Chapter 96: The House Cat and the Stray Cat

“Ding!”

“New mission issued: Steal the Divine Beast.”

“Mission description: A divine beast descends from the heavens to aid the Holy Lord. However, the host, embodying the nature of a treacherous minister, must capture the divine beast that has descended upon the State of Chu.”

“Mission reward: The Son of Heaven’s Sword.”

Fan Li picked up his brush again, but upon hearing the system’s task, he was momentarily stunned.

What on earth?

A divine beast descending from the heavens?

Truly, this is a world of cultivation—such things can actually happen.

“What does this divine beast look like?”

Fan Li casually scooped up the little white cat and cradled it in his arms, stroking it gently.

Perhaps because it couldn’t see the contents of the official documents, the little white cat began to show some reluctance.

It struggled in Fan Li’s hands, trying to break free.

“Don’t move! Or you’ll be dinner tonight!” Fan Li teased, then laughed. “I wonder what the divine beast looks like. Could it be a cute little thing like you?”

“Meow~!!!”

The little white cat seemed to take offense to the challenge to its dignity, letting out an indignant “roar.”

Fan Li chuckled heartily, continuing to tease the cat while pondering why the reward was the Son of Heaven’s Sword.

Wasn’t this supposed to be the system of history’s greatest treacherous minister? Was it trying to push him into power?

But that wasn’t the main point.

After careful consideration, Fan Li decided to try to complete the mission.

“The system’s reward quality has been upgraded. The Son of Heaven’s Sword is definitely a divine weapon.”

“Let’s say, for argument’s sake, that this is the divine beast descending upon Chu. If I don’t seize it, it might very well fall into the hands of Xiang Chong. Such a boon can’t be allowed to favor Xiang Chong, no matter what. It may benefit Xiang Ning, but Xiang Chong must not have it!”

Looking at the thick stack of official documents before him, Fan Li sighed wryly, “Better finish these affairs first.”

He carefully set the little white cat down beside the desk—a thoughtful gesture.

The cat seemed to enjoy watching official documents, especially those Fan Li had already reviewed.

Though he doubted it could understand them, Fan Li was willing to indulge its small wish, tacitly allowing the little creature to perch by the desk and watch him handle the paperwork.

Time passed quickly, and several hours later, Fan Li stretched and realized it was already late into the night outside the Jiangshan Pavilion.

Unbeknownst to him, the household servants had replaced the lamps with night pearls and candlesticks, illuminating the entire pavilion.

“Second brother, you forgot to eat again?”

A graceful figure appeared—it was Fan Yuehua.

She personally brought a delicate food box and placed it on the desk.

Upon opening it, the aroma of food immediately wafted out.

“Second brother, everyone knows you’re Chu’s top minister, but where else in the world is there such a hardworking minister like you? How many nights have you stayed up late working for the state affairs of Chu?”

Fan Yuehua muttered with concern, clearly worried about Fan Li.

“I heard that over in Han, the powerful minister Dong Zhuo has come up with a new scheme. He’s created some kind of ‘pond of wine and forest of meat,’ wasting countless resources of the people.”

Fan Li smiled, “There are many kinds of powerful ministers. How could I be anything like Dong Zhuo?”

“What’s the difference?” Fan Yuehua asked curiously. “Aren’t you both dominant over the court and capable of bending dukes and marquises to your will?”

Fan Li nodded, then shook his head.

“The power may be the same, but the way it’s wielded differs.”

“Dong Zhuo is tyrannical; I am merely assertive. Dong Zhuo is driven by lust; I consolidate power. Dong Zhuo is ostentatious; I maintain a balance between offense and defense.”

“Dong Zhuo enslaved the people of Han through violence; I strengthen Chu through authority. Han has fallen, and Dong Zhuo is doomed. Chu prospers, and the Fan family shall continue to flourish.”

After chatting for a while, Fan Yuehua’s gaze shifted to the little white cat.

She asked curiously, “Second brother, when did you get this kitten? It’s quite adorable.”

Fan Li’s hand, which was stroking the cat, suddenly froze.

He looked down at the little white cat, then back at Fan Yuehua.

Had he been mistaken? This cat wasn’t his?

“Is it... a stray cat?” Fan Li said awkwardly.

Was the security at the Fan estate so lax that even a stray cat could sneak in?

“Make some time to have Fan Chun properly train the estate guards. They’ve clearly become lax.”

Fan Yuehua, upon hearing it was a stray, suddenly showed interest.

“Strange, what breed is this? I’ve never seen one like it.”

Fan Li laughed, “Want it? You can take it home.”

Unexpectedly, Fan Yuehua shook her head repeatedly.

“Brother, this little one obviously likes you. Why would I keep it? Hmph, if it doesn’t have feelings for me, I won’t bother.”

Fan Yuehua was a prodigy of the highest order, always pursued by thousands and never once having to chase anyone.

Even a cat wouldn’t get her to spoil it.

Only pets that could win her favor were worthy of her care.

Fan Li was stunned.

Did the little white cat like him?

Without him noticing, the little creature had jumped down from the desk and curled up in his arms, comfortably enjoying itself as if it were its rightful place.

“Are you really a stray?”

Fan Li wondered if he had lost his mind, as he found himself trying to talk with a kitten.

What was even more astonishing was that the fluffy white creature was scrutinizing him with a critical gaze.

Fan Li recalled how, in his previous life, his mother used to be similarly picky when the supermarket salespeople introduced products.

“Brother, you’re funny—talking to a cat? Hurry up and eat. I’m heading back now, but I’ll send someone to clean up later.”

Fan Yuehua left the food box behind and walked away with a bright smile.

The Jiangshan Pavilion returned to the deep silence of the night.

Fan Li was indeed a bit hungry. He picked up his chopsticks and grabbed a piece of meat, finding it to be fresh and delicious knife fish.

“Want to try some?”

He casually tossed a piece of fish onto the floor, expecting the little white cat to lick it up.

“Pfft!”

The cat emitted a disdainful sound, not even glancing at the fish on the ground.

So haughty!?

Fan Li found himself both amused and exasperated, feeling as if he had offended the cat.

“You’ve got quite the temper, little one. Then you can starve.”

Picking up a fresh piece of fish, Fan Li was about to eat when he suddenly felt a sharp flick—quite painful.

It was the little white cat swatting him with its tail!

“Hey, that’s too much! I’m trying to feed you, and you won’t eat.”

Half-joking, Fan Li said this.

The little white cat finally got up from his arms and jumped back onto the desk.

What happened next was beyond anything Fan Li could have imagined.

The cat poked its head into the food box, pulled out a clean bowl, and placed it on the desk.

“Meow!”

Without needing a translator, Fan Li understood: the cat was asking him to put the fish into the bowl.

A cat that knew how to use dining utensils?

“Hahaha!”

Fan Li laughed heartily.

This amusing little creature was obviously no stray—it must have escaped from some noble household in the capital.

“Fate has brought us together; tonight, I’ll treat you to a proper meal.”

Fan Li smiled but was earnest as he arranged the food for the little white cat.

Eating was an art, especially when it came to fish.

On a whim, Fan Li personally selected the most succulent and delicious piece of the fish for the cat.

“This is called the crescent meat, located beside the fish’s gills. It’s named for its crescent shape. Try it?”