Ditto doesn't move

The girl's surprised voice accompanied the fire-breathing dragon as it accelerated through the clouds.

…………

Oh no, it seems we've been exposed.

After landing back on the ground, the young cook felt a little uneasy, as if some of her worries had been exposed.

Isn't that a bit too much, Mr. Xia Ming?

No wonder you told me not to come looking for you so easily. Didn't I see through you so easily?

Fortunately, she was no longer the same person she used to be.

(Mao's rebelliousness stat meets the standard)

Seeing that Xia Ming had not yet released Riolu and the others, the little cook made up her mind, but before she could speak, Xia Ming interrupted her.

"You don't need to tell me the specifics. Spoiling the plot before the adventure even begins will make people resent you," Xia Ming, the Martial God, said, holding up one finger.

"But……"

"You want to ask me how I know, right?" Xia Ming, the Martial God, snorted lightly. "The change is too drastic; even a child's whim can no longer explain it."

"I was planning to find an excuse to stand you up today, but haven't you already shown some courage?"

Huh?! You did this on purpose!

Xia Ming, the Martial God, successfully left the little cook speechless.

"So, without rebellion, where does the courage come from?"

Xia Ming, the Martial God, didn't explain much, but instead released Riolu and Little Upo.

"Let's go, Mao."

"oh oh."

She hurriedly released Tian Wuni and then quickly caught up with Mr. Xia Ming, who was already walking ahead.

Before the young cook could recover from the other party's astonishing actions, she seemed to catch a glimpse of a familiar bright yellow in the corner of the ruins out of the corner of her eye.

She subconsciously turned her head and seemed to see a familiar figure, but the latter just smiled at her with a bit of surprise, then turned and disappeared into the corner.

That is……

Lillie's mother? Chairwoman Rosamund?

Why is she here?

Could there be some other connection between her and the Rockets' plans?

Or perhaps I misread it?

He rubbed his eyes hard to make sure the corner was empty, and then Mr. Xia Ming's urging voice rang out again.

Little Chef Spirit!] Dream^[First Hairdresser ran back towards him, her heart already beginning to tense as if reminded.

Did you see the Ling-Meng (one) Ling Yiqi si Qi Qi Jiu Si Jiu Ba? Kapu fin fin?

Volume Two: The Grand Alliance Chapter 173 Branching Route Four, Xia Ming

What just happened?

"It's nothing, I probably just misread it."

Because of his unexpectedly good mood, Xia Ming, the Martial God, did not ask Mao any further questions about his situation.

As they walked toward Tapu Fizz's usual sleeping quarters (referring to its private palace), they spoke:

“Mao, you helped me solve something that has been bothering me for a long time, so in return I will tell you about that problem.”

That one? Which one?

"My past."

“Oh…eh?!”

Mao suddenly realized that she had been startled far too many times today.

Of course, this is not her fault.

Anyone else in her shoes would have been just as surprised as she was by the same thing.

Riolu and Upo were equally alert.

What? What!

My trainer is actually going to unveil his mysterious veil because of an ordinary human girl?

Oh, this is so bitter!

Although I was unwilling and still cared about the adventure, it didn't matter at this point.

I want to hear it! I want to hear it too!

Facing pairs of curious eyes, the Emperor, Xia Ming, the Martial God—no, Xia Ming.

It was as if he had suddenly discovered he could easily cross that seemingly indestructible wall, and he said casually:

"I wasn't planning on bringing this up, since this issue is still a bit hard for you to understand right now, and even a bit unrealistic and abstract."

"But it doesn't matter."

"Before I share, I want to ask you: have you ever thought about what life is?"

It's really too big!

The young cook walked along, somewhat amused and exasperated, thinking, "How could I possibly know the answer to this?"

Some say that life is a long journey, and we are always on the road. Others say that life is like a die, always full of unknowns and uncertainties.

"Doesn't that sound grand and empty? So what are my thoughts?"

"I once thought that life was about..."

"Pay back the debt."

Suddenly it jumped from super romantic to surreal!

Seemingly sensing the little cook's frustration at being unable to find a way to complain, Xia Ming, in his usual style, used a tone full of mischievousness and teasing:

"You'll understand when you get to my age."

"The gifts of fate always come with a price tag in secret; this is not just a saying."

"When people gain something, they must also pay a price. It's just that the time for paying the price may be delayed, which may give you a false impression."

Surprisingly, instead of criticizing these few words, Mao nodded in agreement, seemingly empathizing with them.

"Just like I was born into a well-off family and had a happier childhood than other children, but that was based on the fact that my family was very rich."

"Why is there money in the family? Because my parents were born in a good era and earned far more money than they could have with their knowledge and experience."

"Because I have money, I don't need to mature too early; because I have money, I can give up some things that normal people need to do and do what I want to do; because I have money, it seems like difficulties will never come knocking."

"Until...the building collapsed."

As if recalling a painful past, Xia Ming sighed softly.

The topic started to become heavy.

Although it is heavy, it is not incomprehensible.

Because I'm the same way, Mr. Xia Ming.

Mao clutched the hem of her skirt, seemingly recalling the last time she saw her mother.

"That's why I say life is about paying off debts."

Xia Ming, the martial god, patted Riolu and Little Wobo, who had come over to comfort him, with a sense of satisfaction:

"Because they are not mature enough, they are more sensitive and prone to breakdowns when faced with difficulties; because they are not academically outstanding, they can only find more demanding jobs; because they have not experienced many hardships, they always have naive fantasies."

"In summary, it's about a family falling into poverty, struggling to survive, and gradually drowning in an endless cycle of paying off the debts of happiness overdrawn in the first half of life."

"It's not just about the economy, but also about life. Because we take our parents' upbringing and social welfare for granted, we are increasingly forced by their wishes to make choices we don't want to make."

"You know it's wrong, but you can't voice your doubts because it's something you owe them."

"Therefore, shackles called society, family, success, and even gender have been formed."

"Do you want me to give you an example... A man doesn't easily shed tears. People don't even allow you to cry anymore. People who cry are only considered cowards, incompetent, and the lowest of the low."

Mao opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything.

But just like when Sweet Wuni hugged her and said she forgave her, she also wanted to express her feelings in the same way.

But, what should we do?

"Nothing needs to be done anymore."

Mr. Xia Ming seemed to want to smile but couldn't quite manage a forced smile; he gave a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"I have been fortunate enough to accept this world, and then someone overcame their fear of power and eliminated the malice in their heart, allowing me to finally confirm one thing..."

"As I accept the world, the world also accepts me."

"This is enough."

Mao finally understood.

It turns out that what was troubling Mr. Xia Ming and what was troubling him were the same things.

When I'm full of energy helping everyone and bringing smiles to their faces, is there anyone who really wants to care about me and understand me?

Just like how I still don't know about Mamane's dark past, Lillie's terrible family conflicts, and many more of my friends whom I thought were close...

Everyone was taking the wonderful happiness that Mr. Xia Ming brought for granted, while ignoring him as a person.

"So, do you understand what the word 'rebellion' really means?"

Mr. Xia Ming suddenly asked.

"I... I think I understand, but I don't know how to express it yet."

"Haha."

As Mr. Xia Ming spoke, he called out to Riolu:

"Then let me, qu〈n（六） 玐F韭『 wu疤?邻死O3邬, help you say it."

"Eating, no more than three meals a day; sound sleep, requiring only three feet of space;"

"That's all there is to being alive, isn't it? It's that simple."

Therefore, shackles are not unbreakable, as the saying goes:

He has never done any good deeds in his life and only loves killing people and setting fires.

Suddenly the golden rope snapped, and the jade lock was torn apart.

Ah! The tide is rising on the Qiantang River; only today do I realize who I truly am.

"Be yourself, Mao."

"Follow your heart and live the life you want to live."

"Then, Riolu, prepare for battle!"

Inside Tapu Fini's palace, Team Rocket, who were besieging their opponents with advanced technology and powerful Pokémon, noticed them at that moment.

What's an adventure without battles, right?

The dog-type Pokémon, already eager to try, stood in front of their trainer as if their blood was boiling.

A wave of what appeared to be the power of steel began to flow through it.

She seems to have also resolved a knot in her heart.

Volume Two: The Grand Alliance Chapter 174 Women, They're Troublesome

Unfortunately, it’s not enough.

Xia Ming also noticed the fluctuations on Riolu's body that symbolized the power of steel.