Chapter 471: Jibeiweng

High above, Huo La stood on Palkia's back, looking down at the ground.

Bike, Ma Ruiyin, Lai Ke and their party stood quietly on the ground, all there to see him off. Huo La's expression was calm; he simply raised his hand slightly and waved at them, indicating farewell.

On the back of Kyuradina beside them, Doctor Neimu watched him, smiling as he asked, "Are you leaving already? Won't you stay a few more days in Alola?"

Huo La, standing on Palkia's back, replied in a detached tone, "No, I have other matters to attend to. Moreover, the League and the Aether Foundation have finalized all subsequent agreements; Alola's wrap‑up work is settled, and the rest is none of my concern."

Behind Doctor Neimu, Bilan couldn't help but ask, "Really, don't Xiao Gang and Xiaoyin need to come with you? It would be good to have a helper."

"I've already spoken with them; they don't need to accompany me to Li Shu Lin for now," Huo La explained slowly, "Better to let them stay and assist Gladio in completing the island pilgrimage, helping the people of Alola and the Pokemon rebuild bonds and regain trust."

"I see," Doctor Neimu nodded slightly, a hint of admiration in his eyes, "I have to say, this is a thorough and gentle arrangement; I even admire you a bit."

Huo La heard that, gave a light laugh, said nothing more, turned his head and entered the Space Rift.

In an instant, Spatial Power surged, three figures rode the Space Rift and vanished, instantly departing Alola's sky.

In the Chengdu Region, a pitch‑black Space Rift suddenly tore open above Gui Pi Zhen.

Huo La, Paipa and Bilan's three silhouettes flew out in succession, landing steadily on the open ground outside the town, and the undulating Space Rift slowly sealed and closed completely.

After landing, Huo La raised his hand to dismiss the Space-Time Trio, his tense nerves fully relaxed, he stretched lazily at his leisure and said in a light tone, "First go into town to find something to fill our stomachs, rest a bit, and later we'll go meet Xiao Chi Ge."

But as soon as he finished speaking, the communicator in Paipa's pocket rang sharply.

Paipa immediately answered, listening quietly to the news on the other end; his previously relaxed expression sank gradually, his face turning instantly extremely grim.

He hung up, and the atmosphere fell abruptly silent.

Huo La sensed something was wrong and asked, "What's the matter? Did something happen to your parents in Paldea?"

Paipa shook his head slowly, his voice carrying an unhideable heaviness, "It's not my parents; it's Jibeiweng, he's dead."

"What?!"

Huo La's pupils narrowed, and he couldn't help a startled exclamation, his face full of disbelief, "How could it happen so suddenly? What exactly occurred?"

"I'm not clear on the details; the report says Aimeijiao assassinated Jibeiweng in secret to seize control of the Explorer Team," Paipa said in a low voice.

"Aimeijiao…"

Huo La muttered the name, and in his mind instantly the image of that man with black‑gray split‑colored hair appeared, his heart full of astonishment.

"Who spread the news?" Huo La asked immediately.

"My father told me, and the news of the assassination was publicly released by Spinel."

"Spinel…"

Huo La murmured, his brows tightly furrowed, quickly sorting through the oddities in his mind.

Just as he was about to speak about arranging the next steps, Paipa spoke up proactively, his tone firm yet somewhat urgent, "I want to go back."

He looked up at Huo La and explained earnestly, "Regardless of the truth, Jibeiweng's death will plunge the Explorer Team and Zhuoyue Gongsi into massive turmoil. My parents are still there; I can't rest easy."

Huo La looked at his solemn expression, showed no hesitation, and nodded, "I'll have Palkia open a Spatial Gate to send you back immediately; stay in contact with me on the way, and tell me the moment anything happens."

"Alright!"

Paipa, without any lingering hesitation, nodded heavily, his eyes full of urgency.

After Paipa left, Bilan stepped forward and said, "So we let Paipa go back alone? I don't know Paldea well, but according to the intel from Kamen, the Explorer Team's waters run deep; it's definitely not simple."

"I understand," Huo La replied softly, "I'll later send someone to investigate Paldea's specific situation. Moreover, Paipa carries a life‑saving trump card, so he won't get into trouble easily. We'll continue with the original plan and first meet Xiao Chi Ge."

"Let's go, let's go, stop talking about this; I'm starving."

Doctor Neimu stepped forward at the right moment, interrupting their conversation, and was the first to stride toward Gui Pi Zhen.

Meanwhile, in an inn in Gui Pi Zhen, Red had been waiting there for a long time.

Seeing Huo La rush in, Red smiled and stepped forward, patting his shoulder, "Well done, Huo La; it's only been a few days, and you've completely resolved Alola's crisis."

Huo La smiled and nodded, then asked earnestly, "Xiao Chi Ge, how have things been around here lately?"

"Nothing much has changed," Red turned his head toward Li Shu Lin and said slowly, "Brother Liu has stayed locked inside Li Shu Lin all day; I go there to patrol daily, and everything remains calm."

"There's still a week until Full Moon Night; he'll likely stay in hibernation and won't appear rashly," Huo La analyzed calmly.

Red's tone shifted, adding a few notes of seriousness, "But something strange has happened."

"What?"

"A group of unfamiliar forces has also set their sights on Li Shu Lin, lurking nearby; judging by their stance, they're also waiting for Full Moon Night."

Huo La heard that, fell silent briefly, quickly sorting past clues in his mind, and after a moment said slowly, "Is the leader of that group a man who's worn a helmet mask all year?"

Red was startled, looking at him in surprise, "You've known about them all along?"

Huo La sighed lightly, his tone carrying a hint of understanding and gravity, "It's not that I knew; I guessed—they're from the Rocket Team, Iron-faced Bixas."

"Rocket Team?!"

Red's face showed surprise, instinctively touching his chin, "But I've observed them for a long time; they don't wear the Rocket Team's iconic R‑logo uniform at all, showing no connection whatsoever."

"Iron Mask is the Rocket Team's exclusive execution division, different from ordinary members," Huo La explained patiently, "They handle covert missions, requiring extreme low‑profile; they never wear standard uniforms that reveal identity, operating in the shadows to deal with all sorts of dirty work and secrets for the Rocket Team."

Red suddenly understood, his expression growing more serious, "I see. So the Rocket Team's target is most likely the Celebi in Li Shu Lin as well."

"Ninety‑plus percent it's that," Huo La nodded confidently.

"No wonder they previously cooperated with Kamen; after the Asiatic Island incident, they even abandoned the chase against us," Red instantly grasped the cause and effect, saying slowly, "It seems that from then on, their focus shifted, and they prepared early for this Full Moon Night operation."