“……”

The calico cat looked dejected; in truth, it still didn’t know what it had done wrong.

But after all, it was just a cat.

Let alone the imperial court and the heavenly palace, even these Daoists, or many of the wandering martial artists who would occasionally pass by and stay the night, were not people it could afford to provoke.

The night grew ever quieter, with only the sound of the wind remaining.

After a long while, the Daoist spoke again: “I have a question I’d like to ask you, too.”

“Huh?”

“I have a question I’d like to ask you, too.”

“Go ahead, feel free in my temple.”

“How long has Lady Calico been enlightened?”

“A few years now.”

“Only a few years?”

“It’s been a long time.”

“How did you become a demon?”

“Just became one, that’s all.”

“Any special encounters?” The Daoist nodded and looked at it. “For example, did you ever meet someone special, or eat something unique, or stay for a while in a place that felt especially comfortable?”

“No.”

“Really not?”

“……”

The calico cat refused to speak, only turning its head to stare at the Daoist, unblinking. After a long time, it finally said:

“I’m very smart.”

“Perhaps.”

Brian Carter withdrew his gaze and said no more.

It grew later and later, and colder and colder in the mountains.

Brian Carter leaned in a corner and closed his eyes.

The calico cat lay there yawning, sometimes staring at Brian Carter, sometimes coming up with all sorts of wild escape plans in its head—though really, it was just bored.

But now, it could neither go out to play nor leap about the temple as usual; it was truly in a bind.

Until the fifth watch before dawn, when it was coldest.

A cold wind blew in through the door.

Brian Carter cracked his eyes open, hugging his arms tighter around his chest as if to lock in the warmth. Looking to the side, he saw the calico cat curled up tightly on a straw-woven cushion in the moonlight, looking just like a small, fluffy ball.

Brian Carter seemed to feel something, and couldn’t help but fall into thought for a moment.

At dawn the next day, a rooster crowed at the foot of the mountain.

The calico cat woke before Brian Carter, sitting on the cushion and staring straight at him, lost in thought.

Perhaps pondering its own future fate.

Brian Carter ate a cold steamed bun he’d bought on the road yesterday, then took the cat down the mountain to ask around. He learned that there really was a miraculous cat spirit in the temple on the mountain. If anyone’s house was plagued by mice, they only needed to bring some fish, meat, and incense as offerings, and that very night their home would be peaceful. Its reputation had spread far and wide, and people from all around came in hopes of ridding themselves of mice.

After asking the last household, Brian Carter stood motionless at the door, looking up into the distance, lost in thought.

“Why aren’t you leaving?”

The calico cat was right beside him.

“I’m leaving now.”

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re still not moving.”

“I was just thinking…” Brian Carter glanced at it again. “You have quite a wide following.”

“Yes!”

“Every day people come to make offerings, and at night you go to their homes to catch mice?”

“That’s right!”

“What if it’s far away?”

“I just walk faster.”

“Then you really work hard.”

“It’s not hard.”

“Let’s go.”

“Are we going to find Mr. Miller?”

“Yes.”

Man and cat left the village, Brian Carter walking ahead, the calico cat following not too close and not too far behind. Neither spoke, just walked in silence. If someone else saw this scene, they might find it rather novel.

Chapter 7: Wishing to Form a Bond with You

Back on the Emerald Cloud Corridor, the scenery became familiar again, only now they were heading in the opposite direction. Seeing it from a different angle, it had a unique charm. So Brian Carter still walked slowly, occasionally paying attention to the scenery along the road.

The village temple gradually came into view.

Brian Carter walked toward it at a leisurely pace, but asked the calico cat walking silently beside him, “Lady Calico, would you be willing to travel the world with me?”

“Travel the world?”

“Yes, to walk all the roads under heaven, to see sunrises and sunsets in different places, to meet all kinds of people, demons, spirits, and ghosts, to taste delicious foods from everywhere, to experience different customs and cultures, to see what kind of lives people a thousand miles away are living.” Brian Carter paused. “My master said, that is true cultivation.”

“Aren’t you taking me to see Mr. Miller?”

“If Lady Calico is willing, I will naturally speak to Mr. Miller.” Brian Carter paused again, still walking at his original pace, then added, “Or Lady Calico can travel with me for a while, and once the incense aura on you fades, you can find a wild mountain to roam free again, and avoid the pain of captivity.”

“Then can I go back to my little temple?”

“Do you still want to be caught?”

“Hmm…”

The calico cat thought for a moment, then continued to ask, “If I go with you, how long will it take?”

“In any case, less time than being locked up.”

“Do you want me to catch mice for you?”

“No need.”

“Then what do you want me to do?”

“Nothing, just one thing: try not to speak in front of ordinary people.”

“Nothing else?”

“Nothing else.”

“Then why do you want me to go with you?”