NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23: Honored Leader
At the dining table, the cat stood upright on its hind legs, crossing its front paws over its chest, looking like a dignified feline lady.
Her face was a picture of silent exasperation.
She had been so worried that she couldn’t even pretend to play dumb and stay silent, only to find that things were completely the opposite of what she thought.
Xue Jing's appearance was deceptively charming; he seemed like an intellectual scholar to anyone meeting him for the first time.
Even though the cat had seen his well-built muscles, she instinctively thought he would be the one getting bullied.
“Thank you for caring about me so much, little Wan,” Xue Jing chuckled.
Then, seeing the cat standing like that with its paws crossed was so unbearably cute, he couldn’t resist reaching out to pinch her cheeks.
Fighting was worth it, gaining unexpected rewards.
Without intending to, her concern for the bloodstains of Razor Gang thugs on his clothes compelled her to speak, something she normally wouldn’t do.
Feeling touched yet amused, Xue Jing couldn’t help but laugh.
“...Don’t call me little Wan, you must respectfully address me as the Leader!”
Ning Fengwan, known as the cat, stretched out her paw to smack away Xue Jing’s hand, her voice showing both shame and anger.
Her young, girlish voice held no authority in Xue Jing's ears, he nodded and smiled, “Alright, little Wan Leader.”
Then he reached out once again to stroke the cat’s head, gently ruffling it back and forth.
If this were a comic, veins would be popping on Ning Fengwan’s forehead by now. She attempted to stop Xue Jing's stroking with her two gloved paws, but it was to no avail. Frustrated, she exclaimed, "Show some respect for your elders!"
When she pretended to be a cat earlier, she could deceive herself into believing it was no big deal to be petted, even finding a bit of enjoyment in it.
But now, with her true identity fully revealed, being subjected to such 'indiscretions' made Ning Fengwan's human sense of shame spread from her toes to the top of her head.
Xue Jing, noticing that she was indeed somewhat flustered, withdrew his hand and curiously asked, "Elder? How old are you, Little Wan?"
The cat, displeased, replied, "You should call me Leader."
After a pause, she added, "Anyway, I'm definitely older than you."
Ning Fengwan said this with a hint of uncertainty in her tone, but Xue Jing didn't mind. He stroked his chin and said, "The Leader of the Dragon Sect... is it the one reported in the news?"
He had heard this name in the news before; it was described as a 'criminal syndicate masquerading as a religious organization,' which had been dismantled by Konder Security Company.
Hmm? My cat is actually a crime boss?
The cat folded its arms, tilted its head proudly, and spoke in a childish voice, "Yes, it’s that Dragon Sect. Frightened now?"
Xue Jing couldn't resist the cuteness and reached out to wrap his hands around the cat's head, squishing its cheeks with a playful grin. "Oh, I'm so scared, Master Leader," he said teasingly.
The cat, grinding its teeth in frustration, retorted, "You don’t look scared at all! Let go of me right now!"
Xue Jing retracted his hands and asked, "I heard on the news that the Dragon Sect has been dismantled by the Conder Security Company. Does that make you a lone wolf now?"
The cat signaled towards the pot of chicken soup, indicating it wanted a bowl. Afterward, it replied, "Hmm... I suppose you could say that for the time being."
Picking up the ladle, Xue Jing poured half a bowl of chicken soup and added a sizable chicken leg before placing it in front of the cat. "So, what are your plans for the future?"
The cat took a bite of the tender, succulent chicken, savoring it with a rather human-like expression of enjoyment.
After swallowing, it said, "You don’t need to know about that. It won’t do you any good to find out. I'm just temporarily staying here and will be on my way soon." The cat's expression turned serious.
Security companies like Conder are massive entities that even the government finds troublesome. As an ordinary person, if Conder so much as sneezed, Xue Jing would be obliterated.
"Alright then," Xue Jing nodded, seeing the gravity in the cat's words.
He then casually asked:
"By the way, Xiao Wan, since you are human, why have you turned into a cat?"
"You should address me as Master of Mysteries." The cat first seemed displeased, then continued, "That's because of this."
It moved its tail to the front, revealing a platinum tail ring that shimmered slightly in the light.
"This is a relic known as the 'Divine Artifact.' It is said to be a legacy left behind after 'God' perished."
"I don't fully understand the specifics, but I know that each Divine Artifact possesses miraculous powers, like this one."
It wiggled the ring on its tail.
"I purchased this from a shady dealer. Its serial number is GOD-1391, Cat's Tail Ring, and its power is to transform the wearer into a cat."
"...Only, once transformed, you can't change back right away." The cat's mouth twitched slightly.
Xue Jing felt a sudden curiosity.
"GOD-1391? Are there many Divine Artifacts? The serial number goes past a thousand."
"Hmm... Probably, but I'm not familiar with them. This is the only Divine Artifact I've ever seen, and the serial number and name were told to me by the dealer." The cat replied.
"...Alright." Xue Jing replied helplessly.
This was essentially the same as saying nothing.
Trying to get more 'Divine Material' from the cat seemed like a washout.
The upgrade and active effect unlocking of "Gemini" remain a distant goal.
However, it's not entirely without progress. At least now they know this kind of item is called a Divine Relic, and judging by the serial numbers, there seems to be quite a number of them—at least over a thousand.
Xue Jing watched the talking cat, Ning Fengwan, as it was busy munching on chicken and sipping chicken soup, and suddenly thought of something, speaking up:
“Oh, there's one more thing.”
“Go ahead.” came the mumbled reply from the mouth full of chicken.
Xue Jing first flattered, “The Leader of the Dragon Sect sounds really impressive. I'm sure you must have quite the reputation and all the insider information, right?”
“Hmph, of course.” Ning Fengwan the cat lifted its head with pride.
“Here's the thing, I'd like to train martial arts, and I'm wondering which dojo is the best. Does the Leader have any recommendations? And it would be even better if I could get a discount on tuition, thanks to your supreme influence.”
Xue Jing put forth his request.
The cat nodded, “About that, I was just about to tell you.”
“You've taken me in, letting me eat and drink freely at your place. I must repay this kindness.”
“In a few days, I'll introduce you to someone. As far as martial arts training goes, there's probably no one better in Qingcheng.”
Xue Jing asked with curiosity, “Who might that be?”
“The old master of the Hidden Dragon Dojo, 'Dragon King' Li Qi.”
From the cat's mouth came a name.
…………