Sect Master Ning's Visit

Chapter 24: Sect Master Ning Visits

The name Tang San was temporarily suppressed by Meow Meow.

Not that he was ignoring it.

But that he couldn't deal with it now.

A child who had just entered Notting Academy, with a Tang Hao lurking somewhere unknown nearby.

If he rashly made a move now, let alone this three-thousand-year-old little cat, even Qian Renxue might not be willing to immediately provoke the Clear Sky Douluo.

So he'd keep it on record.

Watch slowly.

What was most urgent right now was still the Black Eagle Family and the Black Water Marsh lead.

Meow Meow lay by the table, his tail tapping the surface rhythmically.

Qian Renxue sat across from him, reviewing the Black Eagle Family's files once more.

"The Black Eagle Family has been managing the Western Suburb Hunting Ground for Uncle Xue Xing for the past three years."

"The hunting ground borders the outer edge of the Sunset Forest."

"The Black Water Marsh is also near there."

Meow Meow lifted his head.

"Then this matter can't be separated from Prince Xue Xing?"

"Not necessarily."

Qian Renxue shook her head.

"Uncle Xue Xing isn't a fool."

"He might not personally involve himself in such dirty business."

"But the fact that the Black Eagle Family can operate in the western suburbs under his name means at least someone is using his influence."

Meow Meow understood.

Prince Xue Xing might not be the mastermind.

But his banner was already being used to shield others.

That alone was troublesome enough.

Just then, the steward's voice came from outside.

"Your Highness, Sect Master Ning has arrived."

Meow Meow's ears perked up instantly.

Sect Master Ning?

Ning Fengzhi?

Qian Renxue put away the documents on the table, her expression instantly shifting back to Xue Qinghe's gentle demeanor.

"Show Sect Master Ning to the front hall."

"Yes."

The steward withdrew.

Qian Renxue looked at Meow Meow.

"You stay here."

Meow Meow blinked.

"I can't go take a look?"

"Ning Fengzhi is no ordinary man."

Qian Renxue said.

"As the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, his eyesight is very sharp."

"If you reveal any flaw, he's very likely to notice something wrong."

Meow Meow thought it over.

That made sense.

In the original story, Ning Fengzhi wasn't famous for combat strength, but for his intellect and perception.

That kind of person was the most troublesome.

You weren't afraid of him fighting you.

You were afraid of him seeing through you.

But precisely because of that, Meow Meow was even more curious to take a look.

"I'll just act like an ordinary cat."

Qian Renxue frowned.

Meow Meow immediately added a line.

"I won't talk, won't move, won't send voice transmissions."

"I'll just lie here."

"You can't just pick up a cat and then lock it away right away, can you?"

When Qian Renxue heard the word "pick up," a hint of amusement flickered in her eyes.

"You remember that phrasing quite clearly."

"Of course."

Meow Meow's face was expressionless.

"I've been picked up twice already."

In the end, Qian Renxue nodded.

"Fine."

"But if you act out, I'll have White Dew drag you back."

White Dew heard her name, lifted her head, and looked at Meow Meow.

Meow Meow: "..."

Great.

This little one had already taken on the heavy responsibility of watching over the cat master.

In the front hall, Ning Fengzhi had already taken a seat.

He wore a green robe, his demeanor gentle—he didn't look like a sect master, but more like a refined scholar.

Yet Meow Meow knew at a glance that this man wasn't easy to fool.

Someone who could keep the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect standing firm between two great empires and Martial Soul Hall couldn't possibly be simple.

Qian Renxue walked into the front hall, smiling as she cupped her hands in greeting.

"Teacher, I've kept you waiting."

Ning Fengzhi rose and returned the gesture.

"Your Highness has been away for several days; I imagine affairs have been busy. Fengzhi's visit today is an intrusion."

"Teacher, there's no need to be polite."

Qian Renxue sat down.

Meow Meow, pretending to be an ordinary white cat, slowly followed behind her and finally flopped down on a cushion nearby.

The movement was perfectly natural.

Ning Fengzhi soon noticed him.

"When did Your Highness start keeping a cat?"

Qian Renxue's expression didn't change.

"Picked it up on the road."

Meow Meow's inner thoughts were utterly calm.

That line again.

He was used to it by now.

Ning Fengzhi looked at Meow Meow, a trace of amusement in his eyes.

"Quite spirited."

Meow Meow closed his eyes.

Not listening.

Can't let praise get to his head.

Ning Fengzhi didn't linger on the cat for long. Soon, he and Qian Renxue turned to serious matters.

First, a few administrative affairs within Heavenly Dou City.

Then, Emperor Xue Ye's recent health.

After that, the topic shifted casually to the Western Suburbs.

"I've heard the Western Suburb Hunting Ground has been unstable lately."

Ning Fengzhi said.

"A few villages have reported unusual soul beast activity. Has Your Highness heard of this?"

Qian Renxue nodded lightly.

"I've heard something of it."

"I was just about to send someone to look into it."

Ning Fengzhi looked at her, his tone gentle.

"If it's just ordinary soul beasts turning restless, that's still manageable."

"What I fear is someone using the hunting grounds to do something unsavory."

Meow Meow's eyes cracked open just a sliver.

This old fox definitely knows something.

Qian Renxue's expression remained unchanged.

"Why does Teacher say that?"

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect also has some assets in the western suburbs."

Ning Fengzhi continued.

"Recently, someone has been buying soul beast blood and special bones at a high price."

"Fengzhi had it checked, and found several transactions linked to the Black Eagle Family."

Qian Renxue was silent for a moment.

"Behind the Black Eagle Family is Imperial Uncle Xue Xing."

"Which makes it all the more troublesome."

Ning Fengzhi let out a light sigh.

"Prince Xue Xing may not be aware."

"But his people acting under the prince's banner isn't the first time."

His words were steady.

Neither directly pinning it on Xue Xing.

Nor making excuses for him.

He simply laid out the problem.

Meow Meow silently made a mental note about Ning Fengzhi.

This man really knows how to talk in circles.

Still, it was useful.

At least it confirmed that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had also caught wind of the Black Eagle Family lead.

Qian Renxue nodded.

"I'll keep an eye on this."

Ning Fengzhi didn't press further, smoothly shifting the topic to the recent awakening reports.

"Interesting thing, actually. A few days ago, a child from Fasnuo Province awakened with Blue Silver Grass and Innate Full Soul Power."

Qian Renxue's gaze flickered.

Meow Meow's tail nearly twitched too.

Here it comes.

Ning Fengzhi continued:

"Blue Silver Grass as a martial soul is nothing remarkable."

"But Innate Full Soul Power is rare."

"I hear the child has already entered Notting Junior Soul Master Academy and taken a teacher who studies soul master theory."

Meow Meow kept his eyes shut, letting out a silent snort.

Yu Xiaogang.

Already on the board this early.

Qian Renxue asked:

"What does Teacher think of this child?"

"Hard to say for now."

Ning Fengzhi smiled.

"Blue Silver Grass is still Blue Silver Grass."

"Without a special opportunity, even Innate Full Soul Power might not take him far."

"Still, having full soul power means there must be a reason."

"Worth noting."

Qian Renxue gave a slight nod.

Meow Meow nodded inwardly too.

It truly is worth remembering.

And it must be recorded with emphasis.

But now is not the time to act.

Ning Fengzhi spoke again: "As for that Mr. Yu, he proposed many spirit theories in his early years."

"Some of his views were sharp, while others were far too arbitrary."

"Now that he has taken on such a student, it's rather interesting."

Meow Meow's eyelid twitched.

Far too arbitrary.

Those four words were quite polite.

Meow Meow's impression of Yu Xiaogang was not nearly so mild.

But now wasn't the time to start cursing.

Let that "Master" slowly make his own entrance.

Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi talked a while longer.

Before leaving, Ning Fengzhi glanced at Meow Meow.

"If Your Highness likes this cat, you could keep it by your side."

"With so many things happening in Heavenly Dou City lately, having a spirited little beast around can help relieve fatigue."

Qian Renxue looked at Meow Meow.

"It really does help relieve fatigue."

Meow Meow didn't open his eyes.

Playing dead.

Who relieves fatigue?

This Cat is here for big business.

Of course, relieving fatigue on the side isn't out of the question either.

After Ning Fengzhi left, Qian Renxue returned to the Clear Radiance Pavilion.

Only then did Meow Meow turn over and sit up.

"That teacher of yours isn't easy to fool."

Qian Renxue's hand, pouring tea, paused slightly.

"Didn't you say you wouldn't speak?"

"He's already gone."

Meow Meow said with righteous confidence.

"I said I wouldn't speak in front of him."

Qian Renxue: "..."

White Dew let out a soft meow beside her, as if explaining for Meow Meow.

Qian Renxue shook her head and didn't press the matter.

"Ning Fengzhi bringing up the Black Eagle Family today wasn't a coincidence."

Meow Meow nodded.

"He must have found something too."

"But he didn't step in directly."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect always acts cautiously," Qian Renxue said.

"They won't tear things apart with Uncle Xue Xing over a few unclear leads."

"So this matter still has to be investigated by us."

Meow Meow lowered his head in thought.

"First, have the Cat Net keep an eye on the Black Eagle Family."

"We can also observe Ning Fengzhi's side along the way."

"Since he spoke up to warn you, it means he's at least willing to take a look."

Qian Renxue nodded.

"Mm."

Just then, a faint sound came from the window.

A gray alley cat leaped onto the windowsill.

It wasn't the Sacred Flame Spirit Cat.

Just one of the peripheral cats Meow Meow had temporarily drawn in last night with Holy Fire Aura.

The gray cat held a small strip of black cloth in its mouth.

The cloth reeked of blood.

And a faint trace of that polluted aura from the Black Water Marsh.

Meow Meow's eyes lit up.

"They're here."

The gray cat dropped the cloth and let out another meow toward the outside.

Meow Meow sensed for a moment with Holy Fire Resonance and roughly understood the information it brought.

Someone from the Black Eagle Family had driven a carriage covered in black cloth out of the city from the west side last night.

Heading southwest.

Toward the outskirts of the Sunset Forest.

"Looks like they're not planning to stop."

Meow Meow looked at Qian Renxue.

"They're making another move tonight."

Qian Renxue's gaze turned cold.

"So impatient?"

"Maybe they're rushing to fix things after losing that item,"

Meow Meow said.

"But this time, we can't let them keep delivering."

"The Ten-Thousand-Year Swamp Wyrm at the Black Water Marsh has already been provoked once. A few more bottles, and something really might go wrong."

Qian Renxue pondered.

"Should I send someone to tail them in secret?"

Meow Meow shook his head.

"The Crown Prince's Mansion can't make a move right now."

"Ning Fengzhi just warned you, and Xue Xing is watching you too."

"If you send people southwest immediately, it'll be too easy to connect the dots."

Qian Renxue looked at him.

"So you'll go?"

"I'll go."

Meow Meow nodded.

"But not alone."

He said, glancing at the gray cat.

"This time, I'm bringing a few cats."

Qian Renxue stared at him.

"Ordinary cats?"

"Ordinary cats can do ordinary cat things."

Meow Meow flicked his tail.

"Track the path, memorize scents, distract the night patrols."

"If a real fight breaks out, they won't need to join."

"I just need them to find the carriage and the people making the handoff."

Qian Renxue didn't object immediately.

She knew Meow Meow wasn't fooling around.

This cat might talk like he was always joking, but when it came to handling things, he was actually more cautious than many soul masters.

Meow Meow added:

"As for Tang San, leave him for now."

Qian Renxue was startled.

She hadn't expected him to bring that up on his own.

"You're still thinking about that Blue Silver Grass kid?"

"Mm."

Meow Meow nodded.

"Innate Full Soul Power Blue Silver Grass can't be simple."

"But he's just entered Notting Academy now, still far from Heavenly Dou."

"First, keep tracking the records."

"When he actually makes it to Heavenly Dou, we'll talk then."

Qian Renxue looked at him, a flicker of doubt in her heart.

Meow Meow's focus on that Tang San seemed heavier than she'd expected.

But she didn't ask.

Everyone had their own judgment.

By now, she was willing to give Meow Meow enough trust.

"Alright."

"As for Tang San, I'll have the Heavenly Dou Branch Hall continue routine records."

"Don't alert anyone."

Meow Meow nodded in satisfaction.

"That's right."

"Some fish you don't grab the moment they surface."

"You wait until they swim into the net themselves."

Qian Renxue looked at him.

"That doesn't sound like something a cat would say."

Meow Meow licked his paw.

"Cats catch fish too."

Qian Renxue: "..."

The sky was darkening.

Lamps lit up one by one outside the Crown Prince's Mansion.

Meow Meow summoned a few outer cats and passed the scents and directions to them.

White Dew wanted to go too, but Meow Meow stopped her.

"You stay at Clear Radiance Pavilion."

"Keep an eye on Qinghe."

White Dew was reluctant.

But she still nodded.

When Qian Renxue heard this, her expression shifted subtly.

"Keep an eye on me?"

"Of course."

Meow Meow was very serious.

"You're more important than the Black Eagle Family now."

Qian Renxue was silent for a moment, then let out a soft laugh.

"Go on."

"Don't overdo it."

Meow Meow leaped onto the windowsill.

"Don't worry."

"This Cat's best skill is running away when I can't win."

With that, he led a few cat shadows and vanished into the night of the Crown Prince's Mansion.

Meanwhile, on the west side of Heavenly Dou City, a black-curtained carriage had already slipped out of the city.

The carriage wheels pressed over the muddy road.

From inside the carriage came the faint, low sound of a beast's growl.