Something Big Has Happened Again (Sunday, First Update)

"What I said was all true," Guan Heng said. "Your laser beam is unbelievably powerful. That last shot in particular was so strong it shocked me. I took that huge beam head-on, and I still can't lift my arm."

Guan Heng wasn't entirely making things up to flatter Cyclops. In the original comics, Scott's laser beams were said to be powerful enough to destroy an asteroid, while in the movies, his abilities had been greatly weakened.

"Haha, Guan Heng, you're too kind." After Guan Heng praised him repeatedly, Scott was won over. He gradually returned to normal, no longer looking so dejected about his defeat.

"To be honest, I only won by luck. You didn't even use your full strength," Guan Heng said. "Don't think I don't know your Red Beam can do much more than that. At full power, you could flatten this entire mountain. I should be thanking you for holding back."

"Of course." Scott was completely taken in by Guan Heng's flattery, feeling light as a feather. "I had to consider the surroundings, after all. There are other people from the school here."

Cyclops had exceptional leadership skills. He had served as the X-Men's leader for years, later succeeded Professor X as head of X Academy, and become a leader to practically all Mutants. He was also a great friend worth making—or so Guan Heng thought.

"When you have time, let's find a bar and have a proper drink," Guan Heng said, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "My treat, of course. Don't try to grab the bill."

"Sounds good. You're a pleasure to talk to." Scott clasped Guan Heng's hand tightly. "I'm definitely counting you as a friend."

The two chatted and laughed together, looking nothing like people who had just fought. They seemed like old friends who had known each other for years. Thanks to his knowledge of the movies and comics, Guan Heng knew a great deal about Scott and the X-Men, and understood their personalities well, so talking with them felt perfectly natural. Even Professor X smiled and nodded as he listened to them.

A little while later, Professor X led everyone back to the school's main hall. Jean Grey, who had returned ahead of them, had already prepared snacks and drinks.

After a bit of small talk, Professor X got down to business. "Guan Heng, I'd like to invite you to become a special instructor at the school. Would you be interested? I hope you can teach these lovely children."

"Me?" Guan Heng looked uncertain. "What could I teach them?" He stroked his chin, thought for a moment, then answered, "Professor, I haven't studied much, and my education isn't very advanced. I'm afraid I'm not qualified to teach the children. There's a saying in Huaxia: 'To mislead the young.' I'm worried I'd hold them back if I became a teacher."

"No, Guan Heng," Professor X said with a smile. "You don't need to teach them anything difficult. Just teach them how to be decent and amusing people. Guiding these children is important, too. I can tell you're cheerful and sunny—you could brighten their lives."

"You're giving me too much credit." Guan Heng felt a little embarrassed by the praise, but finally nodded. "All right, I'll do it. But I'll need to return to New York City from time to time. Just don't blame me for skipping work or classes."

Guan Heng's words made everyone burst into laughter. They were all delighted.

"To be honest, your willingness to join the teaching staff solves quite a few problems," Professor X said with a sigh. "Right now, it's just Jean, Ororo, Scott, and me teaching the children. You know what Logan is like—he can teach them to fight, but you can't count on him for anything else. So your help will ease our shortage of teachers."

Thinking of Wolverine Logan and his rough-and-ready ways, Guan Heng couldn't help laughing at the thought of him trying to teach good manners in a classroom.

But as he looked at the crow's feet at the corners of Professor X's eyes and his tired expression, Guan Heng suddenly felt a deep respect for teachers. He knew that this old man, who had devoted his life to peaceful coexistence between Mutants and ordinary people, had a hard road to walk.

Professor must be exhausted, Guan Heng thought. I can help shoulder some of the burden, and I'll get to see Qianhuan and the others more often. This job sounds pretty good. Honestly, I'd rather be here than work as an agent for S.H.I.E.L.D.

Professor X said happily, "Jean, Ororo, go get things ready. We'll throw a party tonight to celebrate Guan Heng joining us."

"Sounds great!" the X-Men cheered in unison. Guan Heng really was a charming and amusing friend.

BEEP BEEP BEEP. That evening, the red light on Guan Heng's Watch Communicator flashed. He stood up. "Sorry, Professor, everyone. I need to step outside and take this call."

"What's going on, Peter?" Guan Heng opened the communicator, and Spider-Man's face appeared in the holographic display. Guan Heng immediately knew something unusual had happened.

"Something terrible has happened, Guan Heng," Spider-Man said anxiously. "Early this morning, the mayor of New York City met the President, who was just passing through, at City Hall. They were both attacked."

"What?" Sweat appeared on Guan Heng's forehead. The mayor was a nobody, but the President was the nominal head of the United States. An attack on him was no small matter; it could set off a chain reaction at any moment. America's allies and enemies alike were probably watching from the sidelines, waiting to see what happened.

"What do we know so far?" Guan Heng asked.

"The attacker can teleport. We don't know if it's a superpower or some kind of advanced technology," Spider-Man said, sounding a little embarrassed. "He can disappear and reappear right in front of everyone. S.H.I.E.L.D. ordered all agents to assemble immediately. Director Fury pressured me for your whereabouts, and I couldn't hold out. I told him you were at X Academy."

"Damn it, you traitor—no, you traitor to the country!" Guan Heng cursed. His mind raced as he thought it over. I seem to remember a Nightcrawler in the movies and comics, also called Azazel. He's the only one who can teleport. I just don't know how far he can go.

"Get out of the way!" A large hand shoved Spider-Man's face aside without the slightest courtesy. Nick Fury appeared in the middle of the screen. "Exorcist kid, get your ass back here right now. I have a mission for you."

"What? Why are you looking for me?" Guan Heng said. "New York City has Spider-Man and Iron Man. You've got a fine horse right there, but instead of eating the grass by your mouth, you're climbing over a hill to chew sand." He was indirectly calling Fury a mule, but Fury didn't catch on.

"They can't catch a criminal who teleports," Fury snorted.

"Then I sure as hell can't catch him either!" Guan Heng blurted out. "Are you sure you've got the right guy?"

"But you have that Swift Big Bug." Fury spat as he spoke on the other end of the screen. "Don't think I don't know about it. At the very least, riding that thing, you can keep up with him. And, by the way, the culprit has a tracker on him."