The Meaning of Tribute

He once again refused to sell Jian's three Pokémon.

Ignoring the intimidating stares of the Hound Team members, Baimu hurried back to the base with three million in cash.

The arena after the matches was a chaotic mix of all sorts. If he let his guard down, it was entirely possible some Pokémon might steal from him. The Pokémon world was full of talented people—there were even people who could create dreams.

But when he entered the innermost tent, he inadvertently heard voices inside.

"Didn't catch them?"

"A lot got away. You know how it is—someone tipped them off. Catching those ones was already pretty good."

"Heh, word got out even during a counter-ambush... Does this count as officially starting a war?"

"No. Before their boss returns, there'll only be small-scale clashes. A major conflict wouldn't benefit them. They're just a bunch of people shouting slogans for money."

Plotting so loudly?

Though they were speaking loudly enough that they clearly did not care whether anyone overheard, Baimu decisively turned to leave.

Who would have thought that just as he took a step, he caught sight of someone lifting the tent flap from the corner of his eye.

A man with burgundy hair like Abra's smiled with narrowed eyes. "You're here? I was just about to go find you."

Baimu: "..."

"Alright, come in." Liu Ge interrupted before he could say anything, waving him over. "Come in. I need to tell you something."

As he entered, he saw Ayana standing not far away.

Compared to how glamorous she had looked when she came to pick him up earlier, she now seemed travel-worn. There were even dark red clots of blood stuck to the back of her hand.

Noticing his gaze, Ayana raised an eyebrow slightly. "Kid, don't think being a hero means you can stare wherever you want. I'll still beat you up!"

Baimu did not dare talk back. He looked at Liu Ge, who seemed thoroughly amused. "...Lord Liu Ge, thank you very much for your Vibrava. It really helped me a great deal."

He held out the Poké Ball containing Vibrava with both hands.

"I'm glad it helped you. It wasn't for nothing that I specifically asked someone to deliver that Pokémon to you."

Liu Ge accepted it without betraying any emotion and smiled. "So, what have you decided? Do you want to join my side?"

After receiving such a huge favor, how could he not follow him?

Baimu knew he had no other choice. He immediately bowed. "Please take care of me—Big Brother!"

"Oh!"

Liu Ge's smile instantly became much warmer. He reached out and rubbed Baimu's black hair. "You're a smart kid. From now on, you're a Squad Leader under me."

"Squad Leader?"

Ayana looked surprised. "Did you ask the boss?"

The rank of Squad Leader was not something a cadre could appoint on a whim. Their benefits differed greatly from ordinary members', and their numbers were strictly limited. They could not be made common as dirt.

"You don't know this, but the promise the boss originally made to this kid was a Squad Leader position." Liu Ge's smile did not fade. "I'm only helping him fulfill that promise. And that's not all!"

He looked at Baimu. "Shibata, that vegetable lying in the ICU, died two hours ago. Someone pulled out his oxygen tube."

Shibata was dead!

Baimu's heart jolted.

"Also, the boss had Saruwatari dealt with. That guy was a Crystal Group spy. The plan was to first have the others isolate you, then get someone from the Hound Team to cripple your thigh and turn you into a useless wreck. Once the higher-ups stopped paying attention to you, they would kill you."

Liu Ge explained calmly, "Are you curious why Chester targeted you?"

Baimu nodded.

"It's actually simple. With the boss away, he wanted to use the opportunity to seize control of the rookie assessment. So he deliberately sent people in with special Pokémon for every match, intending to help peripheral members close to the Crystal Group advance. Then he would distribute them among the various groups and quietly gain control over the Quicksand Team's grassroots."

Liu Ge continued, "But he was afraid Hugo, the Stone Group leader appointed by the boss as acting head, would notice. So he dragged things out."

In the end, Shibata and you accidentally ruined it, which also drew Hugo's attention. The plan completely failed.

No.

Shibata was the one who ruined it. I'm not taking the blame.

He really wanted to tell Liu Ge that, but there was no point explaining.

"Chester is terrifyingly petty. He has no real vision, and he's especially concerned with saving face. You offended him, and word of it spread. Naturally, he had to cause trouble for you. But the big boss took a liking to you, so he could only come at you indirectly."

As Liu Ge spoke, he actually laughed. It was clear he looked down greatly on the neighboring Crystal Group's leader.

Ayana beside him sneered coldly as well.

"..."

Baimu looked numb. "What about his uncle, Shigaki?"

"A Squad Leader won't disappear so easily, and he can't trouble you right now anyway. So you can deal with him yourself. When the Sand Group and Crystal Group clash someday, just go kill him."

Liu Ge patted Baimu hard on the shoulder. "I believe you can do it."

"Oh, right. Normally, after joining, you're supposed to pay a tribute fee to the big brother you follow. But I know you'd definitely be unhappy to hand over money before it's even warmed in your pocket, so we'll waive it this time."

Liu Ge said, "Use that money properly to strengthen yourself and reach Squad Leader level as soon as possible. Of course, whether you replace Pokémon or add more Pokémon is up to you, but let me remind you not to bite off more than you can chew."

Big Brother gave him a meaningful look, lifted the tent flap, and left.

Ayana curled her lip. "Your big brother isn't exactly straightforward either. If he was worried you'd waste the money, he could've just said so. Why spout so much nonsense?"

"Uh..."

How could Baimu possibly respond to that?

Still, judging from Liu Ge's attitude and actions so far, following this big brother seemed pretty good. It might even have a promising future.

The same muscular female driver drove them back.

But as Baimu got into the car, he suddenly noticed that the Hound Team's base was in an uproar. Some people rushed out and headed straight for the Quicksand Team's base, only to be stopped by others.

Basin after basin of blood-red water was carried out from the tents.

This...

He could not help connecting it to what Liu Ge and Ayana had said earlier, along with the bloodstains on the latter.

The Hound Team had ambushed the returning Quicksand Team outside, only to be counter-ambushed?

Perhaps that was what had happened.

Otherwise, it could not explain why Liu Ge had suddenly appeared here.

What a dependable big brother!

Baimu had thought an inferior organization like the Quicksand Team would have no foresight when it came to enemy ambushes. He had not expected them to have capable people after all.

As he pondered this, a former teammate in the same car leaned over and casually asked:

"I heard you'll be following Lord Liu Ge from now on?"

"Yes."

"That's great. So how much tribute are you planning to pay? Everyone says Lord Liu Ge is generous and doesn't charge much tribute..."

"How much do people usually give?"

"For people like us, who just got money after the competition, it starts at one million. Lord Liu Ge might only need five hundred thousand."

The man spoke with immense envy.

Meanwhile, Baimu internally cursed. A tribute fee starting at one million? That was not harvesting leeks—it was ripping them out by the roots!

"Do those lying down also have to pay one million?"

He asked in disbelief.

The man shook his head. "Of course not. We pay more because we just got a windfall. Oh, and don't forget—you need to give a share not only to the cadres, but to your Squad Leader too. I'm giving you a special reminder."

Damn it!

This was practically cannibalism!