Spirit Beast Companion

Chapter 5 — Hunting the Bandit

Mulan remained standing dazed amidst the crowd that was slowly dispersing. Her eyes were fixed intently on the entrance of the Moonlit Contentment Inn. Her mind was filled with the image of that majestic black wolf. The thought of going inside to wash dishes was completely overtaken by an overwhelming sense of excitement and curiosity. She decided to do something she usually never did... she crept to the side of the inn and peeked inside through a c***k in the old wooden window shutter.

The atmosphere inside the inn she knew so well had completely changed.

Silence blanketed every square inch. The customers at the few remaining tables sat sipping tea in hushed silence; no one dared to make a sound, even lifting their teacups with the utmost gentleness. Every pair of eyes was fixed on the same spot with a mixture of nervousness and awe.

In the center of the shop... a robust man in pitch-black leather armor stood calmly. His tall and muscular physique radiated an aura of authority so strong that those around him felt pressured. He was the head of the group of Constables who had just entered.

And by his side... that jet-black wolf stood equally motionless. Its sharp claws gripped the wooden floorboards firmly. Amber eyes slowly swept across the shop, but every movement of its gaze was filled with appraisal and scrutiny... it was "working."

"Is the proprietor of this place... here?" the man's voice was deep and authoritative.

Before his voice had even faded, "Aunt Mei" came rushing out from the back of the shop. Her face was slightly pale, yet she still tried to force a welcoming smile as best she could. Her plump hands hurriedly wiped back and forth against her apron in nervousness.

"I am here, sir! I am here!" She hurriedly bowed until her waist nearly snapped. "This humble one... I am Mei Qing, the proprietress of this inn. May I ask what business the Constable from the city has that I might assist with?"

The head Constable nodded slightly, his sharp eyes appraising Aunt Mei from head to toe.

"My name is Nan Hu, head of the Black Tiger Constable Unit of Zhou City," he introduced himself formally. "We have come here not to disrupt your business, but to perform our duty."

"Duty, sir?" Aunt Mei repeated, looking confused. In this peaceful countryside, there had never been a case grave enough to warrant the attention of the Black Tiger Unit—the most renowned Constable brigade of Zhou City—until now.

Nan did not answer immediately but turned to look at his partner. The jet-black wolf looked up to meet its master's eyes before letting out a low growl in its throat and walking over to sniff around a corner of the shop.

"Heiying... my partner," Nan Hu said calmly while watching the actions of his trusted Spirit Beast. "It has tracked the scent of a thief... and that scent ends right here at your inn."

"A thief!" Aunt Mei exclaimed, her face turning even paler. "M... Master Nan, there have never been any thieves here! Every customer is someone from the village whom we know well!"

"The thief I am hunting is no ordinary pickpocket," Nan said coldly. "It is the 'Faceless Shadow,' a murderous bandit wanted by the authorities for many months. It recently robbed a prominent family's merchant caravan and slaughtered five guards three days ago, then fled to hide within the Zhou City district."

As Nan finished speaking, the entire shop fell even more deathly silent. The name of the 'Faceless Shadow' was infamous throughout the kingdom. No one had expected a criminal of such notoriety to flee to this small, peaceful community.

"Heiying tells me the scent is still very fresh, meaning it was just here, or might still be lingering nearby." Nan reached into his robe and pulled out a scroll, unfurling it for Aunt Mei to see. It was a rough sketch of a man, distinguished by a long scar running across his left eyebrow. "In the past few days... have you seen a man of this description?"

Aunt Mei peered intently at the drawing, trying her absolute best to dig through her memories. She shook her head slowly. "I... I am not certain, Master Constable. While we don't have many customers, I might not remember every face... but... but I don't believe I've seen anyone with such a frightening scar, sir."

Nan Hu tucked the drawing away. "No matter," he said. "I must request to search your inn and will need to question every customer."

"O-Of course, sir! Please, feel free!" Aunt Mei hurriedly gestured for them to proceed. She would rather have her shop turned upside down than be entangled with a murderous bandit.

Mulan, peeking from outside, felt her heart racing so fast it nearly burst from her chest. This was even better than the stories the Master used to read to her! A Spirit Warrior... hunting a criminal... using the abilities of a Spirit Beast! The sight of the black wolf 'Heiying' earnestly sniffing along the floor looked more incredible and impressive than anything she had ever seen.

She watched them work without blinking. The small dream that had just formed this morning... the dream of becoming part of that grand world... seemed to become just a little bit clearer...

Unbeknownst to her... the arrival of the Constable unit this time... would not end with just a search for an ordinary thief... but was the beginning of a great storm... that was about to blow into her peaceful life...

She forgot everything around her... forgot that she had to go to work... forgot the passing time... and forgot to be cautious...

At that same moment, "Big Brother Zhang," the inn's robust chef, was walking back while carrying a large wicker basket filled with fresh Chinese cabbage, plump radishes, and pungent spring onions from the market. He stepped into the back area of the shop with familiarity, muttering to himself about the dinner menu.

"What should I make today... maybe r****h soup with pork ribs... or perhaps..."

His thoughts came to a halt when his eyes caught sight of a familiar small figure acting suspiciously by the inn's window.

Chef Zhang frowned... 'That's little Mulan... what is she doing there?' Normally, by this time, the young girl should have been inside scrubbing dishes in the washing area, but here she was, peeking like a common thief.

A mischievous smile appeared on the large man's face. He slowly set the vegetable basket on the ground as gently as possible before creeping his massive feet toward the young girl in total silence...

Mulan was completely unaware of the (rather cute) danger creeping up on her. Her entire focus was locked on the image of Heiying walking around the shop sniffing the air.

And at that very second...

"You little brat! Are you slacking off?!"

The shout, booming like thunder right beside her ear, made Mulan jump so hard she nearly lost her wits!

"Eek!"

She cried out in extreme shock. Her small body leaped as if splashed with boiling water before she whipped around, her heart sinking to her toes. When she saw who it was, she felt both relieved and like she wanted to bite the prankster's cheek in retaliation.

"Big Brother Zhang! You scared me to death! What kind of game is this?!" She swatted the chef's muscular arm once to hide her embarrassment, though her meager strength was no different from a kitten batting at a tiger.

"Hahaha! Well, whose fault is it for acting so suspiciously here?!" Chef Zhang laughed heartily. "And what is this? Instead of going in to work, what are you busy peeking at, huh?"

"Shh!" Mulan hurriedly raised a finger to her lips, her eyes wide as she signaled him to lower his voice. "Quiet down, sir! They'll notice us!"

"They? Which 'they'..." Chef Zhang raised an eyebrow in curiosity before following Mulan's gaze, peeking through the window crack... and his smile vanished instantly.

The sight of the group of Constables in full leather armor and the massive black wolf pacing inside the shop made the large chef swallow hard.

"The Zhou City Constable unit..." he muttered softly. "What are they doing all the way out here?"

"They've come looking for a thief called the 'Faceless Shadow', sir!" Mulan reported excitedly. "That big brother wolf is amazing! He tracked the thief's scent all the way here!"

Mulan's use of "big brother wolf" made Chef Zhang unable to suppress a small smile, but his expression quickly returned to being solemn. This was no laughing matter; a kingdom-level murderous bandit appearing in this small community was clearly a life-and-death situation.

"Mulan," he lowered his voice, calling her name with a tone far more serious than before. "This isn't a child's game... it's dangerous."

He pulled the young girl away from the window. "Go do your work in the back washing area right now. Don't stay around here. Do you understand?"

"But I want to watch..." she said with a pleading face.

"No!" Chef Zhang said firmly. "This is an order... if you still want me to secretly save some mantou for you to eat this evening, then hurry along!"

At the mention of food as bait, Mulan made a small pouting face, but she knew well that Big Brother Zhang truly cared for her. "Fine, sir..." she answered weakly before walking dejectedly toward the familiar washing area.

Chef Zhang watched the small figure until she was out of sight before letting out a long sigh. He looked back into the inn once more with eyes full of concern.

'I hope this matter ends quickly... and let no one be harmed...' he thought to himself before turning to lift the vegetable basket and disappearing into the kitchen on the other side, leaving behind only the ongoing commotion of the Constables...