"So, do you know where he is?" Shen He studied Crystal thoughtfully.
"Of course… If you need me to, I can take you there."
Crystal hesitated. Although she was a respected member of the Inhuman royal family, her status came from her lineage and elemental abilities rather than political power.
Now, suddenly being ordered by Black Bolt to establish contact with these mysterious outsiders, she felt uneasy.
"Let's go then." Shen He nodded with a smile.
Though they could eventually find Captain America on their own, the fact that an Inhuman royal was willing to lead them directly spoke volumes about Black Bolt's intentions. Shen He began to seriously consider how to handle this race—people with superhuman abilities yet isolated from Earth's affairs.
In many ways, the Inhumans' situation reminded him of Wakanda.
Crystal led the group to an icy cliffside. As they arrived, Saiki Kusuo activated his clairvoyance, scanning the depths below.
"He's definitely still alive," Saiki confirmed.
Without hesitation, he flew down toward the ice, scanning the surroundings. He then raised his hand, releasing a controlled wave of heat.
Saiki's abilities were vast, and among them was the power to manipulate extreme temperatures. However, direct use of his pyrokinetic powers was always dangerous, so he carefully maintained control.
Shen He, meanwhile, turned his attention to Crystal.
"You live on the Moon. Do you have enough food and resources?"
Crystal blinked, caught off guard by the question. After a moment of hesitation, she answered truthfully.
"Resources are scarce. The lower-class Inhumans struggle to get by."
The Inhumans' society operated under a rigid caste system. A person's status was determined by the abilities they developed after exposure to the Terrigen Mist. Once assigned a rank, there was no way to change it.
This system was the very reason why Black Bolt's brother, Maximus, had been able to launch a coup in the past—exploiting the frustrations of the oppressed.
"If you have anything to trade, I believe I can help provide resources."
Shen He had considered this carefully. Since Black Bolt was open to communication, an exchange of goods could serve as the first step toward cooperation. With Chaldea's growing influence and his wealth, securing supplies wouldn't be an issue.
Crystal nodded, though she didn't fully grasp the significance of his offer. As royalty, she had never lacked food or resources, making it difficult to understand the struggles of the lower caste. Instead, she found herself drawn to Saiki's abilities, watching in awe as he effortlessly controlled the elements.
As someone who could manipulate fire, wind, water, and earth, Crystal had always believed herself to be strong. Yet, seeing Saiki at work left her feeling insignificant. She couldn't help but admire him.
Within ten minutes, Saiki ascended from the pit, carrying Captain America—still encased in ice.
"Let's go. We're heading back."
Shen He glanced at the man clad in the iconic stars-and-stripes uniform. Though Captain America wasn't the strongest in Marvel's vast universe, he was a symbol—a beacon of heroism. His presence in this era would be essential.
Before leaving, Shen He turned to Crystal.
"If you need to find me, go to New York and look for Tony Stark. And don't forget to tell Black Bolt what I said."
With those words, Shen He and his team disappeared.
Onboard their aircraft, a specially prepared freezer awaited. Captain America needed to be transported to the Virtual Reality Company's base as soon as possible, where a medical team and a virtual simulation chamber were ready.
Shen He had no intention of repeating S.H.I.E.L.D.'s clumsy method of waking Rogers. Instead of shocking him with a sudden reveal, he would gradually ease him into the truth using virtual reality.
This approach would allow Steve Rogers to process the passage of seventy years at a controlled pace while simultaneously introducing him to Chaldea. Once he understood his new reality, they could move forward—especially with their plans against Hydra.
When Fury and Coulson received news of Captain America's recovery, they wasted no time making their way to the Virtual Reality Company's facility.
Helen Cho, a leading biologist and now a key member of Chaldea, oversaw the thawing process.
"Oh my God," Coulson whispered, his nose practically pressed against the glass. "He looks exactly like he does in the documentaries."
"Of course," Shen He smirked. "The Super Soldier Serum and the ice perfectly preserved his body. Physically speaking, Coulson, you're old enough to be his father now."
The middle-aged agent's eyes were red with emotion. His admiration for Captain America was evident—possibly even greater than the love he had for his own family.
"What's your plan?" Fury folded his arms. "Steve Rogers is the greatest soldier this country has ever had—past or present. He belongs in S.H.I.E.L.D."
"No one is a soldier forever, Fury." Shen He shook his head and walked away.
From the moment he decided to retrieve Captain America, he had already planned the next steps.
The thawing process proceeded smoothly, and signs suggested Steve would regain consciousness soon.
While waiting, Shen He continued his usual activities—grinding experience, strengthening Jeanne d'Arc, and even upgrading Lelouch to Level 5, finally eliminating his physical limitations.
Meanwhile, Tony Stark remained occupied. Between building his Iron Legion, expanding his company, and refining virtual reality technology, he had little time for anything else. The impact of their work was already making waves—particularly in the military sector.
Virtual reality training offered the potential to produce elite soldiers rapidly while drastically reducing training costs.
This caught the attention of powerful figures worldwide. Yet, for now, Shen He left the business side of things to Tony. His focus remained on his own priorities.
On the same day that Lelouch met C.C., Captain America finally woke up.
The moment the news broke, Fury and Coulson rushed back.
"Don't you two have better things to do?" Shen He sighed. "S.H.I.E.L.D. is pretty busy these days."
"I want to know how you plan to handle the best soldier in our country," Fury stated, unwavering.
"If you're that curious, then watch for yourself." Shen He motioned to Helen. "Prepare two virtual chamber beds for our guests."
Lying down on a bed himself, Shen He adjusted his VR helmet. The machine activated, seamlessly transporting him into the virtual world—an exact replica of 1940s New York.
Inside a carefully constructed hospital room, Steve Rogers stirred.
Shen He, now clad in a doctor's white coat, entered the ward with a smile.
"Good morning, Mr. Rogers. Didn't the nurse tell you not to get up yet?"
Steve's eyes darted around in confusion.
"Where… am I?"
The room was designed to be familiar—white walls, a faint scent of disinfectant, flower baskets and greeting cards lining the bedside. Everything was crafted to gently ease him into the truth.
"You're in a civilian hospital in New York," Shen He replied smoothly. "We found you in the ice and brought you here for treatment. You've been in a coma for a long time. The war is over, and the entire country is grateful for your service. You're a hero, Mr. Rogers."
Steve Rogers—Captain America—had awakened.