Chapter 8

「Moves: Tackle, Earthquake, Take Down」

Scanning the skill bar displayed in the Pokédex.

"Yesterday."

Hu Tao thought.

"In the store, Manager Takumi showed me the power of Earthquake."

"The description of this skill in the Pokédex is that the user jumps high and then dives down, pinning the opponent beneath them."

"And now..."

Hu Tao aimed at the other two moves: Tackle and Take Down.

The descriptions were similar, but Take Down was clearly stronger and more powerful. It was an inherited move from Gible's parents.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have appeared on a baby Pokémon that had just reached level 2.

"Gible, use Take Down!"

Hearing this, Gible cried out seriously.

"Shark!!"

For a moment, there was a pause.

There were no enemies or opponents around.

Hu Tao was still a novice trainer, and her command was a bit vague—it did not specify which direction or target Gible should attack.

After losing its target and pausing briefly, Gible still stubbornly carried out its trainer's command!

With determined eyes, it used "Take Down" with all its strength.

The sudden burst of speed and impact from the cub's body made Xiangling's mouth drop in shock.

The next moment—

She saw Gible crash straight into the brick wall of the courtyard.

"Boom—"

The wall collapsed immediately.

Xiangling's mouth could now swallow an egg.

Hu Tao had been confident when giving the order, believing that Gible's explosive power and move would amaze her friend.

And in truth, Xiangling was indeed shocked.

But...

She witnessed Gible's indomitable energy, smashing down the wall of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, and then heading straight into the neighbor's pavilion.

Panicked screams came from the garden next door, followed by a flurry of commotion.

Now it was Hu Tao's turn, as the novice trainer, to gape in astonishment.

Oh no!

Cutie, stop it!

I just wanted you to demonstrate your skills and power, not to destroy things!

Xiangling was still gaping, pointing at the ruins of the wall and the terrifying hole where Gible had crashed through the neighboring house.

"Uh, Hu Tao, I think things have gotten pretty serious."

Hu Tao turned back stiffly and forced a smile at her friend:

"Xiangling, did you see Gible's power?"

"Amazing, right?"

"It's not just a pretty pet!"

Xiangling turned, ready to make her escape.

"Ah, yes, yes, it really is amazing. Everything you said is correct, Hu Tao."

"Sorry, I suddenly remembered that I have some distinguished guests to entertain today, so I need to hurry back to Wanmin Restaurant to prepare—"

As soon as Xiangling slipped away, a group of Qianyan Army soldiers arrived in a hurry.

"What's going on here?"

"We are the Qianyan Army Patrol Team!"

"Hall Master Hu Tao, you have caused damage to property and disrupted public order in Liyue Harbor!"

Jade Chamber.

This floating palace above Liyue Harbor was a private residence constructed by Tianquan Ningguang with a huge sum of money.

The exterior was splendid, and the interior equally magnificent. It was seen as a symbol of wealth and power by merchants in Liyue Harbor.

Any information leaked from here could cause businesses to rise or fall.

Ningguang was known as a strong, capable woman.

This morning, as the officials of Liyue Harbor went to work, she sat at her desk in the Jade Chamber, reviewing the backlog of documents.

Ningguang's three close secretaries—Baiwen, Baishi, and Baixiao—were all busy with their own duties.

One was making tea.

Another was organizing books and documents.

The third was standing next to Ningguang's chair, reading aloud a record of recent events.

"This month, Liyue has been peaceful. People are living and working in harmony. There have been no serious incidents or large-scale casualties..."

Ningguang nodded, pleased with what she heard.

Suddenly, the captain of the Qianyan Army came to report outside the door.

Baiwen, who had just finished reading, hurried to receive the visitor.

Soon, Baiwen returned with a strange expression.

"Lady Ningguang, just now—"

"There was a building collapse near the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

"The captain of the Qianyan Army says that the cause was a strange pet that the Hall Master Hu Tao recently adopted."

Ningguang raised her eyebrows slightly.

She had just been reassured that there were no major incidents or casualties in Liyue Harbor.

"Any injuries?"

Baiwen quickly answered, "No fatalities, only two servants with minor injuries."

Ningguang's expression softened.

"That 'cause'... could it be the 'Fifty Million Mora' pet that everyone in Liyue Harbor has been talking about?"

"Fifty Million Mora" was the nickname that busybodies in Liyue Harbor had given to Hu Tao's new pet—now a popular new meme.

Baiwen wasn't surprised that Ningguang was aware of this story.

In fact, yesterday evening, not long after Hu Tao had taken Gible out of the Pokémon House, the intelligence had reached the Jade Chamber.

What was that saying?

"The power of heaven condenses into wealth; insight comes with clarity of eyes and ears."

With such clear ears and sharp eyes, nothing big or small in Liyue Harbor could escape Ningguang's attention.