Chapter 41: Infiltration
"What else do you have to say?" the Masked Man asked.
"Don't you want to know where that... Headquarters is? This Purrloin should know, right? I'll help you ask it!" Bai Feng said, holding up the Purrloin in his hand.
"Ask the Purrloin?" The Masked Man was confused. How was he supposed to ask?
Under the Masked Man's puzzled gaze, Bai Feng looked at the Purrloin and asked in a low voice, "If you know where that... Headquarters is, tell me quickly. Otherwise, after I hand you over later, I won't be responsible for what others do to you."
"Meow meow meow~" What are you saying? I don't understand...
Hearing Bai Feng's words, the Purrloin put on a pitiful act, trying to win Bai Feng's sympathy. But Bai Feng wasn't falling for it. He knew that playing innocent was a specialty of Pokémon like Purrloin. If you actually fell for it, they might just scratch your face.
"As long as you tell me, I'll do my best to ensure your safety," Bai Feng promised.
"Meow meow~" Really?
Seeing that it couldn't trick Bai Feng and couldn't escape from his grasp, the Purrloin became much more cooperative.
"Of course. If you don't tell me, we're both finished!"
"Meow meow meow~" Alright, I'll tell you everything I know.
It turned out that the Masked Man had been tracking a Drug Trafficking Organization. One time, he caught and apprehended a member of the Drug Trafficking Organization.
Originally, the Masked Man wanted to get more information about the Drug Trafficking Organization from the captured Drug Trafficker, but he didn't expect that Drug Trafficker to be so resolute. Taking advantage of a moment when the Masked Man wasn't paying attention, he decisively chose to commit suicide.
However, that Drug Trafficker had a Pokémon that secretly ran away while the Masked Man was struggling with its Trainer. That Pokémon was the Purrloin.
Actually, it wasn't difficult for the Masked Man to catch the Purrloin, but then he had a change of heart. Since the lead on the Drug Trafficking Organization was cut off, why not use the Purrloin as the next lead?
He thought that the suicidal Drug Trafficker might have wanted the Purrloin to deliver a message back to the organization. Someone would definitely come to meet it then, allowing him to finally track them back to the Drug Trafficking Organization's lair.
But what the Masked Man didn't expect was that this Purrloin didn't have much strength, but its nature was extremely cunning. It unexpectedly discovered his tracking and even almost slipped away from right under his nose several times.
During this time, the Masked Man had been playing a game of cat and mouse with the Purrloin.
However, in reality, the Masked Man had truly misunderstood the Purrloin. Its owner really hadn't instructed it to deliver a message back to that damn organization. Even if there was such an instruction, it wouldn't do it. It absolutely hated that organization.
Now that the Purrloin had finally regained its freedom, it would be stupid to go back and walk into a trap.
It simply wanted freedom now.
It had truly had enough of staying in that awful Drug Trafficking Organization. There wasn't a single normal person inside. When it was with its previous owner, it was beaten every few days and often didn't get enough to eat. That life had absolutely no hope.
It was just a pity that it was now caught by Bai Feng, and Bai Feng was threatening it to reveal the location of the Drug Trafficking Organization. It had no choice but to cooperate.
Although it hadn't thought about delivering a message back to the Drug Trafficking Organization, it did know where the Drug Trafficking Organization's location was. After all, it had been mixed up there for several years and planned its escape every day. How could it not know the situation there inside out?
Drug Trafficking Organization? After hearing the Purrloin's explanation, Bai Feng's heart stirred. Could the Drug Trafficking Organization the Purrloin mentioned be the same group that captured Teacher Omura? Otherwise, it couldn't be such a coincidence.
Seeing that Bai Feng could actually communicate with the Purrloin, the Masked Man was surprised and also found it very strange: Could this kid really not be part of the Drug Trafficking Organization? Logically speaking, a small Drug Trafficking Organization shouldn't possibly have such a rare talent!
"Alright, I've gotten the organization's location you wanted to know. I can tell you, but you have to take me with you," Bai Feng said. He needed to go and see for himself.
"Of course you have to go with me, otherwise how would I know if you'sre lying!" Although the way Bai Feng communicated with the Purrloin didn't look like he was lying, who knew if his acting skills were superb!
The Masked Man didn't delay at all. He immediately took Bai Feng and the Purrloin and rode on a Noivern. Under the Purrloin's guidance, they flew towards the outskirts of Lumiose City.
The Drug Trafficking Organization's base was not within Lumiose City.
It must be said, the Masked Man was truly skilled and bold, daring to venture into the Drug Trafficking Organization's base alone.
The Noivern flew for half the night and finally reached the destination before dawn. It was a hidden Mountain Valley. Many Caves were scattered throughout the Mountain Valley, and at the entrance of the Caves, Pokémon Trainers were patrolling with their Pokémon.
In addition, Bai Feng also discovered that a large number of Stantler were being raised on the Grassland in the Mountain Valley.
Seeing Bai Feng's surprised expression, the Masked Man, hidden in the dark, pointed at the sleeping Stantler and said to him, "The horns of these Stantler are the main material used by the Drug Traffickers to develop illegal drugs!"
"Stantler horns can also be used to make illegal drugs?" Bai Feng was shocked. This was the first time he had ever heard of this.
Seeing Bai Feng's bewildered look, the Masked Man gave him a deep look, then explained, "Of course. Stantler horns have a special ability: they can create illusions.
The Drug Trafficking Organization seized upon this characteristic and used Stantler horns combined with some unknown toxins to develop a harmful illegal drug.
People who take the illegal drug will sink into the illusory world created by the illusion and be unable to extricate themselves, then slowly deplete their vitality, eventually walking towards death step by step.
What's terrifying is that once you become addicted to this illegal drug, it becomes extremely difficult to quit. It is because of this illegal drug that countless families have been torn apart."
Speaking of this, the Masked Man's tone became stern and resentful, but since he was wearing a mask, Bai Feng couldn't see his expression clearly.
Looking at the patrolling guards, Bai Feng asked the Masked Man, "Do you have a plan?"
The Masked Man retorted, "Plan? What plan? Of course, we're just going to charge straight in!"
"But there are so many people inside. You're outnumbered. Why don't we ask Officer Jenny for help!" Bai Feng suggested.
At this point, the Masked Man finally truly believed that Bai Feng had no connection to the Drug Trafficking Organization. However, he shook his head and said, "No need, I can handle it myself." After speaking, he suddenly leaped out from the darkness.
"Hey..." Bai Feng tried to stop him but couldn't. "This reckless guy!"
Shouting quickly rang out through the Mountain Valley. Clearly, the Masked Man had engaged the Drug Traffickers. He commanded his Noivern and Mega Blaziken to wreak havoc, causing the Drug Traffickers to retreat repeatedly.
It must be said, this Masked Man was indeed formidable. Those disorganized thugs were no match for him at all.
Meanwhile, Bai Feng took advantage of this opportunity to quietly dial Officer Jenny's number and reported the situation here in detail to Officer Jenny.
Upon receiving Bai Feng's report, Officer Jenny was practically fuming. In fact, the Police had already figured out the location of the Drug Traffickers' base a long time ago, but in order not to harm the Hostages, they had planned to wait and take action only after secretly rescuing them.
They didn't expect that Flame Mask would jump out and cause trouble!
Officer Jenny was extremely familiar with Flame Mask. This "hero in the dark" was very famous in Lumiose City, often secretly doing deeds to punish evil and promote good. Not only were the Police Station personnel well aware of him, but the citizens of Lumiose City were also familiar with him.
The problem was, besides doing some good deeds, this Flame Mask also frequently disrupted the Police's arrangements, causing the Police a great deal of trouble.
Therefore, in the eyes of the Police, Flame Mask was not only not a hero but also a troublesome figure.
When Bai Feng suggested asking Officer Jenny for help, the reason Flame Mask immediately refused was not just because he felt he could handle it, but also because he knew that if the Police really came, they probably wouldn't praise him for assisting the Police with the case; they might even arrest him along with the others.
To prevent the Drug Trafficking Organization from relocating their base, Officer Jenny immediately organized personnel to prepare to attack the base.
While waiting for the Police to arrive, Bai Feng saw the Masked Man displaying great strength in the Mountain Valley, attracting most of the Drug Traffickers. He thought for a moment and, taking advantage of no one paying attention, quietly sneaked into a Cave.
(End of Chapter)