The sudden challenge hadn't made Yong feel the slightest bit nervous or uneasy. On the contrary, an easy smile never left his face.
He then followed Miss Roxanne to the Lounge on the second floor of the Rustboro Gym.
The Lounge was not only spacious and bright, but also tastefully furnished and comfortable. It was where the Gym Leader usually observed challengers' abilities from a god's-eye view.
Upon entering, the first thing that caught his eye was the enormous television screen hanging vertically from the ceiling. Directly opposite it stood Miss Roxanne's long desk.
There was also a set of sofas that had clearly been moved deliberately, all arranged casually to face the television screen. They were evidently used to make watching matches or other relevant information more convenient.
Compared with the Lounge at Yong's former Rock Solid Gym, the room's layout was undoubtedly far more sensible and practical, meeting a Gym Leader's basic needs.
The two sat down, and Miss Roxanne asked with a smile,
"It seems Wuneng Hao's challenge didn't surprise you?"
Yong smiled.
"Even without Wuneng Hao, some other faction would step forward. My goal is clear. How could these long-established great families fail to see through it? They just aren't all of one mind. Nothing stirs people up like self-interest... The Seventeen Families are rivals, too."
"It's good that you see things so clearly."
Miss Roxanne nodded, then said thoughtfully,
"Word of Wuneng Hao's actions today will spread quickly. It's also a signal that the vast faction headed by the Dadi's Sakaki clan has made its stance clear. Yong..."
Miss Roxanne's voice grew grave.
"Wuneng Hao was right. With things like this, even Mr. Steven or Miss Cynthia won't be able to step forward."
The great cake of vested interests was like a tightly closed circle,