Pokémon: The Journey Begins with a Cowherd

Chapter 24 Researcher Li Ke!

After Qingyuan realized what was happening, he glanced at the frightened Pipi and looked angrily in the direction from which the sound came.

A researcher in a white lab coat was seen running towards them, his face contorted with rage.

At a glance, Qingyuan knew that this person was the researcher from the anime who was supposed to protect Pipi.

I remember he even stopped Ash from catching Clefairy, so he must be a good person.

But Qingyuan didn't care whether the other person was a good person or not; if you scared me, you should apologize first.

Who are you?!

Seeing the researcher running up to him breathlessly, Qingyuan preemptively asked a question.

Upon hearing this, Li Ke was taken aback, then said with a stern face.

Who are you?

"Answer my question first, you impolite fellow!"

"Clatter!"

Upon hearing Li Ke's words, Qingyuan said with a fierce expression.

At that moment, Scorpion let out a roar, having just been startled by the creature.

It really wanted to beat him up right then and there.

Seeing the fierce-looking Scorpion beside Qingyuan, Li Ke obediently followed his heart.

"My name is Li Ke, and I'm a researcher at the Dark Grey Museum in Nibi City!"

Li Ke straightened his white coat and said to Qingyuan with an arrogant expression.

This status is enough to command the respect of many ordinary trainers, as researchers have a higher level of authority in the League than even the most elite trainers.

Of course, that refers to researchers at research institutes, not museum researchers like Li Ke who study historical artifacts and can easily engage in such extortion.

Strictly speaking, Li Ke's status should be similar to that of a League direct descendant trainer, but it is lower than that of a direct descendant trainer.

Because he has no notable research projects and no direct trainer's combat prowess.

Hearing this, Qingyuan nodded and said.

"I am Qingyuan from Viridian City, a direct descendant of the League Trainer!"

As he spoke, Qingyuan took out the Pokédex and summoned Charmander.

Upon seeing the little fire dragon, Li Ke nodded.

"Hello, Qingyuan Trainer!"

His tone was much softer than before. Since the other party was stronger than him and their status was similar, Li Ke no longer had the right to be arrogant.

Hearing Li Ke's words, Qingyuan nodded, put away the Pokédex, and said.

"What are you doing here at Tsukimiyama in the middle of the night, a researcher from the Dark Gray Science Museum?"

"And he was shouting so loudly just now that he scared Scorpio and the others!"

Upon hearing Qingyuan's words, Li Ke quickly replied.

"I'm sorry, Trainer Qingyuan, I'm here to protect Clefairy and the others!"

"I thought you were going to do something to Pipi, so I tried to stop you by shouting!"

Hearing Li Ke's words, Qingyuan looked down at Pipi.

Pipi had recovered from her shock and seemed quite familiar with Li Ke, not minding his arrival at all, and had already continued eating.

Seeing that Pipi was eating with relish, Qingyuan finally looked up and said.

"You're a researcher, and you've come all the way to the mountains to protect Pipi, are you going to abandon your research project?"

Upon hearing Qingyuan's words, Li Ke quickly replied.

"My research project is nothing compared to protecting Pipi and the others."

"I have made up my mind to spend the rest of my life protecting this pure land of Pipi and the others!"

"I want them to live happily in this place, without anyone disturbing them!"

……

Li Ke nagged a lot in Qingyuan's ear, all of which were about protecting Pipi.

However, Qingyuan was not interested in that; he was only interested in the enormous moonstone.

So after learning that Li Ke knew where Pipi and the others gathered.

Qingyuan immediately became interested and wanted Li Ke to take him there.

After hearing Qingyuan's words, Li Ke readily agreed, since in his opinion, a trainer from the League's direct lineage couldn't possibly be a bad person.

Just then, Pipi finished eating its Pokémon food and was staring blankly at Qingyuan.

Qingyuan squatted down and reached out to pat Pipi's head.

Perhaps it was that bowl of elven food that laid the foundation for his emotional bond with Pipi.

Pipi didn't flinch at Qingyuan's hand, letting him stroke its head.

Perhaps feeling that Qingyuan's massage was comfortable, Pipi even rubbed against Qingyuan's palm.

Seeing this, Li Ke, who was standing nearby, was so envious he was practically grinding his teeth in envy.

You know, he's been protecting Pipi here for so long, and no other Pipi has ever been as close to him as it is to Qingyuan.

Qingyuan had no idea what Li Ke was thinking.

If he had known, he would definitely have mocked the other person.

Being a simp has no future; in the end, you'll have nothing.

Li Ke's attitude towards Pipi was just like how those sycophants treated their goddesses in Qingyuan's previous life.

He kept spending money to buy gifts for his goddess, but in the end, he couldn't even hold her hand.

However, the difference is that elves are simple-minded, if Li Ke really continues to treat Pipi and the others well.

Ultimately, there's still a good chance of getting what you want, but for a simp from a past life, no matter how hard they try, they'll never succeed.

(A word of advice to fellow readers: cherish yourselves and don't be simps!)

After Qingyuan packed up the tent, he followed Li Ke and headed towards Mount Tsukimi.

After walking for about twenty minutes on the winding and rugged mountain road, Li Ke finally brought Qingyuan to the front of a cave.

"Is this where Pipi and the others live?"

Looking at the dark cave in front of him, Qingyuan couldn't help but ask Li Ke a question.

Li Ke shook his head after hearing this.

"This is just the way there; Pipi and the others live deeper in the ground!"

After saying that, he took out a flashlight from his pocket and used it to light the way ahead.

Seeing this, Qingyuan picked up Pipi and followed closely behind.

After spending some time together, Qingyuan held Pipi in his arms, and Pipi did not resist.

Li Ke glanced back, but could only grit his teeth and continue walking inside.

There was nothing he could do; Pipi wasn't affectionate with him, so he could only watch helplessly.

Qingyuan teased Pipi in his arms while closely following behind Li Ke.

I have to say, Pippi's fur is really comfortable. It's so fluffy, it feels like holding a rag doll in your arms.

Qingyuan wished he could bury his face in Pipi's fur, but because he still had to travel, he had to give up the idea.

"But once we get to Pipi's gathering place, it's not impossible to give it a try!"

As Qingyuan carried Pipi, he thought to himself.

"Ouch!"

Suddenly, Li Ke, who was in front, cried out in pain and fell to the ground.

Looking at the pitch-black cave in front of him, Qingyuan quickly took out his powerful flashlight and shone it in Li Ke's direction.

Li Ke was seen with his head down, groping for something on the ground.

"My glasses! Where are my glasses?!"

Seeing this, Qingyuan had no choice but to squat down, pick up the glasses that had fallen in front of him, and hand them to him.

"Thank you!"

Li Ke put on his glasses, and only then, under the bright light of Qingyuan's flashlight, did he look at what had tripped him.

"Strange, when did electrical wires appear in this primitive cave?"

Li Ke picked up the black rope from the ground, examined it carefully, and said...

Upon hearing Li Ke's words, Qingyuan followed the direction of the power line and looked into the depths of the cave, then said something thoughtfully.

"It seems there's trouble with the Pippi habitat you're protecting, Li Ke!"