Chapter 27: Wei Yeqin

"You would have missed me if you had arrived any later." Xia Luo looked at the person emerging from the jungle and said with a smile. Even after years of separation, their bond remained as close as ever. "Wei Yeqin, it's been three years. You and your Lucario have grown even stronger."

Xia Yu also looked at the newcomer with curiosity, eager to see what kind of person owned this Champion-level Lucario. The man was dressed in a coarse linen tunic, shirtless, with a strikingly shiny bald head and a wine gourd tucked into his waistband. This appearance left Xia Yu somewhat disappointed. In his mind, the owner of a Champion-level Lucario should have been someone like Steven Stone or Leon.

"Old Four, it’s been a long time." Wei Yeqin looked quite ordinary—about thirty-five years old, with small, single-lidded eyes and a sturdy build—the kind of person who would be completely overlooked in a crowd. "I set off as soon as I received your message. Fortunately, I wasn't too late."

Old Four? Is that my brother’s nickname? Why not 'Old Six'?

Xia Yu scrutinized Wei Yeqin, searching his memory for any famous trainers in this world, but no one matched the man before him. He was certain he had never seen this person on the news or television, and none of the six Champions from the six major regions of China were named Wei Yeqin. This didn't make sense—how could there be no information at all about the owner of a Champion-level Lucario?

Meanwhile, the two masked men felt a sense of unease as they looked at the Lucario that had suddenly appeared, especially after seeing it severely damage their Excadrill with a single Aura Sphere. They could feel its immense power. Elite-level? Or quasi-Champion-level? They guessed this Lucario was at least Elite-level.

"Old Four, let me handle them first, then we can catch up."

After speaking, Wei Yeqin looked at the two men. He and his Lucario were so in tune that no command was needed; with a wave of his hand, the power of the Aura merged their minds.

Lucario lunged forward, its figure flickering. Its left hand surged with Steel-type energy, aiming a Bullet Punch at Hippowdon, while its right hand glowed with blue light as it simultaneously unleashed an Ice Punch.

Xia Yu was stunned. Are you kidding me? Is that even possible? Are you Zhou Botong, the Old Urchin? Drawing a circle with one hand and a square with the other, using dual-handed combat techniques? A Bullet Punch on the left and an Ice Punch on the right—a blind-spot-free assault? Why not throw in a High Jump Kick with your feet and a Zen Headbutt with your head and just use four moves in one turn? Damn, are all Champion-level Pokémon this ferocious?

"Bang!"

What shocked Xia Yu even more was the speed of the Lucario! He barely caught a glimpse of a blue streak. In the blink of an eye, Lucario was in front of Hippowdon, slamming its left fist forward. The Bullet Punch caused Hippowdon to curl up in agony and collapse to the ground. Immediately after, the right-handed Ice Punch landed in the exact same spot.

"Roar!"

After taking both hits, Hippowdon let out a painful roar, its massive body falling to the ground, losing its ability to battle in an instant.

Two punches. Just two punches—one Bullet Punch and one Ice Punch—had finished off a quasi-Elite-level Hippowdon. Is this the gap between quasi-Elite and Champion levels? It was essentially a one-sided slaughter, though it was clear Lucario wasn't aiming to kill.

After taking down Hippowdon, Lucario didn't pause for a second. It gathered an Aura Sphere in its palm with incredible speed and hurled it at Excadrill.

"Boom!"

The Aura Sphere moved with blinding speed, carving a perfect arc through the air before striking Excadrill. Already heavily injured, Excadrill was finished off instantly. The outcome was decided so quickly that Xia Yu hadn't even had time to prepare himself. So much for the "Sandstorm Brothers" being quasi-Elite level? That was it? They were way too weak. If the Xia family had a Lucario like this, they could walk sideways across the entire Western Sichuan Province.

The two masked men were terrified. They couldn't fathom where this Lucario had come from or why it was so powerful. This Lucario couldn't just be Elite-level; it was at least quasi-Champion, if not fully Champion-level. Otherwise, it wouldn't have defeated their Pokémon so easily. Realizing that the Xia family had a Champion-level trainer backing them, the two felt a chill run down their spines. They must have had a death wish to mess with the Xia family.

"Get out of here! And tell your masters not to set their sights on the Xia family again," Wei Yeqin shouted, his voice resonant and full of vigor.

The two masked men hurriedly recalled their Pokémon, turned, and fled, disappearing into the jungle in an instant.

"Lucario, long time no see," Xia Luo said, waving at the Lucario with a smile.

"Awoo."

Lucario responded to Xia Luo; it was clear they had known each other for a long time. Xia Yu was puzzled—when did his brother get such powerful backing?

"What have you been up to all these years?" Xia Luo sat down in a random spot and asked.

Wei Yeqin sat cross-legged on the ground in a standard meditative posture, and his Lucario mirrored him. Xia Yu watched with curiosity. What was Wei Yeqin's background? He seemed like a martial artist.

"The same as always. My worldly ties remain, so I practice kindness and virtue to resolve my mortal connections. I have traveled across the land, crossed mountains and rivers, witnessing the churning of the mortal world. I draw my sword whenever I encounter injustice, acting on righteousness without regard for fortune or misfortune," Wei Yeqin said in a clear, ringing voice. He stood up and sang, his face filled with carefree spirit. Swept up in the moment, he unhooked the wine gourd from his waist and took a long drink.

"Give me a sip," Xia Luo said, unabashedly grabbing the gourd and taking a swig. "So, what are your plans now?"

"The world is my home. I will sweep away the world's injustices and aid those suffering in the mortal realm. Come, Old Four, let me escort you back to Starlight City."

...

On the way back to Starlight City, Xia Luo and Wei Yeqin reminisced about the adventures they had shared with their group of four. Xia Yu listened from the side, growing even more curious about his brother's hidden past. Soon, the three arrived home.

"Since you're already here, why not stay for a meal?" Xia Luo insisted.

Wei Yeqin shook his head and declined. "No, I have things to attend to. When Old Two and Old Three arrive, we shall gather together then."

With that, Wei Yeqin turned and walked away without looking back, his figure unconstrained and free. He left behind only these words: "Old Four, I will visit each of the families that bullied you. Once I finish my business here, I will find Xu Xiu and demand justice for you. If you encounter any trouble, send me a message. Also, Old Two and Old Three are helping you as well; they will come to Western Sichuan Province when they are free."

With that, he and his Lucario vanished into the vast night. Watching him depart, Xia Luo’s expression was complex, his eyes filled with emotion.