Chapter 13 – Coming Home

Volume 3: Rising Winds and Clouds

"Yeah, he's busy. He's always been busy…"

Kuangliu let out a low, heavy sigh, and then fell into a slow silence.

"Let's go. It's my birthday today, so dinner is on me!"

"Then I'm definitely going to eat my fill!" No. 1 said with a smile.

"No problem. I've got the money!"

…

After a simple meal, Wen Yu walked back to the room Wang Zhigang had arranged for him. He lay down on the comfortable, large bed, feeling drowsy.

"It's really been a long time since I've slept in such a soft bed."

Thinking back to his days of sleeping in the rough, exposed to the elements in the Mountain Forest, Wen Yu couldn't help but drift off into a dreamland.

…

The sky outside had turned completely dark when Wen Yu was awakened by a series of rustling sounds.

The slight noise couldn't escape Wen Yu's hearing, and the familiar sounds told him exactly who had entered the room.

Wen Yu hadn't locked the door, naturally waiting for these two!

Faint mental fluctuations emanated from Wen Yu's mind.

They were very subtle; clearly, the two Soul Pets were afraid of waking Wen Yu.

"Go to sleep, Dog-Ge."

"Not sleeping. I'm mad!"

"You're just bored. If you ask me, you should have just forced yourself on her. That's what you told me!"

"Woof woof!"

Hearing Xing's words, One-Eye barked twice immediately.

"What right do they have to call me a pervert!"

Xing suddenly stammered in a low voice, "The way you're dressed… you kind of are a pervert…"

"This is infuriating! Boss clearly said this outfit was cute."

Just as the two pets finished their exchange, Wen Yu sat up abruptly.

Seeing his two Soul Pets crouching obediently on the floor, and then looking at the pink outfit One-Eye had already managed to get dirty, Wen Yu couldn't help but chuckle. He beckoned to them.

Understanding Wen Yu's meaning, the two Soul Pets immediately jumped onto the large bed.

"Did you two cause any trouble while you were out today?"

Wen Yu was genuinely afraid of these two getting into something. It wasn't that he feared the trouble itself, but rather that if these two Soul Pets lost their tempers, they might completely destroy his hometown!

Upon hearing Wen Yu's question, Xing and One-Eye shook their heads like rattle drums.

"Did you run into anything interesting today?"

As Wen Yu spoke, he intentionally glanced at the pink pet clothes One-Eye was wearing.

Hearing Wen Yu's teasing, One-Eye immediately began to complain.

"Woof woof woof!"

"Boss, you lied to me! These clothes aren't good at all. All those female dogs called me a pervert!"

"Female dogs?"

Wen Yu raised an eyebrow. "Where did you find female dogs?"

"Over there!"

Xing's tail stood upright as he pointed in a certain direction.

That was the direction of the Old City District-and Wen Yu's home was also in that direction!

"Are there a lot of them?"

"Woof woof woof."

"Quite a few. They're all stray cats and dogs. After they Mutated, they carved out that area as their own territory!"

Wen Yu pondered for a moment and slowly nodded.

"In that case, we'll go check out those female dogs tomorrow. While we're at it, I'll take you home!"

"Home? Isn't this your home?" Xing asked, blinking in confusion.

"No, this isn't our home. This is just a house Wang Zhigang lent to us," Wen Yu said, shaking his head.

"That place is where I used to live in this city. I wonder how it is now."

Wen Yu looked out the window toward the distant location of his original Rental Room.

That was the place where Wen Yu had lived for nearly three years.

"Three years! I suppose it really counts as my home."

Wen Yu sighed silently to himself.

…

The night passed without incident.

After finishing breakfast the next morning, Wen Yu bid farewell to Wang Zhigang.

Once Wen Yu had finished his conversation with the Military Headquarters, Wang Zhigang would undoubtedly connect with them again.

Wen Yu didn't know the specifics of what they would discuss, but it would likely involve deeper intelligence regarding Wen Yu and the matter of transferring power within the Mudanjiang Central City.

Judging by Wang Zhigang's high spirits, it was clear that yesterday's outcome had been a pleasant surprise for him.

"By the way, if there's news from the Military, send someone to find me. My location is at XXX."

Seeing Wang Zhigang nod, Wen Yu took One-Eye and Xing and headed straight toward the Old City District.

…

He walked through the streets of Mudanjiang City as if taking a leisurely stroll.

The desolate and dilapidated urban area had long since lost the prosperity of peaceful times. Occasionally, some Class Holders hiding in the shadows would cast their gazes toward Wen Yu, only to hastily conceal themselves again.

His brand-new clothes and the Little Soul Beast on his shoulder-signifying a Hidden Class-were enough to make these people realize that this strolling Class Holder was not someone to be trifled with!

Originally, the purpose of his walk was to take another look at the city where he had lived for over twenty years. But now, it seemed there was nothing left worth seeing.

In the Apocalypse, even if there were no Demonic Creatures for the moment, the Class Holders and Mutant Beasts alone were enough to destroy the city's facade and, more importantly, crush its spirit.

"Let's go, One-Eye. Lead the way. Speed it up!"

Wen Yu spoke to One-Eye, deciding not to waste any more time on these useless sentiments.

"Woof! Woof!"

One-Eye barked twice at Wen Yu and was the first to bolt forward.

In his mini-state, although One-Eye's Physical Attribute was significantly reduced, he was certainly no longer the stray dog he had been before he Mutated.

His small body contained formidable power.

His four short legs moved so fast they became a blur, his grey body streaking toward the Old City District like a gust of wind.

Wen Yu followed close behind.

In less than ten minutes, the man and the two beasts had crossed more than half of Mudanjiang City and arrived at the Old City District.

…

"This is the place."

One-Eye stopped in front of a semi-dilapidated Residential Area.

Wen Yu frowned as he looked at a large pile of dog droppings and smelled the foul stench in the air. He decisively said to One-Eye, "Go if you want to. When you're done playing, follow my scent back."

"Woof, woof, woof!"

"Boss, aren't you coming in with me? There are so many Pretty Dogs inside."

Wen Yu swallowed hard.

"I'll pass."

"Woof!"

"What about you, Xing? We're brothers, I'll share a couple with you!"

Hearing One-Eye's invitation, Xing immediately shook his head.

"You guys really don't know how to enjoy life…"

One-Eye muttered a few times before turning and heading into the Residential Area.

Wen Yu and Xing were left behind, exchanging bitter smiles.

Then, Wen Yu turned and walked away.

It really smelled too bad here!

…

Jindu Residential Area, Old City District.

This was where Wen Yu had originally lived.

As an orphan, Wen Yu had lived here alone for three years. Three years was enough time for a person to develop some attachment to a place.

Looking at the dilapidated and deserted surroundings, Wen Yu let out a deep sigh.

"I'm home."