Chapter 50: There’s Something Strange About All This (1/3) — Special Release for the Golden Diamond

“Caught Bai Meow Meow! Over here!”

The little black cat had her paw gripping a small knife, drawing it neatly along my neck.

I recognized this cat—her name was Yi. The blade she held was one she’d forged herself; she was a weapon maker.

Among all the cats, she was the only one whose rank was higher than most, but who possessed no real power. Simply put, she was the kitten responsible for crafting weapons for the other cats, hailing from a society centuries past—an old hand at this, it seemed.

Most cats relied on their claws or fangs, and to wield weapons, they would have to assume human form. But the knives and weapons Yi forged could be used without any transformation.

She had combined the curve and grip strength of a cat’s paw to create the most fitting weapon for a feline. She alone had this skill.

At this moment, without taking on human form, she held me in check with a single blade.

And yet, how could I have come under attack for no reason? This cat and I had no past enmity, nor did she have any criminal record; it seemed she was simply carrying out Wangchuan’s orders.

“Why are you capturing me?”

It seemed best to ask directly.

Yi narrowed her eyes, those earth-gray, oddly distinctive feline pupils fixing on me with a chilling stare.

“Because the master ordered me to catch you.”

I was even more baffled, but I pretended to follow along obediently.

Though Yi was a veteran, she lacked cunning. I’d heard people say she was a bit slow.

But really, she wasn’t stupid—just from another era, brought back by Wangchuan centuries ago, honest and upright in an old-fashioned way.

In a word: blunt.

I followed her in silence, feeling her knife pressed to my neck. To be honest, it wasn’t all that frightening. After a careful calculation, I suddenly lunged backward and rolled away, putting distance between us.

Yi simply smiled and licked her knife.

“Want to fight?”

“No,” I hurriedly waved my paws. “I’m no match for you bare-pawed, heh, but there’s something I need to take care of first. I’ll come find you afterward—whatever happens then, I’m fine with it!”

Yi seemed to be processing my words, but I took advantage of her hesitation and bolted.

My ears twitched as I ran, feeling the earring bouncing atop my head, but I couldn’t worry about that—I just had to run.

Arriving at Wangchuan’s temporary residence, I looked around cautiously, avoiding the guards, and circled near the door.

The door was closed. I scratched at it a few times.

No sound, no response—until I saw the black cat, knife in paw.

Yi’s blade was cleverly made; when not in use, she could tuck it against her paw, hindering her movements not at all.

She approached me with a smile.

“How did you know I’d be here?” Sweat broke out on my brow; being caught red-handed was a dreadful feeling.

Yi flicked her tail, a bit smug. “It doesn’t take much thought to know you’d come here. Only you would be so foolish.”

“Huh?” Being called stupid left me at a loss.

“I told you, Master sent me to catch you, and yet you ran straight to Master’s house. I really don’t get it.”

Yi licked her paw, making no move to come closer, as if waiting leisurely for me to fall into her trap.

Maybe everything I’d heard was wrong—this cat wasn’t slow at all. Time had likely made her shrewd!

I could only sigh and droop my ears. “So, what do you want?”

“I don’t want anything,” Yi replied, moving closer and tossing a pair of shackles at my feet. “Put these on and come back with me.”

I gave an awkward smile, dodging as I negotiated, “Can I not wear them?”

“Sure,” Yi nodded. “Then I’ll just knock you out. My goal is only to bring you back and prevent your escape.”

Her words sent a chill through me. I laughed weakly and picked up the shackles.

“Fine, I’ll wear them.”

Better to stay conscious and await an opportunity. Even if the shackles bound me, I might still get a chance. If I were knocked out, there’d be no hope at all.

So I slipped my paws into the shackles, which fit snugly around all four.

Clearly, they were Yi’s own design—walking was unimpeded, though running would be a problem; the chain was too short.

Chained, I followed behind Yi with a clatter, always looking for a chance to escape.

But for now, escape was impossible. All I could do was wait for the right moment.

Yet how likely was that?

As I racked my brain, Yi suddenly snorted, “Stop dreaming of escape. You’re involved in the deaths of other cats—two crimes still unaccounted for. If I were you, I’d hurry back and explain to the master.”

“What?” I was stunned. “When did I kill cats? Two crimes? How do I not know about this?!”

Yi shot me a scornful glance and kept walking. I hurried after her, pressing for answers.

“What do you mean? Who said this? I killed two cats—two crimes, is that it?”

“That’s right. Have you forgotten about Ningning?” Yi glanced at me again. “Don’t forget, it was the master who vouched for you back then. Because of that, no other cat dared pursue it further, but it was never said you didn’t kill the cat. Until you clear your name, you’re still the prime suspect in Ningning’s death.”

“Ah…” I stared at Yi, speechless.

She made a good point—I had no rebuttal!

Last time, Rebecca took me away, then I had a tussle with Pei Mu, then Wangchuan held me through the night, and after that I was sent off to find fifty lost souls.

It was true—no one had dealt with the accusation of me killing Ningning! Rebecca spoke with Wangchuan, and then the matter was brushed aside. Wangchuan sent me to find lost souls, and then trouble broke out in the rift. When I returned, everyone was talking about evil spirits—I’d long forgotten about Ningning.

And since I hadn’t done it, I’d just assumed it didn’t concern me. If Yi hadn’t brought it up, I’d have never remembered!

“And don’t forget your contact with the Soul Hunter from the Underworld. All the cats were watching you. Don’t you want to set the record straight?”

I grew angry as Yi listed all the filth that had been dumped on me.

“I won’t explain! I didn’t do it—why should I have to?”

Yi snorted again, clearly looking down on me. “Bai Qianqian, when they call you stupid, you really do live up to it. If you don’t explain, you give others the chance to explain in your place. Watching them justify things for you—things you should clarify yourself—doesn’t guarantee they’ll tell the truth. Does that make you happy?”

I stared at her. “Why do you say that?”

“Have you really met the Soul Hunter from the Underworld?”

I blinked. It was hard to tell if this cat was friend or foe, but her words were fair, with a hint of wanting to awaken me, yet without overstepping.

I decided to confide in her and see what might happen.

“I haven’t met him, but… someone did give me a thousand souls, in exchange for a favor.”

“Did he say what he wanted you to do?” Yi turned to me, her gray eyes narrowing.

“He didn’t. But the souls were real, and the master took them… I don’t know if it was genuine or not.”

“Oh.” Yi nodded, as if helping me think through a strategy. Then she looked up, her gaze a bit empty. “Could you tell me everything that’s happened to you lately?”

I hesitated, but decided to trust her and stopped thinking of escape. Along the way, I recounted most of my recent experiences to Yi.

But I didn’t mention that I’d been with Wangchuan the night before.

Because there was a major issue with that—Wangchuan had been with me all day, yet others claimed he’d been gone for three.

Besides, living with the master, turning into human form and… Well, unless someone asked, I’d never bring it up!

Even if they asked, I wouldn’t!

Yi listened as I explained most of what had happened, then rubbed her chin and turned to me.

“Don’t you think all these events are connected? That maybe someone is guiding you, step by step?”

“Eh?” I shook my head. “No idea.”

Honestly, I’d never been as clever as the other cats, and lately the master had been particularly hard on me. I’d been running ragged between finding lost souls and hunting spirits—where was the time to think so much?

Yi realized I didn’t get it and patiently explained again.

“Look, Ningning appeared there for no reason and was killed by that man. You came back and immediately got caught up in her murder. How did the news spread so fast?”

“Then the master protected you—it didn’t clear your name, but it hid the matter for a while and sent you out to find lost souls. But you came back, and witnessed the evil spirits’ attack on the rift. Then, during your shift, someone deliberately let the souls escape.”

“Losing souls on guard duty is a capital crime. The master sent you to find them—I don’t know what that meant. But you met that man again, and when you returned, the issue with the plum blossom token resurfaced.”

“Don’t you think something’s off?”

At the doors of the Yinluo Hall, Yi finished and turned to look at me.

“Ah—” Only now did I finally realize—something was indeed very wrong!

“Come on, let’s go in. It seems everything has come to a head. Today might be the day it’s all resolved.”

I followed Yi into the Yinluo Hall in a daze, with only one question in my heart: Who on earth has been scheming against me so meticulously? And for what purpose?!