After mastering the 'Purple Yang Electric Power Technique,' Chen Zhou's combat strength soared once again.

With [Conquer People with Virtue] and [The Fourth Natural Disaster] stacked on top, even though he constantly reminded himself not to underestimate the heroes of the world, he couldn't help but feel a little pleased with himself.

The only downside—he had nearly exhausted his good deed points. Time to earn more.

Meanwhile, Lin Yujing had finally recovered from her shock. Her face flushed with excitement, and she clenched her fists. "Do it, do it tomorrow!"

She had completely shaken off her earlier melancholy. There was no point in being jealous of his talent anymore—because she had just realized something important.

She was now working with a powerhouse!

Only with a monster like Chen Zhou could she achieve her revenge!

What 'thirty years east, thirty years west'? What 'a gentleman never takes revenge too soon'? Nonsense!

If you're strong enough, who wouldn't want to take their enemy's head immediately?!

"This kid is teachable." Chen Zhou nodded approvingly. Freshly armed with new power, he was itching for a real fight.

"However, we still can’t act recklessly!" Lin Yujing warned. "Let me find out Zhao Shuanghe’s plans for tomorrow, then we can move!"

"Alright." Chen Zhou agreed. Since Lin Yujing was taking the role of strategist, he could leave the enemy intel and planning to her.

She had personal hatred driving her—she would do the job even better than he could.

……

Outside Changqing City, in an old abandoned temple.

Before dawn, a small, dirty hand nudged Gou Wa'er awake. "Get up, Gou Wa'er, get up and work!"

Still half-asleep, Gou Wa'er mumbled, "Grandpa… let me sleep a little longer…"

His real name wasn’t Gou Wa'er, and the 'grandpa' he spoke of wasn’t truly his grandfather.

Gou Wa'er was only six years old. He vaguely remembered his father once telling him that his mother had died giving birth to him.

Last year, an old beggar told him that his father had been beaten to death by members of the Black Tiger Gang.

And just like that, he became an orphan.

He would have starved to death if not for the old beggar who took him in. Since then, they had relied on each other for survival.

The old beggar was the one who named him Gou Wa'er, saying it was a 'cheap name for an easy life.'

"Didn’t I tell you? Begging in the early morning makes us look more pitiful. People will be more likely to give us money…"

The old beggar patiently explained his theory. If they sat on the street at dawn, passersby might think they had slept out in the cold all night and feel sorry for them. That way, they might get more coins.

Gou Wa'er didn’t really believe this. They had woken up early plenty of times before and still gotten nothing.

But he never disobeyed the old beggar. This was the only person in the world who treated him well.

"I understand, Grandpa…" he answered obediently, preparing to climb out of the haystack.

"Forget it." The old beggar suddenly changed his mind, resting a hand on Gou Wa’er's shoulder with a rare smile.

"Little pup, just rest a little longer today…"

A flicker of kindness appeared in the old beggar’s cloudy eyes.

He had originally taken Gou Wa'er in because children were more likely to elicit sympathy—natural beggars.

Some people in Yan Country even went so far as to cripple children to make them more pitiful.

The old beggar couldn’t do such a thing. He had simply thought a child might help him earn more.

But over time, the two had formed a bond. He had been alone for so long—now, he had someone to care for.

If his 'grandson' wanted to be lazy every now and then, so be it.

Half-asleep, Gou Wa'er was overjoyed. "Thank you, Grandpa."

"Mhm. If any strangers come, hide behind the statue and stay out of trouble."

"I know, Grandpa."

"Good." The old beggar picked up his battered bowl and limped out into the cold morning air.

Gou Wa'er curled up again, but sleep didn’t come easily.

Thinking about his grandfather out there begging alone while he lay in warm hay made him feel guilty.

He barely rested before sitting up, grabbing a cold steamed bun from yesterday, and taking a bite.

He would finish eating and then head into the city to find his grandfather.

But as he chewed, he noticed a figure stepping into the temple.

Remembering the old beggar’s warning, Gou Wa quickly hid behind the statue.

In the dim light, he could make out the figure—it was a child, roughly his size.

The child wore a black robe, his face hidden.

"Boring, so boring!" The robed figure muttered. His words were oddly pronounced, but his voice was undeniably that of a child.

Another orphan?

Before Gou Wa'er could think further, the child suddenly exclaimed, "Ah!" and turned toward the statue.

He was discovered!

Gou Wa tensed, gripping a small rock. If a fight broke out, who knew who would win?

But instead, the black-robed child leapt forward with a delighted laugh. "Haha, found you!"

His voice was filled with joy, as if they were playing a game.

Gou Wa'er hesitated, unsure how to respond.

Then he saw the child’s face clearly.

Orange fur covered his entire head, sleek and well-groomed. His slightly forward-jutting face was unmistakably feline.

"Ah!"

Gou Wa shrieked and fell backward. What kind of person had a cat’s head?!

The strange child didn’t react aggressively. Instead, he found Gou Wa’s reaction amusing and giggled behind his hand.

"You’re so timid! My name is Honghong. What’s yours?"

Gou Wa'er had no interest in answering. He wanted to run, but his legs were frozen with fear.

Honghong blinked and asked again, "I’m bored. Play with me?"

Play?!

Summoning his strength, Gou Wa'er finally pushed himself up and bolted for the temple entrance.

But just as he reached it, he heard soft sobbing from behind.

"Wuwuwu…"

Was he crying?

Gou Wa hesitated and turned back.

Honghong hadn’t chased him. Instead, he stood in place, rubbing his eyes with his small paws.

"Why… why does everyone run from me?" he mumbled, voice thick with sadness. "I just want to play…"

Gou Wa'er's heart trembled. Didn’t he also long for a playmate?

But reality was cruel. He had no friends—only his grandfather.

Was Honghong the same? Alone and abandoned?

Gou Wa'er’s fear wavered.

Seeing him hesitate, Honghong perked up. "Want to play with me?"

Gou Wa'er didn’t answer.

Honghong suddenly grinned. "I have something you all like!"

He pulled something shiny from his robe.

A silver ingot!

Gou Wa'er’s eyes widened. This strange child was rich!

"If you play with me, I’ll give you this!" Honghong waved the silver enticingly.

"Really?" Gou Wa'er asked cautiously.

"Of course!"

Money was what he and his grandfather needed most.

After a deep breath, Gou Wa'er bravely stepped forward.

Honghong beamed, handing him the silver.

Gou Wa'er took it with trembling hands, barely believing his luck.

But before he could rejoice, sharp claws dug into his wrist.

"So, what should we play first?!" Honghong asked cheerfully.

Without waiting for an answer, he yanked Gou Wa'er outside with inhuman strength.

Gou Wa'er had no choice but to follow.

At that moment, he had no idea—

He had just made a fatal mistake.