Chapter Eleven: Confession, Third Successful Sign-In!

After returning from the press conference, Tony’s decision to shut down the weapons division received no support beyond Hao Yun and Pepper—not even from his close friend Rhodey. Still, he had little desire to appease anyone. As soon as he arrived at the villa, he summoned Hao Yun and Pepper at once.

“Hao Yun, let’s talk. Just how much have you kept from me?”

Just moments ago, Pepper had confessed two things to Tony: first, that Hao Yun had known in advance about his impending abduction and had secretly investigated Obadiah; second, that Howard Stark was a founder of S.H.I.E.L.D. and had left behind certain relics.

Both matters were intimately tied to Tony’s family. No matter how much he owed Hao Yun for saving his life, or that he was Pepper’s beloved nephew, Tony could no longer ignore these secrets.

Sitting on the opposite sofa, Hao Yun hesitated... In truth, ever since realizing he had crossed into the Marvel universe, he’d felt uneasy. Even with his golden finger, he wasn’t fully confident about facing Thanos, who wielded six Infinity Stones and the Gauntlet.

After all, Thanos was a god-like being, and he possessed the ultimate artifact that could shape the universe.

So, he’d chosen to confide the plot to his adoptive mother earlier… He’d thought to tell Tony after Obadiah was exposed, but now, he felt unwilling to hide any longer.

After what Tony had endured, Hao Yun believed he was ready—his spirit was strong enough to become a hero.

“All right. What do you want to know?”

“Everything!” Tony Stark replied without hesitation.

Hao Yun glanced at Pepper. Well, they were all family—he would tell them everything.

“It all starts with a dream I once had…”

And so, Hao Yun began recounting the MCU’s first three phases, starting from World War II.

He spoke of the creation of the Super Soldier Serum, Captain America’s sacrifice, the founding of S.H.I.E.L.D. by Peggy Carter, Howard Stark, and Colonel Phillips; then Operation Paperclip and Hydra’s infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D.; Howard’s death—engineered by former Director Alexander Pierce and carried out by a brainwashed Winter Soldier—all in pursuit of the Super Soldier Serum.

When Tony heard the truth behind his father’s death, his fists clenched tightly. Pepper gently took his hand, their affection palpable.

Hao Yun rolled his eyes at the pair and continued.

Thor 1, Iron Man 2 and 3, Thor 2, Captain America 2… all the way until Tony, for his daughter Morgan, snapped his fingers.

When he finished, silence filled the villa. Especially Tony, who, upon hearing that he would sacrifice himself for the world and never see his daughter grow up, looked furious enough to devour someone.

“Are you telling the truth?”

Tony stared hard at Hao Yun. If what he’d heard was true, his life was too tragic. Was this the price of being a hero?

“I wish I could say it was just a dream,” Hao Yun shrugged, “but clearly, it’s real. If not for me, you’d already have a miniature arc reactor embedded in your chest.”

“No, I need more proof!”

Tony paced the villa in disbelief. Suddenly, he turned to Pepper. “JARVIS, pull up the Expo model!”

A 3D projection instantly appeared. Tony pulled up a stool and examined it closely, tapping his fingers… The hologram took shape, with a glowing globe at its center.

“Remove the walkways, get rid of the landscaping, parking, entrances, exits…”

True to form, it took Tony less than half an hour to identify the key nucleus and electrons and successfully synthesize a brand-new element.

“JARVIS, run a test!”

“Sir, congratulations! You’ve discovered a new, clean energy source!”

At the moment Tony found the new element, a voice rang in Hao Yun’s mind:

“Congratulations, Host, you have arrived at a pivotal moment—the discovery of a new element. Would you like to sign in?”

Seriously, even this counts as a sign-in?

Hao Yun was surprised. If the discovery of a new element was enough, had he missed other opportunities? Like the site of Howard’s death? The Arctic where Captain America was found?

“Sign in!”

“Sign-in successful. Congratulations, Host, you have received—Big Hero 6 World: One Baymax robot and its combat accessory kit!”

Just as he expected—the more influential the moment in Marvel, the richer the reward. Clearly, Baymax was a medical robot, and even with accessories, not especially powerful. Compared to his previous sign-in items, this was much less impressive.

Maybe he could leave it for his mother? And have Tony invent bodyguard, chef, nanny chips to make it her all-purpose protector?

Yes, after handling Obadiah, he’d have Tony give it a try!

Pushing thoughts of Baymax aside, Hao Yun watched Tony, who was scrutinizing the new element. “Tony, do you believe me now?”

“This is really not good news,” Tony exhaled deeply, sinking onto the sofa and rubbing his brow. “Earth’s future seems far too calamitous.”

“What can we do? Odin is gravely ill, and the Ancient One is nearing the end,” Hao Yun replied helplessly. “With both of Earth’s greatest guardians about to be replaced, is it any wonder all manner of monsters and demons are leaping out now?”

“Exactly. There’s a saying in China: ‘Peaceful times are only possible because someone else bears the burdens.’ This time, we are the ones who must bear them.”

Tony slumped in the sofa, dejected, while Pepper sat quietly behind him… Since learning she would become Tony’s wife and mother his adorable daughter Morgan, her gaze had not left him.

“Hao Yun, go get some rest. Tony needs some time.”

“No problem—he’s all yours, Aunt Pepper. Oh, by the way, I really like Morgan. You two should have her soon!”

Hao Yun made a face at Pepper, letting a bit of lightness break through the gloom in the living room, and then retired to his guest room.

Yet, what happened next, though unexpected, was not entirely surprising.

The moment he opened the door, a golden ring of fire appeared… and from the other side stepped a bald woman in a hooded robe, holding an Eastern folding fan.

“The Ancient One?”

“Oh? So you know me?” The Ancient One smiled kindly. “Young man, you’ve revealed far too much about the future.”

“Uh…” Hao Yun scratched his head. “Master, I just wanted to change the future. I don’t like people dying. I really don’t want to live through such a desperate future.”

“Good child, I know.”

The Ancient One approached and embraced him. A warmth like a mother’s seeped into Hao Yun’s lonely heart.

“Go ahead and do what you must. I have plenty of time left. Perhaps the future you create will be even better.”

“Master, you really don’t mind if I change the future?”

Nestled in her arms, Hao Yun’s voice was muffled. In truth, now that he’d spoken, he felt some regret. Wasn’t his greatest advantage in this world his knowledge of the plot?

Now that he’d changed it, even he couldn’t control what lay ahead. He didn’t know if the future would be better or worse.

“Do your best, save with all your heart. The future will become better. Never forget, you are still young, and your very existence is part of the future.”

The Ancient One’s words were like spring water, washing away Hao Yun’s unease. In that warm embrace, he gradually drifted off to sleep, a faint smile curling his lips, as if dreaming of the bright future he would help create.