Chapter Sixty-Five: Longing Through the Autumn Waters

The generals were all visibly excited—what a feast for the eyes this meal had become! Even though he knew there were eagles watching from above and guards protecting on the ground, so that Quan Meiyu was in no real danger, Lu Hu still felt a vague unease.

Suddenly, a sharp cry from an eagle pierced the sky.

Lu Hu finally breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed. The White-headed Eagle King had returned with its family, reporting to Lu Hu that their mission was complete. Lu Hu told Quan Zhenzhu to cover her ears, then stood up and cried out to the sky, signaling the Eagle King and its family to return to the eagle tents to eat and rest.

After a while, hoofbeats sounded outside the tent. Lu Hu stared intently at the entrance, waiting anxiously.

Outside, Quan Meiyu’s laughter tinkled like silver bells—clear and joyful—drawing everyone’s attention.

The entrance curtain lifted, and all eyes brightened: Quan Meiyu entered in resplendent red attire, her features delicate and striking, her beauty both natural and captivating. Behind her followed the tall, handsome An Shilu.

Quan Meiyu glanced at Lu Hu, then turned to whisper something softly to An Shilu, her face blooming with smiles, her demeanor intimate.

It looked like the behavior of lovers! No wonder they were so late returning—had they been out together, courting?

Lu Hu’s heart sank, as if something precious had been stolen, a chill enveloping his whole body. Quan Dounan’s face turned frosty. Little Guanyin’s expression changed dramatically, staring in confusion. The other generals, like Shi Zhenxiang, were filled with jealousy. Only Quan Zhenzhu beamed with joy, secretly delighted.

Judging by the scene, her elder sister must have found someone she liked—no one would compete with her anymore!

“Divine Lord, where shall the two of us sit?” Quan Meiyu asked Lu Hu with a radiant smile.

The two of you? The two of you? The two of you?

How did things progress so quickly!

Lu Hu felt as if his heart was being torn out—trembling, not daring to speak, afraid that tears would fall if he uttered a word.

Only in losing something does one realize it was true love.

Quan Meiyu had asked Lu Hu, but as the Divine Lord remained silent, no one else dared make a sound.

“Divine Lord, our two teams hunted together and ranged a bit far, so we returned late. I wonder if we’ve violated your military orders.” Quan Meiyu’s face darkened, a hint of challenge in her tone.

Her question met with no reaction from Lu Hu, and silence filled the tent. Quan Meiyu felt deeply displeased.

Lu Hu’s mind was roaring, as if his soul had left him. He didn’t know how to respond.

“Brother, what’s wrong? Sister is talking to you.” Quan Zhenzhu nudged Lu Hu gently.

What’s wrong with me? Why am I like this, feeling as though I’ve lost in love?

When did I fall for her?

We haven’t been together long, nor have we spoken much—how did my feelings grow so quickly?

Could this truly be love at first sight, as the legends say?

She is charming yet aloof, passionate as fire, and once risked her life to shield me from arrows. Was it then that my heart was lost to her? But Quan Zhenzhu also risked herself for me!

And then there’s Yana Li, who gave up everything for me, even her life.

What’s wrong with me? Do I fall in love with everyone I meet? Am I just a hopeless philanderer?

Lu Hu’s face darkened and brightened by turns, his thoughts surging like tides.

“Divine Lord, since there is no place for us here, we shouldn’t intrude any longer. Shilu, let’s go,” Quan Meiyu said angrily, turning to leave decisively.

“Sister!” Quan Zhenzhu cried out in alarm.

Who else but her sister would dare disrespect the Divine Lord so openly—in other words, to disrespect her as well? Quan Zhenzhu’s nose tingled; she nearly burst into tears.

“Meiyu…” Little Guanyin’s voice broke with sobs, unable to continue.

“You brazen thing! Have you no respect?” Quan Dounan slammed the table and shouted, “Guards, seize this unfilial child and await the Divine Lord’s judgment!”

He was fuming: This wretched girl has no sense at all. She doesn’t cherish such a good man as the Divine Lord and instead falls for a mere centurion.

“Enough,” Lu Hu waved his hand weakly.

Forcing himself to calm down, he took a deep breath, managed a strained smile, and said, “Meiyu, I don’t blame you.”

He paused, struggling to hold back tears and stifle the ache in his heart. “There will always be a place for you here. If you don’t like it, you’re free to stay or go as you wish.”

Quan Meiyu suddenly burst into tears, covering her face and wailing as she ran out.

She had acted too willfully—intending only to put on a show to provoke Lu Hu, never expecting everyone would take it seriously. Now, how was she to end this…

“Princess Meiyu!” An Shilu missed her with a reach, and hurried to follow.

“Stop right there!” Ya Kexi roared, leaping up, kicking his chair aside, and drawing his blade as he advanced on An Shilu.

To vie with the Divine Lord for a woman was a sure path to death.

An Shilu let go of the curtain, turned back, and stared challengingly at Ya Kexi. “Calling me? What do you want?”

His defiance only stoked Ya Kexi’s fury. “Damn you, today I’ll kill you!”

An Shilu drew his saber in response. “Come and try! I’ve broken no law—why should I be executed?”

As he spoke, he glanced at the centurions—seeking support in his eyes.

We’re of the same people; in a life-and-death moment like this, shouldn’t you stand by me?

The centurions all looked to Shi Gengxiang, who in turn sought Shi Zhenxiang’s gaze.

“An Shilu, put down the blade! This is the Divine Lord’s tent, not a battlefield. Whoever dares draw weapons here will die without mercy!” Shi Zhenxiang shouted.

Damn, that brat is undermining me!

Ya Kexi realized and quickly sheathed his blade. “I won’t kill you today. You get to keep your dog head on your dog’s neck for now.”

An Shilu retorted indignantly, “If my head’s a dog’s head, what’s yours—a wolf’s?”

He still held his saber aloft.

“An Shilu, are you planning a mutiny?” Shi Zhenxiang demanded coldly.

“And if I am? You drove me to it!” There was not a hint of fear on An Shilu’s face.

He had always been an ordinary soldier. His fair looks and robust frame made him the target of envy and the frequent victim of bullying by decurions and centurions. Even his battlefield achievements meant little; in their eyes, he counted for nothing.

Resentment had long festered in his heart. Seizing the chaos sown by Lu Hu’s policy of setting wolf against tiger, he fought with reckless ferocity, rising swiftly from a common soldier to centurion.

The more he threw caution to the wind, the more his fortunes rose. In just a few days, this belief was deeply embedded in An Shilu’s mind.

What was the life of a commoner worth? If nothing, then gamble it all!

If he couldn’t win glory, he’d wager his life instead.

“If that’s how you feel, don’t blame me for being ruthless,” Shi Zhenxiang said, eyes cold and murderous.

In a flash, he leapt to confront An Shilu.

An Shilu raised his saber and slashed—