Chapter 317: Yes, and No

Huo La pushed open the cafeteria door, and the scene inside flashed into view.

The long table that was originally for dining was now filled with all kinds of merchandise and props, a dazzling array, effectively turned into a temporary stall of the Ginkgo Guild.

Mu Chun sat upright at the table, his expression still steady, but a hint of barely perceptible helplessness lingered in his brows;

Opposite him, a man dressed in the Ginkgo Guild uniform was spitting as he hawked goods, his beard on his chin swaying lightly with his speech, presenting a shrewd and capable demeanor.

"Field Master Mu Chun, take a look at this!" the man said, reaching for a translucent stone that glimmered with a faint sheen, holding it up before Mu Chun, his eyes shining, his tone full of flattery and certainty. "This is a premium Energy Stone, crystal clear and flawless. If you equip it on your Pokemon, it will gradually nourish the body, boost strength, and even make its aura far more striking than other Pokemon—perfectly suited for you!"

As he spoke, he swiftly picked up a nearby herb with emerald leaves and a faint medicinal scent, carefully handing it over, his speech becoming more urgent: "And this herb—don't underestimate it! I personally risked venturing to the back of the Tian Guan Mountain Foothills to collect it. It's extremely rare, highly effective at treating electric‑type injuries, and works quickly!"

"You keep mischievous Thunder Bombs and Pokeballs here year‑round, so it's inevitable that some Pokemon get struck by electricity. This herb is practically tailor‑made for you; having a few extra won't hurt!"

Before Mu Chun could speak, he turned and rummaged through the items on the table, recommending one after another: "Also this Pokeball storage bag—waterproof and wear‑resistant, can hold over ten Pokeballs; and this Pokemon brush, soft and fine, can smooth the grooves on mischievous Thunder Bombs and even prevent static…"

"This one…"

"And this one…"

The man ranted on, gesturing wildly as he introduced each item, his eyes full of merchant shrewdness, turning the once‑quiet cafeteria into a bustling market, a vivid scene of a street vendor hawking wares.

Huo La stood at the doorway, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, already having reached a decision in his mind.

No need to guess further—the man in the Ginkgo Guild uniform, smooth‑talking, with sales on his mind, must be the Ginkgo Guild chief that Captain Majamu asked to contact, Ginjin.

Mu Chun, evidently also a bit exasperated by Ginjin's enthusiasm, caught sight of Huo La at the door, a flash of surprise in his eyes, and hurriedly interrupted the still‑rambling Ginjin: "President Ginjin, hold on a moment, the person you're looking for has arrived."

Ginjin's sales pitch halted abruptly; he spun around, followed Mu Chun's gaze to Huo La at the doorway, sized him up, his eyes instantly brightening. He immediately tucked away the items, hurried over with a warm smile: "You must be Mr. Huo La? A pleasure, a pleasure! I am Ginjin of the Ginkgo Guild. I received word from Captain Majamu that you have urgent business, so I came early. I happened to meet Field Master Mu Chun, so I'll also recommend a few fine items to the Field Master…"

He rubbed his hands, probing, "You… are looking for me to buy what? Rest assured, Mr. Huo La, everything I have is solid quality, no deceit to young or old. Whether it's Pokemon gear or rare herbs, if you want it, I can source it!"

Huo La helplessly pushed his forehead, strode straight into the cafeteria, pulled out the chair opposite Ginjin and sat down, his expression calm: "President Ginjin, I do have something I wish to purchase, but not these goods—information."

"Information?"

Hearing those words, the merchant's flattering smile on Ginjin's face vanished instantly, a sharpness unlike his usual shrewd vendor look flashed in his eyes—a constant edge of vigilance. He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping a few tones: "Oh? Mr. Huo La wants to buy information? I wonder what kind of information?"

"Information about Wang Luo." Huo La gave no detour, his gaze fixed on Ginjin, his tone plain yet direct.

Facing Ginjin, the guild's old fox, beating around the bush would only waste time; only bluntness could test his limits.

The moment "Wang Luo" left his mouth, Ginjin's complexion shifted abruptly, the earlier sharpness replaced by solemn caution. He sat up straight, his eyes darting over Mu Chun, Ming Yao, Xiao Zhao and Mu Xia, then quickly glanced at the cafeteria doorway before returning his gaze to Huo La, his tone carrying a barely perceptible resistance: "I don't understand what you're saying."

Huo La showed no surprise, merely gave a slight shake of his head, his tone calm yet bearing an intimidation beyond his years: "President Ginjin doesn't need to know why I ask; you just need to tell me everything you know about Wang Luo. As for payment, the Galaxy Team will cover it in full—whether gold coins or any rare supplies you desire, as long as the Galaxy Team has them, they can satisfy you."

Ginjin's fingers unconsciously brushed the Energy Stone on the table, his brows knitting tightly. He fell silent for a moment, then could not help raising his head, his gaze fixed on Huo La, his tone heavy as he pressed, "May I ask what you intend to do with the information about Wang Luo?"

Huo La lifted his eyes, his gaze passing beyond Ginjin, his tone suddenly becoming solemn and earnest, each word deliberate: "Perhaps it concerns saving Hisui and the Whole World."

The cafeteria's dead silence lingered for a long while, the air so heavy it seemed one could wring water from it.

Ginjin rose slowly, his movements delayed yet decisive, gathering the dazzling array of items on the table and stuffing them into the pack behind him; his face no longer bore any merchant's shrewdness, only an indescribable weariness and gravity.

Then he pulled an old dry cigarette from the side of his pack, deftly rolled tobacco onto it, fetched a flint, lit it, and took a deep drag.

The spicy smoke surged down his throat into his lungs, then he exhaled it slowly; the swirling haze blurred his brows and eyes, lending his voice a distant, cryptic tone: "Ask whatever you wish."

Huo La's heart tightened; he leaned forward instantly, his gaze locked on Ginjin, his tone urgent yet steady, launching the first, most crucial question: "I just want to know—does the current Wang Luo match the Wang Luo you once knew?"

Hearing this, Ginjin's fingers gripping the dry cigarette tightened slightly, his knuckles whitening; he lowered his head for another deep drag, the smoke exhaled even more slowly.

After a moment of silence, he finally spoke slowly, his voice hoarse, tinged with an elusive, complex emotion, each word lingering: "Yes, and no."