Chapter 29

Ling Yue almost laughed out loud, unable to describe her feelings.

Translation: Ling Yue almost laughed out loud, unable to describe her feelings.

She had just moved into the villa a few days ago, had only just cleaned the house, the old furnishings basically untouched, and she wouldn't have noticed the paintings left by the owner—who would have thought they were so blatantly left out in the open by the original landlord.

Translation: She had only moved into the villa a few days ago, just finished cleaning the house; the old furnishings basically hadn't been moved, and she wouldn't have noticed the calligraphy and paintings left by the owner—who would have thought the original owner placed it so blatantly out in the open?

We need to keep single line, no extra commentary. Ensure we keep all information.

Let's produce: She had only moved into the villa a few days ago, just finished cleaning the house; the old furnishings basically hadn't been moved, and she wouldn't have noticed the calligraphy and paintings left by the owner—who would have thought the original owner placed it so blatantly out in the open?

Check: original: 'She had just moved into the villa a few days ago, had only just cleaned the house, the old furnishings basically untouched, and she wouldn't have noticed the paintings left by the owner—who would have thought they were so blatantly left out in the open by the original landlord.' We captured.

Ling Yue suddenly recalled that earlier painting, a flash of realization crossing her mind: 'So the thing Xu Zhang went to great lengths and took risks to obtain is actually this?'

Translation: Ling Yue suddenly recalled that previous painting, a flash of realization dawning on her: "So the thing Xu Zhang went to such lengths, even taking risks, to obtain—was actually this?"

We need to keep quotes. Use English quotes.

The Xuan Mao Nü Wang crouched on the table, looking at her: 'This is the treasure the master had hidden away, the thing that scumbag wanted to get his hands on.'

Translation: Xuan Mao Nü Wang crouched on the table, looking at her: "This is the treasure the master previously hid away, the thing that scumbag wanted to get his hands on."

We need to decide on the romanization for Xuan Mao Nü Wang. We'll use Xuan Mao Nü Wang.

Ling Yue continued the sentence: 'But he got it wrong; he took your portrait.'

Translation: Ling Yue took up the second half: "But he got it wrong—he took your portrait."

The Xuan Mao Nü Wang nodded, her eyes dark and inscrutable.

Translation: Xuan Mao Nü Wang nodded, her eyes dark and inscrutable.

Actually, as a little cat, the Xuan Mao Nü Wang initially had no knowledge of the villa murder case; she simply wanted to avenge her master, and only today, while taking revenge on the killer, did she happen to overhear the police interrogation at the hospital bed.

Translation: Actually, as a little cat, the initial Xuan Mao Nü Wang didn't know the details of the villa murder case; she simply wanted to avenge her master, until today, when taking revenge on the murderer, she happened to overhear the police interrogating the suspect on his hospital bed.

We need to keep 'it' referring to the cat queen; we used she.

From the motive to the whole process, Xu Zhang on the hospital bed was terrified out of his wits, already at a loss, any slight disturbance could make him jump like a startled bird.

Translation: From motive to the whole process, Xu Zhang on the hospital bed was scared out of his wits, already at a loss, any rustle could startle him like a startled bird.

When he closed his eyes he could see those cats he had tortured and killed one by one; the moments he once enjoyed most had turned into a prolonged agony, and his mind, near collapse, dared not hide anything.

Translation: Closing his eyes, he could see those cats he had tortured and killed one by one; the moments he once enjoyed most had turned into a prolonged death by a thousand cuts, and his mind, near collapse, dared not conceal anything.

He haltingly revealed his purpose, having heard that the teacher's home possessed a particularly precious ancient painting, said to be a family heirloom, extremely valuable, for which a wealthy merchant had once offered a huge sum, yet he refused to sell.

Translation: Stammering, he revealed his purpose, having heard that the teacher's home possessed an especially precious ancient painting, said to be a family heirloom, extremely valuable, for which a wealthy merchant once offered a large sum, yet he refused to sell.

At that time, short on cash and having his true nature exposed, Xu Zhang harbored wicked thoughts.

Translation: At that time, short on cash and having had his true nature exposed, Xu Zhang began to harbor wicked thoughts.

That was his final visit; he cried into his phone, snot and tears streaming, sincerely telling the teacher that he had regretted his actions and would surely atone for his wrongdoing!

Translation: That was his final visit; he cried into his phone, snot and tears streaming, sincerely telling the teacher he had regretted it and would surely atone for his wrongdoing!

Du Yanxing was utterly heartbroken, so his mood was poor for those few days.

Translation: Du Yanxing felt extreme heartache, so his mood was poor for those few days.

Anyone who suddenly discovers that their much‑hoped‑for student is secretly a perverse cat‑abusing lunatic cannot accept it! The more such an intellectual figure like him understands, the clearer it becomes that anyone capable of cruelly torturing and killing small animals is rotten to the core.

Translation: Anyone who suddenly discovers that their much‑hoped‑for disciple is secretly a perverted cat‑torturing maniac cannot accept it! The more someone of his stature as an intellectual understands, the clearer it is that anyone who can cruelly abuse and kill small animals is rotten to the core.

Nevertheless, out of years of master‑student affection, Du Yanxing took the call, agreed to the visitor's request, and declared over the phone: 'This is the first and last time; after today I want you to tell everyone, and swear never to do such a thing again! This also counts as completing our master‑student bond.'

Translation: Yet, out of regard for their years of master‑disciple bond, Du Yanxing took the call, agreed to the visitor's request, and declared over the phone: "This is the first and last time; after today, I want you to tell everyone and swear never to do such a thing again! It also counts as completing the master‑disciple affinity between us."

Note: The symbol (an up arrow followed by characters meaning 'all done') likely means 'completed'; we will translate it as 'completing'.

He only heard his disciple's sorrowful sobs, but failed to see the hatred flashing on the other's face; for the then‑famous Xu Zhang, publicly admitting to cat abuse was tantamount to destroying his own future!

Translation: He only heard his disciple's sorrowful weeping, but failed to see the hatred bursting on the other's face; for Xu Zhang, who had just become famous, confessing to cat torture was tantamount to destroying his own future!

He was afraid and would absolutely not allow this to happen!

Translation: He feared it and would absolutely not allow it to happen!

Even though it was his teacher who had bestowed enormous kindness upon him, and he could not change his own predilection, taking the lives of these small creatures gave him an extraordinary thrill.

Translation: Even though that was his teacher, to whom he owed an enormous favor, and even though he couldn't change his hobby, slaughtering these little lives gave him a feeling unlike any other.

That night he put on the villa janitor's uniform, swaggered in through the front door, then cleverly disguised himself to enter the villa; Du Yanxing thought he was receiving his remorseful student, but realized instead it was a murderous maniac.

Translation: Thus that night, he donned the villa janitor's uniform, swaggered in through the front door, then cleverly disguised himself to enter the villa; Du Yanxing thought he was receiving a remorseful disciple, but realized it was actually a murderous maniac.

A white‑eyed wolf worse than swine or dogs.

Translation: A white‑eyed wolf worse than swine or dogs.

To force him to reveal the item's whereabouts, Xu Zhang, like tormenting a cat, severed his tendons and ligaments; getting no answer, he searched on his own and finally pried open the safe, finding the scroll inside.

Translation: To force him to reveal the item's whereabouts, Xu Zhang, like tormenting a cat, severed his tendons and ligaments; getting no answer, he searched himself and finally found the scroll inside after prying open the safe.

Having no experience in appraisal, he assumed this was the hidden ancient painting the other party had concealed, changed back into the janitor's uniform, appeared in another area, and even on the night of the crime he mingled among the crowd as a spectator.

Translation: Lacking experience in appraisal, he assumed this was the ancient painting the other party had hidden, switched back into the janitor's clothes, appeared in another area, and even on the night of the incident he mingled among the onlookers.

As for the surveillance, he had damaged the cameras in that area before the incident—who would notice a janitor loitering in another zone?

Translation: As for the surveillance, before the incident he had already disabled the cameras in that area—who would notice a janitor loitering in another zone?

This whole setup was nothing short of perfect.

Translation: This whole setup was simply perfect to the extreme.

After the killing he was still able to work calmly and, relying on his education, quickly became a university professor, his career flourishing, full of spring‑time pride.

Translation: After the killing, he was still able to work carefree, and relying on his education he leapt to become a university professor, his career thriving, full of spring‑time pride.

He feels no regret for having dealt the fatal blow, and even resents himself for not being harsher—for instance, eradicating the problem at the root!

Translation: He feels no regret for having dealt the deadly blow initially; he only hates that he wasn't fiercer—for instance, eradicating the root completely!

Xu Zhang lay on the hospital bed unable to rest, his arms propped on the rails, clanging: 'It's all his fault! He's the one who first forced me!'

Translation: Xu Zhang lay on the hospital bed, unable to rest, his arms propped on the bedside, clanging: "It's all his fault for forcing me! It's all his fault for forcing me first!"

"If it weren't for his threat—telling me not to go public or he'd do it himself, letting everyone know I'm a cat‑abusing pervert—what could I do?"

Translation: "If it weren't for him threatening me, telling me not to expose him or he'd go himself and let everyone know I'm a cat‑torturing pervert, what could I do?"

Xu Zhang suddenly lifted his head, his face wrapped in bandages; from the violent motion blood seeped through: 'Once this is made public, I'll be ruined and disgraced!'

Translation: Xu Zhang jerked his head up, his face wrapped in bandages; because of the violent motion, blood seeped out in streaks: "Once this is made public, I will be ruined and disgraced!"

The recording police stared bewildered at his madness, nobody noticing a black shadow flash past outside the window.

Translation: The recording police stared bewildered at his madness, nobody noticing a black shadow flash past outside the window.

After hearing it finish, Ling Yue's mind was in a jumble when she suddenly heard Dahei's roar: 'Even a dog wouldn't do something like this! What a huge bastard!'

Translation: After hearing it finish, Ling Yue's mind was in a tangle when she suddenly heard Dahei's roar: "Even a dog wouldn't do something like this! What a huge bastard!"

Ling Yue was so frightened she fell straight into the chair, turned her head and saw the dog shrinking its head: 'Master, are you okay? I'm just really angry.'

Translation: Ling Yue was frightened and fell straight into the chair, turning her head to see the dog shrinking its head: "Master, are you all right? I'm just too angry."

As it turned out, sometime earlier the small animals had gathered in the study; the treasure‑sniffing mouse peeked out from the door crack, the crow perched on the windowsill, the only one missing should have been the feng shui turtle—old as he is, he ought to have been asleep by now.

Translation: As it turned out, sometime earlier the small animals had gathered in the study; the treasure‑seeking rat poked its head out from the door crack, Ya Ya perched on the windowsill, the only one missing should have been the Feng Shui turtle—old in years, it ought to have been asleep by then.

After the Xuan Mao Nü Wang finished speaking, she unexpectedly relaxed: 'Now that my great vengeance is fulfilled, I will surely keep my promise, though I heard the master say this painting is an ancestral heirloom, the artist isn't famous, and the so‑called wealthy buyer is merely a friend of the master who admires the painting's spirit and wanted a copy.'

Translation: After the Xuan Mao Nü Wang finished speaking, she unexpectedly relaxed: "Now that the great vengeance is avenged, I will surely fulfill my promise, though I heard the master say this painting is an ancient work handed down from his ancestors, but the artist is not famous; as for the so‑called painting‑buying tycoon, that is a friend of the master, who merely liked the spirit conveyed in the painting and wanted a copy."

"Let me show you this painting." The Xuan Mao Nü Wang lightly lifted her paw; the heavy scroll rolled across the tabletop, and in an instant the door— the scroll unfurled, revealing a painting of a tiger descending the mountain!

Translation: "Let me show you this painting." The Xuan Mao Nü Wang lightly lifted her paw; the heavy scroll rolled across the table, and in an instant the door— the scroll unfurled, revealing a painting of a tiger descending the mountain!

Beneath its feet lush grass swayed, flowers blanketed the ground; the descending tiger exuded majesty, its large eyes full of the innocent curiosity and naiveté of a newcomer, its whole body radiating the pride and confidence of the king of beasts—a splendid tiger coming down the mountain leapt onto the paper in an instant!

Translation: Beneath its feet, lush grass and flowers spread everywhere; the descending tiger exudes mighty aura, its large eyes full of the naive curiosity and innocence of a newcomer, its whole body radiating the pride and confidence of the king of beasts—a majestic tiger descending the mountain leapt onto the paper in an instant!

The tiger is a rare white tiger, pure white all over, with dense fur and exquisitely fine brushwork—so fine that each hair seems distinctly visible, leaving viewers holding their breath in awe, as if the beast were still alive.

Translation: The tiger is a rare white tiger, pure white all over, with dense fur and extraordinarily fine brushwork, as if every hair could be seen clearly, making viewers hold their breath in awe, as if it were still alive.

Ling Yue froze; naturally she wasn't very afraid, her fingertips tracing the scroll, feeling that something was off.

Translation: Ling Yue stared, naturally not very afraid, her fingertips rubbing the scroll, feeling that something was off.

She stared at it for a long while, yet found nothing.

Translation: She gazed at it for a while, still finding nothing.

Finally, Ling Yue summoned the treasure‑sniffing mouse: 'Duoduo, come take a look at this painting?' The mouse's innate talent for attracting wealth and seeking treasure meant its radar would have vibrated if it were truly valuable.

Translation: Finally, Ling Yue summoned the treasure‑seeking rat: "Duoduo, come take a look at this painting?" The treasure‑seeking rat's innate talent for attracting wealth and seeking treasure—if it were truly a treasure, its radar would have been vibrating already.

The treasure‑sniffing mouse shook its head, clutching its paws, saying: 'I sense no trace of wealth on it,'

Translation: The treasure‑seeking rat shook its head, clutching its paws, saying: "I sense no wealth aura on it,

Ling Yue: 'So what Xu Zhang killed for, trying to steal, is just this worthless scroll?'

Translation: Ling Yue: "So what Xu Zhang killed to steal was just this worthless scroll?"

According to Ling Yue's knowledge, a priceless ancient painting naturally emanates an aura of wealth.

Translation: As Ling Yue knows, a priceless ancient painting naturally possesses a flow of wealth aura.

The crow said solemnly: 'He even stole the wrong thing!'

Translation: Ya Ya solemnly said: "He even stole the wrong thing!"

It flapped its wings and let out a mocking laugh: 'Ga ga ga, I've never seen such a vicious and stupid fool!'

Translation: It flapped its wings, emitting a laugh: "Ga ga ga, I've never seen such a poisonous, stupid fool!"

Yet it was exactly this scoundrel who caused a tragedy.

Translation: Yet it was exactly such a scoundrel that caused a tragedy.

Ling Yue rolled up the scroll, in a dazed moment sensing something amiss; suddenly a thought struck her, she lowered her head and locked eyes with the tiger's gaze.

Translation: Ling Yue rolled up the scroll, in a dazed moment feeling something amiss at the door; suddenly a thought struck her, she lowered her head and locked eyes with the tiger's gaze.

The tiger's eye, drawn in ink, shifted slightly; its dark, bright pupil fixed on her, making Ling Yue's heart leap—she recalled that moments before the tiger's gaze had been straight ahead, not like this.

Translation: The tiger's eye, drawn in ink, shifted slightly; its black, bright pupil locked onto her, making Ling Yue's heart jump—she recalled the tiger's gaze had been straight ahead just moments before, not like this.

Ling Yue raised her hand and tossed it; the scroll defied common sense, hovering in midair.

Translation: Ling Yue raised her hand and threw; the scroll defied common sense, hovering in midair.

She bit her fingertip, squeezing out a drop of blood, startling everyone; the treasure‑sniffing mouse immediately clung to the Xuan Mao Nü Wang's leg, asking: 'Master, aren't you possessed?'

Translation: She bit her fingertip, squeezing out a drop of blood, startling everyone; the treasure‑seeking rat even flung itself against the Xuan Mao Nü Wang's leg, whispering: "Master won't be possessed, will she?"

The Xuan Mao Nü Wang: 'Impossible!'

Translation: Xuan Mao Nü Wang: "Impossible!"

Without a second thought it retorted: 'It's just an ordinary picture; the master used to hang it up for viewing, and nothing strange ever happened!'

Translation: Without a thought it retorted: "It's just an ordinary painting; the master often hung it up for appreciation, and nothing strange ever happened!"

The Xuan Mao Nü Wang spoke with conviction, tensing her whole body, entering a state of full alert, eyes fixed on the floating image, ready to fight at a moment's notice!

Translation: The Xuan Mao Nü Wang spoke with certainty, while tensing her whole body, entering a state of full alert, staring fixedly at the floating image, ready to fight at any moment!

Dahei barked even more furiously, sensitively sensing that something extremely dangerous had suddenly appeared indoors, tail tucked, anxiously whining: 'Master, I'll protect you!'

Translation: Dahei barked even more wildly, sensing that something extremely dangerous had suddenly appeared indoors, tail tucked, anxious: "Master, I'll protect you!"

Ling Yue opened her mouth, but before she could speak, the scroll suddenly shook violently.

Translation: Ling Yue opened her mouth, still silent, when the painting suddenly shook violently.

"Roar!"

Translation: "Roar!"

"I've finally come out!"

Translation: "I've finally come out!"

A massive shadow, accompanied by overwhelming pressure, poured down; Ling Yue saw the light above her vanish, she tilted her head slightly, and a huge pure‑white tiger stood on the tabletop, its whole body glowing, it lowered its massive head, jaws slightly open, as if it could swallow her skull in the next second.

Translation: A massive shadow accompanied by tremendous pressure came pouring down; Ling Yue saw the light above disappear, she slightly lifted her head, and a huge pure‑white tiger stood on the tabletop, its whole body glowing, it lowered its massive head, jaws slightly open, as if it could swallow her head in the next second.

"If you release me, you'll be my lifesaver; I want to be your pet—do you want that?"

Translation: "You release me, and I'll regard you as my lifesaver; I want to be your pet—do you want that?"

Ling Yue froze.

The other small animals stared at it in surprise; the big white tiger yawned, stretched its body, and leapt out in one go. By the time everyone caught up, it was already lounging lazily on the sofa, openly occupying the best spot.

Its long, patterned tiger tail dangled on the ground, swaying slightly, drawing one fluffy kitten after another to stare at it unblinkingly, wobbling as they lifted their paws, trying to grab it.

Then, one fluffy clump after another tumbled head over heels, rolling around on the ground with gurgling sounds.

Jump Jump on the side had already shrunk into a ball from fright: 'Big, big tiger!'

The big tiger didn't care, stared at the TV for a few seconds, showed a human-like puzzled expression, then looked at Ling Yue: 'How do you turn this thing on?'

It had seen clearly on the scroll that it would light up, showing images it had never seen before; when the tiger was rolled up, the cartoon hadn't finished playing yet!

Ling Yue heard its thoughts, the corner of her mouth twitching—she seemed even more like an owner than the owner herself. Moreover, it was a tiger that had just come down the mountain, finding everything novel.

Ling Yue turned on the TV drama, and the big tiger happily gave a little shake; the single-person sofa couldn't fit the big tiger, making it look like an adult struggling to tuck its legs onto a child's chair—out of place and somewhat comically funny.

Seeing her not move, the tiger twisted its tiger head and brain and roared: 'I still want to watch cartoons!'

Ling Yue: '……'

Is this how a pet should behave?

Seeing her not move, the big tiger widened its tiger eyes: 'I want cartoons!'

The more indulged, the more demanding it became.

Ling Yue slapped its head with one palm; the five parts of force she put into her hand, when touching the fluffy big tiger, turned into just one part, landing lightly on its head.

The big tiger, which had never been hit before, went dumb: 'You dare hit me? I'm the Mountain Lord! A guardian deity!'

Ling Yue: 'And then?'

She smiled faintly, especially charming.

Half a minute later, a fresh big tiger rug emerged; the big white tiger lay limp on the ground, clutching its head, whimpering: 'Stop hitting, stop hitting, grandma I was wrong QAQ'

It wasn't that it lacked ability, but that Ling Yue was far stronger than it.

Moreover, the aura she exuded also imposed pressure on animals, especially since the big tiger's condition was actually not good.

The big tiger is called Jun Jun; according to it, many years ago, it was curious about the prosperity of the human world, so it came down the mountain to roam, but not long after it was discovered by people. Panicked humans summoned a Daoist, and it accidentally fell into the other's scheme, thereafter being sealed inside the scroll, becoming the scroll's guardian spirit.

It doesn't sleep all day; when the scroll unfolds, it can also see the outside world on it. The modern human world develops rapidly, with many novel things it has never seen, let alone imagined.

Jun Jun instantly became enamored, but its soul was bound, and it could never break free; now, after finally being unsealed, Ling Yue is the big fool he chose—uh, I mean, his owner.

Ling Yue: '……'

I can hear your abacus all the way in Siberia!

So she gave him a big slap.

Just having come out, not even a few minutes of majesty passed before running into Ling Yue, whose combat power was off the charts, leaving Jun Jun the big tiger feeling devastated.

Tsundere tiger, online begging for mercy. jpg

'Huh? Such a big guy, where did you get him from?' Even the feng shui turtle in the room's door was startled out, gazing in amazement at the big tiger; upon hearing it had jumped out of the scroll, its mung-bean-sized eyes shone with light.

It's actually a Mountain Lord!

'Mountain Lord' is an elegant title humans give to tigers, but they don't realize that not every tiger can be called a Mountain Lord. Only those who possess their own territory, are truly recognized, and have received an investiture can be called a Mountain Lord.

Although it's currently doing pretty poorly, that's still correct!

Jun Jun the tiger proudly puffed out its chest and lifted its head: 'It's me, I am the Mountain Lord!'

Thinking this, he couldn't help but look at Ling Yue: 'I'm a tiger with a mountain, and I'm willing to willingly be your pet; if you're not happy and still hit me, I'm really angry!'

Ling Yue threw an eye-knife at him.

Jun Jun the big tiger: 'Ah? What was I going to say? I totally forgot, hahaha!'

After glancing at her slightly eased expression, it rolled its big eyes: 'Actually, my demands aren't much—just a few dozen jin of meat and a few dozen jin of fruit a day, which is trivial for you. Moreover, I want to be able to lie on the sofa every day watching cartoons; besides, you should take me out shopping, as I haven't been out in a long time.'

He said it with such righteous confidence that Ling Yue almost laughed in anger.

Jun Jun the big tiger seemed to sense something, turned its head, and the fur on its back exploded; before Ling Yue could erupt, it sprang up with a whoosh and darted into the picture, not coming out.

Along with the unfolded scroll, the majestic big tiger on it also showed a hint of grievance.

Ling Yue saw this scene again and pressed her lips.

Don't think her reaction was just bland; actually, who wouldn't want to raise a fluffy big tiger? But due to national circumstances, she could only give up—now it has actually been realized in a wonderful way!

The Mountain Lord is essentially a cultivated demon‑immortal, and besides, it has no physical form, only a condensed soul; she absolutely must keep it!

As for the feng shui turtle, it secretly pondered in its heart where the Mountain Lord's burial place would be.

After recruiting Jun Jun, everyone realized this was a super childish and lazy big tiger, lounging on the sofa every day, eyes opening to cartoons, and soon everyone took it for granted.

That afternoon.

Everyone was taking a break.

Xunbao Shu Duo Duo rolled over in its little nest, glanced at the white tiger on the sofa with a string of colorful kittens crawling on its back, and couldn't help but purse its lips: 'Really lazy and childish—where do we have one like that? Hanging out with a bunch of little guys all day, there's not even a hint of tiger dignity; this isn't a tiger, it's probably just a salted fish.'

In the cat nest by the floor-to-ceiling window, the queen cat stretched her posture, the warm sunshine making her emit wisps of white smoke; she lazily shook her body, and upon hearing this, she gave Duo Duo a sideways glance: 'I actually think it's quite good.'

Xunbao Shu Duo Duo suddenly panicked: 'Wife, you, you say it's good? Then, what about me?'

It clutched its tail, and the whole rat fell into despair.

The Mysterious Cat Queen glanced at it lightly: 'What do you want? Can you help me bring the kitten?'

Xunbao Shu Duo Duo was left speechless at once.

It's natural for rats to fear cats; even if it weren't afraid, with such a small frame and no points put into physique, it would likely be killed.

Ling Yue, coming downstairs, saw this scene and couldn't help but laugh; her voice attracted them, and Xunbao Shu Duo Duo, looking at the small pouch on her waist and her especially pretty outfit, had its eyes light up instantly: 'Master, are you going out?'

Ling Yue didn't speak; a slow voice came from behind her as the feng shui turtle descended the stairs step by step: 'It's us who want to go out.'

It's actually the feng shui turtle—simply astonishing.

Before Jun Jun arrived, the feng shui turtle could be considered the laziest of the animals, basically never moving its nest; seeing it suddenly want to go out, Xunbao Shu Duo Duo couldn't help but say: 'What's going on? Did red rain fall from the sky? Old turtle, why are you suddenly going out?'

The feng shui turtle snorted coldly: 'Impolite little rat, don't ever ask me to calculate your marriage again!'

Having said that, it looked at Ling Yue, the meaning in its eyes obvious; she gave a mysterious smile.

Soon, he drove the car out of the garage, opened the trunk, and a brand-new baby carriage appeared before everyone. The carriage was transparent all around, with no obstruction to the outside view, and its details were exquisite, showing it was expensive.

Master, this is the secret weapon I prepared for you!

After we get out of the car later, I won't need to carry you; I'll just push you around the street.

The Feng Shui Turtle had nothing to say.

Roar!

Upon hearing the two words 'go shopping,' the big tiger couldn't sit still, leapt out excitedly, and shouted, 'Go shopping? Who wants to go shopping? Take me along!'

Ling Yue turned her head; a tiger's head as big as a washbasin had already stretched over, its solid fur rubbing against her face, making her feel both itchy and tingly. She paused before saying, 'You want to go? But the carriage can't fit you.'

Da Lao Hu Junjun's eyes lit up: 'That's easy to handle!'

The next moment, Ling Yue saw a palm-sized white tiger with a big head and small body, long pure-white soft fur that was shiny and smooth, adorably hanging on the baby carriage.

It was essentially an exquisite little tiger pendant.

Jun Jun proudly wagged his long tail: 'Look, I'm sitting on it.'

Why aren't you speaking?

Ling Yue took a moment to regain her composure, pinching the palm-sized little tiger; its soft fur felt wonderful, her heart almost melting. 'It's just shopping,' she waved her hand, and off they went!

Actually, the purpose of this trip wasn't shopping; otherwise Ling Yue wouldn't have brought only the Feng Shui Turtle Master, but the whole family for a team-building outing!

In fact, she was there to learn a new skill from the Feng Shui Turtle—treasure appraisal!

Jing Shi Changxuan Lane.

It existed for only a short time; it's said to be the last time gate of the fallen previous dynasty, a place where many eunuchs, palace maids, and guards gathered to sell antiques. Later, as the time gate lingered, various stubborn little vendors congregated and gradually became a scene; nowadays, it has become a major feature of Jing Shi.

Although Ling Yue had never been there, she had heard various rumors about Changxuan Lane's little stories: someone kindly bought a small broken bowl, only to find after appraisal that it was a piece from an imperial kiln master, making them rich overnight; others thought they'd snatched a bargain, spent their fortunes on treasures, only to discover the sellers had teamed up with a daycare to scam them, paying millions for an artifact supposedly unearthed the previous week and losing even their underwear.

In recent years, with tourism booming, Changxuan Lane has become a famous attraction in Jing Shi, crowds of visitors coming and going—after all, who doesn't want to get rich overnight? Transactions with a hint of gambling only heighten people's desire.

Ling Yue also wanted that.

But she looked at the carpet where the so-called 'antiques' showed obvious signs of artificial dye; supposedly prayer beads once worn by a fallen prince were actually just dye plus plastic beads, piles of them from a two-yuan store.

Ling Yue finally couldn't help but sigh; even a layperson like her could tell, let alone an expert, whether these were handicrafts or old objects.

Moreover, perhaps due to her cultivation, she could keenly sense that these were fresh, stiff dead objects.

But the big tiger—oh, no, now it should be called Little Tiger Junjun—found it strange: 'Who would want these broken, tattered things?'

Ling Yue: 'Of course, and they can sell for a lot of money.'

Da Lao Hu fell silent for a moment, recalling something.

Ling Yue didn't notice its suddenly deep gaze as she walked, giving it a pop-science explanation while saying that Jun Jun listened; for a moment, everything seemed remarkably harmonious. Until the Feng Shui Turtle in the baby carriage spoke: 'Stop, we've arrived, right here.'

Ling Yue looked up: 'Treasure Seeking Studio.'

Compared to another shop bustling with customers, Guiyi Lane, this place's door could catch sparrows; by comparison, it appeared exceptionally cold and quiet.

Why come here?

The Feng Shui Turtle didn't explain, only smiling: 'You'll know once you go inside.'

Ling Yue hesitated, then pushed the carriage straight in; her steps suddenly stopped, and she immediately felt the difference between inside and outside.

This place seems…… to have spiritual energy!' she whispered, lowering her eyelids to stare at the blue‑brick floor; in the barely visible seams, it seemed as if a breath was constantly seeping out.

She could be certain that the shop was laid out with a formation; although its efficacy had greatly waned over the ages, the spiritual energy it gathered still held allure for ordinary people.

Even Ling Yue felt her body suddenly become refreshed.

With such obvious benefits, why does nobody come?

Ling Yue thought as the clerk approached, greeting her in a relaxed tone: 'Welcome, what would you like to buy? Take a look at the shelves on both sides—everything is clearly priced.'

Looking at the brown‑red antique rack, various styles of antiques filled the shelves, dazzling to the eye; she lowered her gaze, saw the prices, and Ling Yue froze.

A tiny wine cup costs thirty thousand; how could curious newcomers dare to come?

Beside them came other customers' exclamations: a pot‑bellied tycoon with his young girlfriend, the girl teasingly saying, 'This is way too expensive, aren't you just robbing money?!'

Ling Yue remained silent, veering left with her feet, sharply steering clear.

The lesson continued; in the Feng Shui Turtle's eyes, these were the perfect teaching aids—it could accurately state each antique's age, origin, and use, occasionally popping out little knowledge tidbits and stories; not only Ling Yue, but even Little Tiger Junjun listened, entranced.

These are the fruits of the Feng Shui Turtle's five‑hundred‑plus years of wandering south and north, the crystallization of its wisdom and experience; its top‑tier treasure‑appraisal label is no empty boast.

After this, Ling Yue's previously studied knowledge became integrated; at least she was no longer a complete novice who couldn't see anything.

Then the Feng Shui Turtle suddenly said: 'Let me check the second layer of the left counter.'

Ling Yue hurriedly pushed the carriage over, not noticing behind her a few elders in long robes entering the shop; the proprietor, who had been waiting behind the counter, finally stirred and hurried forward: 'Old Zhang, Old Chang, Old Li, how come you all have time to come?'

They exchanged a few jokes, and the atmosphere livened up.

They were regulars of this shop, all of high standing; the youngest among them was even the vice chairman of the Jing Shi Treasure Appraisal Association. They came here instead of the crowded Guiyi Lane because anyone could see the difference between the two.

One is an internet‑famous viral shop, the other a century‑old hidden‑in‑the‑city establishment. Guiyi Lane looks busy, but in reality it's just a shop selling fake goods, a scam.

Treasure Seeking Studio, meanwhile, has existed since the founding of Changxuan Lane; though its foot traffic is sparse, eight or nine out of ten who come here are socialites.

If their identities were announced, the entire Jing Shi antiquities circle would be shaken; even the boss wouldn't dare to be lax.

By comparison, Ling Yue, this 'mistaken' ordinary customer, was thoroughly ignored—and she was fine with that—as she pushed the carriage to her destination.

Inside the carriage, the Feng Shui Turtle stretched its neck and inhaled: 'It's this scent, so fragrant—I'd bet it's even more aromatic than that Maotai.'

'Hurry and let me down; I want to find something.'

Hearing its words, Ling Yue frowned slightly, a vague thought forming; the Feng Shui Turtle's urging was intense, so she immediately acted on the thought and lifted the Feng Shui Turtle out of the baby carriage.

Coincidentally, the customer she had just bumped into also turned over; at the moment their gazes met, it was clear they recalled the earlier incident, and they awkwardly looked away—this glance already revealed a problem.

On the blue‑brick ground, a giant turtle bigger than a washbasin scuttled forward.

'Good heavens! How can there be such a huge old turtle?!'

The big‑bellied man's eyebrows twitched; frightened, he staggered, about to crash into the antique rack, his heart turning cold halfway.

He fiercely shoved his female companion underneath him, the meaning obvious—he was trying to use her as a buffer—but in the end he realized it was utterly useless!

English translation

Fortunately, a hand reached out midway and grabbed him at the crucial moment.

Ling Yue withdrew her hand and explained, "This is mine; it doesn't bite."

Ling Yue spoke politely, not realizing the other person was the type who wouldn't let things go, wiping a cold sweat: "Good grief, are you out here to buy antiques or walk your pet? Is this a place you can walk pets? Can you even afford it?"

He spoke, giving Ling Yue's clothes a disdainful glance, pretending to fan himself: "Do you need me to help you? What a poor, sour smell."

Ling Yue: "……"

Sure enough, in a big forest you find all kinds of birds.

She immediately turned cold, but the other person started shouting: "What are you looking at? Hurry up and clean up that old turtle; it's an eyesore just looking at it."

Ling Yue: "Are you a staff member?"

"Huh?"

"You're not staff, so why are you rushing? The customer is buying something; what right do you have to urge them?"

That person stared, then reacted, incredulously looking at the feng shui turtle: "A customer? You're telling me it's a customer? This big turtle?"

"Hahaha, you're crazy! This is just a big turtle and you're telling me it's a customer? Do you think I'm a three-year-old?!"

He shouted, his voice hoarse with anger, ringing loudly in the quiet treasure-seeking studio, as if exploding beside the ear, making people frown involuntarily.

Meanwhile, a few others grew curious and said amiably: "Old Gu, did something happen over there? Why don't we go check?"

What could the shop owner say? He secretly worried, hoping nothing would happen.

Seeing the shop owner, the customer seemed to find a backbone, pattering over and saying: "What's going on with your shop? Where did this huge turtle come from? It's awfully big and scary!"

The feng shui turtle paused slightly: "You're the turtle! Your whole family are turtles; I'm clearly a turtle, and nowadays young people are just useless!"

Hearing that, the shop owner was baffled, wondering what turtle? They don't have pets in their shop.

Until he saw the feng shui turtle crawling on the ground, a basin-sized huge turtle that made people exclaim "Good grief!", the nearby old customers all widened their eyes and shouted in unison: "Feng shui turtle!"

"Is this your feng shui turtle? I'll offer 500,000; will you sell it to me?"

Ling Yue: "Not for sale."

Ling Yue sized up the people, heard them raise their offer again, shook her head firmly: "It's my family; no amount of money will make me sell it."

The swearing feng shui turtle suddenly fell silent, its mung-bean-sized eyes looking at Ling Yue.

A friendly laugh broke the stalemate; Ling Yue blinked, then heard the spirited old man say: "In that case, we shouldn't take what you love; if you change your mind, you can call me."

As he spoke, he slipped over a business card; seeing this, the others, unwilling to be outdone, also shoved theirs over; seeing them like that, Ling Yue softened.

The completely ignored customer flushed red; he was a nouveau riche who grew arrogant after a little success, and this trip to Jing Shi was to secretly bring his mistress on vacation while hiding from his wife—who would have thought such a thing would happen.

The big-bellied man spoke harshly: "What feng shui turtle? It's just a big turtle; at most a bit bigger, ponds are full of them."

"What do you know!"

Ling Yue didn't speak; instead, the spirited old man answered: "You probably haven't even heard of it—this is a name passed down from our ancestors, used to ward off evil and guard the home, and only a spiritually endowed old turtle can be called a feng shui turtle, like this little friend……" He said, looking at Ling Yue: "It's probably over a hundred years old, right?"

Ling Yue smiled but didn't dare say it was over five hundred years old, fearing to scare them.

The man stared at the feng shui turtle in shock, opening and closing his mouth, after a while muttering: "Living long—what's that supposed to be an ability? I don't believe in warding off evil anyway; it's just an old turtle……"

The softer he spoke, the more it showed his typical bullying of the weak and fear of the strong; the more he did that, the more disgusting he became.

He racked his brains, suddenly bringing up what had just happened, as if grabbing Ling Yue's ponytail, proudly saying: "Don't think everyone else is a fool; want me to repeat what you just said? Saying it outright would be laughable. She actually said the turtle should pick out antiques? If it could pick one out, I'd make you eat this plate!"

As he spoke, he pointed to the nearby basin-sized blue-and-white porcelain dish with intertwining branch pattern.

Ling Yue smiled: "Then you've got a good appetite."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the feng shui turtle, holding its breath, climbed onto the antique shelf and finally stopped before a whole set of celadon small bowls, tapping the price tag: "This one!"

The feng shui turtle's forelimb slapped the price tag with a crisp "pak!" sound.

The porcelain body, thin as a cicada's wing, was nearly translucent in the sunlight; at that moment it trembled slightly, emitting the distinctive warm luster of porcelain, like a piece of polished smooth jade fat.

After speaking, the feng shui turtle slid down and lay on the ground: "I don't exercise often; moving just now nearly cost me my life."

Not only were the customers shocked, but even the shop owner and his entourage could hardly keep from showing astonishment; although they couldn't understand animal speech like Ling Yue could, they had eyes and could see its gesture toward the porcelain.

Neat, swift, and without any hesitation!

Ling Yue immediately spoke up: "Shop owner, how much for this set?"

The shop owner came to his senses, sucked in a breath of cold air, and, losing composure, rubbed his eyes while looking at her: "You… you just said what?"

"You want to buy it? Because of a turtle?!"