Chapter 444: Pion's Request

Chapter 444: Pion's Request



Hello, Champion.

Goodbye, Champion.

Encountering a wild Champion, Jinghe couldn't help but bid farewell, as it was not possible to catch it.

But just because he wanted to leave didn't mean Pion was willing to let him go. He began asking questions, such as his zodiac sign, hobbies, and the number of people in his family.

"Hey, Mr. Senior, are you really checking my identity?" Jinghe tried to change the subject.

"Oh, I heard from Little Sonia that she wants to come and study with you. So, there's a child at home, and I hope you can help take care of her," Pion said with a wide grin.

"A child?"

"Her name is Little Mulan, or should I say, Mulan."

Mulan.

Jinghe paused for a moment, then suddenly remembered that there was indeed such a person.

Calling her Mulan might not be that familiar, but if you called her "Queen" or the leader of "Team Celestial," many more people would know her.

"Wait for me for a moment. I'll bring Little Mulan to visit you soon!"

With that, Pion quickly ran back, and Jinghe couldn't stop him even if he tried.

"Mulan," Jinghe repeated the name.

As far as he knew, Pion had two daughters. One was Xiakoia, who accompanied him to investigate the legendary Pokemon "Flowercrown King" in the Crown Snowfield.

The other was sent to study at the Orange Academy in the Paldea region—Mulan, the leader of Team Celestial.

The so-called "Team Celestial" was actually a group formed privately by some students of the Orange Academy. They often disrupted school discipline and recruited members forcefully, causing trouble for those around them.

In the end, they were just a group of students.

However, the initial purpose of forming Team Celestial was to stop school bullying. Most of the initial members were those who had experienced or witnessed school bullying.

Mulan was among them.

But it's not uncommon for dragon slayers to become evil dragons themselves. After the school bullying in the Orange Academy disappeared, Team Celestial became the bullies instead.

As for Mulan, it might be due to her personality issues. She had indeed been bullied at school, and after joining Team Celestial, she relied on her abilities to become the true leader behind the scenes, calling herself "Queen."

In the end, it was still the irresponsible Champion father, Pion.

"She's a...problematic child," Jinghe sighed softly.

Back at home.

"Heh?"

Gramps was stretching out his hand, warming himself by the fire next to Charcoal Little Servant, looking at the drenched and sweaty Jinghe with a hint of confusion.

This was the first time he had seen Jinghe sweating after a morning run.

"There will be guests coming soon. Ask LoveAttendant to prepare some snacks and welcome them," Jinghe said.

"Heh! (^_^)"

Gramps immediately stood up and saluted, indicating that he understood.

He turned and called out to his little partners.

"Just a little welcome!" Jinghe said.

After a quick shower.

As he went downstairs, he happened to see Pion bringing three girls to the cafe.

"Jinghe!" Sonia was delighted to see Jinghe and greeted him.

Jinghe smiled back, "It's been a while, Sonia. How's Dante?"

Sonia hugged her arms and turned her head away, pouting, "Who knows where he's lost again."

Jinghe couldn't help but feel speechless.

No wonder it's Dante; he's either getting lost or on his way to getting lost, and even his Pokemon have been 'infected' by him.

"Jinghe, let me introduce you. This is Pion, the Galaria Champion!"

Sonia pointed to Pion, who was wearing an orange mountaineering outfit.

"Hahahaha—Little Sonia, keep it low-key. You can't just talk about being a Champion like that, hahahaha—" Pion laughed, hands on his waist.

His laughter drew the attention of many people in the store, with a hint of confusion and displeasure.

"Who is this guy? Laughing so loudly, isn't he afraid of getting beaten up by 'Sister'?"

"Champion? Pfft, Jinghe has already won two Championships. Who isn't a Champion then?"

"Even if he's a Champion, he should behave in Jinghe's cafe."

". . ."

The customers seemed to have a higher sense of "honor" than Jinghe himself.

Bang! Xiakoia couldn't help but kick Pion, "You're too loud, old man!"

"Old man."

Pion instantly turned as pale as a frosted eggplant.

Sonia pursed her lips and smiled, then continued the introductions. "This is Pion's eldest daughter, Xiakoia."

"Good morning, Jinghe!" Xiakoia smiled, waving at Jinghe while winking at the same time.

"And this is Pion's youngest daughter, Mulan."

Sonia introduced the other girl, who seemed a bit out of place, with her head down, most of her face hidden under a hat. She was wearing a gray hoodie, carrying a fluffy Eevee backpack, paired with a lace skirt and slender legs covered in black socks with red, blue, and black stripes, and a pair of black combat boots.

"Mulan is a bit shy and timid," Sonia whispered.

Jinghe smiled slightly, "What a cute Eevee backpack."

Hmm? Mulan slightly lifted her head, seemingly surprised by Jinghe's compliment about her backpack, but she quickly lowered it again.

Looking at the four people before him, Jinghe couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

The Galaria Champion, the younger brother of the Galaria League Chairman, and his two nieces; the future Galaria Champion and the Chairman's childhood friend and girlfriend.

Controlling these people was equivalent to controlling the entire Galaria region.

"Cough, cough, heh, heh~~"

At this moment.

Gramps' voice suddenly rang out.

Jinghe had a bad feeling, and when he turned his head, he instinctively covered his face.

There.

On the stairs from the first to the second floor, Gramps was standing carefully on the handrail with his two little feet, holding a microphone and patting it professionally.

Behind it, the Swift Dragon struggled to hold up Timia Luka's large belly, and the Martial Bear Master gently patted its belly, producing a rhythmic "dangdang" sound.

Gigaforg slung his hammer over his shoulder, his fist lightly tapping the hammer handle to create a "clangclang" sound, while Tyrogue, at the hammerhead, bared its teeth, gently knocking its teeth against the hammerhead, making a "dingding" sound.

Charcoal Little Servant exhaled white smoke, creating a hazy atmosphere, and Ice Nine-Tailed waved its tail from atop a catwalk.

Accompanying dancers?

Jinghe: "..."

You call this a welcome? You're going to welcome me like this?

Unconsciously, a phrase popped into his mind—the collapse of rites and music.

No, no, no. It's not that serious.

It should be called... musical disharmony.

"Hahaha—" But Pion found it very appetizing and said to Jinghe, "Teacher Jinghe, you're being too formal."

Sonia and Shakaia blushed, and MDolan instinctively took two steps back, burying her head even lower.

Jinghe's mouth twitched, and he waved and clenched his fist at Gramps.

"Hunk!"

Gramps understood and waved his hand.

Recall!

"Why are you recalling it?" Pion asked, puzzled.

Jinghe smiled without warmth and said,

"Pion Champion, later Gramps will sing a solo for you."

It was common knowledge that when others sang, they asked for money, but when Gramps sang, they asked for lives!

He hoped Pion could endure it.

"Okay, okay." Pion agreed without a second thought.

Led by Jinghe, they sat down in a corner.

LoveAttendant Sister and Brother were the first to bring coffee and desserts.

Sister LoveAttendant looked regretful.

If it weren't for the need to prepare coffee and desserts, it would have definitely been a part of the "band," playing the harmonica that Jinghe had just bought for it.

LoveAttendant Brother, on the other hand, would never be able to fit in.

"I'll introduce Teacher Jinghe to everyone as well," Sonia said after they sat down.

But before she could say much, MDolan's soft voice chimed in.

"Jinghe, from Hoenn, ranked first in theory and was admitted to Silver University. After graduating early, he worked as a Pokemon Psychology Mentor at the Kanaz Pokemon Academy in Kanaz City. Later, he became a Trainer and achieved..."

She recited Jinghe's information from start to finish as if it were her own.

"Champion of the Quartz and Bellflower Tournaments, recently defeated Xi Ba King in the Willow Town Festival Showdown, and is suspected to have briefly suppressed Timia Luka and Palu Qia with his own strength."

"His bank balance is one thousand..."

"Cough, cough, that's enough," Jinghe interrupted MDolan.

Previously, he had thought that the shy and timid MDolan and Pion were not very much like father and daughter, but now it seemed they were quite similar, both liking to investigate others.

The difference was that Pion asked questions, while MDolan was more straightforward, directly hacking into the League system to obtain information.

Even his bank balance was being revealed.

Jinghe even suspected that if MDolan wanted to, she could directly reveal his bank password.

MDolan's leadership of the Celestial Team was not only due to her strength but also because of her top-notch hacking skills, which were a very important reason.

In the game, she could even directly transfer money from the League's currency system for the protagonist!

Fortunately.

As high as MDolan's hacking skills were, there was still a limit, and some truly confidential League matters were still beyond her reach.

The defense level of the Rocket Team was almost on par with the League, and it might even be slightly higher due to Jinghe helping Gallade evolve.

Otherwise, if his identity as a Rocket Team official were exposed, it would be quite embarrassing.

However...

Since MDolan could transfer money for the protagonist in the game, could she also...

This dangerous thought had just arisen when Jinghe suppressed it.

It's not right, it's not right. We can't do illegal things.

But what if it's already illegal income?

For example... the income from Pokemon hunter gangs...

Hmm?

Jinghe felt like he had discovered a brilliant idea.

"Oh," MDolan nodded, not speaking further.

Seeing her like this, Sonia's heart ached, and she gently patted MDolan's head, saying,

"Teacher Jinghe, due to some special circumstances, Piony Senior wants MDolan to transfer to the Kanaz Pokemon Academy for her studies."

Special circumstances?

Was it the incident where the previous principal of the Orange Academy forced MDolan to take a leave of absence to shoulder the responsibility for the entire Celestial Team incident?

MDolan and the leaders of the Celestial Team had challenged the former bullies within the academy, but those bullies, intimidated by their strength, refused to accept the challenge and instead chose to withdraw, one by one.

However, the Headmaster suppressed the matter, concealing the full extent of the incident, causing the Celestial Team to be labeled as "bad students."

To appease the students, the Principal Elder ordered a temporary suspension for the leaders of the Celestial Team, forcing MDolan to shoulder all the responsibility and transfer to another school for a year, with the promise of returning to the academy once the situation calmed down.

So MDolan returned to the Galaria region to continue her studies.

So... is she currently in this phase?

Moreover, from Sonia's words, it seemed that MDolan and Pion had decided to transfer because of her.

But...

"Isn't the transfer handled by Director Min Jiang? I'm not the class teacher; I'm just an ordinary Pokemon Psychology Mentor," Jinghe said.

"The transfer procedures have already been completed," Sonia replied.

Then there's no problem; I'll go wherever I'm needed.

Sonia continued, "Piony Senior just wants you to meet Teacher Jinghe."

Jinghe looked at Pion.

He spoke with a solemn expression, "Teacher Jinghe, I entrust my daughter to you!"

"Due to a mission, I need to go to a very dangerous place, and MDolan is still young and can't come with me, so..."

Jinghe: "..."

I'm just an ordinary teacher; you're making it sound like I'm a trusted guardian.

Do all of you big shots like this?

Pion is like this, and sometimes, even Big Boss Sakaki speaks in this tone...

"Pion Champion, look at me; it's not appropriate for an old man like me to live with a girl..."

"Um, Teacher Jinghe, MDolan will be living with me." Sonia raised her hand cautiously.

"That..."

"Teacher Jinghe, may I have a word with you?" Piony spoke with an unusual air of seriousness as he stood up.

The two stepped aside.

"Teacher Jinghe, as you've seen, MDolan has a rather..." Piony began.

"I blame myself for this. Little Shakaia is doing well, as I had time to accompany her when she was born. But when MDolan was born, I had already become the Champion, and I was too busy to spend time with her, which led to her experiencing some things."

"I heard from Little Sonia that you're an amazing psychologist..."

"Pokemon Psychology Mentor," Jinghe emphasized.

"Same thing," Piony added. "So I hope you can help guide her."

Jinghe sighed lightly.

He was a Pokemon Psychology Mentor, but he felt that MDolan's situation would improve if Champion Piony spent more time with her.

Piony sighed as well.

"I understand. But when I became the Champion, many things were beyond my control. I had to take responsibility for the residents of the Galaria region."

After a brief pause, he quickly added, "Just this once. After I complete this task, I plan to step down as Champion and will always be by MDolan's side!"

He looked at Jinghe with determination in his eyes and a resolute attitude.

Jinghe could sense the weight of responsibility that came with being a Champion.

Just like Little Wu in the future, who fought against Groudon and Kyogre for 22 days to protect the entire Hoenn region! This far exceeded the limits of ordinary people, and what supported him was the responsibility of being a Champion.

Take, for example, Champion Winona, Champion Alder, Champion Caitlin, and Champion Dante. Each Champion was not just a title holder but also carried an incredibly heavy responsibility.

However, with Piony's explanation, Jinghe understood why Piony had insisted on meeting him.

This was a "problem student," and he wanted Jinghe to help "treat" her.

"Moreover, MDolan is quite skilled in battles. If possible, I also hope you can teach her more, Teacher Jinghe." Piony added.

As the child of a Champion, MDolan's talent as a Trainer couldn't be lacking.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to earn the respect of the other leaders of the Celestial Team.

"As a token of gratitude, you can rest assured about the fees, Teacher Jinghe." Seeing Jinghe's signs of agreement, Piony breathed a sigh of relief and continued.

As the Champion and the younger brother of Molokom Corporation's President Loz, Piony might not have as much money as Little Wu, but he wasn't poor either.

But Jinghe interrupted him by raising his hand.

"As her teacher, there are some things that can't be measured by money."

Yes, Jinghe was short on funds, but as a teacher, he had his ways of earning money, not through "red envelopes" from students or their parents.

If Little Wu were around, would he still be short on money? This was a matter of principle, a bottom line that Jinghe had always upheld.

Of course, if she weren't his student, it would be a different story.

Piony was taken aback for a moment, then showed admiration and spoke in a low voice, "My apologies, Teacher Jinghe. I was impolite. You are a respectable teacher."

Jinghe tugged at the corners of his mouth.

If you had come a month earlier, before MDolan's enrollment, you would have seen how much I was respected...

"If you ever need my help in the future, Teacher Jinghe, just ask." Piony patted his chest, assuring him.

As a Champion, even if he were to step down, this promise still carried significant weight.

Jinghe pursed his lips and, after a brief contemplation, said, "Currently, there is indeed an issue that may require your assistance, Champion Piony."

"Oh?" Piony's eyes lit up, and he asked eagerly, "What is it?"

"I heard that you, Champion Piony, were once a 'Toolsmith'?" Jinghe inquired.

This was something Jinghe had learned about only after arriving in the Pokemon world.

Before becoming the Champion, Piony was the Gym Leader of the Galaria Steel Gym and a renowned Toolsmith.

A Toolsmith refers to someone who forges and repairs items held by Pokemon.

In the special Sword/Shield arc, the protagonist Saber Creator had a close relationship with Piony's daughter, Shakaia.

"Haha, I didn't expect you to know about this, Teacher Jinghe. Without going into details, my forging abilities are the best in all of Galaria!" Piony proudly gave a thumbs-up.

That made things easier.

Jinghe turned and called upstairs, "Gigaforg!"

"Chop!"

Hearing the call, Gigaforg slid down the stair railing while carrying a hammer and then scampered over to his side.

"A Gigaforg from the Paldea region?" Piony became interested upon seeing Gigaforg.

No Toolsmith could resist a Gigaforg like this.

Moreover, Piony was a Champion specializing in Steel-type Pokemon.

"A fine hammer!"

Piony's eyes lit up even more when he saw the hammer Gigaforg was carrying, "You've trained it exceptionally well."

"Chop?"

Noticing Piony's gaze, Gigaforg hurriedly hugged the hammer tighter and looked at him warily.

He felt like someone was eyeing his hammer!

Jinghe patted Gigaforg's heavy hammer and smiled, "This child has encountered some problems recently. I wonder if Champion Piony closer to examine the hammer."

"No problem!"

Piony readily agreed without hesitation.

---

P.S.: The monthly ticket, coin redemption, and title activities in the book circle seem to have started. Interested partners can participate.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end