Looking at the two individuals who had suddenly become tense in the room, Liu Shishi was stunned for a moment, not knowing what had happened.
Previously, the kindness towards Lu Zixun was because of Liu Shishi, but this didn’t mean that Gu Qing had a good temper.
Facing Xiong Kang’s obviously questioning tone, Gu Qing’s face darkened as he said, "Mr. Xiong, are you doubting me?"
He stared at Gu Qing for a while.
Xiong Kang suddenly laughed gently, saying, "Mr. Gu, that’s not what I meant, just an old habit kicking in, just routine questioning, don’t be angry."
Raising an eyebrow, Gu Qing immediately understood that Xiong Kang was just testing him.
His expression eased slightly, and Gu Qing narrowed his eyes, "I am not very fond of this kind of routine questioning, after all, we are all friends."
Nodding and echoing a few words, Xiong Kang then smiled amiably, looking very much like the sly old fox, Zeng Haoyang.
Organizing his words, Gu Qing then spoke earnestly, "I have to admit, the conditions offered by Tan Ye are indeed very tempting."
"But our Gu family is not the kind that pursues power and avoids danger for profit. Since the STO has taken over the frontline defense against Abnormal Creatures, as a major family, we naturally cannot sit idly by."
Pausing for a moment, Gu Qing’s tone became sincerely earnest, "After all... we are all human."
Having just exchanged the Bloodline Purification Pill and exited the system, Lu Zixun couldn’t help but exclaim in approval when he heard Gu Qing’s statement.
"Ding—detected a suppressed laughter value from Xiong Kang +8000."
"Ding—detected from..."
Having drawn three different kinds of gazes, Lu Zixun’s whiskers trembled.
"I misunderstood, this apology is for Mr. Gu."
Offering a gesture towards Gu Qing, Xiong Kang’s gaze fell on Lu Zixun, "Come back to STO with me, there are some things I want to discuss with you."
After responding, Lu Zixun jumped to the ground and looked back at Liu Shishi, tentatively asking, "Will Gu Qing take you back later? Or will you come with us?"
Faced with the two choices given by Lu Zixun, Liu Shishi’s face showed hesitation.
Looking up at Gu Qing, Liu Shishi felt torn inside.
Seeing the look Liu Shishi gave to Gu Qing, Lu Zixun knew she had made up her mind. He sprang onto Xiong Kang’s shoulder, then turned to look at Gu Qing.
"I’m entrusting my Shishi to you, make sure to take her back to Qingniao University safely, otherwise..."
The claws, shimmering with cold light under the lamp, sprung out from his paw pads.
Lu Zixun stuck out his tongue and licked it, "My claws won’t mind leaving a few marks on the face of a scoundrel."
"There won’t be any need, Lord Cat, rest assured,"
Gu Qing, beaming with joy, kept reassuring.
Getting into Xiong Kang’s car, the vehicle ahead was transporting an ice sculpture.
Lu Zixun lay at the window, catching the breeze, "What are we doing back at STO, did the old man come back?"
Turning the key to start the car, Xiong Kang adjusted the seat and said, "Elder Zeng has been back a while. Tan Ye has already set his sights on you; we need to hurry back and get your nano armor and nano longsword."
"Haven’t Tan Ye been eyeing me for a while?"
Looking at the golden-yellow rapeseed flowers on the mountainside, Lu Zixun felt a sudden urge to frolic.
"It’s different this time."
Shaking his head, Xiong Kang stared at the road ahead without glancing away and answered, "Before, I was just interested in you, but now, I figure Tan Ye won’t give up until he captures you and turns you into a mutant beast."
In disbelief, Lu Zixun glanced at Xiong Kang and then pulled his head back into the car.
Sitting properly, he said, "So, you’re saying he’ll come to catch me himself?"
Following the escort vehicle in front, Xiong Kang shook his head, "That won’t happen. Right now, Ninth Brother is watching him day and night. He’d be dead the moment he shows up. To catch you, he wouldn’t risk his own life."
Hearing this, Lu Zixun relaxed and casually picked up another pack of chips, "Then that settles it, you gave me a scare."
"Ding—Anger value from Xiong Kang detected +8000."
"You little bastard! Eating my chips again!"
A roar sounded on the highway, and at the same time, one could see a cat lying on the roof of the car, eating chips and wagging its tail.
Xiong Kang and Lu Zixun, one man and one cat, entered the STO building where members greeted them respectfully.
Now, this man-cat duo was quite famous within STO.
They had caught several Queen-level creatures, reportedly all handled by the Spiritual Cat.
They entered the elevator without changing their expressions.
Xiong Kang leaned his hands on the railing, "Recently, the Abnormal Creatures of Lingchuan City have, like people vanishing into thin air, left no trace at all, as if they had never come to this world."
Looking up in surprise at Xiong Kang, Lu Zixun licked his nose, "Could it be the method of searching that has a problem? After all, Abnormal Creatures are somewhat crafty in hiding."
Thinking back to the Eye Worm they had encountered before, Lu Zixun made a suggestion.
Hearing this, Xiong Kang shook his head, his eyes deep, "We thought the same before, but even the Eye Worms, capable of Invisibility, could be captured from a thousand meters in the sky."
"But today after hearing what Gu Qing said, I started having a suspicion."
Reflecting on Xiong Kang’s words, Lu Zixun had an epiphany, "You mean, these Abnormal Creatures are hiding within one of the clans?"
Raising a finger and shaking it, Xiong Kang spoke in a cold tone, "I suspect it’s not just that simple. There are only a few families in Lingchuan City, it’s impossible that there are no signs at all."
Pausing for a moment,
Xiong Kang continued, "There’s only one possibility, that a small to medium-sized family, without our knowledge, was replaced by the Abnormal Creatures after being annihilated."
Listening to what Xiong Kang said initially sounded cruel.
But Lu Zixun thought it over and realized it was indeed something the Abnormal Creatures were capable of.
To achieve certain goals, they would resort to any means, and wiping out a clan was just another method.
"We need to find an opportunity to meet the current heads of these families, hoping everything goes smoothly."
Rubbing his temples, Xiong Kang sighed silently, lamenting, "Dealing with Abnormal Creatures is simpler, after all."
"Ding—Prank Value from Zeng Haoyang detected +8000."
Entering Zeng Haoyang’s office, just as he walked in, Lu Zixun felt his forehead being sharply flicked.
Instantly, the pain brought tears to Lu Zixun’s eyes.
Raising his paw to rub his forehead, Lu Zixun looked up at Zeng Haoyang, "You old geezer, why the hit!"
"You kid, still have the nerve to talk."
With his hands behind his back, Zeng Haoyang looked at Lu Zixun disapprovingly, "What about the promise you made to the Gongsun family? Their young lady comes every day asking for your whereabouts, do you have any shame?"