Jing Yuan cursed the three troublemakers who had just pushed him out, and swore to cut ties with them, for one full minute.
When he heard they were going to war, for some reason, Yingxing from logistics was furious. With dark circles under his eyes, he cursed the abominations nonstop, spewing out endless harsh Xianzhou slang, shouting about what a "perfect opportunity" this was.
Jing Yuan guessed that maybe Zero had previously asked Yingxing to custom-make something for him, but unfortunately, just as he finished, the war started.
He sighed. Though he really didn't want to lower his seniority, he still wanted to make his master happy somehow…
Then Jing Yuan thought of that cat. Since he was going off to battle and couldn't take care of it, maybe he could ask his master to return it to Zero for him.
Before Jing Yuan could even bring it up, his master had already sought him out and asked for Jade and the cat carrier.
After watching Jingliu leave, Jing Yuan immediately told the others what had happened.
Their thoughts were completely in sync, it was time to eat melon (watch the drama).
The five of them were at the front of the formation, departing with the first fleet heading for the frontlines. So, they decided on the spot to stop by the Cloud Knights' camp for some live entertainment. But while they were still eating melon, Jade suddenly charged toward them.
Jing Yuan was internally collapsing, though his face stayed perfectly calm. He looked at Jingliu and Zero and said, "What a coincidence…"
He only got those three words out before freezing up.
Calling his master by name would be way too disrespectful, but calling Zero "Grandmaster"? He couldn't get those two words out either…
Jing Yuan's mind went into overdrive. Out of the corner of his eye, a flash of inspiration struck, he found his way out.
Without hesitation, he crouched down and scooped up Jade.
Looking at the cat meowing sweetly and acting spoiled in his arms, Jing Yuan squeezed her soft, pink paw pads and instantly forgave the creature that had nearly exposed all four of them.
His resentment over being demoted in seniority vanished at once.
Still pinching the paw pads, Jing Yuan silently cursed the other three again.
How could the cat be at fault? No matter how much she ate or how much trouble she caused, she was just an innocent little kitty. Even if she weighed nearly twenty catties, she didn't know anything.
The little cat didn't understand a thing, she just wanted to get close to those whose scent she trusted.
And putting facts aside, wasn't Dan Feng wrong for always using his dragon tail as a cat toy?
Wasn't Baiheng wrong for waving his fox tail around just to catch the cat's attention?
And Yingxing, wasn't he wrong for trying to make a collar for the cat that could "slay abominations"?
In short, it wasn't the cat's fault, it was the world's fault.
Jing Yuan, who loved teasing and feeding Jade the most, very smoothly ignored his own involvement. Hugging the cat tighter, he made up his mind.
Forget introductions, forget greetings, he'd just skip straight past it.
Convincing himself to ignore the fact that they were still holding hands, he asked naturally, "Zero, what breed is your cat?"
Zero looked at Jade's increasingly puffed-up body and noticed something was off.
'Is it really a cat? How is it growing so fast?'
"The person who gave her to me told me her breed, let me check."
Still holding the cat, he used one hand to pull out his jade communicator and scrolled through his chat history with Hua.
From the corner of her eye, Jingliu caught a glimpse of an ornate hem embroidered with complex patterns flashing around the corner.
Dan Feng.
Except when going to battle, the Dragon Sovereign always followed his own pace. In everything else, food, clothing, housing, he was meticulous.
Never mind the clothes that each cost over seven figures; even the monthly items he bought to maintain his scales cost an absurd amount of jade mirrors.
That kind of luxurious fabric, anyone could tell at a glance it was expensive. In all of Luofu, only the lavish Lord of Drinking Moon would dare wear that to a battlefield.
Jingliu sighed inwardly.
What was with all of them? If they wanted to watch, they could've just come over directly, why hide?
Just picturing the ever-nosy Baiheng and Jing Yuan dragging the prideful Dragon Lord to crouch in a corner together, she couldn't help but feel exasperated and amused at once.
After scrolling through the chat history, Zero's feelings were complicated.
Jade was a cat, but not an ordinary one. She was a giant among cats, a Maine Coon.
In ancient times, this breed could weigh up to thirteen kilograms, but as time passed, they grew heavier and bigger…
Zero guessed it was because there was simply too much good food across the Xianzhou and the whole universe, so even cats had become over-nourished.
"…A Maine Coon," he said at last.
Recalling the pictures he'd seen before, he estimated that Jade's breed was about right, then added, "When they're adults, they're about a meter long and weigh thirty to forty catties… That's way too fat."
Jing Yuan shook his head in strong disagreement. "Not fat at all! You're mistaken, it's just that her fur's too fluffy! She's fluffy, not fat!"
The three people hiding behind the corner, "…"
'Good grief, Jing Yuan, you're completely addicted to petting that cat!'
The three exchanged glances, and finally, the Dragon Sovereign was the first to act. He stepped out from around the corner, wearing his usual cool, commanding expression, and said righteously,
"General Tengxiao has urgent business with Jing Yuan. Jing Yuan, let's go."
Reluctantly, Jing Yuan set the cat down, hurriedly bid the two farewell, and followed the Dragon Sovereign away.
Jingliu called out Jade's name, and the cat obediently trotted back, rubbing affectionately against both of them.
Zero looked down at the cat, then at their still-linked hands, and said softly, "Let's hold on a little longer."
Jingliu nodded gently. "Mm."
They both lowered their heads and quietly discussed Jade.
Zero sighed helplessly. "She's too fat. She needs to lose weight. One meal a day from now on."
Jingliu, calm and unbothered, replied, "No need to be so harsh. Jing Yuan was right, she's just fluffy, not fat…"
The two began arguing over whether Jade needed to diet. After a while, the self-proclaimed older and wiser Jingliu sighed, conceding and telling Zero to handle it however he wanted.
Soon, the time for the Cloud Knights' assembly arrived.
Jingliu slowly let go of Zero's hand, crouched to stroke Jade once, then stood up and said with steady confidence, "No need to worry. These petty abominations can't stir up any real storm."
Zero nodded, picked up Jade, held her paw, and waved it toward Jingliu. After watching her leave, he turned and saw Tengxiao.
The general of Luofu had a strange expression, his thoughts seemingly wandering to the edge of the universe.
Probably worried about Hua again? Maybe he'd come just to double-check something.
Zero sighed softly, hugging the increasingly heavy cat, and, for once, spoke a bit more.
In a firm voice, he said, "On the battlefield, no one should receive special treatment. For thousands of years, the Xianzhou has never made exceptions, and it won't start now."
"She's Luofu's Sword Champion, your subordinate."
"I'm proud of her. I believe she'll bring victory to the Xianzhou. So, you don't need to give her any special care. Just follow standard protocol."
Tengxiao said nothing, but his expression was a mix of emotions.
He was starting to understand, why so many of his subordinates had been so obsessed with that person.
Even from a high position, she still looked everyone straight in the eye, respecting their choices and will.
Zero studied Tengxiao. Seeing that his words had landed, that the man no longer looked like a terrified mouse before a cat, but instead calm, focused, and determined, he softened his tone.
"I'll be waiting for the day you all return victorious."
Tengxiao instinctively straightened, nodding firmly. "Yes, sir, "
Zero nodded in return, then turned and walked away.
Carrying Jade, he made his way home. But once he stepped into the courtyard, something felt off.
His instincts flared a warning. His face darkened as he opened the system map.
Seeing the name "Fuli" appear, he shut the map, walked slowly in that direction, and entered the reception hall.
Raising one free hand, he stopped Jade from rubbing against his chin, then looked at Fuli.
A warm smile spread across his face.
In a voice soft as silk, almost theatrically tender, he greeted her, "Long time no see, my dearest friend."
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