Emperor North City was the largest in the Alliance, its political, economic, and cultural hub. Prosperous, grand, stylish. If Xiao Xi's hometown was famed for cuisine, this city was famed for fashion—hosting the world's fashion week every year. Its residents had refined taste and artistic sensibility.
The main gate, though less ornate than Zijing's, was the grandest on the continent. Ancient yet modern in design. Said to have withstood centuries of storms and wars without damage, it was revered as the Divine Gate by the Alliance and royals. No one dared alter it.
After passing inspection and entering through the vast gate, the children were stunned. Crowds surged, streets tangled, skyscrapers towered.
This was nothing like A Jun's hometown. If Emperor North City was a top-tier metropolis, Xiao Xi's hometown was first-tier, and A Jun's only second-tier—a city versus a small town.
After parting with the team, A Jun wandered the city with Xiao Jiuwuo. Wide, ornate streets bustled with fashionable crowds. Vendors shouted to attract customers, competing fiercely. The polished roads were well-kept, though litter still appeared.
Artificial greenery tried to purify the air, but barely made a difference.
Soon, Xiao Jiuwuo ducked into the hat, unsettled. A Jun too felt dizzy—perhaps the complex streets confused him.
Worse, the wristband, so lively before, now failed again. They had to grope their way through the luxurious maze, asking directions as they went.
At last, after three districts, they found a quiet park—one of the few green oases.
"Hello, route error. Please return to the previous district, turn right, cross three more districts. Estimated time: one hour. You seem stubborn. Recalculating… Proceed straight. Arrival in fifteen minutes."
Exhausted, A Jun sat on a bench to rest, planning his next move. Time was running short.
Sensing his anxiety, Xiao Jiuwuo poked her head out, meowing encouragement. Just then, the wristband rebooted, recalculated, and finally pointed them in the right direction.
"Oh, we're almost there, Xiao Jiuwuo!"
"Meow…"
The two children followed the holographic map's route, soon arriving at their destination—a tranquil spot in the bustling city. Though lively, it was lush with greenery. The square was spacious, with low building density, fresh air, and a clean, tidy atmosphere.
This time, the person A Jun was looking for lived in an apartment building by the square. It was the address Auntie had given him—Building 6, Unit 6, Room 666. So many sixes, it felt auspicious.
—Hmm? That person… looks familiar? Is he waving at me?
"Xiao Jiuwuo—huh? Why are you hiding again…"
"—Hello! Are you Xiao Jun?"
"Oh, hello!"
"You've worked hard! This little one didn't give you too much trouble, did she?"
"No, not at all. In fact, I should thank Auntie for letting Xiao Jiuwuo keep me company!"
"Really? With her temperament…"
"Meow!!"
Meeting what seemed to be the cat's owner, A Jun politely greeted him. The young man wore a trendy sports outfit with red and green stripes, stylish and modern, almost like…
But after a few words, the cat suddenly leapt onto A Jun's shoulder, meowing with hostility. A Jun began to doubt.
—Could he be a fraud? These days, TV dramas always warn about scams—people who look perfectly normal. But… his intuition said this man didn't seem bad.
"Hey, I came kindly to pick you up, and you treat me so fiercely?"
"Please wait!"
"Meow!"
Just as the man reached to take the cat, A Jun stepped back, firmly refusing. Xiao Jiuwuo cried out too. The man looked troubled.
—What are you two doing?
"Sorry, sir. For safety, I must ask you one more question. Otherwise, I won't hand Xiao Jiuwuo over!"
"Me? Safety? Do I look like a bad guy—ah? You… fine! Ask!"
The boy's determination shocked the man, who looked both indignant and helpless. Even the cat sided with the boy. The atmosphere turned into an interrogation.
"What is your nickname?"
"What!"
"Auntie told me. It's the code word!"
The man froze, clearly uncomfortable. A Jun cautiously stepped back, the cat egging him on.
"You don't want to come home, do you, little one? Fine, fine… it's…"
"Ah? What? Too quiet!"
"Watermelon!"
"Meow!!"
"Sorry, still didn't hear clearly…"
"Kid, you're doing this on purpose…!!"
Because the man spoke too softly, and the cat kept meowing, A Jun had to ask three times before getting the answer.
They forgot they were in a public square. The final loud answer startled passersby, who stopped and laughed.
"Haha!"
Suddenly, a mischievous child popped up beside the man, poking his back and teasing: "Uncle Dong! Your nickname is Watermelon? Shouldn't it be Winter Melon? Haha, so fitting, so funny—oh, my tears… Uncle, got a tissue?"
"You little brat, eavesdropping on adults!"
"Hehe, I heard it. Catch me if you can! I'll tell my parents!"
"You—hey! You rascal!"
"Mm! The code matches. No mistake!"
"Meow…"
With the code confirmed, suspicion was lifted. A Jun nodded, and Xiao Jiuwuo agreed. Onlookers smiled at the scene, charmed by the child's innocence.
But the uncle, embarrassed and angry, trembled.
"Enough! Stop laughing, disperse! Hmph, kid, satisfied now?"
"Mm! Sorry, sir, it was for Xiao Jiuwuo's safety. Please don't mind."
"Meow~"
"I… sigh, you've defeated me. My reputation! Fine, I'll let it go. Hey, come here!"
"Meow…"
"Still clinging?"
"Meow!"
"Sir, please be gentle…"
"Call me Uncle Dong!"
With identities confirmed, A Jun had to part with the cat. But Xiao Jiuwuo resisted—clinging to A Jun's neck with her tail.
For minutes, they tugged back and forth—the uncle impatient, the cat meowing, A Jun awkwardly smiling. Finally, the square quieted. The uncle pulled the cat onto his shoulder. Though reunited, the cat looked unhappy, as if sulking.
"Uncle Dong, I've delivered Xiao Jiuwuo as promised. I'll be going now."
"Ah… do you have time? Join us for dinner, as thanks."
"Meow…"
"No, thank you. I must complete my trial. Time is short."
"Oh… then next time. Goodbye!"
"Mm. Goodbye, sir. Xiao Jiuwuo, thank you for your company. Farewell…"
"Meow…"
Suppressing his reluctance, A Jun calmly said goodbye. After a pause, he turned, forced a smile, waved, and strode away.
"Hey, girl, still watching? Let's go!"
"Meow~"
"He's gone. Why are you still looking? Hey, what are you doing down there?"
"Meow… wait. He'll turn back and wave again… meow!"
"You knew? Do you like him? But that boy—ordinary looks, not strong…"
"Dad, stop! Don't tease him—it's not his fault!"
"Oh, I can't even comment? He's your pen pal, isn't he?"
"Mm! He's suffered a lot, but he's strong and hardworking!"
"Good! I see. He's honest, polite, determined—though a bit stubborn, a bit slow…"
"Dad!"
But A Jun didn't know. Behind him, the cat perched on Uncle Dong's shoulder, watching. The square emptied, people gone. Suddenly, Xiao Jiuwuo leapt to the ground.
"In such a hurry? But I can see—he truly cares for you."
"Yes! You don't know, one night…"
"Oh? So, he really took your mother's request to heart. Responsible!"
"Huh?"
"Otherwise—because he likes you. Sakura, don't forget—in his eyes, you are Xiao Jiuwuo, just a cat."
"I… what are you saying! We're just friends!"
"Alright, alright. Let's go, little one. Dinner time."
"I don't want to…"
"Hey, don't look like that. I'm not cooking. There's a new Hu-Su-Lake restaurant. Great food!"
"Dad, don't tell me… takeout again? Hehe!"
"Child, I cook sometimes! But you know my skills—even the cat dislikes it. Takeout is easier. I'm a busy vice dean at a top university! Come on, let's stroll, then eat. I'll order your favorite—Shanghai-style braised pork belly!"
"Hooray, rich and savory meat sauce, poured over rice and stirred in… ah, delicious! By the way, Dad, I want to study at the Academy too!"
After a while, A Jun's figure disappeared into the glow of the sunset—and the cat vanished as well. In her place stood a tall, slender girl with sun-kissed skin, playfully chattering beside Uncle Dong, eagerly awaiting her favorite meal. Her figure was identical to the girl who had once spied on A Jun and his friends in the Peach Blossom Valley.
Only now, her cheeks were sharper, her face a perfect oval—had she done some cosmetic tweaks? When she smiled, her neat white teeth showed—her braces had been removed.
"…Are you serious? The schools back home aren't bad. And your childhood friends, that boy—they're waiting to study with you. Don't tell me this is because of him?"
"Ah, no! I just want to broaden my horizons. Being out here made me realize how big the world is. We get a few special admissions every year… oh, and Juzi is coming with me!"
"Well, it's not impossible—but with your grades, isn't that asking for trouble…"
"Dad, what kind of parent talks down their own daughter? I'll work hard, I won't embarrass you!"
"Alright, I get it! Heh, but you don't want to embarrass yourself in front of him, right…"
"No way—ugh… where is he? Hurry up, Dad, I'm starving…"
"Fine, let's go. Dad will treat you to something delicious!"
—And who knows if A Jun will make it in time? By now, he should be resupplying…
"—I really am a little hungry. Maybe a snack before the trial… Xiao Jiuwuo, want some too—oh, right. She's gone home already… How nice, being with family. I want to go home too…"
Leaving the square, A Jun hurried on beneath the sunset. His wristband was dead, but he knew the roads well enough.
Since lunch, he hadn't eaten much. After three trials, he found he didn't get hungry as quickly. Still, the afternoon's exertion had drained him. With another trial ahead, a snack was the best choice.
He slowed his pace, nibbling on the millet cakes his little sister had made, strolling down a quieter street. Eating while walking too fast could cause cramps.
But as he ate, he instinctively wanted to call the greedy cat to share. He wasn't used to being alone.
He thought of his family, his friends, the kind people in his life—the shopkeeper grandma, Auntie Zhang the neighbor, his homeroom teacher. Grateful since childhood, he never forgot those who treated him well.
Then, suddenly—
"Meow!"
"Hm? Xiao Jiuwuo—no, wait. Her nose is pink, this one isn't!"
"Meow?"
"Oh, you want food too?"
"Meow~"
He turned and saw a small figure approaching from a corner, eyes shining. A skinny but clean American Shorthair—no collar, likely a stray. At first, he thought it was Xiao Jiuwuo, but up close, he realized it wasn't.
"You want to eat… oh, not this. You can't eat this!"
"Meow…"
"Really, it'll make you sick. Here, take this instead!"
A Jun pulled out some ordinary food his brother-in-law had made, placed it on a disposable plate, and stepped back. The stray hesitated, then cautiously approached, finally devouring it.
"Eat slowly. I have to go. Bye!"
"Meow! Meow…"
"What is it—not enough?"
Just as he turned to leave, the cat cried out. Then—out from the corner came several kittens, all different, clearly her children.
"You want me… to feed them too?"
"Meow~~~"
The mother cat and her kittens sat obediently before him, eyes pleading. He couldn't resist. The kittens were thin and pitiful, reminding him of himself.
Of course, kind-hearted A Jun couldn't refuse. He kept a little food for himself, giving the rest to the cats. He even set up a small tent as a temporary shelter.
This "stray tent" had built-in wards, air conditioning, toys, and self-cleaning. It recognized only these cats, safe from outsiders. Energy was limited, but enough to keep them warm through winter. Hopefully, kind people would adopt them one day.
The kittens, surprisingly well-behaved, carried food inside and greeted him sweetly. Watching them settle in, A Jun sighed and left.
—Such a grand city, seemingly beautiful, yet so many animals without homes. This was once their land too. If only the Alliance would care for them…
He hurried on. As the sun dipped, he finally saw the legendary gate—Shenwu Gate. A towering golden door, twice the size of normal gates, inlaid with nine giant diamonds of different colors. Bathed in sunset, it was breathtaking.
"Ah, nearly five o'clock. I must hurry!"
"Stop! Who goes there, state your name!"
"You're too stiff—hey, kid, what do you want? Trying to sneak in?"
At the gate, two guards—one fat, one thin—blocked him. Reasonable, since this was Zijing City, strict checks were necessary.
"Yes, uncles, hello! I'm here for a trial…"
"No way. A trial? Never heard of it. You're just trying to sneak in for a peek, aren't you? Plenty of boys like you…"
"Peek? No, you misunderstand, I really…"
"Real or fake, I don't care!"
"Hey, don't shout at the kid! State your name!"
"Ugh, is that all you can say? New here, aren't you? Learn some lines. Kid, this is the palace, not a playground. Off you go!"
Flustered, A Jun forgot his key item. He argued in vain, until—
"Oh, right! Uncles, did three kids about my age just go in?"
"Yeah, you saw them? Don't act familiar if you don't even know who they were with."
"I'm with them… wait, I have a token—here!"
He suddenly remembered Yuwen Lu's token, hurriedly showing it. The guards' attitudes flipped instantly.
"Oh! It's you. Why didn't you say so earlier? What a misunderstanding!"
"Yes, a familiar guest. Please, come in!"
"You sound like a parrot…"
"Thank you, uncles. Could you tell me how to reach Taihe Hall?"
"Straight 500 meters, left at the junction, another 500, left again, then…"
The change was dramatic—like borrowing a tiger's might. A Jun entered smoothly, following the complicated directions, muttering about Yuwen Lu's high status. One token carried such weight. And everyone here was polite, much better.
"Brother, the palace is like a maze. Will that kid find his way? Should we guide him? Even I'm confused."
"No way. He has that man's token—he must be important. And he looks clever enough. We've said too much already. If he thinks we're doubting him…"