Blow, blow, let my pride go wild

Ye Shu and Liu Youyou both spat out a mouthful of saliva simultaneously, utterly shocked. The gang leader on the stone immediately noticed them, hastily standing up, overwhelmed with embarrassment. His watery, big eyes turned rosy with shame.

"Get away from me," the gang leader exclaimed in frustration, unable to face the fact that his most significant secret had been exposed.

Ye Shu and Liu Youyou exchanged a strange glance, and the Tibetan Mastiff quickly stood up to defuse the situation. "Great King, I brought them here. I, too, have been neutered, so it's not a big deal."

"You know nothing! I am a proud Teddy; without my manhood, what meaning is left in life?" The gang leader shouted from the stone, unable to comprehend the Tibetan Mastiff's lack of understanding of his pride, and ended up squatting down in a daze.

Ye Shu wanted to laugh but felt it unkind. He coughed and said, "Gang leader, in fact, many humans neuter their dogs. Otherwise, dogs can become very irritable, especially during mating season. Your owner neutered you for a reasonable cause; she just didn't realize you're not an ordinary dog."

Hearing this, the gang leader sighed deeply and sat down again, "After I became a demon, I understood. I shouldn't have crazily poked her when she was desperate."

Understanding the situation, Ye Shu and Liu Youyou were perplexed. The gang leader continued, "I roamed outside for half a year, turned into a demon, and came back after realizing my mistake. But I couldn't find her anymore."

Gazing sadly at the large pit below, the gang leader's eyes held a mix of sorrow and longing. Ye Shu suddenly realized that the gang leader wasn't harboring resentment; he was yearning for his owner.

His owner had moved away, and the place of his childhood had been flattened by excavators.

"I searched for her for a long time, combed the entire city, but couldn't find her. I gave up and started looking for a female demon to start a new relationship. You, Youyou, were my thirty-eighth choice."

Now it made sense; he wasn't bullying female demons, but trying to fill the void in his heart. Despite being neutered, he couldn't let go of the memories of his owner.

Understanding the situation, Liu Youyou sympathized with him. She gently said, "I work at Ren'ai Hospital, often in contact with high-class individuals. I'll ask them to help you find your owner. What's her name?"

Liu Youyou, being the hospital flower at Ren'ai Hospital, had easy access to upper-class people, who often visited the hospital. The gang leader perked up at the prospect, "Really?"

"Absolutely," Liu Youyou nodded earnestly. The gang leader was overjoyed, "Her name is Chen Xiaoxi, currently in high school. If you help me find her, I'll give you demon crystals."

Eager to obtain demon crystals, Liu Youyou was thrilled, "Deal! I'll start looking for her tomorrow. Don't worry; we'll find her."

As the night deepened, the matter was resolved amicably. Ye Shu picked up Aiqier, and it was time to go home.

Aiqier and the gang leader bid farewell, and the Tibetan Mastiff, with a wagging tongue, accompanied them to see them off. It was quite adorable.

The trio returned home happily. Liu Youyou was especially delighted, almost flying with joy.

"After consuming the demon crystals, I might evolve into a two-tailed fox. I'll leave the lower-level demons and be able to interact with more formidable ones. Haha."

Hearing this, Ye Shu casually remarked, "Getting out of the lower level, do you really want to become a big shot and leave your mark in the city?"

"Become what big shot? Let me tell you, after evolving into a two-tailed fox, I can apply for welfare. I'll officially become a member of the Demon Alliance, with a certificate and everything. I can collect money and soul pills every month, no need to work or donate blood anymore."

It sounded impressive; Ye Shu inquired, "How much money and soul pills can you get?"

Curious, Liu Youyou counted on her fingers, "Five thousand a month. Money is crucial in the human world. As for soul pills, they are condensed from souls. We rely on them for cultivation. At least two pills a month, and the stronger you are, the more you can claim."

Ye Shu wasn't too concerned about the soul pills, but five thousand a month surprised him. It was a considerable amount, especially for the lowest-tier welfare. He wondered how much more powerful demons could claim.

Considering the vast number of demons in the entire country, this expenditure must be substantial. The Demon Alliance seemed to have a significant connection with the government; otherwise, such benefits wouldn't be possible.

Of course, it wasn't his concern, and he didn't dwell on it. It was getting late, and the three of them took baths one after another. Ye Shu and Liu Youyou were ready to sleep, while Aiqier went to look at the moon, reminiscing about her mother.

The next morning, Liu Youyou went to the hospital to investigate, and Ye Shu had to arrange for the repair of his broken door. The repairs took most of the day, and after completing them, Ye Shu went to work for a while. By the time he returned, it was already dark.

As the night fell, Aiqier woke up. Since Ye Shu didn't purchase any chicken blood, she had to settle for fresh blood, making her head feel dizzy.

Releasing her from the blood-drinking session, Ye Shu considered the necessity of relying on chicken blood. Directly consuming blood wasn't sustainable, at most once a week. He decided to buy chicken blood to keep Aiqier happy.

After drinking blood, Aiqier returned, and Liu Youyou came back from her investigation. She looked tired and somewhat frustrated. Ye Shu asked what happened, and Liu Youyou sighed, "Those annoying men are a hassle. I asked them to gather information, and they took advantage of the situation. Exhausted, and still, no sign of Chen Xiaoxi."

Ye Shu furrowed his brows, "Just let them take advantage."

Liu Youyou blinked mischievously, laughing, "Feeling jealous? Don't worry, I'm a demon with formidable skills. At most, they get some verbal advantages. I won't allow them to go further. Besides, I'm yours, mwah mwah."

Ye Shu felt a tingling sensation; he couldn't stand this fox spirit. He shook off her hand, saying, "Enough, enough, talk about the main issue."

He couldn't handle this fox spirit, always trying to take advantage whenever possible.

Although her mood improved, Liu Youyou's tone remained somewhat gloomy, "Chen Xiaoxi has left this city. Her family took her to the Imperial Capital. The Imperial Capital is in the north, tens of thousands of miles away. We can't trace her here, and those men are not willing to invest more effort unless I accompany them, which I refused. I can't compromise

 my principles, or you, my husband, would be upset."

The fact that Chen Xiaoxi had moved to the Imperial Capital explained why the gang leader couldn't find her. It was challenging to trace someone in such a vast city, especially if they weren't familiar with the specific address.

Of course, if Liu Youyou used her charm on certain upper-class individuals, they might have a chance. But the sacrifice would be too great.

"I'll try to find more help. If it doesn't work out, let it be. I can't sacrifice my integrity. Of course, if Brother Ye Shu wants, you can come to my room tonight."

"Get lost."

The night passed without incident. The next day, Liu Youyou continued her efforts, but still, no success. Many people wanted her to accompany them.

Fed up with it, she felt nauseous.

"Forget it; let's go tell the gang leader. Maybe his bond with his owner has already been severed."

Ye Shu didn't want Liu Youyou to endure further annoyance; after all, she was his friend. Always being taken advantage of wasn't right.

Liu Youyou agreed, and the two immediately went to Longning Street to find the gang leader. He became nervous and excited upon seeing them, anticipating good news but fearing the opposite.

Ye Shu felt sorry for him and apologized, "Chen Xiaoxi is no longer in this city; she and her family have moved to the Imperial Capital. Unfortunately, we don't know anything beyond that."

Ye Shu's straightforward words left the gang leader stunned. His ears and tail drooped, and he remained silent with lowered head for a while.

He had suffered a severe blow, and both Ye Shu and Liu Youyou didn't know how to comfort him, expecting him to be devastated.

Unexpectedly, after a moment of silence, the gang leader raised his head, his expression firm.

"That's fine. I was thinking of venturing into the world anyway. Let's go to the Imperial Capital. The next time we meet, I will be the Imperial Capital gang leader."

He exuded an air of dominance, surprising Liu Youyou. She hurriedly said, "You can't take a plane or a train; you have to walk. It's too far, and as you move north, demons become more numerous and powerful. The ones in the north are known to be fierce. Don't do anything foolish."

Liu Youyou was stating a fact. The Imperial Capital, being the center of China, had the most potent demons. A weak Teddy dog like the gang leader would find it challenging to survive there.

"Don't worry; I've made up my mind. I'm a proud Teddy, even without my manhood. I must go."

A dog's pride was not to be belittled. Ye Shu and Liu Youyou stopped trying to persuade him. The gang leader, showing determination, stood on his hind legs and folded his paws behind his back.

"Enough said. I am a proud Teddy, even without my manhood. I must go."

A single dog's pride was not to be belittled. Ye Shu and Liu Youyou stopped trying to persuade him. The gang leader was straightforward, "Enough said. I am a proud Teddy, even without my manhood. I must go."

A single dog's pride was not to be belittled. Ye Shu and Liu Youyou stopped trying to persuade him. The gang leader, showing determination, stood on his hind legs and folded his paws behind his back.

"Enough said. I am a proud Teddy, even without my manhood. I must go."

A single dog's pride was not to be belittled. Ye Shu and Liu Youyou stopped trying to persuade him. The gang leader was straightforward, "Enough said. I am a proud Teddy, even without my manhood. I must go."

Ye Shu and Liu Youyou sympathized with him. "You should reconsider. Moreover, even if you go to the Imperial Capital, there's no guarantee you'll find Chen Xiaoxi. It's much larger than you imagine."

Ye Shu also tried to advise him, but the gang leader, standing on his hind legs, thrust his paws behind his back. "Stop talking. I'm a proud Teddy, even without my manhood. I have to go."

Dog's pride should not be underestimated. Ye Shu and Liu Youyou stopped persuading him. The gang leader was determined, "Stop talking. I'm a proud Teddy, even without my manhood. I have to go."

After a moment, Liu Youyou decided, "Alright, let's go to the Imperial Capital, then. But you must consider the journey; it's too far, and the demons in the north are fierce. We heard they are ruthless."

Liu Youyou was pragmatic, pointing out the reality of the situation. The gang leader wasn't discouraged. "I'll consider it. I am a proud Teddy, after all."

Liu Youyou then added, "Even if you reach the Imperial Capital, finding Chen Xiaoxi is not guaranteed. The city is enormous."

Ye Shu also advised, "Think about it. Moreover, we are willing to help, but charging headlong into danger is not the solution."

But the gang leader's pride didn't waver. "I am a proud Teddy. I must go."

Ye Shu and Liu Youyou exchanged glances, realizing they couldn't change his mind. The gang leader, resolute, added, "Enough said. I am a proud Teddy. I must go."

He then handed a demon crystal to Liu Youyou, a gray-black crystal about the size of a thumb. While not of high value, it was a significant treasure for a lower-level demon.

Liu Youyou was ecstatic, almost on the verge of tears. The gang leader instructed the Tibetan Mastiff on some matters, then ventured into the northern night.

Ye Shu watched him leave, feeling a sense of admiration. Truly, a dog with his own path.

That's the end of the chapter.