Elf: Re-employment of retired champion of Padiya

Chapter 814 Luo Mu: What? Your Galaxy Team? Isn't this my Galaxy Team?

Both Zhubei and Gangshi showed expressions of surprise and dissatisfaction.

They were about to speak in rebuttal when Luo Mu raised his hand to stop them.

He met Ma Jiamu's gaze, which was filled with scrutiny and suspicion, and his expression remained calm.

He could probably guess why Ma Jiamu didn't bother acting and instead directly laid out his doubts about him.

After all, compared to falling into a spacetime rift, even the protagonist who works diligently for Team Galactic is suspected and expelled from Zhuqing Village.

Someone who suddenly appeared like himself must be full of suspicious points in his eyes.

Even knowing why Ma Jiamu suspected him, Luo Mu was still very unhappy.

He had already made plans when he came to Zhuqing Village.

No matter what Ma Jiamu says, just ignore him and treat it like he's talking nonsense.

Wang Luo is the main dish; if Ma Jiamu wants to make a scene, then just treat him as a clown.

Luo Mu knew very well that the appearance of the spacetime rift was not due to the two spacetime gods, but rather it was caused by the chaos that occurred when the reverse world, which was the other side of the world, fell into chaos.

The most important thing to be careful about is not to alert the enemy by making any moves in Wangluo.

Otherwise, if the other party chooses to run away to the reverse world and survive for ten days, half a month, or even longer, will I still be able to return to the modern world?
But when Ma Jiamu unjustly suspected him in front of Zhubei and Gangshi, he was truly shocked.

Perhaps it's the old grudges from the game, plus the "new grudges" in front of us.

A burning anger still rose in Luo Mu's heart.

Who do you think you are to suspect me of having ulterior motives?

I have to prove myself? How could I have drunk this much after just a few dishes?

At the same time, Luo Mu recalled the words Xi Pu had told him when he left.

And there's the statement Wu Si made at his ancient hermitage: his actions were, in themselves, part of history.

In that instant, Luo Mu changed his mind.

He remembered a saying that was very insightful on the internet before he traveled through time.

Never let yourself fall into the trap of self-justification.

Proving one's innocence is a very foolish thing to do.

People who recognize and trust themselves will continue to trust themselves without needing to prove it.

There is absolutely no need for self-proof.

And what about Ma Jiamu?
No matter how you try to prove yourself, these kinds of people will always find other angles to continue to doubt you. Proving yourself is useless and even a waste of energy.

Because he viewed people with prejudice.

Once suspicion arises, a crime is established.

In this situation, rather than proving one's innocence, perhaps taking decisive action is the best solution.

All thought is but a fleeting moment.

Luo Mu, who was being stared at with suspicion by Ma Jiamu, did not show any discomfort.

He simply looked up calmly, met his gaze with unwavering eyes, and parted his lips slightly.

"So you mean I have to prove I'm not the mastermind behind this whole thing?"

"of course."

Ma Jiamu narrowed his eyes, his tone filled with an air of superior authority.

"If you want to gain our trust, you must take concrete actions."

Upon hearing this, Luo Mu, who was usually approachable, suddenly curled up a very faint, almost mocking smile.

Instead of being provoked or flustered, he leaned back, appearing more relaxed and even a little lazy.

"Heh." He chuckled lightly, his gaze calmly meeting Ma Jiamu's imposing stare. "Why should I prove anything to you?"

These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly freezing the air in the room.

Both Zhubei and Gangshi were stunned, and Xingyue paused slightly in her work of organizing the documents.

Ma Jiamu's brows furrowed instantly, and his face darkened: "What did you say?"

“I said,” Luo Mu repeated clearly and slowly, each word distinct, his tone devoid of anger yet carrying an undeniable firmness and detachment, “why should I prove my innocence to you?”

He shrugged, his gaze sweeping over the pearl and the diamond before finally settling back on Ma Jiamu.

“Those who trust me will naturally trust me. For example, the Pearl Team and the King Kong Team. They have seen what I have done and are willing to take the possible risks.”

"And you, who seemed to be judging me with prejudice from the very beginning."

Luo Mu paused, his tone still calm, yet it pierced Ma Jiamu like a cold knife:
"No matter what 'evidence' I present, you can always find a new angle to doubt it, right? In that case, why should I waste my time and energy?"

"To resolve the spacetime rift and quell the king's rage is a promise I made with the gods of the lake, with certain beings, and also for the sake of my friends and Pokémon on this land."

"Not to prove anything to you—Magamu, the leader of the Galaxy Team."

"If you have any doubts, you are welcome to try to find the flaws in my story that don't even exist in your own way."

"But you want me to follow your script and get stuck in a cycle of proving my innocence?"

Luo Mu shook his head slightly, stood up, and looked down at Ma Jiamu, whose face was ashen. His tone finally carried a hint of unmistakable coldness:

"Sorry, I have neither the interest nor the obligation."

"If you brought me to Team Galactic just to say something like this, then I'm afraid I can't continue this conversation."

"I have a lot of things to do, and I don't have time to play these low-level power struggles with you."

After Luo Mu finished speaking, he stopped looking at Ma Jiamu's face, which had suddenly turned extremely ugly, and turned to leave.

"stop!"

Ma Jiamu slammed his hand on the table, the loud noise echoing in the quiet room.

He was so angry that he trembled slightly, his face turned ashen, and even his meticulously trimmed mustache stood up in anger.

He had never been ignored or contradicted like this before, especially not in Zhuqing Village, which he considered to be under his absolute jurisdiction!

"What do you think this place is? You think you can come and go as you please?!" Ma Jiamu's voice was hoarse and shrill with extreme anger. "Let me tell you! As long as I am the leader of the Galaxy Team, as long as Zhuqing Village is still under the Galaxy Team's control..."

He took a deep breath, a flash of anger in his eyes, and almost gritted his teeth as he uttered his final threat:

"If you dare to step out of this door today, it will be tantamount to challenging the authority of the Galactic Team! I will immediately order you to be declared persona non grata and expelled from Zhuqing Village! From this day forward, you will be forbidden from setting foot in any area under the jurisdiction of the Galactic Team!"

"Without Zhuqing Village as a supply base and stronghold, and without the support of the Galaxy Team, let's see how you 'resolve the crisis' in this perilous Xicui Land! How can you act as your 'hero'!"

The chilling threat, like an ultimatum, crashed heavily into the silent room.

Xingyue looked at Ma Jiamu with a hint of helplessness in her eyes.

She already knew what kind of personality her boss had.

So, when she was guiding the meeting, she deliberately sped up the pace, hoping to end it quickly and avoid any further mishaps. But now it seems that all her efforts were in vain.

Although Xingyue herself did not support Ma Jiamu's "suspicion", she ultimately did not stand up for Luo Mu.

After all, she wasn't familiar with Luo Mu.

If they are familiar with each other, they might choose to provide Luo Mu with some assistance within their capabilities without affecting the Galaxy Team's decision.

But now, all she can do is remain silent.

Zhu Bei and Gang Shi's expressions changed instantly; they hadn't expected Ma Jiamu to be so ruthless.

They could easily understand that Ma Jiamu's harsh words were not only directed at Luo Mu, but also at them.

Pearl's face turned slightly pale.

The Pearl Settlement is located in a harsh environment of pure white tundra, where crops are difficult to grow. It relies heavily on trade with Zhuqing Village to obtain a stable supply of food and essential materials.

If supporting Luo Mu completely offends Ma Jiamu, leading to a trade disruption, it would be a heavy blow to the entire Pearl Team.

Gangshi's expression was equally solemn.

Although the Jin Gang settlement is located in the relatively resource-rich Honglian Wetland, many tools, medicines and special materials still need to be obtained from Zhuqing Village.

The Galaxy Team and Zhuqing Village have only been in Xicui for a few short years, yet they have become the center of Xicui, which is why local forces like them want to befriend them.

Just like that convenient Poké Ball.

This is because the Galactic team possesses many important things that the Galactic team lacks, such as technology, knowledge, and resources.

This is why, even though the Pearl Team and the Kong Team each possess the power of five kings and queens, they have gradually become vassals of the Galaxy Team.

Enmity with the Galactic Team would undoubtedly bring enormous inconvenience and risks to the survival and development of the settlement.

Ma Jiamu's threat weighed on their hearts like a boulder.

The air seemed to freeze instantly, and a heavy pressure filled the room.

However, in this suffocating silence...

Zhubei and Gangshi exchanged a brief glance. In that single instant, they saw the same determination in each other's eyes.

The next moment, the two stood up almost simultaneously.

There were no words, no rebukes or pleas to Ma Jiamu.

Zhu Bei quickly walked to Luo Mu's side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him, clearly demonstrating the Pearl Team's stance through her actions.

Gang Shi laughed heartily, his loud voice breaking the silence. He strode over to Luo Mu's other side, patted Luo Mu's shoulder forcefully, and said with a bold and firm posture, "That's right! There's no point in wasting words with a suspicious fellow! Let's go, Brother Luo Mu! Although the Vajra Settlement can't compare to the prosperity of Zhuqing Village, there's plenty of wine and food. We'll make sure our friend doesn't go hungry!"

"The task of calming down the runaway kings and queens still depends on you!"

As the team leaders of the two major organizations, their choices on behalf of their teams were silent yet deafening.

This means that even if they face a trade blockade from Zhuqing Village and hostility from the Galaxy Team, the Pearl Team and the King Kong Team have chosen to stand on Luo Mu's side.

Seeing this, Ma Jiamu's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. He clenched his fists tightly, his lips trembling with anger, but he couldn't say a word for a moment.

His biggest bargaining chip seemed to lose its weight instantly in the face of this unexpected and unwavering support.

Seeing this scene, Xingyue sighed silently.

Sigh, how did things turn out like this?

Luo Mu was momentarily taken aback by Zhu Bei and Gang Shi's unexpected and firm stance, but that surprise quickly turned into a smile.

Since they trust me so much, I should give them a big gift later.

"Let's go then."

Luo Mu nodded to Zhu Bei and Gang Shi, and gestured for them to prepare to leave the Galaxy Team headquarters together.

The two followed him without hesitation, their attitude resolute.

Seeing that the three were really going to ignore his authority and leave, Ma Jiamu's anger completely overwhelmed his reason.

Extreme anger clouded his judgment, and an absurd idea that resonated with his current state of mind took hold.

—Since words and threats are ineffective, then we should use force to forcibly detain them, at least this suspicious Luo Mu should be detained for proper interrogation!

"Stop right there!" Ma Jiamu roared, pulling several Poké Balls from his kimono sleeve and throwing them without even looking at them!
Behind the three, several red lights flashed one after another, and a powerful aura instantly filled the entire room!

The rumbler, its entire body encased in a hard, rock-like shell, crashed to the ground with a dull thud.

With its entire body covered in skin as hard as iron, Heracross raised its massive horns and let out a menacing growl.

The large, north-facing nose, resembling a stone human head, floated up, its powerful magnetic force disturbing the air.

The eagle, its wings spread wide like a shimmering emerald, brings a chilling airflow, its fiery crest feathers seeming to burn fiercely.

A gentle, innocent smile appeared on Piccolo's face.

Finally, there was the enormous Snorlax. Even though it was still sitting there dazed, as if it hadn't woken up yet, its mere presence brought a tremendous sense of oppression!

Ma Jiamu, as the leader of Zhuqing Village, used the best resources to train his Pokémon, which stood in front of Luo Mu and his group!
Turtle and Corsair's expressions instantly turned extremely wary, and they instinctively reached out to touch their Poké Balls—

Zhubei's fingertips reached for Glaceon's Poké Ball, while Corsair's hand pressed against Leafeon's Poké Ball.

However, just as they were about to throw the Poké Ball, Luo Mu reached out and gently pressed down on their arms.

His movements were unhurried, carrying a strange, calming power.

The two looked at Luo Mu in confusion, only to see that Luo Mu's face showed no sign of tension, but rather a helpless expression that was almost pitying.
He even sighed softly, as if he had witnessed some farcical situation that was both laughable and pathetic.

Luo Mu slowly turned around, his gaze calmly passing over the six ferocious Pokémon, finally settling on Ma Jiamu, whose face was ashen and who was slightly panting from rage.

Instead of showing any tension, his face revealed a faint, almost pitying helplessness. He gently shook his head, as if looking at a stubborn person who had gone astray without realizing it.

“Ma Jiamu.” Luo Mu spoke, his voice still steady, but with a colder, harder quality than before, like a piece of warm jade suddenly revealing its inner sharpness. “I believe that those in high positions should at least maintain the most basic rationality. Verbal disputes, each sticking to their own version of events, are fine, no one will care.”

He paused slightly, his eyes suddenly sharpening, the trace of regret replaced by an undeniable edge.

"But you actually chose to use force, trying to intimidate others with your power. Who gave you this illusion that you can exercise such ridiculous 'authority' in front of me?"

Luo Mu took a step forward. It was just an ordinary step, but his aura suddenly surged, subtly overshadowing the combined aura of the six Pokémon opposite him.

His gaze fell on Ma Jiamu with an unwavering intensity, and his tone was resolute, carrying the implication of an ultimatum: "So, I've changed my mind."

"Why should I be the one leaving? You should be the one getting out of here, out of my Zhuqing Village and the Galaxy Team."

"Now, I'll give you two choices."

He held up two fingers, his tone calm yet containing an irresistible force.

"First, you should gracefully step down as leader of Team Galactic and return Team Galactic to me."

"Second." A cold glint flashed in Luo Mu's eyes. "I'll help you save face. I'll let you be completely defeated and humiliated before you hand over power in a sorry state."

"Choose."

(End of this chapter)