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"I’ve long heard that the Sun Eclipsing Sword Skill passed down by the Yang Family of the Ming Sect can melt metal like ice, and this Red Charcoal Fire Dragon Colt, fierce and pugnacious, also seems like fate. This fine horse was originally the mount of a tribal leader of a ten-thousand-strong army of barbarians. I captured it last year. It’s only fitting for Chief Yang to have this horse!"
"This dark green steed used to belong to the great Tartar general Buyan, and it’s a spoil of war I obtained after the great victory over Wulianghai. Riding it as I took charge of the military in Liaodong was indeed auspicious, and I’m sure Zhou will like it."
"In bygone days, the Overlord of Chu’s steed of black and white left its bravery etched in history. Though this Thunderous Leopard steed falls far short of the black and white horse, its bravery and strength still make it a gem among thousands. Surely the Xiang Family’s invincible lad will fancy this Thunderous Leopard."
"This one... against a backdrop of misty miles, was a foal my elder brother snatched from the Aru tribe the year before last. At first, it was skinny as a rail, unimpressive to look at, but who would have thought it would grow more and more unusual. Its hooves were cloven, its eyes glowed green, and its tail was like an iron rod. It relished raw meat, possessed boundless strength and a fiery temperament, and to this day no one could tame it. An old hand who knew horses said this one was of dragon breed, not to be ridden by anyone less than a peerless hero. We three brothers clearly aren’t destined to be peerless heroes, so you take it and give it to that boy Yang Erlang, and see if he has the fortune to ride it!"
Wu Eryong looked up in shock at the immense beast in front of him, its body was lustrously dark except for a snow-white spot on each hoof and its forehead. Its coat shone like satin, its back as tall as half his height, muscles coiled all over its body, and although it was a herbivore, its eyes glinted with the ferocity of a carnivorous beast. It wore a large muzzle made of fine steel, and Wu Eryong couldn’t shake the feeling that he might not be able to win against this horse...
Feeling stared at for too long, the irritated Misty Miles snorted loudly, cocked its head, and glared at Wu Eryong with its oily green eyes. Its fierce expression was like that of a burly bully looking down at a pitiful and weak passerby and asking, "What are you looking at?"
Snapping back to reality, Wu Eryong stepped back and waved his hands, "This is... too precious. Er Yong only told me to deliver grain on his behalf, he never allowed me to accept gifts for him. If I accept this, even if Er Yong spares me, our young fort master would surely have my hide!"
He knew the true value of these horses, and if they met a knowledgeable buyer, they could be exchanged for twice the materials noted in the ledgers!
Jiang Kui wouldn’t take no for an answer and gestured towards the boat. The dark-skinned men leading the horses began to walk them aboard. He pretended to be upset and said as he pressed down on Wu Eryong’s shoulder, "What’s this? Are you treating us brothers as outsiders now? Or do you dog landlords think you’re too good for us barbarians from beyond the pass?"
Wu Eryong hurriedly shook his head, "I didn’t mean that..."
Jiang Kui released his shoulder and said solemnly, "Then don’t dawdle like a woman... Consider it a graduation gift from us three brothers to that boy Yang Erlang!"
Once he mentioned "graduation gift," Wu Eryong dared not refuse any further, and could only cup his fist and say, "I will relay Jiang’s message to Er Yong verbatim!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Kui’s face softened into a smile, "That’s more like it. Oh, I heard that kid got into a scrap with a grandmaster from the palace. How’s his injury? He didn’t lose any limbs, did he?"
Wu Eryong hesitated briefly before replying in a lowered voice, "You are Er Yong’s senior, I dare not deceive you... In that battle, although Er Yong won half a move against that old eunuch and retreated in one piece, he sustained severe internal injuries. After the fight, he said his farewells to our junior fort master and Chief Yang, and went alone to Lake Hongze for treatment. It’s been over three months now, and aside from occasional messages to our junior fort master and Chief Yang, nobody knows what state he’s in."
Jiang Kui’s mouth dropped open in astonishment, then closed again.
After a long silence, he said, "Tell him for me, next time he’s in trouble, don’t just think about fleeing to the coast, come out to the grasslands beyond the pass; it’s vast and open here too!"
Wu Eryong bowed and said, "I will definitely convey your message to Er Yong!"
After a pause, he pointed at the piles of grain on the dock, "Do you have a way to transport this grain out beyond the pass?"
Jiang Kui, puzzled, "What? Your Lianhuan Fort has ways to move it along the border?"
Wu Eryong shook his head, "Our fort doesn’t, but Er Yong does."
Jiang Kui, "What ways does he have?"
Wu Eryong turned and pointed at the flags bearing the "Yang" character on the boat, "Er Yong told me to tell you, if you can’t figure out how to get the grain out, just plant these flags on the grain carts and take the main road out. If the checkpoint dares stop you, just wait. Wait for him to go beat up the Emperor again, and they’ll surely let you through on this side."
Jiang Kui: ???
He swallowed dryly with difficulty, his expression somewhat numb as he asked, "Is that kid... really that wild in doing things?"
Wu Eryong spread his hands, "That’s just how he is... bold and unrestrained. You just need to get used to it."
Jiang Kui, "You tell me, how do I get used to this?"
Wu Eryong, "Don’t ask me, I’m still trying to get used to it myself..."
...
Huai’an, on the shores of Lake Hongze.
Yang Tiansheng had been camped here with a troop of Qingmu Hall for three months already.
On this day, Yang Yinghao, the Bright Right Emissary of the Ming Sect, once again hurried to the lakeshore...
Upon seeing him, Tian Sheng felt his head swell like a drum, "Dad, why have you come again?"
Yang Yinghao scowled and tossed a package of food into his arms then strode toward the wooden hut. "Do you think I want to be here?"
Tian Sheng sniffed the package of food and followed his father’s steps, "Let’s get one thing straight, even if you bring Mom here, I still won’t know anything!"
Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.
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