The New Year's celebration scene within the Quicksand Team could be said to have made other factions in Pyrite Town envious.
And as the results of the previous battles between different factions emerged, the winning organizations expanded by absorbing the losing ones, directly prompting those who could no longer hold back to sing the first verse of a crescendo.
More and more factions declared war on one another, more and more people attempted to eliminate their rivals to satisfy their hunger.
Pyrite Town became even more chaotic than before!
At this point.
Even two first-rate factions could no longer keep things in check. Ying Yuan dragged Ying Ma over for a scolding, but could only helplessly watch as the conflicts in Pyrite Town grew larger.
Numerous trainers were drawn in, and civilians naturally could not escape misfortune.
"Is this what you wanted? Is this what you wanted to see? Ying Ma, you really disappoint me more and more!"
"Brother, this is not what I wanted to see, of course. If possible, who would wish to see such a scene? But ultimately, falsehoods remain falsehoods, and sooner or later, the leaders of dissatisfied factions will also spark this chaos. The sooner it erupts, the sooner a new era can begin."
"Who do you think you are? Do you think you can make decisions for them? Why don't you listen to whether they want this or not?"
"I'm nobody. I'm just a sinner, and I'm well aware of what I'm doing."
This conversation took place in Ying Yuan's office.
That afternoon.
The Underground Arena declared war on the Pyrite Arena and Pyrite Town Building, while those whom Ying Yuan considered — silent and indecisive "them" — were now firmly standing by Ying Ma's side.
Moreover, more and more people were joining Ying Ma's camp, creating a formidable force that even Ying Yuan couldn't ignore.
Even those initially sent by Ying Yuan to assist Ying Ma had now become his strength.
The chaos in Pyrite Town was pushed to its peak!
So, have Liu Ge and the others activated their arrangements?
Certainly.
But within the Quicksand Team, the atmosphere was dead silent. So silent that the bustling scenes of the previous days seemed as if they had never happened, and everything returned to its most stable appearance.
Everyone was doing their own thing, living their own lives.
However.
The arrival of a certain matter completely exploded the middle and upper levels, and while exploding, they still had to keep the lid on.
——
Baimu learned through Flop's mouth.
"The Quicksand Team boss is finished."
"Ah?"
The abrupt statement almost made Baimu, who was pouring tea, tremble enough to spill the hot tea inside.
"Just as I said, the Quicksand Team boss is not coming back."
Flop had a slight smile on his face, "A few days ago, the 'remnant' forces of the Evil Dog Team accused him and submitted the case of the Quicksand Team swallowing up the Evil Dog Team to Ergin, who was very unhappy and ordered the soft detention of the Quicksand Team boss."
"Why? Logically, it's already a done deal; there's no need for such measures. It doesn't quite align with their usual handling style."
Baimu was somewhat perplexed, recalling that the corporation behind the Quicksand Team said there would be no interference as long as the mine was fine.
"Normally, that's the case."
Flop spoke with calm confidence: "The key lies in why the Quicksand Team boss hasn't returned to Pyrite Town for so many months?"
"Why?"
"Because Ergin is applying to establish the Ore Alliance, hold the Ore Alliance Conference, and set up positions like Chairman, Champion, and Four Heavenly Kings, striving to align with mainstream regions. However, establishing an alliance requires the approval and review of alliances from other regions; reckless establishment won't be recognized, like Gyms in mainstream regions."
"And then..."
"Then, in the recent months, many alliance prosecutors have come, wanting to thoroughly investigate Ergin's cash flow and so on, including ore exports. As major producers within Pyrite Town, the bosses of the Quicksand Team and Evil Dog Team were naturally summoned, and the investigation has carried on until now."
"Would alliance prosecutors still dare to host such charity conferences?"
"That's one of the few golden opportunities Ergin has to replenish his pocket. The person is terrifyingly greedy; how could he let it slip? The 'remnant' forces of the Evil Dog Team didn't just tell Ergin about this, but they also informed the alliance prosecutors."
"Oh! Has the Quicksand Team boss become a sacrificial lamb?"
"Yes. Not only that, the alliance prosecutors are determined to get to the bottom of Pyrite Town given its current state, where Ergin's ambitions would be exposed and extinguished. Therefore, while holding off the alliance prosecutors, Ergin secretly dispatches personnel to suppress the people here."
"So, will the chaos in Pyrite Town soon come to an end?"
"Correct. The power held by Silicon City is something we cannot resist for now. Pyrite Town will inevitably return to its original state." Flop nodded, "But rather than those matters, you should be more concerned about the soft detention of the Quicksand Team boss, since it closely relates to you."
Baimu listened, confused.
But Flop only told him that he would soon find out.
The moment Flop finished speaking.
Baimu received a message from Cang Zhilang, which prompted him to glance at Flop.
"Go."
"Alright."
——
Underground City Boxing Ring.
Due to Cang Zhilang's severe injury a few days ago, this place hasn't been used for a long time.
But this time, Baimu was invited here again and saw Cang Zhilang, still wrapped in bandages on his upper body, ready to box.
"Come on up! Fight with me!"
"…Alright."
Baimu thought that Cang Zhilang probably knew about the boss being captured, and wanted to relieve some stress amid his restless mood.
But after just a few rounds with Cang Zhilang, the latter began to pant heavily, unable to dodge Baimu's heavy side punch and leg kick to the abdomen, and fell to the side.
"Boss!"
Baimu panicked, realizing that Cang Zhilang's injuries hadn't healed, and this punch might have caused him to convulse, quickly stepping forward to help him up.
"Heh... heh..."
Cang Zhilang lifted his eyelids, "You've gotten stronger again."
"I'm just growing up, I'm only sixteen." Baimu said helplessly.
His growth trajectory was different from ordinary Pyrite Town People, nowhere near reaching the limit. These months, he's grown rapidly relying on the Chansey's nutrient eggs, improving all levels from muscles to dynamic vision.
"Growing up is also becoming stronger."
Cang Zhilang drank the water Baimu handed to him, his expression suddenly a bit silent,
for a full dozen seconds.
This massive man finally said, "After we leave, this place will be entrusted to you."
"Huh?"
"Don't tell me you don't know about the boss being put under house arrest." Cang Zhilang sneered, "I ask you, upon hearing this news, what's your plan?"
"Hmm... go rescue him?" Baimu thought for a moment and said earnestly.
Cang Zhilang saw his expression was not feigned, and the coldness on his face quickly melted, "…there are not many people like you in the Quicksand Team."
"Uh."
"Everyone knows the boss was captured, but how many are considering rescuing him?" Cang Zhilang looked at him, his tone full of regret, "Very few. These people really don't understand why we, the Quicksand Team, have persisted until today and the importance of a central figure."
Baimu seemed to understand something and exclaimed in surprise, "Are you going to Silicon City to rescue the boss?"
"Yeah."
Cang Zhilang did not seem surprised that he guessed, "Not just me, but also Yogo, Chester, and two-thirds of the Quicksand Team's strength."
"Hiss!"
Baimu only felt a chilling sensation, as Cang Zhilang should know more than him about Silicon City's power, yet he's still going, even bringing so many people along.
"Are you going?" Cang Zhilang suddenly asked.
"…I don't want to go."
Baimu shook his head very honestly, "Rallying an army to invade Silicon City is bold but not wise, akin to self-destruction; such an extreme method shouldn't be undertaken."
"You're right."
Cang Zhilang nodded calmly, "But we don't have the time to make more plans. Once the boss is really convicted of those charges, it'll be the international police taking him away, then we won't be able to find him no matter what."
But this is indeed too…
"We aren't completely hopeless; we must fight for it. Not to mention our feelings for the boss, but without the strongest force guarding the Evil Dog Team, you've seen the outcome."
Cang Zhilang said, "As long as the boss is here, no matter how much territory is lost, we can regain it. But without him, we'll quickly become scattered. You shouldn't be unaware of Chester's thoughts."
At this moment.
Baimu almost instinctively revealed the news about Silicon City's secret forces coming, but successfully swallowed back the words and replaced them with another sentence, "How much chance do we have?"
"Whatever chance we have—this batch of people doesn't include you."
Cang Zhilang slowly stood up, lightly deciding Baimu's fate, "You are still young, with unlimited potential. Staying in Pyrite Town is better than following us; they don't lack a cadre's strength over there."
The latter remained silent.
Cang Zhilang jumped off the ring, picked up a Luxury Ball that was placed nearby, and suddenly handed it over, "Take this."
"For me?"
Baimu was slightly startled.
"The ten million for your promotion to cadre hasn't been used even now. Haven't found a good Pokémon? I happen to have one here. I intended to tame it myself, but due to the injury, I don't really have the opportunity."
Cang Zhilang placed the Pokeball onto Baimu, "This fellow isn't easy to handle. Its size, strength, temperament, even other aspects, are not easily tamed. You need to be psychologically prepared.
"But if you successfully tame it, even after we leave, you will have the power to protect yourself in Pyrite Town."
"…What is it?"
"Steelix."