I Am a Cat (18)

But Li Xunle didn’t grasp the meaning behind that kiss.

She simply thought that when a pet lacked affection, it was the owner’s duty to offer comfort—lest rebellion take root.

“I really can’t be bothered with you anymore,” Little Wei muttered under her breath, wiping her forehead.

“You talk as if you’re my master,” Li Xunle countered with a light laugh, though not a trace of amusement reached her eyes.

Little Wei: …

Master?

Did that make her a slave?

How ridiculous. What era was this, still using such absurd titles?

“You shouldn’t joke about your own life,” Little Wei said after a pause, deciding to make Li Xunle understand the gravity of the situation.

If things went south, she’d really end up attending Li Xunle’s funeral.

“You can’t control me. There’s no logic in a master obeying their pet,” Li Xunle replied, stepping outside to gaze at the rolling storm clouds, her expression unreadable.

The rain was coming. The wind whipped up dust from the ruins, filling the air with a choking scent.

“You don’t know what drove me to choose suicide. Yes, I misjudged someone, but I never treated him poorly. Yet he had the audacity to destroy my royal family—the Li Dynasty. Naturally, I’ll make him pay.”

“When history repeated itself, I saw that general about to march to war. I borrowed a horse from my father…” At this, Li Xunle let out a derisive chuckle, spinning around as the wind billowed her dress, her features obscured in the shadows.

“Do you know what it means to be drawn and quartered?”

Her voice was feather-light, but her lips curled upward, as if savoring the thrill of brutal vengeance.

Little Wei knew, of course. She’d gone to school.

“Wise ministers, virtuous chancellors—what a joke.” Li Xunle picked up a pebble from the ground, crushing it effortlessly between her fingers until it turned to dust, scattered by the wind.

“See? Killing someone is simple. Why can’t you do it?” Li Xunle tilted her head, genuinely puzzled.

Little Wei: …

“I can do it. But how long have you been like this?”

She needed help. Medication. Couldn’t this woman just listen for once?

Behave!

“Must you speak to me like this?” Li Xunle’s gaze turned icy.

She knew her pet had attitude problems, but this level of defiance was unacceptable.

Little Wei snorted.

“I didn’t.”

Just then, Zhao Ming rushed over, panic written across his face.

“Someone’s coming.”

Zhao Ming was no fighter, so when he spotted cultivators nearby, he hurried to warn them.

“Good. I don’t mind a fight to the death.” Li Xunle raised her hand, and a blinding silver light materialized into a spear in her grip.

“You should just go to bed,” Little Wei sighed, exasperated by Li Xunle’s bloodthirsty tendencies.

Honestly, she half-hoped the woman would drop dead on the spot.

But that wouldn’t do—after all, she was still one of Si’s incarnations.

“Let’s go.” Little Wei grabbed Li Xunle’s wrist.

If they didn’t run now, it’d be too late.

Yet Li Xunle seemed deaf to her words.

“I’ll fight them.”

Little Wei: …

Fight what? A round of mahjong?

Princess, the Li Dynasty is gone. Wake up!

She was tempted to pry open Li Xunle’s thick skull with a crowbar.

“We need to leave. The situation’s changed. Hurry, or we won’t make it—these newcomers are strong.” Despite his terror, Zhao Ming forced himself to sound calm.

He prayed they’d have the sense to flee.

No time for stubbornness.

But Li Xunle had her pride.

“Go if you want. I’m staying. Let’s see how powerful they are.” She shook off Little Wei’s hand, her face blank.

Finally, Little Wei understood.

This wasn’t stupidity—Li Xunle simply didn’t want to live.

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?” Little Wei was at her wit’s end.

If this kept up, she’d be mourning Li Xunle by sundown.

“Life? I’ve never cared about that.”

“But what about Li Jiewei? Did you even ask if she’s willing to die with you? Li Xunle, don’t be so selfish. Otherwise, how are you any better than that traitorous chancellor?” Little Wei’s lips were practically numb from arguing.

Li Xunle glanced back at her.

“Oh.” Her tone was glacial.

Little Wei: …

Seriously? Wasn’t she supposed to be Si’s darling? Why was this incarnation so cold?

Even if romance was off the table, did she have to be this insufferable?

Little Wei was ready to explode.

God, please let this idiot survive.

“I’m giving you a chance to live. No need to follow me. With your talent, hiding in the mountains would make you a god. Not like me—stuck here forever. If death’s the only way out, why cling to life?” Li Xunle lowered her head, and Little Wei caught the faintest trace of a bitter smile.

This fool might be dense, but her past was steeped in sorrow.

Ugh, why cry?

If life was unfair, just run away. Find somewhere quiet—who’d dare bully a demigod?

Grudgingly, Little Wei reached for Li Xunle’s hand again.

“Si, I just thought of a better idea.”

Si: ?

“Why not just merge with your alt account? Problem solved.”

Si: …

“Makes sense. But next time, keep the nonsense to yourself. She can’t leave yet.”

“Why?” Little Wei was so frustrated she slipped into English.

“To take her away, she must first fall for you.”

Little Wei: …

That was not the answer she wanted.

For one, Li Xunle wouldn’t listen to her now. And even if love was the key, Li Jiewei would’ve been an easier target.

Starting with Li Xunle?

Little Wei eyed the murderous aura around her and shuddered. She’d be lucky not to get devoured.

But… no harm in trying?

Thunder rumbled ominously overhead as Li Xunle pulled her hand free.

“Leave.”

“No.”

Little Wei threw caution to the wind.

Screw the complications—she was getting Li Xunle out of here.

So what if it required love?

She’d force it if she had to.