The Marshal was still resisting, but Yue An's wails grew increasingly desperate and heart-wrenching. The cacophony was so intense that it drew the attention of Marshal Kevin, who was passing by on his morning exercise routine, along with a few soldiers in tow.
Marshal Kevin, with his golden hair and blue eyes, cut an impressive figure. His features were as rugged and handsome as Seasonal's, and despite being middle-aged, his physique was impeccable. Clad in a tank top and glistening with sweat, he exuded an overwhelming aura of masculine vitality.
Unfortunately for Kevin, there was no one present who would be swayed by such a display of pheromones - not even the cat.
To outside observers, the relationship between Marshal Kevin and Marshal Seasonal, the two highest-ranking military leaders, appeared strained and formal. The soldiers following Kevin looked somewhat uncomfortable as they glanced at Seasonal, their eyes eventually settling on the cat clinging desperately to his arm.
Marshal Kevin seemed curious about the situation but managed to restrain himself. After a brief glance, he offered a cool, "Good morning."
In the presence of others, both Marshals maintained their facade of mutual dislike.
Seasonal nodded, his face mirroring Kevin's cold demeanor.
Yue An, his face still pressed against Seasonal's arm, sensed the attention and turned to look at the soldiers and Marshal Kevin. One ear stood erect while the other remained flattened against Seasonal's arm. The cat's ears twitched slightly before he turned away, utterly disinterested, and resumed his pitiful mewing at Seasonal.
The sound was so woeful it could break the hearts of all who heard it.
Marshal Kevin longed to chat with his long-unseen student, particularly about this intriguing cat. However, the presence of his soldiers made such a conversation impossible, given the supposed animosity between them. Regretfully, he chose to move on.
As Kevin turned to leave, Seasonal swiftly grasped Yue An by the scruff of the neck - he had read that this wouldn't hurt, as it was how mother cats carried their kittens.
The Marshal attempted to reason with Yue An, though his perpetually stoic expression betrayed no hint of this intention. His lips moved slightly as he began, "Yue-"
But Yue An, still clinging tenaciously to Seasonal's arm, refused to listen. With cold, unyielding determination, he let out another heart-rending wail: "MEOOOW! MEOW!!!"
Just as Seasonal was about to speak again, he noticed his mentor jogging back, the soldiers in tow, all fixing him with accusing glares.
"Marshal Seasonal," Kevin said gravely, "Ancient Earth creatures are incredibly precious. Please refrain from mistreating him."
Seasonal was at a loss for words. This wasn't what it looked like at all.
Yue An's ears twitched as he turned to face Kevin, letting out a pitiful "Mew" that dripped with feigned distress.
Seasonal internally sighed. What a drama queen.
Marshal Kevin, observing the white ball of fur clutching Seasonal's arm, asked with mock seriousness, "I believe your name is Yue An? Have you considered changing caretakers? I could-"
Before Seasonal could react, Yue An swiftly turned his head away from Kevin, presenting the back of his skull to the older Marshal. His four paws gripped Seasonal's arm even tighter, projecting an air of unwavering loyalty that seemed to say, "No storm or tempest could ever make me let go."
Seasonal glanced at his mischief-loving mentor, then at the small furball on his arm, and finally conceded defeat.
"Alright, you can come," he said with a sigh.
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Yue An let out a joyful "Meow!", as if the cat who had been wailing at the top of his lungs just moments ago was a completely different entity. He released his grip on Seasonal's arm and nimbly climbed up to his shoulder, affectionately nuzzling the Marshal's cheek.
Witnessing this, Marshal Kevin clicked his tongue in apparent disappointment.
Seasonal shot his mentor a cold glare before turning on his heel and striding away without hesitation.
The younger Marshal made a mental note to return early today. Judging by his mentor's heightened interest in Yue An, it seemed likely that Kevin would be eager to drop by for a chat later.
Having achieved his goal, Yue An perched contentedly on Seasonal's shoulder. His tail, draped down the Marshal's back, curled slightly upward at the tip, swaying gently in a display of satisfaction.
Seasonal and Yue An boarded the vehicle. The cat leapt onto the window ledge, watching as the Marshal input their destination. Yue An made a mental note of the address before curiously observing Seasonal as he pulled out a small hidden compartment beneath the console.
Inside lay several elegantly designed brooches. The Marshal sifted through them, selecting one which he pinned to his lapel. With a gentle press of the clasp, an astounding transformation began.
Yue An watched in amazement as Seasonal's facial features gradually morphed before his eyes. The Marshal's body seemed to expand, becoming bulkier and less defined. His skin darkened several shades, and even his clothes transformed into an entirely different outfit.
Ordinarily, even in civilian clothes and wearing a mask, Seasonal's imposing presence and distinctive aura would make him easily recognizable. After all, who else but Marshal Seasonal could emanate such a formidable, almost intimidating energy?
But now, Seasonal's appearance was utterly ordinary, the kind of forgettable face that wouldn't stick in anyone's memory. Even his overwhelming aura seemed to have been dampened, though a keen observer might still detect a hint of military precision in his movements.
Fascinated, Yue An extended a curious paw towards the brooch.
Seasonal gently caught the cat's paw, rubbing the soft pad before releasing it. He then unbuttoned his jacket, pointing to an inner pocket. "You'll need to stay in here when we arrive. Don't poke your head out."
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Yue An backed away, clearly reluctant.
The Marshal explained, "The fabric is special. You'll be able to see out, even if others can't see in."
Yue An, whose primary goal was to memorize the route anyway, considered for a moment before grudgingly agreeing to the proposal.
The Marshal's reluctance to bring his feline companion along was not without reason. As a high-ranking Imperial official, he could hardly stroll into the black market as himself. While the market's behind-the-scenes operators undoubtedly had connections in both military and political circles, it was still a hub for prohibited goods.
Disguise was essential.
Moreover, the transformation brooch wouldn't work on Yue An. If he were a more common pet, like a space hamster, bringing him along might not raise eyebrows. But Yue An was a cat - the last cat in the entire universe!
The whole of interstellar society knew that this incredibly rare creature lived with Marshal Seasonal. Parading Yue An around would be tantamount to announcing, "Look everyone, it's Imperial Marshal Seasonal Xiu Jun, browsing the black market!"
If such a thing were to happen, Seasonal wouldn't need to worry about media scandals or military tribunals - Marshal Kevin would personally ensure his demise.
Furthermore, Seasonal was acutely aware of the life debt he owed this small cat. He had barely begun to repay that debt with a few dozen energy crystals. Losing his feline savior in a dangerous place like the black market was unthinkable.
While Seasonal would unhesitatingly agree to take Yue An almost anywhere else, the black market was different. Even with its semi-legitimate status, it was still a haven for daring outlaws who operated beyond the reach of conventional law.
What wouldn't they dare to do in this place?
But looking at Yue An's eager expression, it was clear the cat genuinely wanted to come along.
Marshal Seasonal gazed at Yue An, who was once again perched on the front viewport, eyes wide as he took in the outside world. Sensing the Marshal's gaze, the small ball of fur's ears twitched. Yue An lowered his paws from the viewport and turned to face Seasonal, whose features were now completely unfamiliar.
"Meow?" Yue An queried, head tilted in curiosity.
Seasonal sighed imperceptibly. There was no use in worrying now. They were already here.
The black market's entrances were scattered across a bustling commercial district, five in total.
It might be hard for the average person to believe that the largest black market in Cintes was right here, beneath the capital city of the Imperial planet, under the most prosperous commercial area. The goods available in this underground bazaar came from various sources: stolen items, loot from space pirates who had raided legitimate merchant fleets, private ventures of nobility, and regular supplies from various mining operations.
Similarly, the clientele was just as diverse, representing all strata of society.
This place had no rules, save for one overarching principle: the highest bidder wins.
In simpler terms, in this place, you either spoke with your strength or with your wallet.
Wearing his unremarkable face, with a cat hidden in his coat, Marshal Seasonal stood calmly in the descending elevator.
Yue An, crouched in the hidden pocket of the coat, memorized every detail of their route.
He glanced around at the other occupants of the small elevator compartment. They each occupied a corner, exuding cold, unfriendly auras, avoiding any interaction with one another.
Yue An yawned, bored in his confinement.
Seasonal was quite accustomed to this atmosphere. In his younger years, he had frequented this area often, though never for the above-ground commercial streets. His destination had always been the black market below.
He had needed to arm himself frantically to maintain his autonomy in those days when he was young, powerless, and without influence.
Because of this, Seasonal was intimately familiar with the prices in the black market.
Among mineral resources, energy crystals were the most sought-after commodity after certain rare metals used to enhance weapon sharpness and mecha shell defense. The supply of energy crystals was also the most stable.
In space travel, the use of energy crystals was unavoidable. Whether for mechas, battleships, or even small escape pods, all required energy crystals to function.
As a Marshal, Seasonal's 2nd and 4th Divisions were constantly on the frontlines, pursuing space pirates. He had some reservations about the origin of certain black market goods, but now he had found a way to reclaim some of those energy crystals.
After all, it was better for Yue An to consume these crystals than for them to fall into the hands of space pirates who would use them against him and his soldiers.
Weakening the enemy was, in effect, strengthening oneself.
However, the highest purity energy crystals were sold by only one vendor in the entire black market.
As soon as they exited the elevator, the Marshal headed straight for the large shop occupying the central area of the black market.
Yue An observed the scenes along the way.
Rather than a black market, this place resembled a chaotic flea market. The paths between shops were filled with small stalls, and in the corners, people were engaged in bloody fights.
Yue An noticed several individuals fighting over spirit stones of such low grade and spiritual energy content that he wouldn't even have bothered with them.
The white ball of fur pressed his paws against the inside of the hidden pocket, his blue eyes darting around, searching for what he desired.
After surveying the area, Yue An came to a realization: the spirit stones Seasonal had given him must have been of the highest quality. No wonder they were so expensive, costing hundreds of thousands each.
The Marshal felt the small bundle in his pocket squirming restlessly. Before entering the shop, he patted the pocket gently and whispered, "We're here. Behave yourself."
Yue An immediately settled down.
Seasonal pulled out an old-fashioned magnetic card from his pocket. In the black market, these cards were anonymous - once swiped, no one could trace the source of the transaction.
The Marshal strode directly to the back of the shop, addressing the man standing behind the energy crystal counter. "High-grade energy crystals. How many do you have?"
The man started slightly, straightening up to appraise the plainly-featured individual before him. After a moment, he replied, "About five hundred."
"Price?" Seasonal asked curtly.
Noting the customer's no-nonsense demeanor, the man's expression grew more serious. "The current price is 1.21 million each."
Seasonal didn't waste time haggling. He just wanted to complete the purchase and quickly leave with the soft, precious bundle hidden in his coat.
"I'll take them all. Round it down to 1.2 million each."
The man behind the counter whistled softly, but didn't hesitate. After processing a deposit of 300 million, he led Seasonal to the warehouse where the energy crystals were stored.
Each high-grade energy crystal was about the size of an infant's fist. Five hundred and thirty-two crystals were neatly arranged, and even with the most advanced space-saving techniques, the box containing the stones was half as tall as the Marshal and incredibly heavy.
In the hidden pocket, Yue An was biting his own tail, his cute cat face scrunched up in concentration as he painfully tried to recall the pocket dimension technique that the elders of his clan had once taught him.
He regretted listening to that lazy cat who had said, "Cats don't have sleeves, why learn 'sleeve dimension' techniques?" and not taking the spell seriously.
Now, when he needed it most, he found himself lacking.
Yue An anxiously poked at Seasonal's waist as the Marshal was confirming the quantity, desperately wanting to meow out loud.
How were they going to carry such a large box out? Wouldn't they be robbed as soon as they left?
The Marshal, however, didn't seem troubled. He patted Yue An, who was poking at his ticklish spot, and after confirming the goods, swiftly paid the remaining balance. Then he lightly tapped a button on the box.
Four wheels popped out from the bottom of the box, and it began to roll towards another door in the warehouse.
As the largest shop in the black market, this establishment naturally had certain privileges.
For instance, the back door of the warehouse led directly to an exit elevator, which connected to the parking lot of the commercial center above.
The man who had conducted the transaction followed closely behind Seasonal. Observing the Marshal's unmistakably military bearing, he called out just as Seasonal was about to enter the exit.
"Esteemed customer," the man said with a fawning smile, "If I may ask, is the military planning something big? To purchase so many energy crystals at once..."
Seasonal paused, turning his head to look at the man, silent.
Seasonal thought to himself: "..."
You might not believe me if I told you.
Actually, I'm just here to buy cat food.