Chapter 14

At the same time, inside a car on the snack street roadside, the entire criminal police team was deployed, the police dogs waiting quietly aside—one can imagine this is definitely a big operation!

Translation: At the same time, inside a car parked by the snack street, the entire criminal police brigade was deployed, with the police dogs waiting quietly on the side—one can imagine this is definitely a big operation!

We need to keep it as one line. Ensure we keep punctuation roughly but can adapt to English. Must not add explanatory words not in source. The source says "One can imagine this must be a big operation!" which is "One can imagine, this must be a big operation!" We'll translate as "One can imagine this is definitely a big operation!" That's fine.

Lin Shaoche sat in the front, telling the subordinates behind him, 'We've received solid evidence from an informant; this afternoon, drug dealer Ma Zi will meet near the university town.'

Translation: Lin Shaoze sat in the front row, speaking to the group of subordinates behind him: "We've received solid evidence from an informant; this afternoon, the drug dealer Ma Zi will meet near University Town."

Check: "solid evidence from an informant" = "solid evidence from an informant". Good.

Hearing this, the still-confused police erupted: 'Boss, let's get him!'

Translation: Hearing this, the police who were still confused became excited: "Boss, let's get him!"

Anyone in this line knows the dangers of drugs, and they deeply loathe those traffickers—especially Ma Zi, who is even flagged in their criminal investigation unit.

Translation: Anyone in this line of work knows the dangers of drugs, and they deeply despise drug dealers; this person nicknamed Ma Zi is even wanted by their Criminal Investigation Brigade.

But the other side is probably as sly as a rabbit—at the slightest hint of trouble, they slip away.

Translation: But he's probably as sly as a rabbit; at the slightest sign of trouble, he slips away instantly.

Therefore, their repeated encirclements all ended in failure.

Translation: Consequently, their repeated encirclements all ended in failure.

Lin Shaoche glanced over; the subordinates who had just been shouting now shrank back, and he half-smiled, saying, 'Why aren't you shouting? Keep shouting—scare the drug dealers away with your voices.'

Translation: Lin Shaoze glanced over; the subordinates who had been shouting just now shrank back, and he said half-smiling: "Why stop shouting? Keep shouting, scare the dealer away with your voices."

Cheng Ziming thought, 'Oh no, the boss is angry.'

Translation: Cheng Ziming thought, uh-oh, the boss is angry.

Even amidst the tension, they didn't forget to tighten the rope in their hands; catching drug dealers is a test for them, and figuring out how to seize the drugs is an even bigger problem.

Translation: Even amidst the tension, they still kept a tight grip on the rope in their hands; for them, catching the dealer was a test, but how to seize the drugs was an even bigger problem.

Body cavity searches are outdated; nowadays drug dealers are even more cunning than rats, hiding drugs in countless ways—if you can't find the drugs, you can't convict or sentence.

Translation: Body cavity searches are outdated; today's dealers are craftier than rats, hiding drugs in countless ways—if you can't find the drugs, you can't prosecute or sentence them.

Note: The source has "body cavity searches" which seems censored; we keep as is? Probably it's "body search" but censored. We'll keep the box characters? The source shows "body cavity searches". We should output exactly what we see? The instruction: translate faithfully, never skip. So we need to translate the meaning, but the censored part is unknown. We could translate as "Body cavity searches". The boxes likely represent omitted characters. We'll translate as "Body cavity searches". That's fine.

Therefore, a keen-sniffing police dog is especially important for capture work.

Translation: Therefore, a police dog with a keen sense of smell is especially important for apprehension work!

At Lin Shaoche's command, his subordinates sprang out like lively fish, eager to run, their youthful attire and vibrant looks making them just like fresh university graduates.

Translation: At Lin Shaoze's command, his subordinates sprang out like lively fish, eager to run; their youthful attire and vibrant looks made them look exactly like fresh college graduates.

Of course, some also posed as snack stall owners to scout the situation, immediately reporting any suspicious persons to their superiors.

Translation: Of course, some posed as snack stall owners to scout the situation, and upon spotting any suspicious person, they immediately reported back to their superiors.

At that moment, a specialty meat bun stall. The owner was an ordinary person, his face unremarkable in a crowd, except for his skillful cleaver, which made his movements swift and decisive.

Translation: At that moment, a specialty meat sandwich stall. The owner was an ordinary person, his face lost in the crowd, except for his cleaver, which he wielded with swift precision.

The owner used a hook to lift a large piece of braised meat from the vat; the deep reddish-brown meat was soft, fragrant, and sticky, and with a thump, broth splattered onto the round, plump wooden block serving as a makeshift cutting board, which had already been stained dark brown.

Translation: The owner used a hook to lift big chunks of braised meat from the vat; the dark brown meat was soft, fragrant, and sticky, and with a thump, drops of broth splattered onto the round, plump wooden block serving as a makeshift cutting board, which had already been stained dark brown.

The thin, small man wearing a hat in front of the stall pushed up his cap with one hand; his little finger, hidden in the sleeve's shadow, was slightly deformed—if Lin Shaoche were here, he'd recognize him at once as the contact meeting Ma Zi.

Translation: The thin, small man wearing a hat at the stall pushed up his brim with one hand; his pinky, hidden in the sleeve's shadow, was slightly missing—if Lin Shaoze were here, he'd recognize him instantly as the contact meeting Ma Zi.

The man spoke in a hoarse voice: 'Give me two meat buns—one with both fat and lean, plus green pepper; the other just lean meat, no green pepper, add onions, extra.'

Translation: The man spoke in a hoarse voice: "Give me two meat sandwiches—one with both fat and lean, add green pepper; the other just lean, no green pepper, add onion, extra."

The owner suddenly looked up: 'All right, that'll be twenty.'

Translation: The owner suddenly looked up: "All right, that'll be twenty."

Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang!

Translation: "Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang!"

The rhythmic chopping of meat drowned out their quiet conversation.

Translation: The rhythmic chopping of meat drowned out their quiet conversation.

Ma Zi, the stall owner, looked at him: 'Ganzi, why are you so late? My hands are about to go numb from chopping!'

Translation: Ma Zi, the stall owner, looked at him: "Gan Zi, why are you so late? My hands are about to go numb from chopping!"

Ganzi stared, annoyed: 'You're still talking about me? I've been here ages, yet I never saw you rest, surrounded by circles of students—I couldn't find a chance!'

Translation: Gan Zi flinched, glaring angrily: "You're blaming me? I've been here ages, but I never saw you take a break—students kept circling, and I couldn't find a chance!"

Finally, he couldn't help joking: 'I heard selling snacks can earn tens of thousands a month—look at your booming business; for us in this line, it's a waste of talent!'

Translation: Finally, he couldn't help joking: "I heard selling snacks can net tens of thousands a month—look at your booming business; working our line is really a waste of talent!"

"What the hell are you talking about!"

Translation: "What the hell are you talking about!"

Ganzi wiped off his grin and snapped: 'I was about to die of anxiety just now—won't there be any problems with the stuff?'

Translation: Gan Zi wiped off his grin and snapped: "I was about to die of anxiety just now—will the stuff be okay?"

Ma Zi smirked, tossing his cleaver onto the block: 'If there's a problem, just relax—I'm the one the criminal police bring with their big wolves; they won't even find a hair. As long as I don't talk, we're fine.' If he weren't holding something, he'd swear on his chest right now.

Translation: Ma Zi smirked, tossing his cleaver onto the block: "If there's a problem, you can rest easy—I'm the one the criminal police brigade brings with their big wolf dogs, and they won't even find a hair! As long as I don't talk, we're fine!" If he weren't holding something, he'd swear on his chest right now!

Ganzi looked at his confident expression and half-believed him, but retorted: 'Just keep boasting—I still don't know what you're really made of.'

Translation: Gan Zi looked at his confident expression, half-believed him despite himself, and retorted stubbornly: "Go ahead and brag—I still don't know what you're made of."

Ma Zi: 'Heh.'

Translation: Ma Zi: "Heh."

He glanced around, began packing up his stall, muttering: 'Too bad—I prepared too little, the meat's sold out, what a shame.'

Translation: He glanced around, began packing up, muttering: "What a shame—I prepared too little, the meat's sold out, truly a pity."

He truly looked like an unprepared vendor, regretting the lost profitable business and inability to earn money.

Translation: He truly looked like an unprepared vendor, regretting the lost good business and the money he couldn't make.

Across the snack street, Lin Shaoche felt something, looked up, and saw the two people about to hand off; his slender fingers pressed the earpiece: 'Teams one, two, three, ready—come to the Qinzhou meat bun spot!'

Translation: Across the snack street, Lin Shaoze suddenly felt something, looked up, and saw the two people about to meet right before his eyes; his slender fingertips pressed the earpiece: "Teams one, two, three, ready—come to the Tongguan meat sandwich stall!"

"The mission target has been found."

Translation: "The mission target has been found."

He spoke, long strides carrying him over in a few steps; his sharp gaze struck, Ma Zi's heart jumped, his back felt like it had eyes, he instinctively glanced back, breaking out in a cold sweat: 'Holy shit, it's the cops!'

Translation: As he spoke, he strode over with long legs; in the instant his sharp gaze struck, Ma Zi's heart jumped, his back felt like it had grown eyes, he instinctively glanced back and broke out in a cold sweat: "Holy shit, it's the cops!"

He turned to run, but Lin Shaoche sidestepped, executed a smooth takedown plus a backflip, easily pressing him to the ground, Ma Zi face-down like a giant frog.

Translation: He turned to run, but Lin Shaoze dodged, executed a smooth takedown plus a backflip, and easily pinned him to the ground—Ma Zi facedown, like a large frog kneeling.

The other team members emerged, pinning both of them down firmly.

Translation: The other team members emerged and held them down firmly.

When Ling Yue arrived, she saw this scene: the big black dog leapt up, its tail almost a blur—'Master, I've smelled it, it's right here!'

Translation: When Ling Yue arrived, she saw this scene; Big Black leapt up, his tail almost a blur: "Master, I've smelled it—it's right here!"

Ganzi's heart nearly stopped from fright: 'Police, police dog!'

Translation: Gan Zi's heart nearly stopped from fright: "Police, police dog!"

Ma Zi wailed: 'Oh my back, what are you doing? I just packed up my stall, I did nothing—classmates, help me, someone's beating people in the street!'

Translation: Ma Zi wailed: "Oh no, my back! What are you doing? I just packed up my stall, I didn't do anything—classmates, help me, someone's beating people in the street!"

The commotion drew many students to watch, and some pulled out phones to prepare to call the police.

Translation: The commotion drew many onlookers, some even pulling out phones to call the police.

The investigating officer flashed his badge: 'We're police conducting an investigation; we have proper procedures.'

Translation: The investigating officer flashed his police ID: "We're police conducting an investigation; we have proper procedures."

Ling Yue couldn't help glancing at the brigade captain, her brow slightly furrowed; with a subordinate taking over, the captain was now especially relaxed, having changed into casual clothes—he looked less like a police officer and more like a passing noble, unblemished, a lofty flower.

Translation: Ling Yue couldn't help glancing at the captain; her brows furrowed slightly. With a subordinate taking over, this captain was especially relaxed, having changed into casual clothes—he looked less like a policeman and more like a passing noble prince, spotless, a lofty flower.

Their eyes met, and Lin Shaoche's motion stalled.

Translation: Their eyes met, and Lin Shaoze's motion stalled.

Ling Yue was wondering if he recognized her, when she heard the man's voice: 'Miss Ling, what a coincidence.'

Translation: Ling Yue was wondering if he'd recognized her when she heard the man's voice: "Miss Ling, what a coincidence."

Ling Yue: '……'

Translation: Ling Yue: "……"

Actually, it wasn't a coincidence.

Translation: Actually, it wasn't a coincidence.

She now gripped the rope tightly, just able to restrain the big black dog's eagerness to jump, even though the dog kept barking that it had found evidence!

Translation: She now gripped the rope tightly, just to restrain Big Black's eager urge to jump—even though the dog kept barking that he'd found the evidence!

Lin Shaoche, just as his appearance suggests, exudes a coldness ingrained in his bones; his subordinates, accustomed to it, cheerfully led out the police dog: 'Da Jiang, go for it!'

Translation: Lin Shaoze, as aloof as his appearance suggests, had his subordinates accustomed to it; they cheerfully led out the police dog: "Big River, give it your all!"

Several police dogs circled the stall, then suddenly hesitated; Cheng Ziming's eyes flashed, a small spark igniting.

Translation: Several police dogs circled the stall, then suddenly hesitated; Cheng Ziming's eyes lit up with a tiny spark.

Ling Yue tilted her head, her inner voice echoing nonstop in her mind.

Translation: Ling Yue tilted her head, her inner voice echoing nonstop.

"So fragrant, so fragrant, so fragrant—this meat is so fragrant!"

Translation: "So fragrant, so fragrant, so fragrant—this meat smells amazing!"

"Mmm, a bit like the big pork hock the cafeteria chef makes—much tastier than dog food!"

Translation: "Mm, I'm craving the big pork knuckle the cafeteria chef makes—it's way better than dog food!"

"Slurp!"

Translation: "Slurp!"

This one was a heavyweight, drooling from hunger.

Translation: This one's a heavyweight, drooling from hunger.

"Work, work, work! I love work—it makes me happy every day!"

Translation: "Work work work! I love work, it makes me happy every day!"

"Huh, no flavor!"

Translation: "Huh, no flavor!"

The police dogs took their duty seriously, going back and forth repeatedly, yet found not a trace of a clue.

Translation: The police dogs took their job seriously, going back and forth repeatedly, yet found not a trace.

The police dogs failed—unprecedented.

Translation: The police dogs failed—unprecedented.

Cheng Ziming's scalp was almost raw from scratching; he glanced embarrassedly at the captain: 'Da Jiang and the others weren't like this before—what's going on today?'

Translation: Cheng Ziming's scalp was almost raw from scratching; he glanced embarrassedly at the team leader: "Big River and the others never acted like this before—what's going on today?"

Lin Shaoche glanced at Ma Zi, who immediately shouted: 'Wronged! Officer, I'm a law-abiding citizen—please don't wrong an innocent person!'

Translation: Lin Shaoze glanced at Ma Zi, who immediately shouted: "Wronged, officers—I'm a model citizen, please don't frame an innocent person!"

The onlooking crowd began to suspect, saying they were searching but found nothing— isn't this a bit bad?

"The stall owner is really pitiful, he looks like he's in his forties or fifties, could he really have been wronged?"

"I just bought a meat-stuffed bun at the stall, he chopped a big piece of meat for me, stuffed it full, the uncle is kind-hearted, could we have made a mistake?"

Lin Shaoze pressed his lips together; the faint clamor reached his ears. Wrong! Mistake! His impression of this person's appearance is deeply etched. When the police handle a case, especially a major case related to drug trafficking, they must be extremely cautious, absolutely cannot make a mistake!

Because once a mistake is made, what could be lost is the life of a narcotics officer.

But now, the facts lie before us. The discussion grows louder; letting this guy go once could lead to who knows how many officers dying in the line of duty.

The man's brows knotted into a river-like shape, and in his eyes as dark as night, a vortex swelled, the oppressive atmosphere seeming to congeal, almost forming a vacuum in this space.

A flicker of pride flashed in the pockmarked man's eyes.

Just then, a loud bark rang out, suddenly tearing through the oppressive atmosphere. Everyone turned toward the source, and countless astonished gazes fell on Ling Yue.

The young lady led a mighty black-backed dog; even amidst the bustling city, she was a natural, breathtaking sight.

"Owner, owner!" the dog whined coquettishly, almost rubbing against the thigh: "I know where the thing is hidden, let me come! Let me come!"

Ling Yue: "Maybe I can help."

Cheng Ziming chuckled: "You're not joking, are you? Can you really find that thing?"

Ling Yue nodded, looking firmly at Lin Shaoze and said: "I have absolute confidence."

Lin Shaoze stared at her, as if facing an unsolvable riddle; he remained silent, which to the team meant assent. Speaking of which, they really have fate with the young lady—the earlier jewelry theft case was her, and now they meet again.

And so they decided to treat the dead horse as a living one.

No one expected Ling Yue to lead her big dog straight to the stall; Da Hei proudly puffed his chest, amidst the aroma of pots and meat, he didn't hesitate at all, dashing straight for one thing!

The chopping board!

The meat-juice-soaked chopping block stunned not only the onlookers but even the police dogs—this was clearly a solid wood cutting board for vegetables, so why was it chosen?

Da Hei: "It's right in here; although the meat smell tries to fool me, nothing in the world can fool my nose!"

"I'm going to be a police dog!"

Ling Yue glanced sideways and stated: "The facts are clear; Da Hei believes the thing is inside."

Lin Shaoze naturally noticed as well, following her gaze, he saw the ashen-faced pockmarked man.

Half a minute later, the chopping block was violently smashed open with a fire axe, revealing a brown paper package; inside, white crystal-like granules were exposed to everyone's view.

The onlookers' eyes nearly popped out; the male classmate who had just said the stall owner was kind-hearted, clutching his meat-stuffed bun, wore a pained expression: "Can… can I still eat this meat-stuffed bun?"

That—was drugs!

Upon discovering these high-purity substances, the experienced criminal investigation team members involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air: "The newest type of ice crystal! Goodness, how many pounds is this?!"

"Captain, we've caught a big fish!"

"This black-backed dog is impressive—has it received professional training?" Cheng Ziming's eyes lit up, and his comment drew much attention.

Ling Yue nodded and said a couple of sentences; a monthly fee of tens of thousands is not just thrown away for nothing. With her guidance, Da Hei's transformation can be called a complete rebirth—even if taken back to the doctor who originally examined him, they likely wouldn't recognize him.

Everyone then turned their attention back to the drugs; after studying them clearly, they clicked their tongues in amazement.

Who would have thought the drug trafficker would seal the goods inside a vegetable-chopping block, then wrap it cleverly in a layer of wood, and even pour meat juice over it to confuse the police dogs' noses?

Seeing the case solved, Ling Yue prepared to leave.

Unexpectedly, as she turned around, someone called her; Lin Shaoze looked at her, his eyes flickering: "Miss Ling, there's still one matter—I'd like to ask you to come to the police station."

Ling Yue stared, meeting the man's gaze; although she had anticipated this day, she really hadn't expected it to come so soon.

"Don't worry, once things are settled, a special car will send you home." Lin Shaoze didn't understand why he felt the need to add that, but it didn't matter.

Ling Yue remained silent: "Okay."

Along the way, Da Hei was incredibly curious, communicating with several police dogs behind them, and they quickly became fast friends.

Ling Yue watched, thinking her mission was also nearing completion.

A keen sense of smell is merely a bonus; what she truly covets is top-tier martial arts—even though her combat ability is already high, who would complain about having too much self-defense skill? Who could have guessed that she might need it someday?

She still doesn't realize that her words have become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

On her second entry into the police station, Ling Yue appeared quite familiar with the surroundings, relaxed and self-assured.

Not long after, the entire office was left with only her and Captain Lin.

Lin Shaoze pondered for a moment, then got straight to the point: "Do you understand animal language?"

Ling Yue thought to herself, "Here it comes."

She lowered her gaze, averting his eyes, hesitated a moment, then said: "I really do know a bit, because I previously had a fortuitous encounter. You probably don't know that in Miao territory there is a kind of gu called the language gu; eating it enables one to communicate with all things."

Ling Yue spoke half-truth, half-false—her ability to understand animal speech is true, the Miao gu is false, but the more half-true half-false, the less likely she is to be caught out.

Sure enough, hearing her words, Lin Shaoze furrowed his brows, half-believing, half-doubting, because besides what Ling Yue said, according to his investigated data, Ling Yue's mother is indeed from Shuininan Province, born in a Miao village; unknown what happened later, a person came to Jing Shi to make a living and gave birth to Ling Yue.

But the matter of the gu adds a touch of strangeness.

Yet from another angle, for the first twenty years Ling Yue was utterly ordinary; only recently, with the Longxiang Jewelry Market theft case, the return of the butterfly-knot diamond necklace, and her sudden entrepreneurship opening a pet consultancy shop, everything became quite convincing.

Lin Shaoze seemed to fall into a kind of confusion, his worldview, outlook on life, and values teetering on the brink of collapse.

Seeing him stay silent too long, his face involuntarily showed an expression; Ling Yue held back a laugh: "Captain Lin, are you all right?"

Lin Shaoze: "I'm fine!"

"Then that's good. If it weren't a personal experience, I myself would find it strange, right? Now I tell Captain Lin, my heart feels much lighter; finally I'm not the only one guarding this secret."

Lin Shaoze: "……"

I now feel heavy-hearted, as if someone has dragged me into the water.

Ling Yue: "Hahaha, cheer up, Captain Lin."

She laughed brightly; the man opposite glanced away, then simply avoided looking, took a document from the drawer: "This is the police force's registry; please register."

Ling Yue: "???"

Ling Yue felt her head full of question marks—what is the registry? After Lin Shaoze finished explaining, she finally understood, and he reiterated the point: "The registry of extraordinary individuals?" Lin Shaoze nodded. In fact, the police station has always maintained a registry of civilian experts. Once there was a small streamer who painstakingly practiced martial arts dreaming of overnight fame, never expecting that the first to come knocking would not be a live-streaming platform, but the police.

The police may seem lax, but they have always supervised civilian experts. Especially since Ling Yue lives in Jing Shi, which in ancient terms would be the emperor's feet, the imperial city's foundation.

She glanced at the registration log; there was also an eighty‑generation successor disciple of the Mao Mountain Sect, the eighteenth‑generation abbot of a certain temple—specialty: fortune‑telling? Face‑reading!

With that glance, she, who understands animal speech, blended in—truly utterly ordinary.

Ling Yue had just stepped out when she heard others shouting.

Big Black is the best! Go, go!

Big River, Big River, forever number one!

Looking out, on the wide training ground, officers were shouting encouragement; the subjects were two sturdy black‑backed dogs, one was Big Black, the other a work dog that left a deep impression on Ling Yue, the two dogs ran neck‑and‑neck—oh, actually not, Big Black clearly had more energy and was faster!

In the blink of an eye, Big Black cleared a 2.5‑meter high jump to reach the finish‑line colored ball; a few seconds later, Big River arrived late, no doubt, Big Black took first!

The crowd cheered, Big Black proudly lifted its face; seeing her, its tail swung like a huge fan, making a whooshing sound.

Master, I got first place!

"Miss Ling." Led by Cheng Ziming, surrounded by others, they walked over slowly; to Ling Yue, it seemed… guilty?

Cheng Ziming was pushed forward by his colleagues, steeling himself to say: "We need your consent on one matter; given Big Black's excellent performance and physique, the police department unanimously decided to recruit Big Black, but this requires your approval."

Ling Yue stared, her unfocused gaze falling into empty space; to onlookers she seemed hesitant—and indeed, after just a brief interaction, everyone had fallen in love with Big Black.

Who wouldn't love a smart and brave dog!

Moreover, it was Ling Yue who raised it; the bond between owner and dog is deep, so their doing this is understandable, even if hard on anyone.

Cheng Ziming opened his mouth but couldn't say anything else; if it really couldn't be done, they actually had a backup plan.

Actually, Ling Yue was looking at her personal panel.

At this moment, Big Black's task was completely finished; she also acquired top‑tier martial arts, as if she were reborn in an instant, plus another strange feeling.

Big Black was the first to notice: "Master? Master?"

Ling Yue: "You still want to run another lap?"

The thought slipped out; Ling Yue then realized Big Black hadn't even spoken its mind—it was just a subconscious notion. This is a new feature of the system update: telepathy between master and pet!

Big Black's intelligence clearly increased; it understood the officers' meaning and wanted to be a police dog, but if it had to leave its master, it hesitated: "Master, I don't want to leave you."

Cheng Ziming looked at its expression and knew the dog's meaning; he gave a wry smile: "If it really can't be done, we still have a backup plan."

"Miss Ling, during your absence I don't know, but all the police dogs at the station have been tamed by Big Black; I don't know how you trained it, but it's truly a fine dog!"

Ling Yue: "What do you mean?"

"We can give Big Black a position, so in its free time it can come to the police station to lead the police dogs in training!"

Before Ling Yue could answer, Big Black leapt up excitedly: "Master, Big Black is willing! Big Black is super willing!"

Ling Yue pinched its nose: "... Stupid dog! Are you feeling so good you're about to float away?" She had only thought of making it a police dog, never expecting it to become a specially hired dog trainer for the police dog unit; this fellow is now happy as can be.

Training need not be rushed.

Ling Yue returned home in a police car, with the captain of the criminal police unit as driver—a treatment so rare in Jing Shi that few can match it, and she even added him.

Ling Yue didn't mind; she filed it away in the police officers' WeChat.

Men only slow down my money‑making speed!

As she passed a certain alley, Ling Yue paused her steps and saw in the distance Wang Da Ma leading people toward the big willow tree.

Thinking of what would happen to that person, her face broke into a pleased and anticipatory smile, though she felt a bit regretful she couldn't see the scene.

Big Black by her side was even more spirited; it was no longer an ordinary dog, but a police dog!

The police badge issued by the criminal police unit was placed in the owner's pocket; Ling Yue prepared to go home and tidy up, but so far the shop hasn't opened, and this morning she already released the pigeons—so a little delay doesn't matter.

Back home, a black shadow leapt from the window straight toward her.

A pitch‑black lump made Ling Yue jump; the queen glanced at it indifferently and said, "I'm hungry."

The Licking Mouse Duo hurried to flatter the queen: "Honey, I'll make you food!"

Ling Yue burst out laughing, but you'd better not say that—just look at the Treasure‑seeking Mouse's tiny frame; even the beef in the fridge could flatten it!

Ling Yue calmly explained her plan: "I have money now; in a few days we'll move to a new home and hire a few maids."

Since we're going to be demolished, the new‑home plan naturally goes on the agenda, so we won't be unprepared and end up with nowhere even to cry.

Big Black already knew this in the car, not caring a bit. The vain dog now had only its police badge on its mind; it bit open the zipper and boasted to its friends: "Hey everyone, come see—what is this?!"

Meanwhile it kept chirping, insisting Ling Yue pin it to its chest, so proud its fur stood on end.

Unexpectedly, the first to speak was the aloof queen, who glanced dismissively, found a position to lie down, and said slowly, "It's just a police badge, right?"

"What police bureau is so blind as to recruit a stupid dog like you?"

Big Black: "Who are you calling a stupid dog? Only my master can say that about me—I'm now a police dog trainer, I just cracked a major case, I'm super awesome!"

The Treasure‑seeking Mouse exclaimed: "Big Black, you're amazing—you've become a police dog trainer and even got a position!"

"No wonder I and the queen just saw you and your master get out of the police car through the window—I thought you'd caused trouble, old man!"

Big Black snorted, too lazy to bother with them.

The Mystic Cat Queen licked its paw pads, its pale yellow cat eyes gazing at Ling Yue: "And you? After joining the police bureau, did those stupid cops say anything to you?"

Ling Yue frowned; she was especially good at catching details, and she immediately sensed the black cat's mood—seemingly repressed and dissatisfied, directed only at the police.

She probed: "Stupid cops? Queen, do you have any grievances against the police?"

That remark was like a drop of water falling into a boiling oil pot, triggering a chain reaction of explosions. The queen arched its back, exhaled, and the soft fur on its spine burst open: "It's just a bunch of stupid cops; such a simple case, and they still haven't solved it!"

Ling Yue had a headache: "Queen, calm down a bit."

The Treasure‑seeking Mouse clung to her paw pad: "Honey, calm down; if you keep this up you'll lose control of your emotions—be careful, I—will kneel and kowtow begging you not to hurt yourself!"

Ling Yue: "Just drag the licking mouse away and bury it—no hope! In the end, the queen still managed to calm down thanks to its strong self‑control, but—"

Ling Yue sat in the chair, straining to crane her neck upward.

The queen perched on the wardrobe, looking down on itself, seemed ever more lofty; Big Black crouched aside, eager to try, but after a sharp glare from it, it immediately chirped and raised its paws in surrender.

The Treasure‑seeking Mouse, frantic, scratched its ears and cheeks: "Honey, if you have a problem, let your master solve it—your master is awesome!"

Including but not limited to cracking the Dragon Auspicious Jewelry Store theft case, bravely fighting bandits, slapping streamers, training Big Black, etc.; the Treasure‑seeking Mouse's silver tongue is especially slick, otherwise the Cat Queen wouldn't have let it off repeatedly.

The cat cat queen was taken aback, lowered her head to lick her paws, her thick fur covering her slightly flushed face: 'Can you really help me?'

'I want revenge!'

Ling Yue was startled by its words full of hatred.

She looked up at MaoMao.

The cat cat queen's deep black fur, in the sincere light, showed a fire-like red; her pale yellow cat eyes burned with layers of wrath, the whole cat like a blazing flame.

The queen slowly rose: 'What the treasure-seeking mouse said was only half right; I indeed had an owner, but that was in the past. Eight years ago, one day after I became an adult, I returned home and smelled a trace of blood. Afterwards I saw a scene I will never forget.'

'My owner was killed in the villa, the floor stained red with tiles, the air still carrying a faint fishy smell. Afterwards I fortunately found the sole witness—a little Sanhua, but she was not yet adult and only saw a tall black-clad man's back. Later I followed the police to hunt the killer, unexpectedly waiting eight whole years; the police sealed the case and still haven't found the culprit!'

'They offered a five-hundred-thousand bounty for the suspect—useless! I want you to help me find that murderer!'

'Besides the police bounty, I can also give you a villa. My owner had no other heirs, only me, a cat; he left the villa to me, and once I acknowledge you as my new master, the villa will be yours, and it also hides a great fortune.'

'I have only one condition: after finding that person, I will take revenge myself!'

The queen suddenly stretched, in the sunlight—whether due to angle or something else, her pale yellow cat eyes turned deep dark like a pool of deep ink, a vortex, unfathomable at a glance.

The floating cat fur around it lent a certain obscure atmosphere.

Ling Yue felt it was not a cat, but an assassin lurking in the dark night!

Ling Yue asked doubtfully: 'Can you be sure he's still in Jing Shi?'

The mysterious cat queen glanced at her nonchalantly: 'I'm sure he's still in Jing Shi; our mysterious cat clan has an innate talent—he hasn't left the city, but is hiding.'

Ling Yue, feeling something, looked at the screen before her and slowly curled the corners of her mouth.

Indeed, there was a change.

【Name: Mysterious Cat】

【Gender: Female】

【Age: Ten years old】

【Personality: Aloof】

【Skills: Spirit-communicating Eye, Top-tier Flexibility】

【Wish: Personal revenge】

System voice rang in Ling Yue's mind: 'Ding, you have a new wish order! Accept the cat cat queen's wish, reward: Spirit-communicating Eye, Top-tier Flexibility Technique!'

Accept or refuse?

Ling Yue naturally clicked accept, speaking confidently: 'I'm willing to take on this case, but I need your full cooperation, queen, and the treasure-seeking mouse.'