Before long.
Kitten had already caught more than thirty rats.
Even the young gentleman at their table said, "What a clever little cat."
Kitten was very proud.
Even Li Ping'an shared in her glory, looking as kindly as an old father.
"I suppose the Rat Demon hasn't appeared today. Let's come back tomorrow," said the Confucian Scholar.
Orange Cat said, "Can't we exchange these rats for money?"
"These rats have no cultivation. Only that Rat Demon qualifies," said the Confucian Scholar.
"Oh~"
Orange Cat's good mood visibly sank.
But then she remembered that she could eat all these rats herself, and brightened again.
"What a beautiful cat," the young gentleman said again.
Li Ping'an smiled. "Let's go home. It's time for dinner."
Tap, tap, tap!!
Footsteps sounded in the darkness.
Several guards watched their surroundings warily, hands on their swords.
The young gentleman said, "I'm afraid you two won't be able to leave just yet. Stay here a little longer."
"Protect the young master!"
Figures lunged out of the darkness.
A guard turned and cleaved one of them in two with a single stroke.
His swordsmanship was truly first-rate.
The guards were highly skilled and coordinated well.
Though the other side had more men, the guards were by no means at a disadvantage.
People kept charging out of the darkness.
But none came within thirty feet of the young gentleman.
The young gentleman kept eating his noodles, not forgetting to offer some words of reassurance to the old noodle seller.
"Another bowl of noodles, sir."
"...All right."
With that, the young gentleman looked at Li Ping'an and the Confucian Scholar again.
"Keep eating, everyone. Today's noodles are on me."
Li Ping'an said, "...Another bowl, please, sir. Sorry for the trouble."
The old man trembled as he went to dish out