"Captain Zhong, this is the latest information from Heshan City."
An investigator from Shuangyang City stepped forward, his expression grave as he handed a folder of documents to Zhong Ling.
"Good," Zhong Ling acknowledged, taking the file and beginning to flip through the pages with sharp, focused eyes.
But as he read on, his brow furrowed deeply.
"Shang and Zhou dynasties?" he muttered, puzzled.
The document from the Heshan City Investigation Bureau stated that what had been stolen from the Heshan City Museum was not some valuable gem or rare artifact, but rather a damaged mural—something that dated back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties.
Yanhuang history began with Xia, then came Shang. The Shang and Zhou eras were so ancient that their traces had long since faded into myth. Most of what people knew of them today came from fragmentary legends and oral tradition.
"What's so special about this mural?" Zhong Ling asked, glancing at the investigator.
"Nothing, sir," the investigator replied. "Other than its age, it's just a stone wall fragment. Time has eroded it so badly that the details of the mural are indistinguishable. Historians might care, but…"
The man trailed off, as even he couldn't see why the Qingyan Sect would risk exposure for such an object.
Zhong Ling tapped his fingers on the desk thoughtfully. "Then why would Qingyan Sect want it? Is there something we're missing?"
A hidden secret, perhaps? Something concealed in the ancient stone, beyond the comprehension of modern scholars?
"Any other clues?" Zhong Ling asked, though he already anticipated the answer.
"None so far, Captain. We're continuing to investigate," the officer replied, shaking his head.
Zhong Ling sighed. "Understood. Stay on it, and report anything the moment you find it."
When the investigator left, Zhong Ling leaned back, rubbing his temple.
What should've been a straightforward case had now spiraled into something tangled with ancient history and the machinations of Qingyan Sect. And to make matters worse, Jiang Xiaoyue's trail had gone cold.
---
Meanwhile, in the outskirts of Shuangyang City, Renjiro was closing in on his next conquest.
"Meow, meow! (It's just ahead!)" Persian—Zhaocai—called out as it padded swiftly across the overgrown terrain.
Renjiro followed, his heart pounding with anticipation.
Before them rose an abandoned building, reclaimed by nature, its walls covered in moss and creeping vines. This derelict structure was now the domain of powerful wild Pokémon.
"This is it, huh?" Renjiro murmured, studying the building.
It felt surreal—these forgotten human relics, now havens for Pokémon.
"Zhaocai, go and tell them I'm here to challenge them," Renjiro ordered.
"Meow!"
The proud Persian bounded toward the building, disappearing through a broken doorway.
Inside, Zhaocai's voice echoed.
"Meow, meow! (Come out! Someone dares challenge you!)"
There was a beat of silence… then a deep, furious growl.
"ROAR!"
"AND!"
The building trembled as the ground beneath it began to quake. The Nidoking and Nidoqueen had heard the call—and they were not pleased.
Two hulking shapes emerged from the shadows: one purple, one blue. Their eyes burned with anger as they stormed out of their lair.
"Meow!"
Zhaocai darted back toward Renjiro, tail high, mission accomplished.
The furious Nidoking charged after the Persian, its thunderous steps shaking the earth.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The ground shook with each stride as the towering Pokémon drew closer.
Renjiro's Eye of Insight activated automatically, revealing vital information.
---
Pokémon: Nidoking
Type: Ground/Poison
Level: 44
Gender: Male
Abilities:
Poison Point (30% chance to poison upon contact)
Sheer Force (increases power of attack moves with additional effects by 30%)
Moves: Trample, Body Slam, Horn Attack, Earth Power, Hyper Beam, and more.
---
"Dual abilities… and a hidden ability on top of that." Renjiro grinned. "What a find!"
A Nidoking like this couldn't be passed up.
"Beedrill, prepare for battle!"
Renjiro raised his Mega Evolution bracelet. In a flash of radiant light, Beedrill evolved—sleek, lethal, unstoppable.
"Beedrill, Twineedle—Sucker Punch combo!"
With a buzzing roar, Beedrill shot forward like a missile, twin spears gleaming.
"Meow!"
Zhaocai veered out of the way, leaving Nidoking focused on its new foe.
"DFL!"
Nidoking halted its pursuit of Persian and glared at the oncoming Beedrill. A pulse of destructive energy gathered at its jaws.
"Hyper Beam!"
A searing blast erupted from Nidoking's mouth. But Beedrill's agility was unmatched; it twisted in midair, narrowly evading the beam.
The Hyper Beam smashed into the ground, blasting a crater and sending debris flying.
"Boom!"
A small mushroom cloud rose from the impact site.
Renjiro shielded his eyes. "So much power… If that had hit a human…" He shook his head. No wonder Hyper Beam left its user unable to move for a moment.
"Now's our chance! Beedrill, strike!"
Beedrill surged forward, spears aimed at Nidoking's chest. With Nidoking stunned from its attack, it could only watch as Beedrill's attack hit true.
"Bang!"
The massive Pokémon was hurled backward, crashing into a pile of rubble. It groaned, struggling to rise.
Nidoking's eyes flared red with rage. It charged, body bruised but spirit unbroken.
But Beedrill was faster.
A subtle sidestep, and Nidoking's charge hit nothing but air.
"Finish it, Beedrill!"
Beedrill obeyed, twin spears flashing in the light as it darted forward.
With a final, decisive blow, Nidoking collapsed, eyes closing as consciousness fled.
Renjiro didn't waste a moment.
"Poké Ball—go!"
The ball flew true, striking Nidoking and absorbing it in a beam of red light. A soft click confirmed the capture.
Renjiro exhaled in relief and excitement, clutching the Poké Ball.
"One down… one to go."
His gaze turned toward the building.
Inside, Nidoqueen stirred. But before he could act, an explosion rang out—a plume of smoke rose into the air from Nidoqueen's location.
"What the…?"
Zhaocai hissed, ears flattening.
The battle wasn't over yet.
Renjiro clenched Nidoking's Poké Ball. "Hang tight, partner. Let's go get your queen."
---
60 more chapter available in p@tréøñ(Atoki_29)