Chapter 23: Zhao Shan

The middle-aged man’s actions deeply infuriated both Xia Luo and Xia Yu. They had clearly shown interest in this Pokémon egg first; regardless of whether they intended to purchase it, basic etiquette dictated a first-come, first-served principle. Yet, this man had simply ordered it to be wrapped up without a word.

Xia Luo’s smile vanished as he looked at the man. "Sir, there is such a thing as common courtesy. We were examining this egg. At the very least, you should have waited until we were finished before making your choice. What is the meaning of ordering it to be wrapped up without a single word?"

"Oh? If it isn't the youngest quasi-Elite trainer, Gym Leader Xia Luo?" The middle-aged man’s tone was dripping with sarcasm. His eyes, fixed on Xia Luo, were filled with envy and spite. "Oh, wait, I forgot—you’re not a Gym Leader anymore. I heard you lost two of your quasi-Elite Pokémon. What a pity. Here to pick out an egg, are you? Picking eggs is all about who’s faster. Since you hadn't claimed it, we were free to take it."

The man was Zhao Shan, a member of the Zhao family, a prominent local clan in Tian-Du City. Like Xia Luo, he was a Fire-type trainer. Despite being spoon-fed his way to a Gym Leader-level status thanks to his family's influence, his talent was mediocre. He had failed in several Gym Leader ranking tournaments and never managed to become the strongest Fire-type trainer, thus failing to qualify as a Gym Leader.

In truth, Zhao Shan and Xia Luo were strangers who had never crossed paths in the arena. However, when he saw the young Xia Luo become the strongest Fire-type trainer in West Shu Province and take up the post of Gym Leader at the Honglian City Fire-type Gym, the narrow-minded Zhao Shan grew intensely jealous and resentful.

When he heard a few days ago that Xia Luo had lost two of his quasi-Elite Pokémon in battle, he was ecstatic and even popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate.

He was at the Flame Secret Realm today to accompany Zhao Zhengyi, the eldest grandson of the third generation of the Zhao family, to select a Pokémon egg. Zhengyi’s grandfather had made great contributions to the Pokémon Association and had even sacrificed his life for it. Consequently, every eldest direct descendant of the Zhao family was granted the right to choose an egg.

Zhao Shan hadn't expected to run into Xia Luo, and his instinct was to humiliate him to vent years of bitterness. As for snatching the egg, that was purely a coincidence. No matter how much he despised Xia Luo, he knew what was at stake and wouldn't jeopardize such an important selection. The only reason he had acted so decisively was that the Growlithe egg looked truly exceptional.

Seeing the man’s arrogant demeanor and hearing his insolent tone, Xia Luo was livid. Fire-type trainers were known for their explosive tempers. "I see what this is—you’re looking for trouble, aren't you? Who do you think you are, barking like a stray dog in here?"

Xia Luo’s stinging retort turned Zhao Shan’s face beet-red.

"What did you say?"

Zhao Shan trembled with rage, pointing a finger at Xia Luo.

"What? Want to fight?" Xia Luo, also having a short fuse, raised his voice.

The tense standoff frightened the two guides nearby. The guide accompanying Zhao Shan dared not speak, but Jiang Qinglan bravely stepped forward. "Gentlemen, please calm down. Private fighting is prohibited within the Flame Secret Realm. If you continue, the authorities will revoke your eligibility to select any eggs."

"Who asked you to flap your mouth? A mere face-selling attendant daring to threaten me?!" Zhao Shan didn't dare lay a hand on Xia Luo, but he felt no such hesitation toward the guide. He struck Jiang Qinglan across the face with such force that she stumbled back several steps. She nearly dropped the Darmanitan egg she was holding, but she clutched it to her chest, saving it from falling. Her left cheek swelled instantly.

"What are you doing?" Xia Yu reacted quickly, catching Jiang Qinglan. Anger surged within him. That was an Elite-level Darmanitan egg! You could hit people all you wanted, but what if you damaged the egg? The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He shouted, "You bully! You want to fight? Come on, let me show you what I’ve got."

Standing over six feet tall and built like athletes, the two brothers were clearly more than a match for the Zhao pair if it came to a physical confrontation.

Jiang Qinglan, held in Xia Yu’s arms, felt her mind race as he stood up for her. *Is he angry for my sake? Does he like me?* Feeling his concern, a wave of sweetness washed over her, dulling the pain in her cheek. She gazed at Xia Yu with shimmering eyes.

Xia Luo watched in surprise. The brothers had polar opposite personalities; he was the hot-headed one, while his younger brother, Xia Yu, was usually mature, composed, and level-headed. Why was Xia Yu so enraged over a guide being struck?

*Could it be that Yu has actually taken a liking to Jiang Qinglan? She’s pretty, but they only just met—love at first sight?*

*But Father has been discussing finding a marriage match for Yu, looking for a family with a deep background and great power to help us get through these tough times. If Yu is interested in this girl, that plan is ruined.*

Xia Yu was oblivious to their internal monologues. His eyes were fixed solely on the Darmanitan egg—not just any egg, but one worth 1.28 million!

Xia Yu looked coldly at Zhao Shan and turned to the other guide. "Call your supervisor here."

"Y-yes, right away," the guide replied, her voice trembling.

"Are you all right?" Xia Yu asked, glancing concernedly at the egg in Jiang Qinglan’s arms.

"I-I’m fine," Jiang Qinglan replied, her face flushing. Her heart raced uncontrollably as she looked at the handsome Xia Yu.

It had to be said that Xia Yu was strikingly handsome, having inherited his parents' good looks. Back in the day, his father, Xia Yong, had been a poor kid who managed to win over his mother, Lin Xuemei, a girl from a prestigious family; his looks had certainly played a part.

Just then, the sound of heels clicking on the floor echoed from the doorway. A mature, sultry woman walked in. She cast a glance at Jiang Qinglan’s swollen cheek before turning to the tense group. "Young Master Zhao, Mr. Xia Luo, I am the supervisor of the Flame Secret Realm's incubation room. You may call me Supervisor Qin. What is going on here? The fire energy in this realm is quite potent, but it seems to be making everyone’s tempers flare as well."

Supervisor Qin greeted them before asking the other guide, "Xiao Lin, what happened?"

Xiao Lin, the other guide, recounted the events clearly: "Mr. Xia Luo and his brother were examining this Growlithe egg. They hadn't made a decision yet, but then Mr. Zhao Shan and the Young Master became interested in the same egg. After a brief look, they immediately claimed it. Mr. Xia Luo insisted on the principle of first-come, first-served, which led to a verbal altercation. When they threatened to fight, Qinglan stepped in to warn them that they would lose their eligibility if they did so, and that was when Mr. Zhao Shan struck her."

Having given a concise summary, Xiao Lin stepped back, remaining silent as she waited for Supervisor Qin to speak.