Chapter 28: Plans Cannot Keep Up with Change

The scar-faced man fell into silence...

Plans always lag behind changes—so, for those who succeed, the most essential quality is the ability to adapt. Chen Ou’s sudden appearance cast the original plan into confusion. The scar-faced man remained silent, his mind racing with the implications of Chen Ou’s presence—for the plan, for Xinxiu, and for himself...

Chen Ou smiled quietly as he watched the scar-faced man.

Unaware of the deeper machinations, Chen Ou merely thought the man was contemplating how to accommodate him. What never crossed his mind was that, in their eyes, the leader was still taking orders from another, the real mastermind behind the scenes.

Truthfully, Chen Ou was not a strategist in the classic sense. He excelled in his field of research, but when it came to grasping the overall situation, he was still lacking...

He was clever, yes, but no genius bordering on the uncanny. Fortunately, the powers of his Flame-Fruit kept him safe and allowed him to sidestep danger to a certain extent. And, thankfully, this world of Pokémon rarely required elaborate schemes.

But there would be time for growth. After all, Chen Ou was still woefully inexperienced. Before transmigrating, he was a student; after arriving in this world, he had always secluded himself in research. His lack of worldly experience was only natural.

“I can’t agree to your proposal...” The scar-faced man finally spoke after a long pause.

“Cooperation... What? You refuse?” Chen Ou’s smile froze, disbelief etched on his face as he questioned him.

Of course he would refuse. Xinxiu had no need for helpers—wouldn’t accept them, either. And to use Chen Ou’s strength to snatch Hoopa from Xinxiu? He trusted this man even less. Back in Team Rocket, Xinxiu had been notorious for his madness, and as someone who had operated under him, the scar-faced man was all too familiar with both his insanity and power.

He was confident that Xinxiu could control this power. And ever since Team Rocket’s transformation, Xinxiu—now gone rogue—had only grown more deranged, to the point of outright lunacy. The scar-faced man had no intention of provoking him.

The greatest reason, however, was... Delgado. That man was also one of Xinxiu’s subordinates.

No, to be precise, all the regional heads of the Poacher’s League answered to Xinxiu...

Xinxiu was the true mastermind behind this swelling, frenzied poacher organization.

If not for recent events, the scar-faced man would never have guessed that the fat bastard Delgado, with whom he’d clashed more than once, was in fact a colleague...

He could more or less guess Xinxiu’s intentions—if this plan succeeded and Xinxiu seized power and influence, he would rally all those opposed to the League into a force even greater than Team Rocket had once been.

Why would the scar-faced man cause trouble for Xinxiu now? That would be suicide...

Besides... The Vessel of Retribution was no longer in his hands...

“There’s no reason. I don’t need your help. If you want to join us, show your worth. If not, leave now and I won’t make things difficult for you...”

The scar-faced man’s response was cold, though not particularly menacing.

At that moment, Chen Ou felt a headache coming on. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go—why wasn’t this guy sticking to the plan?

Just then, a hunter suddenly burst in.

“Boss! There’s a large-scale Grand Contest performance in Deep Grey City! We received no prior notice, and most of the people there have rushed over. I think something’s wrong, boss!”

Suspicion and fear brimmed in the young hunter’s eyes.

The scar-faced man sensed that something was off, though he couldn’t quite place it.

Chen Ou, meanwhile, cursed his own oversight—he had forgotten how jumpy and paranoid these people were. At this point, even a regular festival would arouse suspicion, let alone a grand contest.

The hunter turned to scrutinize Chen Ou. The intensity of his gaze made Chen Ou uneasy. He was about to ask why he was being stared at when the hunter suddenly shouted:

“Boss! This guy’s a League researcher! I saw him years ago, standing behind Red and Green!”

Damn it! Where had this bastard come from?! If you’ve seen him with Red and Green, why are you still a low-level hunter here?! My entire plan—ruined!

Fortunately, Chen Ou’s improvisational skills were not lacking. Before the scar-faced man could react, he transformed into a blaze and drifted over, seizing the man’s throat in his hand.

His grip was scorching hot—the pain biting, as though fire itself burned his neck, though it was only a hand. The scar-faced man had seen psychics before—Sabrina’s heroic presence was unforgettable—but this was something else entirely.

“What... what are you?” the scar-faced man gasped out, enduring the agony.

Chen Ou saw that the four strongmen had subdued the young hunter, and finally breathed a sigh of relief. Damn it, why do plans always fall apart at the last minute...

“I’m not a Pokémon, in any case!”

“I ask, you answer. You have no right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used as evidence in court!”

Chen Ou steadied himself, then fixed the uncooperative man with a steely gaze and asked, his tone severe.

At this, the scar-faced man let out a cold laugh. “Are you kidding? Do I look like someone who’d give in so easily?”

Chen Ou said nothing, merely intensified the flames in his hand, bright tongues of fire flickering to life.

“You have a keen eye!” the scar-faced man declared with righteous indignation.

Chen Ou: ???

The four strongmen: ???

The young hunter: ???

Anyone? Care to open your mic and communicate?

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a lot like that guy named Lei?”

“The delivery guy? I’m Dian—that’s my younger brother.”

Chen Ou: ...

So, the brothers are truly of one mind—even when it comes to surrendering, their speed is identical. This character broke far too quickly! Maybe you should revert—I preferred your rebellious streak.

Dian, the scar-faced man, was never one for ambition. All his previous excuses for refusing Chen Ou were just that—excuses.

In essence, he simply didn’t want to get involved. He feared Xinxiu, yes, but also believed in him. But if Xinxiu failed, what did it matter to him? Working for Xinxiu paid well, so here he was. Now that his life was in someone else’s hands, he surrendered.

Reasonable, logical, and entirely justifiable.

“What’s your plan—” Chen Ou began to ask.

“Our real boss is a guy named Xinxiu, he... blah blah blah...” Dian’s mouth became a veritable Seed Machine Gun, spilling every detail of the plan.

As Chen Ou lamented the decline of the world’s morals, he was already plotting his next move to deal with this Xinxiu.

The boy who thought himself a strategist... would never admit defeat!

And then, from far away, a massive, malevolent roar echoed through the air...