With 70,000 hostages, this was likely the largest hostage situation in history.
Both inside and outside the venue, the live broadcast of the Hero King Cup final, already a grand event of the century, had drawn the world’s attention.
Even without the external media exerting effort to investigate, Lu Qingjia did not hinder the communication and reporting between the on-site media and the outside world.
Thus, after hearing the earth-shattering announcement, countless people witnessed the chaos at the scene and the panic that emerged from the audience.
However, not long after, this restlessness gradually subsided.
First, the on-site police had already divided the area to maintain order, and second, several Ability users activated their Abilities.
The Abilities of a few individuals allowed them to emit a calming gas from their bodies, although it wasn’t powerful enough to fill the entire venue.
But the giant inflatable columns used for decoration in the venue also burst open, releasing pre-stored calming gas, which allowed the on-site police to efficiently calm any potential chaos.
By this point, the Hero Association and the top-tier investors were well aware that this was a long-planned terrorist activity involving numerous factions.
The Association’s president roared, “Have you gone mad? As police and special forces, your duty is to protect the public. Now, you’re colluding with terrorists. Look at the national emblem on your uniforms.”
Lu Qingjia said, “As expected of the president, the representative of the Justice Alliance, speaking with such righteous grandeur, vowing to never yield.”
“You, who hold the authority to mobilize numerous Heroes, have allowed the venue filled with countless Heroes to become a hostage site. Shouldn’t you feel ashamed of your incompetence?”
“You—”
“Come on, give the order,” Lu Qingjia spread his arms. “Let the Heroes fight for honor, vow to never become prisoners, and defend the glory of the Hero King Cup, not allowing evil elements to tarnish it in the slightest. Though there may be sacrifices, the spirit will live on, and the dignity and honor of Heroes will endure forever, never tarnished.”
“Come on, give the order.”
The president trembled with rage at Lu Qingjia’s warlike and provocative attitude. He glanced at the surrounding Heroes, and under such circumstances, almost everyone avoided his gaze.
Not to mention the Heroes who were merely there to watch the match, they silently retreated, trying to minimize their presence.
Even the few young and spirited ones who wanted to step forward were restrained by those they knew, who gestured towards the surrounding armed forces, leaving them fuming but unable to act.
Mudslide subjected them to extreme humiliation.
The camera faithfully recorded this scene, shattering the hopes of both the on-site hostages and the external audience who had placed their trust in the Association.
Not to mention the external evaluations, many on-site spectators stood up and shouted, “Fight the criminals, aren’t you Heroes?”
“With so many people gathered here, can’t you even protect ordinary people? Are you useless?”
“Are the people we fund with our money all useless?”
These voices represented the thoughts of many, both inside and outside the venue, though the noise was quickly suppressed.
“Quiet!” Lu Qingjia said into the microphone.
He looked at the expressions of the surrounding Heroes, most of whom were humiliated and embarrassed but pretended not to hear the accusations.
When everyone thought he would take the opportunity to continue mocking the Heroes, he instead said, “I’ve noticed.”
“Both the on-site and external audience seem to have developed a misconception.”
“When Heroes face life-threatening situations, they choose self-preservation over risking their lives for unrelated people. Isn’t that your own choice?”
“If you chose it yourselves, then why complain?”
If someone had expressed such a view under normal circumstances, it would have been dismissed with a laugh, and no one would have remembered it.
But now, as the biggest terrorist leader, having proven the Heroes’ cowardice with facts, Mudslide’s words carried a different weight given his unparalleled global attention at that moment.
At least some people began to reflect, though instinctively still considering it a terrorist’s fallacy, the facts were undeniable.
Thus, much of the anger and frustration was directed at the inactive Association and Heroes.
Online, disappointment and humiliation towards the Association and Heroes poured in endlessly, with countless people declaring they would no longer support Heroes after this incident.
Lu Qingjia then smiled and said, “It seems everyone here lacks self-awareness, enjoying Heroes as entertainment while expecting others to risk their lives to protect you.”
“Didn’t the usual performances and shows by Heroes already satisfy the effects you desired for your expenditures? Why demand more? In the traditional idol era, would you have placed such expectations on idols?”
“Probably not, right? So why do you so naturally demand it from Heroes? After all, they are neither police nor soldiers, lacking the inherent sense of duty that comes with those professions. Initially, the formation of Hero organizations was simply about people with power, driven by pure passion, helping others.”
The on-site hostages dared not question Lu Qingjia, but the online audience had no such reservations.
With the barrier of the internet, he couldn’t harm them.
Thus, after Lu Qingjia’s words, the internet was flooded with curses and rebuttals.
“This guy is joking, people who can’t save others can’t be called Heroes.”
“Did he forget the code he had to memorize the day he got his Hero license?”
“Police and soldiers, who get less treatment than you Heroes, still risk their lives for the public. With so much money and good treatment, you raise such cowardly and shameless creatures.”
“Before, when I said online that Heroes’ rewards were getting higher, some people chased me down to argue that it was earned with their lives. Now what?”
Lu Qingjia was also perverse, not only not avoiding those comments but even displaying them on the big screen.
All the Heroes on-site saw the external evaluations and were filled with shame and anger.
But Lu Qingjia was particularly interested in one comment: “Oh? Everyone thinks Heroes earn a lot?”
With that, a data chart appeared on the screen, showing the income levels and numbers of Heroes.
The top earners were naturally astonishing, with a single endorsement for a top-tier Hero surpassing the lifetime income of a middle-class family.
Popular and second to third-tier Heroes were still beyond the reach of ordinary people, while fourth to sixth-tier Heroes, though closer to average, could still ensure a comfortable life based on current average wages. If they were lucky enough to get endorsements and advertisements, their annual income would be quite good.
But further down, it looked pitiful, especially for the less recognizable, less impressive, mostly supporting eighteenth-tier Heroes.
Just like the traditional entertainment industry, the glamour was always at the top, and though the daily popular Heroes seemed dazzling, when truly counted, the number of Heroes earning above the average wage, including the top-tier, was pitifully small.
Like the former Mudslide, living in cheap rented housing, earning a basic salary, was the norm for many in the industry.
After seeing this chart, the audience was not convinced. Instead, they argued that Heroes were judged by their abilities, and every industry had competition. Who didn’t face pressure in life? Since they chose this profession, they should uphold professional ethics.
Lu Qingjia laughed, seemingly very happy.
“Chose this profession? As if you gave Ability users any other choice.”
His smile disappeared: “I’m glad someone has pointed out the key issue.”
“The long and tedious conversation ends here for now.”
“This is the Hero King Cup final. I said I wouldn’t let anything hinder its fair and smooth progress.”
“The pairing machine was tampered with long ago, and the matchups aren’t random. Therefore, I ask the thirteen finalists to decide their opponents by rock-paper-scissors.”
Just when everyone thought this guy was an anti-Hero element, venting his long-suppressed dissatisfaction and twisted views, he suddenly shifted focus back to the competition.
By then, who had the heart to watch the match? The finalist Heroes also frowned, unsure of his intentions.
One Hero sneered, “You want hostages to compete with kidnappers? What’s the point? Where’s the fairness?”
But Bullethead chimed in, “As if there was any fairness before. When that old guy announced Mudslide’s disqualification, you all laughed so smugly.”
The other Hero choked, seeing Mudslide, Sweet Chocolate, and two other Heroes extending their hands: “Come on, rock-paper-scissors.”
Forced to comply, the order was determined, and in the first round, Lu Qingjia was luckily left out.
He smiled, “Seems I’m lucky. Let the first match begin.”
Looking at the two somewhat nervous Heroes, he smiled, “Don’t worry, I assure all the viewers worldwide that once the match starts, no unrelated person will interfere.”
“Any contestant not in the same ring who enters will be considered a violation and immediately disqualified.”
He spoke casually but with a confident expression: “After all, I want to win the championship, but I don’t want to be criticized for being unworthy of the title.”
Both the on-site and external audience were clueless about his intentions.
However, unlike the on-site hostages, most external viewers weren’t under life-threatening situations. Though they sympathized with the on-site audience, they were mostly detached.
Once the long-awaited final officially began, the online atmosphere was quickly reignited.
With so many hostages on-site and the absolute defense bubble, even if someone wanted to attempt a rescue, it would take time to gather sufficient force to suppress the situation.
Even if gathered, they dared not act rashly, leaving the venue an isolated island, with all external attempts at negotiation rejected by Lu Qingjia.
The first match was spectacular, with the top Heroes’ abilities far surpassing the average performance seen in the selection camp.
Moreover, top-tier Heroes had never faced evenly matched opponents in public before. The match was dazzling and thrilling, captivating not only the external audience but also many on-site spectators, temporarily forgetting the peril of their situation.
After six consecutive matches, six Heroes were eliminated, but the six stunning duels seemed to dilute the impact of the hostage situation.
Lu Qingjia even noticed that after the second match, the atmosphere among the on-site audience was almost the same as at the beginning, fully immersed in the excitement of the competition.
What an entertainment-obsessed world.
He smiled, stepping onto the stage alongside the six remaining Heroes: “You’ve worked hard, and the six eliminated Heroes have also brought honor to their defeat.”
“Next, please take a short rest and adjust, recovering your strength.”
“During the intermission, we’ve prepared an exciting leisure program for both the on-site and screen-viewing audience. Please enjoy.”
Perhaps due to the smooth progress of the final and the Heroes’ relentless full-force competition, the audience developed a misconception.
They thought that although Mudslide’s methods were extreme, the Hero King Cup would proceed smoothly, so they didn’t think much of his so-called intermission program.
Many even prepared to take the opportunity to use the restroom.
At that moment, the audience was bored, expecting cheerleaders or pop stars to appear, but instead, a documentary-like scene appeared on the big screen.
With a simple and understandable narration, it introduced the origins of Ability users’ evolution.
The first Ability users appeared over twenty years ago, and after the initial emergence, reports of Ability users appearing almost overnight followed in a certain period.
The reasons were widely speculated, but the official explanation remained elusive.
Over the years, society had adapted to the existence of Ability users. Though a small fraction of the population, this special group had integrated well into modern society.
But no one expected to see such a revelation here.
It turned out that the cause was the invasion of extraterrestrial bacteria over twenty years ago. They randomly attached to humans, and some of the infected individuals awakened Abilities.
This somewhat resembled the beginning of many apocalyptic scripts, but the world was lucky that there were no mutations or zombie transformations.
Human mutation was naturally a globally shocking event. Even though only a small fraction of the population was affected, it gave others a glimpse of the hope for evolution.
At that time, research on the genes of Ability users became a hot topic.
This, of course, led to crime, but fortunately, before the conflict between Ability users and ordinary humans became irreconcilable, a joint organization formed by the powerful from various countries emerged to protect the lives and ordinary rights of Ability users, preventing societal conflict.
At that time, a group of powerful individuals who wanted to use their abilities to maintain social stability and help others formed an organization.
In the cities where they operated, crime rates plummeted, and public security improved. On-site audience members over forty or fifty, who had lived through that era, couldn’t help but comment to those around them, “The Heroes back then were truly remarkable.”
Just as both on-site and external audiences lamented the decline of Heroes’ courage, the screen’s narrative took a turn.
The organization formed by the powerful from various countries approached the Hero Alliance, offering funding to make Hero activities more efficient, attract more capable young people, establish positive values of helping others, and promote societal development.
Believing their promises, the Heroes jointly established the Hero Association with them.
The Association’s operations and the cost of supporting Hero activities were high. With the increasing number of Heroes, relying solely on funding from the powerful was impractical.
It was inevitable that the Hero Association would become a self-sustaining profitable organization.
At that time, people’s gratitude and admiration for Heroes were still relatively pure. However, as Heroes gradually compromised with the Association, things changed.
Initially, it was just authorizing the sale of rescue videos to television and online platforms, then producing Hero figurines, and later, Heroes with good images took on advertising endorsements, influencing the selection criteria and business distribution of Heroes.
What started as a pure desire to help others had evolved to a point where Heroes with low popularity and commercial value had few mission opportunities.
Can you imagine? Helping others, preventing crime, saving lives—now required permission.
Some Heroes realized this, feeling that Hero rescue had deviated from its original intent, and they fiercely argued with the Association.
But they failed!
No one knew where Lu Qingjia got the video footage, but the youthful, spirited faces of the first-generation top-tier Heroes appeared before everyone.
Many audience members remembered them, and even the younger ones, if they were Hero fans, had researched past Heroes.
Many fell into nostalgia, recalling that several top Heroes had indeed left the Association overnight, announcing they would no longer engage in Hero activities, returning their Hero licenses, and leaving amidst regrets and fans’ pleas.
Thus, for both old and new fans, those Heroes were like white moonlight idols. Even when Heroes now showed cowardice, many thought that if it were those former Heroes, things would be different.
By this point, some seemed to grasp the meaning behind Mudslide’s statement, “the choices you made.”
Indeed, the next part showed those Heroes unable to turn the tide, forced into retirement.
The Hero Association controlled funds and operations, and with the increasing number of registered Heroes, the early batch of Heroes was no longer irreplaceable.
Additionally, many of the early Heroes had been dazzled by the applause, generous rewards, and decadent lifestyles, forgetting their initial ideals, even mocking the forced-out Heroes for being inflexible, unable to adapt to the times, destined to be abandoned.
Seeing this, even ordinary audience members felt uncomfortable, not to mention the fans who viewed those Heroes as white moonlight.
They now realized their idols had left in such a state.
At that moment, someone suddenly noticed, “The bubble sealing the entire venue, isn’t that the ability of the former Bubble User?”
“I think so too. I saw it up close back then. Bubble User’s ability was absolute defense. Before he deactivated the ability and popped the bubble, nothing—knives, guns, fire, water, smoke, poison, or impact—could harm those inside.”
“With this ability, he saved countless lives. I remember once, during a mall fire with blocked exits, he saved thousands of lives.”
“My father was among them.”
“If Bubble User is here, does that mean everything Mudslide said is true?”
“I can’t believe Bubble User would collude with terrorists.”
“Let’s wait and see, wait and see.”
This was the mindset of many external audience members at that moment. For those early, truly pure and simple Heroes who retired at their peak with regrets, there was a high level of recognition.
Unlike the current view of idols, seeing the internal details of their retirement and using their abilities as evidence, many couldn’t help but start reflecting on the true nature of this hostage situation.
After the veteran Heroes left, the Hero Association became even more unrestrained, and over the years, it replaced the traditional idol industry, forming a massive Hero idol profit chain.
They succeeded; this was the victory of capital. Indeed, when capital comes into the world, every pore drips with dirty blood.
If Mudslide wanted to express this, most audience members thought they understood his philosophy.
But a very small portion of clear-headed individuals knew that even if the Association’s underpants were stripped bare, exposing their ugliness, the situation wouldn’t change.
After all, those who controlled capital and the market were them. Even if they handed over a few individuals to appease public anger, what would it change?
But soon they realized they had thought too simply. Mudslide, daring to act and kidnap 70,000 people, surely aimed for more than such a superficial outcome.
After the documentary ended, Mudslide appeared on the podium, ignoring the Association and investors’ ugly expressions.
He raised his hand to silence the whispers in the venue, then smiled, “No need to rush to conclusions; this is just the appetizer of the intermission program.”
“What we’re about to discuss involves the truth of the entire Hero industry, the treatment of all mutants, and some people’s promotion and guidance leading to societal bullying of Ability users. This is just the beginning.”
Many frowned upon hearing this. If so-called societal bullying was mentioned, it implied that most people were the bullies.
But for ordinary people, without the evolutionary advantages of mutants, most struggled through life, while Ability users were born with infinite possibilities. How could it be said that they were the weaker ones?
Even laws had been enacted to protect their interests; weren’t they a privileged group in society?
Lu Qingjia spoke calmly and clearly, his words reaching everyone’s ears as the large screen displayed evidence that supported his claims.
“Once the situation stabilized and the Hero Association was established, shifting the public’s perception of Ability users to that of Heroes,” he began, “certain individuals began executing their long-planned schemes.”
“Please look at the screen behind me. These are newspapers and articles from then until now, endlessly promoting the superiority of Ability users, praising them as evolved humans, inherently superior and more privileged than ordinary people.”
“They exploit survivorship bias, showcasing the glamorous lives and substantial incomes of Hero idols, instilling the idea that with minimal effort, Ability users can easily separate themselves from the fate of ordinary citizens. This makes it seem natural that Ability users should excel, and if they don’t enter the Hero industry, they are expected to meet higher expectations in schools and workplaces, delivering greater efficiency in the same amount of time.”
“But in reality, as the data I initially revealed shows, only a small fraction of Heroes enjoy favorable conditions. If we consider the global population of Ability users as the denominator, that number becomes pitifully small, yet it is these few who are presented as the standard.”
“While it’s true that there are many powerful Ability users, the vast majority of mutants find that their Abilities bring no convenience to their lives or daily routines. Simply possessing an Ability forces them to face heightened expectations, even higher employment barriers. This societal convention, born of prejudice, has become a significant form of malice toward mutants.”
“Among ordinary people, no one expects a physically strong person to necessarily be intelligent, or someone with a good sense of music to excel at painting. A single prominent talent doesn’t guarantee success. But for mutants, this isn’t the case.”
“Mutants face difficulties in other industries, and those with slightly prominent Abilities often choose to become Heroes.”
“This cleverly crafted dichotomy not only prevents accusations of bias and discrimination but also appears to advocate for the mutants’ position, all while achieving their ultimate goal.”
Lu Qingjia’s calm and measured voice, combined with the evidence displayed on the screen, challenged long-held beliefs. Many had never questioned these assumptions, nor had they reflected on their own envy and jealousy toward mutants.
After all, from any angle, Ability users seemed like a higher form of life compared to ordinary humans. Many attributed this societal norm to human nature’s inherent flaws. And while this was true, Mudslide now revealed with evidence that this “flaw” had been deliberately guided by a hand that had orchestrated everything years ago.
Ordinary viewers were shaken, but for other mutants, recalling their years of mistreatment, the revelation sparked fury. No longer viewing Mudslide as a terrorist, they now saw him as a revolutionary leader poised to bring about change.
The online sentiment shifted dramatically, with countless people venting their grievances about the unequal treatment they’d faced due to their Abilities.
“I can only produce a tiny flame from my fingertips. It’s only useful for lighting cigarettes, and I don’t even smoke. Yet, every time I apply for a job, I’m rejected for not being ‘exceptional enough.’ My resume is solid, but in their eyes, if I, as a mutant, don’t get into a top-tier university, I’m worthless. My colleagues caused a fire due to their own negligence, and even though everyone saw it, they still investigated me first as if I were the suspect.”
“I can only create small mounds of earth. Since childhood, I’ve avoided getting too close to others because whenever someone nearby falls, the first suspicion falls on me for playing a prank.”
“Exactly! Overtime is expected of you. After all, you’re an Ability user—hired for greater efficiency. If you’re doing the same amount of work as others, what’s the point of hiring you? But then, why don’t they pay me double the salary?”
Realizing that their years of unfair treatment were the result of a deliberate conspiracy, mutants could no longer remain silent. Many took to the streets with banners, organizing protests at an astonishing speed. Those living near the venue surrounded it, demanding answers from the Association.
Countless eyes watched this unfolding scene.
As the atmosphere boiled over, Lu Qingjia dropped another bombshell.
“Some individuals want to enjoy the benefits brought by the genetic evolution of mutants while simultaneously keeping them mentally confined. Over the years, they’ve also sown division among mutants, ensuring they never unite to fight for their rightful interests.”
“However, there’s one question I believe many of you will find intriguing. While the number of mutants is small relative to the total population, mutants still marry, have children, and pass on their genes. Though they face discrimination in education and employment, they are highly sought after in the marriage market. Many hope their offspring will become the new, evolved humans.”
“Yet, why is there a law that allows mutants married to other mutants to have unlimited children, even offering subsidies and rewards, while ordinary humans or mixed marriages don’t receive the same treatment?”
“This regulation was once touted as evidence of mutants’ superiority. When it was first introduced, it sparked widespread discontent, but it was still pushed through.”
It was precisely this law that led to fewer marriages between mutants and ordinary humans. After all, marrying within their own kind brought substantial subsidies and improved living conditions, while marrying an ordinary human offered far fewer benefits—marriage, at its core, is an economic transaction.
“Why would those in power restrict the living space of mutants instead of integrating the genes of evolved humans? Aren’t they worried that if their descendants marry mutants and produce mutant offspring, they too would be trapped in the unfavorable conditions they’ve created?”
“Of course, those at the top, whether mutants or ordinary humans, remain in the upper echelons. But I want to show you why they haven’t entertained the thoughts that ordinary people would naturally have.”
With a malicious smile, Lu Qingjia addressed the camera. The Association’s higher-ups and top capitalists immediately sensed trouble but were powerless to stop him from exposing the truth they desperately wanted to hide.
“Because they’ve tried. Ordinary human genes can never produce Ability users. Only when two Ability users mate can they produce offspring with Abilities.”
“Some have conducted studies on this, but the findings were suppressed.”
“Do you understand now? The so-called Hero idols, the so-called advantages of Ability users, the halo of being the center of the world’s attention.”
“Even the top Heroes here, and the Hero King produced by the Century Tournament.”
“They are all nothing more than envious, vile elites who, unable to obtain the genes of Ability users themselves, seek to exploit the significant developmental benefits brought by Ability users while ensuring their ruling status isn’t usurped by superior humans. They’ve confined all Ability users to a social breeding ground under their control, breeding worms who are both jealous and wary, creating a circus for all to see.”
“Nonsense!” The Hero Association’s chairman stood up and shouted in rebuttal. “This is absurd! Do you think we have the power to influence national policies or shape the entire societal ideology?”
“Of course, you can!” Lu Qingjia stated firmly. “In capitalist countries, you fund politicians, and once they’re in power, they pass legislation favorable to you.”
“In social states, you create unrest, forcing the government to prioritize addressing the social instability caused by Ability users. You seize the opportunity to step in, and the state, seeking efficiency at the time, ends up oppressing the minority.”
With a malicious grin, he addressed the chairman and the other old men. “So, why do you think the military is here today?”
