Chapter 46: Master Feng

“Mom, Dad, what brings you here?”
Zhao Jie, accompanied by Agumon, looked at the two people who had appeared before him, surprise evident on his face as he asked.
But as he thought it over, he quickly realized why they had come—the scenes from today’s match must have worried them. It was understandable; even he had been startled by what happened.
“Didn’t you make it into the semifinals? Your mother and I thought we’d come to the venue to cheer you and Agumon on.”
Zhao’s father smiled warmly, looking at Zhao Jie, who was now as tall as he was.
“Agumon, are you alright?”
Zhao’s mother picked up Agumon, examining him carefully for any injuries. Much to her relief, there were none.
“I’m fine! Big feast, big feast!”
Agumon waved his arms enthusiastically, his bright eyes wide with longing as he gazed at Zhao’s parents.
“As long as you’re alright, that’s what matters. Want a feast? Let’s go right now.”
With those words, Zhao’s mother took Agumon and headed outside.
Hey?
Who’s really your child here?
Shouldn’t I be the one getting taken out for a feast?
...
After the meal, Zhao’s parents followed Zhao Jie back to the hotel. They planned to stay in Shashi for the next few days, waiting for the conclusion of the Rookie Cup.
“Agumon, our next opponent is a Palmon.”
Palmon, like the previous Gabumon they faced, could manipulate grass-type abilities. But this Palmon was stronger—otherwise, it wouldn’t have made it to the semifinals.
Its signature move, Nut Shot, had a wide range and fast speed, plus it carried a paralyzing toxin. If hit, it would be troublesome.
With Agumon’s speed, dodging the Nut Shot was almost impossible. Not just Agumon—even among all the Digimon in this tournament, few could evade Nut Shot with speed alone.
That Palmon’s tactics were a bit crafty, reminiscent of the Snow Foxmon they had faced before.
But unlike their strategy against Snow Foxmon, this time it wouldn’t be realistic to try the same approach. Palmon, like others of its kind, possessed the Photosynthesis skill, allowing it to gradually recover. Thus, Palmon wasn’t afraid of a war of attrition.

“Break through with strength!”
Agumon had mastered moving while casting and the double fire shot technique, making his offensive power top-notch in this tournament.
“Agumon, tomorrow keep up the trash talk! Our parents will be watching this time, so you have to put on a good show.”
“Okay!”
Agumon nodded vigorously. If he wanted more feasts, he had to work that much harder.
The night passed quickly.
When the sun rose the next day, Zhao Jie’s family had already eaten breakfast and arrived at the competition venue. With Zhao Jie as a contestant, his parents were allowed to enter the exclusive rest area reserved for him.
“Wow, Lao Zhao, look, look—isn’t that the Lopmon we saw at the Digimon Center? So cute, so adorable!”
“Ahem, keep it down. There are cameras here, you might end up on TV. If someone sees and falls for you, what am I supposed to do?”
“Oh, please, the child’s right here!”
The couple unexpectedly showered Zhao Jie with their affection, leaving him speechless.
It’s fine, just pretend I’m not here.
Zhao Jie looked at his parents, silently thinking to himself.
Today was the final day of the Shashi Rookie Cup; all matches would be completed, and the rookie champion would be crowned.
Before the tournament began, representatives from Xiang Province and Shashi each delivered speeches, full of best wishes and hopes for a strong showing.
As the audience grew impatient, finally, after the third and final point, the speeches ended.
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
“We’re honored to have invited Master Feng and Master Hua to watch the tournament. Both are master-level figures, and their professional insights will surely enrich our commentary.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhe, the commentator, looked rather grim. Since yesterday, he’d been under constant criticism, and now, hearing the word ‘professional’ again, he could only wonder if he should voice his frustration.
“Master Feng?”
Zhao Jie’s expression shifted as he glanced toward the commentators’ table, catching sight of several blurry figures.
Could this Master Feng be the one who advocated abolishing the Greymon evolution route?

But Zhao Jie didn’t dwell on it. With so many people named Feng, it might just be a coincidence.
“Next up is the semifinal of the upper bracket: Group E’s Hua Feihua versus Group S’s Zhou Ze. Will the contestants please proceed to the arena.”
The battle began swiftly, with Hua Feihua’s Elfmon facing Zhou Ze’s Veemon.
“Master Feng, with your expertise, how would you rate my daughter’s Elfmon?”
At the commentary table, Hua Manlou, head of the Hua family, smiled as he turned to Feng Xiaosong, who sipped his tea with a calm demeanor.
Others at the table were competent Digimon tamers, but none held the status of these two.
Feng Xiaosong, a renowned master in Huaguo, had made outstanding contributions both nationally and internationally. Compared to Feng Xiaosong, Hua Manlou’s own master title carried much less weight.
But that was only in comparison to Feng Xiaosong; compared to the others present, the Hua family head’s standing was formidable.
His presence here today was prompted by word that Master Feng would attend the tournament.
“Quite impressive. The mastery of earth-type powers is exquisite, and the Elfmon is nearly ready for the mature stage. As for nurturing Elfmon, I doubt anyone in Huaguo could surpass your family.”
Master Feng glanced at Hua Manlou, speaking with admiration.
“You flatter me, Master Feng.”
Hua Manlou smiled, his lips curving ever so slightly. Despite his modest words, he felt a surge of pride.
Under his leadership, the Hua family had become a powerhouse among Digimon clans in Huaguo, and to receive such praise from Master Feng was a source of great satisfaction.
He would be lying if he said he wasn’t pleased.
The battle continued. Soon, Elfmon had cornered Veemon.
At this point, even those unfamiliar with the competition could see:
The match was over.
Indeed, with nowhere left to run, Veemon used its ultimate move in a desperate bid, but it was futile—a wall of earth rose to block Veemon’s final attack.
“The match is over. Group E’s Hua Feihua has claimed victory in the upper bracket. Let’s congratulate her for reaching the finals, and also give a round of applause to her opponent, Zhou Ze.”