Chapter 162: Jing He: This is Bad News!
Chapter 162: Jing He: This is Bad News!
The battle ended much faster than expected.
This is actually quite common in battles between Psychic and Ghost-type Pokemon, as both types tend to be frail.
While Mr. Mime has a decent Special Defense stat, its HP is always a weak point.
Caught off guard by a surprise attack and hit by an oversized "Shadow Ball," Mr. Mime lost its ability to fight.
"Ha!"
Gengar immediately returned to Jing He's side, using its short legs to jump up and high-five him.
"Great job."
Jing He didn't hesitate to praise his little fatty.
Nasumi pouted, recalling Mr. Mime and grumbled, "Such a huge 'Shadow Ball,' it's obviously unreasonable."
Jing He's eyes twitched.
Is it reasonable for Mr. Mime's "Barrier" to block "Toxic"?
"You won."
However, Nasumi didn't throw a tantrum. She admitted her defeat with remarkable composure, which surprised Jing He a bit.
He had been thinking about how to handle her if she got upset.
Maybe he should have given her a gift like Ash did with Gastly to calm her down.
"Hu."
Hypno was also surprised.
Though Nasumi had changed a lot, this was the first time Hypno saw her accept a loss so calmly. Given Nasumi's strength, she rarely lost.
Her Trainer really has changed.
Thanks to her benefactor.
Hypno looked at Jing He with deep gratitude.
"Here's your Badge."
A golden, circular Badge flew from Nasumi's hand and landed in front of Jing He. The Golden Badge.
At first glance, it looked like a small golden pancake.
"It looks much better than the 'Dragon Badge' from the Sootopolis Gym."
For no other reason, this Badge was made of pure gold.
'But this is probably a replica, right?' Jing He thought to himself.
The true Badges of the Kanto region's eight Gyms seemed to contain mysterious powers.
One "Rock Badge" from the Hoenn region, one "Dragon Badge" from the Johto region, and now this "Golden Badge" from the Kanto region.
Was this a pattern of getting one Badge per region?
While Jing He was playing with the "Golden Badge" and thinking about how much it could be worth, Nasumi used her Psychic powers to toss him another item.
It was a TM.
Wait a minute!
Jing He suddenly perked up, realizing something.
Then he heard Nasumi say, "Your Pokemon should already know 'Meditate,' so I won't give you that one. This is a TM for 'Ability Swap.'"
Ability Swap!
[Ability Swap: Temporarily swap the Abilities of two Pokemon!]
Jing He's face changed dramatically, but Gengar was faster.
It stuck out its tongue, excitedly rolling the TM into its stomach.
"Ha!"
Oh no!
This is bad news!
Jing He's heart sank.
He had been so cautious, yet he still couldn't prevent Nasumi's sudden "gift."
"Don't get too excited, it's just the normal Gym reward."
Seeing Jing He "excitedly" frozen in place, Nasumi smiled and waved her hand generously.
Jing He opened his mouth, struggling to say a few words.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Polite?
Jing He took a few deep breaths.
He silently noted this down in his mind.
At the same time, he ranked Nasumi ahead of Aya.
The Gym challenge ended much faster than expected.
Nasumi led Jing He and Gengar to a room inside the Gym.
The room was quite large.
It was clear that this was originally Nasumi's and her Pokemon's training room, or perhaps a meditation room.
In the center was a chair that felt somewhat familiar to Jing He. If there were some dolls nearby and Nasumi sitting in it, he might have recognized it.
However, the training room now contained many other items and pieces of furniture.
For example, in one corner, there was a countertop, a gas stove, a cutting board, and a knife, clearly indicating that this was where Nasumi cooked.
In another corner, there was a small pool with a Drowzee lying by the edge, its tail submerged in the water.
There were also many things Jing He didn't recognize, looking quite novel.
"So, do you want to eat first or take a bath?" Nasumi suddenly asked.
Jing He: "?"
"You guys like that, right? My dad keeps a lot of them under his bed."
Jing He: "??"
No.
Wait.
I need a moment.
Jing He raised his hand and took a step back.
Nasumi chuckled.
"Okay, I won't joke with you anymore. I just wanted to see how you'd react. I bet he would have reacted the same way."
Try?
Try what?
And who is "he"?
Nasumi wouldn't dare joke like this with Giovanni, but she felt safe with Jing He.
She was simply curious about how Giovanni would react.
"Before you arrived, I made a dish. Can you help me check it?"
Nasumi waved Jing He over to the kitchen area and placed a dish on the table.
Jing He walked over and immediately his expression turned strange.
The plate contained a black, gooey mass. If it didn't smell, he would have thought it was a plate of "black mud."
"This is..."
"Stir-fried Persim Berry and Cherib Berry with Eggplant."
Jing He: "..."
He gave Hypno a sympathetic look.
Child, how did you grow up?
Hypno, usually mature and steady, now had tears in his eyes, but he didn't dare speak.
You've suffered.
"Whaddaya think?" Nadia blinked her eyes, a glimmer of anticipation in them.
Jing He cleared his throat.
"Cough, not bad. I didn't know you had a talent for cooking."
The Dark Cooking World needs someone with your talent!
"Really?"
Nadia beamed with joy.
"Even though it's cold, would you like to try some?"
Nadia raised her hand, and a spoon appeared in it.
She offered it to Jing He.
A bead of cold sweat appeared on Jing He's forehead.
His eyes narrowed, as if making a decision.
He raised his hand to refuse Nadia's spoon and grabbed the plate directly.
Turning around, he pried open Gengar's mouth and poured the entire plate into it.
Gengar: "?"
Gengar, who was watching the scene, was completely caught off guard and now looked utterly bewildered.
Jing He covered Gengar's mouth and hurriedly said,
"Yeah, Gengar says it tastes good."
"Really?"
Nadia clenched her fists in excitement.
Haunter looked at Jing He and Gengar with tearful eyes of gratitude.
"Phew!"
What a noble gentleman!
While Nadia was still excited, Jing He quickly gave Gengar a meaningful look.
Use the Dimensional Space, the Dimensional Space!
Gengar, now drenched in sweat, finally reacted.
After a "gurgle" sound from his mouth, he let out a long sigh.
Jing He "pitifully" patted Gengar's back.
I'm sorry, but I had no choice. If I ate it, I might die, but you have the Dimensional Space to avoid it.
It was a desperate move.
"Genk!"
You'll pay for this!
Gengar glared at Jing He "ferociously," and the purple little fatty flashed a sinister smile.
Jing He was embarrassed.
He knew he had acted a bit unfairly.
But their attention was soon drawn back to Nadia.
"I've decided!"
She picked up the spatula.
"The last batch was cold, so it couldn't have tasted its best. I'll make it again!"
Jing He and all the Pokemon: "!!"
"Ooh~~"
"Chu~~"
"Yin~~ Yin!"
Ice Six Tail and Forger immediately turned into red light and returned to their Poke Balls.
Minior suddenly burst into a fit of rage, tripped, and fell to the ground.
Gengar was firmly held by Jing He.
Haunter's face turned white, and his forehead was drenched in cold sweat.
At this moment, Jing He took action. He knew if he didn't, they might either end up gagging here or in the bathroom.
He stepped forward, snatched the spatula from Nadia's hand, and skillfully tied on an apron, saying firmly,
"I'm the one here to teach you how to cook!"
His voice was resolute, leaving no room for argument.
Nadia stared at Jing He's serious face, as if she saw a familiar shadow.
"Tch"
She turned her head, not opposing him.
"Phew"
Haunter let out a sigh of relief.
What a noble gentleman!
However, Haunter was also surprised. This was the second time he had seen someone speak to Nadia like that and get away with it.
The last person was the leader of Team Rocket, Giovanni.
Even Nadia's father might have been turned into a doll by now.
"I need ingredients, normal ingredients."
Jing He also breathed a sigh of relief and said.
"Haunter." Nadia looked at Haunter.
Haunter, feeling as if a great burden had been lifted, quickly drove the spoon and vanished from the spot.
When he reappeared, he was surrounded by various plastic bags filled with ingredients.
Thus,
With a "sizzle," Jing He began to show off his culinary skills.
The Ice Six Tail and Forger, who had been hiding, cautiously emerged.
Gengar, who was holding Minior, pointed at Ice Six Tail and Forger with a "tragic" look.
"Genk!"
No loyalty!
Minior, unable to escape Gengar's grip, joined the group.
"Yin!"
That's right, no loyalty!
Forger scratched his head with a sheepish smile, while Ice Six Tail obediently said,
"Ooh."
I'll give you more to eat later.
Gengar, with a righteous air, crossed his arms and nodded emphatically.
"Genk!"
That's more like it, I forgive you!
"Yin?"
Minior looked at Gengar with a puzzled expression, blinking his eyes, as if he understood something.
So, this is how it's done?
Finally,
The room filled with the normal aroma of cooking.
The Pokemon, some with forks and knives, others with bibs, sat at the table, eagerly waiting for Jing He to serve the food.
Their skilled movements and uniform waiting posture made Haunter feel envious to the point of tearing up.
Before long,
Jing He began serving the dishes.
First, a bowl of savory Miso Soup, then a grilled eel for each, followed by Vegetable Tempura, Fried Pork Cutlet, and various stir-fries.
"Looks not bad, huh." Nadia, already seated, glanced over with a critical tone.
As Jing He removed his apron and sat down, Gengar and the others neatly picked up their utensils.
Seeing this, Haunter followed suit, picking up his spoon with an eager expression.
Nadia, though tough in words, didn't lag behind in action.
"Let's begin." Jing He smiled.
The next second,
Nadia and the Pokemon all clapped their hands together.
"I'm starting!"
After taking a sip of the Miso Soup, Nadia's eyes lit up.
"Delicious."
"Whoa"
Haunter's eyes sparkled as he looked up.
This is what cooking is all about!
"Gengar!" Gengar eyed Haunter's unused spoon.
Not bad, lend it to me!
"Whoa?"
(End of Chapter)
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