Chapter 262: Unspoken Understanding

On the plane, Ye Nan was unsettled; the prophecy translated by Ellie from the Sun Golden Scripture filled him with unease.

"If the end really is coming, what was all my effort for?"

Ye Nan asked himself, seeking an answer.

When the world ends, all companies, all money, will become mere shadows, utterly useless.

"Wait." Ye Nan urgently halted his thoughts. "No."

"If money is useless, how did the Ark in the movie 2012 come to be? Why could the rich buy tickets while ordinary people couldn't?"

"Because of money. Because the rich had enough of it."

"Don't you remember how, driven by a gut feeling, I kept building my own Ark, trying to give my family and friends a safe haven—even if the end came, they could escape Earth?"

"But aren't I doing exactly that now? Building an Ark capable of traveling through space, requiring countless technologies—all of which demand vast sums of money."

"So money isn't useless—it's vital. Through the ICQ Consortium, I'll generate massive profits and pour every penny into building the Ark: a spaceship that can flee into space when the end arrives."

Ye Nan resolved within himself: he would devote all his strength to building the Ark, preparing for the end.

Peter noticed Ye Nan's face shifting constantly and grew worried. "Ye Nan, are you troubled?"

Startled by Peter's words, Ye Nan narrowed his eyes and stared at him in silence.

"I've noticed something's off with you since the hospital," Peter said anxiously. "If you have something on your mind, tell me. Maybe I can help. We're brothers."

"Brothers?" Ye Nan slowly chewed the word. His expression darkened. "Yes, we are brothers. Since we are, I shouldn't hide it from you."

Ye Nan's voice grew low. "Do you know? For some time now, I've had a premonition—that the world will be destroyed. That premonition filled me with despair and agony, so I worked tirelessly to earn money and build an absolutely secure base: the Ark."

"Now, Ellie has translated an ancient prophecy from the Sun Golden Scripture. It matches my premonition exactly: the world ends in 2012. How can I not be desperate?"

Peter stared at Ye Nan as if he were insane.

Seeing Peter's expression, Ye Nan knew he didn't believe him. He let out a bitter laugh. "Sounds crazy, doesn't it? Investing so much money over just a premonition."

"Honestly, it's normal you don't believe me. I didn't even believe my own premonition—I never fully committed funds. But just now, Ellie translated the prophecy about the end from the Sun Golden Scripture, and it matches mine. Still, you don't believe?"

Peter fell silent, his blue eyes fixed firmly on Ye Nan. "I believe you. If others call you mad, I'll go mad with you."

A strong man's premonition is always accurate; combined with ancient prophecy, it gains even more credibility.

"When 2012 comes, I'll take my aunt and follow your Ark to escape. Don't you dare turn your back on me."

"How could I?" Ye Nan exaggerated his expression. "I'd abandon myself before I'd abandon you. You're my brother—my true brother, forever."

"True brother, forever." Peter's gaze was resolute.

"Sir, Ellis Island has arrived." The Terminator's voice drifted through the cramped cabin.

"Find a place to land and wait for us," Ye Nan ordered, then raised his wristwatch. "Smilla, report the current situation on Ellis Island. I need detailed intelligence."

Peter gasped. "Aren't phones forbidden on planes?"

"Phones are forbidden, but this isn't a phone—it's a signal, transmitted through the plane's own emitter to connect with Smilla," Ye Nan smiled. "So rest easy. No accidents."

"This…" Peter rubbed his head, embarrassed.

"Brother Ye Nan, here's the data you requested." Smilla transmitted the files, then vanished.

Ye Nan stared at the data appearing on his watch, tapping rapidly, scanning every detail.

"There are 201 heads of state and representatives on Ellis Island. Many non-UN nations have come to join the fray—apparently, the prospect of the spaceship has made them desperate."

Ye Nan understood these small nations' thinking: they knew they couldn't get a spaceship, but if they couldn't have meat, even broth was better. So they rushed over, hoping to steal some spaceship data.

"But they never imagined this move would make them targets for someone," Ye Nan sneered. "Still, you're lucky—this time, you'll escape unharmed."

Not only did Professor X, Magneto's old rival, want to protect the heads of state—even Magneto's ally, Ye Nan, was protecting them.

"Warning, warning. Flight prohibited ahead."

A series of radio waves pulsed through the air, reaching the plane.

"Sir, Ellis Island has issued a warning. What are your orders?" The Terminator's voice came through.

"Ignore it. Smilla will handle it."

As soon as Ye Nan finished speaking, the warning from Ellis Island fell silent.

The plane landed smoothly on Ellis Island. As Ye Nan and Peter stepped out, before they could even look around, they saw a man in black armor with red sunglasses staring at them.

"Cyclops?" Ye Nan's expression darkened. From Cyclops waiting here, it was clear he knew Ye Nan's movements inside out.

"Did Professor X send you?"

"Yes," Cyclops said flatly. "Professor X told me to wait for you. He asked if you regret it."

"Regret? Me? Ridiculous. Tell Professor X—I'll never regret it." Ye Nan sneered, dismissing Professor X's words.

He still remembered Professor X saying Magneto and he were not of the same path—but he would never admit it.

"Actually, you've already failed. Magneto is moving against you," Cyclops returned the sneer. "All I see now is your weakness."

"Hah… hahaha… That's hilarious… You think you see my weakness? Can you be any funnier?" Ye Nan doubled over laughing, tears streaming.

"I can't… I'm laughing too hard. Peter, tell him what we've done with Magneto."

Peter stepped forward. "We only gave Magneto a sum of money—as payment for rescuing Ye Nan's daughter. We never actually partnered with Magneto."

In truth, the ICQ Consortium had already partnered with Magneto—but before enemies, he wouldn't show weakness.

Cyclops's face darkened. Ye Nan's loud laughter felt like a slap across his face.

"Don't get angry. They're just bluffing. Say what I told you," Professor X's voice suddenly echoed in Cyclops's mind. Instantly, Cyclops calmed.

"No matter what you say, you're about to become Magneto's enemy. Join us. Together, we'll stop him."

"Why?" Ye Nan sneered. "We can handle our own affairs. No need to cooperate with you. And I don't partner with enemies."

"Don't underestimate Magneto. Even Professor X isn't sure he can defeat him. You?" Cyclops sized up Ye Nan. "A coward who hides from Professor X? You'll never beat Magneto."

"True," Ye Nan suddenly laughed. "I'm no match for Magneto. Are you?"

"I'm not either. That's why we need to cooperate," Cyclops said. "Me, Dr. Grey, you, and your friend—four of us."

"We take out Magneto's three lieutenants first, then face him together. Don't you Easterners have a saying: two fists can't fight four hands?"

"Yes, two fists can't fight four hands—but I don't see you as one of those hands," Ye Nan shrugged. "To me, you're just a fool who only knows how to show off."

Ye Nan walked past Cyclops, his voice drifting into Cyclops's ears: "Your laser eyes? Worthless."

"Worthless." Those two words brought Cyclops unbearable shame. His face turned ashen, fury burning in his chest—he wanted to turn and blast Ye Nan dead.

But he couldn't. He had to think of the bigger picture. Slowly, his anger subsided. A faint smile appeared on his face. "Even if we can't unite, we can reach a certain understanding."

Ye Nan paused, about to leave. "Indeed. We can reach an understanding. Mystique and that disgusting toad—you leave them to us."

As Cyclops said, Ye Nan couldn't defeat Magneto himself—he needed allies. But they wouldn't be the X-Men. Still, using the X-Men to weaken Magneto? He was happy to do it.

"Then let's take the advantage—deal with Sabretooth."

"Don't disappoint me," Ye Nan said, then left at an even faster pace. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote for it on (.). Your support is my greatest motivation.)