Chapter Twenty-Two: The Princess Grows More Beautiful

Lu Hu was deep in thought as he raised his hands high and shouted at the top of his lungs, "I am Lu Hu, the Catcher of the Living! Do not shoot!" His voice echoed across the wilderness, as if Lu Hu were calling out from every direction. With such power, was his reputation as the Big-Mouthed Donkey earned for nothing?

The border soldiers relaxed their bowstrings, no longer ready to fire, but kept their arrows nocked, remaining vigilant. Clearly, they had suffered enough to develop a lasting fear. As Lu Hu drew closer, he removed his helmet, and the soldiers finally recognized him. Instantly, cheers erupted, and they ran to greet him.

"General Lu, you have returned!"

"Now we can finally stop worrying day and night."

"With Catcher Lu back, let's see if those thieves dare to act so arrogantly."

"General, we've missed you so much!"

They clamored around him, each speaking at once. Lu Hu could only nod and smile in response to each, acknowledging their greetings.

He pointed behind him and introduced, "This is Catcher General An."

"Wow, what a hero!"

"He's so tall and fierce—he could easily take on three or five like me."

"Let’s see if those thieves dare to come now..."

The soldiers noisily surrounded An Shizhu. Lu Hu seized the chance to ask the captain leading the group, "Brother, what happened? Why all this commotion?"

"General, a group of thieves sneaked into the camp last night. They stole three warhorses and took Captain Pei's belongings."

Three horses stolen? That meant no more than three thieves. Their boldness was impressive, as was their skill—daring to rob the commanding officer inside the military camp.

Of course, the wealthiest in the camp were the officers. The more dangerous the place, the safer the loot. These thieves clearly had brains...

Thinking further, Lu Hu asked, "Anyone injured? How is Pei now?"

"Master Pei was tied up in his tent and badly beaten. When the thieves escaped, the night patrol discovered them. In the pursuit, one was killed, two wounded, and five horses were shot dead," the captain replied concisely.

Lu Hu quickly pictured the scene: agile thieves sneaking in at night, heading straight for the luxurious main tent, tying up Pei Erbi, beating him for information. Unable to leave the treasures behind, they went to the stables, took three horses, loaded them with loot, and tried to leave—only then were they spotted by the patrol. Relying on their martial skills, they fought their way out. The thieves, expert archers, shot at the pursuers' hors