Chapter 337: Grouchy, I think of you as my best friend.

Lingxi Calendar 4196, December 16th, Sunny.

Today is my sixth birthday. Mom promised to buy me a contract beast. At the beast market, I found a strange-looking little monkey with a red head, white feet, and dull eyes – somehow cute in its own way.

The little monkey was locked in a cage, looking so pitiful. I wanted to buy it. Mom asked the shopkeeper, who mysteriously claimed the monkey was like the legendary Xiangliu – a rare ancestral throwback with great potential.

But Mom was smart. Seeing how dull the monkey looked, how could it compare to Xiangliu? She used this reasoning to bargain and quickly bought the little monkey.

I formed a Master-Servant Contract with this monkey and named it Yanyan. 

“Yanyan, even though we have a Master-Servant Contract, I’ll treat you as my best friend.”

…

Lingxi Calendar 4197, September 1st, Sunny.

Starting today, I’m a first-grader. School sucks – they won’t let me bring Yanyan with me.

Since school forbids it, I’ll sneak Yanyan in secretly. Mom says I’ll make many friends at school, and Yanyan will surely make friends too.

…

Lingxi Calendar 4197, September 2nd, Light Rain.

The teacher was so mean! When I took Yanyan out to show my friends, the teacher thought Yanyan looked dangerous and locked it in an iron cage. Yanyan stayed there until Mom picked me up after school.

Mom scolded me harshly.

I was so upset today that I forgot to feed Yanyan. I wonder if the teacher fed it while it was caged.

Too late now – I’ll feed Yanyan tomorrow.

…

Lingxi Calendar 4200, March 19th, Cloudy.

Yanyan is amazing! It helped me reach Qi Refining Stage 9 so quickly.

Dad finally came home. I asked what kept him away so long. He said he’s a bomb shelter designer working on shelter construction – very sturdy buildings.

When I asked why build shelters instead of visiting me, Dad said although we control demon beasts through Master-Servant Contracts, “different species” blah blah… the beasts might break free and attack humans.

If beasts discover how to break contracts, humanity would be in danger. So we must prepare defenses to retaliate against possible beast attacks. Dad’s shelters are part of that preparation.

Adults worry too much! Beasts are our friends. We treat them so well – giving them food, drink and shelter. Why would they attack us?

“Right, Yanyan?”

…

Lingxi Calendar 4208, September 1st, Sunny.

Today I officially became a Beast Control Combat major at university.

Thanks to Yanyan, I aced the practical exams and entered Imperial University as the most promising Beast Control Combat student.

Graduates can become fighters competing in tournaments. With invincible Yanyan, I’m sure to win every match.

…

Lingxi Calendar 4208, October 21st, Heavy Rain.

The professor’s lecture was enlightening! So much strategy in beast combat.

In battle, self-preservation comes first. Contract beasts are naturally strong and don’t need protection. Our role is pushing them to fight harder, unleashing their potential, letting their lives burn brightly in combat.

But what species is Yanyan? Even the professor doesn’t know. Could Yanyan truly be an ancestral throwback like the legendary Xiangliu?

…

Lingxi Calendar 4212, June 4th, Cloudy.

One year after graduation, I chose the most lucrative combat format – human and beast fighting together.

Yanyan is incredible! It helped me reach Core Formation Stage at just 23. Could I really achieve immortality with Yanyan’s help?

Yanyan remains undefeated, making opponents tremble. We’re famous now, with advertisers lining up for partnerships.

…

Lingxi Calendar 4215, August 10th, Sunny.

Yanyan embarrassed me today – failed to protect me during battle and lost. No dinner tonight.

Yanyan’s performance seems to be declining. Maybe from constant fighting? I’ll try a few more matches. If Yanyan stays sluggish, I’ll give it some rest.

“Don’t disappoint me, Yanyan. I treat you as my best friend.”

Other beastmasters beat or scold their contract beasts. Only I treat you well – other beasts envy you.

…

Lingxi Calendar 4280, January 29th, Moderate Snow.

Yanyan ruined me! I hate it!

During the battle royale, Yanyan killed people – multiple victims!

Yanyan reached Unity Stage, gained sentience, can speak now, and even talks back! It claims I gave the kill order!

Impossible! Even if I was furious and lost control, I’d never order that.

Besides, couldn’t Yanyan disobey? Must it blindly follow every command? Idiot.

…

Lingxi Calendar 4281, January 30th, Heavy Snow.

The Supreme Leader personally came to speak with me.

He said I’ve earned fame and fortune through Yanyan, reaching the pinnacle of wealth and reputation. Now might be the perfect time to retire gracefully.

I’d like to quit. While Lingxi World has many tournaments, deaths in matches are extremely rare and taboo. But Yanyan killed multiple people publicly – what can I do?

The Supreme Leader said as fellow Unity Stage cultivators who’ve trained hard, if I pledge loyalty, he’ll help clear my name.

With his position unstable, he needs support from a world champion like me. After consideration, I agreed.

He suggested shifting all blame to Yanyan – claim the beast went berserk beyond my control. After a public trial declaring Yanyan guilty, executing it would end the matter.

Though unfair to Yanyan, this is ultimately its fault.

“Yanyan, I treated you as my best friend. You should understand my difficult position.”

That night, I wanted to explain this to Yanyan but couldn’t find the words.

I heard voices in Yanyan’s room – someone called Executor of Karma? Yanyan dares speak with outsiders without permission?

Whatever. Yanyan will die soon anyway. Let it enjoy its final days. What does this “Executor of Karma” matter now?