Compared to the cautious movements of people walking through the ruins, Erniu was much more agile. With a few leaps, he ran to a collapsed roof and started barking.
In the morning light, the large dog looked majestic, mesmerizing the Crown Prince.
Look at Erniu’s graceful form, nimble movements, and smooth fur – far more pleasing to the eye than many people.
Erniu’s barking attracted a lot of attention.
Yu Jin walked over and asked Erniu, “Is there something alive inside?”
Erniu pawed at the rubble and barked several times.
Yu Jin immediately called over a team: “Be careful, there might be something alive in there.”
The village head, with his sharp ears, immediately shouted, “Quick, come here! There are still people alive!”
A crowd of people rushed over.
Yu Jin frowned. “Let these people do what they’re supposed to do. Crowding here will only hinder the rescue efforts.”
The village head’s face reddened as he shooed the people away, but stayed behind himself, muttering, “This is Gou Sheng’s house.”
Yu Jin glanced at the village head.
The village head explained, “Gou Sheng is that big fellow. His daughter had a fever, and he insisted on going home…”
At this point, the village head wiped his eyes and shouted at the ruins, “Gou Sheng, you stubborn boy! You had to insist on going home and taking your wife and child with you. That poor child is only three years old—”
Nearby townspeople who heard the village head’s shout had tears in their eyes.
Among all the young people in the town, Gou Sheng was the most capable. Despite having no parental support, he lived a prosperous life and even married the most beautiful woman within a hundred li. Their daughter was adorable too. But now—
“There might still be people alive down there. Maybe Gou Sheng’s family is alright…” People waited with a glimmer of hope.
Seeing Erniu’s reaction, the Crown Prince no longer planned to leave.
He wanted to stay and witness Erniu’s miraculous abilities.
Yu Jin stood not far from Erniu, reminding the rescue soldiers, “Be careful. Watch out for secondary collapses and falling debris that might injure those below.”
The rescue proceeded smoothly, but when they saw what they had rescued, an odd silence fell over the scene.
A fat pig with a broken leg was grunting, its small eyes darting around, warily observing its surroundings.
For a moment, no one spoke.
The pig saw the fierce-looking Erniu, froze for a moment, then quickly limped away.
Watching a pig sprint through the ruins, everyone silently looked at Erniu.
All that effort to rescue a lame pig?
Erniu, however, felt no shame.
Wasn’t a pig a living creature too?
If it were trapped underneath, his master would surely rescue it.
Yu Jin nodded approvingly at Erniu. “Erniu, well done. See if you can find any more living things.”
Pleased with his master’s praise, Erniu wagged his tail happily, barked once at Yu Jin, and then pawed at the ground.
Yu Jin’s expression turned serious. He thought for a moment and asked, “Is there something else alive down there?”
“Woof woof!” Erniu barked more urgently.
“Roughly where?”
Erniu circled some debris, lowered his head to sniff, and then barked once at Yu Jin.
Yu Jin pointed to that spot and ordered the soldiers, “Continue!”
The village head came over, his expression odd. “Your Highness, this old one remembers that Gou Sheng’s family raised two fat pigs…”
Having just expended great effort to rescue one lame pig, were they about to rescue another…?
Imagining the scene, the village head shook his head inwardly.
Yu Jin looked at the village head and said seriously, “As long as it’s alive, we can’t give up.”
The village head was taken aback and nodded repeatedly. “Your Highness is right. This old one was thinking wrongly.”
Half an hour passed, and the Crown Prince grew bored. He approached Yu Jin and said, “Seventh Brother, let Erniu come with me to check on their temporary shelter.”
He was planning to win some hearts there.
“Second Brother, haven’t you seen that Erniu is most useful here?” Yu Jin kept his eyes on the soldiers moving debris, not even glancing at the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince smirked, “Isn’t it just rescuing a fat pig—”
Suddenly feeling a pain in his buttocks, he looked down to find the large dog biting his backside.
The Crown Prince cried out in shock.
The attendant, too frightened to be afraid, stammered, “You beast! How dare you attack His Highness! Someone come quickly—”
“Erniu, let go.” Yu Jin gave Erniu an exasperated look.
Erniu reluctantly released his grip and licked his lips.