Time reached three in the afternoon.
Strangely deceived into the mountains, had an inexplicable battle with Courtney, and then inexplicably boarded the Magma Team's airship with her.
Finally.
Under Courtney's lead.
Baimu met Boss Chi Yansong, who probably harbored some strange thoughts.
In the animation, they drew the eyes of this Magma Team boss very small, with a square face, looking somewhat comical, unlike Giovanni who, despite being a comedic character, still retained a certain charisma.
In reality, Chi Yansong's appearance leaned more toward the depiction in Pokémon remakes.
Wearing high-tech-like glasses, meticulously combed crimson hair, and a black-red coat covering most of his body, he looked to be in his early forties, giving a very serious and formal first impression.
They exchanged glances.
"Seeing is believing, Mr. Baimu, my underlings appreciate your guidance."
Chi Yansong stood up, speaking very politely in his first sentence, even extending his hand.
Baimu was slightly surprised, not expecting that the person who proactively sent Courtney to cause trouble would actually show a friendly face, and given their age difference, it was quite normal for him to speak a bit less courteously.
But as the other party greeted him with a smile, even if he couldn't figure out their intentions, he had no choice but to shake hands, "I've long admired you, Mr. Chi Yansong. Everyone can see your Magma Team's land development efforts on the Hoenn Continent."
"Oh? I didn't expect Mr. Baimu to be so well-informed about our Magma Team."
Chi Yansong's eyes flickered.
"I'm humbled, I've only read a few more news articles. Also, just call me Baimu."
Baimu replied very humbly, without flaunting his knowledge of the Magma Team.
"Hahaha, since you're so straightforward, I won't hold back either."
Chi Yansong said directly, "Would you be interested in joining the Magma Team?"
"Join... the Magma Team?"
He slightly furrowed his brows, glanced at Courtney who suddenly looked a bit excited, and shook his head without hesitation, "Thank you for your kindness, but I'm already part of an organization."
"Ocean Team?"
Chi Yansong smiled, not getting angry.
"No, it's an organization from my hometown, quite remote, you might not have heard of it."
Baimu roughly understood why this person had called him over —
Poaching!
Upon discovering that the Ocean Team had a collaboration partner who became a sensation in the Gorgeous Competition circles without any marketing, the Magma Team couldn't sit still. They specifically sent Courtney to try and poach him.
Deceiving him into the mountains was probably not Chi Yansong's intention, more like Courtney's own idea.
Most likely wanted to confirm whether he had genuine skills through battle.
Courtney's personal emotions got a bit carried away during the process, seeing it all the way through, luckily, he had a decent temper.
And Chi Yansong was very intrigued by the remote small organization Baimu mentioned, immediately searching about the Rescue Organization online after he brought it up.
After a brief look, he fell into a short contemplation.
On another note,
Courtney was trying to persuade Baimu to join the Magma Team, "Boss Chi Yansong... is amazing... following him forward... you definitely won't regret it..."
"I have my own goals, no need to trouble Mr. Chi Yansong."
"With a goal... you can tell Boss Chi Yansong... he will definitely help you... as long as you come along..."
"I already have many people helping, no need."
"You join the Magma Team... I can assist you..."
"Thank you, but no need."
Baimu adamantly refused, making Courtney quite frustrated. She genuinely wanted him to join the Magma Team so she could analyze him thoroughly.
The main point that intrigued Courtney was his deep trust and connection with Pokémon, that unwavering faith.
The kind of assurance that as if his commands were issued, the Pokémon would definitely do as he said.
Of course,
Most importantly, there was that momentum.
Even though it was just a glimpse, at the moment when Mega Camerupt used the Big Explosion, she noticed a cold and sharp aura emanating from Baimu, as if a sharp knife could stab over at any moment.
It seemed like he had experienced countless similar terrifying situations, made a habit out of them, and even peacefully got through even more dangerous scenes.
How could she not be intrigued by someone with so many mysteries surrounding them?
The last time she felt this way was in the presence of Boss Chi Yansong. Unfortunately, compared to Boss Chi Yansong, Baimu seemed much more stubborn and unyielding.
Ms. Courtney, who had not learned the negotiation skill, blamed everything on the latter.
And at this moment,
"I see, the Ore Region's Rescue Organization..."
Chi Yansong slowly spoke, "This is really a place I'm not very familiar with, human technology naturally develops, Pokémon all rely on being imported, a paradise for humans..."
Hmm?
Why did his tone start to rise as he spoke?
Baimu was startled, then realized that Chi Yansong was essentially a human supremacist, hoping to expand more land to solve the territorial disputes, enlarge the scope of activities for the terrestrial creatures, and hoped that technological advancements could bring a better future for humans.
Such vast land in the Ore Region, absent of native Pokémon, was clearly very appealing to Chi Yansong.
Sure enough,
Chi Yansong suddenly clasped his hands together, face filled with a smile, "Baimu, I'm very interested in the development of the Ore Region, could you introduce me to other members of the Rescue Organization located there?"
This guy... could he be nurturing some kind of new ambition again?
Trying to create a region without Pokémon?
No way.
If he made this happen, not to mention N could not be held accountable, that young man might very well come over to fight.
Pokémon forcibly brought to the Ore Region had already suffered enough, without a good environment for recuperating, N would never agree.
Pokémon supremacists and human supremacists...
"This request is a bit too much, no?"
Chi Yansong, seeing Baimu not speaking for too long, snapped his fingers, and Courtney pulled out a contract from who knows where, stating:
"This is a sponsorship contract, double the sponsorship amount of the Ocean Team. The Magma Team has no other demands, just like them, emblazon the symbol on your chest and help me contact the Rescue Organization, and this contract is yours."
The Magma Team boss showed a look of confidence.
Never expecting Baimu to reject the contract even faster than before, "No, I won't accept this contract. But if Mr. Chi Yansong wants to know Rescue Organization members, that is entirely possible."
If money could transform him, he would've already fallen in the Ore Region, no need to worry about money in the first month of his journey.
Back then, Pyrite Town was filled with money.
So he definitely wouldn't accept this contract conditioned on introducing the Rescue Organization.
But rather than letting Chi Yansong find people himself later on, Baimu preferred to let Shanren handle this matter, trusting this ambitious person to handle Chi Yansong's matter well.
Regardless if the latter had any ulterior motives.
And hearing Baimu's firm rejection, Chi Yansong was surprised, his expression both serious and peculiar.
"Why? Shouldn't your relationship with the Ocean Team also be just a cooperative one? Didn't your contracts have some special terms?"
"No, they didn't."