Pokémon: Master System.

"What do you want with me?" Wu Chongwen stared intently at the young man in front of him, his heart filled with resentment. He knew that he had become famous last night, and that Xia Yu's name would be associated with him.

He also became a stepping stone for Xia Yu to gain fame.

“If you want to humiliate me, you don’t have to,” Wu Chongwen said coldly, looking at Xia Yu.

“Mr. Wu.” Xia Yu’s gaze fell on Wu Chongwen. Looking at him, he slowly said, “I don’t know what benefits Jiang Wan’an and the others have given you, but I have to remind you, if you really want to stick with their lousy ship, you will be doomed.”

Xia Yu paused slightly when he saw Wu Chongwen remain silent, then smiled and looked at Wu Chongwen: "Let me guess what benefits they promised you? After developing giant Pokémon, will they give you some shares in the new experiments? You're so confident that they'll crack the secret of giant Pokémon? You're betting everything on them?"

Hearing Xia Yu's words, Wu Chongwen's heart skipped a beat. He looked at Xia Yu and shook his head: "What are you talking about? They didn't invite me."

“You don’t need to deny it.” Xia Yu waved his hand to interrupt Wu Chongwen, then smiled and said, “Here’s a list, you can take a look.”

Xia Yu placed a printed list on the table. Wu Chongwen picked it up and became increasingly alarmed as he looked at it, cold sweat pouring down his forehead!

This is... the client list for the past month!

How...how did he know?

"You stole my company's data?! Do you know that's illegal?" Wu Chongwen said to Xia Yu, his voice stern but his tone weak.

"Stolen?" Xia Yu smiled and shook his head: "Someone gave this to me. The reason I'm taking it out now is to remind Boss Wu to be careful on his own. Otherwise, next time this list won't appear here, but in a newspaper or in the news."

"In this way, all the reputation and credibility you've built up over the years will be lost."

Hearing Xia Yu's veiled threat, Wu Chongwen broke out in a cold sweat and stared directly at Xia Yu, asking, "What exactly do you want to do?"

“It’s very simple.” Xia Yu stood up, looked at Wu Chongwen, and then said to Wu Chongwen, “I will acquire your company’s shares and then cooperate with me. It’s not too late to turn back now. I’m only giving you one last chance to turn back.”

"And all you have to do is one thing: report them to the Pokémon Association."

Xia Yu smiled at Wu Chongwen and said in a low voice, "They threatened you to follow and monitor me, but you refused to comply even at the cost of your life. Under pressure from them, you had no choice but to report them to the Pokémon Association."

Wu Chongwen was deeply shocked by Xia Yu's words, and a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

"I promise you!"

…………

Chapter 472 The Peach Crisp's Phone Call

Xia Yu had no idea that Wu Chongwen's employer was actually Dr. Jiang and Dr. Hu's experimental team.

Indeed, compared to painstaking research and overcoming experimental challenges on one's own, stealing other people's experimental results is the simplest and most effective way.

Everyone wants to take shortcuts, even respected elders like Jiang Wan'an and Hu Xi are no exception.

…………

The next day, Wu Chongwen formally reported the matter to the Pokémon Association as agreed, which immediately caused a huge uproar.

The experimental teams of Dr. Jiang and Dr. Hu also immediately issued a statement to conduct crisis public relations and filed an appeal against Wu Chongwen, denouncing Wu Chongwen for defaming and smearing their reputation.

The two sides immediately engaged in a fierce war of words online.

Although the online debate was intense, Xia Yu knew that Wu Chongwen's report wouldn't have much effect, nor would it have a significant impact on Jiang Wan'an and Hu Xi.

After all, old foxes like Jiang Wan'an and Hu Xi handled things very cleanly, so how could they possibly leave behind any substantial evidence?

Xia Yu speculated that this matter would most likely end up being swept under the rug, with major issues being downplayed and minor issues being ignored.

Therefore, Xia Yu chose to stay out of it and stay away from the center of public opinion. He let Wu Chongwen keep pressing Jiang Wan'an and the others, while he focused his attention on acquiring Wu Chongwen's company.

With Wu Chongwen's full cooperation, the acquisition of the company proceeded smoothly.

In order to better control Wu Chongwen's detective agency, Xia Yu also specially placed two trusted confidants into the agency.

One is Xie Tianming. Although Xie Tianming's strength is not particularly strong at the moment, Xia Yu can at least trust him.

The other one is Liu Yunxuan, whom Xiao Wanyu strongly recommended.

…………

Two days later.

The news of Xia Yu defeating Wu Chongwen quickly went viral online. Although it is not uncommon for a near-Elite Four Pokémon to defeat an Elite Four Pokémon, it is extremely rare when combined with Xia Yu's age of nineteen and his status as a scientific genius.

Many people even crowned him with the title of unparalleled genius, and were convinced that Xia Yu's future achievements would start as one of the Four Heavenly Kings, and that he might even become a future champion.

Xia Yu simply laughed off the media's praise.

Champion? I've been a champion for ages.

…………

A light drizzle was falling from the sky, and the rain in late autumn carried a chill of approaching winter.

The sound of rain pattering outside the window drifted in. The Charizard lay on the ground, flames burning brightly on its tail, lazily squinting as it rested.

…………

"beep!"

The phone rang, and Xia Yu frowned as he looked at his phone. The name on the caller ID surprised him.

Peach shortbread.

Since the last mission ended, the two have had almost no communication, at most exchanging a few words online. This is the first time in so long that Tao Su has taken the initiative to call him.

Is there a new mission?

"Hello." Xia Yu pressed the answer button and said, "Senior Taosu, what's up?"

"When can we have another match? Next time, you can use Doronbarut," Peach Crisp said succinctly.

"Ahem." Xia Yu gave a wry smile and declined, "I'm busy right now, I'll do it when I have time."

"When are you free?" Tao Su asked directly. "You set the time, I'm available anytime."

Judging from Tao Su's tone, Xia Yu knew he couldn't refuse, so he could only bite the bullet and say, "I can't be sure about that, let's talk about it later."

"Okay, tell me when you have time," Peach Crisp said. "Next time you must go all out. You can use Mega Evolution and Z-Moves."

"Okay," Xia Yu replied with a wry smile.

It seems that Senior Peach Crisp was quite dissatisfied with her use of the Lizard King in the last battle.

Since that's the case, I'll send out Iron Warrior next time, Senior Peach Crisp. You asked for this, so don't blame me.

Xia Yu shook his head, quickly banishing the perverse thoughts from his mind, and then said, "Then, Senior Taosu, if there's nothing else, I'll hang up now."

"Wait a minute," Tao Su interrupted Xia Yu, "I haven't gotten to the important matter yet."

"Huh? You say."

So, after all that, none of what I said before was the important thing?

"Do you remember our mission last time?" Peach Crisp's voice rang out.

“I remember, about the underground world,” Xia Yu replied.

“Since leaving Heilong City last time, I’ve gone there twice more. I found some useful information and also obtained some evidence of the Fu brothers’ crimes.” Tao Su’s soft, sweet voice rang out, but her tone also carried a hint of seriousness: “Heilong City is going to hold an annual auction soon, and I plan to go again. Do you want to come with me?”

Xia Yu was shocked by Tao Su's words. He hadn't expected Tao Su to have such courage to continue investigating the Black Dragon City matter all by herself!

"Are you continuing the investigation alone?"

"Mmm," Tao Su replied.

"Have you asked your family for their opinions on this matter?" Xia Yu asked.

“They know,” Tao Su said calmly. “They completely agree with what I did. Firstly, I wanted to do some real good deeds after joining Team Zero. Secondly, I’ve discussed this with my family, and the Underworld has indeed gone too far these past few years.”

"But don't worry, I won't act impulsively in this investigation. The investigation will be limited to the Qi family."

At this point, Tao Su paused slightly, then continued, "So, how about it? Do you want to cooperate? You can think about it carefully. Report to Lü Guanjun. I booked the plane tickets for the day after tomorrow. You can give me an answer within a day."

"Okay, I'll think about it carefully."

…………

After hanging up the phone, Xia Yu looked out at the drizzling rain and carefully pondered Tao Su's words.

He realized he had underestimated Tao Su; Tao Su's words were a subtle way of telling him this.

The Tao family plans to completely kick the Qi family out of the underground world. Should Xia Yu and Lu Guanjun behind Xia Yu try to get a share of the spoils?

In the past two months, the Qi family father and son have died one after another at the hands of "Gibbon," and many champion-level Pokémon have perished. This has greatly weakened the Qi family's strength, and they no longer have the ability to control the underground world.

At the same time, the astonishing wealth accumulated by the Qi family over generations will also become their death warrant.

The Qi family was severely weakened, and the Tao family could easily crush them with their current strength, yet they still chose to seek cooperation with them.

On the one hand, too many people were eyeing the Qi family, making it too difficult for the Tao family to take them all on their own. On the other hand, they were eyeing Lü Tinghe, who was behind them.

Because Lü Tinghe is the champion of the Southwest region, if the Tao family wants to get involved in this matter, they absolutely cannot bypass Lü Tinghe.

Moreover, Xia Yu speculated that the reason Tao Su chose to reveal this information to him was entirely because of his victory over Wu Chongwen a few days ago!

Only after recognizing his own strength did the Tao family agree to befriend him.

Indeed, no matter where you are, strength is the most important thing.

Xia Yu frowned and thought for a while, then made up his mind.

Go! This trip to Heilongjiang City is a must!