Chapter Eighty-Six: Lai Yuejing

The soldiers were thrown into confusion, instinctively thinking the enemy had charged in.

Seeing this band of riders coming straight for the gods, the squad leaders, despite being empty-handed, rushed forward one after another to shield them.

Most of the soldiers followed suit, surging around in a noisy mass to protect the deities.

Ji Congliang placed himself before Quan Meiyu’s horse, looking as if he would gladly die for the goddess at any moment.

The four dancer-courtesans also joined the ranks of those defending the gods.

Only the other camp courtesan and more than a dozen soldiers showed fear.

The camp courtesan and several soldiers went weak and collapsed to the ground, while a few others turned and fled.

Seeing this, the thirteen sworn brothers, unable to tell what was going on, drew their weapons and prepared to fight.

“We’re on the same side!” Lu Hu sent his voice out with full force.

Every soldier felt as though the god were speaking directly into his ear, and they instinctively parted, opening a path for the thirteen sworn brothers.

The thirteen men rushed over, dismounted, and knelt in worship before the male and female gods.

“You’ve worked hard. Rise first and rest,” Lu Hu said with a smile. Then his expression suddenly hardened, and he roared, “All of you cowards, get over here!”

The shock of his voice pierced the ears of the fleeing men and those lying limp on the ground. As though under a spell, they scrambled over on hands and knees and knelt before Lu Hu’s horse.

Only the camp courtesan, clutching her waist, came shuffling forward in tiny, wavering steps before dropping to her knees in a boneless sprawl.

“It’s only natural for a woman to be timid, but you seasoned veterans are just as cowardly. Have you no backbone at all?” Lu Hu said, full of exasperation.

The dozen-odd soldiers lowered their heads in shame and said nothing.

“God, I wasn’t always this timid. It’s just that I’ve had my monthly blood these past few days, and earlier I was terrified out of my wits by the god’s thunderbolt fire. As for these soldiers, they were newly conscripted in autumn and have never seen battle,” the camp courtesan explained in a syrupy voice, batting her eyes at Lu Hu all the while.

Truly worthy of her trade; she dared say anything in public.

Quan Meiyu’s face flushed scarlet at her words.

“You all needn’t follow General Ji anymore. Stay in the camp and do the menial work,” Lu Hu said. He did not want these cowards undermining morale.

“God, once we’ve gone to the battlefield and had some practice, we’ll be fine. Swinging a blade and killing a few men will toughen us right up,” the camp courtesan cooed, growing even more coquettish.

“You’ll stay in camp and do the chores. Start your training by killing rats,” Lu Hu said, knowing the grain and fodder stores would surely attract plenty of them.

“I don’t want that. I want to go to the battlefield too, kill enemies, and become a squad leader,” the camp courtesan said, draping herself in affectation and coaxing tone as she even rose to her feet and sidled up toward Lu Hu’s horse.

Quan Meiyu was seething with jealousy and, in a flash, drew her blade from her waist.

“Oh heavens!” The little wretch changed her face so quickly it nearly scared the life out of her.

The camp courtesan dropped to her knees, clutching her head. “Grandma, spare me!”

“Who’s your grandma? I don’t have a shameless granddaughter like you,” Quan Meiyu said. She was only frightening her; the blade remained in her hand and did not rise.

“You’ll be the leader of these people and have them do the chores,” Lu Hu said, pointing at the dozen-odd cowardly soldiers.

The men’s faces filled with shame.

“Put your heart into your work. The god grants you a name: Lay Yuejing. Remember it.”

It was a fitting name for this courtesan. Quan Meiyu smiled faintly and sheathed her blade.

“Thank you, God, for the bestowed name,” said Lai Yuejing. She no longer dared to act coy or flirtatious, but to be granted a name by the god filled her with supreme honor.

“These are my thirteen sworn brothers. First, lead your people in tending their horses and seeing to their food and rest,” Lu Hu ordered Lai Yuejing.

Then he turned to Ji Congliang and said, “Take your men and go do your work. I’ll be waiting for your good news.”

Ji Congliang and the soldiers all agreed at once and ran off to make preparations.

“Yuejing,” Lu Hu suddenly remembered something and shouted to Lai Yuejing, who was busily pointing and directing her subordinates.

“I’m here!” Lai Yuejing hurried delightedly to the horse’s side.

“Immediately enlarge the entrance of that large tent. Make the inside more spacious, and let my eagle stay there.”

Lu Hu pointed toward a military tent nearby, then glanced back at the White-Headed Eagle King.

Its sharp eyes had never stopped watching everything here.

Lai Yuejing hurriedly agreed, then cast a timid glance at Quan Meiyu. “Does the goddess have any other orders?”

“Set up two more tents and let our horses and the thirteen sworn brothers’ horses rest there,” Quan Meiyu said expressionlessly, not even deeming Lai Yuejing worthy of a glance.

“This greedy, domineering wretch. Just wait until you have the nerve to look down on me again; I’ll rip your mouth apart,” Lai Yuejing cursed inwardly while keeping a sweet smile on her face, then knelt at Quan Meiyu’s stirrup.

“What now?” Quan Meiyu asked in surprise.

“To help the divine grandmother dismount,” Lai Yuejing said, bowing her back.

Quite the smooth operator.

Lu Hu and Quan Meiyu exchanged a smile.

Quan Meiyu turned herself over and, planting her feet firmly on Lai Yuejing’s back, got down from the horse.

Lai Yuejing’s hatred nearly drove her mad, but she did not dare show it. Instead, she vented her anger on the horse. Scrambling up, she seized Lightning’s reins and tried to lead it away.

But how could Lightning possibly obey her? It twisted its neck and stood stock-still.

Lai Yuejing flew into a rage. Your master looks down on me, and this beast dares look down on me too?

I’ll deal with you!

She hauled on the reins with all her might, as though tugging at a great tree.

The more she pulled, the more defiant she became, bracing her feet and summoning every ounce of strength she had.

Lightning, deliberately intent on toying with her, had been standing firmly in place. Then, all at once, it stepped forward two paces.

Lai Yuejing lost her balance and fell backward into the snow, seeing stars as she landed.

Lightning lowered its head and looked at her miserable state with a smiling, almost amused expression.

Lai Yuejing kicked out like a rabbit striking an eagle, aiming straight for the horse’s head.

Lightning lifted a hoof, and Lai Yuejing’s foot struck squarely against the horseshoe.

“Aaah!” In recent years, Lai Yuejing had made her living by pandering and flirting all day long, rarely even leaving the camp tent. Her body was pampered and delicate, and this one kick stabbed through her to the bone.

“My dear mother, it hurts so much—broken, it’s broken, my foot is broken...” Lai Yuejing curled up on the ground, clutching her foot and groaning and sobbing pitifully.

“My horse is no ordinary horse. You’d best treat it well from now on and never entertain any wicked ideas about it again.” Quan Meiyu walked over, gently stroking the horse’s neck as she sternly rebuked Lai Yuejing.

Good grief, so it was a divine steed. Why did I ever provoke it? Lai Yuejing answered through tears, “I understand, Goddess. From now on I’ll honor the divine steed like my own grandmother.”

Quan Meiyu patted the horse’s back lightly, then turned and took Lu Hu’s hand as they entered the large tent.

“Hey, you—what are you standing there staring at? Yes, you. Hurry up and carry me!” Lai Yuejing called to one of her subordinates, a tall and fierce-looking little soldier.

Most of the time, Lai Yuejing had been keeping company with squad leaders and distinguished guests in the camp; squad leaders could hardly get close to her, let alone ordinary soldiers.