Chapter 21: Live Streaming Once More

That day, Qian Lin approached Supervisor Che, skipping the pleasantries and getting straight to the point: "Supervisor Che, I want to continue my science-popularization livestream."

Supervisor Che nodded with a smile. "You may."

Qian Lin was taken aback.

It was that simple? He scratched his head, confused.

As if completely oblivious to the bewilderment on Qian Lin’s face, Supervisor Che handed him a set of keys. "The authorities have specially customized an off-road vehicle for you. It’s equipped with the world's most advanced camping gear, and we’ve stocked it with plenty of water, food, and experimental energy cubes. Naturally, we’ve also prepared a comfortable place for you and Swablu to rest."

"We are still researching how to replicate Poké Balls, but progress is slow, so for now, we can only provide you with the materials for basic models. The vehicle is also equipped with satellite positioning, emergency distress signals, and various other safety measures. In short, everything you could possibly need has been prepared."

Supervisor Che’s smile was warm and gentle. "Of course, we will have someone stationed in your stream at all times. If you encounter any danger, just say the word in the chat, and we will organize a rescue operation immediately."

At this, Supervisor Che paused. "You are a treasure to this nation, Qian Lin. You must be careful and not push yourself too hard."

Just as they had not stopped other patriots in the past, they understood better than Qian Lin that excessive protection was sometimes not the best path. Especially in an era like this, only by letting Qian Lin step outside the safety net could the world witness the nation's resolve.

A strange warmth welled up in Qian Lin’s heart. He took the keys and replied with a smile, "Stubbornness is a national tradition for us. It’s because we refuse to admit defeat, and we don’t believe we can be beaten."

"Well said!" Supervisor Che patted Qian Lin on the shoulder and took a deep breath. "But remember, your country stands behind you. Being protective of our own is also a tradition."

Qian Lin nodded firmly.

Bidding farewell to the supervisor, Qian Lin found the vehicle parked at the gate of the compound. It was cool—that was the only word for it, and I’ll only say it once. Why would a man drive a Beetle? This was the kind of machine a man should be driving!

The license plate was a bit eye-catching. If he recalled correctly, this color was reserved for special vehicles. It was said that such plates allowed a driver to bypass traffic rules in emergencies, prioritizing the mission above all else. They had truly given him a green light.

He started the engine, and with an escort of vehicles flashing their lights and wailing their sirens, Qian Lin turned on the onboard computer, adjusted the camera to face him, and started the stream!

Almost simultaneously, a livestream appeared on the homepages of platforms like Bilibili, Douyu, Tuanzi, and Zhanqi. It bore an official verification badge and utilized special effects that no one could ignore, launching amidst a blaze of light bright enough to blind the average viewer.

Tens of thousands of viewers flooded the room, greeted immediately by the sight of Qian Lin driving, with Swablu perched on his head, taking a nap.

[I know this one! It’s that bird from the video!]
[It’s called a Swablu!]
[To the person above, haven’t you downloaded the Pokédex yet? Go download it now!]
[Swablu! Dragon Pulse!]
[Swablu! Dragon Rush!]
[Swablu! Tailwind!]
[Wait, aren’t you guys going to pay attention to the streamer? Are you all just going to ignore such a handsome guy?]
[Streamer? What streamer? Isn’t this the Swablu channel?]
[Me, me, me! It’s the streamer! You’re finally live! Where are we going this time? Are we going to see Milotic?]
[A month! A whole month! You’re finally back!]
[Do you have any idea how I’ve survived this past month!]

Watching the stream's popularity double by the second, even Qian Lin, who had been prepared, was startled. The real-time viewer count was nearing one hundred thousand, and he had only just begun!

Qian Lin took a deep breath to steady himself and began: "Hello everyone, I am your host, Qian Lin, a Pokémon science-popularization streamer. My destination is an abandoned village in Zhuxian, Sichuan. It was deserted two months ago after a Pokémon incursion resulted in casualties, and it has since been completely occupied by Pokémon. I will be camping there for half a month and introducing the Pokémon we encounter."

"The village is called Twelve Village. It’s backed by mountains, and because the roads were difficult to navigate, development was slow. They were in the middle of building a road two years ago, but due to the Pokémon, construction couldn't be completed. My vehicle has excellent performance, so I should be able to make it in."

As he spoke, Qian Lin looked at the scrolling comments and laughed. "Last time, I promised the audience that once I found a partner, I would randomly select one of you to join me. I have a partner now, but our strength is still very weak, so... maybe next time."

[Damn, why did you bring that up again! Can’t you just let us old viewers have a fair chance at a prize?]
[It hurts. I want to cry.]
[Wait, if you’re not bringing us, why even say it? Do you think I’d get angry about this? Of course I would! My fists are already clenched.]
[Streamer, let’s settle this with a real-life fight.]
[To the guy above, I have no objection to a real-life fight, but you might want to consider if Swablu has an objection.]
[Swablu: Dragon Pulse warning.]
[I can’t win, I can’t win.]

Swablu, perched on Qian Lin’s head, watched the scrolling text with a look of pure confusion. "Chirpy?"
She couldn't understand it, but she was deeply impressed.

Qian Lin chuckled and reached up to stroke Swablu. "Remember the livestream I told you about? Those words are messages from viewers in other places."

"Chirp!" Swablu’s eyes lit up, and she flapped her wings, looking delighted. "Chirp, chirp!"

Qian Lin looked at the camera. "Swablu is saying hello to you all."

"Chirp!" (๑＞ڡ＜)☆

[Oh my god, so cute.]
[I’m dead.]
[Rest in peace, Awei.]
[Awei has been cremated.]
[Swablu is so cute, come here and let Mommy hold you.]
[No male mommies, no male mommies!]
[What’s wrong with male mommies? I’m shaking with rage, can this world get any worse?]
[If not a male mommy... then... how about a male daddy?]
[Swablu: Huh? Dragon Rush warning!]

As they chatted along the way, Qian Lin wasn't worried about any accidents, thanks to the escort vehicles. About an hour later, they arrived at the town near Twelve Village. It was heavily guarded by police and defense personnel, who routinely patrolled to prevent wild Pokémon from entering human society.

The vehicles accompanying Qian Lin stopped here. After confirming the rest of his route with them, Qian Lin drove into the rural area alone.

The closer he got to human towns, the fewer Pokémon there were. After driving for about ten minutes, Pokémon began appearing on the roadside. Qian Lin switched the camera to the system’s drone, maneuvering it to follow the car while showing the surrounding Pokémon to his viewers.

[I know that one! The streamer introduced it last time—it’s an Oddish!]
[Didn't the streamer say Oddish are nocturnal Pokémon? Why is it running around in broad daylight?]
[Maybe it slept too long and woke up to use the bathroom?]
[Eevee! I saw an Eevee! So cute!]
[Holy cow, a Beedrill!]
[Hiss, why does it feel like there are even more Pokémon here than where the streamer went last time?]
[Maybe because it’s against the mountains and there are no people around. Plus, the crops humans used to grow are still there, so resources are abundant, which causes the Pokémon population to rise.]
[Hey, there’s a Pokémon I don’t recognize running past.]
[It looks like a puppy, a cute little puppy.]
[Cute? Growlithe has a question mark over its head and has just sprayed a Flamethrower at you.]
[A spider! What a huge spider!]

As they journeyed on, countless Pokémon—both familiar and unknown—appeared on camera. The comments were right: this place used to be a human settlement with plenty of food, and being nestled against the mountains, the number of wild Pokémon here was unexpectedly high. Even Qian Lin was somewhat stunned.