A water-type trainer who specializes in dragon-type water.

Chapter 760 Leisurely Moments

The day after New Year's Eve.

The entire city of Fengcheng was still immersed in the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival.

The red lanterns hanging on the streets were still bright, and the laughter of children playing with Pokémon and the occasional sound of firecrackers could be heard from afar.

Even Zhang Heng's manor, which is usually as quiet as a deep pool, has become exceptionally lively, infected by the joy of the New Year.

The morning sunlight streamed into the bedroom through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the entire room in a warm, light golden hue.

"?..."

Zhang Heng slowly awoke in the warm light, the melodious chirping of the bluebird lingering in his ears—it was the bluebird perched on the magnolia branch outside the window.

With its fluffy, cloud-like wings slightly unfurled, it tilts its head back towards the rising sun and sings a clear and melodious song.

"Hehehe~"

A familiar, eerie laugh came from beside the bed.

Zhang Heng turned his head and saw that Shiny Gengar was lying on the carpet next to his bed, its hands supporting its round chin, a sly smile on its iconic big face.

A pair of eyes were fixed on him, clearly indicating that they had been waiting there for quite some time.

Good morning, Gengar.

Zhang Heng rubbed his sleepy eyes, his voice hoarse from just waking up.

"hey-hey!"

Gengar grinned, stretched out its chubby purple finger, pointed out the window, then pointed to itself, as if to say, "I woke up much earlier than Altaria."

Zhang Heng chuckled, threw off the covers, got up, and went into the bathroom attached to the bedroom.

Warm water rinsed my cheeks, and the cool minty flavor of toothpaste spread in my mouth.

He held a toothbrush in his mouth, his mouth full of white foam, but his gaze was unconsciously drawn to the commotion outside the window.

Through the bathroom window, you can see the sky above the manor.

Two figures were rapidly traversing the high sky, their speed almost tearing through the clouds—Charizard and Dragapult.

Charizard spreads its wings, its orange-red body like a burning meteor, leaving a trail of scorching flames behind it with each wing flap.

Dragapult was even more ghostly, its long, light blue-gray body appearing and disappearing in the air, sometimes traversing space, sometimes flashing in front of Charizard, defiantly flicking its tail.

For some reason, these two have been competing lately, determined to see who is faster.

Charizard was no match for Dragapult's spatial teleportation, and Dragapult was no match for Charizard's ultimate burst of power. So every morning from dawn to dusk, the sky became their arena.

Zhang Heng smiled, spat out the foam from his mouth, rinsed his mouth, and then carried the water glass to the balcony of his bedroom.

A gentle morning breeze wafts in, carrying the unique moisture and fresh scent of grass and trees characteristic of the South.

The New Year in South China is actually not cold at all – sometimes you even need to wear short sleeves.

The sun is shining brightly, the temperature is pleasant, and it's the perfect time for Pokémon to be most active.

He looked down at the shimmering pond in the center of the manor.

The Swampert was lying at the bottom of the pond, its massive body taking up almost half of the bottom, with only its back protruding above the water. Occasionally, a string of bubbles would rise to the surface, as it enjoyed the underwater tranquility in its own unique way.

Milotic gracefully swayed its slender body above it, its pink fins gleaming like pearls in the sunlight, and its long tail swaying in the water like silk.

It would sometimes swim up to the Swampert and gently brush its tail fin across its back, causing the Swampert to exhale a series of even larger bubbles.

Two Water-type Pokémon frolicked and played in the warm pool, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

The other members who didn't show up have all found places they like to stay.

For example, from the direction of the back mountain, a low rumbling sound could be faintly heard; that was the sound of rocks and minerals being gnawed away.

Heatran and Duraludon—these two Steel-type Pokémon somehow discovered a cave leading underground in the back mountains.

The cave was deep and dark, leading directly to the mineral veins deep underground; it was paradise for them.

Every morning, two heavyweight Steel-type Pokémon eagerly burrow into the cave to gnaw on the minerals rich in metal elements.

They wouldn't emerge until evening, completely satisfied, covered in mud and ore fragments, but their eyes filled with contentment.

Martial Arts Master Xiong is the most self-disciplined one.

On the open ground to the east of the manor, the dark figure was repeatedly honing his fist techniques in the morning light.

Its movements are not fast, but every punch, every kick, and every turn contains a power honed through countless trials.

Sweat dripped from his muscular physique, glistening in the sunlight.

Those eyes were focused and calm, as if the whole world consisted only of it and its fist.

As Zhang Heng watched these scenes unfold, a faint smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

My friends are all enjoying this rare moment of peace in their own ways. It's wonderful.

"Xiao Heng—!"

A gentle voice suddenly came from downstairs, breaking his reverie.

Zhang Heng shuddered and instinctively swallowed—

"Gurgle."

Oh no. Toothpaste foam.

The cool minty flavor slid down his throat and into his stomach, and Zhang Heng's face instantly scrunched up. The bitterness in his mouth almost made him vomit.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

He coughed violently a few times before finally recovering, and quickly picked up his water glass and gulped down several mouthfuls of water to rinse his mouth.

Downstairs, his mother Fu Yinghui's voice rang out again, tinged with a hint of doting.

"Get up quickly, get ready, it's almost time for dinner! Your grandpa's been waiting for you for ages!"

Zhang Heng finally rinsed the foam out of his mouth and called out, "Okay! I'm coming!"

He quickly washed up, changed into clean casual clothes, and hurried downstairs.

Passing through the spacious and bright living room and pushing open the main gate of the manor, Zhang Heng stepped into the sun-drenched front yard.

Then, he stopped in his tracks.

Under the shade of the trees outside the manor, an elderly man with gray hair was standing there.

He held onto his cane with one hand, while in the other he held a soft towel, carefully wiping himself...

It's Garchomp.

The enormous pseudo-legendary Pokémon was lying quietly in front of the old man, motionless.

The old man's movements were very light and gentle, the towel slowly wiping the Garchomp's scales covered in scars—some from the battlefield, some from the mission of pledge of allegiance, and some from even more distant and profound marks.

Zhang Heng frowned slightly.

He didn't say anything, but quietly walked out of the manor, stood at the edge of the shade, and his gaze fell on Garchomp.

His gaze was devoid of any emotion, as calm as still water.

But this extreme tranquility, enhanced by the divine power of the Overpower, was like an invisible mountain pressing down on Garchomp.

"Fierce...bite..."

Garchomp's body trembled violently.

It raised its head, and its scarlet eyes met Zhang Heng's gaze, instantly feeling as if it had been doused with ice water.

Its body began to tremble uncontrollably, a low, submissive whimper escaping its throat, and its feet instinctively retreated—one step, two steps, three steps…

In Zhang Heng's eyes, Garchomp was never a "partner".

It's just a tool.

It's just a tool that has submitted a near-perfect pledge of allegiance, nothing more.

It doesn't even make it into the second team.

Swampert, Milotic, Altaria, Gengar, Dragapult, Duraludon, Charizard, Urshifu, Heatran, and Plutonium.

These were his true companions, those who had gone through life and death with him and shared his joys and sorrows.

And Garchomp?

He was just a member of a suicide squad.

A pawn that can be sent to the most dangerous missions at any time, and can be discarded without hesitation.

This is the treatment that tools deserve.

"Xiao Heng".

A kind voice rang out, breaking the tense atmosphere.

The old man slowly turned his head to look at his grandson, a warm smile on his face: "It's me, grandpa. I just wanted to give this child some simple treatment for his injuries."

Zhang Heng did not speak immediately.

He quickly stepped forward, carefully took the old man's arm, and helped him to sit down at the tea table.

Her movements were gentle, a stark contrast to the cold indifference she had shown when she looked at Garchomp.

The old man's Pokémon—the Oliva Grass-type Pokémon, which is also the "butler" of the manor—serves him a freshly brewed cup of fragrant tea at just the right time.

The tea steamed gently, its aroma filling the air.

The old man took the teacup, took a small sip, and looked through the rising steam at the Garchomp huddled to the side, trembling.

He sighed, his voice low and somber:

"Actually... this Garchomp is also a poor child."