Chapter 6

"I'm being watched!"

At the entrance of the residential area, Li Hao stopped his bicycle and slowly pushed it.

"Xiao Hao is back."

"Inspector Li, do you have time to come over for a drink tonight?"

"……"

The residents, who were cooling off and chatting in the residential area, greeted him warmly.

A third-level inspector, though just a regular officer in the Inspection Department, was someone who could bring a sense of security and intimidation to the residents. Although Li Hao looked frail and lacked the authority of other inspectors,

"Uh, I'm back."

Li Hao smiled and responded to everyone.

Qiming Residential Area was an old community that had been around for many years. The area was somewhat dilapidated, and the Li family had lived there for a long time. Li Hao could remember that the Li family had settled in Qiming Residential Area since he was a child.

The residential area was not large, with only six buildings in total. Li Hao lived in the building at the far end, 6-302.

On the way, Li Hao did not ride his bicycle but pushed it around the somewhat broken road. The internal roads of Qiming Residential Area had not been repaired for a long time and were already in a state of disrepair, making it very bumpy to ride a bicycle.

Behind him, faint murmurs reached his ears.

"Xiao Hao is a good kid, but without the guidance of his elders, he can be a bit troublesome. You see, he finally got into Yincheng Ancient Academy, but then he dropped out and became an inspector. What a waste!"

"But that's not entirely true. The Inspection Department is a stable job."

"True, but graduates from the Ancient Academy not only earn more money but also have a better future than being an inspector."

"……"

The murmurs were not too quiet, and such words had been repeated many times.

Over the past year, Li Hao had often heard such comments.

Li Hao didn't pay much attention and didn't bother to explain. There was no need.

He was still thinking about what had just happened and how to deal with it next.

The gun in his pocket, though it could provide some sense of security, wasn't entirely safe.

"I still lack knowledge about mystical powers, and my practical combat skills are limited. Without the gun, I'm just an ordinary person."

Li Hao had learned some grappling and combat techniques, not only for the Inspection Department but also during his two years at Yincheng Ancient Academy.

His teacher, Yuan Shuo, was not only a scholar but also a master of grappling and combat. Of course, Yuan Shuo's expertise in grappling and combat was not for fighting but for physical fitness and adapting to various environments.

As his teacher said, at the very least, in case of danger, one could run faster.

Professors from the Ancient Academy often faced potential dangers when they went out.

So Li Hao had learned some, though not very proficiently. He had studied for three years in total, and compared to ordinary thugs, he was fine, but compared to veteran inspectors, he was not much better.

"The identity of an inspector may not be as intimidating as I imagined, and I don't know how long I can keep it a secret."

While thinking, a black shadow suddenly flashed past his feet, moving very fast.

Li Hao instinctively lifted his leg to kick, but quickly retracted it.

In front of him, a black puppy stopped, not barking but looking at Li Hao expectantly, as if waiting for something.

Li Hao smiled and parked his bicycle.

"Black Panther, you seem to be getting faster."

Black Panther, a name that didn't quite match the skinny puppy, but Li Hao still gave it a powerful name.

This dog wasn't Li Hao's pet but a stray that had wandered into the residential area.

Li Hao lived alone and sometimes had leftover food that he didn't want to waste. Seeing the dog's pitiful state, he would occasionally feed it. Over a few months, the dog had become attached to Li Hao and no longer wandered much, often waiting for him at the entrance of Building 6.

The other residents of Building 6 knew that Li Hao fed the dog. Although some were afraid of dogs, no one dared to drive it away because Li Hao was a third-level inspector.

Black Panther was usually quiet, and the neighbors had gradually gotten used to it.

Li Hao squatted down and patted the puppy's head.

Living alone, he often felt lonely, and having a dog for company wasn't bad, especially with the burden on his mind.

Unfortunately, Li Hao was too busy and didn't have much time to take care of it. He would feed it in the evening, and during the day, he would leave some dog food if he remembered, or let Black Panther find its own food if he forgot.

"Woof!"

The puppy barked softly.

"I'll feed you in a bit."

Li Hao smiled, a genuine and warm smile, more so than when he smiled at the Inspection Department.

He stood up and walked upstairs.

The old building, with its rusty handrails and dilapidated stairs, had only half of its residents left.

Now, only some elderly people lived there, and Li Hao hadn't moved out, partly because he couldn't afford a new apartment and partly because this was where he had always lived. After his parents passed away, he never thought about moving.

Black Panther followed Li Hao up the stairs, very enthusiastically.

302.

He opened the door, and the room was dim, with the curtains tightly closed.

The apartment was small, about 60 square meters.

Li Hao opened the door, and Black Panther didn't enter but lay down at the entrance, waiting for Li Hao to feed it.

Li Hao wasn't in the mood to cook today.

He found some dog food, unsure if it had expired, and poured it into Black Panther's bowl, placing it outside the door.

"Woof!"

Black Panther wagged its tail and looked up at Li Hao, as if saying something.

"I didn't buy any vegetables, so we'll have to make do today."

Li Hao explained, though he didn't really understand what Black Panther meant. It didn't matter; the dog might be picky about the almost expired dog food.

"Having something to eat is better than nothing. Don't be picky. In a few days, you might not have anything to eat and will have to find your own food."

Li Hao squatted down and watched as Black Panther reluctantly started eating, then laughed.

He took out the third-generation vortex from his pocket, considered for a moment, and then took off the jade sword hanging from his neck.

Playing with the jade sword, Li Hao fell into deep thought.

Is this jade sword related to mystical powers?

Could the eight families mentioned in the folk songs also be involved in mystical powers?

But over the years, he hadn't noticed anything special about the jade sword. As for the blood recognition, Li Hao had been injured many times as a child, and his blood had touched the jade sword, but there had been no reaction.

"Star Sword!"

Li Hao muttered, was the red shadow's target this thing?

"Woof!"

At that moment, Black Panther, which had been eating, suddenly stopped and barked at the jade sword.

Li Hao turned to look at Black Panther.

Black Panther wagged its tail, looking at the jade sword with a mix of curiosity and fear, hesitating to approach but not daring to get too close, just staring at it from a distance.

Li Hao raised an eyebrow.

Suddenly, he felt a surge of inspiration and thrust the jade sword at Black Panther. Black Panther instantly jumped back, moving very fast.

This surprised Li Hao.

Black Panther didn't run away but looked at Li Hao with a pitiful expression and barked again.

"Hmm?"

Li Hao raised an eyebrow. Was Black Panther afraid of this thing?

This was interesting.

There were folk tales that white cats and black dogs could sometimes see things that humans couldn't. Could this black dog see something on the jade sword?

Black Panther was smart, and Li Hao knew that.

Dogs were generally intelligent.

If not, it wouldn't have stuck around, knowing it would get food here.

"Black Panther, come here!"

Li Hao waved his hand. Black Panther was hesitant and timid but slowly moved closer, its eyes fixed on the jade sword.

"Woof!"

At first, Black Panther was afraid, but with Li Hao there, it wasn't as scared.

Li Hao observed its reaction and frowned.

It seemed the jade sword was indeed special.

Just as he was thinking, Li Hao's vision blurred. Before he could react, he felt a sudden lightness in his hand. When he looked again, Black Panther had already swallowed the jade sword.

"Damn!"

Li Hao was stunned for a moment, then grabbed Black Panther's head, angry and shouted, "Spit it out!"

Damn it!

What's wrong with Black Panther today?

It never snatched food, even when he fed it.

What's more, it was acting a bit mischievous today.

At first, it looked scared, but as soon as Li Hao was distracted, it bit the jade sword. What was this?

A feint?

Relaxing his guard?

These days, even dogs play tricks?

"Ugh!"

Black Panther kept its mouth tightly shut.

Li Hao was furious, pinched its mouth, grabbed its tail to prevent it from escaping or biting, and shouted, "Ungrateful dog, I've been feeding you! This is a family heirloom, and you eat it too!"

"Spit it out!"

Li Hao let go of its tail, grabbed Black Panther's neck, and started to pry open its mouth.

"Ugh!"

Black Panther refused to let go, but Li Hao was strong and managed to pry open its mouth after a while.

The jade sword was in Black Panther's mouth.

Li Hao was speechless and a bit disgusted, but the Star Sword was important. Even if it was dirty, he couldn't just let it go. He took it out and angrily patted Black Panther's head.

"I've been feeding you, and you don't listen when it matters."

"Ungrateful dog!"

Li Hao scolded for a while. The dog was usually well-behaved, so he never expected it to act like this. He was too trusting and let it get away with it.

"All dogs that bite don't bark, and you fit the description perfectly!"

Li Hao cursed a few more times, looking at the dirty jade sword with disgust and helplessness.

So dirty!

"Woof woof!"

At that moment, Black Panther stopped struggling and just stared at the jade sword, as if it didn't want to let it go. The fear it had earlier was gone.

It even tried to lick the jade sword again.

But Li Hao, disgusted, slapped its head, forcing it to retract its tongue.

"Woof woof!"

Black Panther knew who was in charge and looked at Li Hao with a pleading and hopeful expression, as if it wanted to lick the jade sword again.

Li Hao was first disgusted, then frowned.

He looked at Black Panther. The dog was usually well-behaved and obedient, or he wouldn't have fed it.

Sometimes, when Li Hao had food, Black Panther would look at it with longing, but it would never snatch it if Li Hao didn't give it.

"Do you want to eat this?"

Li Hao raised the jade sword, and Black Panther quickly stared at it, looking both eager and conflicted, as if trying to understand something. Soon, it shook its head.

"Hmm?"

Li Hao was surprised. Did it understand?

Dogs can understand humans, so it wasn't unusual.

But what did the shake of the head mean? Didn't it want to eat it?

If it didn't want to eat it, why was it staring at it?

It had just snatched it.

"Strange."

Li Hao muttered. The Star Sword was definitely special, something he had considered when he heard the folk songs. But over the years, he hadn't noticed anything unusual.

Today, he had a sudden urge to observe it closely and took out the jade sword to examine it near Black Panther, which led to this unexpected turn of events.

If he hadn't heard the folk songs and become curious about the jade sword, he might have worn it all his life without ever taking it off to examine it closely.

Naturally, the incident with Black Panther wouldn't have happened.

"Does Black Panther really want it? Is it attracted to it, or is it all dogs?"

"What is so special about the Star Sword?"

Li Hao's thoughts expanded.

While he was distracted, Black Panther didn't snatch the jade sword but suddenly extended its tongue and licked it, covering Li Hao's hand with its saliva.

Li Hao was instantly disgusted, slapped its head, and wiped his hand on its fur, angry.

"If you snatch it again, you won't get any food from me!"

"Woof woof!"

Black Panther shook its head, wagging its tail wildly, as if saying it didn't snatch it, just licked it.

This time, Li Hao felt something was off.

He looked at Black Panther, then at the jade sword. It was already dirty, so he would have to clean it anyway, with boiling water.

Thinking about it, Li Hao raised the jade sword again, "Do you want to lick it again?"

Black Panther nodded!

"Has it become a spirit?"

Li Hao's eyes widened. Black Panther was smart, but it had never been this smart before, understanding everything he said.

After some thought, Li Hao offered the jade sword again. Black Panther looked at Li Hao cautiously, then extended its tongue and licked the jade sword, its eyes filled with satisfaction, as if it had just eaten something delicious.

"Why is Black Panther licking this?"

"Does it taste good?"

No way!

When Li Hao was a child, he had licked it many times. Now, he suddenly thought, when his father gave it to him, it probably hadn't been cleaned.

I licked it so many times!

And in his father's hands, or passed down for so many years, had it been licked by a dog before?

If it had been licked... even if it hadn't, it was still very dirty, having been worn by so many people, and he had often put it in his mouth as a child.

"Don't think about it, it's disgusting!"

Li Hao shook his head. Don't think about it; once you start, you'll find many things you've eaten disgusting. Just don't think about it.

"Black Panther is acting strange today, but it does show that the jade sword is indeed special."

Li Hao speculated and considered various possibilities.

Soon, he stood up, his hands and the jade sword covered in Black Panther's saliva. He needed to clean them first.

...

Back in the room, Li Hao went to the kitchen, washed his hands, and poured a cup of boiling water, dropping the jade sword into it to disinfect it.

He planned to visit Zhang Yuan's house later and would take the jade sword with him.

He was afraid it would be stolen if he left it behind. He also wondered if the jade sword could serve as a talisman. Maybe it would be useful against the red shadow, and he didn't dare leave it at home.

When Zhang Yuan died last year, the red shadow didn't attack him, and the jade sword might have played a role, though he couldn't be sure.

After soaking in the boiling water for a while, Li Hao