That afternoon, Li Yuan and Dawn (Platinum) bid farewell to Caitlin and Cynthia and boarded the high-speed train back home.
However, his destination wasn't his "lair" in Celadon City, but its neighbor to the right—Saffron City.
Saffron City, once the premier metropolis of the Kanto region, was sandwiched between Celadon and Cerulean, making it the core of Kanto.
Now, all three cities had been transported to China's Sichuan Province, under the jurisdiction managed by Li Yuan's mother. This effectively made the entire region his backyard.
Li Yuan came here first because Saffron City was prosperous. And where there was prosperity, there was a dark underbelly beyond the law's reach.
Li Yuan planned to visit the Black Market to sell the three Houndoom he had captured. They were useless to him, wasting food every second he kept them.
After that, he would take Dawn to the Saffron Gym to earn one of her last three badges.
"This should be Dawn's first time in Saffron City, right? It's the wealth distribution center for all of Western China. You can find almost any treasure here. Want Hubby to take you shopping?" Li Yuan held his beautiful girlfriend's hand, strolling happily through his territory.
Although his main influence was in Celadon, he had plenty of "acquaintances" in Saffron too. For example, the proprietress of the official Pokémon Daycare they just passed... she didn't get her business license without visiting him personally to build "relations"~.
It was common knowledge that any decent-looking woman, regardless of age, who entered his house never left intact. Their "gates" always suffered some wear and tear~.
Across these three cities, countless shops had similar stories. His control over this territory was absolute.
Especially in his home base of Celadon City. Even Officer Jenny had that kind of relationship with him. Or rather, she rose to the rank of Inspector specifically because of that relationship.
You could point to any apartment building near his home, and he probably knew—and had "deep exchanges" with—every housewife inside~.
This was why Li Yuan had to participate in the National Tournament: to stabilize his mother's position as the Association Branch President. It was the foundation of his ability to do whatever he wanted!
"Let's skip shopping; it's a waste of time. Let's finish business quickly and get a room," Dawn hugged Li Yuan's arm tightly, her voice filled with longing.
She glanced at the prosperous city. Before, she would have dragged Cynthia around to shop. But now, worldly prosperity couldn't hold her attention. Her heart was filled with only one person, and her mind was filled with memories of being pounded to death last night~.
Dawn wished it was night already so she could be played with sleeplessly by her lover again~.
"Okay, straight to the Black Market then." Li Yuan nodded. He summoned Gardevoir, wrapped his arm around her waist, and teleported to a hidden location.
The "Black Market" wasn't a dark, chaotic alleyway. It was more like a large underground shopping mall.
It wasn't even secret; the authorities knew about it but ignored it.
Not because of negligence or fear, but because it was impossible to ban. Close one, and another opens. The root cause was poverty.
Black market goods, regardless of quality, were cheaper. A starter Pokémon cost 1-2 million yuan officially, but could be found for under a million here. Common Pokémon costing 10,000 officially might be 1,000 here. Many ordinary families relied on the black market for their first Pokémon.
If they shut it down, what would those people do?
So, authorities turned a blind eye as long as the market paid taxes and didn't cause trouble.
Li Yuan's target was an underground market secretly controlled by Silph Co.
It was hard to find, accessible only via an underground parking lot next to the Silph Co. headquarters. Without an introduction, you couldn't get in.
It was a high-end black market, selling premium and contraband goods. Ordinary people couldn't afford to shop here.
Li Yuan knew about it not through introduction, but because his Aura missed nothing.
Ignoring whether he was welcome, Li Yuan teleported inside with Gardevoir and Dawn.
The market was luxuriously decorated, glittering with lights. Merchants and customers alike wore suits. It looked more like a high-end hotel than a black market.
The merchants were mostly Silph Co. employees or affiliated Pokémon Hunters. Not exactly good people.
Li Yuan's sudden appearance drew attention. Teleporting was strictly forbidden here to avoid misunderstandings. Plus, entry without a guide was against the rules. He was immediately labeled as an intruder.
"Who are you? Do you know where you are?"
A security team in special uniforms with a red "R" on their chests approached to expel him.
"I advise you to look closer before acting," Li Yuan said calmly, stroking Gardevoir and Dawn.
"Show your pass. Otherwise, trespassing is a crime," the guards surrounded him. But seeing his expensive clothes and the incredibly rare Shiny Gardevoir, they hesitated.
In this business, you needed eyes. Offending a big shot meant no one would save you.
"A black market accusing others of crime? Funny," Li Yuan chuckled.
"Show your pass." The guard's face darkened. No one dared call this a "black market." It was a "special consumer venue." The contraband was a secret.
This kid knowing their secret crossed a line. If he couldn't prove he was introduced, he would have to stay here forever.
"Stand down. Don't scare my guest."
Just as the guards prepared to act, a sexy voice came from behind.
A red-haired beauty in an evening gown walked over with a seductive cat-walk. She wore an intrigued expression.
As someone in the underworld, she knew the famous figures of the light. Especially the son of the most powerful official in the jurisdiction.
But her intel suggested more. This boy had developed a significant dark influence independent of the government.
And that Shiny Gardevoir...
Rumor had it that Hunter J was double-crossed recently during a trade for a Shiny Gardevoir. Her men disappeared, and the payment was stolen.
Now, that Gardevoir was with this young master. How could she not take him seriously?