Chapter 236 Zhang Yuning's Ex-Boyfriend
The main Marvel Universe.
Earth, New York.
"Clang, clang, clang..."
Zhang Yuning woke up on the subway seat.
She was wearing a worn-out hoodie, hot pants, a pair of long white legs, and canvas shoes with loose laces.
The hood and the falling hair covered half of the face.
Zhang Yuning's eyes moved slightly and she looked around.
There were a few passengers sitting sparsely in the empty and old subway car. There were faded graffiti and chewing gum residue on the floor. The cold white lights in the tunnel kept flashing outside the window.
"Hello, passengers. We have arrived at Lexington Avenue. Passengers who need to get off, please..."
The subway announcement sounded, and Zhang Yuning stood up without hesitation, walked out of the sliding subway door, and walked quickly to an exit at random.
[Welcome to the main world of reincarnation, Marvel main universe (Earth-616 universe)-SSS level]
[You have obtained a new identity, automatically loaded with skills: English proficiency, Cree proficiency]
[A camp has been randomly selected for you - the Kree Empire camp plot line]
[Please start your reincarnation adventure! ]
A series of cold voices sounded deep in my mind.
Zhang Yuning stepped out of the escalator exit.
What greets you is the sunshine, the air, the hustle and bustle of traffic, the high-rise buildings and skyscrapers, the sound of honking horns and chaotic conversations, and the smell of car exhaust and ice cream and candy mixed together.
Finally back to the modern world.
"ha..."
Zhang Yuning looked around and let out a breath.
…
The main Marvel universe is the one with the largest number of superheroes, the most complete and perfect background settings, and the richest major events and plots among all the Marvel multiverses.
At the same time, it is also very famous in the world of reincarnation.
The hub of reincarnation.
This is the name given to this universe by the reincarnators.
The opening time of the Marvel main universe is said to be the same early as the Resident Evil movie universe. Some people even suspect that this is the first universe opened to the reincarnation world and the first universe where reincarnations descended.
But the main Marvel universe gave an answer that was completely different from the Resident Evil movie universe.
This place has not become some kind of doomsday wasteland world because of the reincarnations' messing around. It is still full of vitality and all things are still flourishing.
Because the background ceiling of the Marvel main universe is too high.
Not to mention the existence of OAA, the Life Tribunal, the five great gods and the like in the background, just the Earth, the so-called "little broken ball", is protected by several god-level beings.
In the Nine Realms system, the Earth belongs to the World Tree Courtyard - Midgard "Human Kingdom", which is protected by Odin and is not invaded by other kingdoms in the Nine Realms.
The earth also has a magic protection system built by the Three Holy Ones, and the Supreme Sorcerer Ancient One is in charge of protecting the earth from invasion by other magic dimensions.
The god systems include: Nordic god system, Greek god system, Chinese god system, Egyptian god system...
Government agencies include: SHIELD, S.H.I.E.L.D., S.H.I.M.R., S.W.O.R.D....
Civilian groups include: Avengers, Defenders, Illuminati, X-Men, 198, Young Avengers...
There are different corresponding grades in high, medium and low.
Why would the reincarnationists mess around?
How could the reincarnationists stir up such a stir?
Due to the long opening time, the natives of the Marvel main universe have reached a certain kind of peculiar ecology of balanced coexistence with the reincarnationists. Many high-ranking natives not only know the existence of the reincarnationists, but have even explored a way to coexist with them.
It is precisely because of this harmony that the main Marvel Universe has become a shelter for many weak reincarnations in the reincarnation world, a transit station for many travelers from the reincarnation world, and the well-known "Reincarnation Hub".
According to incomplete statistics from the Reincarnation Forum, the Marvel main universe is the universe where most reincarnations choose to abandon the world anchor.
Here, you can enjoy a comfortable and convenient modern life, and explore a system of extraordinary abilities. It is the best of both worlds. Although there is also a risk of being affected by a super war, as long as you don't live in places like New York, Los Angeles, or Latveria, this risk is acceptable.
And Zhang Yuning came to the main Marvel universe this time not for the major events in the plot line.
She glanced at the clock and calendar hanging in the street shop. It was ten o'clock in the morning, still early, and the shop had not yet closed. Zhang Yuning decided to enjoy the long-lost modern life first.
Although Fu Qinghai was there to protect them during their sailing life on the cruiser Fiery Horse, it was ultimately a space military life and was not so comfortable.
She walked into a Prada store on the street, picked up a few black clothes and boots at the counter, changed in the fitting room, and threw the worn-out clothes given by the reincarnation world into the trash can.
When I got to the checkout counter, I realized I had no money.
The reincarnation world didn't give her any money either.
It's not a question of not having enough money; she doesn't have a penny.
"Ma'am, you look so beautiful in this dress. I suggest you pair it with this..."
The black female clerk next to them was still introducing the products diligently.
"well."
Zhang Yuning shook her head and sighed.
Black smoke poured out of her body and quickly spread and dissipated. All the staff and customers in the store suddenly fell into some kind of hallucination. They screamed with fear on their faces, ran around like headless flies, or squatted on the ground with their heads in their hands, praying loudly.
Zhang Yuning pushed open the shop door and walked out.
The illusion suddenly disappeared, and the luxury store returned to normal. Everyone in the store was still in shock and did not notice that a customer was missing.
But I didn't expect that I would be stared at as soon as I went out.
A young man in a peaked cap came close to Zhang Yuning, handed her a picture album, lowered his hat brim and whispered:
"Is this your first time in the main Marvel Universe? Do you need a reincarnation map of New York City?"
Zhang Yuning glanced at him and said, "No need."
Zhang Yuning walked forward, but the young man followed her stubbornly, raising his voice and saying,
"It's really useful. The new address of the Daily Bugle, Building No. 4, Yangxi Street, the Latvian Embassy, the Fisk Building, the X Manor... can all be found on my map. It only requires 3 assimilation points, which is very cost-effective."
Zhang Yuning ignored him and walked on her own.
The young man looked at her tall back and shouted,
"I also work part-time to handle the admission procedures for Imperial State University. If you want to be classmates with a superhero..."
Zhang Yuning's back disappeared around the corner.
The young man sighed helplessly.
…
The reincarnationist just now did not lie.
The place names he mentioned are indeed closely related to the characters in the plot. If you often hang out nearby or visit them in person, you may be able to connect them to superheroes.
Daily Bugle: JJ James and Spider-Man.
4 Yancy Street Building: Fantastic Four.
Latverian Embassy: Doctor Doom.
Fisk Tower: Kingpin.
X Manor, needless to say, Professor X.
But Zhang Yuning is not a pure newbie who has come to the main Marvel universe for the first time. She knows that this is useless because the people here have seen the country bumpkins of reincarnations before.
The same is true for Empire State University.
The school is located in Upper Manhattan. It is a prestigious private Ivy League school. Its famous students include Emma Frost (White Queen), Peter Parker (Spider-man), Johnny Stone (Human Torch), etc. The school motto is "Excelsior" (also a famous saying of Stan Lee). The school's specialty is that there are scholarships for mutants, superhumans, aliens and students from parallel worlds.
Reincarnators can be classified into the last category.
But Zhang Yuning is not a newcomer who has just entered the world of reincarnation. She has already passed the stage of needing a scholarship.
Zhang Yuning came to New York's Chinatown, located in the lower part of Manhattan at the southern tip. The streets were wet and the air was slightly humid, as if it had just rained. She followed the bustling crowd and walked under the densely extended signs.
Jinjiang Hotel, Xiyunlai Hotel, Congee, Rice Noodles, Buddha's Fate, Vegetarian House...among the various colorful neon signs with traditional Chinese characters, Zhang Yuning found her destination.
"Old Man Lin's CD and video tape rental".
A shabby green signboard and a crooked light box.
There is also a line of small words below: "VCD DVD various discs".
Just like any video rental store you can find in the United States.
But Zhang Yuning knew it wasn't that simple.
It looks like a video rental store with poor business.
In fact, it is a secret prop store for the reincarnations.
When she pushed the door open, two people just walked out, talking as they walked:
"The big event of this plot line should be the 'Kree-Skrull War'."
"Yes, it has spread all over the 616 BBS, and everyone has unanimously agreed that this is the big event."
"But we don't even have a spaceship, how can we participate in a war between two interstellar empires?"
"Hey, what are you worrying about? With our level, you think we can fight in an interstellar war? We are not even qualified to be cannon fodder."
Zhang Yuning ignored their discussion, walked straight to the counter and pressed the copper bell.
"Ding-ling-ling~"
A short, balding, hunchbacked old man walked out from behind the door, wearing a pair of round, thick reading glasses on his rosacea nose.
"Please let him take a look."
The old man said casually.
Zhang Yuning rolled her eyes:
"I don't understand. Speak Mandarin."
"Oh, just take a look."
The old man switched to Mandarin in a second.
Zhang Yuning tapped the counter with her fingers:
"I am a reincarnation."
"Oh?" The old man pushed up his glasses.
"I understand. Please go ahead."
Zhang Yuning continued:
"I wanted something a little less popular."
"What do you want, pretty girl? Tell me."
Zhang Yuning stared at the old man's cloudy eyes and said slowly:
"An old movie from 1973, produced by Warner Bros., The Exorcist."
The old man lowered his head and rummaged through the counter, then took out an old videotape and pushed it in front of Zhang Yuning:
"Here."
It's true... Zhang Yuning raised her eyebrows.
"It's not over yet. In 2003, Takashi Miike directed "The Call."
"Well, this one is indeed a little unpopular. Let me look for it."
The old man turned around and walked back to the inner room. He heard the sound of someone rummaging around. Finally, he came out holding a CD and said,
"Found it."
It really lives up to its reputation... Zhang Yuning thought.
"Also, in 1999, Wu Zhenyu starred in the film "Old Corpse in the Mountain Village" in Hong Kong."
"You've finally asked the right person... Here, this one."
The old man rummaged through the pile of discs behind him, took out a dusty disc and placed it on the counter.
There were two discs and a videotape piled up in front of Zhang Yuning.
After inspecting the goods, I am very satisfied.
She called out a few more names.
"The Grudge, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Silent Hill, IT, and Hellraiser."
The old man shook his head and said:
"These ones don't have discs anymore."
"Some are indeed out of stock, and some are because... the last batch of people who came to me to buy discs have died in that universe, and the discs are left there."
Zhang Yuning was slightly disappointed when she heard this.
"But," the old man added,
"If you really want to go, I can contact the owner to get the goods. There are no discs, only items. The items may not be complete, and the price is relatively expensive. Please consider it."
Zhang Yuning said without hesitation:
"Let them transfer the goods. Don't worry, we will give you enough points."
The four thousand points that Fu Qinghai gave her are still in her account.
"Yeah, okay."
The old man slowly took out a piece of white paper and a pen, pushed them onto the table, and said:
"Leave your contact information and address. No deposit required, full payment required. It will be delivered to your address within three days."
Zhang Yuning thought about it and realized that she had just arrived in New York and had neither checked into a hotel nor applied for a phone card, so she had to write down the name of a five-star hotel and her own name.
She lowered her head and wrote.
The old man looked at Zhang Yuning quietly with his dim eyes, and reminded her in a leisurely tone:
"Young girl, let me give you a suggestion."
"Don't touch Silent Hill, IT, and Hellraiser. They are not just a few urban evil spirits or ghosts. That's all I have to say."
Zhang Yuning looked up at the old man, nodded, said "Thank you, old man", and said nothing more.
Of course, she knew Silent Hill and Hellraiser. The world view behind them was very grand and was not just about exaggerating horror to scare the audience. But she didn't know why she didn't know about IT. Wasn't it a children's horror movie? But Zhang Yuning still paid attention to this sentence.
She did not look down on him just because he was a bald old man who was dying.
Others may not know, but Zhang Yuning, who came from the horror movie universe, has heard of the origins of this old man.
Perhaps it is a tribute to the late Hong Kong filmmaker, who calls himself "Lin Ying". He is a reincarnation who has inherited the orthodox Tianshi school of Longhu Mountain. He is known as "Lin Tianshi", a senior Taoist priest who specializes in catching and playing with ghosts in the reincarnation world.
He is also a guest elder of the "Lion Dance", the largest Chinese community in the reincarnation world, but he has announced to the outside world that he has "retired from the underworld." The Lion Dance is a large reincarnation community that is as powerful as perfect humans. Although he claims to have retired, Zhang Yuning suspects that the old man is still involved with the Lion Dance, and the "boss" he mentioned might be the Lion Dance.
In fact, this was not the first time Zhang Yuning visited here, but the old man might have forgotten it long ago.
When Zhang Yuning first came to the main Marvel universe, she witnessed with her own eyes that there were three reincarnations, young men, two white people and one black man, who bullied the old man for his slow movements. When he turned back to the inner room to get something, they grabbed the things behind the counter and ran away without giving him assimilation points. As a result, the old man did not chase them, but let them leave with a smile.
Three days later, Zhang Yuning came to New York's Chinatown again. Three human heads, two white and one black, stood in the middle of Chinatown. Next to them were racist insults such as "white pig" and "nigger" written in blood. The whole city of New York seemed to turn a blind eye. From then on, Zhang Yuning guessed that the old man must be related to the lion dance.
Zhang Yuning handed the white paper with the address and name written on it to the old man. After taking it, the old man raised his glasses to check it carefully, then picked up the landline next to him and started to make a call.
Zhang Yuning couldn't understand Cantonese, so she could only wait patiently.
Can a movie be seen in another movie?
Can a comic book appear in another comic book?
Of course.
In the TV series "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier", the Winter Soldier explicitly mentioned the Lord of the Rings series and had an argument with Falcon about the difference between "wizards" and "mages".
In the movie "Avengers: Infinity War", Spider-Man suggested to Iron Man that they use the method in the old movie "Alien" to defeat Ebony Maw.
There are many similar scenes. Many new movies frequently feature shots that pay tribute to old movies, perhaps on a screen on the street or on a TV in the house.
And this gives the reincarnations many opportunities.
As we all know, being familiar with the plot is of great help in reincarnation adventures. However, since it is impossible to return to the real world, many movies, comics and games that are not deeply impressed cannot be revisited. However, there is a group of people who specialize in traveling through various reincarnation worlds and collecting information about other universes in this universe, including but not limited to game cartridges, videotapes, DVDs, books, comics... and so on.
And make a profit from it.
Old Man Lin's CD and video tape rental shop is one store that engages in this business.
After hanging up the phone, the old man lowered his eyes, counted the things in front of him, and added the items that needed to be transferred by the boss, and finally gave a quote:
"A total of 786 assimilation points. Since this is the first time for the little girl, I will give you 780 points as an even number."
Zhang Yuning nodded and said:
"I need ten more reincarnation beacons. I won't look for another store. I'll buy them from you. Please give me a discount."
The old man nodded:
"Ten beacons normally sell for 2,000 points. I'll charge you 2,600. Take everything at once."
Zhang Yuning paid the assimilation points, successfully completed the transaction, and stuffed two CDs and a videotape into her inner pocket. This was a piece of clothing she brought out from the Warhammer 40K universe. There was a pocket sewn on the inside, which was the pocket where the alchemist Laust solidified the Traceless Retraction Spell.
Fu Qinghai even gave her this.
The club's only space equipment.
Fu Qinghai really dotes on her.
"Crunch."
At this moment, the sound of a door opening was heard from behind.
Zhang Yuning turned around and saw the newcomer. They were both stunned:
"Zhang Yuning?"
"Ran Jianian?"
…
Inside a high-end restaurant in Upper Manhattan.
At the table by the window, a man and a woman were sitting face to face.
Zhang Yuning looked at the man in front of her and frowned slightly.
He actually entered the world of reincarnation.
That's fucked up.
Zhang Yuning thought to herself.
Across the table was a young man dressed fashionably.
He has very fair skin, short hair dyed red, a thin chain around his neck, a pair of sunglasses on his forehead, and a loose-fitting aviator jacket with a red No. 91 Bulls jersey underneath. It could be Rodman or Artest, who knows? He also wears baggy khaki crotchless pants and a pair of Adidas Ross VII sneakers.
Why did I fall in love with such a man in the first place?
Zhang Yuning thought with self-mockery.
"When did you come in?"
The man asked.
He looked at the woman in front of him with interest. She was sitting with her legs crossed, her arms folded across her chest, and her back leaning against the back of her chair. She looked cold and distant...but still so beautiful.
No, she is more charming than before.
Before entering the samsara world, she was just beautiful, but now, she has an additional sense of deadly and dangerous, like a black poppy, swaying and poisonous.
"A long time ago."
Zhang Yuning said lightly.
"Oh my god, I never thought that I would meet you again after entering the reincarnation world. Maybe this is... fate."
The man sighed, spreading his arms.
The woman's eyes were cold and she was not moved at all.
Ran Jianian looked at Zhang Yuning's expressionless face and said carefully:
"To be honest, after we broke up, I have been..."
Noticing that the woman's face was becoming increasingly cold, he wisely kept silent.
The waiter brought up two plates of steak, said "Enjoy your meal" and turned away.
"I'm just curious about one question."
Zhang Yuning leaned forward and placed one hand on the table.
"When did you enter the reincarnation world? What year, month and day was it?"
"Hmm..." Ran Jianian raised his head and thought about it.
"It seems to be October of 21, but I can't remember the exact date."
He put his hands in his pockets and shrugged his shoulders in a cool manner:
"I can't help it. I've been hanging around in the reincarnation world for too long."
The same time I came in.
Zhang Yuning nodded and said nothing more.
"Yuning." The man stared at Zhang Yuning's eyes seriously and said solemnly:
"We had conflicts and misunderstandings in the beginning, but now, the reincarnation world has given us a chance to start over, and given all of us a chance to start over again. Why should we..."
Zhang Yuning's expression remained indifferent and she did not respond.
The man thought about it and changed his words. He snapped his fingers and a wisp of flame floated out from his fingertips.
"Look, I'm now a gamma-level mutant, and I joined Awakening Lion not long ago. You should know Awakening Lion. I have three new reincarnations under my command. I have a foundation in the reincarnation world. Yu Ning, I can give you a better and safer life. Follow me. I will apply to the society to let you join my team, and I will allocate all the resources given to me by the society to you..."
"Are you done?"
Zhang Yuning interrupted impatiently.
"After that, I'm leaving."
"Yu Ning, listen to me."
As the man spoke, he reached out to grab the woman's hand that was on the table, but she suddenly shrank back as if she had received an electric shock, and shouted coldly:
"Don't touch me!"
Ran Jianian's eyes flickered and his expression changed slightly:
"Why, you have a boyfriend?"
"snort."
Zhang Yuning sneered, stood up, pulled out the chair, turned around and left, leaving only one sentence:
"none of your business."
"Hello..."
The man turned his head and looked at the woman's departing back, feeling unwilling, and shouted.
Zhang Yuning walked out of the restaurant without even looking back.
The steak on the plate was untouched.
…
InterContinental Times Square.
Zhang Yuning stood alone in a red telephone booth and dialed a number based on her memory.
"Beep, beep…"
"Hello?"
A young male voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Ron, it's me."
Zhang Yuning said lightly.
"Wow, Zhang, you really came to the main Marvel universe."
Ron still sounded happy.
Zhang Yuning told the club that she was coming to the main Marvel Universe, and Ron's anchor world happened to be the main Marvel Universe, so he gave Zhang Yuning his phone number.
"Ron, I'm out of money. Do you have any? This is the reincarnation hub. I don't want to activate my abilities too often. If you have money, come and give me some. Not assimilation points, but cash, US dollars."
"Cash? No problem. Where are you? I'll be right over."
Zhang Yuning had just finished reporting her address when she suddenly caught a glimpse of a figure flashing by at the corner of the street.
Huh?
She frowned.
...
Thanks to book friend 20210420215059171, Yuxuan Zhenren, reader 1405069253799903232, Ouyang Jiandao, Paregal the Chosen of Slaanesh, King Marcus, book friend 151231154121070, Shusheng Good Brother, Ruo Zhishui, and several book friends for their rewards.
I'll just lay the groundwork for the reincarnation worldview structure, including the previous chapter "Imperial Armor", which is all to pave the way for writing about tank battles in the future. I'm not the kind of person who writes in small words, you all know me.
(End of this chapter)