Chapter 74: Zhao Jie’s Solution

"Everyone, save the president!"

A sudden voice rose from the crowd. Zhao Jie turned toward the direction it came from and saw the speaker was an old acquaintance of his—Teacher Li Ping.

Save him? How?

Staring at the steadily advancing Dark Wukongmon, many people felt lost and uncertain. This was a fully evolved Digimon; even if all of them attacked together, they would barely buy a few seconds, nothing more than throwing their lives away.

But if they didn't go, the outcome would hardly be any better.

"I have an idea!"

Zhao Jie’s voice cut through the crowd. The commotion ceased abruptly as everyone’s gaze turned to him.

When they saw the speaker was merely a boy in his early teens, disappointment flickered across their faces.

"If none of us adults have a solution, what could a child possibly do? You should leave now—don’t make things harder for us," someone sighed, waving him off.

They had genuinely hoped someone had a plan, but it was just a child. If so many of them were at a loss, what could a boy possibly come up with? Wasn’t this just foolishness?

Zhao Jie met their skeptical looks and scratched the back of his head in resignation.

But I really do have a way!

He had been closely observing the battle between Dark Wukongmon and the Treantmon, especially the black-furred Wukongmon, whose power was overwhelming.

However, rather than focusing solely on Wukongmon’s astonishing strength, Zhao Jie’s eyes kept returning to the black collar around Dark Wukongmon’s neck.

Initially, he hadn’t thought much of it, but after witnessing the Treantmon’s repeated attacks, he began to sense something unusual. The black collar appeared to grant Dark Wukongmon immense power, turning it into an immortal force.

"I really have a plan," Zhao Jie insisted, his voice ringing out again. This time, instead of irritation, many furrowed their brows. The first time, they thought the boy was just trying to play the hero. But hearing him repeat himself, some grew curious about what his method could possibly be.

Could he truly have a way to defeat a fully evolved Wukongmon?

"Stop making trouble and leave at once," Li Ping said, suddenly appearing at Zhao Jie’s side, his brow deeply furrowed as he looked at the boy.

"Teacher Li, I really do have a way," Zhao Jie replied, locking eyes with him, then sweeping his gaze over the crowd.

"Has anyone noticed the black collar around Dark Wukongmon’s neck? I suspect that collar is controlling him and is the source of his strength."

At this, some turned to look at Dark Wukongmon. They had noticed the collar, of course, but dismissed it as an ornament.

Now, hearing Zhao Jie's words, many began to reassess the black collar. It didn’t seem like a mere accessory after all.

"Are you suggesting we all try to destroy that collar?" Li Ping looked at Zhao Jie in surprise. He had to admit it was a workable idea—assuming, of course, the collar was indeed the key to Dark Wukongmon’s power.

"Exactly. If we destroy the collar, his strength might fade," Zhao Jie replied, fixing his gaze on Dark Wukongmon. Of course, this was only a theory. If he was wrong and the collar was just decoration, their sacrifice would be in vain.

"Well?" Li Ping turned to the other Tamers. Zhao Jie's proposal was at least something—better than having no plan at all.

Everyone present understood this was just a guess, but at this point, they had nothing else to try.

"Let’s do it!" many shouted, raising their hands. If there was even a sliver of hope, they wouldn’t give up.

"I’d like to direct the operation," Zhao Jie spoke again.

You? Direct us?

The crowd exchanged glances but said nothing. Letting a child command them? What could he possibly know about tactics? Still, they kept their doubts to themselves; after all, he was the one who’d given them a plan.

"Are you sure you can do it?" Li Ping asked hesitantly, looking at the boy before him. In just a few days, Zhao Jie seemed almost unrecognizable—so different from the youth he once knew.

"I can," Zhao Jie replied with conviction.

"If you follow my instructions, I promise we’ll achieve our goal quickly and shatter that collar," he said confidently.

"We’ll trust you—just this once," Li Ping agreed after a brief hesitation. Among the Tamers, he still commanded some respect, and though some doubted the wisdom of letting a child lead, they said nothing more.

"Very well, then I won’t stand on ceremony. All Tamers with flying Digimon, send them out. Harass Dark Wukongmon from a distance—remember, your safety comes first. Stall him as long as you can."

At his command, several Tamers with flying Digimon issued orders, and their partners soared toward Dark Wukongmon’s position.

Five Bardramon unfurled their massive wings, flames roaring along their feathers.

With a whoosh, fiery meteors rained down from the sky toward Dark Wukongmon, a spectacular display.

The flames struck Dark Wukongmon, but they barely fazed him. If anything, the mild burning soothed him.

With a furious roar, he halted his advance toward Treantmon and leapt in place, swiping at the Bardramon above.

He was fast, but so were they—as he sprang, the Bardramon soared higher.

Landing empty-handed, Dark Wukongmon’s pitch-black eyes remained fixed on the Digimon circling overhead.

Suddenly, several Wasmon appeared at his flank, launching poison barbs as long as an arm that struck his body with a smack.

The attack startled Dark Wukongmon, who whirled around to see the Wasmon darting away at lightning speed.

How dare these ants attack him? They must be tired of living.