Chapter 111: Reunion with Johnny Again

Gu Chongyan muttered to himself, wondering if Johnny Blaze had forgotten about him, unaware that Johnny was thinking the same about him.

Having spent his life as a stunt motorcyclist, Johnny had to admit that this period was the most upheaving chapter of his life. Even his first encounter with Mephisto years ago hadn’t been as intense.

After all, turning into a flaming skeleton overnight was hardly an ordinary experience.

Not to mention, later meeting a sorcerer who invited him to join a team and become a superhero—such a surreal encounter.

After Gu Chongyan left, Johnny seriously contemplated his own future.

Indeed, after becoming the Ghost Rider, an ordinary life was no longer an option. To prevent Mephisto from returning, the best choice was to ally with Gu Chongyan.

From this perspective, Johnny was already considering joining Gu Chongyan’s team.

But one person prevented him from making that decision.

That person was none other than his ex-girlfriend, Roxanne—a woman who, despite the Ghost Rider’s abilities, could awaken even her own father when no one else could.

As a renowned stunt motorcyclist, Johnny hadn’t settled in Ohio, the headquarters for stunt riders, just because Roxanne was in this city.

Even though he knew he was no longer an ordinary man and that they weren’t meant to be together, he was unwilling to leave, holding deep-seated, unrealistic hopes.

Because of this inner conflict, he couldn’t make up his mind.

Unexpectedly, after Gu Chongyan resolved the Saint Fulgence matter, he got tied up in Los Angeles and couldn’t attend to Johnny for a while.

Now, after much deliberation and hesitation, the very person he was waiting for finally arrived.

Seeing the young Asian boy standing outside the door, Johnny breathed a sigh of relief and immediately asked, “When are we going to New York?”

Hearing Johnny’s almost urgent tone, Gu Chongyan was slightly taken aback and looked at him in surprise.

What was going on? Why did Johnny seem even more eager than he did?

But Gu Chongyan quickly regained composure and shook his head. “No. Actually, I came today hoping you would stay in California.”

“???”

Johnny looked utterly confused, thinking, What’s going on? Wasn’t I supposed to join the team and become a New York superhero? How could he suddenly change his mind? Did he lose interest in me?

Seeing Johnny’s puzzled gaze, Gu Chongyan hurried to explain:

“Here’s the thing—I was a bit late because I went to Los Angeles…”

He quickly recounted the situation with the Young Avengers and explained why he was delayed.

After hearing everything, Johnny, already bewildered, was even more dumbfounded.

Great, he’d just accepted that demons and sorcerers existed in this world, and now aliens were showing up too. His California was almost sunk by an alien spacecraft.

Perhaps overwhelmed by shock, Johnny couldn’t help but wonder if the flames on his body would be extinguished if California sank while he was the Ghost Rider.

He didn’t just wonder; he actually voiced the question.

Even Gu Chongyan hadn’t expected Johnny’s thought process to be so bizarre. He stood dumbfounded for a moment before regaining his composure and replying quietly, “You’re overthinking it. The fire burning on you is hellfire. Even if you were pressed down into the Mariana Trench, nothing would happen to you.”

After saying this, Gu Chongyan shook his head and pushed the strange conversation aside, then spoke seriously.

“Here’s the situation: after what happened, I felt those kids were full of potential, so I formed the Young Avengers to serve as the rear guard of our alliance.”

“But although those kids are gifted, they’re still just children. I’m far away in New York, so if something happens, it’s hard for me to intervene.”

“Luckily, there’s you. Los Angeles and Sacramento are both in California. Since the Young Avengers have influence on both coasts, there’s no need for you to run back and forth.”

“You staying in California means you don’t have to leave your home, and you can also help cover for the Young Avengers. What do you think?”

Hearing this and recalling his recent inner turmoil, Johnny’s eyes darkened with a hint of grievance.

He looked at Gu Chongyan with a weary gaze. “So, your alliance is basically a kids’ club, huh?”

“Last time, you said Sue was a special case—the only kid in the whole alliance—and I should join without worry.”

“Now, six more kids have appeared, and you want me to take care of them? Just be honest, you planned to make me babysit from the start, didn’t you?”

Faced with Johnny’s resentful expression, Gu Chongyan gave a sheepish smile, feeling a flush rise to his face, and couldn’t help but recall how he had originally recruited Johnny.

Back then, when Johnny said they were a teenage team, he’d explained it patiently. Now, to have him watch over kids was somewhat ironic.

Fortunately, having lived through three lifetimes, Gu Chongyan’s ego was thick enough to handle it.

After a brief awkward pause, he said, “Plans change. I didn’t expect this situation either.”

“Besides, though the Young Avengers are kids, the youngest is already fifteen. A couple of years’ experience and they’ll be able to stand on their own. You won’t have to worry too much.”

Johnny sneered coldly, clearly unimpressed.

Seeing this, Gu Chongyan quickly added, “Of course, I understand this is a bit of a burden for you. That’s why I’ve devised a way to seal the Spirit of Vengeance inside you.”

“Once the Spirit of Vengeance is sealed, you won’t be able to become the Ghost Rider unless you willingly merge with it.”

“This way, you won’t have to turn into a flaming skeleton every night and can even live like a normal person—marry, have children. How’s that sound?”

Johnny’s expression changed at last, and he looked at Gu Chongyan seriously. “Are you serious?”

“Absolutely. As real as pearls,” Gu Chongyan nodded earnestly.

Having returned to his peak, his magic had greatly increased. Under normal circumstances, as long as he didn’t go all out, his power could easily suppress the Ghost Rider.

If Johnny cooperated, sealing the Spirit of Vengeance and keeping it under his control wouldn’t be difficult.

In fact, this method came from the magic Gu Chongyan learned when Tina destroyed the Primordial Staff and reshaped its casing.

The difference was that the Spirit of Vengeance replaced the staff, and Johnny served as the casing.

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