Chapter 29: I Don’t Associate With Anyone

"I reject," Jiang Chen said flatly, his voice leaving no room for negotiation.

Killian blinked in disbelief, his grand offer to join forces immediately shot down. He hadn't expected such a straightforward refusal. Jiang Chen stretched nonchalantly, then continued, "I prefer to be on my own. I don't like being tied to anyone. So, I think you've chosen the wrong person."

Killian, looking deflated, sighed. "Of course, it's your choice… I'm sorry if I overstepped," he said, his expression darkening with disappointment. He muttered as if to himself, "But I'm still grateful to you for giving me hope."

The sadness in his voice grew as he continued, "I thought, after hearing about your conflict with Captain America, that you and I were alike."

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow but remained silent as Killian went on. "But I see now that I was wrong. You have your health, your strength… you're not like someone broken, like me."

Jiang Chen's lips curled into a smile. If I didn't already know what Killian was really after, he mused, I might actually feel sorry for him. Everything Killian had said was technically true—he had been a man discarded, forced into a corner by society's judgments. But that wasn't Jiang Chen's concern.

"In any case, thank you, sir," Killian said with a forced smile. "I've reserved a room for you in this hotel. You're welcome to stay as long as you like. If there's anything you need, just ask. I still hope, perhaps, that one day you might reconsider helping me."

Jiang Chen stood up, shaking his head as he smiled. "Actually, I don't need anything," he replied, making his way toward the door. But just before leaving, he paused, turning to glance back at Killian. His gaze hardened.

"I know what you're up to. I know your story, your purpose, and everything you've been through," Jiang Chen said. His tone was calm but cold, each word carrying weight. "I can admit, you're pitiable, but you're also despicable. Whether you've directly harmed anyone or not, it doesn't change what you represent."

Jiang Chen's eyes sharpened as he added, "If you're really involved in those Extremis experiments, capturing people for tests, you better stop now. Because if you don't, I'll make sure you face the consequences."

Killian stared at him, momentarily frozen. His face twisted in a sad expression. "Of course, sir. I know I've made mistakes. I'll… I'll tell them to stop."

Jiang Chen knew full well who "them" referred to—the dangerous forces aligned with the Mandarin. These weren't just small-time criminals; they were terrorists, and they had their sights set on powerful enemies like S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers. Jiang Chen was no hero, but he understood the game Killian was playing.

At this point, S.H.I.E.L.D. had probably already picked up on the Mandarin's activities. The Avengers might have been dispatched by now. This was their mess to clean up, not mine, Jiang Chen thought.

Jiang Chen had no interest in fighting the Avengers' battles for them. He wasn't about to be drawn into the conflict between them and Killian's extremists. Besides, none of these so-called heroes had been kind to him either. He owed them nothing.

As he stepped out of the room, Jiang Chen spared one last glance at Killian, who was still seated with a defeated look on his face. He might be a villain, Jiang Chen thought, but that's not my problem to solve. I'm not interested in fixing what those arrogant heroes broke in the first place.

Still, Jiang Chen wasn't about to let anyone cross him. He wouldn't chase down villains for the sake of heroism, but if someone became his enemy, he'd handle them—whoever they were.