**Chapter 54: Going Home**
It turned out the Masked Man had been watching Bai Feng for several days, his target being the Larvitar.
This Masked Man was actually just a small-time hoodlum. He usually idled around, having long since squandered his family's fortune. Now alone, he lived hand-to-mouth, often engaging in petty theft and sneakiness.
However, he had an Ancestral Home, which was the dilapidated house Bai Feng saw in the Illusion. One day, the Masked Man accidentally discovered three mischievous Ghost-type Pokémon in the Ancestral Home.
At first, he was terrified by these three Pokémon, but later he found that they had no ill will and wouldn't harm people at all. They were just bored staying in the Ancestral Home, which was why they appeared to play pranks on people.
So, the Masked Man tricked the three Pokémon into doing things for him. The three Pokémon had simple personalities and always thought the Masked Man was just taking them to play pranks, so they would help the Masked Man deal with others each time.
These three Pokémon had a special Talent: together, they could create a very realistic Illusion. Because of this ability, the Masked Man did even more swindling and deceiving.
That day, Bai Feng and Teacher Omura were out eating with their Pokémon when they were spotted by the Masked Man. After noticing Bai Feng's Larvitar, greedy thoughts arose in his heart.
If he could get his hands on the Larvitar and sell it, he wouldn't have to worry about money for the rest of his life.
So, from that day on, the Masked Man kept an eye on Bai Feng.
Bai Feng went back to the Berry Exhibition Tournament every day, and he would also blend into the crowd to observe Bai Feng. After several days of observation, he felt that Bai Feng was just a kid with no skill and no background, so he decided to make his move tonight.
He couldn't get into the High-end Restaurant, so he didn't know that Bai Feng actually knew people with deep backgrounds like Lysandre and Caitlin.
He just never dreamed that he would encounter the legendary Flame Mask when making his move.
Actually, the strength of the three Ghost-type Pokémon wasn't strong. Their advantage lay in creating Illusions, making the victim psychologically weaker beforehand, allowing the Masked Man to sneak attack others.
But Bai Feng was actually not greatly affected. Even if Flame Mask hadn't appeared, he wouldn't have let the Masked Man succeed with his sneak attack.
After understanding what happened, Flame Mask glared at the Masked Man and said, "It seems you've done a lot of bad things in your time. Today is your unlucky day; you ran into me, Flame Mask, who can't stand injustice."
Saying this, he struck a chuunibyo pose, squatting with both legs and raising his hands to the sky. Blaziken cooperated perfectly, doing the same pose.
Bai Feng, whose toes were practically curling into the ground from embarrassment, was very curious about Flame Mask's age. Listening to his voice, he sounded at least twenty-five or even thirty. How had he not outgrown his chuunibyo phase yet?
After interrogating the Masked Man, Flame Mask looked at Bai Feng and said, "Little buddy, we really are fated, aren't we? I didn't expect to see you again."
Seeing Bai Feng quietly watching him without speaking, Flame Mask finally felt the awkward atmosphere. So he opened his mouth to apologize:
"I misunderstood you last time. I'm sorry, I sincerely apologize to you."
Bai Feng snorted coldly, "If apologies worked, what would we need Officer Jenny for!"
"Uh..." Flame Mask was stunned by these words. The person he least wanted to see was Officer Jenny. The atmosphere became awkward again. After a long while, he said, "How about this, I'll send you something as compensation later, and we'll call the misunderstanding between us settled!"
Compensation? Bai Feng didn't expect Flame Mask to be so easy to talk to. But before he could say anything, he saw the other person pick up the Masked Man and prepare to leave.
Flame Mask was tall and strong, lifting the thin and short Masked Man like a little chick.
"I'll handle this person!"
Hearing this, Bai Feng quickly said, "How about you leave those three Ghost-type Pokémon to me!"
His Orchard happened to be short on help. Ghost-type Pokémon might not be good at other things, but climbing trees to pick fruit would definitely be no problem.
Moreover, Ghost-type Pokémon were uncommon and elusive. If they could grow stronger in the future, it would be a great benefit for the security of the Orchard.
Flame Mask stopped upon hearing this. After thinking for a moment, he had Blaziken throw the three Ghost-type Pokémon's Poké Balls to Bai Feng.
Gastly, Misdreavus, and Litwick were still trembling at this time. They were caught by Bai Feng in the Poké Balls without any resistance.
By the time Bai Feng came back to his senses, Flame Mask had long since disappeared. He was just a little curious about how Flame Mask would deal with that Masked Man.
Surely he wouldn't kill him?
Of course, Flame Mask couldn't be that brutal. He took the Masked Man directly to the Police Station. When no one was around, he left the unconscious Masked Man at the entrance of the Police Station, along with a recording of the Masked Man's confession of his crimes.
Actually, what Flame Mask didn't know was that the Masked Man already had a record at the Police Station. As soon as he was caught, Jail Time was inevitable.
Meanwhile, Bai Feng returned to the Hotel with his Pokémon. By this time, Teacher Omura had already returned from his friend's place. After Bai Feng greeted him, he returned to his own Room.
Closing the door, Bai Feng released the three Ghost-type Pokémon.
As soon as the three Pokémon came out, they huddled together, trembling and hiding in the corner, looking at Bai Feng with fear.
"Xi lai~ Xi lai~"
Brionne was still not satisfied and shouted fiercely at the three Pokémon, scaring them even more out of their wits.
After Brionne played the bad cop, Bai Feng started playing the good cop. He said to the three Pokémon, "You don't need to be so scared, I won't hurt you."
The three Pokémon still didn't make a sound.
Bai Feng continued, "From now on, I am your new master. As long as you are obedient, I guarantee you won't be harmed at all, and I won't deceive you into doing bad things like your previous master."
When the Masked Man was recounting his criminal history, the three Pokémon were present. They had already realized they had been deceived before.
Hearing Bai Feng's later words, the emotions of the three Ghost-type Pokémon finally stabilized somewhat, and they no longer trembled as much as before.
But they didn't completely trust Bai Feng and still huddled in the corner, unwilling to get close to him.
Bai Feng didn't force them further. This kind of thing couldn't be rushed. There was plenty of time in the future, and they had ample time to build a bond. One day, the three Pokémon would believe that he had no ill will.
For now, they just needed to be obedient.
So, he took out the Poké Balls and recalled the three Pokémon.
Early the next morning, Bai Feng and Teacher Omura packed their things and went to the Lumiose City Airport. This time, Yingzhou and Huacai were also going to Biyi City with them.
Bai Feng had already discussed it with the two of them before, inviting them to visit his Orchard.
As for the compensation Flame Mask mentioned, Bai Feng didn't receive it, nor did he take it seriously, because he had already completely forgotten about it.
(end of chapter)