Chapter Thirty-One: Suspected of Killing a Cat — Additional Update for the Generous Rewards and Love (First Update)

After some playful tussling with Xin’er, I realized the sun had climbed to its zenith—it was already noon, and I had yet to complete the task Wanchuan had given me: collecting five fetal souls. There was still one missing for Xiaoyun as well, so I declared it was time to leave.

Han Mingxuan saw me lingering, unable to tear myself away from Xin’er, and arched his brow at me, lips pressed together. “If you’re so reluctant, why not ask your brother for help?”

“What?” I stared at him, confused.

He took out a few round beads, crouched in front of Xiaoyun, and pointed at his own face. “Come, kiss your brother, and I’ll give you one.”

Xiaoyun paused, paw extended, and after a moment’s hesitation, shuffled forward to nuzzle him.

I took a deep breath and watched as Xiaoyun shamelessly sought a kiss just for a taste of vital energy—

Her moist nose brushed Han Mingxuan’s cheek, making him grin with delight. He stroked the fur at her neck and popped one of the beads into her mouth.

Xiaoyun swallowed happily, her face glowing with pleasure; perhaps she wished this could last forever.

I knew this girl too well—she had no guile at all!

But next, it was my turn…

“Come now, five beads, right?” Han Mingxuan crouched before me. “Five kisses—two on each side, one in the middle. Fair and square!”

He held five brilliant blue beads, the kind he usually saved from his encounters with women. I wondered if, since meeting us, he’d hardly had a moment’s rest, or perhaps it was simply his habit to store vital energy?

I shook my head. “No, thanks…”

“Then I’ll kiss you!” Before I could finish, Han Mingxuan’s mouth descended! Smacking kisses, he stuffed me full of vital energy.

“Awooo—!” I hugged my belly and convulsed. “You scoundrel! Now my stomach will itch again!”

I hadn’t finished saying that eating too much made my belly itch, so I didn’t want any more, but Han Mingxuan had already shoved the beads into my mouth!

Now my stomach alternated between heat and fullness—I didn’t want to embarrass myself again, running back to Wanchuan for a belly rub.

“Be good,” Han Mingxuan said, reaching out to pat me. “Last time I was just teasing you, this time there’ll be no itching.”

“You—” I finally realized and swiped at him with a paw.

Of course, it was futile—I knew he was tough as steel, some formidable figure from the spirit realm, surely stronger than me. I never expected to win.

With the vital energy secured, my only worry now was how Wanchuan would deal with Ningning’s situation when we returned tonight.

But worrying wouldn’t help—everything would be revealed in time. Better to set my heart at ease and spend a little time with Xin’er, making up for these days of gloom.

Yet Xin’er seemed anything but gloomy; with Han Mingxuan by her side, her cheeks were flush like little apples, her spirit bright and lively!

I wondered what he had fed her—she looked so healthy it made me happy just to see it!

And her mood seemed good; she wasn’t being stubborn or throwing tantrums, nor did she seek her sister with tears. She listened to everything Han Mingxuan said.

Truly, Han Mingxuan had a knack for caring for children—it made me a little jealous.

Ugh, Xin’er was never this obedient with me; how did someone else win her over so easily…

After playing with Xin’er for a long while, it was nearly evening when it was time to leave, and I was still reluctant to go.

Han Mingxuan saw my hesitation and handed me a small bundle.

“What’s this?” I frowned, my whiskers twitching as I caught a delicious scent.

“It’s what Xin’er wanted to buy for her sister when we went out together. It’s full of your favorite prepared foods and fruits, as well as her own favorite snacks. Take it with you.”

“But we don’t need food… The Rift doesn’t allow cats to bring outside food in; only what the master provides can be eaten…” I muttered, hugging the bundle with my paws.

Truthfully, I was a little reluctant—after all, it was Xin’er who had thought of me and brought these treats.

“Silly, just hide it. There are sauced meats inside; sneak a bite when you’re hungry, ha.”

With that, Han Mingxuan fastened it onto my back, looping it under my paws and around my collar, making me look like a little child off to school with a backpack.

I struggled a bit, but ultimately accepted the little bundle, pondering where best to hide it.

Han Mingxuan finished tying it, then suddenly frowned and sniffed hard. “Who have you been with? What’s that smell?”

“Just now? Wasn’t I with you all?”

“Before you met me.”

I thought hard. “A strange man—he killed a Soulguard Cat, which is now a Guardian Cat…”

The memory frightened me, unsure what would happen when I got back.

“Wait a moment.” Han Mingxuan fell silent in thought, then disappeared inside, returning with something I couldn’t quite make out.

It looked like a cover for isolating pets. Once inside, flames erupted all around.

“Ahhh!” I shrieked, terrified, until I realized the flames couldn’t burn me, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Han Mingxuan lifted the cover, grinning. “Done!”

“What were you doing?” I asked, quivering as I shook out my fur to calm my nerves.

“No questions. You can go back now.” Han Mingxuan gestured me out.

I blinked, still puzzled, but if he could take care of my sister, he meant me no harm.

No injury, no need to worry—time was short, best hurry back to the Rift!

I waved my paw, and Xiaoyun jumped down from the sofa, hurrying after me.

The large dog on the second floor had moved out at some point, letting us breathe easier as we slipped out of the neighborhood and raced toward the Rift’s entrance.

“Xiaoyun, you go turn in your task—I have something to do.” I hugged my bundle and dashed into the Guardian Cats’ residence.

Xiaoyun tried to follow, but knew she wasn’t allowed inside. She looked unhappy.

I saw this but could do nothing, so hurried ahead to find a hiding place for my bundle.

I already had a plan—to stash it in the mouth of the handsome cat statue!

My husband, no less—!

The statue was roaring, and since it stood in the Guardians’ courtyard, inaccessible to most, with its mouth high up, no one would steal it!

No one would find it!

So I hurried up, lugging the treats Xin’er had prepared for me onto the stone platform.

But faced with the towering statue, I was stumped. Too tall, too slippery—I jumped and scrambled, but couldn’t reach!

“Can’t reach? Try stepping left paw on right paw.”

A muffled voice sounded out of nowhere.

“Hmm?” I stopped, looking around for the speaker.

Had someone spotted me hiding my treats?

But after a long look, I saw no one, so I tried stepping my left paw on my right…

Useless! My paws were so small—how much height could they add?

I shook them off and gave up, then kept jumping, all the while hearing faint laughter.

Finally, after much effort and nearly breaking my back, I managed to scramble onto the statue’s back and gently tucked my little bundle into its mouth.

“Husband, you must guard it well, okay? Don’t let any other cats see, and don’t let the master discover it!”

I whispered to the statue, patting its neck.

After checking my perfectly hidden bundle in the statue’s mouth one last time, I turned to leave.

But before I could take a few steps, I found myself surrounded by cats, with Rebecca at the front.

She strutted back and forth, her sea-blue eyes narrowed to slits, sharp and piercing.

Xiaoyun was held fast by several cats, unable to move—a dispute had clearly erupted.

“What’s going on?” I forced a smile at Rebecca.

Could it be they’d discovered my hidden food? Surely not enough for such a commotion.

Rebecca sneered. “You two are involved in the killing of another cat. Come with me for investigation.”

“What?” I was stunned, backing away. “How do you know about this?!” And so quickly!

Rebecca laughed coldly. “No one can hide from me. What, are you afraid?”

“No.” I shook my paw. “I didn’t do it, so why should I be afraid?”

“Not you?” Rebecca raised her chin proudly. “Too bad—your companion Xiaoyun has already confessed. You’re an accomplice!”

“Xiaoyun?!” I stared at her in shock, eyes full of disbelief!

Xiaoyun pressed her lips together, her limbs bound in iron cuffs, but she shook her head through tears, signaling it had nothing to do with me!

I backed away, beginning to realize Rebecca was looking for trouble.

Before I could argue further, Rebecca gave the signal, and the cats lunged at me!

I wrestled with myself—Ningning’s death was real.

Should I resist and avoid capture, or submit quietly and await judgment?

As I hesitated, dozens of cats surrounded me—all Soulguard Cats! Not a word, just leaping to pin me down, leaving no room to escape!

The iron cuffs clamped onto my hind paws with a snap.

Just then, I heard the distant blare of a horn, growing nearer.

A roar thundered forth: “Roooar—!!”