Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

After the sheriff listened to Zhao Yao's thoughts and looked at the figure in the sofa's shadow, he was so frightened that he almost peed.

“The devil of all devils, the sc.u.mbag of the sc.u.mbags, the number one enemy of cats! Why is there such a person in this world?”

Zhao Yao stood up from the sofa and moved out of the shadows. He sized up the sheriff and said, “Are you able to read my thoughts? What am I thinking?”

The sheriff was so scared that he fell to the floor. Roly Poly was getting impatient and kicked him, saying, “What are you doing? Master is asking you. Stand up properly and answer! No manners at all… Was my advice wasted?”

The sheriff did not make any moves. He trembled as he listened intently to Zhao Yao's current thoughts.

Zhao Yao thought, “Well, I don't feel like working. I want to play G.o.d of War. It is newly bought and I haven't touched it…”

The sheriff was shocked and thought, “Who is G.o.d of War? Another cat? He just made a cat disabled and he is thinking of another one. He is a horrible human…” He shook his head and said, “I don't normally use my ability because the noisy thoughts will cause headaches.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Zhao Yao pinched his chin and thought, “Feels useless, might as well send to the gallows.”

The sheriff's fur immediately stood on ends and he wanted to rebuke but he suppressed his urge and thought, “Test, he must be testing me! I will pretend not to hear!”

He heard Zhao Yao's thoughts that said, “Killing him will mess up the place with his blood. I might just throw him away.”

The sheriff wagged his tail happily and shouted joyfully in his thoughts, “Very good, throw me away immediately!”

Zhao Yao noticed the changes in the sheriff and rolled his eyes. “He is indeed reading my mind. His expressions are written all over his face.”

The sheriff shook his head like a rattle-drum and thought, “No… I didn't!”

“Humph, I am not afraid of your mind reading.” Zhao Yao folded his arms and said, “I am upright so I am not afraid of my own shadows. My thoughts are righteous so I am not afraid of you listening to them.”

Zhao Yao placed his head in front of the sheriff, looked into his eyeball and said, “Is that correct?”

“If you utter nonsense, I will take down your head.”

The sheriff shuddered and said gravely, “Your thoughts are good and kind. I am so moved that I want to cry.” He wiped his face and continued, “I have never met such a kind person.”

Zhao Yao nodded and said, “Tell me about yourself. Gang activities, kidnapping, hurting others, how many of crimes have you committed? I am sure you are aware of that?” Zhao Yao returned to his sofa as he spoke. “Since you committed so many crimes, a gunshot should suffice. However, I think you have the potential to be a great cat so I am giving you a chance.”

“Thank you honorable Headless Horseman.”

“Skip the formalities. Just call me Zhao Yao. We are all equal.” Zhao Yao said but his thoughts were different. “All cats have to equally listen to me. I will kill all disobedient cats.”

“Equality is good, equality is good.” The sheriff teared as he nodded and said, “Tell me what I can do for you!”

“Not much things for now but I will find you when the need arises. I called you over for a meet and greet.” Zhao Yao said. “You will help out in Cat Wonderland. Roly Poly, he will be under your supervision.”

Roly Poly nodded in agreement and was overjoyed as he thought, “Excellent, with the sheriff's help, I will be able to understand what Zhao Yao is thinking with ease. Excellent!”

Zhao Yao thought, “Humph, I shall send the mind reading cat as a mole in the cat section. Won't I be able to figure out what they are thinking? This will preempt them from creating trouble.”

The sheriff was speechless.

Meanwhile, in a condominium in the rural area, the entire building was cordoned off by the cops.

Numerous workers walked in and out collecting evidence in the building.

Uncle Ho stood on the 12th floor and looked at the blood stains on the ground silently.

He said in a rough voice, “How's the situation?”

Lin Chen shook his head and said, “Twelve dead and three unconscious and seriously injured. They are most likely apostles.”

“Are there any evidences of the murderers?”

Lin Chen said, “There is only one murderer and he has no intention of hiding it. We found large number of footprints, hair, and blood samples.”

“Oh?” Uncle Ho was pleasantly surprised and said, “Is he in the database?” Early morning, he had received a call about a serious murder which was committed by apostles.

While they were investigating the case in the first location, someone reported several murders in the current second location. The murderer was arrogant and disregarded the cops.

While they had a news blackout, the superior wanted them to solve the case as soon as possible, thus giving Uncle Ho immense pressure.

After being informed that the murderer left a lot of evidence, Uncle Ho was happy.

Lin Chen shook his head and said, “The evidence is cat paw prints, footprints and cat fur. His body is larger than a tiger. We cannot be sure it is the supercat's body or a human's body after transformation. From the blood a.n.a.lysis, it is not human.”

Uncle Ho heaved heavily and said, “What about the victims' testimony?”

Lin Chen shook his head again and said, “They are still in critical condition or in a coma. As for the testimony of the pa.s.sersby, no one saw the murderer.”

Uncle Ho frowned and said, “This case is tricky.”

Lin Chen said, “The only lead we have is that the supercats of both locations went missing. The murderer's intent seems to be stealing these supercats. Tracking these missing supercats might be our breakthrough for the case.”

Uncle Ho nodded and said, “Put all your efforts into these two cases. I will support you. The murderer is extremely cruel and dangerous. If the ruthless murderer continues to stay in Jianghai, we would be not be able to answer for the safety of the citizens. We have to catch him.”

Lin Chen nodded and hesitated before asking, “Shouldn't we inform the Headless Horseman?”

“We can't possible depend on him for everything.” Uncle Ho said, “If we ask for his help every time, aren't we dependant?”

At this time, Uncle Ho's cell phone rang. After taking the call, his face turned grave and he replied, “Okay, yes, I know. I will send someone over.”

Seeing Uncle Ho's expression, Lin Chen asked, “What happened?”

“The murderer has struck again.” Uncle Ho was ghastly pale as he said, “This time it is a cat house, all seven members are dead and the cats went missing.”

Lin Chen exhaled deeply, his face looking grim as he said, “This is too savage! I will bring the team over.”

Seeing the receding figure of Lin Chen, Uncle Ho pondered and pressed on the cell phone screen. The contacts list indicated Zhao Yao's contact number.

After thinking for a while, he eventually shook his head, sighed, and shut off his cell phone. He didn't make the call.

Thanks

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

After Zhao Yao saw the sheriff, he waved his hand and sent the two cats off. While the sheriff was leaving the office, he saw Milk Tea leaping and jumping as he ran into the office, with Yellow Mud behind Milk Tea yelling, “Don't run so fast! Take care not to fall!”

The sheriff shook his head and thought, “Such a pity that a little kitten is going to be…” He sighed and left with Roly Poly.

Milk Tea jumped into Zhao Yao's arms, sc.r.a.ping here and there and saying, “Master Zhao! I received my salary!”

Zhao Yao smiled as he nodded. “Where did you clean today?”

Milk Tea gestured with his paws and said, “We cleaned the main hall and the casino below. We started yesterday once the business was closed when there were no guests around!”

Zhao Yao was pleased as he cuddled Milk Tea's head and said, “Milk Tea, you're so skilled.” He took out a wad of dollars and gave it to Milk Tea. “Take this Milk Tea. This is your reward!”

Seeing so much money, Milk Tea opened his eyes in surprise and looked at Yellow Mud. He shook his head and said, “No… I can't. My salary is not worth that much.”

Zhao Yao was moved as his eyes flashed with the image of Matcha.

“Zhao Yao! I have no money!” Matcha bit the lap of Zhao Yao's pants and wailed, “No money! No money! No money! No money! No money! No money! No money! No money…”

“Enough, I will transfer 500 dollars to you.”

“That is not enough for me!” Matcha leaped on Zhao Yao's head and shouted, “Give me money! I want money! Money! Money! Money…”

“They are both orange cats. Why is the difference so great?” Zhao Yao sighed with mixed feelings and caressed Milk Tea's head. “It's alright. You did your job well so I am rewarding you.”

“No, I can't!” Milk Tea bat the cash with his paw and looked at Yellow Mud, who was encouraging him by nodding. Milk Tea inhaled deeply and said, “My salary is not worth that much. Master Zhao, I can't take this hard earned money from you.”

“Silly kid.” Zhao Yao cuddled Milk Tea's back from the head to the tail. Seeing Milk Tea squint his eyes in comfort, Zhao Yao asked, “Okay, I will not reward you with money. Since you worked so hard, I will reward you with a gift. Tell me what you want. I will get it for you as a gift. Don't refuse.”

Milk Tea stared at Zhao Yao with his large eyes and hesitated as he wagged his tail. He said with antic.i.p.ation, “Master Zhao, can you play with the cat stick with me? I saw it on the television. People were playing with the cat stick with the little kittens.”

Milk Tea's gaze was full of yearning. Zhao Yao covered his mouth and thought, “Yes, almost identical to Matcha when he was young…”

He recalled the past and thought of the current Matcha.

The cat stick waved in front of Matcha before he became impatient and pushed the cat stick away as he said, “What are you doing? Trying to fool me?”

“This is a cat stick Matcha! You loved playing with this when you were young!”

“You are boring me with the past. I am already grown up! I don't play with such silly things now.” Matcha said and he abruptly leaped on Zhao Yao's legs. He turned and tossed as he yelled, “I want money! Help me charge my game account with money! Money, money, money! If you don't help me, I won't get up!”

Zhao Yao stroked Milk Tea with mixed feelings. He took out the cat stick that had not been used for a long time and played with it with Milk Tea.

As the cat stick was waved and turned around, Milk Tea' body was twisting and turning correspondingly. He looked intently at Milk Tea, who would occasionally swipe his paw at the cat stick.

Seeing Milk Tea happily playing and focusing on the cat stick, Zhao Yao could not resist smiling and thought, “I hope, Milk Tea, that you will grow up happy and healthy. Don't be like your unreliable dad.”

In the Extradimensional Belly, Matcha was lying below the ice shaver machine licking the ice shavings when he had an idea and sat up.

Old Cat was concerned and typed the words that said, “What happened, Sir George?”

Matcha frowned and his expression turned grim. He licked on the ice shavings and said, “I feel that it will be better with strawberry sauce!”

“Understood!” Old Cat shouted to the cats to the side, “Get some strawberry sauce!”

Speedy who was stuck in the ice shaver machine roared, “That is enough! My ability is limited! I can't possibly produce ice forever!”

Matcha kicked the ice shaver machine and said, “Why are you yelling? The weather's hot and we are wearing a thick coat of fur so we may get heat stroke. Why are you complaining when you are only contributing a small amount of ice? What a miser.”

Speedy looked at the long queue of supercats standing before the ice shaver machine and wept but failed to shed a tear. “You call this a small amount of ice?”

Matcha shouted at the top of his voice, “Free strawberry slurpee! Come and help yourself!”

Zhao Yao played with Milk Tea for more than half an hour. Milk Tea started panting heavily, his stomach rising and flattening but his large eyes remained focused on the cat stick.

Zhao Yao let Milk Tea lie down as he made the cat stick dance above Milk Tea, who swiped happily at it.

Yellow Mud looked at the scene and giggled discreetly. “That is great, I shall play with the cat stick with Floret too. It had been a long time since I played with her.”

As Zhao Yao indulged in playing with the cat stick, his cell phone rang.

“Someone called me directly on my cell phone? What happened?” Zhao Yao looked surprised as he picked up the phone. “Nanako?”

His brow raised as he opened up the phone and heard a feeble voice coming through.

Nanako said, “Mr Zhao Yao, sorry to bother you.”

“Nanako?” Zhao Yao was surprised and asked, “Your voice sounds very bad, what happened?”

“I…” Nanako's voice was filled with tremendous sorrow as she said, “My brother… has pa.s.sed away.”

Zhao Yao was dumbfounded and he answered gravely, “I send my condolences. Is there anything I can help you with?” He stood up and his body exuded a serious aura.

When he last saw Hideki Kujyo, he was a smart and capable young man. Zhao Yao did not expect him to pa.s.s away in just a few months.

Milk Tea felt the change in Zhao Yao's att.i.tude. He climbed up and stood by the side obediently.

Nanako inhaled deeply and said, “Five supercats attacked us and they were powerful and cruel. After they created a lot of trouble in the United States, they came to j.a.pan.

They attacked all the powerful apostles in j.a.pan and stole their supercats. According to the latest intelligence, they have arrived in China.”

“Oh!”

“Mr Zhao Yao, you have to be careful. They are extremely dangerous.”

Zhao Yao comforted Nanako and said, “Don't worry Nanako. If they look for me, they will be in a very bad shape.”