In the blink of an eye, Liu Qing had spent a month at home. That morning, the family gathered together for breakfast.
"Mom, Dad, I've been home for a month now. I'm planning to travel through Johto," Liu Qing said after breakfast.
"Oh, really? Go ahead, then." Bofeng Yu thought for a moment and nodded his approval. Seeing that he had agreed, Mili swallowed the words she had been about to say and nodded too.
"Big brother, you can do it! Bring home another championship!" Liu Yuan said, clenching his fist.
"Heh, of course." Liu Qing was full of confidence as well.
"Before you go to Johto, stop by Professor Oak's place in Pallet Town and ask about the details," Bofeng Yu said.
"Got it, Dad." Liu Qing nodded.
"Liu Qing, I won't say anything else. Just take care of yourself," Mili said, her eyes reddening.
"Don't worry, Mom. Just like in Kanto, I'll call home whenever I reach a new place," Liu Qing said with a smile.
A little later, in the breeding grounds, Liu Qing took out his Poké Balls and recalled Gyarados, Eevee, Rhyhorn, Porygon, and Blissey, taking the five Pokémon with him. Then he gathered Togepi into his arms and jumped onto Salamence's back. "Mom, I'm leaving. I'll leave the other Pokémon in your care," he said to Mili beside him.
"Don't worry, Liu Qing. I'll take good care of them," Mili said.
"Bye, Mom." At Liu Qing's signal, Salamence immediately beat its wings and rose into the sky, streaking toward Pallet Town in a blur of blue.
Salamence flew swiftly and soon reached Pallet Town, landing outside Professor Oak's Laboratory. After recalling Salamence, Liu Qing held Togepi in one arm and knocked on the laboratory door.
"Coming!" Soon, a young man in a green shirt