Chapter 129: The Choice

Narrowing his eyes, Loki studied Gu Chongyan for a long time before breaking into a deep, enigmatic smile.

"Very well. I agree."

"Excellent." Gu Chongyan gave a slight smile and snapped his fingers, causing the bone-deep blade chains binding Loki to vanish instantly.

Freed from their restraints, long-suppressed power surged back into Loki's body. The God of Mischief quickly regained his characteristic elegant poise. With a slight nod toward Gu Chongyan, Loki stepped into the Mirror Dimension first.

Gu Chongyan followed closely behind. Nick Fury attempted to trail them, but before he could catch up, the Mirror Dimension vanished without a trace, taking both Gu Chongyan and Loki with it.

Inside the Mirror Dimension, Loki gazed intensely at Gu Chongyan. "Speak, Midgardian mage. Now that you have brought me to this secluded place, what exactly is the deal you wish to discuss?"

"No need to rush." Gu Chongyan waved his hand, and the empty space of the Mirror Dimension transformed into a lavish, high-end hotel, complete with a musician playing a mellow violin melody nearby.

"A decent illusion, though it pales in comparison to mine." Loki arrogantly pulled out a chair and sat down.

Gu Chongyan smiled, choosing not to argue. "Before I begin, I would like to ask: how should I address you? As Loki Odinson, or Loki Laufeyson?"

At the mention of the name "Laufeyson," Loki’s expression darkened instantly. He glared at Gu Chongyan like an enraged tiger. Had they not just finished a battle, Gu Chongyan was certain the god’s magic would have already been unleashed upon him.

"What did you say? Who told you that?" Loki hissed through gritted teeth, his eyes murderous.

Gu Chongyan remained unperturbed, acting as if he hadn't noticed. He casually poured himself a cup of coffee, took a slow sip, and spoke leisurely. "Do not be so surprised, Prince Loki. You are a practitioner of the mystic arts; you should know that it is not difficult for a mage to acquire certain pieces of information."

"That may apply to ordinary people, but you do not possess the strength to probe me," Loki retorted bluntly, dismissing the lie.

Gu Chongyan didn't mind, shrugging his shoulders. "Regardless of how I know, the truth is already known. There is no point in dwelling on it. Let us return to our previous topic."

"What exactly are you trying to say?" Loki slammed his hands onto the table, staring fixedly at Gu Chongyan.

Gu Chongyan continued on his own accord. "If you are Loki Odinson, then I have nothing further to say. Provide compensation, and I will let you return to Asgard. Whatever schemes you play thereafter are no concern of mine."

"But one thing is certain: one who is an Asgardian in appearance but a Frost Giant by blood can never become the King of Asgard—even if Odin and Thor were both dead."

"However, if you are Loki Laufeyson, then we can have a real conversation. While I cannot make you the King of Asgard, I can grant you a status no less than Thor's—at the very least, enough to prove that you are no less capable than he is."

"So, which is your true identity?"

"Spare me this. By what right do you claim I cannot become the King of Asgard?" Loki countered.

Gu Chongyan ignored the aggression and answered honestly. "I do not know much about Asgard..."

At these words, Loki’s mouth twitched—he was tired of hearing that phrase.

"...nor do I know the nature of the bond between you and Odin, but I do know that the throne of Asgard is determined by blood."

"The foundation of Asgard rests upon the inherited power of the God-King lineage. Have you not noticed? Since the first God-King of Asgard, every generation has wielded the power of thunder."

"Do you think Odin’s favoritism toward Thor is merely because he is his biological son? You are wrong. It is because Thor is the God of Thunder, a born God of Thunder, and destined to be the most powerful God-King Asgard has ever seen."

"This was sealed the day Thor was born—a fact that even Odin cannot change."

"Therefore, no matter how many schemes you concoct, even if you were Odin’s biological son, you cannot change this truth. Seeking the throne of Asgard is, for you, a path to certain death."

"That is impossible," Loki denied without a second thought.

Gu Chongyan crossed his arms and sneered. "Believe what you will. If you don't trust me, I can let you return to Asgard. But should you fail, do not say I didn't warn you."

Loki opened his mouth, then hesitated. As the God of Lies, if he had no other talent, he could at least discern the truthfulness of others. From Gu Chongyan’s perspective, he truly believed what he was saying—meaning this Midgardian mage genuinely believed that Loki could never ascend to the throne.

How could this be? Loki’s eyes turned bloodshot, a deep sense of resentment welling up within him. It wasn't necessarily that he was obsessed with the throne itself; it was a matter of principle—not wanting it is one thing, but being unable to have it is quite another.

Gu Chongyan’s words had essentially passed a death sentence on his ambitions. No matter how much he claimed not to care, he could not remain indifferent.

After a long while, Loki recovered from his indignation. Taking a deep breath, his crimson eyes faded back to a dark green. He stared at Gu Chongyan and said, "You said earlier that if I am Loki Laufeyson, I could possess a status equal to Thor's."

"Are you intending to make me the King of Jotunheim, just like Odin?" Loki gave a mocking smile, clearly uninterested.

King of Jotunheim sounded impressive, but in reality, Jotunheim was a frozen wasteland where the remnants of the Frost Giants barely clung to life. If Earth was the countryside to Asgard, Jotunheim was a desolate wilderness. Sending Loki to rule Jotunheim was no different from a modern president being sent to serve as a tribal chief in a primitive village.

As if he hadn't noticed Loki’s reaction, Gu Chongyan nodded. "That is correct. You are the only son of Laufey. With your bloodline, you can fully control Jotunheim."

"However, if that is all you achieve, you are merely a king by blood. It would not display your brilliance, nor would it prove you are superior to Thor."

"Therefore, you must not only become the King of Jotunheim, but you must also make Jotunheim powerful—powerful enough to rival Asgard, or even surpass it."

"When that day comes, even if you are not the King of Asgard, who could possibly say that you are inferior to Thor?"