A New Respect

"Vibranium should be considered the strongest metal on Earth."

Chen Mu looked at Tony and continued, "I remember Captain America's shield seemed to contain this material. That's why it was so incredibly durable."

Vibranium, also known as sound-absorbing steel, came from meteorites that fell from the sky. It was a specialty resource of the African nation of Wakanda and one of the hardest materials in the Marvel Universe.

Vibranium was exceptionally hard. Its unique molecular structure made it nearly indestructible. Because its molecules were relatively stationary, it barely conducted heat or kinetic energy, allowing it to absorb heat, energy, and kinetic force.

Therefore, armor made from it was practically indestructible. Most weapons on Earth could not damage it.

"Now I remember. So it was this stuff!"

Tony raised his brows. Put that way, he immediately recalled it. He did know of this metal.

But he also knew just how precious it was.

"The vibranium in Captain America's shield seemed to be less than a fistful, yet it had nearly used up all of America's vibranium reserves. I never expected you to have enough vibranium to make an entire suit of armor!"

It was something Tony had never imagined.

It was not as though vibranium was completely absent from the market. Tony even knew that the black market had some, but it was exorbitantly expensive and available only in tiny quantities.

Tony had not cared much about that. If it had merely been expensive, he would have bought hundreds or thousands of tons of it long ago. After all, Tony had never been interested in money.

The real issue was that vibranium was simply too rare. Even if all the vibranium on the market were gathered up, it would probably only be enough to make another shield. It was completely useless for Iron Armor!

"I just never expected you to gather enough vibranium for a full suit of armor. You've truly made me see you in a new light!"

Tony clicked his tongue in amazement and sighed in disbelief. "China's five thousand years of heritage really are beyond imagination!"

Tony fully believed that Chen Mu had gathered this vibranium with China's help.

After all, Tony already knew that Chen Mu was providing armor to China's military.

As the first "Iron Man," Tony naturally understood better than anyone how powerful the armor he wore was.

"China has five thousand years of history, while America has only a little over two hundred years."

Chen Mu could not hide the pride in his heart as he said this.

"Putting that aside, Chen Mu, did you really give Iron Armor to China's military?"

Ignoring Chen Mu's pride, Tony frowned as he looked at him, his eyes filled with concern.

"You should know how powerful Iron Armor is. If it falls into the hands of the military, it will become an unimaginable threat to the whole world."

"Heh, a threat?"

Chen Mu sneered and continued, "Tony, this is the difference between you and me. I believe powerful Iron Armor can only fulfill its purpose when placed in the hands of the right people."

"Powerful armor will ultimately be used to protect this world!"

"And besides, my armor is not your 'Iron Armor.' Its name is Kirin Armor."

Names were not something to be taken lightly. If he kept calling Kirin Armor Iron Armor, would that not be indirectly admitting that the Qilin Armor had plagiarized Iron Man's armor?

That was not what Chen Mu wanted.

"Okay, Kirin Armor."

Tony waved a hand. He did not care much what the armor was called.

Though arrogant and conceited, Tony was also a man of great resolve. Even if he refused to admit it aloud, he had already acknowledged that Chen Mu's armor was somewhat more advanced than his own.

So he did not think Chen Mu had copied his Iron Armor.

At this moment, Tony Stark had actually acknowledged deep down that Chen Mu was a worthy opponent.

Tony firmly believed that even if his armor could not match Chen Mu's now, he would definitely develop even more advanced armor in the future!

Of course, this was not the time to dwell on that. There was something else he cared about more.

"But if the military obtains such powerful armor, it will definitely pose a tremendous threat!"

Tony still could not let go of Chen Mu giving the armor to the military.

"That depends on who you're talking about."

Chen Mu neither agreed nor disagreed. He smiled faintly and said, "The military you know is America's military. Under the banner of safeguarding world peace, it starts wars all over the world. In your eyes, the military is a blade for killing people, but..."

"China's military is completely different from yours!"

Chen Mu was absolutely certain of this.

"The People's Liberation Army has another name in China: the People's Own Army."

Chen Mu looked calmly at Tony and said, "The People's Liberation Army never points its guns at the people. They are the Chinese people's strongest support. When disaster strikes, seeing the People's Liberation Army means seeing hope. When facing disaster, the People's Liberation Army always stands in front of the people!"

"So what is wrong with giving armor to the People's Liberation Army? Not only that, every People's Liberation Army soldier should have armor of his own. Only then can they protect the people even better!"

In truth, after becoming Iron Man, Tony had already awakened to this. The weapons he had manufactured in the past had harmed too many innocent people, which was why he had resolved to shut down the weapons division and shift from a military technology giant to a civilian technology giant.

Thus, after hearing Chen Mu's words, Tony could not refute him immediately.

"The catastrophic floods of 1998, the Wenchuan Earthquake this year—during which disaster did the People's Liberation Army not stand before the people and put them first?"

This was 2008, and even in the Marvel World, the Wenchuan Earthquake had occurred. It had happened not long ago, so Tony naturally knew what Chen Mu was referring to.

Therefore, he had no grounds to refute Chen Mu's claim that the People's Liberation Army protected the people.

"There's another interesting detail."

Chen Mu smiled and said, "No matter which disaster relief operation the People's Liberation Army carries out, they never bring guns or ammunition. They only bring all kinds of tools. The People's Liberation Army poses no threat to any civilian. On the contrary, every refugee feels safe from the bottom of their heart when they see the People's Liberation Army."

Therefore, equipping the People's Liberation Army with armor would only help them protect ordinary civilians better.

"Compared with the People's Liberation Army's disaster relief efforts, your country's military brings weapons whenever it faces a disaster, doesn't it? You're not going to provide relief—you're going to suppress the disaster victims, aren't you?"

Hearing that, Tony remained silent for a long time.

It was fucking true!

A month ago, Chen Mu had been meek and submissive before Tony. He had not even dared to speak loudly, appearing extremely humble.

But one month later, Chen Mu had left Tony speechless with his retorts. After only a few days apart, one truly had to see him in a new light.