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The Villain Slaps The Protagonist’s Halo - Chapter 146
🕑 Added 2024-02-21 00:54:01 +0000 UTCChapter 146 - Hunting the World
As everything seemed to be settling down, Shi Chen returned promptly, granting himself a month-long leave. He spent every day inseparable from Nie Jia, taking him out for fishing trips and leisurely walks. The autumn sea breeze had grown chilly, but Shi Chen seemed immune to the cold; even as he stood barefoot in the seawater, there was no sign of discomfort. Cheerfully, he carried a small bucket, digging for crabs along the sandy shore. Walking hand in hand beside him, Nie Jia felt a special joy in her heart.
"Wife, look over there, a jellyfish washed up," Shi Chen exclaimed, pulling Nie Jia along as they hurriedly approached. Upon closer inspection, they realized it was just a plastic bag.
Nie Jia chuckled, glancing into his bucket. "We've got enough crabs, let's head back."
Pulling her closer, Shi Chen affectionately planted a kiss near her eye. "Feeling cold? I forgot to bring your coat earlier."
"Not cold, but I'm hungry," Nie Jia replied, taking the water bucket from him. Shi Chen tossed the shovel into it, then slipped on his shoes and draped an arm over Nie Jia's shoulder as they strolled home together. Nie Jia shook the bucket lightly. "Shall we have crab tonight?"
"These are for you to play with. These small crabs don't taste good. I cooked pork rib soup for us before I left, so we can enjoy it as soon as we get home."
The two walked along the road, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, heading back home.
Midway through Shi Chen's vacation, the first incident of a former Oasis ability user harming others occurred. Three civilians were injured by a Tier 3 hydrokinetic ability user who had left the eastern coast. Though no lives were lost, the incident stirred up considerable panic among the general populace. Shi Chen personally went to the military district to interrogate the perpetrator.
The cause of the incident was simple. The ability user had reconnected with old friends and ventured out to meet them on the eastern coast. It was not uncommon for thousands of ability users to leave the eastern coast daily. However, since the Oasis ability users settled there, a peculiar phenomenon had emerged beyond the eastern coast. Oasis ability users became subject to discrimination once they left the eastern coast. Despite Shi Chen's deterrence, including the execution of thousands of Tier 4 ability users, Oasis ability users dared not cause trouble or draw attention to themselves once they left the eastern coast.
Moreover, the majority of the populace in Huaxia harbored prejudice and hatred towards Oasis ability users. As a result of their continuous concessions, Oasis ability users not only failed to gain acceptance from others but also fueled the arrogance of the ordinary masses.
The perpetrator, an output-type hydrokinetic ability user, had only engaged in a minor scuffle with the three injured individuals while waiting for his friends. Once his status as an ability user was exposed, the situation escalated further, with verbal insults and personal attacks. Finally, in a fit of emotion, the ability user retaliated, leading to irreparable consequences.
"I didn't mean to, truly, I never thought of killing anyone... I just wanted to defend myself."
In the interrogation room, Shi Chen gazed icily at the tearful teenager before him, tapping his fingers impatiently on the table, his expression fraught with irritation.
"General, I really didn't mean to... Can you please not kill me? I'm not affiliated with the Shark faction. Even during my time in the Oasis, I never killed anyone. I just want to live..." The seventeen-eighteen-year-old boy seemed thoroughly terrified, realizing he was the first ability user to attract such attention. He regretted deeply the impulsive actions that had led to this outcome.
Shi Chen slammed his hand on the table. "No one died, only minor injuries were sustained. You can't be sentenced to death. Since you acted defensively and didn't have the intention to harm, compensating the victims should be sufficient."
The lieutenant responsible for the injured troops widened his eyes, rushing in to whisper to Shi Chen, "Director, please don't speak so lightly! Thousands of eyes are watching this matter... "
Shi Chen glanced at him indifferently. "Did I ask you to come in? Get out."
The lieutenant was ejected, and He Qingtang patted his shoulder, smiling. "Our director wants to protect this kid, can't you see? Yet you insist on pushing him into a corner."
The lieutenant looked embarrassed. "I'm in a difficult position. This kid has really gotten himself into trouble. Director, you know very well the impact this incident will have. Although I understand his innocence, if we don't handle this first case properly to appease public anger, it'll be disastrous."
Nie Jia frowned upon hearing this, turning her head to look at the lieutenant. "Are you willing to sacrifice the life of an innocent child to appease public anger?"
Nie Jia maintained a chilly demeanor towards anyone other than Shi Chen. Whenever she accompanied Shi Chen to the military district, she never engaged with others in conversation. The lieutenant was suddenly caught off guard by her retort, feeling a bit nervous.
"That's not what I meant, Mr. Nie. Conflicts between Oasis ability users and our indigenous population have long been expected, but this is the first instance. With the public still seething with anger, if the outcome doesn't satisfy them, it won't just be about public opinion. It might severely affect the people's trust in the government."
Nie Jia snorted disdainfully. "The majority represents justice? If they gather and demand something, does the government have to comply? If I were to go and kill the three injured individuals in the hospital now, how many people outside would dare to demand the government to execute me?"
The lieutenant opened his mouth but couldn't find words to respond. Who would dare to demand Nie Jia's execution? Even General Qiao Yuan wouldn't dare, let alone ordinary people.
"You're treating these bullies who are afraid of tough fights too seriously. The government needs to establish its authority. You need these people to rely on you, not just trust you. He Tian wants to create a peaceful and equal environment for existing humans. Killing this child is even more unacceptable. Equality starts with treating everyone the same. By singling out ability users for execution, you're essentially telling those on the eastern coast that they're the lowest of the low among the different tiers."
The lieutenant was at a loss for words, not knowing what to say.
A slight applause came from behind them. Turning around, they saw President He Tian had left his bodyguards outside and entered alone. The lieutenant immediately saluted him with a standard military salute. He Tian nodded slightly, then smiled at Nie Jia. "You're right, Mr. Nie. 'The majority' is by no means synonymous with justice."
"Big sister, why are you here?" He Qingtang pulled over a chair.
He Tian waved her hand, declining the offer to sit, and instead stood beside Nie Jia, looking through the one-way mirror at Shi Chen making notes in the interrogation room.
Nie Jia didn't seem particularly interested in He Tian. She turned her head expressionlessly, continuing to watch Shi Chen.
"The members of the Cabinet have always felt that I'm too indecisive and ideal
istic. Even in my dreams, I wish for world peace and the elimination of barriers between humans and ability users. Although the entire human race has been unified now, it seems that there are even more barriers than before," He Tian lamented with a touch of sadness.
Nie Jia glanced at her with a slight frown, bluntly stating, "You're too naive to be a president with a messiah complex."
He Tian forced a smile. "Yes, indeed. As the head of state, I'm at a loss on how to handle this situation. On one hand, there's the innocent life of a boy and the hesitancy of the entire eastern coast. On the other, there's the joint appeal of the citizens. How should I choose?"
"Sister, it seems like Director Shi is planning to let the boy go. You shouldn't feel conflicted," He Qingtang said.
Nie Jia interrupted He Qingtang's words, turned around, and stared solemnly into He Tian's eyes. "You are the President of the country, the head of the government. You don't need to make choices when making decisions. Just stick to the principles you've always adhered to. If you waver because of so-called public anger, you will become a puppet of the Cabinet politicians in the future. The majority does not represent justice. Since you also agree, then don't knowingly commit wrongs."
"Yeah, sister, I've known since I was young that you hope for world peace, but everyone has their own thoughts. When has human society been peaceful for thousands of years? If you really wish for that kind of world peace where everyone is safe and sound, it might be better to wait for Captain Song to reach the Sixth Rank and hypnotize the whole world." He Qingtang pointed to the teenager in the interrogation room. "Are you willing to sacrifice this child for external tranquility?"
He Tian hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "Does justice really exist in this world?"
Justice. Nie Jia pondered these two words, her expression slightly cold. "This thing is like a ghost, some believe in it, some don't."
"Do you believe in it?" He Tian's eyes contained a hint of warmth as he looked at Nie Jia.
Nie Jia remained silent for a moment before indifferently stating, "No."
He Tian smiled gently and didn't say anything further.
Watching her, Nie Jia felt like she was looking at her past self, hoping for peace, kind-hearted without any sharp edges. He Tian was a good president, but she wasn't suited to be a president at all. If it weren't for high-ranking military officers like Shi Chen standing behind her all along, she would have been ousted by those cunning politicians long ago.
Even now, Nie Jia couldn't figure out who was right or wrong in this situation. She had long given up thinking because wars between humans would never cease, and right or wrong was meaningless.
When Shi Chen came out of the interrogation room, he didn't immediately release the teenager. The details of the case were clear, but the final judgment had to go through a formal process. He exchanged a few words with He Tian, who invited him and Nie Jia to have dinner at Qinghai Gate, seemingly with some private matters to discuss.
Walking behind the two, Nie Jia and He Qingtang listened to He Tian's concerns.
When they left the military district, they met General Qiao Yuan, the commander of the unit responsible for the injured troops. Qiao Yuan's hands couldn't reach here, and his presence was naturally for the teenager.
Shi Chen couldn't be bothered with Qiao Yuan and directly opened the car door for Nie Jia and He Tian, leaving He Qingtang to deal with it.
"Do you have something to do here, General?" He Qingtang approached politely, her smile only showing courtesy, not respect.
Qiao Yuan looked at the presidential car driving out of the gate, silent for a moment, then asked directly, "What is Nie Jia doing here?"
In the political center, since Nie Jia joined Huaxia, she had always been the main target of politicians' solicitations. But since returning from the Oasis, Nie Jia had rarely shown up, and she didn't have a corresponding identity in the military. She was too special, always only slightly closer to Shi Chen among those close to him. Even with her level of seniority, apart from Shi Chen, even a president would have to consider her mood before speaking to her.
Under Shi Chen's command, not to mention someone like He Qingtang, even someone as powerful as Shen Su or Song Nuanyang, if Nie Jia were to align herself with Shi Chen, wouldn't Qinghai Gate become He Tian's dictatorship in the future?!
"Oh, my sister invited Mr. Nie and the Chief for dinner, and also came to pick up the Chief. Nothing serious." He Qingtang casually responded, "Do you have something to do here, General Qiao?"
Qiao Yuan couldn't discern anything from his expression, just smiled faintly. "Nothing, just came to look at the files. Although Colonel Shi is handling this matter entirely, I still have the right to inquire, right?"
"Of course, let me show you the way." He Qingtang smiled and led him inside.
Qiao Yuan entered the military district, neither seeing the injured teenager nor probing He Qingtang's words. Instead, he simply looked through the records, and only after a while said lightly, "Is this the President's decision?"
"We are all acting according to the law, there's no need to listen to anyone's decision, right?" He Qingtang took the file Qiao Yuan handed him.
Qiao Yuan sighed, "The President and the Major General seem determined to disregard the life and death of ordinary people for the sake of stability, aren't they?"
"General, your words are too severe." He Qingtang frowned, a little unhappy, "Do you really have to wait for the Chief to give orders to kill the child to calm public anger? But if that's done, how will the ability users on the eastern coast feel?"
Gritting his teeth, Qiao Yuan said somewhat sinisterly, "I don't care what they think. They are invaders! They once treated us as beasts to be hunted and killed for fun!"
He Qingtang said coldly, "The Oasis was a feudal-style regime, which has now ended. The extremist Shark faction has also been executed by our General. The ability users who can enter our country now are our compatriots. What's the difference between you and the extremist Shark faction? The Shark faction prioritized ability users, while you prioritize ordinary people. Both are equally biased. I am also an ability user. I was once listed for hunting by the Shark faction under the name of the Porcine faction. If I make a mistake one day, will I be sentenced to death just because of my identity as an ability user?"
With a flick of her finger, He Qingtang dispersed the dangerous red mist and swiftly placed the file back into the cabinet.
Qiao Yuan was not provoked by her unfriendly words. "In society, there is the concept of 'necessary sacrifice' for long-term development. If the President can understand this, instead of pursuing some world peace, true peace will be achieved."
After saying this indifferently, he left the military district on his own.
When He Qingtang returned to Qinghai Gate, he relayed Qiao Yuan's words at the dinner table.
"Necessary sacrifice?" He Tian frowned displeasedly.
"It makes some sense." Nie Jia lightly agreed.
Shi Chen and He Tian both turned to look at him, while He Qingtang stared wide-eyed, "Mr. Nie, what did you say?"
"Eliminate all the unstable factors in society, rather than sacrificing a small number of innocents to stabilize those troublemakers. That's how the world will truly be much more peaceful," Nie Jia said. "Otherwise, his so-called peace is just hell for the sacrificed."
He Qingtang opened his mouth, then closed it, theoretically, that's correct, but it's difficult to implement.
Shi Chen smiled, not behaving properly under the table as he teased Nie Jia's thigh
.
Outside, the protesters were still gathered in groups outside Qinghai Gate, holding banners and demanding the execution of the injuring ability user. Soon, this incident also went through legal procedures. After the court trial, it was classified as a brawl, and considering that the three injured parties deliberately provoked it, the ability user only had to pay medical expenses, and the case was officially closed.
The injuring ability user didn't die, didn't even bear criminal responsibility. The public was no longer dissatisfied with such a judgment, but excited, angry, and with a hint of fear.
The former Shark faction of the Oasis injured people within their borders, and this could be overlooked. In the future, if they killed someone, would the government turn a blind eye too? How could the safety of their lives be guaranteed? Even several regional authorities proposed implementing control policies for ability users, which were angrily rejected by He Tian.
The calm streets, which had been calm for a long time, boiled again because of this incident.
Nie Jia was also not happy. Shi Chen's vacation hadn't ended yet, but because of the outside noise, the busy days resumed. But fortunately, he wasn't as absent as before, and in most cases, he would come back to accompany Nie Jia to dinner, take a walk, sleep, and occasionally not come back at night, but he would return home the next day.
On this day, Nie Jia guessed that Shi Chen would be back soon and received a call from him.
"Are you still on the eastern coast?" Nie Jia kicked the sand under his feet and walked to the side to talk to Shi Chen on the phone.
"Preparing to board with the President to go home. We'll be home in two hours. Are you out? It's so noisy around." Shi Chen's voice carried some post-work fatigue and relaxation.
Nie Jia looked back at Song Nuanyang and Shen Su, who were grilling skewers, and smiled, "The Colonel invited us to barbecue by the beach. We'll be home after eating. Are you wearing more clothes? It's windy by the beach."
"I am. Eat well and wait for me to come home. Are you on the beach in front of our house?" Shi Chen asked.
"Yeah, it seems to be right under the flight path. Maybe we'll see you later." Nie Jia heard someone calling him and waved casually before continuing to squat on the side and chat with Shi Chen.
He Qingtang shouted, "Hey! Are you still eating?"
Nie Jia pretended not to hear until Shi Chen boarded the plane before they hung up and returned to the grill.
Song Nuanyang handed him the grilled skewers, and Nie Jia glanced at Shen Su brushing sauce on them, saying, "There have been a lot of things happening recently, why are you guys so idle?"
"The higher-ups are arguing, so we're naturally idle. Look, even the Colonel is idle like this." Song Nuanyang pointed at He Qingtang, who was skewering corn one by one, mocking, "Corn isn't skewered like that, Colonel, you'll be skewering until dawn."
Shen Su took over, "Let me do it."
He Qingtang handed the corn to Shen Su and came over to eat skewers with them, chatting nonsense.
"Look, there's a plane!" When they finished eating and were tidying up, Song Nuanyang suddenly pointed to the sky. Navigation lights were flickering in the clouds, followed by a roaring sound.
"It should be my sister and the Chief." He Qingtang sighed, "Finally, they're back."
Nie Jia looked up silently at the navigation lights gliding towards the Qinghai Gate runway. He knew Shi Chen was up there and would be home soon.
A few people watched the navigation lights disappearing into the clouds, feeling much more relieved. As long as Shi Chen returned, Qinghai Gate wouldn't dare to make any moves.
Suddenly, the sky burst into flames, and a faint terrifying roar rolled over. The tiny smile disappeared from Nie Jia's lips, and the iron skewer in He Qingtang's hand clattered to the ground.
"Sister!" He Qingtang cried out in fear. At this moment, nothing else mattered, and she immediately dispersed the red mist and rushed towards the sky.
Nie Jia remained still for a long time, his eyes blinking as he stared at the end of the sky where the flames had already disappeared, as if his soul had been drained in an instant, with no sadness or joy on his face, no sign of life.
"Brother Su, go and see!" Song Nuanyang urged anxiously, urging Shen Su.
Shen Su was also shocked to the point where his heart felt numb. He glanced at Nie Jia, his breath quickening, and whispered to Song Nuanyang, "Keep Nie Jia steady." With that, he immediately disappeared.
The presidential plane crashed near the military district of the injuring ability users, and the injuring ability users immediately sealed off the scene for emergency rescue. When Nie Jia arrived, the scattered wreckage of the plane was still burning, thick smoke billowing, and the scene was packed with combat soldiers and medical personnel.
"Don't go in, Nie Jia!" Song Nuanyang, pushing through the medical personnel, appeared, her expression frantic and urgent as she blocked Nie Jia's path, pleading, "Wait until the investigation is clear, I'll inform you. Don't look."
Nie Jia remained silent, bypassing Song Nuanyang and the medical personnel to step into the scene. Countless stretchers carried people out of the wreckage and towards the makeshift medical center. Nie Jia intercepted a passing medical personnel and glanced at the lifeless body on the stretcher, finding it wasn't Shi Chen and relaxed his grip.
As he was about to proceed, Shen Su rushed over to stop him, his breath ragged, "Nie Jia, go back first."
"Where's Shi Chen?" Nie Jia's eyes were shrouded in a dark gloom, his voice filled with inexpressible mixed emotions, sounding intimidating.
Shen Su hesitated to speak, while Song Nuanyang vigorously shook her head behind Nie Jia. Nie Jia didn't bother to argue with Shen Su, pushing him away, "Get out of the way, I'll find him myself."
"You can't sense where he is anymore, you should understand in your heart." Shen Su's eyes were full of struggle, gritting his teeth as he said, "We've found Chief Shi's body... Nie Jia, you must stay calm."
In the end, Nie Jia found Shi Chen at the medical center. He Qingtang sat blankly kneeling beside a stretcher covered in white cloth, tears streaming down her face. When she saw Nie Jia coming in, she pointed numbly to the side, "Chief Shi is over there."
On the adjacent stretcher, the white cloth had already been soaked through with blood, and the hand exposed had a jade ring stained with blood, identical to the one on Nie Jia's hand.
Nie Jia approached and was about to lift the white cloth, but at this last moment, he suddenly felt cowardly. Since the incident began, he had appeared remarkably calm, neither angry nor crying. Only Song Nuanyang knew that he had been so stimulated that he even forgot who he was.
He squatted beside the stretcher, clutching a corner of the white cloth, seeming to realize at this moment what had happened. Nie Jia remained motionless for a long time, tears streaming down his hand, his whole body trembling.
Nie Jia dared not look, knowing that lying before him was Shi Chen, yet he didn't even have the courage to glance at him.
Song Nuanyang approached, pressing Nie Jia's hand, sorrowful, "You shouldn't look. It's okay, you understand that this isn't really Shi Chen. He's still waiting for you in your world, living well. This body is just a string of false data."
Nie Jia said nothing, whether he didn't hear or simply didn't want to respond to anyone.
He finally didn't dare to take a look at Shi Chen's body, and when he stood up, there was no trace of sadness on his face. Nie Jia left the medical center and headed towards the billowing smoke of the plane wreckage. There were many people at the scene, and a professional team was urgently investigating the cause of the crash.
Nie Jia stood in front of the almost unrecognizable wreckage of the cockpit and slipped into the cockpit through a crevice.
Song Nuanyang and Shen Su stood anxiously on the side. Shen Su said, "What does he want to do?"
"He probably wants to personally investigate the cause of the crash. Even if you ask him to sit and wait for the results, he can't stay still." Song Nuanyang felt stifled in her chest. Who could have imagined that after the Oasis had been recovered, and the dust had settled, such an incident would suddenly occur!
Everything else didn't matter. Song Nuanyang was most worried about Nie Jia. She had watched Shi Chen die in front of him, even though it was all false, but for Nie Jia, the impact might be immense. His mental state was already extremely disturbed, and if anything in the real world affected Nie Jia... that would be truly bad.
Suddenly, Song Nuanyang remembered Xie Feng's words before he died in the Oasis... If this was also his revenge, then it would be too terrifying.
Not long after, Nie Jia came out. Song Nuanyang hurried forward and asked, "What's the situation?"
"Man-made." Nie Jia simply said these three words, without pausing his steps, and left the scene directly.
Song Nuanyang thought he was going home, but Nie Jia disappeared directly.
The next day, the investigation results of the professional team came out. It was caused by the pilot pushing the control stick into a vertical position, causing the nose to touch the ground, resulting in a crash. The pilot was crushed to the point where not even a complete bone remained.
He Qingtang immediately ordered an investigation into the pilot's recent circumstances. At the same time, she led a team to the pilot's home. No one answered the door, and He Qingtang violently kicked the door open. A strong smell of blood immediately hit her. The pilot's three family members had already been killed last night, dying in a horrible state, with blood everywhere.
He Qingtang was completely dumbfounded. She informed Song Nuanyang of this matter, suspiciously saying, "Could it be Nie Jia? Where's Nie Jia?"
"I'm also looking for him. He's been missing since last night!" Song Nuanyang had been searching for Nie Jia for a day, and she was frantic. Honestly, she would rather Nie Jia end this world directly through suicide than disappear without a trace like this, potentially causing any impact on his own real world.
The death of the president and Shi Chen shocked the nation, but it also fulfilled the wishes of the protesters who had been demonstrating every day. The death of a president who disregarded their lives and a general who held military power was not a bad thing for them.
Qiao Yuan expressed his deep condolences and also announced that he would temporarily assume the role of acting president. He was currently giving a speech on Qinghai Gate Square, winning enthusiastic applause from the ordinary people.
After the day of mourning, Song Nuanyang finally found Nie Jia at an abandoned port on the eastern coast. He was quietly squatting on a rock, playing with the ring Shi Chen had given him, his expression blank, tears streaking down his face.
The weak autumn sunlight fell on Nie Jia, making him look like a faint flame that had burned to its end.
"Nie Jia!" Song Nuanyang ran over, panting heavily as she stood on the shore and gasped for breath, "I have something to tell you, come down first."
Nie Jia ignored her, just rubbing the cold ring over and over again. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he wiped them away silently. "I'm afraid I can't marry you when I go back. I'm giving you up."
He murmured, flicking his fingers and tossing the ring into the sea. "I'm letting you go."
Nie Jia jumped off the rock back to the shore, and Song Nuanyang rushed up, about to say something, but she suddenly froze as she looked at Nie Jia. "Your eyes..." Nie Jia's eyes were originally golden and magnificent like stars, but now his right eye remained bright while the pupil had shrunk into a thin line, as cold as the vertical pupil of a cold-blooded animal.
"I seem to have awakened a new ability, to snatch others' powers." Nie Jia pressed his hand on Song Nuanyang's shoulder, and in that instant, Song Nuanyang's mind went silent, no longer disturbed by voices, but at the same time, she couldn't read Nie Jia's thoughts anymore.
"You can't do that." Song Nuanyang realized that her ability had been taken by Nie Jia, but at this moment, she didn't care. Before losing her ability, she saw Nie Jia's thoughts, and the immense darkness chilled her to the bone.
In the three days on the eastern coast, Nie Jia had already taken away the abilities of many people. He wanted to end this endless cycle.
"Goodbye." Nie Jia left a faint remark and then disappeared on the spot.
"Nie Jia, Nie Jia!" Song Nuanyang called out in a panic, but Nie Jia was probably already in Qinghai Gate. Song Nuanyang collapsed in despair, took out her phone, and called Shen Su, "Brother Shen, Nie Jia went to Qinghai Gate. He intends to kill Qiao Yuan and all other ordinary people! You must stop him!"
"What do you mean Nie Jia wants to do? Wait, I think I see him..." Shen Su, who was currently acting as a guard to maintain order in the square, was attracted by some commotion not far away. While responding to Song Nuanyang on the phone, he pushed through the crowd and headed towards the center of the disturbance.
The guards blocking the way were kicked away by Nie Jia from the crowd. Nie Jia didn't hear Shen Su's shouts, waving away the crowd and heading straight for the podium. No one could stop him, and the media could only record this scene and broadcast it nationwide.
Qiao Yuan watched as Nie Jia approached him on his own, cautiously stepping back a step, "What do you want?"
Nie Jia glanced indifferently at Qiao Yuan, and with a flick of his right wrist, a hunting knife slid out of his sleeve. Gripping the knife, he hesitated for a moment, then unhesitatingly swung the knife in front of everyone, beheading Qiao Yuan. Blood sprayed into the sky, and Qiao Yuan's head flew into the crowd, his body falling from the podium.
Shen Su and He Qingtang had already been stunned in place.
After a half-second of silence, there was an outbreak of intense screams of fear from the crowd, and people scattered and fled. With a slight movement of Nie Jia's finger, an invisible barrier immediately enveloped the entire square, preventing people from coming in and those inside from getting out. The panic among the people present intensified instantly.
Wiping away the blood from his face, Nie Jia threw away the hunting knife. With both hands propped on the sides of the podium, his eyes icy, he spoke coldly, "Everyone present, I've saved your lives, and now I'm taking them back. Also, from now on, I officially declare war on all ordinary people. No matter where you flee, I will hunt you down and kill you all!"
Song Nuanyang saw Nie Jia's actions and declaration through her phone, and her heart was filled with despair.
On the day when Qiao Yuan announced his formal appointment as acting president, he was beheaded by Nie Jia in front of the entire nation, causing instant panic. Nie Jia had once been an extreme shark factionist, and his declaration of war, every word of it, was true.
The whole country was suddenly plunged into a frenzy of fear.
He Qingtang also held a grudge against Qiao Yuan in her heart. Nie Jia had done what she wanted to do but didn't dare to. However, it was not her intention to involve so many people.
"Nie Jia! Are you insane? Not everyone participated in forcing Shi Chen into his situation, and his death wasn't directly caused by them. Calm down!" Shen Su shouted loudly.
Nie Jia's cold voice spread across the country through live news broadcasts: "I don't care, and I'm not interested in knowing who is more responsible and who is less responsible. As long as they are ordinary people, they must die for me!"
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