Jiang Chen was unaware of the revenge plots brewing among those people. Even if he had known, he wouldn't have cared; it wouldn't be long before they abandoned such thoughts entirely.
In fact, they would likely be scrambling over one another just to beg for his mercy.
Freezing an entire city was merely the beginning for Jiang Chen. The losses suffered by a single city were indeed immense, but destroying just one would not be enough to intimidate everyone. It might even only serve to breed more hatred, and what Jiang Chen wanted was for them to fear him.
First, he identified the countries that had dispatched the most people to deal with him: Sakura Country, South Bang, and America.
"I didn't expect America to be on the list again."
Jiang Chen released Zapdos, sending it toward America this time.
As for Sakura Country and South Bang, they were close enough that he sent Articuno, who had just returned, to handle them. He kept Mew by his side. He wasn't a fool; knowing people wanted his life, he naturally kept his strongest combat asset close. Even while planning his revenge, his own safety came first.
"This time, I'll let you all know what it means to be a villain without equal."
Jiang Chen took a pen and drew a large 'X' on a piece of paper. Every name on that list was connected to the recent events. They were the ones who had sent assassins after him and stirred up the storms online. Therefore, they had to die.
"Since they've described me as a Great Demon King, I suppose I must do some Great Demon King things."
Jiang Chen twirled the pen in his hand.
"18th Young Master, it's time to eat," Ning Ya called out, knocking on his door.
Opening the door, Jiang Chen saw not just Ning Ya, but Ling Wanqiu, Xiao Luoxue, and Gu Shuangyue waiting outside as well.
"What's this? You all came to invite me at once?" Jiang Chen composed himself and offered a smile.
"We were worried about you. You've been shut in your room for a whole day. We were afraid something happened," Ling Wanqiu said, her eyes filled with concern.
"What could happen to me? I was just considering my revenge plan."
"I'm glad you're alright," Xiao Luoxue said, visibly relaxing.
Even they felt their blood boil when they saw the information online; they were nearly exploding with rage, so they could only imagine how Jiang Chen, the person involved, must feel.
It was no wonder he resorted to such extreme methods of retaliation. If she were in his shoes, targeted and cursed by the entire world on the internet, she would probably want to drag the whole world down to the grave with her.
"Let's eat then," Jiang Chen smiled and joined them for dinner.
On the other hand, Xie Yulan's Jiang Group was having a difficult time. They had become the target of a widespread boycott, and bad news was arriving at a dizzying pace.
"President, many corporations have canceled their partnerships with us. Some people are even maliciously smashing and looting our malls, and many employees are choosing to resign," the assistant reported, her voice laced with anxiety.
Facing these reports, Xie Yulan remained calm. She knew that people were using Jiang Chen's situation as an excuse to maliciously suppress her group. After all, the rise of her group had stepped on the toes of many powerful interests.
"How is the situation at home?" Xie Yulan asked her assistant.
Even if the group went bankrupt, it wasn't as important as her son. Xie Yulan's primary focus remained on her family.
"Many people have gathered at your villa to cause trouble. However, they were stopped by the personnel you dispatched. But their numbers are growing; I'm afraid we won't be able to hold them back forever," the assistant said quickly.
Many were using the pretext of justice, gathering crowds to demand that Jiang Chen come forward and plead guilty.
Their momentum was growing, largely fueled by certain hidden factions pushing behind the scenes. If Jiang Chen didn't show his face, his enemies would never have a chance to kill him.
Their goal was to force him out. Once he was out, they would have the opportunity to strike. Even if they failed to kill him and died at his hands instead, they could manipulate public opinion to pin a murder charge on him, continuing their attacks until he became a public enemy of the state.
"Whatever happens, do not let those fools near the villa. If necessary, kill them on sight," Xie Yulan said, her voice cold.
"But, President... if we actually start killing people, the group will be completely finished," the assistant stammered.
"Do as I ordered."
Xie Yulan gave her a freezing look, and the assistant nodded quickly.
"Wait."
As the assistant was about to leave the office, Xie Yulan called her back. The assistant turned around excitedly, thinking Xie Yulan had changed her mind. If they really started killing, there truly would be no turning back.
"Take my Pokémon with you."
With that, Xie Yulan took out two Poké Balls. She released a Dragonite and handed the other ball to the assistant.
The Dragonite was at Champion Rank Stage 1, while the one in the other ball was a Champion Rank Stage 7 Tyranitar originally Lin Qinchu's strongest ace. Considering that some of the people charging the house might be powerful, Xie Yulan sent two Champion-level Pokémon to handle it. She still had her Stage 1 Champion Alakazam and other Pokémon for her own safety.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yuan was also facing trouble.
"Zhu An, Shen Tai, what is the meaning of this?"
Looking at the two men who had barged into his office with a crowd, coldness flickered in Jiang Yuan's eyes. Zhu An and Shen Tai were both Xia Kingdom Elite Four members.
The people behind them, while not Elite Four, were all individuals of significant power and status. Coming here so aggressively could only mean trouble.
"Champion Jiang Yuan, do you realize how much trouble your son has caused? He had Articuno freeze Tenan City in America. Now, America has issued an ultimatum."
"Either your son dies and pays compensation to America, or America will unite with other nations and declare war on us."
"We have reached a unanimous decision to execute your son. This matter has been submitted to the Xia Kingdom Pokémon Council, and they have already passed it."
"Your son's crimes are heinous; even a hundred deaths would not be enough. Furthermore, you should step down as Champion. Even if you want to continue, the people will not allow it," Zhu An said venomously to Jiang Yuan.
He had always had conflicts with Jiang Yuan. Now that Jiang Yuan had become Champion, he had been utterly suppressed and unable to make a comeback.
"What did you just say?" Jiang Yuan stood up, his eyes flashing with a chilling light.
"Champion Jiang Yuan, though Jiang Chen is your son, you shouldn't shield him after he committed such an atrocity."
"We don't want to pay the price for the mess he made. The Xia Kingdom cannot afford to be targeted by so many countries," one of the men following Zhu An and Shen Tai stepped forward and added.
Jiang Yuan's face remained dark and silent. Zhu An felt a surge of triumph; he believed he held the moral high ground.
"The Council's decision? If the Council made a decision, why wasn't I informed?" Jiang Yuan looked at Zhu An coldly.
He knew this was likely the decision of only a certain faction. Even if a Council meeting were held, he was entitled to attend as a member. As the Champion, his voice carried significant weight.
Zhu An's eyes flickered. It was exactly as Jiang Yuan guessed; this was only the decision of a portion of the members a small portion, in fact. Others had chosen to remain neutral,
watching from the sidelines, while a few supported Jiang Yuan because of their personal ties to him. People like Jiang Yuan's teacher, Gu Tong, as well as Xiao Chengtian and Ling Zhan.
"You say you want to execute me?"
A cold laugh suddenly echoed from behind them. Before Zhu An could even turn his head, a hand slammed him down onto the table. Jiang Chen's hand pressed firmly against the back of Zhu An's head.
"Still struggling? I gave you face, but you didn't want it."
Jiang Chen slapped the back of Zhu An's head and then casually kicked him against the wall.
Bam!
A punch landed, instantly shattering Zhu An's nose.
"What are you doing here?" Jiang Yuan asked, surprised.
"I came to talk to you about a few things. I didn't expect to run into someone looking for a death wish. Might as well handle it," Jiang Chen cracked his wrists, then walked over and hoisted Zhu An up.
"I was wondering where to vent all this anger. A perfect sandbag just happened to show up. This feels good."
Jiang Chen's fists fell like raindrops upon Zhu An. From beginning to end, Zhu An didn't even get a chance to speak as he was brutally beaten.
Only after Jiang Chen landed several more punches did the others snap out of it. Shen Tai roared in a fury, "You dare attack an Elite Four member? You're looking for death!"
Shen Tai reached for a Poké Ball, but before he could release his Pokémon, he was pinned in place. Gardevoir had already seized control of him. Using Psychic, Gardevoir hurled Shen Tai across the room, where he smashed directly into Zhu An's body.
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