Chapter Ten: Subjugation

“Woof, woof...”
The little creature kept baring its teeth at Gu Jianfeng, as if unwilling to admit defeat.
“Oh? Come on, let’s have a duel!”
Seeing its defiant attitude, Gu Jianfeng gently placed it on the ground and laughed.
All the fur on the little creature bristled, a hint of ferocity emanating from its body. Though not strong yet, Gu Jianfeng could sense it clearly.
He was intimately familiar with this kind of aura.
Taking advantage of Gu Jianfeng’s momentary distraction, the little creature darted toward his right ankle, aiming to bite.
Its speed surprised Gu Jianfeng.
His right foot had once been injured—though healed, it still bore faint traces of the wound.
“What a clever little one!”
Gu Jianfeng thought to himself.
Though fast, the little creature’s movements were no match for Gu Jianfeng’s eyes.
Now restored to the seventh rank of Soul Soldier, Gu Jianfeng could sense anything within twenty meters with ease.
Just as the creature was about to bite him, Gu Jianfeng shifted his right leg slightly, perfectly dodging the attack.
“Woof...”
The little creature barked again, its gaze fiercer than before.
It attacked five times in succession, only for Gu Jianfeng to evade each attempt. Exhausted, it stood by, panting heavily.
“You shouldn’t live here. Come with me—I can give you a new world.”
Gu Jianfeng crouched down and spoke to the little creature two meters away.
It seemed to understand, a hint of confusion flickering in its eyes. But soon its gaze sharpened, and it charged at Gu Jianfeng again, faster than any of its previous attacks.
Seeing the blur of movement before him, Gu Jianfeng smiled.
He caught the little creature with his left hand and pinched its lower jaw with his right, neutralizing its attack in an instant.
“Haha, want to go again?”
Gu Jianfeng laughed, holding the little creature in his hands.
To his surprise, the creature, which had just been so fierce, suddenly calmed, the trace of brutality vanishing from its body.
Seeing this, Gu Jianfeng released his grip and gently stroked its head, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
The little creature stuck out its tongue, licking Gu Jianfeng’s hand again and again. Its docile manner was a sharp contrast to just moments before.

Gu Jianfeng carried it out of the kennel and walked toward the office.
The young man at the front desk was still nodding off, but when he saw the little creature in Gu Jianfeng’s arms, he was stunned.
Since this creature had arrived at their dog farm, it had always been unruly.
Countless people had been bitten by it; this was the first time the young man had seen it so quietly nestled in someone’s embrace.
“Comrade soldier, this dog belongs to our farm—you can’t take it away!”
The young man spoke up to Gu Jianfeng.
“Don’t worry. We have rules; we won’t take anything from ordinary folks.”
After reassuring him, Gu Jianfeng walked inside, not toward Fu Zhihong’s office, but instead pushed open the door next to it.
“Who are you?”
Inside, a middle-aged man sat with his eyes closed. Upon seeing Gu Jianfeng enter, he asked.
“I’m from the first company of the border regiment. I’m here today to collect a debt.”
Gu Jianfeng went straight to the point.
“Oh, that’s unfortunate. Our boss isn’t here today!”
The middle-aged man’s gaze flickered as he tried to dodge the issue.
“You’re a boss here too, aren’t you? Is it worth hiding for ten thousand yuan?”
Disregarding the man’s words, Gu Jianfeng found a place to sit and spoke.
“How did you know I was here?”
The man asked, puzzled.
“The seat still has residual warmth, meaning you just left not long ago.”
“And the young man who greeted us kept glancing here, so I guessed you might be inside.”
In truth, Gu Jianfeng had already sensed the man’s presence in the room, though he did not mention this.
“Impressive, truly impressive!”
The middle-aged man sighed, then continued, “Actually, I’ve long planned to repay the army’s debt. You helped me when I was most desperate; I have no reason to evade it now.”
“It’s just that recently, I was extorted by White Eagle for a hefty sum. The farm’s finances are almost depleted, let alone repaying you.”
“You were blackmailed—why not seek help from the authorities?”
Gu Jianfeng asked.
“Heh, the authorities?”

“Don’t say I have no evidence—even if I did, White Eagle’s power in Qingzhai is immense. Even if he’s brought to justice, would his men let me go?”
“I’m just an ordinary citizen. I can’t afford to offend either side, so all I can do is hide.”
The middle-aged man dropped his pretense and explained candidly to Gu Jianfeng.
In public, he was a successful businessman, driving good cars, living a life of luxury.
But who knew the bitterness in his heart?
“This is the New China of the twenty-first century, not the old society. You should have faith in the government.”
“I’ll remember your situation and report it to the relevant departments.”
“This visit is mainly because our company is facing special circumstances and urgently needs funds—otherwise, we wouldn’t have come to you.”
Gu Jianfeng spoke softly.
“Thank you!”
The middle-aged man looked at Gu Jianfeng, sincerity written all over his face.
After a moment, he took a bank card from the drawer and handed it to Gu Jianfeng. “There’s ten thousand yuan in here—my emergency funds. Take it first; the password is six eights.”
“Didn’t you say you still needed money to keep the farm running?”
Gu Jianfeng was curious, not understanding the sudden change in the man. He didn’t believe he possessed some mystical charm.
“I, Wang Xingqing, grew up with nothing, eating meals from many homes. Everything I have now was earned with these eyes.”
“You’re not an ordinary person, so I trust you.”
“The farm can still manage for now. Take this ten thousand first; I’ll repay the rest once the funds turn around.”
Wang Xingqing spoke.
“Oh? I don’t think I said anything special. I’m sure you’ve heard those words before.”
Gu Jianfeng asked quietly.
“The key is because of it.”
Wang Xingqing pointed to the little creature in Gu Jianfeng’s arms.
Gu Jianfeng glanced down at the creature playing with the sofa cushion and asked, “Does this little one have some special origin, then?”