Pokémon: I just became a Gym Leader, and Cynthia proposed to me.

Xiao Zhao stood still, the Shadow Blade retracting into a short sword. She tucked it back into her waistband, panting heavily.

Ma Jiamu emerged from behind the tree. His gaze didn't fall on Xiao Zhao's face, but was fixed on the Hidden Shadow Blade at her waist.

The short sword still retained the lingering energy of shadow, with a faint purple light flickering on its blade.

Ma Jiamu's pupils contracted slightly.

He suspected that Xiao Zhao was manipulating these Pokémon to cause unrest and then charging Team Galactic for money, since Xiao Zhao always asked for money for his services.

On the way back, I kept thinking about how to deal with Xiao Zhao.

……

Zhuqing Village, the headquarters of the Galaxy Team.

Xingyue sat behind the long table with a small cloth bag in front of her.

There was a clinking sound of copper coins coming from inside the bag.

Ma Jiamu stood by the window, his back to her, tapping his fingers on the window frame.

"Settle her wages and let her leave the village."

Xingyue raised her head.

"Why do you do this, Chief?"

"This young girl is incredibly useful. With her joining us, the village's development has accelerated significantly."

"She cleared out the quarry and logging camp, and she also drove away the mantises."

Ma Jiamu turned around.

His face showed no anger, only a calculated coldness.

"I already said that she fell from a spacetime rift, and after she arrived, the Forest King and the Pokémon went on a rampage."

He walked to the table and tapped his finger on the surface.

"A person of unknown origin, yet possesses combat power far exceeding that of ordinary people, and is able to wield an evil weapon."

"I strongly suspect that she was the one who drove those Pokémon into a frenzy."

"Besides, I am the leader!"

Xingyue looked into his eyes for three seconds. Then she picked up the cloth bag and stood up.

"Alright, since the chief says so, let her leave the village."

Xingyue went to inform them personally.

She stood at the door of Xiao Zhao's wooden house and handed her the cloth bag.

"This is your payment for today. It's settled according to the task, not a penny less. Please count it."

"However, after you receive the money, you will need to leave the village."

Xiao Zhao took the cloth bag and weighed it in her hand.

The copper coin made a deep sound.

What does "Ma Jiamu" mean?

Xingyue did not answer.

Her expression was indifferent, and her tone was businesslike.

"You can pack your things and leave now. Please leave by today."

Xiao Zhao looked at her and suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint, so faint that the curve was almost invisible, but Xingyue saw it.

"no problem."

Xiao Zhao turned and went into the wooden house to start packing her things.

Seven Poké Balls, a Pokédex notebook, a change of clothes, and a medicine jar given by Professor Laben.

She packed her things into her backpack one by one, her movements unhurried and deliberate.

Minghui also received the news and rushed over to stand at the door, watching her pack.

"I heard the chief wants you to leave the village. I'm just a nobody and can't really help you, but you don't seem to care much about it?"

Xiao Zhao tied the backpack straps, slung it over her shoulder, and walked to the door.

The owl jumped down from the windowsill and landed on her shoulder.

She looked up at Minghui.

"What's there to care about? Your Galaxy Team pays the bill, I do the work, and once it's done, you don't need my help anymore, so I'll just leave."

She stepped out of the wooden house and walked towards the village entrance.

After walking a few steps, she stopped and looked back at Minghui.

"But please pass on this message to Ma Jiamu."

Minghui looked at her.

Xiao Zhao said, "I know he's wary of the knife I used today; I took it from someone who tried to assassinate me in the Twisted Jungle."

"The source of the spacetime disorder is in the Tianguan Mountains, not in me, a person who fell from the sky."

She turned around, walked towards the village entrance, and then gave a mocking smile.

"But Ma Jiamu won't go, because investigating the source is much more dangerous than driving away a ten-year-old girl."

Minghui clenched his fists, muttering to himself, "I'll apply to the leader. If the leader refuses, I'll investigate myself!"

After leaving the village, Xiao Zhao looked around at the scenery and pondered where she should go.

Xiao Zhao raised an eyebrow. "Should we go back to our hometown and build our own village?"

It would be best if we could have a showdown with Zhuqing Village!

Let's name it after our hometown, Shuangye Village!

Just then, a voice rang out behind her.

"Oh, little girl, Ma Jiamu fears your power, afraid you'll take his position and drive you away, but we, the Harvest Team, are not afraid!"

"Would you like to join us?"

Xiao Zhao raised an eyebrow. "No, give me money and I'll do things for you. I only care about money, not people."