Chapter 78: Divine Father

The Bald Eagle King stretched his sharp beak wide, but all that came out was a great, resounding yawn.

The Eagle Queen yawned as well.

As if infected by the atmosphere, everyone inside the tent began to yawn in turn.

It was well past midnight, and every living soul was now overcome with drowsiness.

“Brother Bald Eagle, sorry to have disturbed you tonight. We’re heading back to rest, you should get some sleep too!” Lu Hu smiled warmly, his words trailing off into a series of soft clucks as he turned and stepped out of the eagle tent.

Outside, everything was a sea of white. Snowflakes danced and tumbled in the sky, drifting east and west before softly settling to the ground.

Bai Dabai let out a thunderous tiger’s roar and shot out from the tent entrance like an arrow loosed from its bowstring.

Behind Lu Hu, Turtlefield Ricebucket Jiro gave a startled yelp, bracing himself as if preparing for a fight to the death.

“Dabai, don’t hurt him; he’s one of us now,” Lu Hu called out in tiger speech, reaching out to restrain Bai Dabai.

Bai Dabai bared his teeth, still bristling with anger.

Lu Hu gently stroked the great tiger’s massive head, then turned to Yakeshi and said, “Send word to every post: Turtlefield Ricebucket Jiro is now our Night Raid Captain, with authority over night patrols.”

“On it!” Yakeshi agreed and was about to leave when Lu Hu added, “Walk the camp with him once, let the men see he’s someone I trust.”

“On it!” Yakeshi shot Turtlefield Ricebucket Jiro a glare and motioned for him to follow, striding ahead.

“On it!” Turtlefield Ricebucket Jiro, his tongue still tripping over the words, imitated Yakeshi’s reply, bowing deeply at nearly a right angle as he did so.

He jogged after Yakeshi, trailing behind him like a loyal hound.

The snow was falling harder now—a blizzard seemed inevitable tonight.

If it got too deep, tomorrow’s march would be a struggle.

Frowning, Lu Hu entered the command tent.

Just two steps from the door a folding screen stood, shielding the women’s quarters—where Mary Red and Zhu Xiaoying slept. Faintly, he could hear the even breathing of two sleeping figures.

From the partition came the hush of whispered conversation, which abruptly ceased. Moments later, Quan Zhenzhu poked her head out.

“Brother!” she cried in delight, flinging herself at Lu Hu.

She plucked off his fox-fur hood, gave it a gentle shake, then brushed the snow from his shoulders.

“Why aren’t you asleep?” Lu Hu murmured reproachfully, turning so she could dust him off.

“If you’re awake, I won’t sleep either,” Zhenzhu said playfully, brushing the snow from his shoulders as she pouted.

Quan Meiyu strolled over, a smile in her eyes. “Divine Brother, the snow is falling hard outside. I doubt we’ll make it out for a hunt tomorrow.”

“We’re not going hunting tomorrow,” Lu Hu replied, accepting the fox-fur hood from Zhenzhu.

“Good!” Zhenzhu grinned, hugging his arm. “Let me measure you, Brother. I’ll sew you a white fox-fur robe.”

Lu Hu tapped her dainty, upturned nose. “That’s a lot of work—let the tailors do it.”

“I won’t! I want to sew it myself, just for you,” Zhenzhu challenged, her beautiful eyes locked on his.

“All right, all right, whatever you say.” Lu Hu pressed a kiss to her smooth, jade-like forehead.

“Divine Brother, if there’s no hunting tomorrow, does that mean we’re setting out to attack Xilot?” Meiyu asked, seeing her sister satisfied and no longer fussing.

This girl is clever, Lu Hu thought. One day she’ll be my right hand.

He looked at Meiyu with admiration. “Yes! How did you know?”

“Speed is the essence of war. You wouldn’t give Xilot time to prepare,” Meiyu replied, kneeling to help Lu Hu remove his riding boots as he sat on the bed.

“What’s your advice, Meiyu?” He gazed at her, thinking how lovely she looked kneeling at his feet—smart, sensible, understanding. She’d make a fine wife.

Zhenzhu clambered onto the bed, kneeling behind Lu Hu to gently massage his shoulders.

“Before the troops move, the grain must go first. We should take yesterday’s game, march hard, and seize the left division’s fodder depot as quickly as possible,” Meiyu said, pulling the grass insulation from Lu Hu’s boots and setting it by the fire to dry.

This grass, unique to the cold lands, was slender, soft, strong, and incredibly warm—a local treasure for warding off the chill.

“Meiyu, will you be my military advisor?” Lu Hu wanted to keep this gem close.

“Meiyu will serve however you command,” she replied, smiling as she offered a formal salute.

“Brother, I want to be your advisor too! Please?” Zhenzhu stopped massaging and flopped onto his back, hugging his neck and pleading.

“All right, all right. You’ll be my records officer, Meiyu will be my policy advisor. The records officer stays by my side and outranks the policy advisor. Happy now?” Lu Hu winked at Meiyu, hoping Zhenzhu wouldn’t start another round of mischief.

Meiyu clasped her hands in salute. “Advisor Meiyu greets Lord Zhenzhu.”

“Yes, yes, dearest sister, you may rise!” Zhenzhu, for the first time in her life, outshone her older sister and was overjoyed, rubbing her soft little face against Lu Hu’s.

This darling girl is making a mess of my heart—but not my bed, not yet.

Lu Hu gently patted her delicate hands on his chest. “Little one, don’t be naughty. It’s late. Time to rest, we march at dawn. Be good.”

“I don’t want to put my shoes on—carry me back,” Zhenzhu whined, unwilling to let go.

“Climb on my back, I’ll carry you,” Lu Hu said, reaching behind to lift her.

After escorting the sisters back to their room, Lu Hu returned, sat cross-legged on his bed, and carefully checked his divine weapons and shield, tucking them beside his pillow.

He closed his eyes, guiding his inner energy through his body in a full circuit, working his cultivation before finally settling down to sleep…

…

…

“Big noisy donkey, the sun’s up and you’re still not up for your exercises?” His father entered the room with a stern face.

Lu Hu woke with a start, his nose filled with the mouthwatering aroma of roasting meat.

He heard the soft sounds of water—the Quan sisters quietly washing up.

Then came gentle footsteps, unmistakably those of Mary Red and Zhu Xiaoying moving about on tiptoe.

So it had all been a dream.

Lu Hu smiled to himself. They say a married man forgets his mother, but even with three sweethearts, I still remember my father.

I wonder how my father’s injury is healing. In my past life, with the status and power I have now, I would’ve found the best surgeon to reattach his severed hand no matter what.

His father’s wrist wound must have closed by now.

Once things settle here, I’ll find a skilled craftsman to make him a prosthetic.

Ironhand Lu Song—the divine father of the Blue Star Continent! Who would dare show him anything less than respect?