At dinner time, in the night sky over Zining Mountain, the moon was obscured by thick clouds, only letting through a faint light.
Stars were sparsely scattered across the horizon, dim and lusterless, as if their light had also been swallowed by the heavy night.
Chen Ba and Chen Ma felt a bit dizzy, and while eating, they chatted with Chen Kai: “Did nothing really happen?”
Chen Kai could only kindly conceal the truth, saying, “Nothing really happened. If there was such a big commotion, would our house be this clean and tidy?”
Chen Ba scratched his head: “That’s strange. I kept feeling like there was a big earthquake this afternoon, but when I checked online, there wasn’t one.”
Chen Kai tried to bluff: “Dad, Mom, did you get confused from sleeping on the grass during your nap?”
Chen Ba was still scratching his head: “Tsk, possibly.”
Iron Leaves was not very skilled at hypnotic-type abilities; its Psychic power could only cause some cognitive distortions for Chen Ba and Chen Ma.
Chen Kai added a few more words to ensure Chen Ba and Chen Ma wouldn't dwell on the day's events.
Back in his room, Chen Kai asked Miraidon and Iron Bundle what would ultimately happen to the taken Iron Hands.
The awakened Iron Bundle remained silent and reserved.
Miraidon, however, explained: “This kind of mass-produced ‘Number organism’ that disobeys superior orders, in our world, in most cases, they are sent back directly for remelting and reconstruction.”
Chen Kai then asked, “But it already has a name, I named it Iron Hands. How is that situation handled?”
Miraidon continued, “If a creature has a name, there are corresponding laws to judge it.
However, the name Iron Hands was not recognized by its superior, Iron Leaves, so this situation will not be acknowledged.
Now, the situation depends on how Iron Leaves decides to deal with its subordinate.”
After speaking, Miraidon looked at Iron Bundle.
Chen Kai also looked at Iron Bundle, hoping it would say something.
But Iron Bundle ignored them, no matter how Chen Kai and Miraidon questioned it.
Chen Kai had no choice; after all, he knew that if Iron Leaves didn't punish Iron Hands at all, he couldn't do anything, as Iron Hands was Iron Leaves’s subordinate.
Moreover, he was safe only because Iron Leaves protected him.
But Chen Kai still felt some lingering fear about what happened during the day.
Another thing that bothered Chen Kai was why Yelena, who was like a persistent plaster, always secretly lurked near Chen Kai before, but didn't show up when such a big incident occurred this time. Could she still be lying in the hospital?
He felt like she hadn't sustained any serious injuries.
However, her absence was a good thing; it saved Chen Kai trouble.
Meanwhile, in a place unknown to Chen Kai, a green Pokémon was wandering around Zining Mountain.
“Disgusting thing, it came out and then hid again. Is it that timid?!”
It was Virizion who had arrived. It had sensed Iron Leaves's aura during the day and rushed over, only to find that Iron Leaves had returned, which made it very frustrated.
Moreover, the entire mountain was filled with the Psychic aura of that metal lump, which thoroughly disgusted the Fighting-type Virizion.
Now, if it went back, it would still encounter one of the Dragon Kingdom's guardians—Suicune, Entei, or Raikou—and it would likely be scolded again. Thinking of this, it became even angrier!
The next day, Chen Kai entered Area Zero again with a conflicted mood.
After a day, the items Chen Kai had left at the cave entrance had not been touched.
Chen Kai and Miraidon returned to the Astronomical Observatory.
Iron Leaves, however, acted as if nothing had happened, still greeting Chen Kai and his companions at the Astronomical Observatory's entrance.
“Uh, Iron Leaves. This is a gift for you.” Chen Kai handed the purchased tea leaves to Iron Leaves.
Iron Leaves was very happy, just as usual.
It accepted the tea leaves and brewed its current favorite Longjing tea for Chen Kai and Miraidon.
At the same time, the table was set with the cake Miraidon had bought for it earlier, as well as many sliced berries.
However, Chen Kai's spirits remained low.
The three simply drank tea in silence.
Iron Leaves naturally noticed Chen Kai's awkwardness.
It had always been upright; otherwise, it wouldn't have fallen out with those people from its original world. So, it spoke bluntly:
“Regarding ‘Number 7980’, I have severely punished it, and of course, it's not just a superficial punishment.”
“No, Iron Leaves, how you deal with your subordinate is your business.” Chen Kai quickly waved his hand and said.
“You'd better see it with your own eyes.” Iron Leaves tilted its head slightly backward, and a figure was lifted out by its Confusion.
It was Iron Hands.
It was hard to imagine that Iron Hands, with its metallic skin, now had its left eye swollen into a mere slit, its eyelid bulging high and purplish-blue, like a ripe but harshly squeezed grape.
Its two proud large palms hung limply on the ground, connected only by a faint electrical current.
The normally bright yellow on its palms was now dim and lusterless, flickering as if it could go out at any moment.
Its feet were even unable to stand upright and walk.
It spoke with deep regret:
“Tieban Ye Daren, I was wrong, boo hoo hoo…
I truly know I was wrong.”
Iron Leaves said sternly, “Don't tell me, you know who to tell.”
Iron Hands saw Chen Kai and quickly crawled over, hugging Chen Kai's leg: “Chen Kai Daren!!!
I know I was wrong!”
Chen Kai awkwardly tried to pull his leg out but found he couldn't.
Iron Leaves then said, “Xiao Kai, I have crippled most of its strength. Its original Master-level mid-stage (around Level 95) strength is now below Champion Class (Level 79).
It is indeed due to my negligence in discipline for many years that it did such a thing.
Next, I will punish it to stay by your side, to work hard and be your laborer.
How do you feel about that?”
Iron Hands cried out in pain again; it guessed that if Chen Kai didn't agree, given Iron Leaves's personality, it would be finished.
“Chen Kai Daren, please take me in! I sincerely regret it, boo hoo hoo…”
Chen Kai said with difficulty, “But even with its current strength…”
Iron Leaves said, “Don't worry, it can't beat Iron Bundle now. You can still trust Iron Bundle as a security guard, right?”
Chen Kai nodded: “Iron Bundle is indeed quite good.”
Seeing Chen Kai's affirmation, Iron Leaves continued, “Then I will set ‘Number 7980’s’ permissions below Iron Bundle. From now on, it must fully obey Iron Bundle's command. How about that?”
Iron Hands, lying on the ground, suddenly reacted: “Huh? Make me listen to ‘Number 7981’?”
Iron Bundle then jumped out of its Poké Ball, hit Iron Hands with a Water Gun, and loudly reprimanded:
“What? ‘Number 7980’ should call me Iron Bundle Daren!”
Iron Hands knew it was no longer a match for Iron Bundle and could only swallow its pride.
“Iron… Iron Bundle Daren.”
Iron Bundle walked over and patted its head: “Ah! Good, that sounds really nice.”
Saying this, Iron Bundle also turned back and said to Chen Kai, “Chen Kai Daren, I will take full responsibility for it from now on, ensuring it won't affect your daily life.”
Iron Hands seized the opportunity and continued to wail, “I know I was wrong, Chen Kai Daren!”
Chen Kai saw that Iron Hands had indeed suffered, and the cunning look in its eyes was gone. He said helplessly,
“Alright, since Iron Leaves and Iron Bundle, you both said so, then so be it.”
For some reason, Chen Kai thought of Journey to the West again. He couldn't help but inwardly complain:
This situation now is just like Tang Monk taking in Zhu Bajie.
