The Devil’s Cage

Song Shi looked at Kieran.

When she confirmed that Kieran wasn’t joking, she couldn’t help but pout.

“Do you know what you will face? Even if you are a reincarnated God of Slaughter…Nevermind, if you die, I’ll take care of your little brother for you.”

Song Shi showed a flattering smile. She saw it as a decent outcome.

Compared to Kieran, the big brother, Starbeck, the little brother, tended to win her heart more.

Starbeck looked good, had a great smile, was excellent at cooking, and looked clean and delicate, making Song Shi’s heart throb.

If it wasn’t for the fierce and cold big brother, she would have snatched Starbeck away.

Now that the fierce big brother wanted to step onto the path of demise, what reason did she have to stop him?

It would be better for him to die, so Song Shi could get the little brother for herself!

Of course, given how this fierce big brother did things, it wasn’t that hard for him to protect his little brother.

But! Song Shi wasn’t alone! She still had her father behind her!

Should she fail, her father would step up and deal with the matter!

Song Shi’s mood turned bright all of a sudden, but what followed was a loud scolding behind her.

“Young lady! Please watch your mouth! I am so sorry, Sir Royan, it seems like our young lady is misbehaving! Please forgive her!”

Mian Yi had heard what the little miss of the family said at the entrance of the alley. He couldn’t care less about the manners of Song Shi Family anymore and rushed into the restaurant in a flash.

As he apologized on behalf of Song Shi, a pouch of coins appeared in his hand and the rattling noise of Crossing Coins could be heard in Kieran’s hearts.

Kieran was very certain that the pouch had 10 silver coins, even without touching or opening it.

The noise produced by the friction between copper, silver and gold coins was very distinguished. After a rough calculation, Kieran got a general number and it was a piece of cake for him.

It wasn’t just because of his powerful Intuition and Spirit, it was also because Kieran was naturally sensitive towards money, like how he knew Mian Yi still had a lot of paper currency on him.

Kieran took the pouch of coins into his arm. Mian Yi heaved a breath of relief, then looked at Song Shi helplessly.

He knew what the little miss said about ‘I won’t step on Royan’s tail or provoke him’ was totally unreliable and thankfully he arrived just in time, otherwise Song Shi would end up on fire.

Sometimes, Mian Yi really wanted to tell Song Shi about the truth behind the Song Shi Family and the hardship the family was facing right now, but whenever he thought about the little miss’ attitude…

Sigh!

Mian Yi sighed in a muffled voice before giving Song Shi the stack of money that she requested earlier.

“I want another 10 servings!”

Song Shi was pouting like a balloon a moment ago, but when she saw the money, she cheered and took the money before slamming it on the counter.

Kieran counted the money quietly and put it into the money box.

Li Jiajia behind Kieran was utterly dumbstruck.

20,000!

Kieran had received 20K earlier and now another 20K… a total of 40K in less than an hour!

‘I knew it, being a cook is the best!’

Li Jiajia was counting in her heart, filled with energy instantly, and ran into the kitchen without anyone telling her so.

As long as she continued to learn cooking from Starbeck, she would not only be free of her daily trivial problems, like food and shelter, she would also be on the path to success!

Elite Hound was lying down in front of the kitchen and yawning, casually glancing over Song Shi and Mian Yi out of boredom, its eyes showing arrogance and contempt.

It acknowledged that the two of them were stronger than itself but as long as master No. 1 was around, Elite Hound wasn’t scared of them at all.

Moreover, the lady had to pay to eat master No. 2’s food, where it could eat for free.

Eating the same food yet she had to pay, Elite Hound felt excellent about it, realizing following the two masters was the best decision it had ever made in its dog life.

“That dog seems a little weird! It’s… looking at me with contempt?” Song Shi whispered to Mian Yi.

“Miss, aren’t you overthinking? Though this dog is really different, it should be a Hound from the witchcraft background, not just any other Hound. Being able to tame such a Hound was proof of how powerful Sir Royan is, so you must…”

Mian Yi was describing the Hound before he started to lecture Song Shi again.

Song Shi turned a white eye at Mian Yi’s lecturing and then turned away.

So persistent!

So troublesome!

So much nagging!

Of course she knew how scary Royan was, didn’t Mian Yi notice Song Shi was holding back her urge to snatch Starbeck away?

‘Give me a break!’

Frustration beat her heart in relentless waves but it was soon replaced by a joyful smile when the lobster risotto was served.

Actually, not only Song Shi’s mood was lifted, even Mian Yi beside her was rather surprised.

He never expected Kieran’s restaurant could produce food of this level.

The reason why he presented [Water Purity Stone] to Kieran before this wasn’t because he noticed something, he thought it would be fitting for a restaurant, hence the present.

“I never thought you possessed this level of cooking skill!”

Mian Yi took an extra glance at Starbeck.

He had decent looks and a nice countenance, but… other than cooking, utterly useless.

It would be hard for him to survive in this harsh world.

Sighing, Mian Yi took a step back and waited for Song Shi to finish her meal.

The special digestion pills she took before eating helped her digest the food better and increase her appetite.

Another 10 consecutive servings later, Song Shi tapped her full belly in satisfaction. Her gaze went around Kieran and landed on Starbeck, showing a heartfelt smile.

“That’s all for me today. I’ll come again tomorrow!” Song Shi then went out of the restaurant.

Teddy, who was squatting outside the restaurant, saw Song Shi come out. He put up a cold look, standing up to go back in, but Song Shi stopped him.

“What the hell?” Teddy asked in a cold tone.

He wasn’t afraid of Song Shi, not just because it was Kieran’s turf, but also because of his personality.

Teddy had been short and petite since birth. If he wasn’t as fearless as he was, how could he put all those nefarious criminals behind bars throughout his career?

Though to his surprise, despite his poor attitude, Song Shi replied in a solemn manner, “Thank you.”

Teddy was dumbstruck.

‘Did she eat something wrong? Did she just thank me?’

Teddy looked at Song Shi in utter confusion.

“I thank you because you allowed me to find what I am looking for, so to repay the favour, I’ll give you something that you can only get with 10 years of your life, in advance.”

Song Shi then pointed at Teddy’s hands.

Teddy wanted to dodge, but he couldn’t.

When Song Shi’s finger touched his hands, a burning sensation and numbness spread from his palm.

At the very next moment…

Fuaaa!

Bzzzzt!

Flames covered his left hand, burning fiercely; electric sparks swirled around his right hand, zipping back and forth energetically.

Teddy was stunned by the jaw-dropping scene, losing himself for quite some time.

When he finally regained his senses and wanted to ask Song Shi what she did to him, Song Shi was long gone. Who he saw in front of him was Huai Cuike, the Herder who he had seen several times now. Huai Cuike was sizing him up.

“Good evening, Mr. Huai Cuike,” Teddy greeted the man politely.

It wasn’t just because of the elderly Herder’s age, it was also because of what the elderly had contributed to the Herders and Teddy respected that from the bottom of his heart, it was like seeing a colleague.

The only difference was, Teddy was in charge of cases revolving normal people, while Huai Cuike dealt with the supernatural, which was much more dangerous.

“Like what I told you before, Ms. Song Shi meant you no harm. She’s just a prankster, and anyone who she pranked before will be compensated—now that you’ve received yours, how do you feel?” Huai Cuike asked with a smile.

“Feels great! At least I don’t have to carry an electric baton and a blowtorch anymore!” Teddy shrugged.

The humorous comment made Huai Cuike laugh out loud, tapping Teddy’s shoulder before walking into the restaurant.

He really wanted to ask Teddy to become a Herder but he knew being anxious would get him nowhere. More so, he had much more important things at hand.

“Aaah!”

Amy, who was in the corner communicating to Carrie, screamed out of shock when she saw the fire and electric sparks around Teddy’s hands.

After she knew what happened from Carrie, her eyes shone in jealousy.

“What a lucky bastard!” Amy said.

“You wouldn’t say that if you are dragged around like a dog for a few days,” Teddy refuted.

“You were given these powers because you were dragged around like a dog for a few days? Believe me, many people would jump in line to become said dog in order to get this kind of power, let alone doing something more than a dog or eat a dog’s shit!” Amy glared at Teddy.

After understanding the situation and Teddy’s condition from Carrie, Amy felt unbelievable about Teddy getting powers beyond the common man’s by paying such a small cost.

Teddy raised a brow at Amy’s words, opening his mouth, seemingly wanting to argue, but nothing came out from his mouth, all the words were swallowed back.

He was very concerned about the newly acquired powers but someone else wouldn’t be as concerned.

The Witchcraft practitioners that he came across had shown him what kind of crazy and absurd things they would do in order to get more power.

Killing people and destroying people’s lives were the basics of basics, let alone eating dog’s shit.

He met a lot in the past. Those who were lucky escaped, but for those who were unlucky, not even their souls could rest.

‘Should I help them? I had no powers before, but now…’

Teddy looked at the flame in his left hand and the electrical sparks in his right hand, falling deep into thought.

Kieran was behind the counter, seeing Teddy’s newly acquired powers and feeling how Teddy’s body grew to the peak of a common human. The flames and electrical sparks around his hands were Weak to Average attack rank.

Despite what he saw and heard, Kieran kept quiet.

Everyone had their own choices, some good, some bad.

No one could interfere with another’s choices, similar to how one could never share the burden or consequences that followed the choices that were made.

“Quite a fella, ya?” Huai Cuike said.

Kieran didn’t say anything.

Having a kind heart was better than having malicious thoughts, more so when the person wasn’t reckless and boorish.

Kieran wouldn’t mind having an extra person like that.

“You are here because of the Battle of the Winter Night?” Kieran asked Huai Cuike.

“Yes. The eager Ms. Song Shi should have told you, but Royan, you are not a true Herder, you are participating in this election because you agreed through a deal to represent the East Sector. Now the rules to the Battle of Winter Night have changed, so we won’t and can’t force you to participate in it anymore. So, I am here to ask whether you are still keen on joining the Battle of Winter Night. The deposits we paid you earlier are yours to keep, this unforeseen accident isn’t your fault,” Huai Cuike nodded and said frankly.

Although Huai Cuike had limited contact with Kieran, his experience in reading people was enough for him to judge what kind of person Kieran was.

Dwelling on the trivials would not be a wise choice in talking to the likes of Kieran.

Honesty and sincerity was the best and only option, so Huiai Cuike came forth with the truest heart.

Whether Kieran participated or not, Huai Cuike would accept the answer regardless.

Just like what he said earlier, the changes of the rules was an unforeseen accident, he would not and could not force a young man to risk his life.

Kieran lifted the jug on the counter and poured Huai Cuike a cup of water, then said, “I’ll participate as promised.”

Huai Cuike went silent for a while after accepting the cup of water.

“I’ll do my best to make it up for you. Although the East Sector isn’t rich, if we search hard enough under our beds, we might make something happen,” said Huai Cuike.

Humans worked with mutual understanding.

When conditions change, something must follow, like the rewards.

Kieran didn’t reject it, he knew his value and he was worth every penny they spent on him.

“I’ll try my best to get the details on the new rules of Battle of Winter Night, I’ll check in with you later. Where’s Bain?”

Huai Cuike assured Kieran before he realized Bain, who he assigned to guard the restaurant, wasn’t around.

“I have no idea,” Kieran answered honestly.

Huai Cuike frowned.

Most of the Herders of the East Sector were reliable people, except for some. Bain was one of the ‘some’.

There was also another one though, but when Huai Cuike looked at Kieran, he temporarily erased that person’s name from the ‘unreliable’ list.

After all, having an excellent junior could make up for all those trivial mistakes of the past.

Huai Cuike took his communicator out and wanted to call Bain in.

He wasn’t going to school Bain though, he was just trying to remind Bain of his duty.

Before he made the call, Huai Cuike saw Li Jiajia coming out from the kitchen. This potential student who Huai Cuike also deemed worthy had an apron around her and was tidying up the washed plates.

A hard working girl.

Add in some proper guidance and she could be a powerful Herder.

Huai Cuike showed relief on his face, but soon froze.

“Teacher, the lesson on slicing and dicing, when does it end? Can you teach me how to spice things up? And the lobster risotto today, do you have a secret recipe for it?”

…

Teacher?

Slicing and dicing?

Spice?

Secret recipe?

She became a cook?

‘The student that I deemed worthy became a cook? What in the world happened?’

He looked at Kieran helplessly, hoping for an answer, but Kieran didn’t even look at him while reading his magazine.

Huai Cuike immediately contacted Bain after he got no reply from Kieran.

“Where are you?”

“The hot dog stand the street next to the restaurant. The hot dogs here are great, you want one, Huai Cuike?”

“Em. I want one, wait for me.”

Huai Cuike hung up the communicator and tried his utter best to hold back his veins from popping.

“Royan, I’ll be back soon, there’s something I have to attend to.”

Kieran pointed Huai Cuike out of the restaurant with a “please” gesture.

Huai Cuike turned around and left.

1 minute later, a faint screaming came from outside to the restaurant, followed by an angry growl and messy rattles.

“Eat your damn hot dogs! Lose your damn student! Eat! Eat more you bastard! You’ve lost a prophet and a philosopher! She has deviated from the rightful path!”

…

Kieran looked up in the direction where the scolding came. He told Teddy, “Close the door, will ya? It’s getting noisy.”