Pet King

Zhang Zian stared at the map where “the whole country was red” and “the white spot in the midst of the red” was the only blank spot on the map. Zhang Zian was very puzzled.

Why was the capital not marked with a red circle? Why did [Collapse the World] put a question mark next to the capital? Was it because there were more local forums in the capital, and the amount of data was relatively large, so Ta had yet to complete the data collection?

In order to resolve the confusion, Zhang Zian replied to [Collapse the World] with an email to confirm the problem with Ta.

[Collapse the World] replied almost immediately. “You’ve noticed it too? But it’s not as you imagined––the data collection work in the capital has been completed. I’m also unable to understand the result… I had thought that it was a bug in the program, but after optimizing the code, I’ve also conducted a second search on the data for the capital, but the result was the same. Although there were dozens of mentions of “cat abuse,” they were all talking about the cat abuse incidents in foreign lands or foreign countries. No one had mentioned anything about people in the capital who have been involved in cases of cat abuse.”

After reading the email, Zhang Zian did not feel like he was any less confused. Instead, he felt even more puzzled.

The capital, where the king resided, was where the finest people lived. Was the quality and awareness of the people of the capital really that high?

There were millions of permanent residents in the capital and even more migrants. Zian did not believe that there were no abnormalities in over twenty million people.

Were the internet police in the capital just exceptionally efficient and once anyone mentioned the word “cat abuse,” the post would immediately be taken down? That seemed like a little too much… After all, the internet police should have more important things to do.

It was strange.

Zhang Zian replied, “What do you think of this issue?”

[Collapse the World]: “I feel very surprised. Not only are there no incidents of cat abuse in the capital, but there have been such frequent occurrences of cat abuse in the country in the past three months, and an unusually high number of cat abuse incidents in Binhai City alone. These three incidents are very unusual, and it’s difficult to comprehend it all with just common sense. It can even be defined as a ‘supernatural phenomenon.'”

A supernatural phenomenon… Undeniably, this person’s intuition was really very keen. He didn’t forcibly explain the situation by using coincidences or other reasoning that was far-fetched. Instead, he simply admitted that it could not be explained. That was the correct attitude towards science––much better than the likes of Approaching Science…

Supernatural phenomena did not necessarily mean spiritual events. There was no need to be intimidated since it was possible that existing technology had not developed to the extent where such situations could be explained.

Zhang Zian replied, “I also feel that it’s a supernatural phenomenon, but aren’t you writing a thesis? If you include supernatural phenomenon in the paper, you probably can’t publish it, right?”

[Collapse the World]: “The things that are happening one after another are all too strange. I have basically given up on this paper since there’s no place to publish it. Honestly speaking, the more data I find, the more I’m afraid. I’ve repeatedly told myself not to dig deeper, and if I were to dig out something that’s beyond belief, things would turn really bad… But at the same time, I’m also too fascinated to just let it go. If I weren’t too busy with my studies, I would’ve made plans to visit the capital.”

Zhang Zian was stunned for a moment before he replied, “What were you going to do at the capital?”

[Collapse the World]: “I don’t know. I just have some kind of intuition––a feeling that I can find some answers in the capital. In fact, my intuition is often very accurate. I always figure out the questions that are going to appear on my exams.”

Zhang Zian was very envious, both mentally and verbally. That was definitely a great tool for exams!

He replied, “What a coincidence. I’m going on a trip to the capital, so let’s see if I can find any answers. Although my intuition isn’t as good, I have great luck on my side. I always picked the wrong questions to appear on my exams, which fostered my ability to think independently.”

He was being pretentious, but he felt great. Anyway, they weren’t using a forum, so he didn’t have to worry about being exposed.

[Collapse the World]: “Well, if you have any interesting discoveries in the capital, you can let me know about it once you’re back. Maybe then I can work on my thesis again.”

Zhang Zian promised him he would let him know. Zian himself also wanted to find the answer to the question.

In any case, he had to go on the trip to the capital––but whether or not he could find any answers there was left to luck.

The two agreed to contact one another a few days after Zian’s return from the capital.

Time flew by and it was evening already.

After they closed up after hours, the staff all left together. Wang Qian, Li Kun, and Jiang Feifei first sent Lu Yiyun back to her rented room in the opposite district. Although she always said that they didn’t need to send her back, they would always insist. Anyway, it was just a few extra steps. After they dropped her off, the three of them made their way back to Binhai University.

Zhang Zian pulled down the shutter door and turned off the lights on the first floor, leaving only a small night light in the corner to provide faint illumination.

The puppies laid down to rest, while the kittens were still energetic.

Returning back to the second floor, Zian opened his suitcase and placed it on the floor, then he began to pack his luggage. The trip to the capital was right in the spring, so it wouldn’t be too cold or too hot, which meant that he didn’t need as many clothes as he did in Germany. He just needed simple, light luggage. Aside from a set of casual clothes, another one or two sets of formal attire for the ceremony was sufficient.

“Erm, Fina, do you want to visit the capital?” Zian casually asked, seeing that Fina had nothing to do.

Fina sat on the window sill, and although it was already dark, her vision wasn’t affected much. It watched the pedestrians and vehicles come and go with a dignified attitude. In other words, it maintained its pretentious face at all times.

“The capital? This Queen is not interested,” it yawned and said. “I already grew tired of watching the prosperous capital of the Holy Black Land, much less the capital of mere humans.”

“This isn’t the same. Binhai City has no way to compare with the capital. Take a look at Binhai City––it’s quiet at night, but the capital is different. It’s bustling with life during the day and night,” Zhang Zian said. “I have a feeling that we might be able to find clues for the Holy Cat Statue at the capital.”

“Oh? Are you sure?” Fina’s lazy tone disappeared and a little spark flashed in her eyes. Fina had been at war with the worshippers of the Holy Cat Statue for over two thousand years. Ever since the Holy Cat Statue disappeared without a trace, it had an ominous premonition in its heart. It felt that the ancient evil was about to make a comeback…

For that, Fina had maintained a state of combat readiness at all times. It would make sure to eat enough and replenish itself during the day, so when the other elfins were sleeping at night, it would keep watch. Whenever it heard an abnormal noise from downstairs, it would jump off its princess bed and rush down to the first floor to check on the situation.

As long as the Holy Cat Statue had not yet been found, Fina would not be at ease. In the current world, no one knew more about the horror and madness of those evil worshippers than it did. It would never want to smell the blood of ancient Egypt again.

Therefore, Zhang Zian had its full attention.