Chapter 275: Collecting Cats

Standing behind Xu Xiaoshou, Mu Zixi heard this and her eyes curved into a smile, her twin tails perking up involuntarily.

Jiao Tangtang took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to kick out, and pointed at Tan Shen."It can't die!"

"Don't worry."

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled. "I won't say anything else, but I, Xu Xiaoshou, always keep things low-key and never stir up trouble. With me, it'll eat well and live comfortably!"As he spoke, the young man pulled out a portion of cooked beef from his ring and coaxed gently, "Little kitty, want some?"

Jiao Tangtang nearly lost her composure. She quickly snatched the meat from Xu Xiaoshou's hand."There's one more condition you have to agree to: you can't feed it any meat!"

"Why?" Xu Xiaoshou asked, taken aback.

"Don't ask. Some things aren't for you to know."

Xu Xiaoshou reached out and took back the cooked beef, muttering, "I wasn't planning to give it to the cat anyway—this was never meant for it."He turned around. "Here, for you."

Mu Zixi's face lit up with a smile, any earlier annoyance forgotten."What's this?"

"Something I bought earlier."

"Okay!"The little girl took the packaged cooked beef, grinning as she stepped back, hiding it behind her and quietly waiting for Xu Xiaoshou's conversation to end.

Jiao Tangtang withdrew her gaze, thinking to herself that this might actually be a decent choice.If this guy treats Tan Shen the same way he treats that little girl...

"Meow!"A sharp cry pulled her out of her daydream. Jiao Tangtang watched in horror as Xu Xiaoshou roughly stuffed Tan Shen into his embrace.

"Xu Xiaoshou, can't you be more gentle?"

"Relax, I know what I'm doing."

You don't have a clue!I really want to kick you senseless right now!Jiao Tangtang's eye twitched with anger, leaving her speechless.

Xu Xiaoshou laughed it off. "Alright, I've generously agreed to your demands, so now it's time for you to show some sincerity."

"What sincerity?"

"Playing dumb, huh? We agreed earlier—if I take care of this cat for you, you're supposed to pay me regularly!"

Jiao Tangtang clenched her fist, then silently relaxed it.Fine, it's just payment, right?Although she and her companion had been pretty much cleaned out by Tan Shen, they still had some loose change left."How much?"

"What do you mean, how much... I'm not interested in money."

Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow and said casually, "Just give me your contact information."

Before Jiao Tangtang could respond, a resentful voice came from behind her."Xu Xiaoshou, what are you doing?!"

Mu Zixi was furious.A piece of beef is all it takes to buy me off, huh? How dare you ask for another woman's contact right in front of your junior sister?

"Kids don't get it!" Xu Xiaoshou shoved her away with a hand, pinching the little girl's cheek to push her back.

Jiao Tangtang looked on with a strange expression and teased, "You want my Tong Xun Yu Jian?"

"Yeah!"

Xu Xiaoshou replied matter-of-factly, "Otherwise, how would I contact you if I need help with something, like taking out someone?"

Jiao Tangtang: ???

"Just that?"

"What else?" Xu Xiaoshou looked puzzled, then suddenly stepped back, hugging himself. "What do you mean by that?!"

Jiao Tangtang's eyes widened in disbelief. This guy...

How can he ask for someone else's Tong Xun Yu Jian and act like the victim?You're the one who brought it up—why make it sound like I'm the one coming on to you?

"Here!"She tossed the jade slip over irritably and turned to leave.

"Locked on, passive value: 1."

Xu Xiaoshou caught the jade slip and glanced at the recent update in his information panel.Sure enough, this woman acts all carefree but secretly placed a mark on me.A lock...Is it to stop me from doing anything reckless?What a joke!I'm Xu Xiaoshou—honest and cautious, always playing it safe. I won't cause any trouble!Xu Xiaoshou scoffed inwardly at the qi lock; he didn't take it seriously.At most, it's just Jiao Tangtang's backup plan.Even if they track me down later, what can they do? With Tan Shen in hand, those two won't dare touch me.On the contrary...Xu Xiaoshou looked at the jade slip and smiled.This turned out surprisingly smooth. I'll handle that kill job and, as a bonus, I've got two potential top-tier enforcers on call.As long as I send a message, will they dare not show up?And if I get into a fight or need backup, one tap on this jade slip, and help will come."Heh, who would've thought I'd end up like this—one day, Xu Xiaoshou, acting like a big boss who can summon minions at will." He chuckled to himself.Truth be told, these two aren't just run-of-the-mill underlings—they might be big shots among big shots.Xu Xiaoshou watched Jiao Tangtang's retreating figure, then glanced down at the cat, his thoughts a bit mixed."Similar to those Gray Fog beings?""Is this cat worth it?"In the crowd of onlookers, the Three Swordsmen had already sensed trouble and slipped away.The others, seeing that the two didn't end up fighting, dispersed in disappointment.Soon, as Jiao Tangtang handed over the jade slip, the crowd gathered outside the Duojin Merchant Guild scattered.Clearly, there was no more spectacle to see.In Tian Sang Cheng, gatherings like this that build up to a fight but fizzle out were fairly common, happening now and then.For the busy guards of the city lord's mansion, it was just another trivial matter.If cultivators like Lian Ling Shi did start fighting, those with any sense would move the battle to the sky.As long as no one died and innocents weren't harmed, and the guards were occupied elsewhere, even a killing might go unpunished.Of course, something like the massive explosion Xu Xiaoshou had caused earlier was a different story.Xin Gugu carried his Zen staff on his shoulder and stuck close to Jiao Tangtang, not speaking until they were far away. "Is it really okay to just hand Tan Shen over to that guy?""Theoretically, no," Jiao Tangtang replied without looking back, leaving it at that.Xin Gugu was momentarily speechless. Yeah, he felt the same—it wasn't right.But considering the situation, even if Xu Xiaoshou was a bit unreliable and had an odd way of thinking, he seemed... to be the best option available.Actually, there was another choice!"His junior sister could work too?" Xin Gugu suggested tentatively.Jiao Tangtang's lips curved into a smile. After fully processing her encounter with Xu Xiaoshou, she looked back at the young man and saw him in a new light.True, for enemies, someone like him is a real headache.But as an ally..."No need. If Xu Xiaoshou hadn't shown up, that might've been fine, but since we have the best option, why settle for second best?""That little girl is nice, but she's too weak!"Xin Gugu paused mid-step. "Xu Xiaoshou is also...""You forget how he snatched Tan Shen right from your hands?"Jiao Tangtang's eyes flashed with a cold glint as she glanced at Xin Gugu, making him shrink back."It was just because I wasn't prepared!"Jiao Tangtang sneered. "That guy is quirky, sure, but if you ignore his biggest flaw, his strength, mind, and reflexes are all top-notch!"Xin Gugu scratched his head in thought, and after a long while, he finally looked up.He hesitated, then said, "But I can't ignore that flaw of his..."Jiao Tangtang's face stiffened.She took a slow breath, hiked up her robe, and revealed her snow-white leg.Why learn anything else? You had to pick this!"Stand still!""What for?""I said, stand still!" Jiao Tangtang raised her long, straight leg.Xin Gugu: ???