Tuan Tuan

Sun Yigao walked out of the room holding the peach leaf talisman he had taken from his storage pouch and said to Jiang Youfu and Liu Yunan,

"You two should put on these peach leaf talismans right away. That kitten probably attacked us earlier because it could tell we possess cultivation."

As he spoke, he lowered his head to tie the talisman around his own waist.

"I heard from my father before that Granny Fang used to keep a cat in this courtyard. It went missing for a period later on, but I heard that in recent years, that cat has been returning to this courtyard from time to time. I suppose it must be that little cat demon.

That little cat demon frequently comes and goes around here, and there haven't been any reports of it hurting people over the years. Today it specifically attacked us, probably because it sensed our cultivation and thought we had forcibly taken over the place."

The owner of the courtyard was the old man, surnamed Fang. The Granny Fang that Sun Yigao mentioned was his deceased wife.

Lin Xiao also said,

"Yigao is right. Hurry up and put on those peach leaf talismans. Although this is the mortal world, it's hard to guarantee there aren't individual cultivators or demon beasts hiding here. We'd better be cautious."

Hearing this, Jiang Youfu and Liu Yunan quickly took out the peach leaf talismans that Lin Xiao had prepared for them by, once again, gathering leaves from the ten-mile peach blossom tree the day before yesterday.

However, both of them felt the talismans looked rather out of place with their current clothes. So, unlike Sun Yigao who wore his on the outside, they tied theirs inside their garments.

The four of them went inside, laid out their bedding, ate the dry rations they had brought together, and then settled down for the night.

Early the next morning, the four set out.

Landlord Sun had previously told them that he had also arranged for three daily meals with Old Master Fang. The Fang family's servant would prepare them; they just needed to find time to go and pick up the food.

So now they were heading to Old Master Fang's current home.

His home wasn't far from the courtyard. After crossing two streets, Lin Xiao and the others arrived.

Old Master Fang's current residence was much larger than the small courtyard, a two-section compound.

They knocked on the door, and it was opened by a middle-aged man in his forties who seemed to be about to go out.

Seeing the youths at the door, his eyes immediately landed on the tallest one, Sun Yigao, and he said with a smile,

"Yigao, you're here."

Sun Yigao nodded and bowed in greeting,

"Greetings, Uncle Fang."

Due to their families' connection from the previous generation, Landlord Sun was an old acquaintance of Old Master Fang's son. Although they didn't meet often, Sun Yigao still recognized him.

Uncle Fang warmly invited them inside,

"Come in, come in, hurry inside. The food is ready for you. Your aunt will bring it to you in a moment. I have to rush to open the shop, otherwise I'll be late and the assistants will be waiting. You all have a good time."

After ushering the four youths into the courtyard, Uncle Fang hurried out the door.

Entering the courtyard, the four youths saw Old Master Fang sitting in a recliner under the shade of a tree in the front yard, drinking tea.

Old Master Fang saw them too. Squinting his eyes kindly, he raised the cattail leaf fan in his hand to greet the four of them,

"You've come?"

The four quickly stepped forward to pay their respects.

Old Master Fang asked them with a kindly expression,

"Did you rest well last night?"

They all nodded repeatedly,

"I slept soundly! Even better than at home."

"You certainly slept soundly enough. Your snoring woke me up several times."

Old Master Fang laughed heartily, revealing his missing teeth. He pointed to a long stone bench nearby,

"Sit here for a while. Your aunt is in the back preparing your meal. She'll bring it out shortly."

The four obediently sat down.

Lin Xiao spoke up,

"Grandpa Fang, after you left yesterday, a cat came to the courtyard."

Hearing this, Old Master Fang sighed,

"Ah, pay it no mind. That cat was my late wife's pet. It went missing for a few years, and we thought it was gone. Who knew it suddenly returned a few years ago? Perhaps seeing my wife wasn't there, it refuses to come home with us. It just goes to that little courtyard to sleep from time to time and disappears after waking up.

Don't worry, that cat is very well-behaved and never harms people."

Hearing him say the cat never harmed people, the four of them thought of the kitten's sharp claws from yesterday. Could it be a different cat?

Old Master Fang continued,

"That cat, well, it's a pitiful story. When my wife first found it, it was only the size of a palm, with a bleeding gash on one of its hind legs. It was so weak it couldn't even meow.

My wife took pity on it, brought it home, and cared for it. She raised it for several years."

As if recalling something amusing, he chuckled,

"That cat wouldn't pay attention to anyone but my wife. It was very aloof towards others. Once, when I tried to hold it, before I could even touch its fur, it hid behind my wife and meowed at her, as if tattling on me."

Jiang Youfu scratched his head and asked somewhat hesitantly,

"Grandpa Fang, is that cat yellow with some stripes, missing a small patch of fur on its hind leg?"

Old Master Fang nodded,

"Yes, yes, that's right. That's my wife's cat. She even gave it a name, Tuantuan, because it always sleeps curled up in a ball."

Hearing Old Master Fang's confirmation, none of the four mentioned that this cat named Tuantuan was actually a cat demon and that it had attacked them last night.

Sun Yigao was the first to speak, changing the subject to ask about Old Master Fang's health.

As they chatted, Aunt Fang arrived in the front yard carrying a very large food hamper.

After receiving the hamper, the four stood up, said their goodbyes, and left the Fang residence.

Now knowing the little cat demon's origins, they had a better understanding and set the matter aside, turning their attention to planning their exploration of the county town.

The county exams were tomorrow, so Sun Yigao needed to stay home and review. Lin Xiao and the other two decided they would go out for a stroll, check out the area around the examination hall for Sun Yigao, and scout the location.

And also have some fun along the way.

Sun Yigao took out his pocket money to give them for their outing, but the three refused.

Lin Xiao patted his chest and said,

"Underestimating us, aren't you? We're cultivators now. If we want to make money, it's a piece of cake!"

Hearing him say 'a piece of cake,' Jiang Youfu asked somewhat confused,

"Brother Xiao, what does that mean? Are we going to pickpocket people?"

Liu Yunan patted Jiang Youfu's belly and said,

"Silly Fuzi, it means making money will be very easy for us! You should trim this belly of yours and put some things into that brain of yours instead."

Jiang Youfu was indignant. Pouting, he retorted,

"My grandma says this means I'm blessed."

Sun Yigao smiled and put his money away,

"My apologies, my apologies. I was rash to underestimate you three brothers. I deserve punishment."

Lin Xiao laughed and patted his shoulder,

"Then your punishment is to study hard at home! We'll go scout the area around the examination hall for you!"

And so, under Sun Yigao's watchful gaze, the three set out the door in high spirits.