Hearing Colby's question, Jacob's face showed a thoughtful expression. After a moment of consideration, he said, "The Underground World of Black Dragon City has been developing for several decades. Their business involves a wide range of activities with an extremely large scale. It's also the largest Underground World in the entire Southwest region."
"Furthermore, the forces behind them are intricate and deeply rooted. Combined with Black Dragon City's unique geographical location at the border area, any disturbance would cause these people to cross the border and escape abroad. We'd be completely helpless against them."
"I feel that completely destroying the Underground World is unrealistic. Even if Black Dragon City's Underground Black Market is destroyed, Underground Black Markets will just emerge in White Dragon City and Red Dragon City."
"Continue. What do you want to do then?" Colby asked with an expressionless face.
"I think the best approach is to neither destroy the existing Underground World nor allow the Pokémon Association to intervene and regulate the transactions in the Underground Black Market," Jacob explained. "However, I'm not entirely sure how to accomplish this specifically."
There was a reason the Underground World had existed for decades.
Although Jacob possessed considerable strength, he wasn't naive enough to believe he could change the current situation by himself.
"Anything else?" Colby continued his questioning.
"No," Jacob answered honestly.
Colby looked at Jacob and spoke slowly, "You really are just as your master described—very cunning. You said so much, yet it's equivalent to saying nothing."
"Do you know who the true owner behind the Underground World is?" Colby looked at Jacob as he asked.
"I don't know." Jacob shook his head honestly. This was what he found most terrifying. He had investigated for a long time and still hadn't discovered who the true mastermind behind the Underground World was.
"The background of the Underground World is intricate. There are more than a dozen large and small shareholders. The four largest are the Qi Family, the Tan family, the Liu Family, and the Chen Family. Each of these four families has produced a Southwest regional Champion. Some Champions served for only a few short years, while others held the Champion position for over a decade."
"This is why the Underground Black Market has stood strong for so many years and grown even larger," Colby said with a knowing smile. "Even if you investigate, at most you'll only find the second son of the Duan Family, Finnian."
"These are only the forces within North China. They also have many collaborators abroad, and the forces behind these collaborators are backed by at least an Elite Four-level individual. Do you think you alone can solve the issues of the Underground Black Market?"
"Investigating Black Dragon City has never been easy. Letting you young people investigate is just to train you. If you really had the ability to investigate those families, it might not be a good thing for you. You might accidentally lose your life," Colby said to Jacob with a serious expression.
"The first task given to you was never meant for you to complete. You simply cannot complete it. Our goal is to make you realize the cruelty of this world and learn to compromise."
"Do what you can with the ability you have," Colby said to Jacob. "Act within your means and protect yourself."
"However, something happened this morning. A famous foreign internet celebrity exposed her kidnapping experience and the Black Dragon City Underground Black Market incident," Colby said, looking at Jacob. "But this isn't enough to bring them down. At most, it will cause the Qi Family some significant damage and make them pay a price."
"To completely solve the Underground Black Market is not that simple. You need at least Champion-level strength to be able to challenge them."
"Jacob, you still need to become stronger. Even a Champion has things they can't solve. Only when your strength truly stands at the pinnacle, when you are high above and feel the loneliness at the top, will you have the ability to change the rules and set them for the entire world."
After listening to Colby, Jacob fell into deep thought. In this unique world, strength was paramount. With strength came the capital to pursue power.
At this point, Colby suddenly paused. "Actually, sometimes I really admire that Westin guy. He has the ability to change the world. Those families in the North China region both hate and fear him. The title of Iron-Blooded Champion isn't for nothing."
Colby looked at Jacob. "Your master and I both think highly of you. This first lesson has been given to you. Don't be too disheartened. Adjust your mood—the next task you receive will be a real one."
"Get ready. To give you a hint, the next task is to investigate a Gym Leader in a small town. Although the task is a bit difficult, it shouldn't be a problem for you."
"I understand. Thank you, Uncle," Jacob nodded and replied.
"Alright, you can go back now. I have something to do this afternoon. If you need anything, you can come directly to me. Just let my secretary know in advance," Colby said with a smile, looking at Jacob.
Stepping out of the Hotel, Jacob looked up at the dazzling sun, which shone exceptionally bright. He then lowered his head and walked into the crowded streets.
Myanmar, bordering North China, has excellent natural conditions and extremely rich resources.
Logically, Myanmar, with such unique geographical advantages, should have developed extremely well. In reality, however, Myanmar is one of the world's least developed countries.
Aside from a few modern cities, most of Myanmar remains rural.
Here, more than half of the people make a living from farming. A significant portion of the remaining population relies on fraud, robbery, kidnapping, organ trafficking, and slave trading. Only a very small portion engages in legitimate business.
At the same time, Myanmar is rated as one of the most dangerous regions in the world. A large number of poaching gangs have taken root here. To survive in this place, force is the only means of survival.
However, precisely because of this, Myanmar is also a paradise for outlaws. As long as one has enough strength, one can act as a local tyrant in Myanmar.
After Jacob, Raya, and Caleb quietly entered Myanmar, they arrived at a village called Wengu.
The unique stilt-house architecture added a touch of rustic charm, and the evening sunset cast a golden glow over the fields.
Women wearing sarongs walked along the muddy country roads.
Inside the noisy pub, Jacob and the others, dressed in high-end clothing, seemed out of place among the surrounding people. Many patrons, while drinking, occasionally glanced at Jacob and his companions.
Especially Raya, with her curvaceous figure, was like the most dazzling pearl in the pub, attracting everyone's attention. Even though Raya wore a mask and was fully covered, her fair wrist could still be seen.
Many people even placed bets with those next to them that she must be a beautiful woman.
They rarely saw women with skin as fair as Raya's. Myanmar is located in a tropical region with abundant sunlight and rainfall, which generally causes the women here to have darker skin.
"They're here." Jacob's gaze looked into the distance. Several Rhyhorn carrying Davis and others appeared on the muddy road of the village.
After half a year, Davis had a scar on his face. His whole presence exuded a more mature aura, with bronze skin and bulging muscles.
"Davis of the Mike Group—why is he here? Let's go, let's go, hurry!"
"Boss, put it on my tab."
"Why would he come to Wengu?"