Thinking of this, Liam Carter asked, “Has anyone in your household killed a cat in the past few days?”

　　“Of course not…” Mr. Miller shook his head. “My wife is very compassionate and has always been kind to animals. The stray cats and dogs in the area are always carefully fed by our servants.”

　　……

　　By the time Liam Carter arrived, it was already afternoon. After asking about the details and making a round of inspection, it was nearly dark.

　　The household hurriedly prepared a banquet to entertain him.

　　After all, if it got any later, the cat demon would appear.

　　There’s no need to mention the delicacies at the banquet. Mr. Miller and Liam Carter sat there, each attended by a maid behind them—treatment that was absolutely unattainable on Silver Sword Peak.

　　But after waiting for quite a while, not everyone had arrived. Another maid came to report, “Master, Madam says her condition has worsened and she truly cannot attend the banquet. She asks that Young Hero Liam and Master not take offense.”

　　“Oh…” Mr. Miller immediately looked anxious, stood up, glanced at Liam Carter, and apologized, “Please don’t mind, Young Hero Liam. I’ll go check on my wife and be right back.”

　　With that, he left Liam Carter there and hurried off to the back courtyard.

　　Liam Carter wasn’t annoyed, only smiled and said, “Mr. Miller and his wife truly have a deep bond.”

　　“Yes.” The maid beside him said with some envy, “Master and Madam have been married for ten years and are still as close as ever. A few years ago, Madam was unable to have children due to illness and even urged Master to take a concubine, but he has refused to this day.”

　　The other maid sighed, “Only a woman as beautiful and kind-hearted as Madam deserves such deep affection from Master.”

　　A moment later, Mr. Miller hurried back.

　　“Is Madam all right?” Liam Carter asked.

　　“It’s nothing serious. It’s just that these past few days, with all the evil disturbances, she’s been frightened and feels unwell. As long as this demon is dealt with, she’ll recover,” Mr. Miller said.

　　“I will do my utmost,” Liam Carter replied.

　　The banquet was not yet over when a gust of wind was heard outside.

　　A gloomy wind, laced with demonic energy, swept in with a roar, blowing open the main hall doors with a bang and sending the dishes and utensils clattering.

　　“It’s the cat demon, it’s here again!” Mr. Miller cried out in alarm.

　　Liam Carter immediately darted to the door, carefully sensing the aura.

　　The yin energy was heavy—there was a ghost. But it was mixed with a strong demonic wind. Could it be…

　　“Something’s strange. You all should hide…” Liam Carter turned around, intending to urge the noncombatants of the Ming household to take cover.

　　But as he turned, he found the entire banquet hall empty—there wasn’t a soul left but himself. From afar, carried by the wind, came Mr. Miller’s voice: “Young Hero Liam, we’re counting on you…”

　　Well then.

　　They sure ran fast.

　　He had been worried about the safety of the Ming family, but now he felt his concern was completely unnecessary. At this escape speed, even if the whole city of Xingzhou was overrun by monsters, they’d be fine.

　　“Meow—”

　　No time to think further—a sharp, piercing cry rang out, truly chilling and terrifying.

　　“Hah!” Liam Carter shouted, raising his flying sword bracelet, which transformed into a longsword in his hand as he strode out of the hall.

　　At a glance, he saw a surge of blood mist outside!

　　On the courtyard wall of the residence crouched a cat-faced monster, its body arched. Its heterochromatic eyes glowed with a lifeless white. Its face was covered in black fur matted with filthy blood, and it looked very small. Strangest of all, though it had a cat’s head, its body resembled that of a human infant—covered in filthy blood, but hairless.

　　Grotesque and terrifying!

　　Even Liam Carter felt his heart tighten at the sight.

　　This creature…

　　It was a vengeful spirit—a ghost born of overwhelming resentment! And an infant spirit—a child who died before birth, whose resentment is ten times stronger than ordinary ghosts! And a demon spirit—a demon that became a ghost after death!

　　No wonder it was so bizarre. Vengeful spirit, infant spirit, demon spirit… each one alone would be a rather unique existence among ghosts.

　　But this one was…

　　All stacked together!

Chapter 005 Mrs. Miller

　　“Meow—”

　　The cat spirit seemed to be searching for something, its lifeless, terrifying eyes scanning all around. With a light leap, it stirred up a gust of gloomy wind. The direction it leapt toward was the rear residence of the Ming household.

　　Liam Carter naturally wouldn’t let it advance. Such a deeply resentful creature would surely harm people if left in the world.

　　“Sword Control Art! Go!”

　　He pointed to the sky, and his flying sword turned into a streak of light, shooting out.

　　“Yowl—”

　　As soon as the sword light shot out, the cat demon let out a strange cry, its heterochromatic eyes glancing at Liam Carter. Its body flickered into a black shadow, dodging the flying sword, then immediately turned and pounced!

　　This strike was a retaliation for Liam Carter’s sword—fast and fierce, carrying a surge of blood mist, ferocious and sharp!

　　Liam Carter twisted his body and barely dodged the pounce. Even so, his clothes were still torn in one spot.

　　Rip—

　　The cat spirit landed, leaving two bloody streaks on the ground.

　　But a streak of sword light followed closely behind—it was Liam Carter’s flying sword!

　　Whoosh—

　　The sword light swept by swiftly. The cat spirit’s body suddenly twisted into a bizarre arc, dodging the deadly blow. “Yowl—”

　　It dodged, but not completely.

　　The sword light still left a deep wound on the cat spirit’s body.