[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-marvel-awakening-the-cosmo-at-the-start":3,"chapter-marvel-awakening-the-cosmo-at-the-start-marvel-awakening-the-cosmo-at-the-start-chapter-981":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Marvel: Awakening the Cosmo at the Start",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2232962,4216,"Chapter 981: Alkali Culver Lake Dam (Second Update!!)","marvel-awakening-the-cosmo-at-the-start-chapter-981",981,"\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of bones being crushed echoed through the eerily quiet Oval Office, coming from the neck of the African leader held in Hawk’s right hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The African leader, who had been flailing his legs and trying to pry Hawk’s hand off his throat, froze; his expression locked, and all movement ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The African leader hit the floor, limp, his eyes wide open, lying on the ground motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he was just an African leader; it wasn't as if he hadn't killed one before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killed is killed, what can they do to me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawk looked at the Secret Service agents who had rushed in first, and those following behind, his expression calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leading Secret Service agents looked at the corpse of the African leader on the floor and instantly gasped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all looked at Hawk again, their fingers on the triggers...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't shoot!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the group of Secret Service agents prepared to pull their triggers, a sharp, urgent roar came from a corner of the office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The few Secret Service agents looked at the white-haired old man who had stopped them; their pupils contracted, and they subconsciously let out a sigh of relief, taking their fingers off the triggers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawk also followed the sound to look at the white-haired old man climbing up from the floor, his sword-like brows arching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he did not speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After getting up, the white-haired old man took a deep breath and said in a deep voice to the Secret Service agents blocking the door: \"Put your guns down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lead Secret Service agent frowned slightly upon hearing this order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vice...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I said put your guns down!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interrupted Secret Service agent met the white-haired old man's sharp gaze and chose to comply, turning to the agents behind him and saying: \"Put your guns down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At their captain's command, all the Secret Service agents withdrew their pistols.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-haired old man ordered again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same lead Secret Service captain saluted the white-haired old man, turned around, and led the agents who had just swarmed in out of the Oval Office, symbolically pulling the half-broken door shut as they left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Secret Service agents retreated to the hallway outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-haired old man surveyed the carnage in the Oval Office, his gaze finally sweeping over the African leader who lay dead at Hawk’s feet, then he took a deep breath, looked up at Hawk, and said: \"My name is Baron Turner, Mr. Phoenix, perhaps now we can talk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hawk looked at the white-haired old man Baron Turner, who was meeting his gaze. He thought for a moment, then, under the latter's watch, walked straight behind the historic desk, righted the chair that had been overturned, sat down, propped his feet directly onto the desk, crossed his arms over his chest, leaned back, and looked again at the white-haired old man Baron Turner who wanted to talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure, how do you want to talk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You say!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baron Turner did not hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The destruction of Quantico, the annihilation of the Pentagon, and the cold-blooded killing of the African leader—each of these events was a major crisis on its own, but taken together, they proved that the mutant Hawk Phoenix, whom they were powerless to resist, was intent on destroying the nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after destroying Quantico, wiping out the Pentagon, and finally killing the African leader, Hawk’s rage had been temporarily eased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was precisely because of this that Baron Turner thought of bringing up \"peace talks\" again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other party had also relented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over sixty, having spent most of his life in Washington, Baron Turner looked straight at Hawk, who was sitting in the seat symbolizing federal power: \"Whatever I can do, I will do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawk snorted at Baron Turner’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whatever you can do, you will do; then what about what you can't do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will find a way to do it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawk chuckled again, then looked at Baron Turner with cold eyes: \"If I destroy you, everything you possess becomes mine. So, you have only one sentence to convince me, Mr. Turner. I’ll give you one minute to come up with a reason to convince me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned back in his chair and, under Baron Turner’s gaze, closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the Oval Office froze once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baron Turner, who had suffered a scalp abrasion from the impact and looked quite disheveled, stood on the blue-and-gold eagle carpet, his thoughts racing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the aides and high-ranking officials lying on the floor playing dead, they didn't dare move a muscle, not even daring to breathe loudly, striving to play the part of a convincing corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same old saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The best actors are always in politics, so these high-ranking officials were quite skilled at playing dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Hawk couldn't be bothered to expose their ruse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No need.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he wanted these people to live, they would live; but if he didn't, they were playing dead now, and after he left, they would become real corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time ticked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One minute—not long, not short—passed in the blink of an eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawk, leaning in his chair, opened his eyes and looked back at Baron Turner, who was standing in front of the historic desk, silent, his body trembling slightly, yet still forcing himself not to collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, can't you think of a reason for me not to kill you all?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baron Turner revealed an ugly smile: \"I cannot give you a reason I cannot fulfill, at least not right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawk arched his brows at Baron Turner’s answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am only the Vice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the federal political system, let's put it this way: the President has real power, the Secretary of State has real power, but the Vice President exists only in attachment to the President.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To put it bluntly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the federal system, the Vice President isn't even a mascot, yet at the same time, the Vice President is the person closest to the center of power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because once something happens to the President, the Vice President smoothly fills the vacancy, gaining the highest power instantly without even needing an election.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This takes time; after all, for power to take effect, one must take the oath on the Bible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawk naturally knew this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he studied law, and before he gained the power of the small universe, his goal had been to aim for the lifetime presidency of the Supreme Court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawk heard Baron Turner’s answer, and under the latter's gaze, a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I like your honesty, Mr. Turner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're welcome.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawk said with a smile, then changed the subject, looking at Baron Turner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The X-Mansion, the surviving mutants, where did they go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alkali Culver Lake Dam.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who is leading them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eisen Brook, the second deputy director of the Sentinel Services.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The one who escorted William Stryker here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baron Turner shook his head: \"Originally it was Adia who was supposed to go; he is the first deputy director, but after you left Quantico, Adia suddenly fell ill and went to the Memorial Hospital.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawk couldn't help but shake his head and smile at this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This Adia seems to be a smart man too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a pity that many of you are not as smart as this Adia.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at Adia's move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fleeing by illness!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the military wins, he, the first deputy director of the Sentinel Services, can smoothly succeed as director.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Hawk wins, he still counts as a winner; as long as Hawk doesn't destroy the Earth, then his survival is a victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baron Turner listened to Hawk’s mockery, was silent for a moment, and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Adia is very smart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I like dealing with smart people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Hawk said this, he withdrew his feet, rose from the chair, stood up straight, and looked at Baron Turner: \"And you, Mr. Turner, for the sake of your honesty, I can give you one chance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not wait for Baron Turner to react, his voice icy.\u003C\u002Fp>",1369,"2026-06-18T05:22:56.300Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","427e9a4df346dc8601f9cdf5fd4be7cab13b2c61a4d44cbfd523cdeefc83579d","marvel-awakening-the-cosmo-at-the-start-chapter-982","marvel-awakening-the-cosmo-at-the-start-chapter-980",999,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmarvel-awakening-the-cosmo-at-the-start-cover.jpeg"]