Just as Li Guanjun finished speaking, Xing Ken suddenly felt a peculiar aura spreading, an aura of Ghost-type power he was familiar with.
Xing Ken looked behind him, only to see that the previously calm and unremarkable shadow there began to tremble slightly.
As the trembling grew more intense, a figure as black as ink slowly emerged from the shadows.
This phantom seemed to merge with the darkness, its specific face and body outline unclear, but the eerie aura it emitted could be felt.
That chill, like an icy tide, quickly spread in all directions, making Xing Ken, who was present, shiver involuntarily.
This phantom was a chandelier-shaped Pokémon.
It had a striped, round head and round, pupil-less yellow eyes.
Above its head was a smaller black tuft, from which rose a shining, tall purple flame.
Below its head was a black lamp holder with a pair of curled, black lamp-stand-shaped arms, each ending in four clusters of burning purple flames.
“No, no~” Accompanied by a slightly deep yet ethereal Growl, a bizarre, chandelier-like Pokémon slowly floated from a distance and finally stopped beside Li Xingeng.
This Pokémon emitted a strange glow that flickered, as if breathing.
Its body was like a huge lampshade, with specks of starlight twinkling inside, like brilliant stars in the night sky.
Below it, several slender tentacles hung down, swaying gently with its movement, like willow branches dancing in the wind.
What was even more peculiar was that the mysterious fluctuations emitted by this Pokémon could affect the surrounding space.
When these fluctuations spread, it was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples.
Those ripples radiated outwards from the Pokémon, and wherever they passed, the air seemed to become distorted.
At the same time, this Pokémon's fluctuations intertwined with Lunatone’s energy; these two fluctuations collided and interwoven.
They stood their ground, opposing each other, neither willing to give way, making the entire scene tense and exciting.
Luo Hong frowned slightly, a hint of surprise on his face, and slowly said, “I didn’t expect it to be Chandelure, a combination of Fire and Ghost-type.
No wonder it could detect Lunatone’s faint Psychic fluctuations.”
He stared intently at Li Guanjun, as if trying to discern something from the other's expression.
Li Guanjun responded with a slight smile and a relaxed tone, “Old friend, ever since I personally experienced Lunatone’s marvelous ability when partnering with you a long time ago, I’ve been pondering what strategy I should adopt if one day I face a Pokémon with abilities similar to Lunatone in the enemy lineup.
After a long period of research, I finally cultivated this Chandelure.”
Hearing this, Luo Hong’s face instantly darkened, and a sarcastic smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he said mockingly, “It seems you’ve been meticulously preparing for my Lunatone’s ability since long ago?
Your Alliance is truly cunning, always full of suspicion and caution towards those around you, as if afraid someone will suddenly betray you.”
Li Guanjun sighed softly, shaking his head helplessly, and explained, “Oh, Old Luo, you’ve misunderstood.
I haven’t specifically targeted anyone or any Pokémon’s abilities; I merely consider it one of many possible situations that might arise and prepare corresponding countermeasures in advance.
This is simply a regular method I employ to deal with various complex situations.”
However, Luo Hong clearly did not accept such an explanation.
He snorted coldly, refuting with a look of disdain, “It’s always these high-sounding excuses.
Back when we fought side by side, when was it ever like this scheming?
Ever since you ascended to the Hua country champion throne, you’ve gradually been assimilated by the bureaucratic atmosphere.”
With that, he turned his head away, no longer looking at Li Guanjun.
Li Xingeng also got a bit heated; as a Fire-type Trainer, his temper was already quite restrained when facing an old teammate, and he responded without showing any weakness: “Old Luo, it’s not that I’ve been assimilated; it’s that you’re still holding a grudge.”
Luo Hong was furious; his usually composed face was now contorted by rage, and his voice boomed like thunder: “Good, good, good! I’m holding a grudge?”
His eyes widened, staring intently at the other person, as if to unleash all the anger accumulated in his heart for years.
“Now that you are a Champion, you must know the detailed information about our Ground Net members, right?
Then tell me, how many evildoers who threaten national security have I eliminated for Hua country over the years?
And how many times have I infiltrated hostile countries alone, risking life and limb, successfully assassinating those Elite Four Trainers with unlimited potential and high-ranking officials?
Also, how many meticulously planned schemes by enemy lurking spies have I secretly defused?”
Faced with Luo Hong’s series of sharp questions, Li Guanjun was momentarily stunned, opening his mouth but unable to utter a sound, only silently watching his former comrade-in-arms with a hint of bitterness and guilt in his eyes.
At this moment, Luo Hong had no intention of stopping and continued to roar, “Back then, that undercover mission, if it weren’t for your ignorance and recklessness, insisting on forcibly achieving the goal, how could our entire team have been driven into a desperate situation, ultimately leading to so many brothers dying tragically at the hands of the enemy Champion?”
At this point, Luo Hong’s eyes reddened, and his voice trembled slightly.
“If it weren't for saving you, would I have lost my most important partner?
If my ace Pokémon hadn't died, do you think you would be worthy of sitting on this Champion throne?”
“Old Luo, I know I personally let you down, and I am willing to take responsibility for my actions.
But I never thought of stepping on my comrades to ascend to the Hua country champion throne; my only thought is to act personally for national interests, just like the oath I took when I joined the Di Wang Organization, my original intention remains unchanged.”
“What a fine original intention.
Then I’ll tell you, my original intention is to protect my home and defend my country, but I can’t even protect my home.
How many times did I hover between life and death while fighting bloody battles abroad, all for the stability of the country and the safety of my family?
And in the end, all my family members died tragically in the Pokémon riot caused by the Alliance.”
“The former Southwest Champion told me that the sacrifice of a small number of people for the safety of the broad masses is necessary.”
Li Guanjun was about to speak but was immediately interrupted by Luo Hong’s furious roar.
“That’s right, my family was one of those few places sacrificed.
The Alliance didn't set up defenses in that area but put all their efforts into the city center, and all the people in the suburbs died tragically.”
“You tell me, what was my original intention, what was my half-life of risking death all for?
For me to return home from a mission and see my family tragically dead?
Is this what you call your original intention?”