Chapter 137: Hu Wenjun’s Sister
Inside the research institute.
When Lorze arrived with his harem in tow, Goddess Xue Tong was already sitting in the main hall.
Across from her sat Shi Fan and Tang Ming, who had arrived early and were now sitting as stiff as boards.
They looked like they were under a paralysis spell; their bodies and spirits were wound tight, not daring to move or even take a deep breath.
Even their breathing seemed labored and heavy.
To an outsider, it looked like they were being interrogated by a high court judge rather than attending a training camp.
This wasn't because Xue Tong had done anything to them.
On the contrary, she was actively suppressing her psychic aura to avoid putting pressure on the commoners.
But it was unavoidable; as the National Goddess of China, her status was simply too legendary.
Even the Regional Champions didn't command as much public prestige and adoration as she did.
To have such a powerful Psychic Queen appear right in front of them... it was enough to make any teenage boy have a panic attack.
Tang Ming even snuck his phone out, frantically searching for photos of Goddess Xue Tong to compare.
He wanted to be 100% sure this wasn't a dream or a high-level imposter.
Although the iconic red hair and the Shiny Gardevoir by her side were proof enough, he still couldn't wrap his head around meeting his idol in the flesh.
He checked a dozen photos, and every single one confirmed it: the mature beauty in front of him was the real deal.
People could wear wigs, but a Shiny Gardevoir was a one-of-a-kind partner you couldn't just fake.
It's really her!
Tang Ming swallowed hard, his heart hammering against his ribs, his eyes darting away every time she looked in his direction.
He was terrified of being impolite and leaving a bad impression on his Goddess.
Shi Fan was no better; the boy who usually feared nothing was now a total "good boy."
His nerves were so shot he didn't even have the courage to say hello.
Dammit! Why are we being such pussies at a time like this?!
Man up! This is likely the only chance in our lives to actually meet her!
Well, "manning up" was easier said than done. A single accidental glance from her made his face turn beet-red.
But then, a logic-driven question surfaced in their foggy brains:
Why the hell is Goddess Xue Tong here?
They were too stressed to think clearly, but they knew she hadn't come to see two random high schoolers.
It wasn't until a certain voice cut through the silence that their faces turned black with realization.
"Are you two... frozen solid?"
Lorze looked at his two stiff classmates and couldn't help but let out a laugh.
"Lorze... wait, is this why?"
Tang Ming had an epiphany. This was Lorze's private lab, and Lorze was effectively a member of the Xue family now.
Goddess Xue Tong could only be here for him.
Dammit... Why is it always him?!!!
It was bad enough that Teacher Liu and Liu Yun loved him.
It was bad enough that Hu Wenjun surrendered to him instantly.
They even accepted that he had a blonde, mixed-race assistant and an ambiguous relationship with Xue Yi.
BUT WHY!
Why does he have to have a relationship with Goddess Xue Tong too!
NO! She's been our Goddess for years! Don't tell me he's going to plow her too!
Wait! It has to be business! Xue Tong is way older than us; she'd never look at a high school brat like that!
Absolutely impossible!
And then, they watched as Lorze walked straight to Xue Tong and sat down.
He didn't just sit; he pressed his body right against hers and boldly grabbed her hand.
Y-you... how do you have the balls?!
But something was even more wrong. Why didn't Xue Tong pull away?
Why was she allowing that pervert to interlace his fingers with hers???
What the fuck is going on?!
WHAT IS THIS SITUATION???
How can you touch her like that? Is there something in the tea?!
Oh god, she's been drugged! Gardevoir, save her! Why are you just standing there!
Well, they were wrong. Gardevoir didn't even look at her Trainer.
Instead, she moved to Lorze's Pure White Kirlia, stroking her head and acting like they were the best of sisters.
It's over. Their relationship is definitely 'suspect'.
"You... what exactly is your relationship with Goddess Xue Tong?"
Tang Ming's eyes were bulging. He didn't want to lose his cool in front of her, but the scene was too much to bear.
"Can't you see for yourself? What kind of relationship allows for this?"
Lorze rolled his eyes. He released her hand only to wrap his arm around her slender waist instead.
He smirked at them, letting their imaginations run wild.
His "waist-hold" was a pure display of ownership, a declaration of sovereignty for them to witness.
Yet Goddess Xue Tong didn't show a hint of objection, effectively confirming that their bond was beyond "simple."
It's truly over... our Queen has already been claimed?
The sky is falling!
Countless men worked their asses off to join the Elite Four just for a chance to stand beside her.
But now? Why even bother? Life has no meaning anymore!!!
"You... call out your Mawile! I'm going to fight her right now!!!"
Tang Ming was crying internally. Even though he knew a guy like him could never win her heart...
...he at least wanted a shred of hope. Now, even that was gone.
This bastard just destroyed our dreams!
"Uh, if you want a duel, why not fight Kirlia?" Lorze asked, confused.
"BECAUSE I CAN'T BEAT HER!" Tang Ming shouted with righteous indignation.
"Fine. Go train then. If you can't even master a 'Cheat Code,' you have no business chasing a Goddess. Keep dreaming."
Lorze shrugged and sent Mawile out to continue the sandbag training with Quilava.
"Fine! I'll train!" Tang Ming gritted his teeth.
His Goddess was being "bent over" (spiritually), and he had to be a sandbag for the culprit. It was the height of humiliation!
He channeled his pure rage into motivation and headed to the backyard to practice controlling his Blaze energy.
"And you? What are you waiting for? Move it."
Lorze looked at Shi Fan. Are you planning on being a third wheel?
"Did you forget about my Torrent?" Shi Fan snapped.
Without the Ability being copied over, what was he supposed to practice?
"Oh, right. Kirlia, take a trip to the Breeding Center for me." Lorze said.
Kirlia nodded, said a quick goodbye to her sister, and vanished.
A moment later, she returned with the Torrent Ability copied. She used Skill Swap to transfer it onto the Frogadier.
Then, she sent Frogadier to train with Hu Wenjun's Ariados.
Ariados's trait had already been switched to Swarm at home, using her sister's Galvantula as the source.
Seriously, what is wrong with the 'Hu' sisters? Why are they both into spiders?
"What kind of training is this?"
Xue Tong asked, looking at the chaos of everyone hitting each other in the backyard.
"Nothing much. Just helping the teammates with some 'hacks' and testing the 'Dual Ability' theory." Lorze explained.
"Dual-Wielding Abilities?" Xue Tong was surprised by the term.
"Yeah. It's part of my new research. I'll give you a full briefing once I have the results."
"I'll look forward to it. But I'm surprised you picked a Mawile for your second partner."
"Mawile isn't weak. She has the potential to evolve, in her own way."
"So you found something else?"
"You could say that. But it was thanks to you, Xue Tong. Without that rainbow stone you found, I'd still be guessing."
"I'm glad I could help." Xue Tong looked at him tenderly.
But she was still confused by the Mawile's drills.
"Is she... trying to imitate a rocket launch?"
Lorze noticed her confusion and explained the "Jet-Propelled Battle Maid" concept he had for Mawile to solve her mobility.
He explained how a full-power Spit Up could potentially equal or exceed Extreme Speed in terms of velocity.
The tactical value of a hyper-speed Mawile was off the charts. It was just a matter of steering.
Such a bold, "out-of-the-box" idea left even Xue Tong speechless.
But then again... how many impossible things has my brother done already?
Whatever. I'll just watch him grow and support him however I can.
"If you want Mawile to fly, maybe you should have her learn Magnet Rise first."
"Steel-types have a natural affinity for it. It might make her 'flight' much more stable." Xue Tong suggested.
Magnet Rise allowed a Pokémon to levitate by negating gravity.
Lorze froze. That's a brilliant idea!
As expected of Goddess Xue Tong. She always gives me exactly what I need.
Dammit... I want this woman more and more!