Chapter 643 - 411: Almost Handled by the Wicked Woman

Chapter 643: Chapter 411: Almost Handled by the Wicked Woman

As it turned out, the Abyssal Kings’ decision was the right one. If they had been even a little later, Noah would have successfully completed his Ascension to Divinity. At that point, annihilating the Abyss would have been only a matter of time.

However, although Noah was dead, his legend still circulated throughout the Abyss. The fear of Ascenders from the Sun Realm was deeply ingrained in the bones of many Hell Races. If they were to learn that another Crowned King of the Sun Realm had appeared in the Human World, they would surely descend into a frenzy, willing to pay any price to eliminate Daun.

"And then there’s the Godslaying Weapon. She has learned an Ability from the Sun Realm, posing a tremendous threat to the Abyss—and to us."

Cain asked, "How are the plans to deal with the Godslaying Weapon coming along?"

Wheel of Destiny replied helplessly, "She’s evolving too quickly. Our plans can’t keep up with the speed of her evolution. Last month she could kill a Demigod. Maybe next month she’ll be able to kill a True God. It’s very difficult to devise a strategy against her."

"Keep thinking. You must come up with a strategy," Cain ordered, leaving no room for argument.

"Understood." Wheel of Destiny sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Soon, the meeting ended, and the projections gradually faded away.

On the Palace Tower Terrace, the Pope’s thoughts swirled as he gazed into the far, far distance.

There, brilliant sunlight shone down on azure skies, illuminating fields of lush green grass and babbling brooks that stretched to the horizon.

It was a bountiful land, flowing with milk and honey. Flowers bloomed in clusters, birds sang and danced, animals roamed in herds, and Gold, pearls, agate, and gems were scattered everywhere.

Tens of thousands of Apostles were toiling day and night, pouring every ounce of their Power, every wisp of their spirit, and every shred of their inspiration into the work of rebuilding Eden Garden. In their hands, a well-ordered city was already beginning to take shape.

The reconstruction of Eden Garden was now set in stone, and in the coming age of storms, it would become Fallen Paradise’s greatest pillar of support!

·

·

「One day later, at Stars Association Headquarters.」

The leadership passed judgment on Jiang Che for acting without authorization and abandoning her post.

—A two-month suspension, a fine equivalent to twelve months’ salary, and a 3,000-word written apology.

"Th-That’s it?"

Zhou Chen was stunned when he heard the details. ’This counts as a punishment?’

It wasn’t a dismissal, nor was it a demotion—just a simple two-month suspension. She would be automatically reinstated when the time was up. It was basically a two-month vacation where she didn’t have to handle any work, as someone else would take over for her.

As for the fine and the written apology, they could hardly be called punishments. They were just formalities.

Jiang Che raised an eyebrow, displeased. "You seem disappointed. Were you that eager to see me dismissed or thrown in jail?"

"No... I’m just a little surprised."

Zhou Chen scratched his head. "This isn’t a punishment, is it? It’s more like they’re intentionally giving you a vacation. The higher-ups must really value you."

"It’s fine. At least I can get some rest." Jiang Che’s expression was serene and her tone was as calm as ever, but Zhou Chen could detect a hint of exhaustion. He knew she must be truly tired after all these years and needed a break.

"How about... I go traveling with you?" Zhou Chen suggested tentatively.

Jiang Che looked at him calmly. "The closed beta for Zone 009 starts in less than a month. You should probably focus on preparing for that."

"The two don’t have to conflict. Zone 009 is a gamified Restricted Area. We can just play games on the road."

Jiang Che stared at him silently until Zhou Chen started to feel his skin crawl. Then she spoke: "So what you’re saying is, you want to abandon your two girlfriends, who are still in the honeymoon phase with you, to go traveling with another woman?

"Zhou Chen, how did I never realize you were such a scumbag?"

Zhou Chen froze. He was about to say that they could bring his girlfriends along so they could all have fun together, which would be much more lively, but Jiang Che raised her index finger and pressed it to his lips, looking calmly into his eyes.

"I need some time to clear my head. When I get back from my trip, I’ll give you an answer."

Zhou Chen’s eyes widened in astonishment.

"I have a PhD in psychology. Did you think I wouldn’t be able to tell? Besides, your intentions are so obvious a cat could see them," Jiang Che said calmly. "I just didn’t expect you to be this much of a scumbag. You already have two girlfriends, yet you’re still making a move on me. Aren’t you afraid of getting hacked to death?"

Now that the cat was out of the bag, Zhou Chen became surprisingly calm. He said softly, "It’s the only thing I strive for..."

"Compared to other ambitions, yours is relatively harmless," Jiang Che offered as a blunt assessment.

"So, does that mean you..."

Jiang Che’s index finger was once again in front of his lips. She told him seriously, "Wait for me to come back."

Just then, Li Xiye’s roar came from the other end of the Bonds Ring:

"AHHHHHH, she’s a bad one! She’s got you completely under her thumb!"

"Go hug her! Hug her! If you don’t do something, she’ll have you completely wrapped around her finger!"

"After she leaves, you’ll be so bewitched you won’t be able to eat or sleep, thinking about that vixen day and night... You have to take the initiative, turn the tables, and make her the one who’s bewitched!"

Zhou Chen’s mind raced. He decided to trust Li Xiye’s judgment, took a step forward, and pulled Jiang Che into a hug.

Jiang Che’s body trembled, and she subconsciously tried to push him away, but Zhou Chen held her so tightly that she couldn’t break free right away.

Zhou Chen seized the opportunity to whisper in her ear:

"I’ll wait for you, but don’t make me wait too long."

In his embrace, Jiang Che’s stiff body gradually relaxed. A moment later, she replied in a voice that was not quite as calm as before, "I know."

Zhou Chen smiled and released her. "I’ll take you back to Jinzhu first."

Jiang Che straightened her hair and clothes, then nodded.

"It’s pretty much a done deal," Li Xiye said, a hint of jealousy in her voice. "You have to spend time with me when you get back!"

"Of course!"

·

After taking Jiang Che back to Jinzhu, she went to her dorm to pack her bags. She truly needed some time to rest.

In the afternoon, after seeing Jiang Che off at the airport, Zhou Chen finally returned home. He threw himself onto the sofa, sprawling out and unwilling to get up.

He had only been gone for less than a week, but he felt as exhausted as if it had been several months.

’Thinking back, his schedule recently had been incredibly packed. He’d barely been back from North Carolina for a few days before he was investigating the Ghost, which then led to Dupe’s downfall and even the resurrection of an Evil God. His experiences had been quite eventful, to say the least.’

With the closed beta for Zone 009 less than a month away, he decided he wouldn’t go running around anymore. He would stay home and prepare.

But before that, he still had to meet two people.

After resting for a while, Zhou Chen went out to a coffee shop in Jinzhu, where he waited for Marvin.

"I’ve already received the final payment for the last mission. When’s the next one?" Marvin asked with great anticipation.

Although the last mission had been dangerous—he’d even taken a nuke—the amount of wish value he earned was unprecedented. Marvin loved these kinds of high-paying jobs.

"Right now." Zhou Chen issued a new mission right in front of Marvin.

After fulfilling Hua Manzhu’s wish for release and Jiang Che’s wish for revenge, and adding the wish value he had accumulated, he now had over two thousand points—enough to hire Marvin one more time.

And this time, the mission was to destroy the American Chainsaw Murder Association!

"My pleasure," Marvin said with a smile as he accepted the mission.

·

After bidding farewell to Marvin, Zhou Chen went to the Golden Bamboo Star Association, found Lin Ya at her desk, and called her over to a private spot.

"Thank you!" Lin Ya already knew the whole story. She bowed deeply to Zhou Chen, and when she straightened up, she couldn’t stop wiping away her tears, choking on sobs. After all these years, her parents had finally been avenged.

"It’s what I promised you and Father Daun... Besides, there’s actually one other person you should thank." Zhou Chen gave her a mysterious smile.

"Who?"

In a voice only the two of them could hear, Zhou Chen said, "Mr. Lamp God asked me to send his regards and congratulate you on achieving your vengeance."

Lin Ya’s pupils instantly constricted, followed by a wave of immense surprise, shock, and excitement...

’Mr. Lamp God was involved in this too? He... He is watching over me? He also took part in this? Was... was it for me?’

Seeing Lin Ya flush with excitement, Zhou Chen knew he had achieved his goal. From this day forward, Lin Ya would become the Lamp God’s most loyal Fanatic!