Supernatural Brokers Rampaging in the Human World - Chapter 180 - The Nine-tailed Cat

Hu Jiu still remembered that winter vividly-it was bone-chillingly cold. She had just cultivated her eighth tail when she was forced down the mountain. For the Nine-tailed Cat clan, a new tail grew every hundred years, and by the time they reached eight hundred years old, they would have eight tails. During those first eight centuries, as long as they remained hidden, they could live peacefully and safely.

But once the eighth tail emerged, all Nine-tailed Cats were sent out into the world for “training.” In truth, this so-called training was merely an excuse to find a Fated Person and ask them what their deepest wish was.

The Fated Person, however, was simply someone the cat found pleasing to the eye. In that sense, Nine-tailed Cats were truly favored by the heavens-they even got to choose their own Fated Person.

At the foot of the mountain where Hu Jiu was born, there was a small village. It was isolated, with no roads leading in or out. The villagers lived off the land, generation after generation, surviving on what the mountains provided. On the day Hu Jiu descended the mountain, she transformed into a tiny kitten, no larger than a palm, and shivered in the pouring rain.

It was an unusual winter storm, with heavy rain that kept the villagers indoors. The village was eerily quiet, save for the howling wind and the relentless downpour.

Hu Jiu’s once-beautiful white fur was plastered to her body by the rain. Though she didn’t feel the cold, she looked utterly pitiful against the dark backdrop of the storm.

She glanced at the village’s simple, weather-beaten houses. Some had leaky roofs, while others seemed on the verge of collapse. After some deliberation, she chose the cleanest-looking one. “Clean” was a relative term-it merely had a few withered plants by the door, their presence oddly comforting amidst the dreariness.

The deciding factor, however, was the fish hanging by the door, forgotten in the rain.

Hu Jiu lingered at the doorstep for a while. Soon, a thin boy, wearing a soaked straw raincoat that offered little protection, came running toward the house with an armful of equally wet firewood.

The boy was scrawny, but to Hu Jiu, he was the most handsome person she had seen since coming down the mountain-not that she had seen many, perhaps five or six in total.

The boy’s sharp eyes quickly spotted the tiny, drenched kitten. He was visibly surprised and immediately dropped the firewood to scoop her up. His voice carried a mix of concern and pity. “What are you doing out here all alone? In this weather… poor thing…” he murmured as he carried her inside.

The house was simple but clean, with all the essentials. The boy placed Hu Jiu on a faded, patched piece of clothing that had been washed so many times it had turned white.

I can grant him any wish, Hu Jiu thought. A sturdy house that doesn’t leak, fine clothes, endless riches-whatever he desires, I can give it to him. She decided that anyone who took her in had to be a good person.

The boy gave her a bath-a task Hu Jiu tolerated since she was still small and didn’t see anything wrong with it. He didn’t have many clothes himself but managed to find one to make a little nest for her on the bed.

What a hopelessly kind-hearted fool, Hu Jiu thought, her tone in her mind sounding far older than her appearance suggested.

“You stopped here because of the fish hanging outside, didn’t you? Even in this rain, you couldn’t resist, huh?” the boy teased as he dried her fur.

Hu Jiu let out a soft “meow,” silently protesting. She wasn’t greedy!

“You want fish? But those are ruined from the rain. I’ll catch some for you when the weather clears, alright?” The boy seemed to enjoy talking to himself, carrying on as if she could understand every word.

Hu Jiu rolled her eyes and meowed again. What a fool, she thought. She didn’t need fish-Nine-tailed Cats could survive on Spiritual Qi alone!

The boy chuckled, seemingly amused by her reactions. “Oh, I haven’t introduced myself yet. My name’s Hai Chen. I live here alone, so you can keep me company. You don’t have a name yet, do you? How about I call you Whitey?”

At that, Hu Jiu bristled. She didn’t have a name yet, true, but she couldn’t accept something so thoughtless! She let out an indignant cry and shook water all over him.

“Alright, alright, how about something else? Today’s the ninth day of the month-how about Nina?” Hai Chen suggested, unfazed.

Hu Jiu hesitated for a moment before nodding in approval. Nina was a good name. Maybe it would even help her grow her ninth tail!

Hai Chen lived alone, and Hu Jiu didn’t know what had happened to his family. Most likely, they were gone. Yet she noticed he never performed any rituals or visited graves during Qingming Festival¹, unlike the other villagers.

On a few occasions, Hu Jiu wandered around the village and overheard bits and pieces about Hai Chen’s past. He was an orphan, raised by the villagers who each took turns feeding him. When he grew old enough to fish and chop wood, the villagers pooled their resources to build him a house.

The village, Wangpo Village, was small and isolated. Its people were simple and kind, perhaps because so few outsiders ever came, and those who left rarely returned.

The storm stopped that very night, and the next day dawned bright and clear-a rare sunny day. The villagers came out to dry their clothes, and the men headed into the mountains to hunt. True to his word, Hai Chen took Hu Jiu to a nearby stream to catch fish.

A thin layer of ice had formed over the water. Curious, Hu Jiu wanted to step on it, but Hai Chen sternly stopped her. He grabbed her by the scruff and scolded, “You’ll fall in and drown! Or freeze to death! Don’t even think about it, got it?”

Hu Jiu grumbled internally about how naggy he was, worse than the elders back on the mountain. She let out a reluctant “meow” and sat off to the side, watching him fish.

Clumsy, she thought. If it were her, she’d have caught something already.

Despite his lack of skill, Hai Chen managed to catch a fish fairly quickly. By the end of the morning, he had three. He cleaned them by the stream and built a fire to grill them.

The aroma of grilled fish filled the air, and Hu Jiu sniffed appreciatively. When Hai Chen placed a piece of fish in front of her, she thought to herself, It’s not that I want to eat it-it’s just that this human insists! I’m only eating it because I feel sorry for him!

With that justification, she eagerly took a bite-and immediately burned her tongue. She yelped, her fur puffing up in indignation. This human was clearly out to get her! And he laughed!

Hai Chen couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of the flustered kitten. He blew on the fish to cool it down, and in the cold air, it didn’t take long.

Still grumbling, Hu Jiu began to eat. Despite her complaints, the fish was delicious. She finished it quickly and sprawled out on her back, basking in the sun.

Hai Chen smiled as he cleaned up the fire and carried her back home.

On the way, they passed several villagers who greeted Hai Chen warmly. Some even asked about the kitten. Hai Chen responded cheerfully, his sunny disposition shining through.

If the current Hu Jiu were to describe him, she might use words like “youthful spirit” or “radiant.” But back then, all she could think was that he looked really, really nice.

Hu Jiu quickly grew fond of this human. He grilled delicious fish, bathed her, brushed her fur, and took her out to enjoy the sun. Life here was far more comfortable than on the mountain.

But she hadn’t forgotten her mission-to grow her ninth tail.

So, after spending an entire winter with Hai Chen, she chose a bright spring day to finally speak.

“What’s your wish?” Eight-hundred-year-old Hu Jiu’s voice was soft and childlike, startling Hai Chen. But he quickly regained his composure.

“I always thought you were special,” he said. “I had a feeling you could understand me, but I didn’t expect you to talk!”

Hu Jiu huffed and repeated her question. “Be serious! What’s your wish?”

“A wish, huh…” Hai Chen thought for a moment. “I haven’t decided yet. Can I tell you later?”

Hu Jiu rolled her eyes. “Humans are so troublesome.”

Footnote:

1. Qingming Festival(清明节): Also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, this traditional Chinese festival is held in early April. It is a time for families to honor their ancestors by cleaning their graves and making offerings.