Pokémon: Master System.

"Okay, Lü Guanjun."

After the report, the secretary immediately called Xia Yu back: "Dr. Xia, the time is set. We'll be having lunch with you at the Lv Guanjun Yuzhou Hotel at 11 a.m. tomorrow."

"OK, thanks."

…………

After hanging up the phone, Xia Yu sighed to himself, no wonder so many people want to be champions, not only because they are admired by thousands, but also because they can enjoy many privileges.

Take Lü Tinghe for example; he was practically the undisputed local emperor of the entire southwest region.

Power and strength are always the most alluring things; once you've experienced them, you'll never forget them.

Xia Yu now possesses power; how far away can power be?

…………

The following day, at the Yuzhou Hotel.

Xia Yu and Lü Tinghe sat facing each other in the private room.

"Xiaoyu, long time no see. What brings you here to report to me?" Lü Tinghe said with a smile.

Dressed in a formal suit, Lü Tinghe exudes an air of authority without being angry. Although his tone is calm, the aura he has cultivated over his long-term position still carries a sense of pressure.

“Uncle-Master, I’ve been investigating the Duan family for a while now, but I haven’t found anything, so I haven’t come to report to you. Now I have some leads, but I also have some questions, so I’ve come to ask you for advice,” Xia Yu said.

"Oh? What did you find?"

"There's an underground world in Heilong City..." Xia Yu reported on what he had investigated, concealing some things that might expose him.

After listening to Xia Yu's report, Lü Tinghe showed no surprise, clearly indicating that he already knew about the underground world of Heilong City: "Xia Yu, what are your thoughts on this underground world? Or rather, how do you plan to deal with it?"

Chapter 410 Shan Kingdom

Upon hearing Lü Tinghe's question, Xia Yu's face showed a thoughtful expression. After thinking for a moment, he said, "After decades of development, the underground world of Heilong City has a wide range of businesses and an extremely large scale. It is also the largest underground world in the entire southwest region."

"Moreover, the forces behind them are complex and deeply intertwined. In addition, Heilong City has a unique geographical location, situated on the border. If there is any disturbance, these people will simply cross the border and flee abroad, and we will have no way to stop them."

“I feel that it is unrealistic to completely destroy the underworld, and even if the underground black market in Black Dragon City is destroyed, underground black markets in White Dragon City and Red Dragon City will appear.”

"Continue, so what do you want to do?" Lü Tinghe asked expressionlessly.

“I think the best approach is to maintain the existing order of the underground world while allowing the Pokémon Association to intervene and regulate the black market,” Xia Yu said. “But I’m not entirely sure how to do it.”

There's a reason why the underground world can exist for decades.

Although Xia Yu has some strength, he is not naive enough to think that he can change the current situation on his own.

"Is there anything else?" Lü Tinghe continued to ask.

"That's all," Xia Yu replied honestly.

Lu Tinghe looked at Xia Yu and slowly said, "You really are as slippery as your master said. You said so much, but it's as if you said nothing at all."

"Do you know who the real master behind the underground world is?" Lu Tinghe looked at Xia Yu and asked.

"I don't know." Xia Yu honestly shook his head. This was also the most terrifying thing for him. He had investigated for a long time and still didn't know who the real mastermind behind the underground world was.

"The background of the underground world is complicated, with more than a dozen shareholders, large and small. The four largest shareholders are the Qi family, the Tan family, the Liu family, and the Chen family. Each of these four families has produced a champion in the Southwest region. Some champions only held the title for a few years, while others held it for more than ten years."

"That's why the underground black market has stood the test of time for so many years, and has even grown bigger and bigger," Lu Tinghe said with a smile. "And even if you investigate, you can only trace it back to the second son of the Duan family, Duan Qisen."

"This is just their influence within China, while they have many collaborators overseas, each backed by at least one of the top four Heavenly Kings. Do you really think you can handle the underground black market on your own?"

“Investigating Heilong City has never been easy. Sending you young people to investigate is just to train you. If you really manage to find those few families, it might not be a good thing for you. You might accidentally lose your lives,” Lü Tinghe said to Xia Yu with a serious expression.

"The first task we gave you was never meant for you to complete, nor could you possibly complete it. Our purpose was simply to make you realize the cruelty of this world and learn to compromise."

"Do what you are capable of," Lü Tinghe said to Xia Yu. "Act within your means and protect yourself wisely."

“However, something did happen this morning. A famous foreign internet celebrity exposed her kidnapping experience and the underground black market in Heilong City.” Lu Tinghe looked at Xia Yu and said, “But this is not enough to bring them down. At most, it will only cripple the Qi family and make them pay a price.”

"To completely eliminate the underground black market, it's not that simple. You need to have at least champion-level strength to have the ability to challenge them."

"Xia Yu, you need to become stronger. Even champions have things they can't solve. Only when your strength truly stands at the top of everyone's world, when it's lonely at the top, will you have the ability to change the rules and set the rules for the whole world."

After listening to Lü Tinghe's words, Xia Yu fell into deep thought. In this unique world, strength is of utmost importance. Only with strength can one have the capital to pursue power.

Lu Tinghe paused at this point, then said, "Actually, I admire Duan Hongzhi quite a bit sometimes. He has the ability to change the world. All the families in North China both hate and fear him. The title of Iron-Blooded Champion is well-deserved."

At this point, Lü Tinghe turned his gaze to Xia Yu: "Your master and I have high hopes for you. This first lesson has been given to you. Don't be too discouraged. Adjust your mood, and the next task we give you will be a real one."

"Get well prepared. I'll give you a heads-up: the next mission is to investigate the owner of a small-town museum. It's a bit challenging, but it shouldn't be a problem for you."

"I understand, thank you, Martial Uncle." Xia Yu nodded and replied.

"Alright, you can go back now. I have things to do this afternoon. If you need anything, you can come find me directly. Just let my secretary, Xiao Zhang, know in advance," Lü Tinghe said with a smile to Xia Yu.

…………

As Xia Yu stepped out of the Yuzhou Hotel, he looked up at the dazzling sun, which was particularly blinding, and then lowered his head and walked into the crowded throng.

…………

Shan State, which is adjacent to China, has excellent natural conditions and is extremely rich in resources.

Logically, Shan State should have a unique geographical advantage and be highly developed, but in fact, Shan State is one of the world's least developed countries.

Apart from a few modern cities, most of Shan State remains a primitive rural area.

More than half of the people here make a living by farming, while a significant portion of the remaining population rely on fraud, robbery, kidnapping, organ trafficking, and slave trading for survival. Only a small percentage of them actually engage in legitimate business.

At the same time, Shan State is also considered one of the most dangerous places in the world, with a large number of poaching gangs taking root there. To survive here, force is the only way to survive.

However, this also makes Shan State a haven for outlaws, because with enough power, one can act as a local tyrant and tyrant.

…………

After Xia Yu, Xiao Wanyu, and Xie Tianming secretly entered Shan State, they arrived at a village called Wengu.

The unique stilted buildings add a touch of rural charm, and the setting sun casts a golden glow over the fields.

A woman wearing a sarong walks along a muddy country road.

Inside the noisy tavern, Xia Yu and his companions, dressed in high-end clothes, stood out from the crowd. Many people, while drinking, would occasionally glance at Xia Yu and his group.

Especially Xiao Wanyu, with her curvaceous figure, was like the most dazzling pearl in the tavern, attracting everyone's attention. Even though Xiao Wanyu was wearing a mask and her body was covered up, her fair wrists could still be seen.

Many people even made bets with those around them that she must be a beautiful woman.

They rarely see women with fair skin like Xiao Wanyu. Shan State is located in a tropical region with abundant sunshine and rainfall, which makes the women here generally have darker skin.

"They're here." Xia Yu looked into the distance, where several one-horned rhinoceroses carrying Gao Yanxin and the others appeared on the muddy road in the village.

Half a year later, Gao Yanxin had a new scar on his face, which added to his mature demeanor. He had bronze skin and bulging muscles.

"Gao Yanxin from the Mike Group, what brings him here? Let's go, let's go quickly."

"Boss, you can pay the debt later."

Why would he come to Wengu?

…………

Chapter 411 Mike Group

The once bustling and noisy tavern was now deserted and empty in the blink of an eye.

In just a few minutes, most of the people had left, leaving only a few drunkards who were too drunk to move.

The Mac Group is notorious in Shan State and is one of the largest gray organizations in the country. Most people don't want to have anything to do with them.

A one-horned rhinoceros stopped at the tavern entrance, and Gao Yanxin and his men entered the tavern.

"Clear the place! Everyone except that table, get out."

At Gao Yanxin's command, his men began to clear the area. A few minutes later, apart from the owner, only Xia Yu and a few others remained in the tavern.

"Take the boss out for a walk," Gao Yanxin said to his two subordinates beside him.

"Okay, Brother Xin."

After the two subordinates and the boss left, only Xia Yu, Xiao Wanyu, Xie Tianming, and Gao Yanxin remained in the room, and it instantly became quiet.

…………

"Gao Yanxin." Xie Tianming then removed the flame mask from his face, looked at Gao Yanxin, and said, "It seems you're doing well."

“You shouldn’t have come to Shan State. You could have just called me if you needed anything. There was no need for you to come all this way in person. This place isn’t suitable for you; it’s too dangerous.” Gao Yanxin looked at Xie Tianming, leaned back on the sofa, propped his feet up on the table and chair, and said to Xie Tianming, “If you accidentally die here, I won’t be able to explain it to Xia Yu. Tell me, what important matter is it that made you risk your life and come all this way in person? After you’ve said that, go back right away.”

As Gao Yanxin spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Xia Yu and Xiao Wanyu, who were wearing flame masks.

It's easy to tell from their seating arrangement that Xia Yu is in the lead, followed by Xiao Wanyu, so he was very curious about the true identities of the two people in front of him.

Hearing Gao Yanxin's words, Xie Tianming turned his gaze to Xia Yu, remaining silent and appearing to respect Xia Yu above all else.

Xia Yu then looked up at Gao Yanxin, silently removed the flame mask from his face, smiled, and said, "Long time no see, Gao Yanxin."

"Who are you?" Gao Yanxin looked at Xia Yu's mature face with suspicion. He vaguely felt that the face in front of him was familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before, but he couldn't remember where.

He kept thinking and recalling in his mind, and finally, in that instant, a flash of inspiration struck him.

The face of the person in front of him overlapped with a wanted poster, and at that moment he felt his body go cold and broke out in a cold sweat.