A water-type trainer who specializes in dragon-type water.

Zhang Heng squatted in front of the Garchomp, his cold, scrutinizing gaze like solid ice, scraping inch by inch across its trembling scales.

Just as the suffocating fear was about to completely engulf Garchomp, Zhang Heng's words rang out again, but with a subtle change in content.

"but……"

He deliberately drew out his words, like a cat playing with a mouse, offering a glimmer of hope to the desperate.

"I have always believed that even tools need to be given a chance to prove their value."

Garchomp's scarlet pupils, which had been glazed over with fear, suddenly contracted, and its extinguished will to survive was rekindled like a flickering candle in the wind.

It could hardly believe its ears, and desperately raised its head, its eyes filled with the most humble and urgent plea, like a drowning person looking at the only piece of driftwood.

Zhang Heng stood up and looked down at it, his voice regaining its emotionless calm, yet it was even more chilling than its previous violence.

“Hatred and sin cannot be washed away by fear alone. They need to be cleansed with blood—the blood of the enemy.”

He paused, making sure every word was branded into Garchomp's soul.

"You have shed the blood of my Chinese soldiers and civilians. Whether it was your intention or not, the cause and effect are now sealed. If you want to live, if you want a chance to breathe, there is only one way—"

Zhang Heng's voice suddenly turned fierce, his eyes blazing: "We will repay them a hundredfold, a thousandfold, with the blood of even more Koreans! We will return the pain and death they inflicted upon us in their entirety! Are you willing?"

This was not an inquiry, but an ultimatum, a path of only redemption for the prisoner—a thorny path soaked in the blood of the enemy.

"Roar—!!" Lie

Without any hesitation, the Garchomp nodded frantically with all its might, almost breaking its neck!

That was not just the instinct to survive, but a twisted flame of "hope" ignited in a desperate situation—an opportunity to exchange killing for survival, and perhaps even for some kind of "recognition" in the future!

Compared to the ultimate horror of being dissected, skinned, and dismembered, what is a bloody battle?

Zhang Heng stepped aside, making way for him.

Garchomp was relieved and struggled to its feet, looking extremely disheveled.

Its massive body swayed slightly from the previous heavy blow and the intense turmoil in its heart. Cracks and bruises on its skin were clearly visible, and its aura was weak, completely unlike the imposing presence it had when it first appeared as a quasi-god.

Zhang Heng didn't say another word of comfort or encouragement. He simply extended his left hand, palm up, and his mind stirred slightly.

The next moment, an indescribable aura of majesty suddenly emanated from Zhang Heng!

This aura wasn't directed at anyone in particular, but it affected all living beings present, including Zhang Leiyuan, Uncle Luo, Qishu, and even all the Pokémon.

The overlord Charizard, Kingdra, Martial Arts Bear Master, and others were all shaken to their core, involuntarily holding their breath, their eyes all focused on Zhang Heng's palm!

There, the space seemed to be slightly distorted, and a point of indigo light, dazzling to the extreme yet containing endless depth, slowly emerged.

The light quickly spread and solidified, eventually transforming into a stone slab about the size of a book!

Dragon Slate!

"That's...! Good lad!!"

For the first time, Zhang Leiyuan's hand holding the teacup paused noticeably, and an incredulous glint flashed in his eyes.

He and Zhang Heng were in the Water Lord's Secret Realm, and he already knew that Zhang Heng had obtained the Water Drop Stone Tablet, but he was unaware that the Dragon Stone Tablet had also been obtained by Zhang Heng.

"This is no better than Lao Duan... he's almost as good as Lao Shi."

Uncle Luo gasped, not even noticing that the teapot had tipped over slightly.

Qi Shu covered his mouth with his hand, his big eyes filled with shock.

Even Kingdra, Altaria, Dragapult, and others couldn't help but lower their bodies slightly, revealing an instinctive sense of awe.

Dragon-type Pokémon feel this aura most directly and deeply.

Zhang Heng seemed oblivious to the crowd's reactions, or perhaps he had anticipated them.

With another thought, the Dragon Stone trembled slightly, and a stream of pure, noble indigo energy, like a living serpent, peeled off the surface of the stone and slowly drifted toward the wounded Garchomp.

The stream of light wasn't fast, but it carried an irresistible majesty. The Garchomp froze, gripped by both fear and longing. The instant the indigo light touched its body—

"Om..."

A deep, resonant sound, seemingly emanating from the depths of the soul, resounded. All of Garchomp's wounds—cracks in its scales, bruises on its skin, internal injuries, and depleted energy—were healing at a visible speed!

Moreover, the indigo energy was like the finest tonic, gently yet powerfully cleansing its limbs and bones, replenishing its depleted strength and dragon essence.

In just a few breaths, Garchomp's aura went from being listless to soaring up and quickly returning to its peak state!

All its wounds disappeared, its scales were as smooth as new, and even under the infusion of energy, they faintly shone with a deeper luster. Its eyes also became sharp and bright again, as if it had never experienced the crushing defeat just now!

"Roar..." Garchomp couldn't help but let out a comfortable low roar, and then the look in its eyes as it looked at Zhang Heng completely changed.

If before it was pure fear and forced obedience for survival, now, in addition to deep-rooted fear, there is an added sense of almost devout awe and submission in those eyes!

It felt it with its own eyes! It was the Dragon Slab! The sacred relic that all Dragon-type Pokémon dream of, symbolizing origin and supreme power!

This young human trainer not only possesses it, but can also wield its power so easily!

The existence capable of wielding such a supreme being has a background and potential that are beyond Garchomp's comprehension.

Following such a master, perhaps... it's not just about survival, but could really hold an unimaginable future?

Zhang Heng ignored Garchomp's increasingly complex gaze, stopped channeling his mental energy into the Dragon Slab, and the aura of creation that had shaken everyone's hearts dissipated.

He acted as if he had done something insignificant, turned around and walked back to the tea table, looking calmly at his father.

“Dad,” he began, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather, “is the situation in the East China Sea, especially the waters bordering South Korea, still so tense lately?”

Zhang Leiyuan snapped out of his reverie at the shock of the Dragon Slab. He gave his son a deep look but didn't press him about the slab's origins—everyone has their own secrets and destiny.

He picked up the slightly cooled tea, took a small sip, pondered for a moment, and said, "Nervous, very nervous. Since the last battle for the Huahai Secret Realm, the international media and the behind-the-scenes competition have never stopped."

"Especially South Korea, they are well aware that they are in the wrong and are even more afraid of our retaliation. Now, on their west coast, in the waters adjacent to our East China Sea, they have amassed a considerable naval force, with a high density of warship patrols and a defense level that has been raised by more than one level."

"What, you mean to..."

Zhang Heng smiled noncommittally, a smile devoid of warmth, only cold calculation.

"Now that we've accepted the 'gift,' we should test the 'knife' to see if it's sharp and, while we're at it, see if this 'knife' is worth keeping."

Zhang Leiyuan instantly understood his son's intention.

The international situation is turbulent and unpredictable. After indirectly participating in the war by supporting defector champions, the United States tried its best to distance itself from the conflict, leaving South Korea and Japan to bear the brunt of China's anger.

South Korea is now like a frightened bird, deploying heavy troops for defense.

Zhang Heng intends to send the Garchomp, which has just "submitted" and is eager to prove itself, to serve as a scout spike and a tempered blade.

The objective is clear: to leverage Garchomp's powerful single-target combat capabilities and aerial maneuverability to pose a certain threat to steel-hulled ships, and to launch a high-risk, high-reward surprise attack on South Korea's tense maritime defenses.

The goal is not to annihilate the enemy, but to create chaos, demoralize them, and ascertain their strengths and weaknesses. At the same time, it is also the ultimate test of Garchomp's combat power, loyalty, and execution.

Success naturally weakens the enemy, and Garchomp proves its value as a "weapon".

Even if he failed or died in battle, to Zhang Heng, it was nothing more than losing a tool that he hadn't yet invested his emotions in and that came from a "not-so-clean" source, so he didn't feel much heartache.

"it is good."

Zhang Leiyuan did not object; he simply nodded.

As a champion, he understood this ruthless but effective logic all too well. He added, "I'll have the intelligence department send you the latest coordinates of the South Korean fleet's relatively weak defensive positions. Remember, it's a surprise attack and harassment, not a fight to the death. Strike and run, create maximum chaos."

With his father's approval and support, Zhang Heng felt more confident.

He turned around again, facing the Garchomp, who had recovered and whose eyes held a mixture of awe and trepidation.

"listen."

Zhang Heng's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable tone of command. He didn't harbor any illusions or pity for Garchomp like his father did.

"Your mission objective is to go to the designated waters in the East China Sea and annihilate all South Korean naval forces you encounter—patrol ships, frigates, and even their supply ships."

"Remember! You cannot retreat until you are annihilated. If you retreat, I will surely kill you!"

"Don't you love fighting? Don't you yearn to wash away your sins with blood? Here's your chance."

He stared into Garchomp's eyes and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"You have shed countless drops of blood from the Chinese people and soldiers. Now, go and take it back from the Koreans a hundredfold, a thousandfold! This is your only path to redemption, the only way to cleanse yourself of your sins!"

Upon hearing this, Garchomp's chest heaved violently, not from fear, but from a twisted excitement and determination!

It no longer sees this as an impossible or suicidal task, but rather as a pledge to be reborn!

Its eyes flashed with a sharp light, and it let out a low roar. It raised its arms, and its two white claws, which were like scimitars, clashed together with a loud "clang," sparking dazzling sparks, as if it were making the most solemn military pledge!