Bai Fan and the others stood with their mouths agape, staring blankly at the scene, completely dumbfounded.
“Sister Yun, is your martial skill really this high? You knocked that brute out in just a few moves!”
He had seen it clearly. The other kidnappers were tough nuts to crack, and Uncle Liao and the rest had struggled against them.
He hadn't expected Gu Qingyun to handle it so effortlessly. Was this the difference in natural talent? He was so envious.
Gu Qingyun took a breath. “Alright, I won by taking the initiative and launching a surprise attack from behind. It just gave you the illusion that I'm amazing. Let's bring these children back to the yamen first; we can talk about the rest tomorrow.”
Old Liao, Uncle Yu, and the other constables caught their breath and walked over, laughing heartily. “We actually caught a gang of child kidnappers! These scum definitely haven't done this just once. Who would've thought we'd nab such big criminals on a simple night patrol?
Just wait—once we interrogate them tomorrow, every one of us will get a nice bounty. Qingyun, you and Bai Fan are truly generous, waiting for us to come so we could share the credit. We owe you one!”
Gu Qingyun smiled softly. “Uncle Liao, Uncle Yu, let's tie them up and bring them back first. We also need to properly comfort these children.”
After tying the criminals up like dumplings, the group faced a dilemma. They had jogged over here without any transport, and all four criminals were unconscious, leaving them with no idea how to haul them back.
In the end, they borrowed a wooden handcart from a neighboring house, tossed the captives onto it, and worked together to push it back.
Gu Qingyun lagged behind the group. Beside her, the yellow dog bounded around her cheerfully. Looking at it, Gu Qingyun felt it was foolishly adorable.
It hadn't even been left with a complete body. From the moment it was alive, to its death, and to becoming a dog spirit, its only thought had been how to save its young masters.
She scanned the courtyard and spotted its bones hidden in a patch of weeds. Walking quickly into the house, she picked up a clean basket to gather its remains. Seeing that she hadn't kept up, Old Liao shouted loudly from up ahead, “Qingyun, what are you doing? Hurry over, we're heading back!”
“You go ahead first! I have something to take care of and will catch up shortly.”
Gu Qingyun found a low slope nearby and buried the yellow dog's bones there. Looking down at the yellow dog at her feet, she said helplessly, “Your masters have already been rescued. Why are you still here?”
“Woof, woof, woof!” the big yellow dog barked repeatedly.
Gu Qingyun pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. “Stop barking, I can't understand what you're saying.”
“Woof, woof, woof!”
“Alright, alright. You did a great deed saving people, so you'll definitely be reincarnated as a human in your next life. When that time comes, I'll be able to understand you.”
“Woof, woof, woof!”
“Little dog, are you cursing at me?”
The human and dog bickered as they caught up with the group ahead. A gentle breeze blew past, as if bidding a soft farewell to the big yellow dog.
...
The next day, as Gu Qingyun finished her shift, she happened to see the families coming to claim their children walking out of the yamen. The big yellow dog crouched at the feet of a married couple, its tail wagging so fast it turned into a blur.
Seeing her approach, the couple led the way toward her.
“Officer, thank you so much for saving our child!”
Snapping back to her senses, Gu Qingyun replied, “It was my duty.”
The couple looked at Gu Qingyun and asked, “Officer, did you happen to see a big yellow dog?”
Gu Qingyun sighed. “That dog was loyal. It was killed by the thieves while trying to protect its masters.”
Upon hearing this, the couple's eyes instantly turned red, and their voices choked up. “Our Xiao Hu and Xiao Yin cried and said Big Yellow was gone, but we didn't believe it at first and still held onto hope. Now hearing you say it, Officer, it seems Big Yellow really is gone...”
Gu Qingyun said, “It never left. To save its young masters, it was very brave—taking on four men all by itself and even biting the ringleader's leg. It was incredible, and it truly protected the children.”
Gu Qingyun's words caused the couple to burst into tears, no longer able to hold back their grief.
They had brought Big Yellow home ten years ago. Back then, the couple was busy earning a living, and Big Yellow was still a tiny puppy. Every time they returned home, it would waddle over on its short little legs to greet them halfway down the path.
Later, when they had children, Big Yellow stayed by their side every day like an older sibling, never straying a step.
In the past, whenever they had meat at home, they would pick a small piece for Big Yellow. Each time, it would run around the courtyard in sheer delight, filling the yard with joyful barks.
As the children grew older, Big Yellow still followed behind them like an elder guardian.
Whenever older kids tried to bully their children, Big Yellow would be the first to chase them away. Having Big Yellow around had saved them so much worry.
Whenever Xiao Yin and her brother went out to play with friends, the couple felt completely at ease. Who could have imagined that this would be their last meeting, and that Big Yellow wouldn't even have a body left?
Hearing this, Gu Qingyun looked back at the dog spirit and understood why it still refused to leave.
Dogs were fiercely loyal to their masters. If their master's family was in danger, it was impossible for them to abandon them; instead, they would do everything in their power to save them.
Even if it wasn't their master, as long as they were given an order, they would carry it out with all their might. Even if their owners treated them poorly, they never thought of running away.
Even if their owners were poor, they faithfully guarded the house, never thinking of fleeing to a wealthy family.
And if their owners wanted their lives, they would simply stand there foolishly, never considering escape. Chinese countryside dogs were all foolishly devoted creatures.
Gu Qingyun had also raised a dog in her past life. She remembered it was a little white dog with erect ears and a plump, round body—exceptionally adorable.
Every day, no matter where she went, it followed her. Gu Qingyun had raised it for four years, but in its fifth year, the silly dog ate something bad. By the time Gu Qingyun noticed, it was already breathing more out than in.
At the time, she lived in the countryside where there wasn't even a pet hospital. She rode her tricycle through town searching everywhere for a vet but couldn't find one, and when she went to the clinic, she was driven away.
She watched Little White draw its final breath. Even now, thinking of that little dog that had brought her warmth, Gu Qingyun couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.
Parents' love could be conditional, but only that dog gave her its whole heart and soul. After Little White died, she never raised another dog.
Only after sharing all those stories of Big Yellow's life did the couple finally stop talking. Wiping away their tears, the husband said, “We apologize for making a fool of ourselves, Officer, and for taking up your time. Thank you for your lifesaving grace.”
The couple led their children in bowing to Gu Qingyun, then slowly walked toward the exit.
Watching their departing backs, Gu Qingyun called out to them, “As for that big yellow dog... I buried its bones on the low slope to the far south.”
The couple turned back, eyes brimming with warm tears. “Thank you.”
Gu Qingyun looked down at the dog beside her feet. It wanted to chase after them, but because of the bright sunlight, it was forced to linger in the shade of the doorway. She sighed softly.
Returning to her room, she drew a Soul-Guiding Talisman with cinnabar, then walked back to the entrance. Taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, she swept Big Yellow's spirit into the yellow talisman.
Back in her room, Big Yellow couldn't wait to emerge from the talisman. Seeing the dog in the room, Little Black—who was resting inside—bared its teeth and growled. Once again, the cat and the dog began to scrap.
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