Chapter 27.
The applause gradually died down, and an abrupt silence fell over the scene. –Soon, however, the silence was replaced by intense heckling, with some audience members rhythmically shouting in protest.
Starlight watched anxiously from backstage, unable to help Li Yue. She could only clasp her hands together in front of her, praying he would overcome this difficulty.
On stage, Vice President Madeleine felt bewildered. She had anticipated some resistance to Li Yue's identity, but believed the Water Company's public relations team would prevent any major backlash. Yet here was Li Yue, making his first public appearance, and facing such widespread opposition.
The initial voice of dissent had clearly been premeditated—a targeted action designed to inflame the audience's emotions.
Concern crossed Madeleine's face as she prepared to step center stage to calm the crowd.
Meanwhile, Deep, also on stage, wore a sneering smile. Though invited to support the new partnership between Starlight and Li Yue, he had felt an inexplicable disgust toward Li Yue from their first meeting. He relished seeing Li Yue humiliated, hoping Madeleine might even expel him from the Seven, allowing Starlight to take over the vacant position.
"Please, everyone be quiet and listen to me," Li Yue said, maintaining a smile and attempting to use a calm tone to settle the audience.
Unfortunately, no one seemed to care about Li Yue's feelings. Seeing this, his eyes gradually hardened.
Click!
"I said, BE QUIET!!!"
Anger transformed Li Yue as he shifted into his Thor state. Light erupted from his body, surrounding his uniformed figure with silver lightning while his red cape billowed dramatically behind him.
In his fury, Li Yue unleashed his full power. The impact was tremendous—several nearby light bulbs shattered from the sheer force of his presence.
The chaotic scene instantly fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Some people still had their mouths open but dared not make a sound. They felt a weight on their chests, making it difficult even to breathe.
Starlight stood shocked in the background, while Deep Sea watching from the stage experienced Li Yue's powered-up presence for the first time. He had to admit he was terrified—even more so than when facing Homelander.
Madeleine, who had been about to intervene, halted, curious to see what Li Yue would do next.
"I apologize for having to calm everyone this way, but I have something to say," Li Yue announced as he gradually withdrew his intimidating aura. The audience slowly recovered but remained silent, all eyes fixed on him, wondering what would come next.
Li Yue's display had been so overwhelming that every ordinary person present felt as though they had brushed against death. His godlike figure was now permanently imprinted in their minds.
"When I first took the stage, someone demanded I step down. I don't blame them—they've shown me that not all superheroes are automatically accepted."
"I've dreamed of becoming a superhero since childhood. From the moment I could understand, I've trained daily to strengthen both my body and my superpowers."
"I've always looked forward to the day I could punish evildoers and save innocent lives—to become a real superhero recognized by everyone."
"Today, I'm grateful to the Vought Group and Ms. Madeleine for giving me this opportunity to realize my dream of becoming a superhero whom people admire."
"However, after taking this stage, I realized how wrong—how ridiculous—I've been. The goal isn't simply to be a superhero everyone agrees with and likes."
"I don't regret this realization. I've discovered my dream isn't as simple as being a superhero. My true dream is to help every person in danger and every innocent soul under threat."
"So even if I can't win universal approval, I'll strive to fulfill a superhero's duties and earn more people's respect and affection over time."
"I ask only that everyone who is a superhero remember one thing:"
"With great power comes great responsibility!"
"That's all I have to say. Goodbye, everyone."
Li Yue's impassioned speech left the audience stunned. He turned and walked off stage without another word.
As his figure was about to disappear from view, someone—it wasn't clear who—began to applaud. Like poking a beehive, this triggered an immediate response, and within seconds, the entire audience erupted in applause.
"This Li Yue hasn't disappointed me," Madeleine thought, watching him leave. "His ability to think on his feet is impressive. With proper development, he could bring enormous benefits to the company." She began considering how to maximize Li Yue's potential value.
"Wow, Li Yue! What you said on stage was amazing—it's exactly what I aspire to!" Starlight exclaimed after he came offstage.
"And that line about 'with great power comes great responsibility'—it speaks to my heart! I'll remember that and work to become a superhero everyone can believe in!"
Li Yue felt embarrassed by her praise. 'I just borrowed someone else's words to appease the audience', he thought.
"I believe you will," he replied simply.
The shareholders' meeting concluded successfully. Afterward, Madeleine called Li Yue to her office while Starlight returned to the Seven's headquarters with Deep.
Madeleine briefly complimented Li Yue on his performance that day and outlined some benefits he would receive before dismissing him.
'I'm not interested in spending my time here', Li Yue thought as he walked toward the Seven's office. 'After I implement my plan tomorrow, I won't be working for you anymore.'
Upon entering the office, however, Li Yue encountered a disturbing but somewhat familiar scene: Deep was forcing Starlight to perform an indescribable act for him.
Fortunately, unlike in the show, Starlight refused outright. She quickly headed for the door, nearly colliding with Li Yue.
"Li Yue, you—"
Before she could finish, Li Yue moved past her and, with a wave of his hand, sent a dazzling electric arc toward Deep. The bolt struck with thunderous speed, blasting Deep across the room until he hit the wall hard. Like a painting frozen in time, he slowly slid to the floor and remained motionless.
"Try this again," Li Yue growled, "and I'll cut off your appendage and throw it into the sea as fish food."
Deep was stunned. He hadn't expected Li Yue to attack him directly, nor had he anticipated Li Yue's overwhelming power. The attack had happened so quickly he hadn't even had time to react.
Because Li Yue's attack was electrical in nature, Deep's body continued to twitch after landing. Occasional flashes of electricity still sparked across his form.
However, Deep's physique was significantly stronger than an ordinary person's, and Li Yue had only intended to teach him a lesson rather than seriously harm him. Thus, his injuries weren't severe—just the sensation of being completely numbed by electricity. Still, Deep had no desire to experience it again.
About half a minute later, Deep finally struggled to his feet. When he looked at Li Yue, his eyes showed fear, with a hint of resentment buried deep within.
He dared not display it openly, though. Li Yue's attack had clearly been restrained, and he knew that if Li Yue detected any resentment and decided to use his full power, –his life would likely end then and there.
So Deep, once on his feet, didn't utter a word but hastily staggered away.
"Starlight, if anyone bullies you like this again, come to me. I'll help teach them a lesson," Li Yue said, watching Deep leave.
Li Yue felt a twinge of pity for Deep. Throughout the entire drama, his despicable actions in this matter had earned him considerable audience hatred.
Yet the screenwriters apparently intended to redeem him later, showing his concern for marine animals and his desire to help trapped dolphins return to the sea. Unfortunately, due to his mishandling, the dolphin would end up dead.
Later, after being exposed by Starlight, he would be hidden away by the company and sent to a remote location, garnering some sympathy.
"But if you do this, won't you..." Starlight hesitated, looking at Li Yue with worry. Like her, Li Yue had just joined and had already offended established members. She feared he might become a target.
"Don't worry about me," Li Yue assured her with confidence. "No one can touch me."
His confidence wasn't mere bravado or pride. He simply knew he wouldn't need to stay after his plan succeeded tomorrow.
"Okay. But I suddenly don't know if coming here was right or wrong," Starlight confessed.
"Since I was little, my mother dreamed I would grow up to be a superhero everyone respects. And I've fulfilled her expectations—I was born with superpowers."
"My mother created a grueling training regimen for me. I barely had a day's rest. While my peers played together, I trained relentlessly. This has been my life until now."
"My future seemed predetermined by my mother. My goal was to become a superhero and join the Vought Company."
"My mother told me that after I became a superhero, my father—who left when I was young—would regret his decision. My mother could proudly tell her friends that her daughter was a superhero."
"I've worked hard to meet my mother's expectations, training diligently. Until now, I've never made a genuine friend. Finally, I had the opportunity to join here and become a superhero."
"However, after arriving, I discovered this place isn't what the outside world sees. Deep, the superhero I once admired, actually tried to force me to do such degrading things for him."
"I'm confused now. I don't know if joining was right or wrong. I always wanted to be a superhero who helps innocent people, just like you."
Li Yue looked at Starlight and felt compassion for her. Such a good person, born into such a dark world.
If she had been born in the Marvel universe, she could have become a true superhero. Unfortunately, Li Yue could only keep these thoughts to himself.
"Starlight, you need to understand that while you can't change others, you can control yourself. Just follow your heart, don't forget your original intentions, and do what you believe is right."
Li Yue wasn't skilled at offering comfort, but he tried his best to console her.
"Okay, talking about it has made me feel better. Thank you for today. I should go now," Starlight said, her expression returning to normal. Although the day's events had shaken her, she was grateful to have met Li Yue.
She smiled at him. "See you tomorrow, Li Yue," she said before leaving.
"See you tomorrow," he replied.
After a long day, Li Yue entered the bathroom.
As soon as he walked in, his brow furrowed slightly before quickly relaxing again.
Pretending not to notice anything amiss, he continued forward.
When he passed a certain spot, his right hand suddenly shot out, grabbing at what appeared to be empty air!
The movement was lightning-fast, as if he had captured something in his right hand, though nothing was visible.
Seeing no immediate result, Li Yue sent a current of electricity down his right arm.
"Ahh!!! Let go!!" came a pained cry from nowhere. With the shout, a smooth figure slowly materialized—it was the Transparent Man from the Seven!
Transparent Man's skin could become not only invisible but also hard as diamond. His weakness, however, was electricity. Thus, Li Yue was his natural nemesis. With just a small jolt, Transparent Man couldn't maintain his invisibility and appeared in physical form.
"If I find you here again," Li Yue warned in an icy tone, "I'll make you understand what fate is worse than death."
With that, he threw Transparent Man bodily out of the bathroom door with one hand.
After landing on the ground, Transparent Man gradually faded from view until he vanished completely.
"Hmph, I hope you listen," Li Yue thought to himself, recalling Transparent Man's eventual tragic fate in the story.
This was merely a minor incident, however, and didn't concern Li Yue greatly.
As he was about to leave, he nearly collided with a woman. She wore minimal armor that exposed her thighs, giving her a distinctly sensual appearance.
Li Yue recognized her immediately: Queen Maeve, a member of the Seven (a discount Wonder Woman).
"You're Li Yue?" she said. "I heard you just joined the Seven and have already rudely disciplined two veteran members. I must say, you're the most arrogant person I've ever met."
"How do you plan to get justice for them?" Li Yue asked.
....