Chapter 278: Master and Servant

“Lo!” Bart called out anxiously as he hurried toward the building. 

The strange noises inside abruptly ceased. Moments later, the girl he was searching for appeared in the doorway.

“Bart…” Her expression was peculiar. She looked flushed, as if she had been drinking. But Bart’s eyes instinctively darted to her clothes, and he noticed they showed no signs of being disheveled.

“You’re finally here,” she said softly and walked straight toward him. Before he could react, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Lo, what’s going on…?” Bart asked, still confused.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like me anymore?” Lo whispered, her lips brushing against his ear, her breath tickling the fine fur inside. 

Then, without giving him time to think, she tugged him inside the building. Before Bart could fully process what was happening, they were wrapped in each other’s arms, collapsing onto a makeshift mattress.

“Isn’t this… a little too fast?” Bart stammered.

“No, I don’t want to wait another minute,” Lo said, her eyes glistening like water, pulling Bart into her orbit. “I want you. Right now.”

***

The sky finally began to brighten.

“Bart, where were you last night? Do you know what happened? Something terrible has occurred with those refugees!”

“Oh, really?” Bart replied indifferently.

“Several of them are dead. I wonder if it’s some kind of disease.” 

The person speaking to him muttered on, but Bart had already walked away, showing no interest.

“Six elders, four children, and five women,” one of the elders’ wives reported anxiously to Kirk. “It’s too strange. We must isolate them.”

“There’s no need to panic,” Kirk shook his head. “They trekked hundreds of miles, starving and exhausted, before reaching us. Some may have seemed fine, but they were probably already too far gone. These things happen. You said it yourself, they don’t show any symptoms. It’s like they just fell asleep.”

“But still…”

“Fine. I’ll head to Orgrimmar myself,” Kirk finally decided. “I’ll bring back a few elders and one of their bigwigs to figure out what’s going on.”

Bart approached from a distance then, and the two men exchanged a silent nod of acknowledgment.

“Just in time, Bart,” Kirk said. “Take your squad and guard this area. Until I return, no one is allowed near this house without explicit orders.”

***

It wasn’t until midday that Wu Qingsong finally woke up. Instinctively, he reached out beside him, only to realize that Ling was no longer there.

Last night had been absolutely wild for him. Ram had kept him occupied for hours, clinging to him until sheer exhaustion finally pulled her into sleep. Just as he thought he was free, Liuli had ambushed him the moment he stepped out, dragging him into another round of madness. It wasn’t until dawn that he managed to deal with her antics and make his way to Ling.

Ling had prepared warm water and a towel for him to freshen up, which only deepened Wu Qingsong’s sense of guilt and determination to do right by her. Her shy but gentle demeanor required extra care on his part. Their eventual union had been tender and heartfelt, and by the time they finally embraced fully as husband and wife, the sun had already risen high in the sky. Exhausted, Wu Qingsong fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.

“You’re awake?” Ling’s soft voice came from a short distance away. 

Wu Qingsong lifted his head and saw her standing there, wearing a simple yellow dress that glowed warmly in the sunlight, giving her an almost ethereal charm. Her cheeks were flushed.

“Ling,” he couldn’t help but call out to her.

“Mm,” she responded with a nod. 

Though they were now married, the intimacy of their new relationship seemed to have left Ling flustered and unsure of how to act.

Her endearing awkwardness made Wu Qingsong laugh. “What are you thinking about?”

Ling froze for a moment, her expression stunned, and then her face turned an even deeper shade of red.

Ling’s reaction made Wu Qingsong suddenly feel an urge rising within him, but before he could act, a knock came at the door.

“Wu! Ling! Are you awake?” Liuli’s voice called loudly from outside.

‘This girl, doesn’t she ever get tired?’

Ling hesitated for a moment before walking over to open the door. Liuli immediately bounded into the room.

“So, Ling, wasn’t it just as comfortable as I sai—”

Ling’s face turned bright red as she hurriedly pressed her hand over Ruri’s mouth, silencing her. Wu Qingsong couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

It looked like life from now on was going to be anything but boring.

The aroma of food wafted in from outside, carried along with tendrils of smoke from the kitchen fires. Wu Qingsong’s stomach growled, and he jumped out of bed. 

“Ram’s probably up by now too. Let’s go eat.”

Ling moved a little awkwardly as she walked, something Liuli didn’t seem to notice, but Wu Qingsong felt a twinge of guilt. Deciding to make it easier for her, he scooped her up into his arms. 

Ling let out a soft “Ah,” struggling lightly at first, but when she noticed Liuli smirking at them, she gave in and wrapped her arms around Wu Qingsong’s neck, letting him carry her toward the main hall.

Just before they entered, however, Ling insisted he put her down.

“This is enough,” she said softly with a smile.

“Lady Ling, Lady Liuli,” a maid greeted them with a polite bow before smiling warmly.

The title caught both of them off guard, leaving them momentarily stunned. Wu Qingsong chuckled and walked ahead of them into the hall, leaving the two to follow.

Ram was already seated in the position next to the main seat, dressed in full ceremonial attire. The elaborate outfit accentuated her radiance, making her look stunning and vibrant. Opposite her, slightly off-center, sat Harold, with two seats left empty beside him. Below Harold’s rank sat Angus and the others, while Nina took her place beside Ram. Flanking Nina were Daryl and several of the highest-ranking elders and chieftains.

The deliberate arrangement of seating made Wu Qingsong pause for a moment. It was strikingly formal but didn’t feel entirely out of place.

“Dear, you’re here. I was just about to send someone to fetch you,” Ram said with a warm smile, standing and opening her arms. 

Wu Qingsong had no choice but to quickly walk over and embrace her lightly.

“You rascal…” she whispered teasingly in his ear before calling out to Ling and Liuli, urging them to take their seats.

With a soft chime of the bell in front of her, Ram summoned a maid. 

“You may serve the food now,” she said.

Roast goose, grilled lamb, and a variety of vegetables were soon brought to the table. Each dish had been meticulously prepared following Wu Qingsong’s suggested improvements. Ram personally carved the goose and lamb, distributing the choicest cuts to the most important attendees while skillfully guiding the conversation, keeping the atmosphere lively.

Harold observed her with a subtle shake of his head.

Ram had effortlessly assumed the role of Orgrimmar’s mistress, fulfilling her responsibilities with grace and confidence. Yet, neither Wu Qingsong, Ling, nor Liuli seemed to notice the significance of her seamless transition.

Ling still regarded herself as Wu Qingsong’s personal attendant, while Liuli, despite officially becoming his wife, continued to act very much like a child.

However, neither Wu Qingsong nor the people of Orgrimmar viewed this as a negative thing. Among his three wives, only Ram was capable of taking on the role of a responsible and commanding presence.

This outcome was slightly different from what Wu Qingsong had once envisioned, but it was still a satisfactory result.

“A toast to our esteemed lord! May his marriage be blessed and joyous,” a porcine squad leader declared, raising his cup with a slightly slurred voice. 

Laughter broke out across the table as everyone raised their glasses in response.

Just then, a young houndman attendant rushed into the hall, his expression flustered. He hesitated for a moment before Ram beckoned him over with a gesture.

“What is it?” she asked quietly, still smiling and nodding to acknowledge the boar soldier’s toast.

“Lady Ram, someone from the Silvermoon side is here. They say something very serious has happened.”

Nina exchanged a look with Ram before pushing back her chair and standing.

“Everyone, excuse me for a moment,” she said to the guests, then quickly followed the attendant out of the hall.