Chapter 152: Master Master Haidai's Visit

"There's no Air Force anymore, but this feeling of frustration is truly hard to bear."

Luo Mu carried the red bucket filled with spoils, his expression incomparably complex.

"Politoed." (This is also Politoed's sincere intention.)

The Serperior, winding its way forward, extended a vine whip to pat his right shoulder, forcibly saving face for him.

Luo Mu was not comforted in the slightest; even after learning later that Politoed had specifically sought out Wooper and Clodsire living in this small stream to learn fishing techniques just for him, when Politoed handed him the fish it had caught using its fingers, Luo Mu still couldn't hold back and completely broke down.

Could it be that he truly possessed the rare primordial Air Force Saint Body?

Carrying such doubts, Luo Mu returned to the farm, only to find someone very familiar standing before the farm gate.

He sported a gleaming bald head, wore a wave-patterned apron over his chef's uniform, and his build could be described as broad-shouldered and round-waisted.

This person was none other than the Gym Leader of Cortondo—Master Master Haidai.

Master Master Haidai seemed to have just arrived and happened to encounter the patrolling Luxray; at this moment, he was looking at the Luxray with an expression of appreciation.

A robust physique, restrained aura, and those eyes belonging to a strong individual—it had been a long time since he last saw this Luxray after Luo Mu challenged the Cortondo Gym.

The moment he saw the Luxray, Master Master Haidai understood how Luo Mu had passed the Champion Exam personally supervised by Chairwoman Geeta.

Even Chairman Zhi Mi's Mega Blastoise would have less than a thirty percent chance of victory against this Luxray.

Luo Mu stopped in his tracks and asked puzzledly, "Mr. Master Haidai?"

Hearing Luo Mu's voice, Master Master Haidai and the Luxray simultaneously looked toward him and the Serperior, Politoed, and Poliwhirl beside him.

A hint of surprise flashed in the Luxray's golden pupils; while Poliwhirl evolving into Politoed was within its expectations, it hadn't expected the three Poliwag to have completed their evolution as well.

"Luo Mu, it's been a while since we last met!" Master Master Haidai's eyes lit up; he had intended to say something, but upon seeing the Politoed and Poliwhirl beside Luo Mu, he exclaimed in delight, "Could this be... that Poliwag!?"

Luo Mu nodded slightly: "It just completed its evolution today."

The Luxray also strode over at this moment; after exchanging details about the outing with the Serperior, it looked at the slightly nervous Politoed and Poliwhirl, extending its tongue to lick each of their faces in turn.

Noticing that the Politoed and Poliwhirl seemed not to understand the Luxray's intent, Luo Mu explained, "This is the Luxray's way of expressing joy; it means it is happy that you have completed your evolution."

Upon hearing this, the Politoed and Poliwhirl immediately let out joyful cries.

Master Master Haidai walked over to the Politoed, squatted down, looked it and the Poliwhirl up and down, and revealed a gratified smile, saying, "You have raised them wonderfully; Pokémon of the Poliwag line all share the characteristic of having slippery skin. They must have traveled on land with you for quite some time, yet their skin remains slippery and reflective, which indicates that the Water-type energy within their bodies is extremely abundant."

Master Master Haidai was likewise an expert on Water-type Pokémon; from his perspective, the Poliwhirl had been raised exceptionally well, especially the Politoed—he even felt tempted by it.

If trading Pokémon were possible, Master Master Haidai was confident that the Politoed could eventually rise to become a mainstay of his team.

In the past, the Politoed might have become embarrassed by Master Master Haidai's words; in fact, the three Poliwhirl were already blushing.

But for the Politoed, which had now obtained the Heart of the King, appropriate praise should be accepted; this was the bearing of a king.

Even if its subjects, or rather, its underlings, numbered only three Poliwhirl.

After some pleasantries, Master Master Haidai stood up, his expression turning serious: "It's about time we discussed the main matter."

Luo Mu nodded, instructing the several Pokémon to return to the farm first; waiting until the enthusiastic Politoed and the others, who wanted to surprise their good friend Cangyan Cangyan Rengui and their teachers, the Dragonite, had moved away, Luo Mu lifted the bucket in his hand slightly and said, "Mr. Master Haidai, let's go to my home to talk over tea; I still need to settle this fish."

Master Master Haidai laughed heartily, with no intention of being polite: "That works out perfectly; to be honest, I'm also a bit thirsty."

In the living room, before the cupboard.

Luo Mu took out tea leaves and his cherished chipped teapot, turned around, and asked, "I only have black tea at home now; is that acceptable?"

Master Master Haidai curiously observed the Pokémon quietly watching him from around the room and nodded: "No problem."

A short while later, Luo Mu placed several honey cakes serving as snacks and black tea brewed in the chipped teapot onto the table; while pouring the tea, he asked Master Master Haidai, "Mr. Master Haidai, what do you think of my farm?"

Master Master Haidai took the steaming cup of tea handed to him by Luo Mu, smelled the rich fragrance, disregarded the scalding heat, and boldly drained it in one gulp, just like drinking alcohol.

After savoring it carefully, Master Master Haidai's eyes sparkled as he said, "I finally understand why you declined the high-ranking position in the League promised by Chairwoman Geeta and chose to retire to open a farm."

"An environment that calms the mind, a leisurely pastoral life..." Master Master Haidai picked up a honey cake, tasting it carefully, "... and these delicious snacks and tea; you are truly enjoying life!"

If not for the burden of running a seafood restaurant on his shoulders, Master Master Haidai would have wanted to follow Luo Mu's example, buy land in the suburbs of a small town, and open a farm.

"Is this tea really brewed from the bag of black tea you used just now? Why does the flavor possess such layers..."

"Look at this tea set."

Luo Mu displayed the chipped teapot for Master Master Haidai to see.

After examining it for a while, Master Master Haidai suddenly realized: "No wonder such good tea could be brewed from those tea leaves; so it was because of the chipped teapot?"

Luo Mu nodded slightly: "In a few months when summer arrives, the leaves grown by the Meng Ya Lu in the pasture will be able to produce even better black tea; if Mr. Master Haidai is interested, you can come then to taste the flavor."

"Then it's a deal!" Master Master Haidai clapped his hands and accepted Luo Mu's invitation; he pulled a gold-embossed letter from his bosom and handed it to Luo Mu, saying, "By the way, Chairman Zhi Mi asked me to deliver this letter to you, saying it was very important, so I made the trip personally."

"A letter from Mr. Zhi Mi?"

Luo Mu took the letter, feeling that it seemed excessively high-grade; both the patterns and the design of the envelope exuded an air of understated luxury.

Stroking his chin with a smile, Master Master Haidai said, "He left my seafood restaurant some time ago to return to the Kalos region; inside this letter seems to be an invitation to some event, but I'm not clear on the specific contents."

Luo Mu nodded in understanding; recalling the invitation Mr. Zhi Mi had mentioned previously, he could roughly guess the contents of this letter from Mr. Zhi Mi.

(End of Chapter)