The new year arrived in the blink of an eye. The fighting on Jade Lang Mountain had only just subsided, and everything lay waiting to be rebuilt. Shops and businesses everywhere were gradually reopening, but more than half remained shuttered, lending the place a chill emptiness after its sweeping purge.
That day, the sun had just risen, and warm morning light fell across a street sparsely dotted with pedestrians. Several stray cats of unknown origin had piled themselves atop one another in a corner.
A big yellow cat sat several feet away with a long face, silently watching the others play. Its solitary figure looked particularly forlorn.
Suddenly, the sound of an argument came from up ahead.
"What do you think you're doing? Robbers! Bandits! This is our family's property! Put it all down!"
"Heh, your family's? What family? Do you really think this is still the age when your Heavenly Goods Trading Company ruled? I now suspect you of harboring evil demons and plotting treachery. Everyone, search thoroughly! Don't let even the slightest trace slip past!"
"Yes!"
Immediately afterward came the sound of things being smashed, seemingly accompanied by the shouts of people arguing.
The stray cats froze, their ears pricking up warily as they listened.
Suddenly, a vase flew over from far away and smashed against a nearby wall with a crack.
The cats piled together scattered like startled birds and beasts, vanishing without a trace.
The big yellow cat was startled too, but it was exceptionally bold. Finding that nothing else happened after the smashing, it rose unhurriedly and shook itself, then continued half crouching there, grooming its fur as it watched.
The figures of several humans confronting one another were reflected in its eyes.
"Young master, you must hold yourself back!
"These people stir up trouble