Headless Immortal

Chapter 47 Gray Treasure
The old cat was somewhat surprised and leaped from the rooftop to the stone bench in a few steps.

Old Cheng, who was sitting next to me smoking his pipe and looking preoccupied, was startled. He then said nervously, "You're back."

"There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Lu Xun, the black cat, tilted his head to listen.

“I donated a spot to the academy, and they agreed to let Chengyan study there. I thought that if you were here, you could take care of Yan’er and help him settle down and study hard to get a degree.”

Old Cheng tapped the ash off his pipe and cautiously asked, "What do you think?"

Lu Xun, the black cat, looked at Lao Cheng with slight surprise. He was worried about how to get a spot. He thought about donating at the county government office but was afraid of being recognized, so he hadn't taken any action. He didn't expect Lao Cheng to solve the problem for him.

This way, he wouldn't have to think of any more ways to smuggle himself out, and he could go to the academy to study with Xiao Cheng.

Lao Cheng added, "You don't need to keep an eye on him all the time; it's more important to focus on your own things."

He heard that the black cat wanted to learn to read, so he took it upon himself to make this decision.

He was afraid that the old cat wouldn't understand the unspoken meaning behind his words; in reality, a boy who was almost an adult could control himself.

The old cat nodded.

Old Cheng was overjoyed and hurriedly greeted the black cat as it came out: "Come on, let's go home and have a simple meal."

The black cat paused, looking at Lao Cheng who had opened the door.

He didn't even meow, he just stared at it.

Seemingly noticing the hesitation in the black cat's eyes, the experienced man assured him, "Don't worry, don't worry..."

Lu Xun then followed.
He always felt that cats were very busy animals. When he visited his childhood friend's house before, he rarely saw the cats actively seeking affection. He just didn't know what the cats were busy with. In short, they were quite tactful.

Now that he's become a cat, he seems to have become like that too.

Very busy

But he knew what he was busy with.

……

The driver, Lao Cheng, was a master, handling the mule with ease.

Lu Xun squatted in front, enjoying the faint breeze from the fireworks.

As morning approaches, street vendors gradually set up shop. The windows of the rows of small buildings are propped open with forks, and steaming steamers are piled up in front, mingling with the swirling morning mist. Passing by feels like pushing aside ink-wash-like clouds.

A few moments.

The mule cart stopped in front of a shop that was about to have its doors removed. Lao Cheng led the mule cart into the alley and into the backyard.

It turned out that Lao Cheng had made quite a bit of money over the years, and his son and daughter-in-law had opened a tofu shop. It was hard work, though; they had to soak the soybeans early in the morning and get up in the middle of the night to grind the tofu. Just then, the family was having breakfast, and the still-healthy old woman saw Lao Cheng leading the mule back and asked, "Where have you been so early in the morning?"

Lao Cheng chuckled: "He went to pick up his third uncle."

"Whose third uncle?"

"His third uncle."

"Grandpa, my third uncle has been dead for several years."

A young, cheerful voice came from the front yard, and he stepped over the threshold and walked out laughing.

"Hey, isn't that Third Uncle? Come here, come here..." Old Cheng beckoned Cheng Yan over.

Cheng Yan obediently walked over, and saw Lao Cheng raise his hand and point to the big black cat on the mule cart. Its golden eyes were dazzling, and its black eyes were as black as silk. The black cat turned its head and was also sizing up the young man in front of it.

Cheng Yan, who was shirtless, looked a lot like Lao Cheng. He wasn't burly; he was rather thin and looked like he had no flesh on his bones. However, it was clear that he had practiced martial arts since childhood, and his skin had a faint bronze hue in the morning sun.

Cheng Yan wiped his sweat with a towel while looking in the direction his grandfather was pointing.

"Oh!"

Cheng Yan was shocked: "This is the one Grandpa was talking about..."

"Call me Third Uncle."

"Third Uncle!" Cheng Yan bowed with his hands clasped and hurried to the west room.

"What kind of behavior is this, so reckless?"

The old woman, leaning on her cane, said with a smile, "He went to protect his treasure."

"Ouch..."

Lao Cheng suddenly seemed to remember something and quickly explained to the black cat, "Uncle, please don't take offense."

……

As soon as Xiao Cheng entered the room, he spotted the largest mouse lying asleep in the quilt and shook its belly.

The mouse woke up sleepily, sniffed the aroma wafting from the stove outside, and rubbed its belly. It seemed it was mealtime, which was why it had been woken up. Xiao Cheng's words interrupted its reverie: "Trouble is brewing! My third uncle is coming today, so you absolutely mustn't go out. I'll bring you some food in a bit."

The mouse had tiny eyes and a big look of confusion.

"It's time to eat!"

Before Xiao Cheng could finish giving instructions, his mother called him to go eat.

……

A table was set up in the courtyard, and the family of five, along with a large black cat, sat around it. The old man said with a smile, "I don't need to introduce you. You all know this is the one who saved my life in Xialong Road. Our family's prosperity is largely thanks to him."

"Uncle, I'd like to offer you a toast."

"I'd also like to toast Uncle San." Xiao Cheng's father and Lao Cheng raised their glasses together.

The middle-aged couple were both curious about the black cat's origins, but neither of them asked any further questions, since the silver and treasure they had obtained were real.

At that time, Lao Chai'er often talked about the dangers of fighting the water bandits. It was only because of the tiger that they survived. He was their family's savior, no matter if he was a monster or something.

Xiao Cheng asked with curiosity and hope, "Can Third Uncle really turn into a tiger?"

The old man said, "Little kid, you're getting all bossy. Listen carefully, this time Grandpa is donating a spot so you can go to the academy to study hard and practice martial arts. It would be best if you could pass the imperial examination. If you don't pass, you can fill my vacancy and become a constable in the county government. Your third uncle will go to the academy with you. If you learn anything, you can teach your third uncle too."

"Eat, eat."

……

Lu Xun, who was engrossed in his rice bowl, suddenly perked up his ears and heard unusual footsteps.

Very fine.

Accompanied by rustling sounds, a faint scent filled the air.

He slowly raised his head, then abruptly left his seat.

The speed is frighteningly fast.

With a single light leap, the source of the disturbance was pinned down.

"Squeak!"

The big rat was pinned down by the cat's paw and cowered in fear, squeaking and squeaking.

Xiao Cheng was terrified and cried out, "Third Uncle, have mercy!"

Lu Xun turned to look at Cheng Yan, who was running over, and then at the mouse he had caught.

The mouse was indeed quite large, about the size of two adult hands, almost the size of a sub-adult cat. It was grayish, but had a layer of white fur on its head, indicating that it must be quite old, as its beard and hair were white.

Lu Xun slowly released his grip, and the big rat didn't dare to move.

It wasn't until Xiao Cheng came over and picked up the mouse that a soft sob came from inside.

It's really a spirit.

Lu Xun suddenly realized.

He explained why Lao Cheng didn't find monsters strange at all, and why his family accepted him so quickly. Even Xiao Cheng willingly became his third uncle. While Lao Cheng's words and the support of money and treasures certainly played a part, the main reason was that his family had long been raising a monster that was almost a spirit.

"Since you're here, let's eat together."

The family was indeed a little frightened just now, fearing that the big black cat would kill Gray Baby with one swipe of its paw. This was a big cat that could turn into a tiger.

Even mice are on the table.

The cat and the mouse ate together.

Full of wine and food.

The couple went to the front shop to sell tofu.

Lao Cheng used to work at the yamen, and now he has taken over from Zhao Jia as the jailer.

An old woman sat on a low stool in the doorway, basking in the sun.

Xiao Cheng then washed and rinsed Hui Bao, while checking for any wounds.

Lu Xun shifted to a more comfortable position on the withered tree and wagged its tail.

Grey Treasure was enjoying all of this, but her body stiffened when she looked at the big black cat.

Xiao Cheng looked up and asked the old cat, "Uncle, let's wash up. We have to report to the county government this afternoon and set off for the academy tomorrow morning."

Lu Xun pursed his lips, shook his head, and continued lying down.

(End of this chapter)