Elf: No, it's because he was made the gym leader!

And then this happened... What a misfortune for our family!

Lu Yuan suppressed his impulse and asked wearily, "What projects did you invest in?"

Lu Jing hesitated for a moment, but finally mustered up the courage to speak: "It's...it's a project related to rocket launches and space exploration..."

Lu Yuan: "???"

Good heavens, they're throwing money into this bottomless pit!

It's important to understand that these kinds of projects don't show any results in the short term, and in the long run, people probably won't live to see any returns.

"No, do you even know anything about rockets? Do you even know anything about space? And you're just randomly launching rockets like this?" Lu Yuan shouted.

"You're too young to understand. A man's true romance is the stars and the sea!" As he said this, a glint seemed to flash in Lu Jing's eyes.

He then added, "And I wasn't the only one investing at the time. Companies like Silver Company, Devon Manufacturing Ltd. Group, Corydalis Holdings, Marocomon Group, and the Ether Foundation, all of which are among the world's top conglomerates and corporations, also participated in this investment."

"So, they all went bankrupt too?" Lu Yuan asked.

"No, only our family went bankrupt," Lu Jing said. "I invested a tiny bit more than the others."

As he spoke, Lu Jing gestured with his index finger and thumb respectively.

World Famous Painting: Fingertip Universe.jpg

Lu Yuan: "......"

Seeing his son's expression, Lu Jing continued to argue, "The rockets had already taken off, but then a giant green caterpillar came from the ozone layer and sank all one hundred rockets."

Green caterpillar?

If Lu Yuan wasn't mistaken, Old Deng was probably referring to Rayquaza.

Rayquaza lives in the ozone layer and has a strong sense of territory. Lu Yuan remembered that Ash and Team Rocket had once traveled to the ozone layer in a rocket during the anime.

As expected, Rayquaza unleashed a Hyper Beam upon him.

As long as Rayquaza exists, humanity's exploration of the universe will essentially be unable to make any progress.

Lu Yuan looked at Lu Jing and shook his head helplessly, sighing, "You... you'd better watch yourself."

After saying that, he resolutely turned and walked towards the house.

Lu Jing shouted from behind, "Don't abandon me! I'm your father! Blood is thicker than water!"

In response to Lu Jing's words, Lu Yuan simply replied with two words: "Watch."

Before he finished speaking, he continued his firm steps into the house without pausing.

When he reached the door, Lu Yuan stopped, but didn't turn around to look at Lu Jing. He coldly tossed out a sentence: "You're in debt yourself, pay it off with your own backside, and don't drag me into it."

"Bam—"

The door was closed tightly.

Outside, Lu Jing stood alone, bewildered in the wind.

Inside the room, Xiao Lan hesitated before speaking, "That..."

"Are you really not going to care about your father anymore?"

Lu Yuan covered his head with both hands, his brows furrowed tightly, seemingly very distressed. He rubbed his temples and answered weakly:

"Let him calm down outside for a while before letting him in."

Having a father like this, did I destroy the world in my past life?

Back in his room, Lu Yuan took out his notebook and began planning for the future.

Without Old Deng's financial support, it will be difficult to continue maintaining the dojo.

Fortunately, the dojo provides a subsidy of five million yen every month.

With my own savings, I can manage to keep the family running smoothly.

Oh right, we also need to reduce Patchlitz's food intake; we can't let him keep eating like this.

At this moment, Patchlitz was lying in a pile of tree nuts in the backyard warehouse.

While chewing on the pomelo in his hand, he looked around.

“Jipa?”

I have a bad feeling about this.

I have a feeling that someone is plotting against me behind my back?

It must be my imagination, right?

Then Patchlitz plunged headfirst into the pile of tree fruits once again.

After calculating the remaining savings at home, we can at least cover the current expenses of the hospital for three months. After three months, we may have nothing left to live on.

It's true that even a hero can be brought down by a penny; I never thought that one day I, Lu Yuan, would have to worry about money.

Isn't there any job that pays well quickly?

Wait a minute, it seems there really is one.

Lu Yuan remembered that Xiao Lan had mentioned that the prize money for the expert competition was around five million, which could solve his immediate financial crisis.

Chapter 104 The Main Characters Trio

Kanto Masters Group Chat Group.

[Lu Yuan: Isn't King Shiba in the group chat? I've looked everywhere but can't find him.]

[Kona: Shiba can't use a smartphone, and Grandma Kikuko doesn't want to, so neither of them is in the group chat.]

[Lorelei: Is there something you need from Shiba? (Slowbro looks confused.jpg)]

[Lu Yuan: I wanted to sign up for the Fighting Expert Tournament the day after tomorrow, but it seems like the registration deadline has passed, so I thought... (pokes his little finger.jpg)]

[Lance: You want to go through the back door?! (Dragonite fires Hyper Beam.jpg)]

Far away, Yulongdu, who was working undercover for the Rockets, was trembling with anger when he saw Lu Yuan's message.

How could there be such a person in the group?

Yu Longdu was the most intolerant person, and he couldn't stand Lu Yuan's backdoor behavior the most.

[Lu Yuan: What are you talking about? What back door? It's clearly a friendly favor between friends.]

[Kona: Well said. Even though Shiba isn't here, as the organizer of this competition, it's still very easy for me to sneak someone in.]

[Crimson: Fighting-type Specialist Tournament, I think I participated in this tournament before.]

Kona: ......

[Lorelei: I'm almost embarrassed to say anything to you, you just swept through with Snorlax, how were the other contestants supposed to compete?]

[Lu Yuan: Snorlax? Isn't that Poliwrath?]

Standing in front of the screen, Lu Yuan was puzzled. Could a non-Fighting-type Pokémon be fielded in a Fighting-type expert tournament?

[Lorelei: Yes, the Fighting-type Specialist Tournament is different from other Specialist Tournaments. It's not simply a matter of type advantage; anyone whose Pokémon knows a little about Fighting techniques can participate.]

Hmm... does knowing how to fight mean you can participate?

At that moment, a bold idea suddenly sprouted in Lu Yuan's mind.

correct.

[Lu Yuan: Is Senior Crimson going to participate in this competition too? (Gengar trembling.jpg)]

If Crimson also wants to participate, then what's the point of playing?

【crimson:.........】

[Kona: Him? He's been suspended by the competition organizers ever since. (Jealousy smiles.jpg)]

Lu Yuan: ......

Good riddance! Good riddance!

......

January 1st, Wednesday.

Watervein City, the scene of the Fighting-type expert competition.

"A new year brings new beginnings, and this time of year marks the start of the expert competition."

"And this year, as the year of combat sports, the combat sports expert tournament will be held here."

"This year's contestants include not only gym leaders who specialize in fighting techniques, but also some veteran fighters."

"I believe these highly anticipated expert matches will allow us to appreciate the unique style and charm of the fighters and their indomitable fighting spirit."

The tour guide enthusiastically introduced the exciting event that was about to be held here to the tourists, including Lu Yuan.

To save money, Lu Yuan had no choice but to come to Guandu with a tour group to participate in the competition.

Lu Yuan turned to look at Qiao Yixue, who was dressed casually beside him, and asked curiously, "Speaking of which, it's quite unexpected that you're with us this time, Xiaoxue. You always said you were busy when we called you before."