Town Conversation

A few hours earlier

Vermont

A small town

Nick Fury and Coulson stood before an old house on the outskirts of town, the setting sun stretching their shadows long.

"You sure this is the place?" Fury asked quietly, his single eye sweeping the surroundings.

Coulson nodded. Faint energy readings flickered on the tablet in his hand. "The antimatter fluctuations originated here, sir."

Fury took a deep breath and raised a hand to knock on the door.

A few seconds later, the door opened, revealing a tall Black man.

He looked middle-aged, dressed simply in a plaid shirt and jeans, with a cup of coffee still in his hand.

His gaze was calm, yet it carried an indescribable sense of power beneath the surface.

"Who are you looking for?" the man asked in a deep, gentle voice.

Fury met his eyes. "Adam Bernard?"

The man's expression paused slightly before returning to normal. "That was a name from a long time ago."

"I'm Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D." Fury showed his identification. "This is Agent Phil Coulson."

Adam was silent for a moment, then stepped aside. "Come in."

The house was simply furnished, but neat and cozy. Several family photos hung on the walls, and the bookshelves were packed with books.

Adam motioned for the two of them to sit, while he leaned against the fireplace with his arms crossed. "So, what does S.H.I.E.L.D. want with me?"

Fury did not beat around the bush. "We need your help."

Adam chuckled. "I've been retired for decades, Director Fury. The president personally ordered me to disappear and live an ordinary life."

"The world has changed," Fury said in a low voice.

"There's someone in New York calling himself Superman. His power far exceeds that of ordinary people, his actions are completely unchecked, and he's even threatened S.H.I.E.L.D."

Adam's brow furrowed slightly. "Superman?"

"A man in a black suit. He can fly, fire Heat Vision, and possesses enough strength to destroy buildings," Coulson added.

"He's also been getting close to Tony Stark lately."

Adam thoughtfully rubbed his coffee cup. "Sounds like a character from a comic book."

"But he's real." Fury stared at him. "And he refuses to take orders from anyone."

Adam fell silent for a while before finally shaking his head. "Director Fury, I'm no longer the Blue Marvel I was back then. Now I'm just an ordinary man. I teach, tend flowers, and occasionally help the neighbors fix their cars."

"But the world needs you." Fury's voice carried a rare hint of pressure.

"We're putting together a team, the Avengers, specifically to handle threats beyond the ordinary—or alien invasions. And you're one of the best candidates."

Adam's gaze fell on a photo atop the fireplace. It showed him with his wife and daughter. He sighed softly. "I promised my family I wouldn't get involved in this kind of thing again."

"If Superman loses control, or something worse shows up, do you think your family will still be safe?" Fury countered.

Adam's gaze wavered slightly.

Just then, a roar suddenly came from outside, followed by the screech of brakes.

Fury and Coulson immediately rose to their feet in alarm, while Adam frowned and set down his coffee. "Did you bring a tail?"

"Impossible." Fury shook his head.

Adam strode to the door and pushed it open. A black SUV was parked across the middle of the yard, with the S.H.I.E.L.D. emblem printed on its door.

"Looks like someone came uninvited," Adam said quietly.

The car door opened, and a sharply dressed man stepped out with a false smile on his face. "Director Fury, what a coincidence."

Fury narrowed his single eye. "Minister Pierce."

Alexander Pierce, the former minister of the World Security Council, now stood in Adam's yard with several fully armed agents behind him.

"I heard you were recruiting talent." Pierce's gaze swept over Adam, the corners of his mouth lifting. "Mr. Adam, I've heard much about you."

Adam's expression turned cold. "I haven't used that name in a long time."

Pierce shrugged. "Times are changing. We need power like yours."

Fury stepped in front of Adam. "Pierce, this matter is S.H.I.E.L.D.'s responsibility."

"S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Pierce chuckled. "Fury, you've been making too many moves lately. The Council is very concerned about your... judgment."

The atmosphere instantly tightened.

Adam looked at Fury, then at Pierce, and suddenly laughed. "Looks like you have plenty of internal problems."

Pierce's gaze returned to Adam. "Mr. Adam, we can offer better terms. Greater authority, more freedom of action."

"Sounds like you want me to be your thug," Adam said flatly.

"Just cooperation." Pierce smiled.

Adam was silent for a moment before finally shaking his head. "Sorry, I'm not interested in your power games."

Pierce's smile stiffened slightly. "Are you sure? Rejecting us isn't a wise choice."

Fury sneered. "A threat? Pierce, you've crossed the line."

Pierce ignored Fury and stared at Adam. "Think it over carefully, Mr. Blue Marvel. This world is changing, and the price of choosing the wrong side... is very high."

Adam's gaze gradually sharpened, invisible energy faintly flowing around him. "I've lived through war, Mr. Pierce. Threats don't work on me."

Pierce narrowed his eyes, then finally took a step back. "Very well. I hope you won't regret it."

He turned and walked toward the SUV, the agents following close behind. The vehicle started and sped away.

The yard fell silent again.

Fury looked at Adam. "Thank you."

Adam shook his head. "I didn't do it for you."

Coulson could not help asking, "How did Minister Pierce know we were here?"

A chill flashed through Fury's single eye. "Looks like Hydra isn't the only rat."

Adam took a deep breath, as though making up his mind. "Fury, I can help you, but I have conditions."

Fury nodded. "Let's hear them."

"First, my family must receive absolute protection."

"No problem."

"Second, I won't accept any political manipulation. I'll only do what I believe is right."

Fury fell silent for a moment. His brows furrowed as he thought of Xiao Han. With a sigh, he finally nodded. "Fine."

Adam extended his hand. "Then, happy cooperation."

Fury shook his hand. "Welcome to the Avengers."

Stark Tower Laboratory

Tony and Xiao Han had just returned from the moon, the golden sparks of the portal slowly fading from the air.

Tony stretched, casually picked up the whiskey on the table, and took a swig. "The Inhumans' technology is really making me jealous. Their antigravity engines are much quieter than my thrusters..."

Just then, JARVIS's voice sounded.

"Sir, a reminder that the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing will be held at 10 a.m. the day after tomorrow. You have not yet prepared any speaking materials."

Tony's expression instantly collapsed. "Oh, damn. I completely forgot about that."

Xiao Han raised a brow. Since returning, he had not deliberately kept up with news from around the world. "What hearing?"

Tony irritably rubbed his temples. "Ever since we showed up in New York wearing armor last time, those old geezers in the Senate have had their eyes on me.

"They want me to hand over the armor technology, babbling about national security and military control... Heh, in their dreams."

Xiao Han immediately understood that this was the plot of Iron Man 2.

In the original timeline, Tony would face the Senate's attacks alone and silence everyone with a brilliant verbal battle.

But now, things had clearly changed.

"So they want you to hand the armor over to the military?" Xiao Han asked.

"More or less." Tony sneered.

"They even found some so-called expert to prove that my armor should be nationalized."

"Justin Hammer. That clown who can only copy others."

Xiao Han nodded, then suddenly smiled. "Leave it to me."

Tony froze. "What do you mean?"

"Simple." Xiao Han slipped both hands into his pockets, his tone relaxed.

"Just tell them the armor isn't a Stark Industries product. It's my creation—Superman's armor. Let them come negotiate with me."

Tony narrowed his eyes. "You sure? Those politicians aren't easy to deal with."

"What do you think they can do to me?" Xiao Han shrugged. "Besides, I'll personally attend the hearing."

Tony stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly grinned. "Ha! I really want to see their faces."

"So what exactly are you going to do about those politicians?"

Xiao Han stood before the floor-to-ceiling window. Sunlight streamed through the glass onto the black suit that had just covered his entire body, the golden S emblem on his chest faintly gleaming.

The corners of his mouth rose. "Simple. Since I'm Superman, how can I not have fans?"

Tony froze. "Fans? Wait, what are you going to do?"

Before his words had even faded, Xiao Han had already turned into a streak of black light, smashing through the glass and vanishing into the sky.

Tony's eyes widened as he rushed to the window. "JARVIS! Track his location!"

A few minutes later

Tony stared at Xiao Han's flight path on the holographic screen, the corner of his mouth twitching. "JARVIS, where is this guy now?"

"Sir, Mr. Xiao is currently above the Indian Ocean, traveling at approximately Mach 30."

Tony pressed a hand to his forehead. "Fine. Looks like he really intends to let the whole world know Superman exists."

PS: It's starting to get recommended! Brothers, whether this book can take off depends on all of you! This little author is begging for your support!