Chapter Sixty-Two: A Crime Not Deserving of Death

As the crushing weight was suddenly lifted from her, Zhu Xiaoying finally caught her breath and burst into tears. Her wretched state was laid bare before everyone, and all dignity was lost. Having been firmly pinned under Chou Shisanxiang all this time, she now felt pain all over her body.

Lu Hu frowned and glanced back at Yakeshi. Surely it wasn’t up to the divine to give orders for cleaning up the mess.

Yakeshi bit his lip in frustration: The handmaiden of the gods—I’ve coveted her for ages but never dared have any improper thoughts, yet you, you wretch, actually laid hands on her. Nothing will settle my anger but your death.

“What are you staring at? Drag him outside and behead him at once!” Yakeshi barked at several Changli guards who had just entered. What a filthy creature—an adult man soiling himself, the stench was unbearable!

The guards pinched their noses and dragged Shisanxiang out.

“Keep him under guard for now,” Lu Hu instructed. Shisanxiang’s crime was not deserving of death, and Lu Hu wouldn’t kill the innocent.

“Madam Jijing, tidy the kitchen thoroughly. You two help with the cleaning, as well,” he directed Ta Tai Jijing and Ma Lihong, then stepped out of the kitchen tent.

Suddenly, his eyes brightened.

Quan Zhenzhu stood outside holding Xiao Bai, waiting for him. The little girl had changed into a coat of white fox fur, standing tall and elegant, radiant with grace.

She flew into Lu Hu’s arms. “Brother, you’ve been inside for so long, I was so worried.”

Lu Hu teased her, “I soiled myself in there. Had to clean up.”

“Really?” Quan Zhenzhu’s wide, innocent eyes blinked up at him.

“Of course!” Lu Hu tapped her delicate nose. “Didn’t you smell something foul?”

She burrowed her head into his chest, sniffing deeply, and murmured softly, “Brother, you smell wonderful!”

Her slender figure seemed to lose all strength and she melted against him, soft and warm as jade. Such sweetness and allure made Lu Hu’s heart tremble; unable to restrain himself, he kissed her.

No, no, this is dangerous…

Changli guards stood scattered nearby. Should any of them catch a glimpse of this tender scene, what would they think? Your little flame of love, burning so fiercely… Lu Hu suddenly recalled a song from his previous life:

A true man must be a hero in life, a valiant soul in death.

And yet, even heroes cannot resist the charms of a beauty, and with such warmth and grace before him, why pretend to be some paragon of restraint?

Lu Hu scooped Quan Zhenzhu up into his arms, carrying her princess-style toward the main tent. Her legs dangled, swaying as she blushed, caught between fear and longing. A few more steps into the tent, and she would belong to him.

Yakeshi, following behind, hurried ahead to lift the tent’s heavy curtain. Bowing deeply, he kept his gaze to the ground, but when his eyes accidentally flicked toward Lu Hu, he shuddered and bowed even lower.

Seeing Yakeshi’s humble demeanor, Lu Hu suddenly thought of Yanali, and a pang of guilt struck him. Waiting at the tent’s entrance, Bai Dabai stood and growled, warning Yakeshi not to follow inside. Don’t be fooled by Bai Dabai’s beastly appearance—he understood all too well the affairs of men.

After Lu Hu entered, Yakeshi carefully lowered the curtain and backed away, keeping a safe distance. What shouldn’t be seen had already been seen; what shouldn’t be heard must never be heard. Should the gods become angry because of him, the consequences would be dire.

“Lingding Xiaowu, take Xiao Bai back,” Lu Hu said gently, setting Quan Zhenzhu on the tiger-skin seat, wanting to send the little troublemaker away for now.

This tiny creature couldn’t be allowed to see or hear things it shouldn’t. An innocent being deserved a pure environment, unsullied by any shameful sights or sounds—always to remain a gentle, contented little tiger.

Lingding Xiaowu trotted over, grabbed Xiao Bai by the scruff as Lu Hu handed her over. Xiao Bai, understanding, didn’t make a fuss and let her mother carry her away to the back entrance. Sensing what was about to happen, she had no desire to see or hear any of it, and would much rather play hide-and-seek with her mother.

Quan Zhenzhu lay softly on the tiger-skin seat, eyes shut tight, her body trembling slightly. Her long lashes fluttered, her rosy lips half parted, quietly awaiting the coming storm.

A bud about to bloom, peerlessly beautiful, soon to open into a dazzling crimson flower…

Suddenly, a sharp eagle’s cry pierced the sky, and just as Lu Hu was about to act, he sobered instantly, ripples of thought stirring within him.

He recalled the three stunning women he’d met along the way, all of whom had shown him great kindness. Yanali’s unwavering devotion, Quan Meiyu’s secret affection—what was he about to do? He must not betray Yanali, nor hurt Quan Meiyu. Quan Zhenzhu was still a delicate girl, her figure not yet fully grown. He was no beast to ravage a budding flower.

Better to cherish her as a little sister.

Suppressing his desire, Lu Hu gently drew Quan Zhenzhu into his arms. To hold this warm, precious form was enough.

Lingding Xiaowu softly licked Xiao Bai, doting on her cub but feeling perplexed: Divine One is truly divine—when it comes to creating gods, not a sound escapes. Not like me and Bai Dabai, whose raucous howls and wild chaos sent news of Xiao Bai’s birth sweeping across the land, and brought a flood of gifts before she was even born.

Perhaps I should learn from the Divine One—no matter what you do, always act with such decorum…

The sun slid gradually toward the west, its rays no longer harsh.

The wind took the opportunity to rise, sweeping the cold from the snowfields in a wild, merciless dance. In the kitchen tents, fires were kindled, and the cries of cattle and sheep drifted over as the cooks began preparing supper.

“Reporting to Grandmother Hu, I need to enter and serve the Divine One. For His sake, please let me in, Grandmother—please don’t unleash your divine might and scare me into wetting my trousers…” Ma Lihong’s trembling plea came from outside the rear tent entrance.

She had developed a complete phobia of Lingding Xiaowu; every time she entered, she would mutter such entreaties.

“Get lost—don’t disturb the Divine One’s creation!” Lingding Xiaowu roared.

“Oh dear, the tiger’s going to eat me!” Ma Lihong didn’t understand the tiger’s deep voice, but collapsed in terror, her muscles seizing up until she was a puddle on the ground.

Zhu Xiaoying fared slightly better, kneeling up straight with her eyes fixed on the tent entrance, ready to kowtow the moment Lingding Xiaowu appeared. Her hands were prepared: at the first sign of the tiger, she would drag Ma Lihong up and offer her as a shield, buying herself a chance at survival.

That silly, loud-mouthed woman—thinking she could outwit me? With a single thought, I could have her half dead in an instant…