I beg you female trainers to give me money even if you lose!

"Haha... sort of," Yang Xiying's expression was subtle. Suddenly, he'd adopted the persona of a young master...

“Xiao Chun,” A-Du said to his cousin with a rather authoritative tone, since such a way of speaking was too impolite.

“Mr. Yang, let’s sit down and talk. I’m also very curious about what kind of trainer Kona could praise and be favored by Akiko.”

As A-Du said this, if such a person could be recruited into the Kanto Alliance, his workload would be reduced...

"Haha, then I won't stand on ceremony," Yang Xiying said with a smile as she took her seat, and then started chatting amidst everyone's surprised and curious gazes.

Once the banquet began and the food was served, Yang Xiying ate some without any hesitation, though her movements were elegant and discreet.

But the number of dishes on the table was visibly decreasing, which made the people around them feel uneasy. A-Du and Xiao-Chun both had subtle expressions on their faces.

It's admirable how relaxed this person is in this kind of situation. Neither A-Du nor Xiao-Chun are good at this kind of thing, and they didn't even want to come.

But Adu came here on behalf of the Kanto Alliance because Miss Rika's large family had helped the Alliance a lot.

Xiao Chun is filling in for her grandfather, who has difficulty walking, to make the scene. There will probably be many more banquets like this in the future.

However, she found it difficult to be as uninhibited as Yang Xiying. Yang Xiying accepted all the toasts offered by people around her, especially Sakaki.

With Sakaki leading the way, other high-ranking figures also symbolically came over to boast to Yang Xiying for a while.

After all, Sakaki was such a heavyweight that even Yang Xiying, who got along well with him, was regarded as an extraordinary young man, so it was natural to get to know him.

Anyway, Yang Xiying was quite eye-catching, and after a while, she realized that someone was watching her.

The person opposite him didn't seem to be there to drink with him. Looking over, he saw a girl sitting with some wealthy ladies.

She had long brown hair tied into two braids on top of her head, wore a white dress, and had a hat on her head.

Although this young lady looks refined, the empty plate beside her suggests she's not someone to be trifled with...

Yang Xiying suddenly realized that the person opposite her had focused their attention on her because they had similar appetites.

Amiya is the Gym Leader of Asahi City in the Johto region. She specializes in Steel-type Pokémon and is a close friend of Rika.

So she was able to get to know Nanami and sit at the same table with her. Yang Xiying raised her glass as a symbolic greeting to the person opposite her.

Nanami responded generously, while Ami lowered her head and shrank back like Doduri—she was a shy girl.

Good evening, guests. Thank you very much for gracing this party I am hosting.

Just as everyone had finished eating, the main event arrived: Rika followed a rather dignified-looking middle-aged man in a kimono upstairs.

The middle-aged man in the kimono started talking, making polite remarks, and it was obvious from the content that he was Rika's father.

"Today, in addition to hoping that you can have a good meal and make some friends, we also have an event that we look forward to your participation."

“My daughter Lijia is of marriageable age, and as her father, it is only right that I give her some advice.”

"And this is always a matter of great importance concerning my daughter's life, so it cannot be taken lightly. Therefore, the person she is looking for must be someone she gets along with."

"So we'll decide based on what my daughter does best: Pokémon battles. All the young people here who are not yet married can participate."

"If I can defeat the Pokémon Trainer I chose and my daughter Rika in Pokémon battles and be the champion on stage for an hour, then this wonderful thing will be a success."

As Lijia's father spoke on stage, a commotion arose in the audience, especially among the young men brought by their families.

After all, they've already seen Rika's face; to get such a beautiful wife through Pokémon battles...

"Anyway, is there any young hero who would like to give it a try?"

Lijia's father spoke again, which put everyone in a dilemma: should they wait for others to go before going up?

Whoever steps onto this stage first is doomed...

“I’ll do it,” a voice rang out at that moment, drawing everyone’s attention.

—That's Yang Xiying!

PS: Update!

P.S.: The end of an era...

The NO.290+291 matchmaking battle has officially begun!

"That person is...?!"

"When did it appear on there?!"

Everyone was surprised to see Yang Xiying on stage; her presence was so strong that it was hard to forget her.

But wasn't he just eating next to A-Du and Xiao-Chun?! When did he get on the stage?!

—And is he going to participate in a martial arts contest to find a husband?!

Adu Xiaochun was also confused when she saw Yang Xiying suddenly come on stage, because she had heard this person say that she was just there to join in the fun.

So, does this "joining in the fun" attitude mean there's more to it than just being a participant?

This kid...

Sakaki and Nanami both had expressions that said, "You actually came up with this?", since Yang Xiying hadn't directly said she wanted to participate in the martial arts contest to find a husband.

But now it seems like they're too embarrassed to say it? If they did, they could all offer helpful advice.

—After all, participating in a martial arts contest to choose a husband within a large family is no easy feat…

"Oh? Is this young hero planning to be the first to try?" Looking at Yang Xiying, Lijia's father showed a slightly surprised expression.

Yang Xiying left a deep impression on him because Sakaki had approached him and initiated a conversation; such a guy was no ordinary person.

"Yes, my name is Yang Xiying. I am a disciple of Sabrina, the head of the Goldenrod Gym. The head of the Gym had something come up and asked me to attend the event."

Yang Xiying nodded, then took out her smartphone and projected a 3D image showing Nazi's figure.

This 'Nazi' also apologized for not being able to attend the party and having someone else represent her, but her explanation did indeed include some praise for Yang Xiying.

Yang Xiying also performed a superpower at the end, with the Pokémon Balls he was carrying floating around him!

"No wonder he suddenly appeared on the field, so he's a superpowered person?!"

"...He's actually Miss Sabrina's personal disciple! This kid's luck is off the charts!"

To everyone's surprise, Yang Xiying actually came here in place of her master as Nazi's disciple!

The Saffron City Gym Leader and his group naturally knew that he possessed an incredible supernatural ability, which left a deep impression on them.

Such people are worth trying to win over, but they don't have the opportunity because it's difficult to find common ground with them.

After all, superpowers aren't something you can awaken with money; only a minority can actually do that.

Therefore, the only way to get close to Sabrina is to propose marriage directly to her, but those who have this idea are basically beaten up by superpowers.

In short, the fact that Naz is treating someone as a personal disciple indicates that this person is of great importance and qualified to participate.

So this kid really managed to win over even that girl, Sabrina...

Sakaki, sitting in the audience, also had a strange expression on his face. He had more or less guessed that Naz and Yang Xiying were getting close.

After all, the two of them had settled the matter in Ziyuan Town, and the intelligence personnel who were tracking Yang Xiying had all said that she had stayed in Jinhuang City for a period of time.

Although we didn't see any footage of him interacting with the Saffron City Gym Leader, Giovanni had a feeling that the two were secretly in contact.

After all, this person should have left Saffron City after obtaining the Saffron City Gym Badge, but he stayed there for a month, just like he did in Cerulean City before.

He didn't seem like a tourist; in Saffron City, he basically stayed at the Pokémon Center, occasionally coming out to buy groceries and daily necessities.

So is this really the behavior expected of a traveler? And Giovanni knows perfectly well what this kid did in Cerulean City!

—This guy slept with Xia, the local dojo owner!

Seeing that Yang Xiying and Nazi had a history of acting together, he became worried that the boy might make a move against Nazi.

Moreover, as powerful individuals, the two share common ground, and most importantly, with superpowers, it's too easy for them to deceive everyone.

But feelings are just feelings, and everything needs to be confirmed. It's just that he didn't have the opportunity to confirm during the period when Yang Xiying was in contact with Nazi.

It's only now, after all this time, that Yang Xiying has revealed herself as a personal disciple. It sounds like a rather interesting relationship, and it makes a lot of sense.

After all, if it weren't for that, Naz wouldn't have let Yang Xiying participate in the marriage contest, but damn it, it still comes down to this!

—This kid has already wooed that guild master girl from Cerulean City!

So, someone with a girlfriend is participating in a matchmaking event? Is she just using someone and then abandoning them? Even Sakaki would look down on Yang Xiying if she did that!

But Sakaki could sense that Yang Xiying was just as ambitious as he was, if that ambition were replaced by that of a woman…

I guess I still need to confirm this with that girl, Naz, myself...

"But while attending the meeting, I also want to participate in this grand marriage proposal event, because I have long admired Miss Lijia."

Yang Xiying continued speaking, looking at Lijia who had been smiling all along. This time, Lijia's smile had a bit more warmth to it.

"—That's why I will prove my strength through Pokémon battles."

"Is that so?" Li Jia's father was slightly taken aback, and he was also troubled, because Yang Xiying was an unplanned person.

This martial arts contest to find a husband was just a charade; the man to marry Rika had already been chosen.

That person would win the competition through behind-the-scenes manipulation by the organizers, so the matchmaking event was basically an exhibition match.

Using Pokémon battles to decide your partner is such a frivolous act! Your partner should at least be a good match and able to bring you benefits.

Yang Xiying? Although her previous performance and current identity are indeed extraordinary, she seems to be bluffing and is not quite qualified compared to the young man I had chosen.

This young man is involved in this circle, so how come he doesn't even know these rules?

Lijia's father was somewhat embarrassed. He couldn't very well kick Yang Xiying out now, since the significance of the marriage contest was merely an unspoken rule.

If one were to swallow their pride, they could still participate, so Lijia's father could have anticipated this situation.

"I understand. Let my chosen Pokémon Trainer fight you first." These words were the only way to make the kid back down.

Send a powerful trainer to show him the harsh reality, and to be on the safe side, Rika will have to go all out in the battle.

"After you defeat Him, you have to stay in the ring for an hour before you can challenge Rika, and during that time you will have to accept challenges from at least five people."

At this moment, Lijia's father explained the detailed rules, to which Yang Xiying had no objection. He had come here to take Lijia away.

—I was already prepared to battle continuously with Pokémon!

“Alright, let’s begin,” Lijia’s father waved his hand, and a masked man in black stepped onto the stage to confront Yang Xiying.

This is Kuroko, a servant of the Rika family. She is a very powerful Pokémon Trainer, with strength comparable to a Gym Leader.

—So it's very suitable for dealing with Yang Xiying.

"The rules are a 3v3 Master Duel at level 30. Please take out your Trainer Cards," Kuroko said at this moment, his deep voice indistinguishable between male and female.

"..."

At this moment, Yang Xiying took out her Trainer Card and clashed it with Kuroko's Card, pulling everyone into another dimension!

Standing on the wide battlefield, the two began registering the Pokémon they would use, under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

Then, as the stick figure in the pink suit announced the start of the match, the two players fielded their starting lineups!

"Soul-Stealing Eyes! You go first!"

"Gyarados! Go!"

Yang Xiying sent out Sableye, while Hei Zi sent out Gyarados. Everyone around Gyarados was amazed when they saw it.

"As expected of a trainer from a major family, he casually summoned a ferocious Pokémon like Gyarados, whose base stat totals are a whopping 540!"

"Hey, look at what that kid sent. Could it be that he didn't evolve before using it? Does this guy even know how to fight?"

"Haha, I get it, he must be here to liven things up."

"Indeed, as the atmosphere-maker, you really made us happy, hahaha!"

Yang Xiying's side sent out Pokémon that didn't look very powerful, which led to some mockery from the onlookers.

This kind of competition-oriented Pokémon? Seriously?

"..." Of course, there were those who wanted to see Yang Xiying make a fool of herself, and there were those who didn't, such as Sakaki Nanami, Watari, and Tsubaki.

They were all people who knew Yang Xiying. Adu had heard Juzi praise Yang Xiying highly, saying that she was suitable to be the Ghost King.