Chapter 29: A Late-Night Visit

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Three days after returning to Starlight City, Xia Yu’s life gradually settled back into its usual rhythm. He spent each day training his Pokémon and studying, while also enjoying exhilarating battles with his best friend, Wu Yaozu.

During the previous two days, Wu Yaozu had won both of their battles. The reason was that he possessed a Rockruff whose battle strength had reached the Elite level and which was on the verge of evolving. Although Noibat and Treecko both had exceptionally high potential, Noibat’s battle strength was only at the Normal level, while Treecko’s was merely Rare. Compared with Rockruff, they were far weaker.

After every defeat, Noibat would cling to Xia Yu and beg for comfort, while Treecko would take the initiative to request more intensive training. A refusal to lose ran through its bones. Its conviction to become stronger was deeply engraved within it, driving Treecko to hold itself to strict standards. It was disciplined, hardworking, and relentlessly determined.

But in today’s battle, Xia Yu finally defeated Wu Yaozu. He first relied on Noibat to defeat Wu Yaozu’s Charmander. Rockruff then entered the battle and defeated Noibat. Finally, Treecko took the field and narrowly overcame Rockruff.

Although it had only been a friendly sparring match, the victory delighted both Xia Yu and Treecko. Treecko was especially pleased. Its proudly raised head and cocked tail gave away its mood completely.

In stark contrast to the joyful atmosphere on Xia Yu’s side, Wu Yaozu wore an expression of utter shock. He stared at Treecko in disbelief, clearly unable to accept his defeat.

“What kind of potential does your Treecko actually have?” Wu Yaozu asked Xia Yu with a complicated look. Treecko’s progress was simply too fast. It seemed to change completely from one day to the next.

“Take a guess.” Xia Yu smiled at Fatty Wu. “Whatever it is, it should be higher than your Rockruff’s potential.”

“I think it’s at least Near-King level,” Wu Yaozu said with certainty.

Xia Yu merely smiled without answering. Wasn’t that looking down on Treecko? Treecko currently possessed Near-Champion potential. Pokémon with merely Near-King potential were not even qualified to join Xia Yu’s team. The passive skill Master’s Bearing was no mere decoration.

Still, Xia Yu did not deny it. He understood the necessity of concealing his strength. If people learned that Treecko possessed Near-Champion potential, a King-level Trainer would probably come knocking at his door at once, using every possible means to seize it from him.

Wealth should never be displayed openly.

“All right, Fatty Wu. School starts the day after tomorrow, so tomorrow is your last chance to get revenge.” Xia Yu changed the subject and patted Wu Yaozu on the shoulder.

The two-month summer vacation was coming to an end. So many things had happened during those two months that Xia Yu had almost forgotten he was still only a senior in high school.

“Just you wait, Xia Yu. I’m going to prepare my secret weapon tonight. I’ll definitely beat you tomorrow.” Wu Yaozu issued a fierce declaration. More than half a month ago, he had still been laughing at Xia Yu for being a complete battle novice. Yet today, Xia Yu had defeated him. He simply could not accept the reality, and felt as though he had lost all face.

With that, Wu Yaozu left. He would probably have trouble sleeping that night, racking his brains to devise a strategy that would let him win his battle against Xia Yu the next day.

After Wu Yaozu departed, Xia Yu assigned separate training tasks to Noibat and Treecko before returning to his room to study.

Before beginning, Xia Yu opened his post seeking various rare stones. Unfortunately, ever since he had found an Evolution Key Stone, he had not encountered anything worthwhile. Still, he did not lose heart. Acquiring rare stones was a long process to begin with.

After closing the post, Xia Yu picked up his books and began reviewing in earnest. There was still a year before the national college entrance examination, and his academic workload was considerable. Fortunately, Xia Yu had the foundation from his previous life. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to study while also raising and training Pokémon.

Night fell. His father returned home reeking of alcohol, a smile on his face. The worries of the previous few days had vanished, and even his voice had grown louder. It was obvious that he was in excellent spirits.

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Quite a few major events had occurred over the past three days, but the most explosive news concerned Wei Yeqin.

Three days earlier, Wei Yeqin had traveled alone to West City to pay a visit to the Zhao family.

The Zhao family was the clan of Zhao Shan, with whom Xia Luo had previously clashed. They were also the family that had exerted the greatest pressure on the Xia family, employing every possible means to purchase the priority rights to acquire the Xia family’s shares.

…………

Returning to the night three days earlier, Wei Yeqin had just escorted Xia Luo home. He then walked for four hours with Lucario before arriving in Sky City, where he paid a late-night visit to the Zhao family.

When he reached the Zhao residence, Wei Yeqin and Lucario ate a small amount of dry rations. Then the two of them sat cross-legged before the Zhao family’s gate, motionless, their eyes tightly shut as though they had entered a state of meditation, silently recovering their strength.

The strange sight immediately attracted the attention of many people. Seeing the wine gourd hanging from Wei Yeqin’s waist, everyone assumed he had drunk too much and was causing trouble.

“This drunk fool has no idea how much he weighs, yet he actually came to cause trouble at the Zhao family’s gate.”

“Exactly. He even brought such a rare Lucario with him. Look at how filthy that Lucario is. It’s obviously nothing special.”

“The Zhao family will probably send someone out soon. This should be entertaining.”

Just as the onlookers expected, the Zhao family quickly sent someone out. A uniformed security guard emerged from the mansion.

“Where did this drunkard come from? Leave at once.” As he spoke, the guard reached out to push Wei Yeqin away. But Wei Yeqin’s strength was immense. He extended one hand and clamped it firmly around the guard’s wrist.

“Please deliver a message for me. Tell them that I, Wei Yeqin, have come to pay a visit to the Zhao family on behalf of Xia Luo, the former Cinnabar Gym Leader.” Wei Yeqin suddenly opened his eyes, his voice booming like a great bell.

The guard’s wrist was locked in Wei Yeqin’s grip, and he was completely unable to break free. He had never imagined that this man could possess such tremendous strength.

“I can’t deliver any message for you. You need an appointment in advance,” the guard said. “I’m only a security guard.”

Wei Yeqin did not make things difficult for the young guard. He knew that life was not easy for people at the bottom. He released the guard’s wrist and lifted his head toward the sky.

At the same moment, Lucario, standing behind Wei Yeqin, also raised its gaze. Astonishing Dragon-type energy suddenly erupted from its body, churning the air like a stormy sea. Lucario raised both hands and unleashed a Dragon Pulse directly into the sky.

The surging Dragon-type energy shot upward, instantly illuminating the night sky above Sky City.

Everyone nearby faintly heard the roar of a dragon. Waves of air swept outward, whipping their clothes into a frenzy. At the same time, all the Dragon-type Pokémon in the vicinity were jolted awake and looked toward the heavens.

Once the Dragon-type energy dissipated, Wei Yeqin abruptly rose to his feet, drew a deep breath, and shouted toward the Zhao mansion in a resonant voice:

“I, Wei Yeqin, have come to pay a visit to the Zhao family on behalf of Xia Luo, the former Cinnabar City Gym Leader!”

His voice rang out through the silent night, harsh and startlingly clear. At that moment, everyone realized that something major was bound to happen. One after another, they pulled out their phones and began recording.

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“This is the Lucario you said was nothing special?”

“That Lucario is at least King level.”

“Bullshit. I watched the King-level ranking tournament in person three years ago. I think this Lucario is even stronger than a King-level Pokémon.”

“Damn, could this Lucario actually be Near-Champion level?”

…………

The Dragon Pulse had clearly alerted the Zhao family. The family’s current patriarch, the King-level Trainer Zhao Xuesong, hurried to the scene.

Zhao Xuesong was around forty, in the prime of his life. He frowned solemnly as he regarded Wei Yeqin and the Lucario behind him.

“Who are you?”

“Who I am isn’t important. What matters is that I’ve come on behalf of the former Cinnabar Gym Leader, Xia Luo.” Wei Yeqin answered with a smile.

“So you’ve come to stand up for Xia Luo.” Zhao Xuesong’s expression turned cold as he looked at Wei Yeqin.

“Yes.”

“Then come with me. We’ll go to the Dragon-type Gym in Sky City. This place isn’t suitable for a battle. I accept your challenge!”

As the current head of the Zhao family, Zhao Xuesong possessed tremendous resolve. Regardless of Wei Yeqin’s strength, he was the strongest member of the Zhao family and had no choice but to face the challenger himself.

The outcome was secondary. The family’s dignity could not be allowed to fall! Losing to someone stronger was nothing to be ashamed of. What mattered was having the courage to stand and fight!

“Good.” Wei Yeqin answered loudly. He removed the wine gourd from his waist, took a long drink, and followed Zhao Xuesong toward the Dragon-type Gym.

This was destined to be a sleepless night.

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