Chapter 87 Mangy Dog

They could do nothing but long for her from afar, their mouths watering with desire. Yet now, this charming beauty was calling out to him, and the young soldier felt a rush of joy, as if he had stumbled upon some great treasure. Ignoring the envious, jealous, and resentful looks from those around him, he happily trotted over.

He knelt down and reached out, intending to lift Lai Yuejing in his arms.

This noble body of mine shall henceforth only be touched by the divine lord; a lowly soldier like you dares to take such liberties? Know your place!

Lai Yuejing slapped away the soldier’s filthy hands. “You’re to carry me, not embrace me. Turn around—I'll get onto your back myself.”

The soldier obediently turned and knelt with his back to her.

Enduring the pain in her foot, Lai Yuejing grimaced and climbed onto his back.

The soldier, born of a poor herdsman’s family, had joined the army only to fill his belly. Back home, he was used to the musky scent of cattle, horses, and sheep, but now, the delicate fragrance from Lai Yuejing filled his nostrils, intoxicating and mesmerizing him, and he was instantly lost in a world of softness and tenderness.

He could not help but feel a surge of passion...

If only he could have a wife like this, his life would be worth living!

“Ma’am, from now on, my life is yours. If you don’t disdain me, I'll be your loyal servant for the rest of my days.” The soldier, struggling with Lai Yuejing on his back, vowed in earnest.

What did he mean by that? Is he confessing his feelings to me, or proposing marriage? Even a toad dares to dream of swan meat?

Lai Yuejing was about to scold the young soldier, but then thought better of it. Having a loyal, sturdy young man at her beck and call might not be such a bad thing.

In a gentle voice, she asked, “What’s your name, young man?”

“Replying to my lady, my name is Ragged Dog,” the soldier answered, meek and humble.

“Ragged Dog? Why such an unpleasant name?”

“My sister is Lai Yuejing, and I am willing to be her loyal hunting dog, so I call myself Ragged Dog.”

Lai Yuejing felt a wave of warmth in her heart and smiled playfully. “Did I ever say you could be my brother?”

“I know I’m not worthy to be your brother, but I’ve decided you’re my sister. I’ll be your dog for life, and if anyone dares to bully you, I’ll fight them to the death.”

“Very well! I’ll accept you as my little brother. From now on, you’ll follow me.”

With Ragged Dog carrying her, Lai Yuejing directed the soldiers in settling the Yellow Fox family and the White Eagle King. She then roused the cooks to prepare supper for the Thirteen Guardians and the divine couple.

Lai Yuejing had wanted to bring the meal to the divine couple herself, but her injured right foot throbbed so badly she could not put any weight on it, let alone walk.

She called for her subordinates to bring the dishes to the tent entrance.

“Roar…” Big White was circling the main tent, patrolling. With no Lingering Little Five guarding the back, she had taken it upon herself to act as a moving sentry.

“Halt! Who goes there?” Four shadows flashed before and behind the tent, arrows nocked and aimed at Lai Yuejing and her group.

The Thirteen Guardians had not rested after dinner. Before Ji Congliang set out with the main force, he had assigned sentries and patrols to the camp, but no one to guard the main tent.

The Thirteen Guardians themselves had decided not to use her arrangements.

They dared not trust the others completely, so they took turns guarding the divine tent themselves.

Lu Hu was deep in discussion with Quan Meiyu, poring over a map and strategizing their attack.

Lu Hu’s hearing was now preternaturally sharp; every sound from outside reached his ears, but his mind was focused on military tactics, so he paid them little heed.

Quan Meiyu, whose hearing was merely that of an ordinary person, only noticed the clamor outside when it grew louder.

“Brother, what’s happening out there?” Her eyes left the map and turned to her divine brother.

In the soft, hazy glow of the oil lamp, her limpid eyes shone like stars, and Lu Hu was momentarily mesmerized.

“Brother, what are you staring at?” Quan Meiyu’s heart fluttered like a startled fawn beneath his gaze, and she playfully punched his arm.

“Divine Lord, Divine Lady, supper is ready,” the Seventh Guardian announced from outside the tent.

Lu Hu collected himself. “Bring it in.”

The tent flap lifted, and with a gust of cold air, seven or eight soldiers entered in single file, each carrying fragrant baskets of food.

Last came a small giant—Ragged Dog, carrying Lai Yuejing.

Lai Yuejing directed the soldiers to set a grand table.

“In the future, there’s no need to be so extravagant. The two of us can’t possibly eat all this,” Lu Hu said kindly.

“I personally oversaw the cooks. The divine lord and lady’s meal cannot be careless,” Lai Yuejing seized the chance to show her diligence.

“How’s your foot? Did you injure the bone?” Lu Hu asked with concern.

With a thud, Ragged Dog knelt to the ground. “Thank you, divine lord. My sister’s foot is badly swollen. We don’t know if the bone is hurt, but she can’t walk. But don’t worry—I'll be her foot.”

“Oh, heavens!” As Ragged Dog knelt, Lai Yuejing’s foot struck the ground, eliciting a cry of pain.

Lu Hu reached into his robe and produced a small bottle—Yana Li had given it to him, containing trauma pills concocted by the Orolont healers.

For generations, Orolont people had survived in wild forests and mountains, and their injury medicines were famously effective.

Lu Hu handed one pill to Ragged Dog. “Give this to your sister with some wine. Her foot will heal quickly.”

“Thank you, divine lord! Waaa…” Ragged Dog burst into tears, his forehead touching the ground.

Lai Yuejing, losing her balance, tumbled forward and landed headfirst, finally sprawling atop Ragged Dog, knocking her head on the ground as well.

Lu Hu could not help but stifle a laugh at their comical plight as he reached to help them up.

Quan Meiyu, unwilling to let her divine brother touch that woman, quickly stepped forward and lifted Lai Yuejing by her shoulders.

With the weight gone, Ragged Dog scrambled up as well, his face streaked with tears and mud, looking like a painted clown.

“All right, enough. No more tears—go and rest,” Quan Meiyu said, clearly repulsed by Lai Yuejing.

“Thank you, divine lady!” Ragged Dog choked out. Swallowing hard, he reached back to gently support Lai Yuejing’s legs and, with a grunt, stood up.

“Wait,” Lu Hu called before they left. “The two of us can’t finish all this food. After all your hard work, you must be hungry. Take some back for yourselves.”

These dishes had been carefully prepared by the cooks, using the finest ingredients set aside for entertaining the highest officers.

Even Lai Yuejing, who dined with the officers daily, rarely tasted such delicacies—let alone the common soldiers.

The soldiers knelt and wept, thanking the divine lord.

Most of them had not served long. Being bullied by veterans was a daily occurrence, and all the hardest, dirtiest work fell to them.

As for the squad leaders, they never treated the recruits as human beings.

For the divine lord to treat them so kindly filled them with overwhelming gratitude.

Lu Hu and Quan Meiyu set aside enough food for themselves and had the rest packed up for the soldiers.

Tearfully, they left with their baskets of food.

Just as they stepped outside, they heard Quan Meiyu’s startled exclamation from within the tent…