After some playful banter, Logan remembered the purpose of his visit.
"Qinuo, I'd like to introduce someone to you."
Professor X controlled his wheelchair, moving forward, a gentle smile on his face as he spoke.
"Hello, Mr. Qinuo, I've wanted to meet you for a long time. I am Professor X, Charles Francis Xavier."
"Hello, Charles, my name is Qinuo."
Qinuo smiled and shook his hand.
"An Easterner."
Charles was a little surprised, speaking in fluent Chinese.
"Yes, Charles, your Chinese is very impressive."
Hearing his native language in another World made Qinuo feel a sense of familiarity, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.
"I'm very interested in Eastern culture and history, so I've been studying Chinese for some time."
Charles explained with a smile, his eyes revealing appreciation and respect for Eastern culture.
Although Qinuo knew Charles was intentionally trying to build rapport, he couldn't help but feel a sense of goodwill.
So the two began discussing Eastern culture, customs, and cuisine.
Charles's knowledge was indeed vast; no matter the topic, he could engage in conversation.
Logan and Scott, standing nearby, were completely bewildered, unable to understand a word.
Jean could understand a few phrases, but couldn't keep up with the pace; one moment they were discussing favorite foods, the next it was scenic locations.
After quite a while, Qinuo finally stopped, noticing Charles's forehead was a little sweaty. He smiled and instructed a maid to prepare some tea and drinks.
"Charles, I'm very happy to have had this conversation with you. Now, let's move to a different place to discuss business."
This time, Qinuo spoke in English, a sincere smile on his face.
"With pleasure."
Charles breathed a sigh of relief. He responded with a smile, a hint of anticipation in his eyes, knowing they could finally talk business.
The maids quickly prepared pastries, tea, juice, and alcoholic beverages specifically for Logan.
"Kid, you really understand me."
Logan happily opened a bottle of whiskey and took a large swig.
Jean also took an interest in tasting the Eastern pastries, taking a small bite and showing a satisfied expression.
Seeing the Black King and Professor X chatting so well, Scott also lowered his guard. He sat beside Jean, casually picked up a pastry, and began to chew.
"Charles, try some Eastern green tea."
In his previous life, Qinuo had enjoyed drinking tea, having tried green, black, and White tea.
"The taste is good."
Charles took a small sip and praised it.
After Charles finished his tea, he also began to discuss serious matters.
"Mr. Qinuo, I wanted to ask about the possibility of building a city in the desert, as you mentioned earlier."
Qinuo was not surprised and said, "If you could control all Mutants, there would be a one percent chance."
"I cannot do that."
Charles shook his head, his expression grave.
Not only did his morals and beliefs forbid it, but if he were to do so, neither humans nor Mutants would forgive him.
The trust he had painstakingly built over many years would also turn to dust.
"Then at most, it's one in a thousand, or perhaps even none."
Qinuo said, his tone merciless, showing no regard for Charles's feelings, and began to ruthlessly expose the reality.
"Building a city in the desert is the simplest part. Do you have the money? The food, drink, and sanitation for tens of thousands of people, the materials for building houses – every single expense is an astronomical figure."
Moreover, the nations of this World would not allow Mutants to unite. Behind those Mutant organizations, there's always the Shadow of a nation pulling the strings, even for you."
"I am not. I am merely working with the government, hoping to integrate Mutants into humanity through peaceful means."
Charles urgently expressed his ideals, his eyes filled with determination and conviction.
Qinuo looked into Charles's eyes and realized that the Professor X of this Universe was a pure idealist, and a complex emotion welled up within him.
He didn't dislike idealists; it was precisely because of these idealists that the World could become a better place.
"Then do you know why this nation tolerates your existence? You, the strongest psychic master in the World, do you truly not know that this nation secretly captures Mutants?
It's to research a weapon that can eliminate all Mutants at once. The only reason they still tolerate the existence of X-Mansion is because they fear you might turn against them and take humanity down with you."
Qinuo's words were like sharp blades, piercing directly into Charles's heart.
"..."
Charles fell silent, his once bright eyes dimming.
He had always known, but he had always been in denial, deceiving himself.
He had always hoped that through the efforts of the X-Men, humans would accept Mutants and change their views on them, but now that Qinuo had exposed it so bluntly, he felt a wave of powerlessness and despair.
Logan also lost interest in drinking. Although he had no past memories, his time at X-Mansion had been very relaxing. He wasn't unaware of the Professor's overt and covert care.
Tap, tap, tap.
The sound of high heels walking echoed.
Scott looked at the unusual Jean in astonishment.
"So, according to you, only Magneto's path is correct: to wage war against humans."
Jean came before Qinuo, her hair flowing.
"Jean, calm down..."
Charles recovered, noticed her unusual state, and was about to reinforce the seal with his psychic power.
"Wait, Charles."
Qinuo raised his hand to stop him, not expecting to have awakened the Phoenix Force a bit, but still chose to answer her question.
"Of course not. Magneto's path is a dead end. If he dares to do that, I'll be the first to kill him."
Qinuo's eyes were cold, and a chilling aura emanated from him.
The company had just started, and personnel hadn't even begun to be recruited. If a war broke out, resources around the World would become scarce. How could the Paradise Project proceed?
Jean's imposing aura immediately withered.
She knew the Black King's power. With the demon legion and humans, Mutants would only face extinction.
"Then what do we do? Should Mutants just die?"
Jean couldn't help but start sobbing. The imposing older sister from moments ago suddenly became a pitiful little girl, tears rolling down like broken pearls.
"Ah, this..."
Qinuo's composure broke. He rubbed his Sun temple, feeling a headache.
"How can you not bear to see a beauty cry? Go comfort her, and tonight, the harem will gain another member."
Venom's voice echoed in his mind.
I have enough with you all, Qinuo replied in his mind, sighing helplessly.
"It's not that there's no way."
Jean looked at Qinuo with tear-filled eyes, hoping he could offer a perfect solution.
"The reason you Mutants are constrained is because you lack a King who can contend with nations and subdue all Mutants.
Charles, you're too indecisive and unsuitable. Magneto is driven by hatred and only cares about fighting. There were two qualified ones before, but you all killed them."
Qinuo crossed his arms over his chest.
Charles knew who he was talking about: the Black King and Apocalypse. But if they succeeded, the entire World would descend into chaos.
"Their ideals and methods are wrong; they will bring endless disaster."
Charles retorted.
"But you cannot deny that they could bring Mutants a safe habitat."
The goals of these two were different, but both held the ideal of Mutant supremacy.