Chapter 439: The Strange Siblings and the Strongest Dipplin

Arriving on the second floor.

Luo Mu was the first to walk barefoot into the bedroom.

Upon seeing a large bed quietly resting in the corner of the room, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Fortunately, it wasn't a Japanese-style bedroom where one simply lays a cotton quilt on the floor and sleeps directly on the ground.

Perhaps because he had suffered enough hardship in the past, often camping out in the wild and sleeping on hard ground with just a sleeping bag, Luo Mu now cared greatly about sleep quality, even picking out good beds to buy for the farm.

After all, there's no need to suffer unnecessarily when there's no suffering to be had.

Seeing that the entire second-floor space was quite large, Luo Mu directly released all the Pokémon he had brought with him.

Luxray, Serperior, Feng Su Gou, and Spectrier appeared one after another; adding Mimikyu and Dipplin, Luo Mu had brought a full team of six Pokémon this time.

The main purpose of this trip was vacation, with the side goal of helping Shari uncover the truth about Heru.

As soon as Luxray left its Poké Ball, it began patrolling, sniffing around the surroundings; it always prioritized confirming the environment's safety to ensure the well-being of its companions.

"We're here to have fun, no need to be so tense."

Luo Mu reminded Luxray helplessly.

Only then did Luxray stop its movements, look around, find a spot it deemed satisfactory, and lie down directly.

Serperior used its tail to directly lift up Dipplin and used vines to brush off the dust from the one that had been blown by the wind for so long.

Mimikyu stayed in front of a wooden dressing mirror, constantly examining its own appearance; it seemed that after being praised, it was truly very happy.

Meanwhile, Spectrier curiously approached.

Both being Ghost-type Pokémon, Mimikyu was very friendly toward Spectrier, even specially shifting its position so that Spectrier's horse face could be fully reflected in the mirror.

Looking in the mirror at its own flowing, soft mane, Spectrier couldn't help but feel a bit narcissistic.

Although it looked most handsome when ridden by a king, even standing alone as a single horse, its level of handsomeness was equally unmatched.

Feng Su Gou remained quiet for a moment, its gaze falling on the pair of slippers not far away, its eyes flickering as it wondered what to do.

A moment later.

It furtively looked left and right, and as if confirming no one noticed it, it pressed almost its entire body against the ground and cautiously crept forward.

A few seconds later, with the slippers right within reach, just as Feng Su Gou opened its mouth, about to bite down—

Slap! Feng Su Gou's head suddenly came under attack.

It didn't hurt, really; the force was just right, confusing but not brain-damaging.

Feng Su Gou lifted its head to discover Luo Mu, face darkened, holding a paper roll of unknown origin that had already bent from use.

Feng Su Gou's eyes darted around in a circle, its tail immediately began wagging, and it looked at him ingratiatingly, barking Wang Wang a few times.

"I won't say whether I'll be prosperous this year, but if you dare bite and ruin the slippers, you'll have to compensate with the snacks you usually eat."

Knowing today's crime was likely futile, Feng Su Gou could only lower its tail and go bother Luxray instead.

Snacks, after all, must not be cut off.

After a while, Luo Mu had finished familiarizing himself with the overall layout of the second floor; at this time, sounds of movement and firing up the stove came from downstairs.

It must be Aunt Shu Zi returning after going out to buy groceries.

Luo Mu knew that mealtime was approaching soon.

Midway through, Mr. Xue Zhong came upstairs once, asking Luo Mu if he had any dietary restrictions, confirming the number of Pokémon he had brought, and then went back down to get busy.

Once mealtime arrived, the call for Luo Mu to bring his Pokémon downstairs to eat sounded promptly from below.

By the time they reached the dining room, the table was already filled with many dishes.

On the dining table were ordinary sushi and sashimi, as well as tempura curry rice bowls serving as the staple food.

In the center of the table sat a pot containing a hot pot called Sukiyaki; unfortunately, it lacked any spicy flavor whatsoever.

Aunt Shu Zi said that the vegetables in the Sukiyaki hot pot were all produced in Beishang Village, with some mountain delicacy mushrooms picked from the hills added in; if Luo Mu liked, she could also make soup for him.

Basically, all the food was the most basic cuisine, with no fancy plating; the taste was that of an ordinary home, slightly bland, but trying it occasionally was still acceptable.

After dinner ended, just as Luo Mu returned to the second floor with his Pokémon, Aunt Shu Zi brought out some snacks and desserts made from Beishang Village specialties, along with afternoon tea, and handed them to Luo Mu.

There were apple pies and candied apples made from the apples Beishang Village was famous for, small strawberry cakes, and a type of sticky rice cake said to exist only in Beishang Village, kneaded using a special technique passed down from ancestors.

After tasting them, Luo Mu directly took the change of clothes he had prepared earlier and went to the backyard to comfortably soak in a hot spring, washing away the fatigue of the journey.

Incidentally, he also let Luxray and the others experience this natural hot spring.

Since Luxray, Feng Su Gou, and Spectrier all had fur, Luo Mu had asked Mr. Xue Zhong and Aunt Shu Zi in advance.

Fortunately, both said that the hot spring pool water was changed daily, delivered to every home through specially constructed pipelines, so Pokémon with fur could also enter and experience it; it was no big deal.

Except for the somewhat reluctant Feng Su Gou, all six Pokémon enjoyed the healing effects of the hot spring, which sparked an idea in Luo Mu's mind.

He remembered that the Hoenn region seemed to have a very famous hot spring; in the Emerald game, the player he controlled would even receive an egg from the person managing the hot spring—an Pokémon Egg, not a hot spring egg.

Once the farm's expansion reached a pause, it would be perfect to organize everyone to go to that large hot spring and enjoy themselves.

It could be treated as an "official expense" trip.

Luo Mu remembered the location should be Lavaridge Town at the foot of Mt. Chimney; he just didn't know if they accepted bookings for exclusive use there.

Early the next morning.

Luo Mu got up early, washed up, and then had another sumptuous breakfast with Mr. Xue Zhong and Aunt Shu Zi.

During the meal, he received a phone call from Shari.

On the other end of the line, Shari said she was still deep within the Forever Forest and probably wouldn't emerge until tonight, so Luo Mu should just have a good time playing in Verdant Town today.

After finishing breakfast, hearing the knocking sound coming from outside the door, Xue Zhong's eyes lit up, and he scolded with a smile: "These two kids have finally arrived."

Xue Zhong walked straight over and opened the door, revealing two people standing at the entrance, one tall and one short. Seeing their attire, Xue Zhong felt both proud and helpless, and could only exhort: "The weather is so hot; wearing ordinary clothes would be fine. Why are you still wearing your school uniforms?"

Even though he said that, Xue Zhong genuinely felt that the siblings, who had gained admission to Blueberry Academy through their own efforts, were excellent, and he felt very proud of them.

Of course, Xue Zhong didn't forget Luo Mu behind him and hurriedly introduced them: "Luo Mu, these two are my granddaughter and grandson; the tall one is called Danyu, and the slightly shorter one is called Wuli."

"Sorry, they came out directly wearing their Blueberry Academy uniforms today; it might make you all stand out a bit."

Luo Mu looked at the two people at the door.

As the older sister, Dan Yu had a tall figure; as the younger brother, Wu Li was somewhat shorter, and seemed a little timid and shrinking.

The Blueberry Academy uniforms they were wearing surprised Luo Mu even more — he hadn't expected to run into students of Blueberry Academy while traveling in Northbound Township.

From Xue Zhong's tone, it wasn't hard to tell he was clearly proud that his granddaughter and grandson could attend Blueberry Academy.

Xue Zhong then introduced them to Dan Yu and Wu Li: "Everything I needed to say, I already told you over the phone yesterday. This is Mr. Luo Mu, a guest at the inn. Today the two of you must give him a proper introduction to the sights of Northbound Township."

"Mr. Luo Mu, hello."

Dan Yu, with the somewhat ill-at-ease Wu Li in tow, bowed slightly to Luo Mu; a barely perceptible flicker of excitement shone in her eyes.

Originally, yesterday she and Wu Li had thought they had simply seen wrong — that it was just someone who looked like him.

Today, having received the task from Grandpa and Grandma, she had been somewhat reluctant at first, but she hadn't expected that the person needing a guide would actually be him! A few months ago, Luo Mu had left an extremely deep impression on Dan Yu.

Not only had the students he brought defeated the lofty Four Heavenly Kings and the champion of the League Club, but he himself, as a seemingly unremarkable team-leading teacher, had directly defeated Mr. Dai Ke's ace Volcarona! At this moment, the reluctant feelings Dan Yu had harbored about having to guide an outsider from the countryside completely vanished.

She was only thinking, if Luo Mu was happy while she showed him around, might she be able to receive some pointers that would benefit her greatly?

"Hello."

Luo Mu nodded at her, then looked at Wu Li.

Wu Li's heart pounded wildly. He opened his mouth, as if summoning tremendous courage, and said softly, "Mr. Luo Mu... hello."

As he spoke, his eyes darted about, completely unable to meet Luo Mu's gaze, and his hands hidden behind his back kept fidgeting — from his movements alone, one could tell just how nervous he was.

Luo Mu's psychology radar immediately went off.

This child — could he be a little timid and withdrawn? Still, judging by their family atmosphere, it seemed quite good; it probably wasn't his place to worry about it.

This kind of issue actually only needed the family to encourage the child, to let them know someone was still behind them, and gradually it would get better.

Thinking of this, Luo Mu said, "Then let's set off. For the first stop, I'd like to go see Apple Hill."

After accepting Mr. Xue Zhong's "smooth travels" blessing and his reminder to come back for lunch on time, led by Dan Yu, the three of them headed in the direction of Apple Hill.

As for why it had to be said that Dan Yu was leading the way?

Luo Mu's gaze fell on Wu Li, who was a few body-lengths behind Dan Yu, and his brow furrowed slightly.

Is the relationship between an older brother and sister supposed to be like this? The Dan Yu in front seemed to realize she was walking too fast, or perhaps she wanted more contact and conversation with Luo Mu, and directly slowed her pace.

This also caused Wu Li, who had been keeping his head down, not to notice, and he crashed straight into her.

Compared to her older sister's striking figure, the somewhat frail-looking Wu Li was clearly the weaker party. When the two collided, Dan Yu who stepped back was completely fine, while Wu Li fell on his bottom and let out a small cry of pain.

Luo Mu had assumed Dan Yu would hurriedly help Wu Li up and apologize softly.

But Dan Yu instead knit her brows, and there seemed to be a note of reproach in her voice: "How many times have I told you — don't shrink behind me when you're walking, Ah Li!"

And Wu Li, sitting on the ground, feeling as if his bottom had nearly split in two, simply stood up with his head lowered, glanced at the stains now on his uniform, and said nothing.

Dan Yu usually found Wu Li's silent, sullen personality the most annoying, but considering Luo Mu was still there, she ultimately didn't blow up. She only said softly that when they got back he should put his clothes in the laundry basket and she'd wash them when she had time, then with a frown she perfunctorily dusted Wu Li off a few times and took up the lead again up front.

In this atmosphere now, whatever questions she had weren't easy to ask Luo Mu.

Behind them, a thoughtful expression surfaced in Emperor Yan Di's eyes.

These two siblings — something's off about them.

Soon, the three of them arrived at Apple Hill.

The entire Apple Hill was very vast; the orderly planted apple trees stretched out in rows, covering the hillsides, looking extremely awe-inspiring.

Dan Yu walked in front, introducing Apple Hill to Luo Mu.

"Apple Hill has vast terrain and open topography, making it very suitable for growing crops. Even the towering Turtle Mountain in the distance can't stop the apple trees of Apple Hill from basking in sunlight."

"Combined with some techniques unique to Northbound Township, the apples here are not only big and round, but under the sunlight they shimmer with an enchanting glow, and their flavor is famous far and wide."

"Some rather exaggerating reporters even say that Northbound Township's apples are rubies grown from the earth."

Dan Yu's voice was not without pride — after all, Northbound Township's apples were indeed extremely famous worldwide.

As a resident of Northbound Township, she was naturally very proud.

But Luo Mu only listened to her introduction with great interest, and didn't ask about the apple-growing techniques that she would surely answer "secret" to. Instead, he asked another question: "Can you tell me where the Burmy usually gather?"

Dan Yu: "!!!!"

Isn't this Mr. Luo Mu a teacher and a trainer? How does he know that Burmy are related to Northbound Township's special apple cultivation method!? Unable to figure it out, Dan Yu could only shake her head, banish her own thoughts, and just chalk it up to Luo Mu having heard something from Grandpa and Grandma — it was just a coincidence.

Following behind them, Wu Li, who had been silent all this while, heard Luo Mu bring up the one topic he knew more about than his sister. His eyes lit up, and summoning his courage he stepped forward and said: "I know where the Burmy gather — my Burmy was caught there!"

Surprised that Wu Li had stepped forward on his own, Luo Mu gently coaxed him with a kind question: "Oh? Then can you tell me?"

Seeing this, Dan Yu, who had originally wanted to lead the way, could only yield the opportunity to Wu Li.

What could she do — the child had stolen a march on her. Usually he barely made a peep, but his reaction was pretty quick at a time like this.

Discovering that his sister hadn't jumped out to interrupt him either, the secretly delighted Wu Li's tone of voice even rose a few notches.

"At this time of year, the Burmy are gathered on a super-large apple tree in the central apple orchard, deciding which one is the strongest Burmy!"

"After the strongest Burmy is decided, that Burmy gets the priority chance to pick the special apple — that's how my Burmy evolved into Wormadam!"

(End of this chapter)