Bandit? Or a Pampered Prisoner?

"You're saying Andy's gone *again*?" Du Chen eyed Harry with an odd expression.

Beibei climbed into Du Chen's arms, nodding and giggling strangely, "Mmm, Papa, Andy's gone *again*!"

Harry knelt contritely, whispering, "Yes, Andy's gone *again*. I know how important Andy is now. Please, punish me..."

Why did everyone keep saying "again"? Wasn't Andy just a handsome little wolf, whose behavior was much like a dog's? How important could he possibly be?! Porter was thoroughly confused!

The atmosphere in the bedroom was peculiar. The current Andy was a Divine Pet in all but name, at least a future one! For such a Divine Pet to go missing, a master should naturally be either worried or furious. Yet, Du Chen felt neither. Instead, he found it both amusing and exasperating… with even a hint of anticipation! The last time Andy went missing, he returned as a top-tier Divine Pet whose future combat prowess was divine and potential limitless. Would he encounter another remarkable adventure this time?

As for Andy's safety… should anyone truly dare to harm Andy, they would experience the sheer terror of the Golden Behemoth and the Noble Snow Wolf reaching a temporary fusion agreement in a moment of life-or-death crisis!

Philip and Brockman had proven with bloody facts that if Andy went missing, it would certainly not be Du Chen who suffered ill fortune!

Before Du Chen could even inquire further, Harry frantically blurted out, "It was three days ago, oh, Master, you've been unconscious for four days already… That day, I was training Andy in his acrobatic feats in the courtyard when a masked individual suddenly descended from the sky and snatched Andy away! Lord Brook was assisting with the city's defenses then, and Harry, Harry tried with all his might but couldn't stop that person!" He choked back sobs, tears and snot streaming down his face. "Harry is guilty, Harry was at fault! Please, Master, punish Harry severely! Harry will have absolutely no complaints…" He furtively stole glances at Du Chen's expression, his eyes shifty.

"Enough, stop your act!" Du Chen said, holding his daughter on the bed. "So, Andy was kidnapped, hm? Kidnapped *again*!" He asked, "Little darling, where were you at the time? Did you see that person?"

Beibei tugged at her braids, nodding repeatedly. "Beibei saw him! But Beibei couldn't see through that person. His Spiritual Power was very weak, but… but he had something on him that could suppress Beibei's Spiritual Power! Something very powerful!" The little one affectionately tugged Du Chen's hair. "Papa, Little Beibei wants to grow up quickly! Then, Beibei will be even more powerful and can help Papa see through that person!"

"My darling will grow up very quickly!" Du Chen kissed his daughter's soft, pink cheek.

"Oh, then Papa should buy Beibei more delicious food! That way, Beibei will grow even faster!" The little one grinned mischievously.

"This little rascal," Du Chen chuckled. "Did the person who snatched Andy leave any The Clues?"

Everyone shook their heads. Only Harry said, "Master, that person seemed to have come prepared. He carried Seablue Grass on him, so even if your humble servant were to see him again, it would be difficult to recognize him!"

Could it be that the mysterious organization had discovered Andy's secret and dispatched The Master to kidnap him? Du Chen pondered for a moment, then instructed, "Brook, I'm entrusting this matter to you. Intensify the investigation! Porter, what's the situation at the harbor now?"

Porter stood at the very back, his calm face devoid of expression. His words were concise and swift. "The Merfolk are no longer worth discussing… I am currently negotiating with several nearby lords about developing maritime trade, and additionally, the Imperial Navy has agreed in principle to exchange ten frigates with us, so we may establish the Newin Navy…"

The flourishing state of the territory unfolded in Du Chen's mind as Porter spoke. However, he paid more attention to Porter's expression. This youth, who single-handedly shouldered the military and political affairs of the Newin territory, managing three hundred thousand civilians and thousands of new recruits with meticulous order, seemed to harbor some unspoken concern. Between his brows, a faint sense of bewilderment was subtly revealed.

Porter then handed Du Chen a dossier. "After the Merfolk's eradication, I drafted a detailed territory development plan. However, it involves significant implications and requires your approval…"

Du Chen took the dossier and flipped through a few pages, his eyes growing brighter and brighter. When he saw the plan on the final page, he exclaimed, "Porter, do you believe this is truly achievable? I need a definitive answer!"

"If you are interested, I will provide you with a detailed implementation plan," Porter's tone remained remarkably flat. Between his brows, the faint bewilderment still lingered.

"Good, I'll do it! Harry, assemble the commoners in the Lord's Manor square! At noon, I shall make an important announcement!" Handing his daughter to Harry, Du Chen rose and clapped Porter on the shoulder, smiling. "Before that, would you be interested in joining me for a walk by the sea? I wish to see what the ocean looks like without the blight of the Merfolk!"

Porter paused for a moment, then nodded.

...

Meanwhile, Andy, who had gone missing *yet again*, lay sprawled out like a dead dog in a hidden cave within Hidden Boa Mountain. His dark golden eyes were slightly squinted, his tongue lolling out. He cast a disdainful glance at the coarse food by his mouth, then shook his head, closed his eyes, and fell into a deep slumber!

"Andy! What exactly do you want?! Answer our questions, now!" Several figures stood prominently beside Andy. The leader was Brockman's twin brother, Adams! He glared furiously at Andy, resentment simmering within him. Ever since Andy was captured three days ago, he had adopted the air of a pampered lord, finding fault with everyone and being disliked by all in return!

Andy smacked his lips, still not speaking. Instead, he simply squinted his eyes at Adams, flicked his tail, and drifted back to sleep!

Adams, consumed by rage, suddenly grabbed Andy by the scruff of his neck and lifted him. "Did you hear me?! Answer me…"

"Enough, Adams! Do you have a death wish?" Balu, who had activated the grand formation two days prior to restrain Tendon-Severing, seized Adams's wrist and gently placed Andy back on the ground. His demeanor… was surprisingly respectful! He whispered into Adams's ear, "You absolutely cannot harm him, at least not until we understand the situation… Moreover, if Andy truly is… aren't you aware of the consequences of provoking him?"

Adams stomped his foot in exasperation, replying equally softly, "Damn it all! But this useless creature refuses to cooperate with us at all! Three days, and he hasn't uttered a single word! And we can't even beat or scold him into confessing… Ugh, what cursed luck! How did we end up with such a scoundrel!"

He clenched his fists in frustration. "I never imagined Third Master would rush here the moment he heard Francis returned to the city, all because Andy might very well be… Huh?"

Adams froze, because from the Andy he was holding… came the unmistakable sound of snoring!

Yes, Andy wasn't lost; he had been kidnapped *again*. However, the "bandits" were now serving Andy a meal, but the esteemed Andy looked down upon their coarse fare and drowsily drifted off to sleep…

Our Handsome Wolf Andy, though fond of eating and prone to laziness, and often a beat or two slower than even a dimwit in his reactions, this did not mean he was a fool! On the contrary, the Handsome Wolf was quite clever…

These past few days, Andy's thoughts had been rather creative… Day one: Hmph! You've captured me and barraged me with a heap of nonsensical, bewildering questions. The matter is quite simple then—you want to extract secrets from me! But who am I? I am Chris Andy, a Noble Snow Wolf with dreams and a discerning appetite! You want me to spill secrets?! No chance!

Er, "no chance" under the premise of *no torture*, that is. Alright, the moment I see a Tiger Bench or Chili Water, I'll honestly answer and confess everything… But now, since you're not torturing me, why should I volunteer any information? That's such a waste of saliva; I might as well just sleep!

Day two, Andy's thoughts shifted to, "Uh, why are they not only *not* torturing me, but cheerfully offering me food instead? And interrogating me with casual chatter, like gossiping neighbors? Forget it, I won't think about it. If you don't beat me, I won't confess. Who am I? I am… *huff-snore*…"

Day three: Damn it, these kidnappers are all paupers! I'm a Noble Snow Wolf with a very refined palate! I demand Rock Sugar Bird's Nest, Sweet and Sour Shark Fin, I want… anyway, I simply cannot stomach the black bread you're providing! Alright, I admit it, I can't endure your 'abuse' anymore. I'll confess, I want to return to my Master's embrace… Hmm, I'll talk to you after I wake up from this nap… I'm too weak from hunger right now…

Such were his thoughts and experiences over the past three days. Now, Andy was asleep *again*!

Adams and Balu stood around him, their eyes meeting, full of helplessness. Balu said, "Who would have thought this Andy, completely devoid of strength, actually has such backbone? Captured for three days, he hasn't uttered a single word or eaten a single bite, enduring like this! In that regard, he is quite admirable!"

Adams nodded in agreement, then frowned. "We've captured Andy as per Third Master's earlier orders, but he's on a hunger strike, refusing to speak even if it means starving to death… Third Master will be here any moment. What will we tell him?"

*Thump, thump!* Footsteps suddenly echoed from the cave entrance. This was followed by a questioning voice, cold and devoid of human emotion.

"Adams, have you still not uncovered the truth about Andy?"

A figure entered, clad entirely in a black clerical robe. Tall and imposing, his face was obscured by the black hood, making his features indistinct. Yet, his back was held ramrod straight, as if proclaiming that he was a man who would bow to no one!

Adams and Balu immediately stood with their hands at their sides. "Third Master!"

Third Master strolled into the cave, his eyes, hidden within the black hood, coldly fixed on the deeply sleeping Andy. "What's the situation?"

Balu whispered, "Third Master, Andy has immense backbone. For three days since his capture, though we dared not use torture to extract a confession, he has engaged in a hunger strike, not uttering a single word! The things you wish to know, we have yet to uncover!"

A hint of surprise and satisfaction entered Third Master's voice. "Excellent. If he were easily intimidated, I would look down upon him! Both of you, leave. I will interrogate him personally!" Third Master waved his hand. After his subordinates had exited, his footsteps suddenly hesitated. Slowly, step by step, he approached Andy, his gaze abruptly falling upon Andy's head…

A flash of brilliant light, and an ear-piercing sound wave materialized out of thin air within the cave, swiftly assailing Andy!