this powerful, they would never have dared come even if beaten to death.

Steve said coldly, "Ravagers, surrender, or die."

Charlie roared, "The Ravagers will never surrender!"

"Really? Then why did your captains surrender?"

Tony’s flippant voice came through the broadcast. He said, "Reporting the results: Main Ship Number Two has been taken. All surviving Ravagers have surrendered."

"What?"

Charlie was greatly shocked. Just then, another voice rang out. "Reporting the results: Main Ship Number Four has been taken. All Ravager higher-ups have surrendered."

"How is that possible?"

Charlie roared in shock and fury. No wonder Ships Two and Four had remained silent—they had been infiltrated by Earthlings.

The question was, how had they infiltrated them? Steve asked again, "One last time. Will you surrender?"

"No surrender! All Ravagers, break out!"

Charlie shouted. Ravager surrenders were not actually uncommon, but as one of the elders, Charlie absolutely could not surrender. He represented the Ravagers’ honor.

"Break out!"

Upon receiving the order, the Ravagers fled in all directions. Steve immediately ordered the pursuit.

"We’ll escape in fighters. Start the main ship’s self-destruct countdown. I want them dead with us."

Charlie gritted his teeth. Everyone nodded, and soon the Ravagers boarded various fighters and fled Main Ship Number Three.

It was worth mentioning that Charlie’s fighter was rather large. Besides himself, it also carried a group of experts, including Winter Soldier.

Winter Soldier’s eyes flickered. He quietly activated the signal device inside his metal arm. Steve received the signal and was about to have Tony and the others act when Wang Bert said, "Let me handle it. I’m a little interested in the Ravagers."

"Then I’ll leave it to you."

Steve hesitated, then asked, "Bert, can you take me along? I haven’t seen Bucky in a long time."

"If Carter hears you say that, she’ll get jealous."

Wang Bert smiled and placed a hand on Steve. The next second, both of them vanished.

"Is that ability for sale? I’d spend everything I own to buy it!"

Rocket shouted excitedly. Teleportation was simply too cool and useful.

Korath glanced at Rocket and said disdainfully, "Sorry, but even if you sold everything you own, you couldn’t afford it."

"If I can’t buy it, I’ll steal it."

Rocket snorted, its eyes darting around. Unfortunately, it did not know that Wang Bert would learn of everything it did, because there was a drop of Wang Bert’s blood inside its body—secretly infiltrated while they had been falling earlier.

Putting Rocket aside for now, Wang Bert and Steve appeared out of thin air inside Charlie’s fighter. The Ravagers froze for a moment, then were greatly alarmed. They immediately drew their guns and fired at the two.

Wang Bert raised a hand, and the blood of every Ravager stopped flowing. Their faces filled with terror as they collapsed to the floor.

At that moment, Charlie’s heart suddenly began beating violently, like war drums pounding. The thudding could clearly be heard even outside, and Wang Bert’s Blood Control Technique failed directly.

"I’ll kill you!"

Charlie climbed to his feet, roared, and prepared to pounce on Wang Bert. At that moment, his feet suddenly froze, and with a bang, he crashed heavily to the floor.

Winter Soldier had made the move. Seeing Charlie look over, he shrugged and said, "Sorry, I’m an Earthling."

"So that’s it. No wonder the Earthlings know everything."

Charlie spun around and smashed the ice with a punch, then rose to his feet and charged at Winter Soldier like a savage beast.

Even if he died, he would kill this traitor.

Wang Bert waved a hand, and Charlie vanished directly. Then he said to Winter Soldier and Steve, "I won’t disturb you two lovebirds. Oh, and don’t kill the Ravagers on the ground. I still have use for them."

"Get lost."

Steve laughed and cursed. Winter Soldier was somewhat restrained instead. He said, "Blood God, be careful. That Charlie is very strong, probably only a little weaker than Hulk."

"You mean Hulk from a year ago. Hulk is much stronger now."

Wang Bert smiled faintly and disappeared. Steve walked up to Winter Soldier, punched him lightly in the chest, and laughed. "How have you been? How many alien beauties have you hooked up with?"

Winter Soldier smiled. "Let me think. Probably three digits?"

"You really have quite the appetite."

Steve burst out laughing. The two old friends, reunited after so long, happily began chatting.

In the Mirror Dimension, Wang Bert ate popcorn as he watched the battle below—Elektra against Charlie.

Elektra had been hiding in Wang Bert’s shadow. Whenever Wang Bert teleported, he would bring her along.

Charlie was very strong. After activating his ability, he could smash apart a small mountain with a single punch. Unfortunately, Elektra was even stronger!

Elektra flickered continuously around Charlie like a ghost, the iron ruler in her hand striking again and again. Every strike left a wound on Charlie’s body.

Charlie was furious and kept roaring, but no matter how he attacked, he could not hit Elektra. He had completely become a target.

"The Extraordinary Dragon’s soul has improved Elektra’s strength quite a bit."

Wang Bert nodded in satisfaction. Elektra had not even transformed yet.

At that moment, Charlie spotted Wang Bert. He immediately abandoned Elektra and charged over like a giant beast.

"Seeking death."

Elektra was about to deliver a fatal blow from behind when Wang Bert put down his popcorn and said, "No need. I still have use for him."

"Yes, Blood God."

Elektra withdrew. Wang Bert extended a hand, and blood surged madly from Charlie’s wounds, forming a ball of blood in the air.

Though Charlie had been heavily injured, he did not fall. Instead, his aura grew even stronger. He roared and charged forward recklessly, perfectly embodying what a berserker was.

Wang Bert pushed with his hand, and the space before Charlie rapidly retreated. No matter how he ran, he could not get closer to Wang Bert. He even grew farther and farther away, making Charlie so furious he nearly exploded.

Wang Bert opened his mouth, and the blood in the sky turned into a stream that flew into his mouth. He closed his eyes to analyze it for a moment, then flicked a drop of blood toward Charlie.

Seeing the blood fly over, Charlie instinctively tried to dodge. But the drop suddenly vanished. When it reappeared, it had already landed on his forehead and rapidly seeped inside.

"No matter what methods you use, I will never surrender."

Charlie stopped and roared angrily. The next moment, he suddenly felt a long-lost sense of completeness, and tears nearly welled in his eyes.

Bang. Charlie dropped to his knees and shouted, "I finally found you. I searched for you for so long, and I finally found you."

"That’s a bit too emotional."

Wang Bert blinked and said, "Get up."

Charlie stood and said respectfully, "Thank you, Master."

Though it was not the first time she had seen such a scene, Elektra still found it astonishing and incredible.

Killing someone was not difficult, but making someone submit wholeheartedly was harder than reaching the heavens. Yet Blood God had done it with a single drop of blood.

Wang Bert asked directly, "I want to control the Ravagers Alliance. Is that difficult?"

Charlie answered, "Very difficult, because Starhawk will definitely stop you."

"Starhawk? There does not seem to be anyone by that name among the Five Elders, does there?"

"Stakar and Aleta, two of the Five Elders, become Starhawk when they merge."

Charlie said, "He is extremely powerful and can manipulate photon energy. He is a true god-tier expert."

"A god-tier expert?"

Wang Bert narrowed his eyes. After thinking for a moment, he had Charlie project the appearances of Stakar and Aleta.

Charlie did as ordered. Looking at the two familiar faces, Wang Bert was somewhat speechless—Sylvester Stallone and Michelle Yeoh, the two guest characters from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

"So those two guest characters are actually this awesome."

Wang Bert said, "How about this? First, team up with Fury to expand your strength. As for the Ravagers Alliance, we can discuss it later."

Charlie nodded. "Yes, Master."

Thinking of something, Wang Bert added, "Uh, cooperate with Fury if you want, but absolutely do not let him handle logistics. That guy is a super embezzler."

Charlie was confused. "Embezzlement? He has done quite well. Many people praise him."

"That is what makes him terrifying. Even after he sells you, you’ll still help him count the money."

Wang Bert said, "All right, that’s it. I’ll turn the Ravagers outside into our people as well."

Charlie said sincerely, "That will be their honor."

Wang Bert waved a hand and returned to the fighter with Charlie. Winter Soldier and Steve were still chatting enthusiastically. Seeing Charlie emerge, both became somewhat wary.

"Relax, he’s one of us now!"

Wang Bert gestured, and a drop of blood flew out from each Ravager. After swallowing them, he returned a drop of blood to every Ravager.

"Steve, it’s time for us to go back."

After finishing that, Wang Bert said, "Winter Soldier, tell Fury that Charlie is my subordinate. Also, tell him not to covet Charlie’s money, because Charlie’s money is my money."

"It would be useless even if I told him. That guy’s obsession with embezzlement is carved into his bones."

Winter Soldier shrugged and asked, "Did you really control Charlie?"

Charlie said fanatically, "Master is my everything."

"Looks like he really has been completely controlled."

Winter Soldier sighed. "Blood God, you’re getting more and more terrifying."

"I should say I’m getting stronger and stronger."

Wang Bert smiled faintly, opened a portal, and stepped through it with Steve.

Charlie respectfully watched Wang Bert leave. Then he woke the Ravagers and said, "Keep fleeing. Once we return, we will work hard to expand the pirate crew for Master."

"Everything for Master!"

The Ravagers shouted fanatically. Winter Soldier stared in astonishment. Blood God was not merely terrifying—he was downright frightening.

On the Blood God, Wang Bert had Steve handle the aftermath while he stood by the window, watching the battle outside.

"I finally understand why Thanos is so worried about Earth. Your rate of progress is simply too fast."

Gamora walked over to Wang Bert and sighed. "Thanos made his plans a year ago. At that time, you were not yet a match for the Ravagers. Yet in only one short year, you have beaten the Ravagers into a complete rout and sent them fleeing in disgrace."

After a pause, Gamora said, "If this continues, Thanos may truly have no choice but to destroy Earth."

"With me here, he cannot destroy it."

Wang Bert said, "Gamora, what are your plans next?"

"Thanos wants me to assist Ronan."

Gamora hesitated, then said, "They seem to have discovered another Infinity Stone."

"The Power Stone?"

Wang Bert’s eyes flickered. He asked, "Will Thanos discover that you tipped us off?"

"No. I made preparations. As long as I return in time, no one will discover anything."

Gamora said solemnly, "Blood God, please safeguard the Space Stone. It concerns the survival of half the life in the universe."

Wang Bert smiled confidently. "Don’t worry. Unless I die, no one can take the Space Stone from me."

"Before meeting you, I was not reassured at all. But now, I am very reassured."

Gamora nodded and said, "Blood God, I’ll take my leave. It was a pleasure meeting you."

"It was a pleasure meeting you too, but don’t be in such a hurry to leave. I want to know more about Thanos."

Wang Bert smiled. Gamora was a good woman—decisive and efficient, without any hesitation or dragging things out. Unfortunately, her skin was green.

Wang Bert realized that he did not have as strong an appetite as Star-Lord and Tony. In the comics, Tony had once slept with Gamora, only to be ridiculed for not being capable enough.

"I’ll tell you everything I know about Thanos."

Gamora nodded and told Wang Bert all the intelligence she knew. Wang Bert carefully memorized it. The Thanos of this world was definitely stronger than the one in the movies.

As Gamora introduced Thanos, the ambush battle gradually approached its conclusion. Without a doubt, the Earth Federation had won a crushing victory.

They destroyed two main ships and captured three—two intact and one damaged.

At the same time, they killed and captured countless Ravagers. Only a small number of Ravagers escaped under Charlie’s leadership.

Looking at the wreckage and corpses filling space, Steve took a deep breath and shouted, "We won."

Cheers rang through the communications channel. "Long live the Earth Federation!"

Wang Bert smiled and said, "Clean up the battlefield quickly. Other Ravagers and bounty hunters may come. We cannot let our guard down during this time."

"Okay."

Steve nodded. At that moment, he seemed to receive several secret communications. He smiled bitterly and asked Wang Bert, "Bert, how should the spoils be distributed?"

"You can divide them among yourselves. I did not make a move this time, so I do not want any spoils."

Wang Bert smiled. He had already obtained the best spoils: Charlie’s forces.

Given enough time, the entire Ravagers Alliance would become his.

"If you do not want any, there will be plenty of arguing next."

Steve smiled bitterly. "Three main ships, a large number of fighters—those countries will fight over them fiercely."

"Then let them fight. It has nothing to do with me anyway."

Wang Bert laughed heartily. Gamora could not help glancing at him. This Blood God seemed a little unscrupulous.