Chapter 283: Gu

(Previous chapters combined, everyone remember to read)

Finally, you chose to bring this cute catgirl and set out on your journey.

Although she said she doesn't eat much, you definitely can't let her starve, so you once again turned back into the city to buy supplies for her journey.

Before leaving, the catgirl built a new nest for the cats she had lived with for several years, as a small token of gratitude.

You successfully embarked on the road of your journey; due to heavenly disasters rampant in this world, everywhere outside cities is extremely dangerous, making transportation highly inconvenient, so the cost to reach another city is very high.

However, of course there is a way: the powerful Empire acts like a heavenly disaster barrier, blocking most disasters from the west, thus allowing trade to flow.

Nevertheless, even so, some places separated by dangerous heavenly disasters still need people to escort them through, otherwise major accidents are likely to occur.

You and Lan Baoshi got into an off-road vehicle; the fastest route to the sea city requires crossing an entire expanse of heavenly disaster territory, but normally no fool would choose to cut straight across here.

Normal people would choose to use a flying transport to cross the entire heavenly disaster region, but you don't want to do that; although your main purpose is to find a way to cure your aunt, you still wish to continually practice your precepts on this road and improve your strength.

Your father has been searching for a cure for a long time, and even he couldn't find it—how difficult must it be for you to search?

The sky is high and birds may fly, but this is just a small patch of heavenly disaster territory; if you can't even pass this level, what's there to talk about continuing the journey?

However, the poor little catgirl still doesn't know what will happen next, and she happily follows by your side.

Sea? What is that?

Lan Baoshi's lack of basic social knowledge is what led her to ask such a question.

The sea is endless water, with a miraculous city and countless terrifying marine creatures.

Lan Baoshi's little head immediately conjured an extremely vivid scene, and she shivered instantly.

She was a bit afraid, but what frightened her wasn't any sea monster—it was the endless water.

As a catgirl, her fear of water is innate; just thinking about coming to a city completely surrounded by water makes her afraid.

Don't be afraid; this city's strength is comparable to that of the Empire.

What you should fear most is the heavenly disaster creatures that may appear here at any moment.

Meow?

The catgirl froze for a moment, and the next instant she saw Jierte draw his sword in a flash; a piercing sound of flesh being stabbed rang out, followed immediately by a deafening wail.

The catgirl's fur instantly stood on end; she pulled out the small dagger Jierte gave her and began slashing left and right.

Jierte:.....

Your reaction is too slow; I already killed that thing.

But... what exactly is this thing?

The catgirl tried to open her eyes and saw a creature covered entirely in blood-red, with a tiny head and muscles bulging all over its body, lying on the ground.

Meow!!!

Lan Baoshi was so frightened she let out a meow, instantly retreating several tens of meters, staring nervously at Jierte.

What is this!

The basic... basic form of this thing I know; it's a kind of beast disaster.

But something like him...

Seems like a combination of blood disaster and beast disaster?

Heavenly disasters often fight each other; this is quite normal and also the least known fact.

Beast disasters regard blood disasters as a great tonic, and the blood of blood disasters can only be obtained from beast disasters.

Thus, among the three greatest heavenly disasters, the fiercest clashes are between these two.

But now, they have strangely fused together.

Moreover, they have a one-plus-one-greater-than-two effect; Jierte recalls that this kind of beast disaster's strength isn't particularly strong, and it certainly didn't have the power it just displayed.

Two heavenly disasters.... fused?

Jierte doesn't know whether this situation is universal; if it is, then it indicates....

This situation, like raising a Gu, has truly succeeded.

Knight Sir....

Can this thing be shown off?

After the fear, the catgirl became extremely hungry; yet when Jierte looked at her with an utterly doubtful gaze, she shyly shrank her neck.

Do you think it looks edible?

Hehe....

However, you can try to absorb the residual life force on its body; maybe it will work.

The catgirl's eyes lit up; she reached out, and a surge of life force spread through her body, making her extremely delighted.

Knight Sir! Can! Can!

That way I won't need to eat rice anymore!

Jierte:.....

What a strange train of thought.

Fortunately, during the later expedition, Jierte did not encounter anything similar to such a combination.

The catgirl also absorbed a great deal of life force, and Jierte felt correctly that she was indeed using this life force to grow her body.

At night, within the beast disaster territory of the heavenly disaster gathering site, the two had already set up a tent.

Before them, the bonfire had been lit; a normal giant beast's thigh had been removed and was continuously being roasted.

This is Lan Baoshi's rations; in this beast disaster's territory, how could Jierte possibly let Lan Baoshi go hungry?

Alright, eat.

Jierte fed the huge beast leg to the little cat, and she quickly devoured it.

Nom nom....

"Lan Baoshi."

"Huh?"

"How old are you this year?"

"Meow? I'm probably about twelve years old, I guess."

Hmm, I'm one year younger than myself.

"By the way, tomorrow should be my birthday, I guess."

His fourteenth birthday is coming up soon; usually his aunt gives him a proper birthday celebration.

I guess this time, his aunt can only wait alone by the window for a miracle.

Thinking of this, Jierte instantly lost even the thought of eating, and promptly dove into his own tent.

"Lan Baoshi, sprinkle some beast-repelling powder, I'm going to sleep first."

"Mm-hm! (? ￣? ￣?) Okay!"

"You've crossed the entire disaster-stricken land and reached the edge of the ocean; the salty scent permeates the tip of your nose, making Lan Baoshi feel quite novel."

"The sea city floats constantly on the ocean; you took the steel cruise ship to the sea metropolis, and on board, the catgirl truly saw the ocean with her own eyes, as well as the incredibly fascinating seafood."

"Soon, an incredibly magnificent and vast huge city appeared before their eyes, making the catgirl stare wide-eyed."

"Whoa!!"

"It's the ocean!"

Lan Baoshi boarded this magnificent city, and the fresh aroma unique to seafood kept drifting into her nose, making her unable to stop.

"Knight Sir! What are we going to do now?"

"I'll find you an inn; you can go play by yourself."

"I need to find the captain of this 'big ship' and visit in the name of the Gordon Family."

If the other side really has such technology, how could a mere wandering knight obtain it?

One must have some status and identity.

The sea city-state Avaned is a monarchical nation, on good terms with the Empire, and produces seafood for export to the Empire.

The captain of Avaned's big ship is precisely the so-called Emperor.

And the knight here also counts as having status, after all, the law-enforcement officer-type roles here are knights.

In short, the Gordon Family's name is useful here too; it's just unknown whether that kind of miraculous technology exists.

"Huh? Just me?"

The catgirl wants to play with Jierte.....

"?"

"Could it be that you want to be together with me?"

"Mm-hm!"

When the catgirl says 'together,' she means playing together.

When Jierte says 'together,' he means going to do proper business together.

But it doesn't matter; the catgirl is happy as long as she's with Jierte.

Walking catnip humanoid!

"Let's go; that place, the tallest building, is our destination."

"All the fun stuff is there!"

"Hmm, that counts too."

Along the way, the bustling city left the sapphire-eyed not knowing where to look, and there were all kinds of fried fish fillets.... Item.... octopus tentacles....

This place is practically a cat's paradise!

"How is this big ship floating on the water?"

"Don't ask; asking just means it's psionic technology."

Psionic, psionic, can do anything!

"Knight Sir! Want to try some local delicacies?"

This line wasn't spoken by the Catgirl Sapphire, but by a neighboring vendor selling goods.

He has good judgment; at a glance he saw Jierte's extraordinariness.

"Blond hair, black pupils? Could you be.... a member of the Gordon Family?"

"Knight Sir, he has such good judgment."

Sapphire whispered chatter into Jierte's ear, and he also nodded thoughtfully.

"Indeed, he has good judgment."

Blond hair and black pupils are a trait of the Gordon Family, but few people notice it.

"Let's have some."

"Sure thing!"

The vendor quickly got to work, and soon two bowls of steaming hot seafood noodles were brought up.

"Anyway, let's eat something first."

Just as the two sat down, the vendor mysteriously came over, like an NPC with a quest, proactively briefing them on information.

"Hey! Are you also here to hunt that monster?"

"Monster?"

Jierte looked at the vendor with a puzzled expression, while the other party had already begun 'issuing the quest'.

"It's just that a few days ago, a monster that greatly reduces sanity suddenly appeared in the sea."

His whole body turned red, and his strength is still strong.

Captain Sir is recruiting brave warriors from all over to subjugate.

Blue Sapphire was quickly slurping her noodles, her pair of watery big eyes curiously staring at Jierte.

Hmm....

It was sent after he left; these two days he hasn't used any electronic devices.

However, this matter does not conflict with the goal of this trip.

If Captain Sir asks Jierte to go subjugate, then he will go give it a try.

After all, he is not particularly strong right now.

Thank you for the information; how much do these cost in total?

30, you just pay on your side~

The prices are okay; the sea city is still quite nice.

Meow, I'm not full!

Blue Sapphire asked for extra noodles, and the boss generously gave her a full bowl.

After eating and drinking to their fill, the two continued heading toward the captain's quarters.

Knight Sir, what kind of dropping-scatter monster is that? Are you going to go?

Also, what does 'dropping-scatter' mean?

Depending on the situation, losing sanity is......

Jierte explained some things to Blue Sapphire, and without realizing it, they arrived at the tallest building in the city-state.

Hello, do you have an appointment?

This place is also a gathering spot for high-end venues; to enter, you also need to make a reservation in advance.

I am Gordon Jierte; please inform Captain Sir that I represent the Gordon Family and have come to visit.

Eh! Gordon Family? Are you here to subjugate the heavenly disaster? I'll notify them right away.

They took him as a warrior coming to fight monsters, quickly notified the captain, and indicated they wanted to personally meet Jierte.

Just go up from here.

Captain Sir is on the tenth floor.

At sea there are wind and waves; even the highest building only has ten floors, which is already the limit.

The reason this city-state constantly moves is to avoid various extreme sea weather.

Okay.

Jierte brought the catgirl up the stairs, and on the elevator he quickly taught Blue Sapphire some basic etiquette.

For example, just bow.

The captain is generous; as long as the little kitten doesn't do anything too over the top, he won't mind.

Soon, the elevator reached the top floor, and a thick-browed, big-eyed bearded man suddenly opened his arms to him!

Hey hey! Who's come!

A warrior of the Gordon Family!

The captain opened his wide arms, looking at Jierte with sincere sincerity, while the catgirl beside him had already turned to stone.

There's nothing to be done; after all, the captain's personality is like that, so Jierte could only return the hug.

Hello Captain Sir, I am the second son of the Gordon family, Jierte.

You! Hello! I am Blue Sapphire!

Haha, don't do that!

The catgirl awkwardly bowed, and the captain laughed heartily, helping them up, just like an old person who hasn't seen guests in a long time.

However, he is indeed old; his dense long beard already has some silver strands.

As expected of a Gordon family warrior, at fourteen he's already this tall!

Jierte suddenly had a bad feeling; he seemed to anticipate what the other party would say next.

Eh, you don't know? I used to hold you when you were little!

Jierte:......

Not bro.... how am I supposed to respond to this!

However, the captain didn't continue; instead, he changed the topic.

You.... are you here to help subjugate that monster?

Sorry Captain Sir, actually we came......

....... Jierte, the captain, explained the reason, while the other party was contemplative, finally looking at Jierte with some suspicion.

Your young aunt, the woman who split the heavenly disaster zone with a single shot?

Jierte:???

What?

My young aunt?

Looking at his clueless expression, the captain scratched his head and continued speaking.

I know your demands, but I still want to ask you to help, for the great sea disaster is imminent, and we don't want to lose too much combat strength.

However, regarding your young aunt's matter, we indeed have here a suppressor of spiritual energy erosion, which has succeeded clinically, but we don't know if it will work for your young aunt.

Really? Thank you so much; I will do my utmost to help with the heavenly disaster problem!