What's the Jianghu Compared to Cats?

But it was only a little bit—because Huang wasn't good at beating around the bush, nor was he used to hiding things.

She stuffed another large mouthful of rice into her mouth, and then spoke softly and clearly as Miss Surtr dealt with the sixth piece of fried tofu.

"Surtr, do you intend to bring Sarkaz Babel Tower back?"

Miss Surtr did not pause but continued to work on the seventh piece of tofu.

"Is this what you want to ask, or what someone else wants to ask?"

"That's what I wanted to ask."

"Then the answer is no," Miss Surtr replied. "I have no intention of interfering in the operations of Rhodes Island. Where this ship will sail is entirely up to its helmsman."

"Then I'm relieved." Huang breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought..."

"You think I came back to seize power?"

"Uh... I'm sorry."

If I said yes, would you be on my side?

"...That's why I have such a headache." Huang rubbed his head wearily. "I don't know how many people on Rhodes Island still miss the Sarkaz Babel Tower. But I know there are definitely many who would have preferred the relatively peaceful life of the last two years. Because on this ship, there are many such people who are my friends. But..."

She kept her head down and spoke in a low voice.

"... If you really want to do something, Surtr, I'll be on your side."

Turn the page

Chapter 164: What in the martial world is more important than a cat?

Surtr quite liked Blaze—she liked her style. This straightforwardness, this directness in expressing her thoughts—although Blaze was being quite reserved today. But it was far better than the riddle-ridden people of Terra.

"Then you don't need to worry, Huang. I won't do anything unnecessary."

Miss Surtr finished the last piece of food on her plate, nodded, and laid her chopsticks flat.

"I mean what I say," she said, and her promises are usually quite substantial.

Huang breathed a sigh of relief. She casually changed the subject. "Phew, that's good... I'm going to see Doctor. Persephone next. Surtr, is there anything I need to know?" Huang asked after clearing the table for her.

"She might not have time to see you, not recently," Miss Surtr said after a moment's thought. "But if you happen to run into her at the right time, then... well, don't take her words too seriously."

"What?"

"This will make you feel better." — Anyway, you're destined to be completely manipulated by her... or rather, you'll be completely manipulated even if she doesn't. So instead of being confused, it's better to be more open-minded from the start.

"Sorry, Surtr. I don't quite understand what you're saying..." The big black-haired cat blinked.

"Well... to put it simply, once you see her, just be yourself. Of course, don't bully her too much. Although I haven't seen her angry yet, I don't think you'd want to see that happen..."

Huang Mao Mao's expression suddenly tensed up, not because of Persephone, but because of the red-haired Sarkaz lady before her, with whom she had a close relationship. She saw something strange in her, something incredible, something that would never have appeared in Miss Surtr in the past.

"Surtr, are you sick?" She reached out her hand to Miss Surtr with some concern. "Or have you caught a disease called 'Kal'tsit Syndrome'? I remember you used to hate riddles. But why—should we go to the Medical Department now?"

"..."

Miss Surtr remained silent for a few seconds. Then, with a 'smack,' she slapped herself on the forehead.

"I finally understand what it means to not say everything... Okay, take that back. Now for the main point." She rubbed her eyes and sighed. "I won't hide it from you anymore. I have an agreement with Persephone that I will keep some of her secrets. But beyond that, I will tell you as much as I can about how she appears to me."

"First of all," Miss Surtr said, holding up one finger. "Don't try to outsmart her. I've never met anyone in this world who can outmaneuver her. When you meet her, just say what you want and state your conditions. The more roundabout you are, the more likely you are to get serious consequences."

"Uh... what are the serious consequences? Will she be angry?"

"I don't think she'll be angry. But you'll be in a lot of pain—she has some kind of... special talent. She can make all the guys who try to outsmart her pay the price. The more they try to be clever, the greater their ultimate loss will be."

"... It sounds a bit like my old spinster tutor from when I was a kid."

"Your interpretation isn't entirely wrong..."

"So, is it okay if I call her an old maid?" Huang tilted his head. "I heard she was a famous Doctor in Columbia when the Sarkaz Babel Tower was still around. And she showed signs of activity more than twenty years ago and hasn't grown up since—she must be a rare, long-lived race—and I also heard she's flat-chested?"

Miss Surtr's face stiffened. The words she wanted to say to stop her were stuck in her throat.

"I really wanted to say it's best not to do that... but, oh well." She sighed and spoke to the nearest loudspeaker. "Persephone, promise me you'll forgive this silly cat's loose tongue, okay?"

The next moment, Persephone's cold voice came from a recording pen that Huang carried with him, which should not have been connected to the internet at all.

"I wouldn't have cared anyway. Because what she said was true; I do have a lifespan exceeding that of the average Terra resident and a bust size below the average for adult Terra women. On the contrary, I should praise her. Because virginity is a valuable compliment to me. I could even give her a day off for that."

The noise subsided.

Miss Surtr looked at the Radiant Cat, then watched as the black-haired Feline's tail slowly rose, and the fur draped over its back gradually became fluffy and voluminous.

Miss Surtr made a gesture as if to say, "You can go ahead if you have something to do."

The next moment, the big cat, its face turning pale, scrambled out of Rhodes Island's cafeteria.

The pathetic guy, he only said 'first' to her.

It doesn't matter.

Since Persephone said she wouldn't care, she really wouldn't care—the paid leave thing, however, was a bit odd. Why would Persephone consider that a compliment?

I can't figure it out.

If you don't understand, don't think about it.

The girl shook her head and pressed her stomach, which never felt full or hungry. After thinking for a moment, she waved her hand towards the cafeteria window.

"Master Li! Give me another serving of tofu!"—She unexpectedly found herself with a renewed appetite.

Five minutes later, Miss Surtr left the Rhodes Island dining hall—only remembering to hang up her name tag as she left. After that, she wandered around the Landship, which was much quieter than usual.

Rhodes Island.

The interior space of Rhodes Island is actually larger than the exterior space.

This might be due to some kind of special decorative frame. Of course, it could also be some spatial technique invented by ancient people—she didn't pay much attention to these things. Anyway, Rhodes Island wasn't under her jurisdiction, and this wouldn't be her office in the future.

She simply walked quietly and aimlessly to different parts of the ship.