Trainers returning from the Kingdom of Roc

Chapter 51: The Fate of Prehistoric Pokémon

If he wanted to preserve these prehistoric Pokémon, it would be far from enough for him to be just a gym leader.

You need to establish connections at all levels, and you also need to recruit a few people to stick with you. In this situation, the exchange of benefits must be clear and explicit.

There are currently three main demands: from the political sphere, academia, and the alliance headquarters.

As long as these three paths can be opened up to gain their support, then it will be difficult for these prehistoric Pokémon not to stay here even if they want to.

The problem is, how should these benefits be exchanged to obtain greater returns?

Luo Yan naturally understood the question Hou Zhi was pondering.

"Uncle Hou, it should be easiest to handle things at the city and provincial levels. Our Jiangcheng is not a big city to begin with, and its annual fiscal revenue is just so-so. I remember that some investors wanted to boost our city's economy before, but after going around in circles for so long, nothing came of it. But this time is different."

"Think about those resurrected fossil Pokémon. They only exhibit one or two at a time at the Capital Zoo, and even then, online reservations are booked until next year. If we could build a breeding center and set it up in our gym, it would definitely attract trainers from all over the world to visit."

"In this way, the number of tourists in our Jiangcheng will probably surge like a high-speed train, and the city leaders won't have to contribute anything; they'll just need to improve the city's infrastructure."

"To get such good political achievements just by making a few phone calls to the provincial government, I don't think anyone would refuse such a benefit, right?" Luo Yan broke off half a steamed bun, took a bite herself, and handed the other half to Hou Hao before looking at Hou Zhi. "What do you think, Uncle Hou?"

"Yeah, Dad, you have pretty good relationships with the leaders, don't you?" Hou Hao took the steamed bun and casually started the conversation. "As for academia, my sister should have some connections, right?"

"Hiss—what about Yueyue's side, and Jianghai University..." Hou Zhi realized what was going on after hearing Hou Hao's reminder.

Hou Hao's older sister is named Hou Haiyue. She is Hou Zhi's first child, three years older than Hou Hao and Luo Yan. She is currently studying at Jianghai University as a graduate student under Professor Chen, a senior Pokémon researcher.

"I remember my sister specializes in the ecological research of marine Pokémon. Now, what's the point of studying the ocean now? Let her lead a research team to study the ecology of prehistoric marine Pokémon. That would be so impressive!"

"Go away, don't talk nonsense. Research is serious, what does it have to do with saving face?" Hou Zhi waved his hand, then stroked his chin. "But you're right, Professor Chen is an authority in academia. If we can get her here, then this matter is practically a sure thing."

Professor Chen was a senior scholar of Water and Ice-type Pokémon when she was young. She was also the first person in the world to discover the Ice-type evolution of Eevee, and she enjoys a very high status both at home and abroad.

With Hou Haiyue's connection and the addition of prehistoric Pokémon, it would be more than enough to persuade this old professor to come out of retirement.

Once you understand this point, the last step becomes simple.

"Uncle Hou, if I remember correctly, Hou Hao once mentioned to me that you know our country's Water Element King, don't you?"

"We're not that close. We only met once when the league convened a meeting. Several gym leaders and Elite Four members were there, and we even exchanged contact information," Hou Zhi said modestly.

"That's great!" Luo Yan clapped her hands and continued, "She has so many Water-type Elite Four resources, but she hasn't raised any prehistoric Pokémon, has she?"

"Oh, I get it, Brother Luo, you mean we can give her an Omanyte!" Hou Hao reacted quickly and immediately understood Luo Yan's idea.

"That's right. The prehistoric Pokémon we caught this time are mainly Water-type: Omanyte, Kabuto, and Primarina. If we just give her one of them, it will be enough for her to stand up for us."

"The gym leader's words may not carry much weight, but how could the Elite Four's words not? With her backing us in the league, the pressure on us will be much less. Once things are settled, we can even invite her to the ribbon-cutting ceremony—it's a win-win situation!"

"Good idea." Hou Zhi couldn't sit still any longer as he listened to Luo Yan and Hou Hao's back-and-forth banter.

At this moment, the matter of the church descending is no longer so important. If the other party hides, it is unlikely that any clues will be found in a short period of time. However, the matter of the prehistoric Pokémon cannot be delayed.

It is said that things are accomplished in secrecy, and the fossil Pokémon problem must be resolved quickly!

Thinking of this, Hou Zhi put down his chopsticks and picked up his phone.

He made a 'shh' gesture to the two of them and then nervously dialed a number he had never called before.

(beep--)

The phone rang only a few times before it connected.

"Feed...uh, is it the Daytime King?"

Hou Zhi's voice trembled slightly. It was the first time Hou Hao and Luo Yan had seen him like this, and they covered their mouths, looking like they wanted to laugh but dared not.

Soon, a young woman's voice came from the other end of the phone.

(I am Bai Linfei, and you are...Master Hou of Jiangcheng, right?)

"Haha, hahaha, the White King still remembers me." Hou Zhi smiled. At this moment, he didn't look like a Water-type Gym Leader at all, but rather like a little fanboy.

No wonder, the current king of water systems in China is hailed as the most talented king of water systems in the past century.

At just 26 years old, she swept aside a large number of veteran powerhouses in just ten years since her debut, and won the position of Water-type Elite Four member with a rising star attitude. She even defeated the Steel-type Elite Four member of Great Britain in the previous League Open Tournament. She is the "white moonlight" in the hearts of all Water-type Pokémon trainers.

"Um, Bai Tianwang, are you busy right now?"

(Thankfully, I'm eating right now. Is there something you need from Master Hou?)

"Time to eat! Good thing, I'm eating too..."

"puff!"

Hou Hao finally couldn't hold back anymore, but he was quickly glared at by Hou Zhi. However, Hou Zhi also realized that there was something wrong with what he was saying, so he quickly continued.

"Ahem, King Bai, this is what happened. A terrible incident just occurred in Jiangcheng. It was the Church of Descent who were trying to open a secret passage from our island. Even my son and my disciple were involved..."

(What!?)

Upon hearing this, Bai Linfei's tone on the other end of the phone immediately changed.

Although she was indeed not familiar with Hou Zhi and had never been to Jiangcheng, as a Heavenly King, she was well aware of how dangerous the act of descending upon the church was; in a sense, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it terrorism.

(How is Jiangcheng now? Are your son and apprentice alright?)

...