Thor and Sif were desperate to get home. With Guan Heng and the others, they had run at full speed until they were almost at Asgard.
Just as they were about to enter Asgard's gates, the sky changed strangely. Thick clouds blotted out the sun and drifted over from the distant horizon on a freezing gale. The whole world fell into darkness, and the temperature around them began to plummet.
What a low temperature. Guan Heng knew something was wrong. He quietly slipped a knuckle duster onto his left hand and prepared for a fight.
The moisture in the air slowly condensed into frost flowers, which danced in the bitter wind.
While everyone stood gaping, unsure what was happening, an incredibly thick bolt of lightning struck down from the clouds. It was blue from end to end and crashed into the entrance to Asgard. Once the dazzling blue lightning faded, a field of ice flowers spanning hundreds of meters had formed where it struck. In the very center stood a line of tall, bald men with deep-blue skin, alongside two four-legged creatures as large as small mountains.
The Frost Giants and giant beasts—at the sight of them, Guan Heng, Thor, and Sif all cried out in alarm.
Jotunheim was home to many different giant races, including Ice Giants, Mountain Giants, Frost Giants, Wind Giants, and Frost Giants. Of all the giant races, Asgard's gods were chiefly at war with the Frost Giants.
The Frost Giants weren't especially skilled in the art of combat, but their enormous size and strength were truly terrifying, making them formidable foes even for the gods of Asgard.
These massive creatures possessed superhuman strength and resistance to physical injury. Their flesh and bones were about three times denser than those of humans of comparable size, which gave them their extraordinary strength and weight. They also lived exceptionally long lives.
The feud between the giants and the gods went back to Ymir's death. The hatred between them could never be undone.
At least, as far as Thor was concerned, the only way to settle this score was to wash it away in the blood of his enemies. The Thunder God roared, and Magic Hammer appeared in his hand.
There were six or seven Frost Giants on the other side, besides the two Frost Giants' beasts. But even if he had to face a hundred enemies alone, what was there to fear?
Thor unleashed the peerless might of the Thunder God and said in a low voice, "You wretches dare attack Asgard again and again. I'll show you no mercy! Sif, let's go!"
Sif was worthy of being a heroine among the gods. Spear in one hand and shield in the other, she charged into the enemy ranks alongside Thor and fought the Frost Giants and their beasts. The battle began in earnest.
"In that case, I'll—" Iron Man started to charge forward, but Guan Heng grabbed him. "Are you crazy? This is Asgard, the gods' realm, and Thor's home turf. Don't steal his thunder. Besides, your Ark Energy isn't limitless. You have to save your strength for when it matters."
Guan Heng paused, then continued, "I'm going inside Asgard to see if anyone needs help. Stay here and cover the rear. If anyone's in trouble, then go help them."
Iron Man thought it over, then nodded. "All right. Be careful on your own." He stepped aside and prepared to act.
If he left, Thor and the others might be outnumbered. Guan Heng slapped the Corpse Storage Bag.
"Dabao, come out!" Guan Heng summoned Jiang Dabao, who wielded two shields. "Stay here and help out. Give those giants and beasts a good beating. Don't hold back!"
Jiang Dabao charged into the battle, swinging both shields and striking the Frost Giants' beasts until they howled. Seeing they had reinforcements, Thor and the others—though they didn't recognize the fellow who looked a lot like Captain America—knew he was on their side. Their spirits soared, and they fought with even greater fervor.
Boom! Boom! Guan Heng, sprinting along an Asgardian corridor, knocked down a Frost Giant with two punches. "This guy's body is so hard. He can really take a beating. I hear their strength can rival the gods. Interesting."
Guan Heng reached into his clothes and took out several metal bottles. "Frost Giant Blood. I'll take some back for Dabao and the others to try. Gulp, gulp." He filled several bottles. These giants were walking blood banks, after all; they had plenty of fresh blood.
He considered the situation. Someone has invaded Asgard. Their first target must be Odin, who's in a deep sleep. That big, brainless Thor is having too much fun fighting at the gates. Sigh, I'll just have to go look after his dad myself.
"Help! Someone, help me!" cried an Asgardian handmaiden who had stumbled and fallen. Behind her, a Frost Giant swung a huge axe, ready to strike her down.
"You bastard! Get away from her!" Guan Heng rushed in from the side and kicked the Frost Giant in midair. The giant flew backward like a cannonball. Bang! He crashed into the palace wall like a lump of mud, leaving a large, cratered patch of cracks.
"Are you all right, beautiful?" Guan Heng asked with a smile as he helped the Asgardian handmaiden to her feet.
"Thank you for saving my life!" The handmaiden didn't recognize Guan Heng. "May I ask who you are?"
"I'm Guan Heng, a demon hunter and a friend of Thor's from Midgard. I heard Asgard was in danger, so I came to help," Guan Heng said. "Do you know where Lord Odin's room is? I need to hurry over and protect him. If I'm too late, he might be in danger."
"I see!" The handmaiden pointed ahead. "Go two hundred paces down that corridor to the end, then turn left. His Majesty's bedroom is there."
"Thanks. To avoid running into more danger, you should find somewhere to hide." Guan Heng hurried toward Odin's room, remembering to warn the Asgardian handmaiden before he left.
Guan Heng moved with extraordinary speed. He raced to the end of the corridor and turned the corner, when suddenly he heard a woman pleading in the distance.
"Don't do this, Loki. Please, don't make one mistake after another."
"Silence, Sigyn!" a deep voice snapped. "My wife, since you helped free me from the punishment of the venomous snake dripping on me, trapped beneath the giant boulder, don't try to stop me now. I'll prove to Odin that I'm his strongest and most outstanding son."
"That's right! I'm the strongest!" Loki muttered to himself. Wearing a green cape and the Reindeer Helmet, he continued, "Yes, I'll prove it. I'm stronger than Thor, stronger than all the other gods. Dear Father, Odin, I'm coming." He reached for the door to Odin's bedroom.
"Hey, Fire God! Look over here!" a voice suddenly shouted.
"What?" Loki turned his head, only to see his opponent already flying toward him. Guan Heng swung his left fist, knuckle duster and all, and smashed it into Loki's jaw.
"Ah!" Guan Heng's full-force blow, infused with Iron Fist Power, sent Loki flying. He spun through the air several times before slamming into a stone pillar.
"You're making such a racket and keeping your own father awake. You really are a disgrace," Guan Heng said, shaking his fist. "Today, your uncle's going to teach you a lesson."
"Ptooey! Clang!" Loki shook his head and sat up. When he spat, one of his front teeth fell onto the marble floor with a crisp clink.
"Bastard! I'll kill you!" Loki pulled a rectangular box from his clothes and blew hard at Guan Heng.
Whoosh! A bitter wind laced with piercing cold swept toward Guan Heng.
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