065. This Is Your Grave!

Jiang Chen walked over to the couch and sat down, his tone calm yet pointed.

"You know, I should thank you. If you hadn't sent your men after Anna, I wouldn't have found your location. Driving here in your car was just a bonus."

Mandarin's face twisted momentarily in surprise. His meticulously planned ambush had, in a twist, become Jiang Chen's opportunity to counter him.

Recovering quickly, Mandarin chuckled and replied smoothly, "You're full of surprises, I'll give you that. But since you're here, how about a cup of coffee?"

"I'm fine," Jiang Chen responded, brushing off the offer. "Why did you take Anna?"

Mandarin, playing with the ring on his finger, replied coolly, "To know you. I needed to learn more about the man who took down Killian."

"So, kidnapping an innocent?" Jiang Chen's eyes narrowed.

"To win, you must know your enemy. And besides," Mandarin continued, "I have every intention of killing you, once I understand who I'm dealing with."

Jiang Chen leaned back, smiling in a dangerous, almost mocking way. "You're not the first to try, you know. But I'm still here. So, what makes you think you're any different?"

Mandarin didn't flinch, replying, "Because this time, the grave is already prepared."

Mandarin's eyes gleamed as he elaborated on his strategy. He detailed how he'd deliberately broadcast false information to lure S.H.I.E.L.D. and Jiang Chen to the broadcasting building, only to set an ambush there.

"But you found me here instead," Mandarin conceded. "You have to admit, you're lucky."

"Luck?" Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. "I prefer to think it's just your bad planning."

Mandarin's smile turned cold. "Well, that 'luck' ran out for your friends. The grave was meant for you, but I'll make it fit just fine for whoever came with you."

Jiang Chen shrugged, looking around the room. "This place is actually perfect," he mused. "Good feng shui, private... ideal for your grave."

Mandarin's expression hardened, the amusement fading. He began to caress a ring on his right hand, containing the power to unleash a cutting energy beam that could slice through any material, even the Extremis-enhanced Jiang Chen. Mandarin was prepared to test whether his opponent could recover from such a fatal blow.

With a sneer, Mandarin aimed the beam toward Jiang Chen's heart, confident in the fatality of his strike.

Suddenly, a figure flew through the window with a loud crash, intercepting the beam in midair. The intruder's body, split in half by the force of the energy, crumpled to the ground. Mandarin's expression faltered as he recognized the man—one of his own.

Frustrated, Mandarin realized that the ring's cutting beam would need a twenty-minute cooldown before it could be used again. He glanced out the shattered window to see a green-haired woman floating outside, fighting with the guards. Evidently, she had sent his lackey flying right into the beam.

Jiang Chen shook his head in mock disappointment. "How heartless, Mandarin. I didn't know you'd go to such lengths to silence your own men. If you're trying to take yourself out, just ask. I might be able to help."

Mandarin clenched his jaw, visibly restraining himself. Losing an underling was inconsequential, but this man's calm mockery was starting to wear on him. Refusing to let Jiang Chen see him lose his composure, Mandarin forced a thin smile.

"You're lucky," he muttered through gritted teeth.

Jiang Chen leaned back with a smirk, "I hear that a lot."

Mandarin's eyes glinted with determination as he touched the ring on his left middle finger. "That was just a taste. Now, the real show begins."