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Chapter 238 - Anda Vs Caterina
🕑 Added 2025-02-07 07:00:08 +0000 UTCLeyvi's voice wasn't loud and was drowned out by other chattering voices, but Caterina, with her sharp hearing, immediately picked it up, turning her head around. Nobody else would call her Cat Lady Ghost except for her prey... ahem... young lover.
Her annoyed expression quickly turned into that of a sweet, smiling maiden. The transformation was almost predatory in its smoothness, as if she had practiced switching personas a thousand times.
However, seeing her expression, Leyvi felt like he was being targeted by a predator ready to pounce on him.
After inspecting Leyvi for a few seconds, a hint of surprise emerged on her face. He was only in the early Core Formation realm, but his cultivation gave her the feeling of something unfathomable.
And when her spiritual sense swept over his body, she felt barely noticeable pulls on her spiritual sense, as if trying to invite it into his body. This caused her to retract her spiritual sense immediately.
Caterina's smile became even sweeter. As expected of someone who gained recognition from Protector Gandolf. He is bound to be incredible. Hehe. I have a great taste. Maybe he can accommodate me, she thought. Although deep inside, she knew it was unlikely.
Caterina turned her head to face the three patriarchs again.
"Hmph! If I see you three causing trouble again, I will forbid all three of your stupid alchemy families from entering my city again!" she warned, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Magnus, Vitali, and Tordin didn't dare to say anything and only nodded obediently. It would be bad if their families were banned from the city. Although they didn't come here frequently, a lot of important business was conducted here.
Leyvi, who was still watching them, suddenly saw Caterina disappear from her spot and felt a presence beside him a moment later.
A fragrance unique to her reached Leyvi's nostrils.
So fast! He couldn't detect her movement at all, even with his spiritual sense deployed. Leyvi realized again how big the gap was between their realms.
It was also a big reminder to him that even with his abnormally far-reaching spiritual sense, if he couldn't react to what was coming after him, it would be pointless.
"My love, how have you been? It's been seven years since our last meeting. I have been waiting for you. It feels like forever already," Caterina greeted Leyvi with the sweetest voice she was capable of. Her body language was entirely devoid of her previous imposing manner.
BOOM!
Hearing Caterina's words, the minds of nearly a hundred people gathered in the area exploded—not literally.
"My love? Who? That young guy?"
"What is their relationship?"
"I've never seen her this gentle before. Is this a woman in love?"
All kinds of questions started leaving their mouths, seemingly surprised by the sudden revelation.
Magnus Goldstone wasn't really surprised to see this since he was already aware of Caterina's interest in Leyvi. However, Tordin Homun and Vitali Clover were absolutely shocked. Is she really the same Fierce Lady of the South? She's acting like the Sweet Lady of the South instead!
Meanwhile, Lin Wei, nearby, was impressed by Leyvi's ability. He thought he had done pretty well gathering great women by his side in a short amount of time to help his endeavors in the future. But Leyvi could even hook up with one of the strongest women in the South Region!
Absolutely amazing!
Feeling the eyes with various emotions on him, Leyvi started getting a headache. His shoulders stiffened as he felt the weight of countless stares, some envious, others skeptical.
"Uhh... City Lord Caterina, can you not say things that would cause misunderstandings to others?" Leyvi scratched his head.
"What misunderstandings could there be? Didn't you promise me that you would help me with having a baby? Are you saying those were just empty promises?" Caterina acted like a maiden who had just been tricked.
WHAT?
City Lord Caterina wants his baby? Who exactly is this guy? Isn't he just the goofy husband of Alchemist Panda? The crowd exploded again.
Most of the young people here were ignorant of Leyvi's status because they seldom informed themselves about matters in the South Region, but a few of them and the leaders of each group here knew who Leyvi was.
The owner of Bara City, the Deed of Sovereignty's recipient!
He had the same status as Caterina Feline, the owner of Holy Cat City, the only other recipient of the Deed of Sovereignty in the South Region.
Is this why she's so interested in him and wants his baby? This must be it! They can't think of any other reason.
"City Lord Caterina, I did say something like that, but the context of it is not quite..." Leyvi wasn't sure how to say it properly.
Who in their right mind would believe him if he said he was just trying to help a ghost move on? They would accuse him of impersonating Mr. Bison if he said that.
"My love, I have multiple witnesses when you promised me with all those words. I can bring all the gate guards back then to testify. Are you lying to me?" Caterina pushed further. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, her every gesture a calculated act to corner him further.
Her words caused the clueless crowd to give Leyvi weird looks. Since she has multiple witnesses, then it must be true! What kind of man are you, going back on your promise to a woman?
Leyvi felt like crying. Are you guys stupid? She is obviously acting, and you all fall for it. She is a strong, independent woman with high cultivation who governs a city, not some helpless maiden.
This woman is definitely intentional! Now he was sure that she also had a similar evil mastermind tendency to Anda. She even used what he said in the past, in that urgent moment, to her advantage, and he couldn't even say it was false.
If these two devilish women got along—a cat and a panda—he couldn't imagine the chaos that would unfold.
Leyvi was sure that if he acknowledged this, the stupid situation would make the news soon, and he would be considered her man by many. However, if he refused to acknowledge it, people would spread a bad reputation about him. He didn't want to be the source of a bad reputation for his family.
Even getting attacked by bandits or evil villains didn't feel as stressful as this. Is this what people mean by the pen is mightier than the sword?
"City Lord Caterina, are you sure my husband promised to help you have a baby?" Anda stepped forward and asked Caterina. The crowd immediately shifted their attention to Anda.
Leyvi raised his eyebrows, curious. Why is she asking this question? She obviously knows everything that happened since I didn't hide anything from her. Don't tell me she's acting again? Is the clash between two evil masterminds on the horizon?
Leyvi became excited and forgot about his predicament for a second. He wanted to see a cat versus panda showdown! Go, my panda wife, defeat this cat!
"Oh my, you must be the famous Princess of Alchemy Formulas, Alchemist Grandmaster Anda. Forgive me if I make you uncomfortable with this situation. I have no intention of stealing your husband. I just want him to fulfill his promise," Caterina said politely—something she rarely did as a city lord—even though the content of her words couldn't exactly be considered polite.
Anda smiled. "City Lord Caterina, I know that my husband is the best man in the world..."
The crowd stared at Leyvi again in complete disbelief. Are you serious? This country-bumpkin-looking guy?
"...and I don't have the intention of keeping him to myself alone," she continued.
"That is why I have many sisters around me now, sharing the same joy of life. So, if you want my husband to fulfill his promise, you are also welcome to join the Leyan Family. We can become sisters too. Together, we can make the Leyan Family, the household that my husband established, the best on the continent," Anda suggested, her expression passionate as if talking about a grand dream.
Anda didn't dare to use her ability to inspect Caterina since her cultivation was far below Caterina's, but she had done enough background research on the famed Caterina to conclude that her addition to the family would be a great net positive. A powerhouse like her, with influence spanning the entire South Region, would undoubtedly add another layer of protection for the family.
Leyvi rolled his eyes. He somehow expected this maneuver would come eventually. It had been a while, but Anda's harem recruitment agency had resumed operations.
Caterina's eyes brightened as she chuckled inwardly. I see. So are you recruiting me to use my influence to raise the prestige of your family, to act as a deterrent? Nobody ever tried that before considering my fierce reputation. What a bold young panda. She praised inwardly.
Interesting. I'm using this crowd to lure my prey into my trap, but this young panda is now trying to take advantage of the same crowd to lure me into her trap. If I shirk away now, it would only prove that I am not a good actress. I will continue playing the role of an innocent maiden. Let's find out whose acting is better.
"Alchemist Anda, I'm... not sure if that's a good idea for your family," Caterina seemed hesitant to say, though her tone was carefully crafted to stir curiosity. Her slight hesitation was enough to make the crowd lean in, eager to hear more.
"Eh? Please tell me why that is, City Lord Caterina." Anda was ready to hear what excuse Caterina would use to decline her recruitment.
