Chapter 5

While Xu Nuo was communicating with the ring, the plot on the other side had already officially unfolded. Stark, consumed by anger, refused to work for the militants and was subsequently tortured by being dunked in a bucket of water. He was then taken out of the cave to witness the reality firsthand. Although Xu Nuo knew that helping Stark at this moment would greatly win his favor, there was a "but" to consider.

Firstly, Xu Nuo did not have the ability to rescue Stark from his current predicament. His expertise in firearms required him to have a gun, but he was just an ordinary person. His physical prowess was not enough to snatch weapons from these terrorists.

Moreover, even if he became a calm and skilled marksman and obtained a gun, he could not single-handedly take on an entire base of enemies. He was neither Rambo nor the Governor. Xu Nuo was just an ordinary person, and a stray bullet could end his life. Furthermore, if Stark did not go through this ordeal, would the Iron Man suit still appear?

Xu Nuo did not know what would happen, but he could only follow the plot. The risk of altering the plot on his own was too great, and he did not know if he could bear the consequences.

The ring had already made it clear that its last bit of energy was used for this穿越. If the mission was not completed, Xu Nuo would definitely not be able to return home. Although this world seemed nice, Xu Nuo believed that if his judgment was correct, this world could not be just the Iron Man universe.

Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man was deeply connected to the Avengers and the entire Marvel universe. This could very well be the entire Marvel universe. With his expertise in firearms, it would not be easy for Xu Nuo to thrive in a world full of superheroes, let alone when aliens and gods appeared later.

Moreover, although Xu Nuo had impulsively crossed over, he could not abandon his homeland. He had parents, friends, and over twenty years of memories there. For Xu Nuo, he had to return home no matter what!

"Have you heard of the butterfly effect theory?" The ring's voice suddenly sounded in Xu Nuo's mind as he was lost in thought.

"Of course I have." Xu Nuo rolled his eyes. "A butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil could cause a tornado in Texas. This meme has been around for years. How could I not know?"

"Good to know." The ring's voice carried a hint of coldness. "Time is a long river, usually flowing calmly according to its rules. But throwing a stone into it will inevitably cause ripples. You might have seen this period of time, but when you become part of it, you are like a stone thrown into the water, stirring the entire river of time. Don't assume everything will continue as you have seen it."

"Hmm?" Xu Nuo was startled, fell silent for a moment, and then nodded. "I understand."

After a while, Xu Nuo looked up at the steel door and smiled. "Do you know? I set a life goal for myself a long time ago. By the age of twenty-four, I want to have a job that people envy, preferably a civil servant. I want a beautiful wife, and of course, I wouldn't refuse a few close female friends. I also want a house in a big city, preferably a villa with a garden and a swimming pool."

"Oh, and then?" The ring asked curiously. "Have your wishes come true?"

Xu Nuo laughed bitterly and shrugged. "I've already reached my first goal; I'm twenty-four. As for the others, I can't even see a shadow of them."

"What a sad story."

"No." Xu Nuo shook his head, his eyes flashing with enthusiasm, and his hands clenched tightly. "I don't feel sad at all. Heaven heard my heart's voice, and you came to me, giving me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Oh, the heavens, time travel!!!"

Xu Nuo's eyes shone with intense light, and his breathing quickened. "I can already see beautiful girls and a villa with a garden waving to me! Since heaven has given me this chance, I will not let it slip away!"

"......Alright, I have to admit your mental fortitude is extraordinary."

---

Seeing the extremely dangerous terrorists using weapons produced by his company, Stark, who had returned to the cave, was deeply shaken. Always living a carefree life and being adored by millions, Stark felt distressed just by looking at the iron lump in his chest and the car battery beside it. He felt that his current state was absolutely terrible.

"Hey, Tony." Xu Nuo approached Stark with a cup of water, a smile on his face. "I'm Xu Nuo, a traveler. I was also captured by these people. I can understand how you feel. But let me tell you, you are Tony Stark. Seeing you in this depressed state is nothing like the Tony Stark we see on TV." He paused and grinned. "I've seen you on TV."

Xu Nuo did not want to stay in this damp and dark place any longer. He had decided to push the plot forward as soon as possible, helping Stark complete his Mark I and leave this place.

"What can I do now?" Stark looked at the iron lump in his chest and lowered his head in despair.

Xu Nuo glanced at the surveillance camera on the wall, lowered his voice, and leaned closer to Stark. "You are the super-genius Tony Stark. I believe you can find a solution no matter what the situation. By the way, I'm your fan." Alright, to win Stark's favor, Xu Nuo had no limits.

"Alright, thanks for your support." Stark managed a weak smile, wrapped in a dirty blanket, and moved closer to the fire for warmth. He looked at Xu Nuo and nodded. "I'll sign for you, Mr. Fan."

In the following days, the reinvigorated Stark began his escape plan. It was impossible to escape with so many militants watching. The only way was to have powerful weapons to defeat them.

As a genius, Stark began his Mark I construction project.

Various crude tools and Jericho missiles were brought into the cave. Watching the expensive missiles being skillfully disassembled by Stark, Xu Nuo, who was helping, trembled slightly. If one of these missiles were to accidentally explode, there would be nothing left of them.

Fortunately, the genius Stark completed this terrifying task smoothly. Xu Nuo and Ethan, who were helping, watched in awe as Stark turned the super-genius blueprint into reality with such crude tools. The gap between people was truly immense. Xu Nuo's craftsmanship was limited to pinning things, but here, Stark was creating a super-suit in such a crude environment. The term "genius" was not just a label.

With his own agenda, Xu Nuo continuously approached Tony, building a bond. Don't misunderstand, this wasn't about forming a close friendship, but rather using his workplace knowledge to subtly flatter Stark and express his admiration.

No one, not even a genius like Stark, would dislike being praised.

Even in this dangerous environment, Stark, who was extremely proud, could feel genuine admiration from others. To say he was not in a good mood would be a lie. With someone to support him, Stark's progress was noticeably faster.

Due to Xu Nuo's active interference, Ethan, who had formed a deep friendship with Stark during this time, became less prominent. Although he still got along well with Stark, he was far behind Xu Nuo. They were more like good friends than brothers. Stark even expressed that if they could survive and leave, he would repay Xu Nuo's friendship.

"Waiting for that very sentence!"

With Stark's Mark I nearly complete, the day of the breakout was approaching. Xu Nuo had his own ideas about how to escape.

In the movie, Stark flew away with the Mark I, landing in a desert where he was rescued by the U.S. military. Xu Nuo had already realized that, as such an important genius, the U.S. government would be very concerned about his protection.

The quick arrival of the U.S. rescue team after Stark left for the desert indicated that he must have had a tracking device and signal transmitter. Otherwise, how could the Americans find him so quickly in the vast desert?

As for why the U.S. soldiers did not come to rescue him earlier, the most likely reason was that the place was deep in the mountains and hidden in a cave. The metal door also blocked the signal from being transmitted.

Xu Nuo had already decided that when Stark broke out, he would not let him fly away alone. Without the bulky Mark I, even with his firearms expertise, Xu Nuo would not be a match for so many militants.

Determined not to die before achieving his goal, Xu Nuo was resolved to stay with Stark. Theoretically, once Stark left the cave, the Americans' satellites would find him quickly. When the U.S. soldiers arrived in helicopters, Xu Nuo would be safe.

Xu Nuo found it hard to believe that he would ever look forward to being rescued by U.S. soldiers.

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End of Chapter

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