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Laya City.
A small city located in southern Saizhou, near the Snowpeak Mountains.
It wasn't the same as Lhasa from his past life, nor was it related to the Himalayas.
It was simply called Laya City.
The level of modernization was extremely low, divided into an old town and a new town. The old town looked like something out of the Middle East, with low-rise buildings, and the new town wasn't much better.
In short, it felt like the 80s or 90s.
The only redeeming feature was the excellent greenery—plants and evergreens were everywhere.
Li Xiang stared at the photos on his phone, then at the weak, flickering signal bar in the corner, realizing that spotty network coverage was just the norm in 2011.
But why were some parts of Saizhou so underdeveloped?
The capital, Wu City, was incredibly prosperous.
Was the economy stagnant?
'Impossible. With so many tourists visiting Saizhou every year, the tourism industry alone should have brought in massive revenue.'
"Those cities aren't underdeveloped—they're intentionally kept in their natural state."
Bian Zhen's voice sounded beside him.
Li Xiang turned his head to look at her lying on the bed, her face pale. Logically, injuries like hers should have knocked most people unconscious by now.
But then again, people's physical limits varied… cough cough.
"Saizhou is one of Zhu Xia's major producers of grain and wool. Most of the land here is farmland." Bian Zhen forced a weak smile. Though she was in low spirits, she clearly didn't want to dwell on it.
Avoidance was a natural human instinct.
"A major grain producer?"
Li Xiang blinked. He could believe the wool part, but grain? Could rice even grow here?
"Never heard of it, right? Saizhou is divided into East, West, and South. We're in East Saizhou right now—it can grow all kinds of crops!"
Bian Zhen lowered her voice. "Saizhou is the largest region in Zhu Xia, bordering the far north and South Asia. Both animal husbandry and agriculture thrive here."
Once again, Li Xiang's past-life assumptions had made him look like an ignorant fool.
'This is what happens when you suck at geography.'
As they spoke— A sudden brightness flooded in from outside.
They had finally emerged from the mountains.
"Look! Those are farmlands! See those green plants? That's winter wheat!"
Bian Zhen pointed into the distance.
Li Xiang turned his gaze outward and was met with an endless stretch of emerald green. Under the warm winter sun, the neatly planted crops swayed gently in the wind, radiating a vitality that lifted the spirit.
"Winter wheat."
"Planted in October, harvested in May. Cold-resistant crops. Plants are tougher than you think."
Bian Zhen's voice was full of pride. "And there are others—potatoes, soybeans, cotton…"
Despite looking like a city office worker, she spoke about crops like an expert, even detailing their cultivation methods.
Under her narration, a land that continuously supplied Zhu Xia with food and wool was vividly painted before them.
Food was a region's heart. Clothing was its blood. To be well-fed and well-clothed—these were the most basic human desires.
Saizhou's importance to Zhu Xia was undeniable.
"Sister Bian Zhen, do you live in Laya City?"
Li Xiang suddenly asked.
Bian Zhen's words faltered. After a few seconds, she replied, "No… My home is in a small village a distance away from Laya City."
Just a few days ago, she had told Li Xiang she was from Haizhou.
Had Li Xiang genuinely forgotten, or was he… testing her?
"I heard Saizhou has a lot of tents. Did your family live in one too?"
Li Xiang blinked, putting on an innocent, curious expression.
Bian Zhen met his gaze and answered slowly, "Tents… I lived in one as a child, but not anymore. Now, we live in brick houses."
Laya City was in southeastern Saizhou, while the major livestock areas were in the west.
"In the past, people in West Saizhou had to migrate with their Mareep and Miltank to find fresh pastures. But now, with cars, it's not so troublesome anymore."
Saizhou raised many Pokémon that could be sheared for wool. In recent years, they had even started breeding adorable Wooloo.
The variety was endless.
According to Bian Zhen, her family consisted of her parents, a younger brother, and a younger sister. They farmed crops and raised Pokémon.
A typical farming family.
But the more Li Xiang listened, the less he believed her.
First, she was from Haizhou. Now, she was from Saizhou. With so many suspicious details…
"I'm going to the bathroom."
Li Xiang stood up and smiled at her. "Sister Bian Zhen, rest well."
Bian Zhen nodded, watching him leave the bedroom and gently close the door behind him. The moment he was gone, her expression turned complicated.
…...
Outside the room.
Li Xiang released Riolu and whispered something to it.
Riolu nodded, closed its eyes, crouched down, and placed a paw against the floor of the vehicle. The two spindle-shaped tufts on its head twitched.
A moment later, it nodded at Li Xiang.
"So she really did keep a backup plan…"
Li Xiang sighed, glancing back at the bedroom. He had suspected Bian Zhen wouldn't leave herself completely defenseless.
She had two PokéBalls hidden in her chest, precisely where Mrs. Yin would never check.
After thinking for a moment, Li Xiang walked over to Li Zhehan, listening to his father's light snoring before shaking him awake.
He felt it was necessary to report everything he had noticed.
His father had the guts to smuggle a group of people from the islands—he couldn't be stupid.
Li Zhehan woke with a yawn, thinking it was time for his shift.
"How long was I out?"
"About four hours. Dad, there's something I need to tell you."
Li Xiang opened his phone's notepad and meticulously relayed all his observations.
Li Zhehan's expression gradually shifted from drowsy to serious.
"You're sure about this?"
"Dead sure."
Li Xiang nodded. "Think about it—first the landslide, then the explosion. Her train car was blown in half and went missing, along with one other person. First, she said she was from Haizhou, now she's from Saizhou… There are too many inconsistencies."
He suspected that if they hadn't left quickly, someone would have tracked them down by now.
The Association wasn't full of idiots.
Li Zhehan fell silent, rubbing his temples. He was still a bit drowsy, but his son's report didn't allow him to keep sleeping.
"I'll make a call in the bathroom. Don't tell your mom yet."
Li Zhehan stood up, phone in hand, and headed to the bathroom.
From the driver's seat, Mrs. Yin glanced at them through the rearview mirror several times, confused.
"It's almost noon. There's a rest stop ahead—ask your dad if we should stop to restock."
She called out and Li Xiang relayed the message.
The answer was a brief stop.
Of course, Bian Zhen needed to be informed too.
Li Xiang knocked on her door and entered after getting permission. "Sister Bian Zhen, my parents want to make a quick stop at the rest area to stock up."
"...Okay."
Bian Zhen nodded. She couldn't exactly forbid them from eating.
Soon, the vehicle pulled into the rest stop.
Mrs. Yin went out to buy supplies, accompanied by several Pokémon.
Li Xiang stayed in the car, glancing at the silent bathroom and the closed bedroom door, feeling exhausted.
Why did a simple family trip turn into this mess?
Was he inheriting some kind of protagonist-level troublemaking aura?
Unbelievable.
About ten minutes later, Li Zhehan emerged from the bathroom, looking slightly relieved.
"Dad?" Li Xiang whispered.
"It's fine now. Don't worry." Li Zhehan waved him off. It seemed he had called for backup but didn't want to elaborate. "We'll just carry on as usual."
Did he call Xu Dongran?
What's with these adults and their secrecy?
Li Xiang didn't understand, but if his father said it was fine, then it probably was.
When it came to family safety, his dad never took risks.
Another ten minutes passed and Mrs.Yin returned with bags of supplies.
Li Xiang quickly got out to help, storing the food, water, and other items in the vehicle's compartments.
"Switching?"
Li Zhehan stretched.
"You should sleep a bit more. You've been pushing yourself. I'm fine."
Mrs. Yin shook her head. She was well-rested, and driving for four hours during the day was nothing to her.
Night driving was another matter. Li Zhehan didn't argue. He really did need more rest.
The bus set off again.
As Bian Zhen had said, Laya City wasn't too far.
After Mrs. Yin drove for another two hours, she switched with Li Zhehan at the next rest stop.
Another two hours of driving later, the outline of Laya City came into view.
It looked exactly like the photos.
"Miss Bian, we've arrived at Laya City."
Mrs. Yin called out to Bian Zhen in the bedroom.
"No need to be so formal, Sister Yin. Just call me Ah-Zhen." Bian Zhen smiled weakly, trying to sit up. Mrs. Yin moved to help but was stopped when Bian Zhen grabbed her hand.
"May… bless you and your family, kind one."
She pressed a strange pendant into Mrs. Yin's hand—one shaped like two white wings cradling an ice cream cone—before bowing her head to touch Mrs. Yin's knuckles.
Her words were muffled.
But to Li Xiang, the pendant was unmistakable.
—The Snow Cult!
Li Xiang's pupils shrank.
Bian Zhen was a member of the Snow Clut!
Then who had attacked her and her group?
The Sun Cult!?
'Damn it! Weren't they supposed to be active in Snowpeak City!?'
…Right. Expansion. Revival of faith.
Li Xiang pressed a hand to his forehead.
Of course it had to be a religious conflict—the messiest kind of trouble in any world.
Especially when their so-called "deities" were just regular Pokémon.
Unbelievable.
Li Xiang didn't know what to say. The situation had just gotten infinitely more complicated.
And he couldn't help but feel uneasy.
The bus slowly entered the city.
Li Zhehan had planned to take Bian Zhen to Laya City's largest hospital, but under her guidance, they instead arrived at a small clinic in the old town.
A very small, very shabby clinic.
"Brother Li, Sister Yin, I can't thank you enough. I'll repay this kindness someday."
Bian Zhen, supported by Mrs. Yin as she stepped out of the vehicle, was full of gratitude. Without them, she would never have made it to Laya City so quickly.
"It's nothing, really. Just a small favor." Mrs. Yin replied casually.
Then, Bian Zhen suddenly shouted something in a dialect none of them understood toward the clinic.
The place immediately erupted into chaos.
Soon, two strangely dressed young men covered in ornaments emerged, followed by an elderly man with white hair. The moment they saw Bian Zhen's condition, their expressions changed.
They began speaking rapidly in that same dialect, hurriedly helping Bian Zhen inside.
But before leaving, Bian Zhen shouted two more words, making the old man's face shift again.
Li Xiang and his family stood there, completely lost.
Only after Bian Zhen was gone did the old man turn to them, studying the bus.
"Kind benefactors, thank you for saving Ah-Zhen. Please, come inside."
He tried to usher them into the clinic.
Li Zhehan stared at the old man's face, as if confirming something, before asking, "Old sir, do you know Chi Zang?"
Chi Zang?
The name felt oddly familiar to Li Xiang.
But what surprised him more was the old man's reaction—his polite expression instantly warmed.
"Kind benefactor, you know that brat Chi Zang?"
He smiled, this time eagerly pulling Li Zhehan and Li Xiang by the hand. "We are of the same origin! You must come inside!"
Then, he called out something else, and several women in traditional dress came out to escort them in.
Mrs. Yin was stunned. "Zhehan, you know people in Saizhou?"
"A friend of a friend… I think?" Li Zhehan chuckled awkwardly. "I didn't expect them to be this welcoming."
Meanwhile, Li Xiang remembered the call his father had made earlier.
Chi Zang…
Just who was this guy? Another follower of the 'Snow God' faith?