In Xiang Province, Central China, inside the Central China Champion Office—
Yu Xingken and two other Champion Office members were organizing materials for Li Guanjun. The Champion’s unauthorized trip to Lake Heart Island had resulted in an excessive backlog of official duties.
The group returned from Lake Heart Island, and after a brief rest, prepared to work through the night on their busy official duties.
Xing Ken looked at the dense pile of official documents and couldn't help but lament, “Working is like visiting a grave; the wages aren't enough to dry my tears. To whom can a laborer complain about their suffering?”
Ding-a-ling~
The Champion’s dedicated phone line suddenly rang, interrupting Xing Ken’s complaining.
“Hello. This is the Central China Champion Office.”
“Report, sir, the convoy transporting Liziji was attacked.”
“What? The convoy transporting Liziji was attacked? What’s the situation?”
Yu Xingken instantly straightened his body, his expression becoming serious and tense. His earlier complaints about official duties were thrown to the wind.
The voice on the other end of the phone sounded a bit dejected: “The enemy’s strength is unknown, but Celestial King Cheng was defeated, severely injured, and is unconscious. He has been sent to the local intensive care unit for treatment and is not yet out of danger. All other police officers sacrificed… their deaths were tragic.”
“Immediately dispatch more local personnel and blockade all routes along the way. Highway entrances must be checked one by one; no suspects are to be allowed to escape. Do everything possible to rescue the injured.”
After Yu Xingken hung up the phone, he quickly said to the other two members, “The situation is urgent. You two report everything to the Champion. I’ll contact Zhang Corporation to see if they have a doctor who can treat Celestial King Cheng.”
“No need, I’ve already received the message. I contacted Grandpa Zhang, and he will send someone to assist in treating Cheng Feng. This attack on the convoy seems to indicate that the internal parasites of our country can no longer sit still.”
The speaker was Li Guanjun, who had just descended from the second floor of the office. At this moment, his face was grim. Although he wasn't openly angry, the three office members saw the veins bulging on Li Guanjun’s forehead, indicating that he was in an irritable and volatile state.
This escort mission was arranged by Li Guanjun. Not only was one of his apprentices, Cheng Feng, attacked with his life hanging in the balance, but four police officers and two drivers were also lost, essentially casualties in a factional struggle.
Another member did not bring up the topic of the injured but instead asked, “Champion, what should we do now? Do we need to go and provide support?”
Li Guanjun pulled out a Poké Ball and threw it at the window, intending to break the Champion Office window and exit through it, rushing towards South China.
The Poké Ball spun in the air as it flew towards the window, but there was no sound of shattering glass as expected.
Instead, a Pokémon with black fur, red eyes, and brilliant golden ring-like patterns on its body appeared. The supreme Pokémon, Umbreon, struck the Poké Ball with its tail in mid-air, batting it back towards Li Guanjun.
Li Guanjun did not panic, catching it steadily with his hand. This Pokémon stood at the window, its body bathed in moon waves, causing the golden circle-like patterns on its body to glow.
Xing Ken: “Old Zhao’s Umbreon?!”
A deep, resonant voice came from the doorway, saying, “Calm down! Central China has many official duties. You’ve just returned, and you cannot simply rush to South China. Guarding Central China is your duty.”
An old man dressed in a faded Zhongshan suit appeared. Though the elder was over seventy, his white hair was combed back, and his broad forehead showed the marks of time. His figure, though thin, remained straight, his spine like an ancient pine, revealing his past resilience.
The newcomer was the former Central China Champion, and one of the Eight Champions from the early days of the nation’s founding. He held a crucial position in Huaguo. Although he remained behind the scenes and did not involve himself in politics, he often provided Li Guanjun with sound decisions, assisting him in managing Central China affairs.
“Old Zhao, but… this incident was caused by me.”
“As the Central China Champion, your duty is to protect Central China, not to constantly rush to South China and meddle in other regions’ affairs. Your intention is good, but it’s an overreach. Excessive interference will only make the hidden rats in our country more rampant and become a means to impeach you.”
“I shouldn’t have sent so few people to escort the criminal. If I hadn’t coveted the Pokémon on that cargo ship, this situation wouldn’t have happened.”
Old Zhao looked at Li Guanjun’s remorseful expression, and this time his tone softened, saying, “If even Old Zhang cannot save Cheng Feng, your going there will be useless. Prepare for the Champion Challenge three days from now. If you are not in this position, many things will not be able to be realized.”
“No, Xing Ken, do not release the information about this robbery. Send more personnel to the South Sea. If the Water Blade Gang does not receive information about Liziji’s escape tomorrow and still sails the cargo ship to the South Sea, we will directly launch an attack and seize the cargo ship.”
“Understood, Champion.”
Old Zhao nodded in satisfaction, looking at Li Xingeng. A leader who is not swept away by anger and loses his reason is one worth entrusting.
Except for his habit of not using the main door and breaking windows…
………………
Meanwhile, Zhang Heng and his group, still on their way to Feng City, were driving along the highway. After resting from early morning until night, they were now in good spirits, showing no signs of fatigue, and were chatting idly.
Zhang Heng: “Uncle Luo, what kind of Dragon-type Pokémon do you think are more common in a climate like South China’s?”
“Dragon-type? Aren’t you trying to become a Water-type Trainer?”
“Hmm… perhaps I’ll become a Trainer proficient in two types, like my dad, you never know.”
Uncle Luo thought for a moment and said, “In the humid climate of South China, the Dragalge family, whose initial form is Water/Poison-type, and the Seadra family, which is Water/Dragon-type, are relatively common in South China. Of course, General Pokémon like Goodra and Dragapult also like this climate, but unfortunately, these two General Pokémon do not reside in our country.”
Zhang Heng nodded upon hearing this. “Is that so? Then where did my dad’s Dragon-type Pokémon come from?”
“Hahaha, already planning to take advantage of your dad? It’s no use even if you do. He caught all of his Pokémon while traveling around the world. However, his Drampa was actually ‘acquired’ from your Grandpa.”
Ding ding ding~
Uncle Luo, who was driving, had his phone ring. Uncle Luo held the steering wheel with one hand and took out his phone.
Uncle Luo looked at the contact name on the screen, and his brows immediately furrowed, saying, “Lei Yuan calling me this late?”
Zhang Heng was also surprised, saying, “My dad?”
Uncle Luo casually pressed the answer button and put it on speaker. A call at this hour naturally meant something urgent.
“Lei Yuan, what’s wrong?”
A slightly tired voice came from the receiver, saying, “Brother Luo, is Xiao Heng with you?”
Zhang Heng heard his father calling and immediately responded.
“Dad, I’m here.”
“Master, Qi Shu is here too.”
“Good, Brother Luo, turn around immediately and head to the prison first.”
Upon hearing this, Luo Hong didn’t say a word, not even giving Zhang Heng and Qi Shu in the back seat a moment to mentally prepare.
On the empty highway, he repeatedly tapped the brakes, sharply turned the steering wheel, and the rear wheels spun, performing a tail-whip drift.
The entire car instantly lost balance, but Uncle Luo then pressed the accelerator again, and the vehicle shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, completing a perfect tail-whip drift. In just a few seconds, the car successfully turned around and sped off in the new direction.
Zhang Heng and Qi Shu in the back, however, suffered. Not wearing seatbelts, the two were thrown off balance, their heads colliding.
Qi Shu immediately cried out in pain, saying, “Master, Uncle Luo, what are we doing? Are you taking Xiao Heng and me to prison?”
