"Why have you come here? Come back with me quickly." Elder Xue also arrived and saw the black cat in Xue Zining's arms, a subtle change in his expression.
The black cat suddenly bared its teeth, purring menacingly, its fur bristling as if it would attack anyone who approached.
Xue Zining reached out and gently stroked the black cat. "You don't want to go back?"
The black cat rubbed against her hand affectionately, as if it were her own pet.
"Can't it stay tonight?" Xue Zining asked, raising her eyes indifferently.
"Miss Ning cannot. This is the Sacred Cat; it must stay in its place," Elder Xue refused.
"Alright, then take it away!" Xue Zining extended her hand. The black cat bared its teeth at Elder Xue, revealing its fangs. Perhaps due to being the Sacred Cat, its teeth were longer than those of ordinary cats.
Elder Xue reached out to take the black cat, but the cat unceremoniously swiped at him with its paw, a fierce blow that drew blood.
Elder Xue flinched back a step. "Sacred Cat, you should return."
The response he received was a sound from the depths of its throat.
"It doesn't want to go with you!" Xue Zining said.
Han Xiwen stepped forward. "I will escort the Sacred Cat back."
The black cat also bared its teeth and extended its claws, but Han Xiwen dodged them. He grabbed the back of the black cat's fur with one hand and lifted it. "I will take the Sacred Cat back. Miss Ning, rest in peace soon."
Xue Zining nodded, watching the black cat in Han Xiwen's arms, which was surprisingly quiet now.
Xue Zining stood by the window, watching Han Xiwen and Elder Xue leave, frowning. There was a hint of strangeness here.
The next day
Xue Zining woke up and picked up her teacup to drink. She suddenly remembered that the black cat had touched the teacup last night. Upon closer inspection, she found a black hair in the teacup, clearly belonging to the black cat.
"Miss Ning, it's time for breakfast," Liu'er called from downstairs.
Xue Zining put down the teacup and went out. Liu'er stepped forward and bowed. "Miss Ning, the young master and the elders are already waiting for you."
Xue Zining nodded and followed Liu'er towards the dining area. Along the way, she saw the people here working diligently.
"Sister, this is for you..." a little girl handed her a flower.
Xue Zining accepted it. "Thank you, little sister."
The little girl smiled. "Sister, you are so beautiful."
Xue Zining smiled and reached out to pat the little girl's head. "Thank you."
"Miss Ning..." Liu'er, ahead of her, stopped and waited.
"Goodbye, little sister!" Xue Zining bid farewell to the girl.
The dining area was a bamboo house built on the largest tree.
As they approached the bamboo house, Xue Elder and Han Xiwen were indeed there, along with two other elders.
"Miss Ning, these are Elder Feng and Elder Yu," Han Xiwen introduced.
Xue Zining stepped forward and said indifferently, "Elder Feng, Elder Yu."
Elder Yu, the only old woman, glanced at her and lowered her gaze. "We haven't had outsiders here for a long time. Young Master, this is against the rules."
"Elder Yu, rules are rigid, but people are alive. Moreover, Miss Ning is my friend," Han Xiwen said, looking at Elder Yu.
Elder Yu's expression was somewhat displeased, but she said no more.
"Since she is the Young Master's friend, the Young Master has his own plans. Let's not interfere. Although no outsiders have entered Miao Territory for many years, it doesn't mean there won't be in the future," Elder Xue suddenly said.
"Miss Ning, these are all foods from our Miao Territory," Han Xiwen said to Xue Zining, gesturing to the dishes on the table.
Xue Zining nodded, picked up her chopsticks, and was about to pick up the white steamed bun closest to her when, suddenly, a black shadow leaped onto the table, scattering the food everywhere.
Xue Zining lifted the teapot at hand, shielding most of the dishes, but others were not as fortunate and were splashed.
Han Xiwen grabbed the black cat. Elder Xue suddenly spoke, "Young Master, this is the Sacred Cat."
Han Xiwen's face darkened. He threw the black cat to Elder Xue. "Keep an eye on it and don't let it out again."
Disregarding the cat scratching him again, Elder Xue held the black cat and left.
Elder Yu let out a snort and stood up. "It seems the food is inedible. I shall return now."
Only Elder Feng remained. He looked at Han Xiwen, then withdrew his gaze and walked to the door. "I hope you will fulfill your promise," he said indifferently.
Han Xiwen looked at the food splattered everywhere. "Shall I have Liu'er prepare some more?"
"No need. I didn't come here to eat," Xue Zining said.
Han Xiwen nodded. "I know. The medicine you requested is still being prepared and will be ready soon."
Xue Zining nodded. What she wanted was a drug to inhibit Wen Yuxi's bloodthirsty condition.
Han Xiwen said that this medicine was common in Miao Territory, but its preparation was troublesome.
"I'll go back to my room first," Xue Zining said and left the place.
On her way back, she encountered the little girl again. The girl ran over smiling to give her a flower. Xue Zining patted the girl's head. "Thank you, little sister."
"Sister, you are so beautiful," the girl smiled.
Xue Zining was slightly taken aback. Hadn't the girl said the same thing this morning?
She looked up and saw the girl's parents working. It seemed they were in the same place they were working when she first arrived.
She squatted down and asked, "Little girl, won't you rest for a while?"
The little girl looked at her, blinked, and tilted her head. "Why should I rest?"
"Because you'll get tired," Xue Zining replied.
The little girl shook her head. "No, they don't get tired."
"Miss Ning..."
Hearing someone call her, Xue Zining turned around. Liu'er was walking towards her with a plate. "The young master knew you hadn't eaten, so he asked me to bring you some pastries."
"Thank you!" Xue Zining took the plate, picked up a pastry, and offered it to the little girl. "Eat."
The little girl took it and looked at the pastry, lost in thought.
Xue Zining smiled. "Eat, Liu'er's cooking is very good."
The little girl frowned, looking troubled. "No one told me how to make it."
Xue Zining was surprised and was about to ask the girl when Han Xiwen walked over and patted the girl's shoulder. "Go play over there!"
The little girl nodded and left.
Han Xiwen said, "Miss Ning, would you like to look around?"
Xue Zining shook her head. "No need, I'm tired."
Saying that, she turned and walked towards her room.
Back in her room, she stood by the window, looking at the scenery outside. The little girl's parents were finally putting down their hoes and returning to their house.
She smiled and shook her head. She must be overthinking things. They hadn't seen outsiders for years, so some strange behavior was not unusual.
When it was dark, as she was about to sleep, a gust of wind blew in. She opened her eyes and saw a pair of eyes glowing with a faint green light.