Part 4
Ning Yunyi said, “Choice one: Leave here. Whether you are a shifter or not, it has nothing to do with me anymore. I kept you as a pet to accompany the cub because I thought you were an exotic beast. I even did some things that might have made you uncomfortable because I found your fluffiness comfortingâbut that was under the premise that I thought you were just a beast. Now that cards are on the table, you can choose to leave. We can part on good terms, for the sake of the time we spent as master and pet.”
Zong Hao immediately lifted a paw, placed it on the desk, and shook his head to express his will: He didn’t want to go.
He couldn’t explain his mood clearly. After spending these days with the father and son, he had grown accustomed to this mode of interaction. He didn’t deny the delicious food was one aspect, but he truly viewed them as family.
Since his sworn sister passed and his father died, he had been lonely for a long time, never enjoying the company of family. He envied Ning Little Meow for having such a doting father. Over time, that envy turned into a habitâa desire to watch Ning Little Meow grow up.
But if he confessed he was Marshal Zong, they would absolutely never let him stay. His identity would not be a help to them, but a source of pressure.
Furthermore, he had never revealed his shifter status to the public; no one knew except his father.
Before his father died, he had instructed him never to speak of it, to protect this secret. Old Master Zong knew exactly what Zong Hao would face if exposed.
Old Master Zong had feared, even in death, that Zong Hao would follow in his adopted daughter’s footsteps.
If that happened, he wouldn’t be able to rest in peace.
Zong Hao’s time with Ning Yunyi and his son had been the most relaxed, thought-free period of his life. He only needed to be a dutiful exotic beast. If not for his mission, he would have willingly been a beast forever.
Ning Yunyi looked at the Big Cat, who was eager to express his thoughts, and felt infected by the complex emotions in his eyes. The speech he had prepared stuck in his throat. He sighed. “So, you want to choose the second option and stay?”
Zong Hao nodded immediately.
Ning Yunyi said, “But you aren’t a real beast. One day you’ll find the outside world offers more freedom.”
Zong Hao wanted to explain but dared not shift into human form. Subconsciously, he placed his paw on Ning Yunyi’s knee, closing the distance between man and cat.
Ning Yunyi continued, “I know what you mean. Don’t rush, let me finish. Something happened recentlyâa team of strong mental power users in the Capital Star is hunting high-level shifters. Two of them are 3S-rank, and the rest are Double-S. That level isn’t something ordinary people can cultivate.”
This was why Ning Yunyi had suddenly changed his mind. Letting this Big Catâwho could eat and drink so much but had low mental powerâleave on his own meant certain death if he fell into that team’s hands.
Actually, even back then, his desire to send the Big Cat away hadn’t been that strong.
Then, Mrs. Ning’s incident in the palace happened, and he couldn’t attend to the cat. Now that they could finally talk openly, Ning Yunyi felt it was better this way. He gave the Big Cat a choiceâto stay or leave was his freedom.
But once he chose to stay, he had to listen to him.
Zong Hao was stunned by Ning Yunyi’s words. How is that possible? Such high levels… only the military has them…
But thinking of the reason Ning Zhanfeng was framed and wanted, Zong Hao fell silent, his expression grave.
Ning Yunyi continued, “So, while shifters are still facing a general crisis, I can let you stay. Maybe not for long, or maybe for a year or two. During this time, you need to continue being an exotic beast, a playmate for the cub. Once shifters regain their freedom and safety, you can choose again. If you want to leave then, I will send you to the safe Shifter Alliance, where your own kind are. So… are you still willing to stay?”
Zong Hao agreed without hesitation.
If there truly came a day when shifters gained freedom and peace, he might just retire and dedicate himself to being the “exotic beast” of Ning Yunyi’s family.
To him, the title of Marshal Zong was perhaps far less valuable than this atmosphere of family companionship.
He only hoped that day… would come soon.
Ning Yunyi was in a good mood; after all, he had “satisfactorily” resolved an issue. The Big Cat stayed, and things would be just like before, except… he would be more cautious when petting the cat. He had to think before he touched.
Anything below the neck was probably off-limits.
Ning Yunyi was already itching to pet him. After not looking closely for a few days, the Big Cat’s fur seemed even more sleek and shiny.
Perhaps feeling that since he was allowed to stay, he should try to reduce his presence and make Ning Yunyi feel he wasn’t expensive to feed, Zong Hao decided to show his resolve. He released a little spiritual energy and reverted to his original form.
When the gray kitten, barely bigger than the meow cub, landed on the floor, looked up, swished its black tail, and shook its fluffy little head, Ning Yunyi nearly melted on the spot.
He raised a hand to cover the lower half of his face, feigning calm. Is he testing my willpower? For a fluff-addict, looking but not touching is torture.
He stood up abruptly, leaving a quick sentence: “I’m going back to District F tonight and will return tomorrow afternoon. You stay here and keep the cub company. Protect him well.”
With that, he opened the door and left quickly. The wind from the closing door made the little gray kitten, who had just turned to trot after him, tumble over. The kitten looked bewildered: Is eating even that little amount not allowed? Has my fluff lost all its appeal?
Ning Little Meow was taken by Ning Yunyi to wash up. When he came back, he saw a little gray kitten lying on the rug by the bed. His eyes went wide. “Cat-Cat!”
Ning Yunyi smiled and lifted him onto the bed. “Is Cub happy?”
Ning Little Meow nodded vigorously. “Happy!”
Ning Yunyi followed up, “So, let Cat-Cat sleep with you tonight, okay? Father has to go out for a trip. I’ll bring delicious food for Cub after noon tomorrow.”
Ning Little Meow immediately hugged his father’s neck tight. “Can’t take Cub with you?”
Ning Yunyi stroked his small head. “No. It’s dangerous outside right now. Besides, Grandmother hasn’t woken up yet, and Grandfather and Uncle must be very sad. So, will Cub stay here to keep them company? When I come back at noon, we’ll wait for Grandmother to wake up together, okay?”
Ning Little Meow thought about it. Although he wanted to go with his father, he agreed obediently. “Then can I sleep holding Cat-Cat?”
Ning Yunyi glanced at the Big Cat, who was curled into a ball looking very honest and simple. “You can.”
Zong Hao’s expression stiffened, but after a thought, he obediently jumped up, curled into a ball, and lay near the pillow, acting like an ordinary exotic beast.
Only then did Ning Yunyi give a few more instructions and leave. He planned to tell Big Brother Ning and the Professor before heading back.
Zong Hao stayed with Ning Little Meow, listening as the little guy’s breathing soon steadied. He curled up, closing his eyes, but his ears remained alert, monitoring the surroundings to fulfill his duty of protection.
Unknowingly, a sudden, inexplicable panic rose within him. The feeling was strange and unfamiliar. He looked up at the sleeping Ning Little Meow, who seemed to sense something in his dreams and frowned, letting out a whimper.
Zong Hao immediately patted his back, coaxing him gently. Once Ning Little Meow fell asleep again, Zong Hao looked up toward the door where Ning Yunyi had left not long ago.
The words Ning Yunyi had said in the study flashed through his mind. A dark light spilled from his beast eyes. Finally, after a moment’s thought, his figure flashed, and he leaped out the window.
On the other side, Ning Yunyi flew his spacecraft, not leaving through the main gate but via the rear exit. His ship was a very ordinary model, flying steadily toward District F.
However, not long after leaving the Ning residence, he distinctly sensed someone following him. And not just one or two.
He didn’t release his mental power to probe, continuing to disguise himself as an S-class mental power user.
Ning Yunyi guessed these were people from the palace, intending to follow him to pry into the Ning family’s situation.
But even after leaving District A, Ning Yunyi found these people still trailing closely. He frowned. What does this mean? Are they bold enough to try and capture me directly?
A cold glint flashed in Ning Yunyi’s eyes. If worse came to worst, he would have to dispose of them all. But if the people sent didn’t return, the suspicion on him would remain unshakable, which would be troublesome.
Just as Ning Yunyi’s ship approached District B, two large spaceships suddenly intercepted him, one in front and one behind, blocking his path.
Ning Yunyi’s ship stopped. Over a dozen people disembarked from the other two ships. The masks they wore were incredibly familiarâthey were the exact same group that had besieged the Shifter Alliance earlier.
Last time, he had dealt with two 3S-rank mental power users. This time, the leaders were two 3S-ranks again.
The other party couldn’t possibly know he was the Fox Mask who had saved people before, which meant the palace had sent them.
These people were indeed not simpleâthey were actually from the palace?
The group was very confident. The two leaders spoke directly. “Mr. White, my master has heard you are quite special and wishes to meet you. Would you do us the honor?”
Ning Yunyi didn’t believe it for a second. If they really just wanted a meeting, would they send so many experts?
Whatever they said, in reality, as soon as he stepped off the ship, they would swarm him.
The hidden figure in the palace intended to use these people to test his backgroundâforcing him to unleash his true strength in a crisis. If he held back, he would be captured alive immediately.
But if his strength really was just S-class, they would probably let him die right there.
The person behind the scenes truly treated human life as a game, just as always.
After all, this was someone who ordered the elimination of fifty shifters, disregarding even the young, sick, and weak.
Ning Yunyi’s gaze darkened. His fingers moved over the controls, weighing whether to turn them all into cripples. But with so many of them, if even one fish slipped through the net, his true strength would be completely exposed.
Just as Ning Yunyi planned to draw in more spiritual energy and wipe out the mastermind’s claws in one go, a sudden hum resonated. Countless bright points of light approached them at lightning speed.
Ning Yunyi’s expression changed when he saw that speed. High-tech gadgetsâdozens of times faster than his broken ship.
Did they bring even more backup?
But soon, as an indescribable fleet of ships surrounded Ning Yunyi’s unopened vessel and the dozen or so interceptors, the masked men clearly looked around in confusion too.
Watching their reaction, Ning Yunyi realized: They don’t know them. It’s not the same group.
As the ring of ships encircled them, they landed. Whooshâall the hatch doors opened simultaneously. From the lead ship, two people walked out, one in front of the other.
The one lagging slightly behind was Ichi.
That meant the one in front, wearing armor and a mask, could only be… Marshal Zong?
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thank you for the chapter!
I wonder when cat dad and Ning Yuyi will deepen their bonds.
Thanks for the hard work!