Chapter 136: Welcome

When Wu Qingsong and his group departed, it was the tail end of spring in the Esola Hills, but upon their return, midsummer had fully set in.

Thanks to Nina’s escort, they traveled along the smugglers’ path that cut through the Tecks Mountains. It seemed the insectoids had been largely cleared out, so the most significant threats on their journey were wild beasts and the hunter groups and mercenary troops that appeared ready to turn bandit at any moment.

The desert’s events likely hadn’t reached this area yet, but the Hangman Lord’s reputation still wielded sufficient deterrent effect. Observers quietly scoped them out and, upon recognizing their identities, quickly dispersed, allowing them an uneventful return to the territory around Elmons Mine.

The bodies still hanging on either side of the road continued to serve as a grim warning to any would-be aggressors, yet the distinct wagon tracks on the road indicated the area was beginning to recover its former bustle.

Throughout the journey, Wu Qingsong had suppressed the urge to hasten their pace. However, as a town now significantly larger than when they had left finally came into view, he couldn’t resist spurring his horse to a faster trot.

The patrol team quickly noticed them and approached. Recognizing Wu Qingsong and his companions, they erupted in cheers and came forward.

“Lord! You’ve finally returned!”

“What happened?” Wu Qingsong asked urgently.

“Nothing happened, but without you, there’s always a sense of unease,” the patrol said.

It was the kind of flattery that made Wu Qingsong laugh.

As they neared Orgrimmar, someone atop the inner city’s towering turrets started waving flags and sounding horns. Shortly afterward, the city gates swung open, and soldiers quickly filed out, lining up on both sides to greet their returning party.

“Welcome back, Lord!” they all shouted as Wu Qingsong rode through the gates.

This greeting momentarily took Wu Qingsong aback, but he had to admit, this novel welcome gave him a profound sense of delight. For the first time, he genuinely felt like he was returning home.

Ram, with Liuli and Feya in tow, stood at the very front of the crowd, while Harold and the other houndmen, including Angus, positioned themselves to the side. When Wu Qingsong dismounted, Liuli immediately threw herself at him.

“Why were you gone so long? You lied to us!”

Her tears made Wu Qingsong somewhat uncomfortable, but fortunately, Ling quickly took Liuli aside to calm her down.

“Welcome back, Lord,” Ram, along with the women and children, respectfully greeted Wu Qingsong.

Unlike the others’ rowdy welcome, Ram’s gesture was poised and alluring, making her modest height stand out among the crowd, which made Wu Qingsong feel an impulse to sweep her off her feet right there and then.

“Did you organize all of this?”

“Don’t you like it?” Ram asked, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

“No, I really like it. It’s just that I was a bit unprepared,” Wu Qingsong said.

It was difficult to pinpoint his exact feelings at that moment, but he knew for certain he didn’t disdain the respect from everyone.

He strode over to Harold, shared a brief hug, and then did the same with Angus.

“Folks, we’ve returned!” he declared loudly.

They had departed with eight people and eight horses, but they returned with seven people and fifteen horses. The grieving families were understandably mournful, yet such losses had become a norm in their world, for their group.

The rest understood this meant Wu Qingsong and his companions had achieved significant success on their journey. Thus, a festive mood swiftly spread throughout the entire town, even reaching the commercial district encircled by simple wooden walls at the foot of the hill.

“Let’s get ready to celebrate,” Ram instructed one of the houndwomen.

People sprang into action. Harold and his team stored the goods Wu Qingsong and his team brought back in the inner city’s warehouse. Meanwhile, Wu Qingsong seized the moment to pull Ram aside to a secluded area and kissed her deeply.

“What exactly went on?” he asked amidst the kisses, feigning severity. “What have you been up to while I was away?”

“I simply did what had to be done~” Ram, too, got somewhat lost in the moment, yet she pragmatically halted Wu Qingsong’s roving hands. “If you don’t like it, then change it back.”

“See how I’ll deal with you.” 

As someone passed by, Wu Qingsong reluctantly released her, and she couldn’t help but sneakily laugh, resembling more a fox than a raccoon.

Before the celebration began, Ram led him to Orgrimmar’s highest point, the tower atop the city hall. From this vantage point, they could see all of Orgrimmar spread out below them.

“We’ve completed most of the work according to your plans,” Ram, nestled in his arms, detailed the changes that had happened in his absence. “Over there is the factory, housing all the machinery and equipment, under tight security. That’s the barracks, the pool there is for firefighting, that passage is exclusively for loading and unloading, usually kept closed, over there is…”

For every location she pointed out, Wu Qingsong rewarded her with a kiss, continuing until she became too flustered to speak.

“You’re such a bad boy,” she sighed, thoroughly pleased.

“I just wish I was a real bad boy,” Wu Qingsong said.

Ram responded with a playful slap.

“Harold has recruited a group of terriermen. We now boast over two hundred soldiers.”

“Terriermen?” Wu Qingsong briefly paused, then chuckled and shook his head. “No matter, our haul this time was big. We could even support five hundred soldiers without issue, no problem.”

The celebratory banquet quickly got underway, held in the grand hall on the city hall’s first floor.

At that moment, Wu Qingsong understood that the celebration wasn’t just a welcome for him but also to formally acknowledge the terrierpeople who had joined during his absence.

Their stature was small, but their demeanor was fierce.

Wu Qingsong learned from Ram that, like the houndfolk, the terrierpeople were on the fringe within the canine races, renowned for their loyalty. Despite their short stature, their combat effectiveness was not to be underestimated, particularly their fighting spirit, which was even stronger than that of the mastiffkin. However, they were more rebellious and difficult to tame than the houndfolk. It was precisely for this reason that she and Harold had orchestrated a grand welcome for his return, to reinforce his status and authority.

One by one, the terrierpeople came forward, announced their names, kneeled on one knee, and swore loyalty to Wu Qingsong. He, following tradition, encouraged them, accepted their allegiance, and promised them ample rewards. After the last terrierman finished their oath ceremony, Wu Qingsong was finally able to stand up from his seat of honor.

“Now, let the celebration begin.”

Houndwomen served up hefty portions of roast meat, houndmen pried open barrels of wine with their swords, and a wave of cheers erupted.

“May the Mother Light and all gods bless our lord!”

“May the light of the ancestors shield the Hangman!”

“May our lord have a long and victorious life! Undefeated and invincible!”