Once again, he refused to sell Jian's three Pokémon.
Baimu ignored the intimidating stares of the Evil Dog Team Members and hurried back to the base with a hefty 3 million in cash.
After the match, the venue was swarming with all sorts of people, and if he got distracted and a Pokémon stole from him, it wouldn't be out of the question. The Pokémon Realm was full of extraordinary talent, even some who could create dreams.
But as he entered the innermost tent, he accidentally overheard a conversation.
"Didn't catch them?"
"A lot escaped, you know. Someone tipped them off, so catching those we did isn't bad."
"Ha, counter-ambush and there's still a leak... Does this mean the war has officially started?"
"No, without their boss around, it'll just be small skirmishes. Large-scale conflict isn't in their interest. They're just a bunch of money-hungry blowhards."
Loud plotting?
Even though the volume seemed completely unafraid of being overheard, Baimu decisively turned to leave.
Unexpectedly, just as he took a step, he caught sight of someone lifting the tent's flap.
A man with burgundy hair, much like an Abra, smiled and said, "You're here? I was just about to go find you."
Baimu: "..."
"Alright, come in." Liu Ge interrupted his urge to speak with a gesture, "Come on in, I've got something to discuss with you."
Upon entering, he was taken aback to see Ayana standing not far away.
Unlike her glamorous appearance when they first met, now she looked a bit rundown, with dark red blood spots on the back of her hand.
Noticing his gaze, Ayana slightly raised an eyebrow, "Kid, don't think you can stare just because you've done well; I'll still beat you up!"
Baimu didn't dare retort and looked at Liu Ge, who seemed to be amused, "…Master Liu Ge, thank you very much for the Vibrava. It was a huge help to me."
He held out the Pokeball containing the Vibrava.
"Glad it helped you. I wouldn't have gone through the trouble of having someone deliver the Pokémon otherwise."
Liu Ge discreetly accepted it, smiling, "So, have you thought about it? Do you want to join my side?"
After bestowing such great favor, how could he not follow them?
Baimu knew he had no other choice and immediately bowed, "Please take care of me, big brother!"
"Oh!"
Liu Ge's smile became much warmer, reaching out to ruffle his black hair, "You're quite perceptive. From now on, you'll be a Squad Leader under me."
"Squad Leader?"
Ayana seemed surprised, "Did you ask the boss?"
Squad Leader level isn't something you can just appoint at whim; the treatment compared to ordinary members is vastly different, and the numbers are strictly regulated to avoid it becoming too commonplace.
"You don't know, the boss originally promised this kid a Squad Leader position." Liu Ge kept smiling, "I just helped fulfill that promise, and there's more to it!"
He turned to Baimu, "The vegetative state guy, Chaitian, who was in the ICU, died two hours ago; someone pulled out his oxygen tube."
Chaitian is dead!
Baimu was shocked.
"Also, Yuan Du was dealt with by the boss's people. That guy was a Crystal Team mole, planning to first isolate you, then have the Evil Dog Team cripple you by breaking your leg, turning you into a nobody, and then kill you once no one paid attention to you."
Liu Ge explained calmly, "Aren't you curious why Chester was targeting you?"
Baimu nodded.
"It's quite simple, the boss wasn't around, and he wanted to seize control of the new recruit assessments. So, he specially planted unique Pokémon tailored for each match, wanting the outer members close to the Crystal Team to advance, and then distribute them across different groups, to secretly gain control over the Quicksand Team's lower ranks."
Liu Ge continued, "But he feared being discovered by the Stone Team's leader — who the boss appointed as the acting leader, Yogo — so he delayed and dragged everything out.
"In the end, it was ruined by Chaitian and you accidentally, which also caught Yogo's attention, leading to the plan's complete failure."
No.
Chaitian ruined it, I'm not taking the blame.
He wanted to tell Liu Ge this, but knew it was pointless to explain.
"Chester is someone alarmingly petty and lacks vision, not to mention being particularly concerned about face. You offended him, and as this spread around, naturally he wanted to cause you trouble. But since you were spotted by the big boss, he could only come at you in roundabout ways."
Liu Ge laughed as he spoke, evidently holding no respect for the Crystal Team's leader next door.
Ayana beside him similarly sneered coldly.
"..."
Baimu had a blank expression, "What about his uncle, Stone Wall?"
"Squad Leader level people don't disappear so easily, and he can't trouble you now either. So, you'll handle this person yourself. When the Sand Group and Crystal Team eventually clash, you just take him out."
Liu Ge patted his shoulder vigorously, "I believe in you."
"By the way, generally when joining the team, there's a tribute fee for the big brother you follow, but considering you haven't even warmed the money before having to spend it, I'll waive it this time."
Liu Ge said, "This money, use it honestly to strengthen yourself, and quickly reach Squad Leader level—of course, whether you switch Pokémon or how many Pokémon you acquire, it's up to you. But I advise you to be mindful."
With a meaningful look at him, the good big brother lifted the flap and walked out.
Ayana smirked and said, "Your big brother isn't a straightforward person, worrying about you wasting money. Just say it directly, why babble so much."
"Eh..."
Baimu had no courage to respond.
But judging by Liu Ge's current attitude and actions, following this big brother seemed pretty good, maybe even promising.
——
The ride back was again driven by a strong woman.
But as Baimu got in, he noticed the Evil Dog Team's base was in chaos, with someone rushing out toward the Quicksand Team's base, only to be held back by others.
Bucket after bucket of blood-red water was being carried out from the tent inside.
This...
He couldn't help but think of what Liu Ge and Ayana just said, and the bloodstains on the latter.
The Evil Dog Team had set up an ambush for the returning Quicksand Team but got counter-ambushed instead?
Maybe that was the case.
Otherwise, it couldn't explain why Liu Ge suddenly appeared there.
What a reliable big brother!
Baimu thought that with such a second-rate organization like the Quicksand Team, there would be no forward thinking in dealing with enemy ambushes, but it turned out there were still capable people around.
While thinking, the former teammate in the car leaned over naturally, asking:
"I heard you're going to follow Master Liu Ge?"
"Yes."
"That's great, so how much tribute fee are you preparing? Everyone says Master Liu Ge is very generous, and his tribute fee is low..."
"What's the usual amount?"
"For people like us who just won prize money, it starts at one million. Master Liu Ge might be satisfied with fifty thousand."
The person said enviously.
Meanwhile, Baimu cursed internally, A million starting tribute fee, this isn't just trimming the fat, they don't even leave the roots!
"Do those who are laid up also have to pay a million?"
He asked incredulously.
The person shook their head, "Not at all, we pay more because we just got an extra income. By the way, don't forget that aside from the leaders, Squad Leaders also need a share, just a reminder."
Damn it!
This is daylight robbery!