Chapter Twenty-Two: Stalemate

Perhaps the wolf-green dog’s urge to attack was not particularly strong. As soon as Zhang Congwen extended his hand, the animal halted abruptly, remaining where it was and locking eyes with him.

Had there been no one else around, Zhang Congwen could have looked away, turning his gaze elsewhere to convey his reluctance to fight. The crisis might have passed just like that. For dogs, direct eye contact signifies a challenge, while deliberately avoiding it tells the other party you wish to avoid trouble.

But in the complex environment of the dog market, any shift in the surroundings could agitate the wolf-green dog. Thus, Zhang Congwen had to keep his eyes fixed on it at all times, lest it launch a sudden attack. Fortunately, most visitors to the dog market understood dogs well enough—not a single person screamed or acted in a way that might further provoke the wolf-green dog.

Still, Zhang Congwen’s tension mounted, though he dared not show it outwardly. All he could do now was maintain eye contact, hoping to overpower the dog with his presence and force it to back down.

As a guard dog, the wolf-green was naturally not so easily cowed. Even as Zhang Congwen’s aura pressed upon it, the animal neither retreated nor advanced.

It was clear, without needing to guess, that the wolf-green dog was weighing the situation, calculating its chances if it attacked this human.

Guard dogs do not attack recklessly when not defending their master or territory. This wolf-green dog would not risk provoking the formidable-looking Zhang Congwen without cause.

“Sit.”

As Zhang Congwen stared into the wolf-green dog’s eyes, a man’s voice rang out from nearby. At the sound, the dog obediently sat on the spot and turned its head aside, deliberately avoiding Zhang Congwen’s gaze.

It seemed the one who gave the order was indeed the dog’s owner.

Relieved, Zhang Congwen lowered his outstretched arm and shifted his gaze away, easing the pressure on the animal.

Still, he stayed where he was. He did not know the dog’s temperament, and there was no telling whether it might suddenly lunge at him.

To Zhang Congwen’s relief, the dog’s owner was clearly knowledgeable. In such a situation, ordering the dog to sit calmed it. Had he scolded or berated it, the effect might have been quite the opposite. Luckily, the wolf-green dog was obedient and followed its master’s command even now.

The owner hurried over and secured the iron chain around the dog’s neck, shortening it to restrict the animal’s movement as much as p