Chapter 12: Cat‑Headed Beastmen and the Trading Station

Xu Lingqi: Wuya Dalao is already so rich, have some pity on me, will you? Give me your tent! I'm out eating wind and sleeping under the stars, don't you have any compassion?

Cheng Shuili ignored the moral blackmail and Cou Re Nao, scanned the circle of willing traders, and You Mao Bingbing's price was still the most suitable.

She opened the private chat window and proactively sent a trade request.

The other side didn't say much, after placing the agreed item, clicked Accept.

Cheng Shuili put the received items away, hummed a tune and kept moving forward.

After only a short walk, she saw a building in the distance; its appearance seemed random as well—last time Cheng Shuili encountered a Jia You Zhan, and she didn't know what this one was.

As she got closer, Cheng Shuili saw a lone silhouette at the building's entrance; its outline was odd, as if a huge shadow grew where its head should be.

Cheng Shuili couldn't help but imagine something strange, and her whole body shivered.

She flicked her head, joking, "I'm someone who's died once; I'm not afraid of death, what ghost should I fear?"

Even if…

Better not.

Cheng Shuili quickened her pace, deciding to take a cautious glance; if something was wrong she'd keep moving without stopping, otherwise she'd stop to inspect.

The radio on Cheng Shuili's person emitted a Zila— twice, then stammered, "Today… special supply… store… employee badge… price… price 3999 Game Coin."

"Weekend benefit… market will open three hours early… at noon… twelve o'clock… precisely… coordinates… two kilometers from current location…"

"Two kilometers?" Cheng Shuili breathed a sigh of relief; that meant the building ahead was a Jiao Yi Zhan, and a Jiao Yi Zhan shouldn't be dangerous.

So that monster is…?

Cheng Shuili finally saw the blackish shadow clearly—it was a cat‑headed creature, a true cat head, and it was furry.

Except for the head, everything was normal; the monster wore a white shirt, a tie, crisp suit trousers, and even its shoes were polished to a shine.

The attire was much like the protocol Cheng Shuili had seen in a previous life: standing at a doorway for a day to earn a hundred coins.

The Jiao Yi Zhan's signboard looked aged, as if it had been open for many years; the area was fenced with iron mesh, and through the gaps one could see the stalls inside.

In front of the open gate stood that cat‑headed monster.

To get inside, it seemed one could only pass beside that cat‑headed monster.

Cheng Shuili broke out in a cold sweat, carefully stopped her shopping cart; she was definitely going to go in and take a look.

Putting aside whether she had money or could buy anything, if the first person to enter the Jiao Yi Zhan earned an achievement and got a silver treasure chest as a reward, Cheng Shuili wouldn't want to miss that!

Prosperity is sought through risk!

If you want to get by in life, you have to take a few risks!

Resolute in her mind, Cheng Shuili gripped her baseball bat tightly, carefully slipped the poisoned dagger to her side, tested its grip, then lowered the shopping cart.

The cat‑headed monster's gaze instantly locked onto her; as she approached, it suddenly spoke human words, "Entering the Jiao Yi Zhan, weapons are not allowed."

"Huh? Huh!" Cheng Shuili nearly jumped; she saw the cat's mouth move, then it spat out human speech!

That was human speech!

"Ugly humans, rarely seen but many strange." The cat‑headed monster seemed to notice her surprise, rolled its eyes and snarked.

Cheng Shuili: "…?"

Cheng Shuili returned to the shopping cart, shoved the baseball bat back inside; she kept a precaution, didn't voluntarily draw the dagger—its concealment was hidden, the coat fully covered it, the cat‑headed monster certainly couldn't see it.

As for the ugliness…

Cheng Shuili pursed her lips, "How could the monster's taste be like humans? If they liked the furry kind?"

The kind where the whole face is covered in fur.

Cheng Shuili felt nauseated by her own imagined image, immediately shook her head and discarded the thought.

She turned and intended to enter the Jiao Yi Zhan, deliberately keeping the greatest distance from the cat‑headed monster.

The cat‑headed monster suddenly blocked her path, "First warning: entering the Jiao Yi Zhan, weapons are prohibited. If after three warnings you still don't repent…"

The cat‑headed monster's cat face showed a humanized expression; it snarled, clearly intending to intimidate.

Cheng Shuili forced a weak laugh, "No need for three times, I've met people different from you, I'm an honest person. I just forgot, okay, I'll put it back now."

Cheng Shuili took out the dagger and tossed it back into the shopping cart.

Truly terrifying, it not only didn't search her, but after a glance at Cheng Shuili, easily discerned that she still carried a weapon.

Is this the power of an NPC?

Perhaps it's some setting.

Cheng Shuili was somewhat interested, and having confirmed the monster wouldn't attack, she didn't rush in, but stood beside it and asked, "Um, hello?"

The monster stayed silent; Cheng Shuili wasn't embarrassed and introduced herself, "I'm Cheng Shuili, human, female, in my twenties, quite young among humans. Are you working here?"

The cat‑headed monster let out a cold snort, inspected her critically, then turned its head and said, "I'm Mao Ning, 132 years old, still young among beastmen."

"Also, don't talk to the guards, first warning."

Cheng Shuili: "…"

OK, she'll keep quiet.

Cheng Shuili turned and walked into the Jiao Yi Zhan; this time Mao Ning didn't block her.

Although Mao Ning said little, Cheng Shuili gathered plenty of information.

A new race, beastmen, had no hostile intent toward players, seemingly acting as NPCs.

And their lifespan seemed long; after all, being 132 and still working—if they didn't live long, it'd be pitiful.

Cheng Shuili glanced back; Mao Ning's cat head was pure white, indistinguishable whether from being a white cat or age.

However… a beastman's fur probably doesn't change color with age, right?

The matter held no meaning for Cheng Shuili; she shook her head and didn't dwell on it.

The Jiao Yi Zhan housed many stalls, most like roadside booths, and behind each stall stood beastmen with animal heads.

Behind the row of open stalls was a resplendent trading house, its plaque gleaming with golden characters: "Ten Thousand Beasts Chamber."

These beastfolk, when they saw Cheng Shuili come in, each wore eager expressions and greeted her in human speech.

Little girl, why not come over and have a look? We cats never sell low‑quality food; we have every kind of cake and dessert.

Come buy my goods! I have a complete selection of building materials and tools, so whatever trouble your vehicle has, come here for tools—look for our bear stall!