Black Mountain Village, the scorching sun blazes.
Under the shade of a tree, Xuan Yu shakes off the 'Saintly Battle Robe' and flicks his fur, licking his paws to wash his face.
The wind rustles the leaves, emitting a soft sound.
Xuan Yu pauses his face-washing, lifting his head to gaze at the thick and lush old pagoda tree beside him, a strange glimmer erupting from his emerald eyes.
"Cat! There's a black cat here!"
A child's voice echoes from outside the courtyard, prompting Xuan Yu to swiftly lower his body and flee.
He Shou'an hears his friend's voice and runs to the entrance of the Liu Family Courtyard, now adorned with numerous red threads that barricade the gate, forbidding entry.
"Where's the cat?"
The little boy beside him points towards the courtyard and shouts, "There was really a black cat just now, with a red string around its neck."
He Shou'an notices the strange scattered pages and the paper lantern pierced with three holes, quickly pulling his friend back.
