Chapter 99: Dream Dream, the Honey Trap

On the road to Prosperity City, a girl rode a fine horse, her face faintly bruised with purple and blue, as if she had been struck.

“Hold it right there! Who goes there?”

The young woman slipped gracefully down from the saddle, lifted the brim of her conical hat, and spoke in the standard Salt City dialect of the Liao Kingdom: “This little sister is Mengmeng, from Salt City. A few days ago, I went to Industry City to seek my fortune, but I never imagined...”

As she spoke, she hid her face behind delicate orchid fingers and let out a soft, choking sob. “But I never imagined Industry City had already fallen. That villain Tang Chen tried to force himself on me, and when I refused, he locked me up. Only after I saw him ride south did I manage to escape by luck. Please, brothers, be kind and let me return to Salt City!”

When had the city guards ever seen such a lovely woman? In an instant their hearts were all aflutter, and even their legs seemed to weaken. Their voices turned much gentler as well, careful not to frighten the delicate young lady before them.

“So Tang Chen was all gentlemanly on the surface, but in private he’s no better than a beast. Don’t be afraid, sister. You’ve got brothers here.”

The girl’s lips curved in a faint smile, and she nodded slightly. “Thank you, brother. I’ll just borrow the road.”

The guard stepped aside, then caught sight of the injuries on her arm and could not bear it. He reached out and took her wrist. “Sister, wait—”

Perhaps realizing he had been too abrupt, he quickly withdrew his hand, his face reddening.

The girl paused and turned to look at him, her gaze clear and serene. “Does brother still have business?”

The guard scratched his head with an embarrassed grin. Blushing, he lowered his eyes to avoid her gaze and said, “Salt City was attacked by Renda before, so it’s not safe either. Why not stay here? Brother will protect you.”

“This... that wouldn’t be proper, would it?” The girl’s brows and eyes flowed like water, enough to unsettle a person’s heart.

Seeing that she seemed about to refuse, the guard immediately grew anxious. He slapped his chest and said, “The commander in charge of the city defense is our general, Nalda Ino. He’s a good man who cares for the people. Don’t worry, sister, General Ino will certainly take you in.”

“Oh... then...” The girl nervously twisted the corner of her clothes with her small hands.

Just then, a general riding a handsome horse came over, armored and wearing thick dreadlocks. His voice was rough as he looked down in displeasure at the two of them. “Why aren’t you out there guarding the city properly? Flirting here instead—have you grown tired of your head?”

The two of them looked up at him at the same time.

The general and the girl met eyes, and his gaze suddenly lit up. He almost toppled from the saddle in shock.

The city guard immediately knelt on one knee and said, “Reporting to the general, this is my younger sister. She has come to seek shelter with me. I beg the general to take her in.”

“Take her in! If she’s my brother’s sister, then she’s my sister too.” The burly man on horseback let out a hearty laugh, then looked at the girl and held out a hand. “Sister, come. Your brother still has to guard the city here. You should come back with me first.”

The girl cast a grateful look at the guard, then curtseyed to Ino. Her voice was gentle, yet carried a stubborn edge. “Mengmeng thanks General Ino. I can go on my own, so I won’t trouble the general.”

“Very well, I’ll walk with you.” Ino dismounted and stepped aside, making an inviting gesture.

The child hiding not far away could not help but snicker. She fought back a burst of wild laughter, eyes narrowed as she watched the city gate. She had been ready to rush out and save Mengmeng at the first sign of exposure, but it seemed her worry had been unnecessary.

“The charm of our Mengmeng is not something ordinary women can compare with,” the child murmured.

Beside her, Shadow Butterfly, who was crouched there as well, stared in a daze. “Mengmeng really is adorable.”