A devoted hound

News of the Royal Academy's recruitment spread through the Golden Star Empire, quickly drawing the attention of the major powers in all three nations.

Along the way, Dongfang Minghui saw many people traveling in the same direction as them. Most arrived surrounded by large entourages, and judging by their clothes, they held considerable status.

"Seventh Sister, Qingyan from the Azure Mist Sect saw both of us before. Will we really be all right?" Although Mu Qing had been blasted to ashes by lightning, she still felt uneasy.

Dongfang Wanyu took a sip of water and gazed at the green grass and shady trees outside. "The Azure Mist Sect's hands can't reach into the Royal Academy. Once we become its students, we'll receive a certain degree of protection from the academy. Besides, when he saw you, you were a young man."

Dongfang Minghui touched her face. She felt there must be something wrong with the eyesight of people in this ancient world. Could changing into women's clothes really make her unrecognizable?

"If you're still worried, I'll give you a Disguise Pill when the time comes. It'll alter your current appearance a little." Dongfang Wanyu noticed that her once overbearing ninth sister was growing more and more timid.

Hearing that, Dongfang Minghui felt half her worries melt away.

After resting for a while, the two continued their journey.

Dongfang Wanyu continued driving the carriage while she sat inside, pondering what the heroine had just said. Although entering the Royal Academy would secure its protection, its admission requirements weren't something just anyone could meet. The heroine had her cheat abilities. What did she have?

That question remained unanswered even when they reached Snow Capital, the capital of the Golden Star Empire.

"Ninth Sister, we're here. Get out first."

Snow Capital was a great metropolis, a glorious tapestry of splendor, majestic and ancient. From afar, an Ivory Tower could be seen standing at the highest point in the city, solemn and imposing.

"What are you staring at? You're completely transfixed." Dongfang Wanyu assumed that, since this was her first time leaving home, she was bound to feel out of place in a great city.

In truth, Dongfang Minghui knew from the book that the Ivory Tower at the city's highest point was their destination: the Royal Academy.

"Ninth Sister, I'll go take care of the carriage first. Wait here for me," Dongfang Wanyu instructed.

"All right, Seventh Sister."

Clutching her bundle, Dongfang Minghui watched the bustling crowds come and go and couldn't help thinking of her little companion. If Little Lecher were here, she probably wouldn't feel so lonely.

She entered the small workshop nearest to her. Its furnishings were ordinary. Bladed weapons hung on one wall and lay across the tables as well. The counter, however, was covered with medicinal herbs, all low-grade varieties. Pills were stored inside the counter, which was made of transparent crystal, a material resembling beast cores.

"Miss, is there anything I can help you with?"

Dongfang Minghui looked around but saw nothing she particularly wanted. Instead, she remembered what had happened in the Magic Beast Forest.

"Do you have any spatial rings here?"

Understanding what she wanted, the shopkeeper laid out all his spatial rings on the counter. "These are all our spatial rings. It depends on how many cubic meters you need."

Dongfang Minghui scratched her head. She only wanted a spatial ring to store miscellaneous belongings. Along the way, she had noticed that she alone carried a bundle while everyone else traveled empty-handed. It gave her the odd feeling of being a country bumpkin visiting the city.

"You can judge a spatial ring's capacity by the intricacy of its patterns. The more elaborate the pattern, the larger the space inside. This is the smallest model. Its design is simple, and it holds about five cubic meters of belongings." The shopkeeper explained everything to Dongfang Minghui with great patience and enthusiasm.

Just as she hesitated, unsure which one to choose-

"These aren't what we need. Shopkeeper, do you have spatial rings that can hold living things?" Dongfang Wanyu put the ring in her hand back down.

"Seventh Sister, have you finished everything?" Dongfang Minghui didn't understand what the heroine intended, but a spatial ring that could hold living things sounded quite good. Next time, she could put Little Lecher inside and let it experience the atmosphere.

The shopkeeper immediately gave a rueful smile. "Miss, this is only a small business. We really don't have any high-grade spatial rings. My apologies."

Dongfang Wanyu nodded and pulled her out of the shop.

"I told you to stay put. Can't you listen?" Dongfang Minghui said angrily. In the blink of an eye, she had been unable to find her.

Knowing she was in the wrong, Dongfang Minghui didn't argue. She lowered her head and stared at her shoes.

"Let's go." Seeing her look like an aggrieved little wife, Dongfang Wanyu couldn't bring herself to say more.

The two walked onward, one behind the other. Just as they passed a dark alley, they heard voices coming from within.

"Be a good girl and give this young master a good time, and I'll have them spare your crippled brother. How does that sound?"

"Lu Peng, you beast! May you die a horrible death!"

Sounds of struggling and curses continued to emerge from the alley, but not a single plea for mercy. The girl clearly had a fierce spirit.

Dongfang Wanyu listened for a moment and continued walking, only for Dongfang Minghui to catch her wrist.

"Seventh Sister, let's help her."

If they hadn't seen it, they could have ignored it. But now that they had stumbled upon it, she felt she would probably have nightmares that night if she stood by and let someone die.

Besides, that name, Lu Peng-heh, she remembered him. Another piece of cannon fodder used as someone else's weapon. But this minor character had a formidable family background.

They would offend him sooner or later anyway, so they might as well go all the way.

Dongfang Wanyu raised an eyebrow at her. Seeing that the heroine remained unmoved, she found a stick nearby and weighed it in her hand. A blow to the back of the head should be enough to knock that lecher unconscious.

Riiip! Fabric tore.

"You beast!"

"Be good, little beauty. Soon you'll experience the highest heights of pleasure. Come on."

Dongfang Minghui was creeping into the dark alley one step at a time when someone suddenly snatched the stick from her hand. Then several screams like pigs being slaughtered rang out inside.

She glanced around and realized just how secluded this place was. Even with the people inside screaming like that, no one heard them.

After a brief rustling from within, two people emerged. One was a girl biting her lip, her eyes rimmed red. Most of her clothes had been torn to shreds. She covered her chest with one hand while frantically smoothing her trousers with the other.

"Thank you for saving my life."

Dongfang Wanyu nodded without saying anything more.

Feeling terribly sorry for her, Dongfang Minghui took a men's outer robe from her bundle and handed it over. "Hurry and put this on."

"Thank you."

The girl quickly put it on. Since her build was similar to Dongfang Minghui's, it fit perfectly. She gently wiped the corners of her eyes. "It looks like you two have only just arrived in Snow Capital."

"How did you know?" Dongfang Minghui blurted out.

Dongfang Wanyu shot her a displeased glance.

The girl smiled bitterly and pointed at the unconscious man inside. "Everyone in Snow Capital knows that Young Master Lu Peng isn't someone you can afford to offend. His men are guarding the alley entrance. Though you helped me today, you've also offended one of Snow Capital's major powers. I'm sorry. I've dragged you into this."

Dongfang Minghui blinked, then blinked again. She tugged pitifully at Dongfang Wanyu's sleeve. "Seventh Sister, it's all my fault."

"I hit him from behind, so he probably doesn't know it was us. Let's go. We still need to find somewhere to settle down today." Seeing her pitiful expression, Dongfang Wanyu couldn't help reproaching her.

Hearing that they needed a place to stay, the girl kindly offered, "You two helped me today. If you don't mind my humble home, I have an empty room where you can spend the night. I can also lead you out through the alleys so you won't run into Lu Peng's men."

Dongfang Minghui didn't mind either way. She blinked up at Dongfang Wanyu and tugged her sleeve, making it clear that she wanted to go.

"All right. Sorry for the trouble tonight."

The girl's name was Nan Nan. She lived in a secluded part of the city. Both her parents had died, leaving only her older brother, Nan Fei, whose legs were paralyzed.

Along the way, the three briefly introduced themselves. Dongfang Minghui and Dongfang Wanyu both used aliases: Qian Minghui and Qian Wanyu, respectively.

Dongfang Minghui couldn't help grumbling inwardly. Her own surname, Dongfang, sounded better. Sharing the heroine's surname always felt a little strange.

"Minghui, Wanyu, could you keep what happened today a secret for me?" Nan Nan stopped several hundred paces from her front door and spoke softly.

The two exchanged a glance. Guessing that she didn't want her older brother to worry, they nodded in agreement.

Nan Nan's home stood in a secluded spot, without a single neighbor within a hundred li. The house had little more than four bare walls, and its surroundings were simple, but the room had been arranged with great warmth.

Nan Nan looked a little embarrassed. "I'm sorry. It's already late, so please make do for tonight."

"It's fine." Dongfang Wanyu didn't mind. The place where she had lived in the Dongfang Family estate hadn't been much better.

"Is that Nan Nan back?" A gentle voice came from inside. There was a hint of raspiness to it, making it quite alluring.

"Yes, Big Brother. Wait a moment. Two friends have come over, so I'll look after them first." In her room, Nan Nan quickly tidied up her disheveled appearance, changed her clothes, and tied up her hair until nothing seemed amiss.

Dongfang Minghui and Dongfang Wanyu waited outside. Both were a little surprised when she emerged. Nan Nan had composed herself so well that she looked nothing like a girl who had nearly lost her chastity.

Nan Nan smiled at them, then went into her brother's room and wheeled him out. "Big Brother, these are two friends I made today. This is Qian Minghui, and this is Qian Wanyu."

Nan Fei had a handsome face that was impossible to forget. He wore a faint smile and looked gentle and courteous, just like his voice, as soothing as a spring breeze. His complexion was somewhat pale, probably because he rarely saw sunlight. Even seated in a wheelchair, he possessed such a distinctive bearing that they found it hard to believe the siblings came from an impoverished family.

"Minghui, Wanyu, this is my older brother, Nan Fei."

Dongfang Minghui marveled inwardly. Another devoted-hound male lead.