The Local Strongmen Band Together

"Meow~"

The Three-Colored Cat let out a cry and gently licked its paw.

The other cats were just as languid, and the passing commoners paid them no mind.

Watching this scene, Fatty Lin was somewhat puzzled. "Strange. Why are there so many cats in Yangzhou? I didn't see them the last time I came."

To be honest, he sensed nothing unusual from these cats. But they were all Xuan Gate People and knew that everything happened for a reason. Whenever an anomaly appeared, it was a sign.

"Several honored guests just arrived in Yangzhou, didn't you?"

Seeing that they did not disembark, the old boatman adjusted his bamboo hat and smiled ingratiatingly. "There are many cats here. We've grown used to them. As it happens, there's a story behind it."

"Oh?"

Sha LiFei became interested and tossed over a piece of broken silver. "Tell us about it."

The old boatman caught it in one hand and hurriedly stuffed it into his robe before beginning his tale.

"It all began last winter. For some unknown reason, a rat infestation broke out in the city. The rats ran through the streets in packs, day and night. Not only that, they were astonishingly large—even the ducks and chicks raised by ordinary folk could be bitten to death."

"More frightening still, one night an old watchman claimed he saw Yin soldiers patrolling the streets. But after rubbing his eyes, he realized they were a swarm of rats. He then suddenly died at home, and a plague broke out in the city. Everyone said it was the work of a rat demon."

"You gentlemen know that Yangzhou is a major hub for grain transport, with countless granaries. With the whole affair throwing everyone into a panic, quite a few Daoists and monks were invited to