On the Hao Clan's training grounds, Hao Xiangtong was unleashing a set of fist techniques, producing an audible bang with each punch that she threw.

You lying bastard! How dare you make me embarrass myself in front of my father! You're not interested in me or my money, is that it? Fine! I'll just beat you into submission!

Only after venting her frustrations through her fist techniques did she notice that her father had been watching from nearby. It seemed he had been there for quite some time.

He approached her with a smile and praised, "You've made some progress in your fist techniques, Xiangtong. If I counted correctly, that was two hundred and fifty consecutive audible punches."

After exchanging a few casual words, Hao Wen got straight to the point and asked, "About what you told me this morning, where did you hear it?"

Hao Xiangtong blushed in embarrassment as she mumbled, "I-I heard it from somewhere. Don't worry about it, Father."

Thinking back to how he had scolded her that morning, only to now find out she was right, Hao Wen was also feeling a little embarrassed.

However, this was an extremely important matter, and he couldn't allow his embarrassment to get in the way of finding out more information.

"I just came back from the Wu Manor, and it seems like the imperial court really is planning to negotiate a truce and establish trade relations with the northwestern wolf fiends."

"Really?" Hao Xiangtong exclaimed.

"That's why I need to know where you heard it," Hao Wen said. "This is very important, so tell me everything you can."

***

That night, Chu Qiguang stepped out of the county office's archive room and saw Big Head peeking out from a nearby alley, looking around sneakily.

After making sure that there was no one else around, Chu Qiguang walked over. Big Head immediately ran up to him, wagging his tail.

"We've found where that man is currently staying, Godfather."

According to the dog fiends, someone had recently been investigating them in Azure Sun County. In fact, the suspicious individual had even tracked them to their lair in the abandoned monastery, and as a result, all the dog fiends were on high alert.

"Well done," Chu Qiguang praised as he stroked Big Head. "Be careful so he doesn't grow suspicious."

Big Head immediately rolled onto his back, exposing his belly to Chu Qiguang and doing everything he could to show his obedience and affection.

Ever since meeting Chu Qiguang, the lives of the dog fiends had improved greatly. Not only were they well fed every day, they no longer had to risk their safety stealing food on the streets in order to satisfy Old Black. Nowadays, all they had to do was wander the streets and gather information.

Chu Qiguang couldn't help but let out a forlorn sigh at the stark contrast between Big Head's obedience and the insubordination of the cat fiends.

"Tell the dogs to keep an eye on him. I'll go look for him soon."

At that moment, Chu Qiguang noticed a shadowy figure moving deep within a nearby alley.

He showed no reaction, merely smiling to himself as he turned to leave.

Deep in the alley, the former head constable, Gu Wei, looked like a beggar dressed in tattered rags.

One hand was pressed against his chest as a strange sense of fear crept over him.

Why does it always feel like something's off about that kid? He's just a first-state martial artist, what do I have to be afraid of?

Ever since Gu Wei lost his official title of head constable, not only had all of the bailiffs previously working under him started taking revenge, the newly appointed head constable had also kicked him out of the county office.

He had committed many ruthless acts as head constable, ruining the lives of countless people. He had so many enemies in Azure Sun County that He Wenyan was lauded as a saint for stripping him of his position.

Without the protection of his former title, people had immediately begun retaliating against him from all sides, reducing him to his current pitiful state.

Through it all, the person he resented the most was still Chu Qiguang. Based on his years of experience as head constable, his instincts told him that Chu Qiguang played a role in everything that had happened.

Over the past few days, he had begun investigating on his own. He noticed that Chu Qiguang seemed unusually close to the stray dogs in the county town. They would often approach him to be petted, and after some observation, he discovered that there also seemed to be something strange about them.

Once I uncover your secret, I'm going to clear my name and make you regret ever crossing me! Gu Wei thought resentfully.

As he turned to leave the alley, he noticed a stray dog staring intently at him from a distance. There was something unsettlingly human about the look in its eyes.

Feeling disturbed, Gu Wei quickly walked away.

He kept noticing more and more stray dogs along the street. He couldn't help but feel as if they were following and watching him.

His pace quickened until he broke into a run, only stopping once the stray dogs were no longer in sight.

***

Meanwhile, Chu Qiguang returned home and cultivated late into the night. Suddenly, a surge of aggression disrupted his meditation. It was clear that his condition had flared up again.

"Come with me for a bit, Master Qiao. Chen Gang, look after the place while we're gone."

Qiao Zhi could tell what was happening from Chu Qiguang's agitated state, and asked, "But what if the other cat fiends escape while we're gone?"

"Just get them to come with us," Chu Qiguang replied.

With that, Chu Qiguang headed out into the night with Qiao Zhi and the cat fiends following behind. All the while, he could feel the aggression in his chest building at an alarming rate.

The cat fiends were thrilled to finally be let out of the courtyard. With their natural stealth, they moved through the night without being detected.

Old Tu led the way, providing directions for everyone. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

***

During the day, the pier in the northern part of the city was always crowded, but at this hour, it was completely deserted.

Gu Wei stumbled back to his makeshift hut. He was currently working at the pier, loading and unloading cargo for some income.

Earlier that day, Gu Wei had run into a bailiff he knew, but the man had refused to help him. In the end, he could only drown his sorrows with wine.

None of them believe me, but there's definitely something off about Chu Qiguang and those dogs! I'll clear my name once I uncover the truth!

As Gu Wei approached his hut, he noticed a shadowy figure inside, much to his displeasure.

"Who the hell are you? Get out of my hut!"

Chu Qiguang slowly stepped forward, allowing the moonlight to illuminate his features.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Gu Wei demanded coldly.

Suddenly, pairs of green and yellow eyes lit up in the darkness around him. The sight was deeply unsettling, and Gu Wei felt a chill run through him, instantly sobering him up.

Before he had a chance to shout, a dull thud sounded as Qiao Zhi threw a rock straight at his face.

Gu Wei dropped to the ground, nearly losing consciousness from the blow.

In the next instant, more than a dozen cat fiends pounced on him and pinned him to the ground.