Chapter 71: The Culprit
After Uncle Rob left, Bai Feng released Helioptile and Brionne, then took them over to the other side of the Fence.
"Mount Goat, wait for me here. I'll be back after looking around."
Because Mount Goat was large and didn't have a Poké Ball, it was inconvenient for Bai Feng to take it over the Fence, and the Fence here was quite high.
Mount Goat nodded obediently.
Bai Feng walked for a while with Brionne and Helioptile, and soon saw the Forest that Auntie Baris had mentioned.
He walked in and observed carefully. Sure enough, he saw a Bloodstain on a clump of Weeds, but the Bloodstain had already dried up.
Just as Auntie Baris had said, there were no useful Clues to be found around.
About half an Hour later, Bai Feng returned to the Fence with his two Pokémon. As expected, Mount Goat was obediently waiting for him there.
However, before Bai Feng could reach Mount Goat, he suddenly noticed a small Dirt Mound appearing behind Mount Goat, and the Dirt Mound was moving, slowly approaching Mount Goat.
"Helioptile, Brionne, attack!"
Realizing something was wrong, Bai Feng immediately shouted at his two Pokémon.
"Heli!"
"Brionne!"
The two Pokémon reacted extremely quickly. In the blink of an eye, a blue Lightning bolt and a Water Gun shot towards the small Dirt Mound.
Boom!!!
An explosion sounded. The small Dirt Mound was blown to smithereens. Mount Goat was truly startled, jumping high, but there was nothing inside the Dirt Mound.
The Stuff inside the Dirt Mound hadn't run far. Bai Feng quickly saw another small Dirt Mound appear not far from Mount Goat, and this Dirt Mound was moving rapidly, moving from inside the Fence to outside in the blink of an eye.
"Helioptile, Brionne, keep attacking!"
Bai Feng shouted loudly.
"Heli!"
"Brionne!"
The two Pokémon responded and sent bolts of Lightning and Water Guns towards the Dirt Mound.
Soon, Bai Feng discovered that Helioptile's Lightning couldn't harm the entity beneath the Dirt Mound, but Brionne's Water Gun made the opponent let out painful wails every time.
Bai Feng couldn't help but Guess if the entity beneath the Dirt Mound was a Ground-type Pokémon, and it just so happened to know the Dig Skill.
After a stalemate for a while, the entity beneath the Dirt Mound ultimately escaped. There was nothing they could do; it was hidden beneath the Dirt Mound and its Dig speed was extremely fast. Even though Brionne showed signs of being effective against it, they still couldn't stop it.
After the entity beneath the Dirt Mound left, Bai Feng quickly ran up to Mount Goat and asked, "Mount Goat, are you okay?"
Looking at Mount Goat, Bai Feng could tell it was clearly very scared. The Stuff beneath the Dirt Mound just now must have been planning to ambush it. Perhaps that was the Culprit behind the frequent disappearances of Mount Goat and Ride Lamb Pokémon at the Ranch recently.
Mount Goat shook its head with lingering Fear, indicating it was fine, but its heart was pounding rapidly. It had just been scared to death. It was well aware of the recent frequent disappearances of its Companions at the Ranch; it had almost become the next one.
"It's good that you're okay."
Bai Feng breathed a sigh of relief. If Mount Goat had been successfully ambushed right under his nose, he would truly have no face to see Uncle Rob and Auntie Baris.
"Let's go back first," Bai Feng said to Mount Goat.
Just as Bai Feng was about to take his Pokémon back to Uncle Rob's Home, he saw Helioptile sticking its butt up and rummaging around Inside the Pit that had been blown open.
"What's wrong, Helioptile?" Bai Feng asked curiously.
"Heli! Heli!"
Helioptile suddenly pulled its Head out Inside the Pit, seemingly holding some Stuff in its hand.
"Heli! Heli!"
It quickly ran to Bai Feng's side and held up the Stuff in its hand for Bai Feng to see. Bai Feng stared with wide eyes for a while before realizing they were a few dark brown strands of Fur, still stuck with damp Soil.
"This is..." Bai Feng took the Fur and observed it for a while. For a moment, he couldn't figure out which Pokémon it belonged to, so he could only say, "I'll take it to the Pokémon Center to have it tested later."
Then he praised Helioptile, saying, "Well done, Helioptile! You're so careful. If it weren't for you, I would have missed such an important Clue."
"Heli! Heli!" Helioptile humbly waved its hand, indicating it was nothing.
This made Brionne incredibly envious. Why didn't it think of rummaging Inside the Pit? It also wanted to be praised by Bai Feng!
After returning to Uncle Rob's Home, Bai Feng said to the couple, "I think I've encountered the Culprit responsible for the losses at the Ranch. It's very likely a Pokémon."
"Really?" Auntie Baris asked, looking Excited. "What kind of Pokémon? Are you Sure you can drive it away?"
Bai Feng replied, "I'm not Sure what kind of Pokémon it is yet, but I got some of its Fur. I'll know after I take it to the Pokémon Center to have it tested. As for how to deal with it, I need to think about it some more."
Auntie Baris said gratefully, "Then I'll trouble you to put in more effort."
Seeing that it was getting late, Bai Feng bid farewell to the couple. They walked him all the way to the entrance of the Ranch and even brought out many bottles of Grass Goat Milk produced at the Ranch to give to Bai Feng.
Bai Feng originally wanted to refuse, but the couple was too enthusiastic and insisted on stuffing them into Bai Feng's Space Backpack. In the end, he couldn't resist and had to accept all the Grass Goat Milk.
After leaving the Ranch, Bai Feng didn't go straight Home. Instead, he rode Talonflame Captain directly to the Pokémon Center in the West District.
Nurse Joy was already very familiar with Bai Feng. Seeing Bai Feng enter, she thought he was there to buy Sedative again, so she asked with a smile:
"Buying medicine again? You're quite a bit earlier than usual this time!"
Bai Feng's frequency of buying medicine was usually fixed, which was why Nurse Joy said that.
Hearing this, Bai Feng shook his Head and said, "I'm not here to buy medicine this time. I have a Matter I'd like to ask for your help with, Nurse Joy." As he spoke, he took out the strands of Fur and explained what had happened at the Ranch recently.
Nurse Joy was also a person full of righteousness. After hearing Bai Feng's account, she immediately righteously and indignantly cursed the Culprit.
Nurse Joy truly lived up to her name; she knew Pokémon like the back of her hand. She stared at the Fur for over ten seconds, then said, "It looks a bit like Drilbur's."
Drilbur? That's really possible! Bai Feng's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
Ground-type, knows Dig... that fits Drilbur perfectly, and the Fur color matches too.
"Just to be on the safe side, I'll help you test it. Please wait a moment." Saying this, Nurse Joy took the Fur to the lab.
The equipment at the Pokémon Center was the most advanced in the Pokémon World. Before long, Nurse Joy came out with the Test Results.
"It is indeed Drilbur's Fur."
Bai Feng paid the testing fee and said gratefully to Nurse Joy, "Thank you so much, Nurse Joy."
Nurse Joy waved her hand and said, "You've already paid the Money, why are you thanking me?" She had originally planned to help for free, but she didn't expect Bai Feng to insist on paying the Money.
After confirming the Pokémon's identity, Bai Feng didn't delay at the Pokémon Center. He immediately rode Talonflame Captain back to the East District.
Before returning to Fangxing Mountain, Bai Feng made a trip to the Blue Bird Orphanage and left half of the Grass Goat Milk given by Uncle Rob and Auntie Baris for the children.
The Grass Goat Milk was indeed very delicious. The children praised it one after another. Xiaoyou was the same as before; he gulped down a mouthful of Goat Milk and then said happily:
"Ah~ This is the best Stuff I've ever drunk!"
Bai Feng chuckled and rubbed his Head, saying, "If you like it, I'll buy some more for you later."
This Grass Goat Milk was good for the children's Body Development, and they could indeed drink more of it. Bai Feng felt he could also drink some.
This Stuff was still affordable for Bai Feng now.
"Really? That's great!"
Hearing Bai Feng's words, Xiaoyou cheered.
Nanako said to Bai Feng with a straight face, "Brother Bai Feng, you should spoil him less. This guy likes to take an inch when given an inch."
Bai Feng shook his Head and said, "It's just a little drink, how is that spoiling him!"
Hearing this, Xiaoyou stuck out his tongue at Nanako and said, "Exactly, exactly."
Nanako was so angry that she chased after him to hit him, but unfortunately, she wasn't as fast as Xiaoyou.
Bai Feng helplessly pulled back Xiaoyou, who ran past him, and said, "You too, be a little more obedient usually, and don't easily make your older siblings angry."
"Got it!" Xiaoyou said with a smiling face.
After returning from the Blue Bird Orphanage, Bai Feng shared the remaining Grass Goat Milk with his Pokémon, and they indeed liked it very much too.
There was a Reason why the Goat Milk from Uncle Rob's Home could become popular in Couriway Town and become a local specialty of Couriway Town.
Early the next morning, Bai Feng went to Grandpa Fu's Place and reported what had happened at the Ranch yesterday.
Grandpa Fu asked, "So, have you thought of a solution?"
Bai Feng nodded and said, "I have a slight idea, but I'll need your help." Then Bai Feng explained his plan.
"Alright, no Problem. Do as you say," Grandpa Fu nodded.
Bai Feng also said, "I'm just worried that someone might be controlling that Drilbur. Otherwise, where did those Mount Goat and Ride Lamb Pokémon go?"
Grandpa Fu was also worried about this, but he couldn't quite figure it out. Who would go to such lengths to sneak into the Ranch and steal Mount Goat from Others' Homes? It couldn't possibly be just for a mouthful of Goat Milk, could it?
If it was to take the Mount Goat and Ride Lamb Pokémon to sell for Money, then what about the Bloodstain in the Forest?
For a moment, both Bai Feng and Grandpa Fu were a bit confused.
"In any case, be careful. If anything happens, contact me immediately," Grandpa Fu instructed Bai Feng.
"Don't worry."
After staying at Grandpa Fu's Place for a while, Bai Feng rode Talonflame Captain to the Ranch again.
Uncle Rob and Auntie Baris were already Busy early in the morning. Uncle Rob was milking the goats, and Auntie Baris was bathing the lambs.
Seeing Bai Feng arrive, the couple was very happy.
"Bai Feng, have you had breakfast? If not, Auntie will make you some," Auntie Baris said warmly.
After spending time together yesterday, Uncle Rob, Auntie Baris, and Bai Feng had become familiar with each other.
"Auntie Baris, please don't be Busy, I've already eaten." Bai Feng quickly stopped Auntie Baris, who was about to go Home, and then took out a Bag full of Berry from his Space Backpack. He said, "I brought you some Berry. I grew them myself. Let Uncle and Auntie, and also Xiao Yu and Xiao Long, have a taste."
He had received their Goat Milk yesterday, so he couldn't come empty-handed today.
Looking at the Bag in Bai Feng's hand, Auntie Baris said with a straight face, "Yesterday we gave you Goat Milk, and today you're giving us Berry. Are you treating us like strangers?"
How could Bai Feng admit that? He quickly denied it, saying, "Auntie, what are you saying? If Uncle and Auntie can give me Goat Milk, why can't I give you Berry? Auntie, you're being a bit double-standard. This is just a small token of my appreciation. I grew them myself, and they didn't cost any Money."
Auntie Baris immediately beamed with joy upon hearing this. "Good child, then Uncle and Auntie will accept it." Saying this, she happily took the Bag from Bai Feng's hand.
"Did any Mount Goat or Ride Lamb Pokémon go missing at the Ranch last night?" Bai Feng asked.
Auntie Baris said with a look of relief, "That Pokémon was probably startled by you yesterday. Everything was safe and sound last night."
Bai Feng nodded and said, "That's good. I've confirmed that the Pokémon yesterday was a Drilbur. Today, I'll try to see if I can catch it."
So it was a Drilbur. No wonder she and Luo Bu couldn't find it no matter what. It hid Underground, who could possibly Discover it? Auntie Baris couldn't help but think.
Then she asked doubtfully, "Why would a Drilbur steal our Mount Goat and Ride Lamb Pokémon?"
Although Auntie Baris and Uncle Rob weren't Trainers, they did have a father who was a Gym Leader, so they had some common sense about Pokémon Matters.
Could it be that Drilbur particularly liked drinking Goat Milk?
Bai Feng said with a worried expression, "That's what's strange. Both Grandpa Fu and I are worried that someone is controlling the Drilbur."
Hearing this, Auntie Baris muttered to herself, "Oh dear, I hope nothing else happens!"
After chatting with Auntie Baris and Uncle Rob for a while, Bai Feng began preparing to catch the Drilbur.
About half an Hour later, Bai Feng brought a group of Mount Goat to the Forest. Bai Feng instructed them, "If the Drilbur appears, you don't need to do anything, just run away as far as possible."
The Mount Goat nodded, but they were somewhat afraid, their Bodies trembling violently. They were now the Bait to lure the Drilbur out.
Terrifying!
Seeing this, Bai Feng comforted them, saying, "Don't worry, I will protect you." He had made ample preparations today.
Hearing Bai Feng's assurance, the uneasiness in the hearts of the Mount Goat indeed lessened.
After leaving the Mount Goat in the Forest, Bai Feng quietly found a hidden spot to hide. High in the sky, several Talonflame were sharply watching Below. As soon as the Drilbur appeared, they would immediately give a warning cry.
A long time passed, and Bai Feng still didn't see the Drilbur appear. But he was extremely patient, staying motionless in the Bush.
About three or four Hours later, a small Dirt Mound finally quietly swelled up in the Forest and began moving little by little towards the Mount Goat.
"Yaaah!!!"
The Talonflame in the sky immediately let out a warning cry. In an instant, all the Mount Goat started running wildly, wishing they could grow a few more legs.
(End of this chapter)