A water-type trainer who specializes in dragon-type water.

Chapter 759 Happy New Year

What Zhang Heng didn't know was—

In the most perilous moment of the South China Sea battlefield, when three champions fell one after another, when the front lines were on the verge of collapse, when everyone thought it would be the darkest day for the Chinese alliance—

It was Zhang Heng who stepped forward.

It was he and Zekrom who together blocked Kyurem's power, which was enough to freeze everything.

He stepped forward, shielding the ordinary soldiers. He used his still-tender shoulders to bear the responsibility that should have been borne by the champions.

How many casualties did he reduce in that battle?

How many families did he save in that battle?

Those soldiers who were trapped on the battlefield and thought they were doomed saw that figure in their despair—that young yet resolute, slender yet towering figure.

At that moment, what welled up in their hearts was not only gratitude, but also deep respect.

At this moment, they are welcoming this young hero in their own way.

Zhang Heng fell silent.

His gaze swept over those faces again—those young, weathered, and resolute faces, bearing the marks of time.

Their eyes held respect, gratitude, and a glimmer of hope.

He took a deep breath.

Then, to everyone's astonishment, he bowed deeply and solemnly to the soldiers lined up in formation.

"To be able to fight alongside you—"

His voice was not loud, but every word was clear, like metal or stone falling to the ground:

"That would be my honor."

The entire room fell silent.

The moonlight shone down, illuminating the figure bowing deeply, the soldiers standing solemnly in formation, and this silent yet powerful moment.

Someone quietly turned their face away and raised their hand to wipe the corner of their eye.

"Hello, hello, hello—"

A lighthearted voice broke the momentary tension. Tang Jingchuan crossed his arms, a deliberately exaggerated expression on his face:

"Brothers, are you sure you won't be shedding tears at a time like this?! It's New Year's Eve, and we're going home for New Year's Eve dinner later. What's with your eyes all red?!"

His words were clever, both defusing the awkward situation and instantly lightening the mood.

really--

"Hahaha!"

"Champion Tang is right! Who dropped their little pearl?!"

"That's sandstorm! Sandstorm!"

The soldiers burst into laughter, dispelling the momentary tension and replacing it with the hearty and warm laughter unique to comrades.

Tang Jingchuan laughed and waved his hand, "Alright, alright, brothers, the excitement's over, let's all go back to our posts. Let them have a good New Year."

"Yes!"

After a chorus of responses, the soldiers in formation quickly dispersed, their movements swift and efficient, demonstrating their excellent training.

Moltres, Xeno'jiiva, and Brave Eagle also retreated in an orderly manner under the command of their respective trainers.

Before leaving, many people turned back and waved in Zhang Heng's direction, their eyes filled with blessings.

Tang Jingchuan turned around, looked at Zhang Heng, and his gaze softened:

"Go back now, the old man is still waiting for you."

Zhang Heng nodded heavily.

He didn't say anything more, but simply took out a Poké Ball from his waist and pressed it gently.

"Bam—"

A flash of white light, and Garchomp's massive form appeared before him.

The moment it landed, it instinctively tried to maintain its respectful posture, but Zhang Heng had already stepped onto its back.

"Walk."

"Roar!"

With a low growl, Garchomp used all four legs to propel its massive body into the sky!

The night wind howled.

Zhang Heng sat steadily on the broad back of the Garchomp, letting the cold wind lash his cheeks.

He felt no fatigue whatsoever; on the contrary, at this moment, he felt only an increasingly intense, almost jubilant, anticipation.

Come back home.

Garchomp was incredibly fast, the city lights beneath its feet flashing past like streaks of light. But Zhang Heng's gaze remained fixed on the ever-approaching direction ahead.

There, a lamp is lit for him.

There, his beloved was waiting for him.

"call out--"

With a whooshing sound, Garchomp landed steadily in the courtyard of the manor.

Zhang Heng flipped off and patted Garchomp's back.

"You've worked hard, go and rest."

"Roar……"

Garchomp responded softly, a hint of longing flashing in its eyes, but it obediently returned to its Poké Ball.

Zhang Heng turned around and looked at the brightly lit manor in front of him.

Through the bright floor-to-ceiling window, he saw a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner.

Oliva was busy preparing, filling the round table with steaming dishes and neatly arranging bowls and chopsticks, just waiting for the host to take his seat.

At the main table, an elderly man with gray hair but vigorous spirit sat upright; he was none other than his grandfather, Mr. Zhang Yuanke.

The old man's gaze seemed to be fixed on the television, but his eyes kept glancing out the window.

Beside the old man, a gentle woman was carrying the last dish out of the kitchen. When she saw the figure outside the window, she paused for a moment, then a gentle smile bloomed on her face.

That was his mother.

Zhang Heng's eyes felt slightly hot.

He took a deep breath, strode towards the door, and pushed it open—

"Grandpa, Mom."

His voice was a little hoarse, but the smile on his face was the most genuine and relaxed he had seen in a long time.

"I am back."

Inside, warm yellow light spilled out, illuminating two equally kind smiling faces.

The old man slowly stood up, looked at his grandson with a mixture of relief and heartache in his eyes.

His mother put down the vegetables she was holding, walked over quickly, and seemed about to say something, but she only gently patted his shoulder, everything was understood without words.

Outside the window, in the distance above the city, sporadic fireworks began to bloom.

That's how people welcome the new year in their own way.

Zhang Heng stood at the door, watching all of this.

At this moment, all the exhaustion, all the danger, and all the life-and-death struggles seemed to become distant and blurred.

Only this warm light before my eyes, only these two dearest people before me, are so clear, so real.

He slightly raised the corners of his mouth, his voice calm and warm:

"Happy New Year."