The Huan Clan were ancient exotic beasts. They resembled civet cats, but had only one eye and three tails.
These creatures were naturally cunning, fond of stealing, and generally burdened with considerable Karmic Debt.
The Huan before them had been cornered in a cave by the Demon Hunting Squad. It huddled in a corner, its three tails tucked tightly between its legs, its single eye darting about.
The captain circulated her Cultivation Methods and examined it with her eyes. A dense layer of black qi appeared around the Huan.
Heavy Karmic Debt.
The captain's gaze instantly turned cold.
"You've killed people."
It was not a question, but a statement.
The Huan's pupil abruptly contracted.
"I-I haven't—"
"Karmic Debt doesn't lie."
The captain cut it off.
"Will you tell me yourself, or shall I tell it for you?"
The Huan fell silent, its voice hoarse.
"Three. I killed three people. They were all old, weak, sick, or disabled. They couldn't run."
The captain's grip on her sword tightened.
"Why?"
"Hunger. I was too hungry back then.
I'd eaten everything. Tree bark, grass roots, everything.
If I didn't eat people, I would have starved to death."
"Then why didn't you take the Farm Teachings examination?"
"The Farm Teachings?" The Huan gave a bitter laugh. It knew its own limits.
"With Karmic Debt like mine, would the Farm Teachings even take me? I couldn't even pass the Heart Questioning Array."
The captain was silent for a moment.
"Do you have anything else to say?"
The Huan shook its head.
"No."
Sword Light flashed, and the cave fell silent.
The captain sheathed her sword and turned to leave the cave.
The sunlight stung her eyes.
She stood at the cave entrance for a while, waiting for her eyes to adjust before continuing onward.
"Next."