Pokémon cross over into the real world

The fishing dock was filled with fishing boats of all sizes, all bearing the Qinghai Company's logo. Below the dock was a large fish market, also owned by the Qinghai Company, where fishmongers bustled about. Many elves assisted humans with tasks such as carrying and transporting goods. Of course, ordinary workers in the fish market didn't have elves; these helpful elves were trained by the Qinghai Gang.

"Manager Zhao! Did you make a mistake? We agreed on 40% of the rent, but you clearly calculated it to be 50%!" A middle-aged man who had just returned from fishing was arguing with the manager of Qinghai Company at the fishing boat dock. A crowd had gathered around, and several fishermen stood up and made the same demands.

A short, dark-skinned middle-aged manager said impatiently, "Didn't you see the notice yourselves? Look at the notice posted over there. Starting today, the rental fee for all fishing boats will increase by 50%."

"Fifty percent!" All the fishermen whispered among themselves. "How can we survive on fifty percent? It's tax season, and we also have to make offerings to the church. If something happens to a family member or they fall ill, we won't be able to make a living. Please, Manager Zhao, leave us a way to survive!"

"Oh, what's the use of telling me all this? This rent isn't for me. I'm just following the landlord's arrangements. Right now, my church is at war with the alliance, and the war is intense. The higher-ups also need to provide for the church. Maybe the rent will come down once the war is over. Don't panic, just hang in there for a while."

The commotion between Manager Zhao at the dock and a group of fishermen was drowned out by the clamor of the fish market. A boy of seventeen or eighteen glanced at the fishermen, who were anxious about making a living, and shook his head, ignoring them. His family had once been one of these fishermen, but when he was ten, his father unfortunately fell seriously ill. In order to treat the illness, he went to the Green Gang to borrow money. He got the money, but his father did not survive.

The young man, burdened with debt, had no choice but to sell himself to the Green Gang. At first, he did odd jobs at the docks, but because he was hardworking and young, Xie Chao, the second-in-command of the Green Gang, decided to take him in as his follower. Followers trained from a young age tend to be very loyal.

"Yanxu, what are you doing here?" Manager Zhao dismissed the fishermen and turned around to see the second-in-command's confidant standing on the dock as if waiting for someone, so he casually asked.

"Uncle Zhao, the second-in-command instructed me to wait here and welcome a guest to the pleasure boat today," the boy named Yanxu replied.

Do you know that person?

Yanxu shook his head: "I don't know him, but he said he was sent by the bishop above, so he should be a priest. I recognize priests' robes."

"Hey, look at those two over there. I think the leader and the second leader both have similar outfits. They always wear them when they meet the priest. Are those the two you're waiting for?"

"It should be right!" Yanxu quickly ran over.

Wang Qiyi and Wang Lingqi were still wandering aimlessly through the fish market. The bustling atmosphere here contrasted sharply with the backwardness and desolation of other places. It seemed that Pingyang Town wasn't entirely devoid of life; at least the fish market here was full of vitality, and everyone was trying to survive. Yes, just survive. In this era of ubiquitous modernization, the fishermen here were merely surviving.

"Are you two messengers sent by Bishop Robin?" Yanxu stepped forward and performed the Elven prayer gesture.

Wang Qiyi and Wang Lingqi returned the greeting: "Yes, I have been sent by Bishop Robin to collect the quarterly offerings. We have Bishop Robin's approval here. Could you take us to see the local official?"

"Please follow me!" Yanxu turned and led the way. For a moment, he was stunned when he saw Wang Qiyi's face. So young. Wang Qiyi looked about his age, already a Holy Warrior in the Elf Cult. He recognized the badge on his chest—a mid-level Holy Warrior. The two elves on his shoulders, though not powerful, were still something someone like him, from the bottom rungs of society, could never possess. Some people spend their entire lives striving to reach Rome, while others are born in Rome.

He knew that his life's work for the Green Gang was destined to be that of a loyal dog to the second-in-command. If he performed well, he might gain the second-in-command's favor and eventually become a member of the Green Gang, perhaps even acquiring a spirit. Leaving the Green Gang was impossible, because he knew too many of its secrets and had done far too many shady things for the second-in-command.

From a young age, his father taught him to be a kind person, but from the day his father passed away, he could no longer maintain his kindness. Kindness seemed to be a luxury, something only the wealthy could afford, and he was already very fortunate to be alive.

Looking at Wang Qiyi's handsome face, upright posture, and confident demeanor, one wonders if he too had been born into an aristocratic family, would he possess such an air of refinement? Wang Qiyi was unaware that his own undeniable charisma had already astounded an ordinary young man.

Yanxu shook his head, clearing his mind of distractions, and led Wang Qiyi away from the fish market. Although this pleasure boat also docked at the pier, it was definitely separate from the fishing boats and the fish market; otherwise, the fishy smell would spoil the atmosphere of the pleasure boat. Once aboard, Wang Qiyi looked around; this rustic wooden pleasure boat was truly a rare sight. Accustomed to seeing massive steel ships, this ancient-style pleasure boat had a unique charm.

Upon entering the ship, the interior was truly a scene of sensual pleasure, filled with the sounds of women coming and going, their laughter echoing throughout. The only thing they all had in common was that they were all dressed in very revealing clothing. Wang Qiyi had never been to such a place frequented by adults before; he had never even been to a regular foot massage parlor, let alone a pleasure boat with such a sensual theme.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Wang Lingqi asked, looking at Wang Qiyi, whose posture was extremely unnatural.

"No...no! Why do you ask that?"

"I noticed your cheeks were flushed, your heart was racing, and you were walking a little unnaturally, so I was just asking."

"I'm fine!" Wang Qiyi took a few deep breaths to get his heartbeat back to normal, avoiding looking at the beautiful women passing by who were flirting with him. Yan Xu, who was leading the group, was two years younger than Wang Qiyi, but he had been doing odd jobs and running errands in places like this since he was a child, so he was used to it.

The two were led directly to the fourth floor, where Xie Chao had already prepared a banquet. Upon seeing Wang Qiyi, he carefully sized them up. Both were dressed in Saint Warrior attire, the badges on their chests indicating they were Intermediate Saint Warriors—a rank lower than his own, not even qualified to use Poké Balls. Wang Qiyi looked younger, with a Pikachu and a Cinnabar on either side of his shoulder, both weak rodent-type Pokémon. The other person was slightly older and had no Pokémon with him. Had the Bishop only sent these two to collect offerings?

"My elder brother will be here soon. Please sit down and have something to eat. I'll have a drink with you." Xie Chao temporarily suppressed his doubts and got up to pour wine for Wang Qiyi and Yan Xu. Yan Xu quickly stepped forward to take the wine pot and help pour the wine.

"I presume this is the local official in charge?" Wang Qiyi said. "Bishop Robin sent us to collect the quarterly offerings. Here is the approval document. Please take a look."

"Excuse me, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Xie Chao, and I am not in charge here. My elder brother, Cai Chengwang, is in charge." Xie Chao took the document and glanced at it, thinking to himself that he had thought this slightly older man would be the leader, but he hadn't expected that the young man next to him would be the one talking the whole time.

"May I ask if Bishop Robin only sent two people? He didn't invite the priest?" Xie Chao directly voiced his doubts. The Green Gang had over a dozen high-level Holy Warrior slots; to come asking for offerings and only send two mid-level Holy Warriors was incredibly disrespectful. They were even throwing a lavish banquet on their pleasure boat. Their boss wanted to discuss the promotion to priest with them, but now two low-level thugs had arrived—how could they possibly negotiate?

"Oh, we were originally told to come to Pingyang Town to find Father Jack first, and then come with him to ask you for offerings. I thought that was too much trouble, so I came directly with my partner."