To stop Bai Qi from continuing, the desperate government of the US government resorted to the most foolish tactic, ordering fighter jets to take off urgently, preparing to use missiles to forcibly end Bai Qi's speech.
But they forgot, this was being broadcast live.
The two incoming missiles were intercepted by Bai Qi in mid-air before they could even get close, turning into two fireworks, and the fighter jets were crushed into metal pancakes.
However, to demonstrate his benevolence, Bai Qi used his magic to protect the female reporter, the man, and the pilot while blowing up the missiles. The massive explosion and scorching heatwave did not harm the three in the slightest.
Bai Qi's actions were akin to adding more fuel to the fire for the panicked US government.
It allowed the American public to see that the US government was willing to kill to cover up its misdeeds, while a demon used his abilities to protect three American citizens. The contrast was incredibly ironic.
Finally, Bai Qi didn't forget to turn Kust's tear-streaked face towards the camera for a close-up.
That's right, Bai Qi did not kill him.
In Bai Qi's eyes, eliminating Kust was as simple as moving a finger. However, after this incident, Kust's political career was over. Disgraced, his ultimate fate was to face a military tribunal and spend the rest of his life in prison. Furthermore, Kust could now serve as a prime example to deter the US.
Bai Qi's series of actions indeed yielded remarkable results.
The next day, the headlines of major newspapers were all about Bai Qi's speech from yesterday. Various tabloids employed every trick in the book to grab attention, with all sorts of bizarre titles emerging.
Various talk shows on television also discussed the demon's words and the government's actions. Some claimed the demon had fabricated lies to mislead people, while others accused the government.
Of course, how could Russia, the old adversary of the US, remain silent at this moment?
While Russia did not directly support Bai Qi, it continuously criticized the US government, its system, and its various problems.
Some extremist groups, instigated by the opposition parties, took to the streets with protest signs, denouncing the government's inaction and misfeasance.
This was exactly what Bai Qi had hoped to achieve.
It was the age of information. If the US government could smear him through the media, then he could use the media to throw the dirt back.
More importantly, if Bai Qi intended to cause trouble, the best way was to first stir up the stagnant water. Only then would it be easier to fish in troubled waters.
The scene shifted. Meanwhile, in China's Chen Long's family, they were still unaware of the major events unfolding in the US.
"Hello, have you seen this person?"
Stopping a passing villager, Chen Long presented a photograph.
The villager glanced at the photo and immediately shook his head, saying, "Haven't seen him, haven't seen him."
Before Chen Long could speak, he turned and left.
Xiao Yu watched the departing villager and said, "Something's not right, very not right."
The villagers' behavior was too uniform and too exaggerated. Chen Long and the other two showed the photo to several more villagers, and the answer was always the same: they didn't know, and they would leave in a hurry after saying so, as if Chen Long's group were plague carriers. It was clear they were deliberately concealing something.
"You are looking for them? I know."
It wasn't until Chen Long and his companions reached the last house in the village, belonging to the most respected elder, that they received a different answer.
"These people came to our village not long ago, saying they wanted to go up the mountain. They even hired famous hunters from our village as guides with a generous sum."
Chen Long quickly asked, "Grandma, do you know where these people are now?"
The old woman raised her head slightly, counted on her fingers, and then said, "It should have been yesterday. They left in a hurry for the mountain. I told them the snow on the mountain hasn't completely melted yet, and it's dangerous to go up now. But they wouldn't listen, rushing as if they were looking for something."
Xiao Yu asked again, "Grandma, we asked other villagers earlier, but they all avoided the topic. Do you know why?"
Before the old woman could answer, a gruff voice came from inside the room.
A strong, dark-skinned man emerged.
"It's because those people gave the villagers hush money, telling them to say they didn't know if anyone asked. They promised each person a thousand yuan as a reward when they returned."
A thousand yuan might not seem like much to ordinary people, but for those living in the mountains with inconvenient transportation, it was an astronomical sum.
As for why the man revealed Khasala's group's whereabouts, was it out of noble character, unswayed by money?
Not at all. In fact, it was because the man was not present when Khasala made the promise. Therefore, even if he kept silent like the other villagers, he wouldn't receive the thousand yuan when Khasala's group returned. Sudan Novel Network
Rather than be envious of others getting paid, it was better that no one got anything, which would make him feel more balanced.
"No, we must get up the mountain before them."
Although he didn't know what the Black Hand group intended to do on the mountain, Chen Long knew that whatever their purpose, it wouldn't be anything good, and they had to stop them.
Upon hearing that Chen Long's group also intended to go up the mountain, the old woman immediately objected, "No, this mountain is cursed. Anyone who climbs it will be cursed by demons, and the snow on the mountain hasn't completely melted. It's very dangerous to go up now."
The old man's eyebrows shot up upon hearing the old woman's words and he asked, "Can you explain in detail what curse this mountain bears?"
The old woman sighed and said, "I'm not too clear about the specifics either. I heard it from my elders. In the past, there were eight great demons in the world. They committed all sorts of evil, harming humanity, until they were sealed into hell by eight immortals. And the gate to hell is located on this snow-capped mountain."
After hearing the old woman's words, the old man had made up his mind. He told Chen Long that no matter what, they had to stop the Black Hand group's actions, otherwise, the consequences would be endless.
Upon hearing that Chen Long's group also wanted to go up the mountain, the previously calm old woman's expression changed instantly. She angrily pushed the three out of her house, not giving them a chance to explain.
"What do we do now? Without a guide, we can't get up the mountain at all."
Xiao Yu shrugged, indicating there was nothing they could do.
The villagers had been bought off by Khasala, and none of them were willing to lead the way. With just the three of them, two old and one young, and only Chen Long being strong and healthy, it was impossible for him to lead two burdens up an unfamiliar snowy mountain. It would be no different from seeking death, let alone the fact that due to their special identities, they were not carrying any climbing gear, making the already difficult task infinitely harder.
Chen Long looked at his father, but before he could speak, his father tapped him on the forehead with two fingers.
"Magic is not omnipotent, and as soon as I arrived, I sensed that the entire mountain was covered by a powerful magic. Here, I cannot use my Qi magic."