Aspiring to become a Pokémon trainer

It was a stern rebuke.

With heavy breathing and her chest heaving, it was clear that the young girl was also on edge.

Tourists from other places can leave without any burden, but it's different for them. Even if they know the truth, if they stand against the villagers, Beishang Township will no longer tolerate their family's existence.

Not only herself, but also her younger brother Wuli and her father's family would be ostracized and blamed. Therefore, even if it hurts Wuli's self-esteem, she must firmly deny and stop it.

"......elder sister."

His heart trembled. Since childhood, he had lived in his sister's shadow, and any attempt to assert himself would be met with her reprimand.

Now that things have come to this, with the treacherous world you once dreamed of facing danger and the bullying that has occurred, should you still swallow your anger and accept your fate passively?

Before the decision could be made, the old man strode forward, pushed aside the crowd of villagers, and revealed the long-suppressed truth.

"The Egui Pong is not a legend originating from Beishang Township, nor is it an item that you claim to belong to!"

“Thousands of years ago, a weary traveler brought it from Parthia to this land beneath our feet. He taught us advanced knowledge from the outside world and even personally crafted numerous practical tools.”

"But later, because of his different appearance, he was overwhelmed by the villagers' gossip and gradually became ostracized. In order to integrate and to avoid being ostracized, he asked my ancestor for help and borrowed a mask to cover his face. However, the clear crystal attracted the covetous eyes of three Pokémon."

"He paid with his life to protect the mask. Egui Peng went down the mountain to eliminate evil in order to avenge his family, but was regarded as a ghost by the people who did not know the truth at that time."

"The three greedy and immoral Pokémon happened to be fighting a life-or-death battle with the former in the village, and were mistakenly regarded as heroes protecting Kitakami Village, and were enshrined as the Three Treasures on the shrine."

He was reluctant to speak out, fearing that he would suffer the same persecution as his ancestors for telling the truth. But when he saw the small figure of the evil spirit and the young girl in her prime being surrounded by villagers just like his ancestors, the craftsman's descendant could no longer suppress his shame.

However, the villagers' resolute determination remained unshaken by the respected elder in the village, and they were not moved by the truth of the story.

They shoved the former aside and reached out their hands directly to the little devil leaning against the girl.

With so many people around, even if that trainer had strength surpassing Pokémon's, they certainly wouldn't dare to violate human ethics and retaliate against them.

Perhaps that inexperienced girl was already terrified.

Everyone thought so, but just as they were about to achieve their goal, they saw the white-haired girl curl the corners of her mouth into a calm, playful smile.

Utterly serene, utterly indifferent, yet it perfectly encapsulates the meaning of raging torrents and devastating storms.

"This is the last reminder. Egui Peng no longer cares about past prejudices and isolation. And now, what are you all doing stirring up trouble?"

Chapter 113 Venting and Reshaping the Mask

"At first, you were unhappy with Baoban's troublemaking, but now I have resolved the matter and restored peace to Beishang Township, so?"

She tilted her head to the side, letting her hair fall and tremble gently in the wind. She stopped singing at just the right moment, leaving space for herself to look at the villagers with only her eyes and eyebrows.

This question seems both innocent and ignorant, yet it also seems like an undisguised sarcasm.

Unable to refute the girl's words for a moment, the people, whose knowledge was already limited, choked up and could not utter a complete sentence.

However, the administrator of Beishang Township would not sit idly by as the wind shifted; he stormed up to Zhulan's side.

...However, he resolutely questioned Nan Yin.

"Do you even know what good deeds you've done?"

“Sanbaoban is a hero of Beishang Township. The conflict could have been easily resolved, but you unilaterally stirred it up, and even the main hall we painstakingly built has been destroyed in your hands!”

The old man's drastically different behavior, a stark contrast to his previous words, perfectly illustrates the speed at which he can change his tune.

Having seen through the true nature of these villagers, Nan Yin now felt no pressure when faced with the administrator's questioning; in fact, she found it somewhat amusing.

So she spoke again.

"Are you finished?"

"Of course not. Egui Peng has been part of the legend since ancient times. It has a deep connection with Beishang Township and is an inseparable part of us."

The more he spoke, the more the villagers agreed with him, the rosier the old man's face became, as if every word he said made sense, and he even spit out his words.

However, the next moment, he was lifted off the ground little by little, like a wild monkey being choked.

“You should have seen clearly how Egui Peng and I defeated Sanbao Ban. So, what gave you the confidence and reliance to act arrogantly in front of me?”

Her five fingers slowly clenched together, and an invisible force replaced the girl's thoughts, interpreting what a sudden rain under the calm is, and what a raging storm is beneath the surface of the sea.

"Is it because you're in Beishang Township? Is it because of the villagers' support? Or has your long-standing tyranny made you think you're the one who sits on a pedestal, worshipped by the world?"

"Uh......"

Stomping its legs and thrashing about, the administrator's face gradually turned pale, and even its struggles became weaker and weaker.

Clearly, the old man wanted to deny the girl's story and prove his own innocence. He firmly believed that such a young girl would not take any drastic measures, and even if she made a threat, it would only be a fleeting warning.

However, Nan Yin did not give him another chance to speak. The radiance of violet light was focused in her eyes, as if telling the villagers where the power to defeat Bao Ban came from.

Gradually, some people covered their mouths that were opening and closing wildly, and some withdrew their hands that were pointing at their noses.

Seeing the administrator's current state, they no longer dared to bully others. Moreover, when the girl lowered her gaze, the villagers scattered like birds and beasts, fleeing in panic.

While vested interests are one aspect, the safety of one's life is of paramount importance. When the two are put together, they can still distinguish which is more important.

The clamor of voices faded into silence, as if fleeing from evil spirits that had invaded the village, and this land returned to a rare tranquility.

At this moment, Nan Yin finally relaxed her grip, letting the dazed old man fall to the ground with a dull thud.

Ignoring the other person's condition, her keen senses allowed her to precisely control the degree of force applied. Although it wasn't life-threatening, the feeling of almost suffocating was definitely not a pleasant experience for her.

and so--

"Now, what grievances do you have to express, what gains and losses do you need to discuss in detail? I'm all ears."

Standing quietly in front of the administrator, in the former's dim vision, one could only vaguely make out the girl's brown ankle boots and the shadows cast upon them.

He was retching and hoarse, no longer able to muster any arrogance. The distinct altitude and extreme oxygen deprivation had shattered the old man's former pride, making him acutely aware of his current situation.

—What he relied on was insignificant.

For a long time, he had been acting as a local tyrant in this remote corner of Beishang Township, enjoying the respectful gaze of the villagers. But when this comfortable facade was easily stripped away, and the villagers who had surrounded him scattered and fled, his once invincible tongue no longer held any deterrent power.

It could be said that, between Nan Yin's clenched fingers, he was merely an old man devoid of any dignity, with one foot already in the coffin.

"Ahem, ahem..."

Coughing incessantly, the administrator, suffering from physical torment, had tears welling in his eyes, his aged face contorted into a muddy mess.

Only now did he remember to ask the Sinnoh champion for help, but the beautiful woman had already bent down and was fiddling with Sylveon's ribbon, which elicited a dismissive hum from the Sylveon.

“Buyi~o(′^｀)o.”

It's a blatant and covert disregard.

The elderly man's disheveled state and the villagers' panic were clearly visible. After all, no one wanted to become the next victim. However, the tourists who noticed the commotion nearby had no such concerns. Driven by curiosity, they approached to take a closer look, and some even recorded and edited the scene, uploading it to the forums and channels of the "Six Choices in the North" website.

The image above shows a glamorous town, while the image below shows shattered statues and a collapsed palace. This contrast naturally caused a huge reaction.

What happened in Beishang Township, and who caused this outcome?

As more and more topics like this emerged, netizens hesitated, but eventually focused their attention on the collapsed Sanbao and the white-haired girl standing quietly to the side.

"Isn't this the Three Jewels that those villagers have been touting?"

"Judging from their appearance, they don't seem to be any different from ordinary Pokémon."

“None of that matters. Look over there, the community center administrator is in such a sorry state. Before, he was so arrogant just walking around the area.”

"What's so interesting about an old man? The girl next to him is really cute."

Some people focused on the facts and got to the bottom of things, while others only paid attention to appearances and what interested them. But without exception, they all learned about the ugly state of Beishang Township today.

Perhaps, once the Nanyin music fades away and the situation calms down, the administrators will be able to regain their former authority and keep the villagers quiet. However, the messages passed around by tourists in private have already spread online before that, further damaging the reputation of this area.

To be honest, the girl didn't engage in any grand pronouncements or make a big deal out of it; she simply imitated Zhu Lan and did something very simple—

Demonstrate strength.

Regardless of the truth or falsehood of the legend, regardless of the ownership of the evil spirit and the treasure companion, when this power is enough to destroy the mountain of prejudice, it is the most powerful proof.

Even with the support of the villagers, the administrators still dared not provoke the Sinnoh champion, and the reason is nothing more than this.

Social status, personal reputation, and personal strength are all manifestations of power. The people of Beishang Township may be foolish and short-sighted, but they will definitely fear these most tangible things.

In fact, Nan Yin often prefers to solve problems with words alone, but there are certain things and certain people that cannot be resolved through communication. When that happens, she doesn't mind settling the matter in her own way.

"There's nothing to be afraid of anymore, little one."

As the situation gradually calmed down, Nan Yin bent down, raised the corners of her lips, and smiled at the little devil.

"Bony?"

Looking at the old man who had also collapsed to the ground, just like his companions, Egui Peng, holding the thorny vine club, seemed to be deep in thought.

But soon, it put aside its thoughts and, under Eevee's awkward gaze, embraced the girl's warm arms.

Regardless, Nanyin was facing the villagers' ostracism for herself, and just for that, the little devil was so happy that his eyes narrowed into slits.

A gentle autumn breeze stirred the crimson maple leaves. After savoring the delicate fragrance of the small citrus fruits and quietly enjoying the tranquility, the white-haired girl spoke again, asking the beautiful woman beside her such a question.

"You don't mind me doing this, do you, Zhulan?"

Knowing of the existence of the Sinnoh Champion, and having witnessed the entire process, even though the question was phrased as an inquiry, it was merely a statement of what was already known.

—Everything's done, now you can handle it.

Seeing Nan Yin's relaxed and composed demeanor, Zhu Lan could only smile and let it go.

"Knowing full well that as the Sinnoh Champion, I was more or less involved in Kitakami Go's affairs, I still did it without asking permission first."

With one hand on her hip, she uttered feigned reproach, but her eyes shone with joy as she gently scolded the blonde beauty.

"Nan Yin, you are much more cunning in this regard than I imagined."

Gently touching the little devil's head with her fingertips, watching it raise its eyes, revealing its fangs, and murmur blankly, Zhu Lan felt even more relieved.

When the inconvenience of her job conflicts with her personal friendship, and she finds herself in a dilemma, no matter which side she chooses, it will hurt the other. Fortunately, the young girl takes the initiative to make a choice for her and puts it into practice in a just-right way, resolving the matter decisively.

To be honest, she also loathed the villagers' opportunistic and profit-driven behavior. If Nan Yin hadn't used her pure power to end the incident, as the champion of Sinnoh, she would have inevitably had reason to get involved.

Upon hearing Zhu Lan's reply, Nan Yin understood that the former intended to let go.

Similar personalities and similar actions have created their current tacit understanding, but figuring out each other's attitudes doesn't mean they'll stop teasing each other. After all, this female champion is a very busy person, and who knows when they'll meet again.

Indulging her wicked thoughts, the girl spoke out again.

"Zhu Lan, don't you have anything else to investigate?"

"Nothing."

Zhu Lan answered with a smile, uttering each word carefully, and patted Nan Yin's shoulder heavily.

I've done everything for you, so tell me, is there anything else I can hold accountable?

She thought this to herself, but still had to say some nice things, which made the beautiful woman a little annoyed.

She raised her eyelashes and puffed out her cheeks slightly. Even though she was dissatisfied, she was, after all, a champion and had to maintain her composure in public.

"After all, the matter is over. If we continue to pursue it, those of you who put in the effort will feel unhappy."

Wiping away the dust from between the dragon's scales, the slightest restlessness gradually fades away with each stroke of the fingertips.

"Humans have their own contradictions, while Pokémon's thoughts are purer. That's why we can't interfere with those children because of our own selfish desires."

Their eyes met and their hearts mingled; their voices faded into the distance. There were no superfluous words. Nan Yin simply raised her head to meet the beauty's gaze, watching the little beasts frolic and play together, and softly agreed amidst the cheerful chatter.

"Um."

It was a response that was understood but not quite appropriate.

......

They intended to say goodbye, but just as they were about to leave, they saw the girl they had once caught sight of walking towards them, breathing heavily.

Before they even got close, the former bowed deeply to the three of them.

"I want to apologize to you for the behavior of those villagers."

Straight to the point, even after finishing her statement, the black-haired girl did not get up, but continued to narrate the cause and effect.

“Beishang Township started its development relatively late and was among the first to resist communication with the outside world. As a result, many villagers have developed an arrogant outlook, believing that Beishang Township is rich in resources and does not need outside knowledge and goods to fill or expand its resources.”

“A lack of education and a refusal to be pragmatic have led to ignorance and shortsightedness, resulting in today’s consequences. Of course, I am not trying to absolve my fellow villagers; I simply want to use my shame to try to make up for some of your disappointment.”

Listening closely to what the other person was saying, if her memory served her right, she should be the representative of Blueberry Academy's summer camp this year, and also a native of Beishang Township, Danyu.

“No need for that. I don’t care about the villagers’ accusations. Besides, I’ve always followed a principle.”