Truth or Dare is too risky

Tang Qi stared at the ribbon wrapped around Cheng Junshi's wrist in silence for a moment.

This is the basis for grouping people for the Eastern Hunt. Team members wear ribbons on their wrists that match the color of the arrows to identify their hunting party.

That being said, but—

"Why is it pink?"

"This is all that's left, no other choice."

Tang Qi had barely shown any sign of refusal when Cheng Junshi pulled his hand over and wrapped a pink ribbon around his wrist without any hesitation.

It was even tied in a knot that couldn't be tied.

Tang Qi: ...

There weren't many people participating in the Eastern Hunt. Tang Qi mounted his horse and stroked the mane on his back; he had almost forgotten what it felt like to ride a horse. His feet in the stirrups ached slightly, but he spurred the horse and started riding. Cheng Jun followed behind him, riding non-stop all the way to the Eastern Hunt Mountain.

"Can you ride a horse?" Cheng Junshi asked him after dismounting.

"I've learned it before, but I'm not very good at it." Tang Qi handed the reins to the person next to him.

"Oh." Cheng Junshi nodded.

Dongshou Mountain is not close to the capital. In fact, it is not really a mountain. It is just a mountain in the middle of this area. And since the Eastern Hunt was always held here, that is how the only mountain got its name.

The people from Dongshou arrived one after another, with Yun An still at the front. Tang Qi noticed that she also had a ribbon on her wrist, so it turned out that his sister was in the same team as Yun An.

That's true, how could Yun'an not participate in an event like the Eastern Hunt?

With Yun An by her side, Tang Qi naturally didn't need to worry about Tang Yan's safety, and he finally felt relieved.

"Gentlemen, this is the location of the Eastern Hunt. The hunt will officially begin shortly when the gongs and drums sound, and will last for two hours. You all need to return here on time. If you are late, you will be disqualified. Please do not be greedy. Now—"

The sound of gongs and drums rang out.

"The Eastern Hunt begins!"

Dongshou Mountain has the most game but is also the most dangerous. It is too steep to ride a horse, so Tang Qi and his companion took their bows and arrows and dismounted early.

He had been to Dongshou before, so he was at least familiar with the place, if not familiar with it. However, Cheng Junshi was the opposite; he had a furrowed brow and his expression was not relaxed.

After all, anything can happen in the mountains and forests.

Dongshou Mountain is generally deserted, so the whole mountain is wild, with even the overgrown branches baring their fangs and claws like tigers blocking one's way.

Do you have a knife?

Cheng Junshi threw the curved knife wrapped around his waist forward.

Thanks.

Tang Qi took the scimitar and casually cleared away the branches blocking his path. He walked ahead to clear a way for Cheng Junshi.

After walking for a while, the two finally heard a sound. Tang Qi turned around and said to Cheng Junshi, "Brother Cheng, I'm not good at archery, so I'll leave it to you."

Cheng Junshi approached and took the arrow from Tang Qi's hand, continuing, "My name is Cheng Wang, and my courtesy name is Junshi."

Tang Qi nodded, indicating that he understood. But Cheng Junshi didn't move, his eyes fixed on him as if expecting something.

Tang Qi: "...Brother Cheng?"

Cheng Junshi frowned slightly, still staring at him without moving.

Tang Qi: "Uh... Brother Junshi?"

Cheng Junshi nodded, turned around with satisfaction, and walked forward, seemingly in a very good mood.

Tang Qi stared at his retreating figure with a strange expression.

Is this kid really three years old?

They followed the sound, but unexpectedly encountered another person there.

“Sister Yu, watch me capture your first prey.”

Tang Qi stood to one side with his arms crossed, glanced at Cheng Junshi, and their eyes met. Cheng Junshi nodded, then drew his bow and shot an arrow.

...

"Which beast shot that arrow? Show yourself!" Gu Chao cursed.

"The arrow went astray, I'm sorry." Cheng Junshi put down the bow and smiled apologetically at him.

Gu Chao glanced at the arrow that had steadily shot its prey before him.

...What the hell?

"It's alright, Sister Yu still has some. Let me give it to you...?"

Cheng Junshi tilted his head again: "Oh dear, what bad luck, you tilted your head again."

Tang Qi chuckled. He had to admit, this guy could be really annoying sometimes.

As if provoked by Cheng Junshi, Gu Chao nocked his bow and challenged him, but every arrow he shot was precisely deflected by Cheng Junshi's arrows, and the prey seemed to sprout wings and flee from Gu Chao's sight. Deng Yu finally couldn't hold back any longer, raised his bow, and shot an arrow at Cheng Junshi's face.

Cheng Junshi stared silently at the arrow hovering in front of him. Tang Qi turned to look at Deng Yu and the others: "You're looking in the wrong direction. There's no prey for you here."

"He started it first—"

Tang Qi held the arrow in his hand, twirled it around, and then tossed it back into his hand like a stone.

"Feel sorry,"

Deng Yu was so frightened by the arrow that was only half an inch away from her toes that she shut her mouth.

"My aim isn't good either," Tang Qi said with a tilted head and a smile.

Gu Chao pulled Deng Yu over, then turned to Tang Qi and asked, "Who are you?"

“Lin Zhengye,” Tang Qi said.

"Ha—" Deng Yu laughed, his eyes scanning Tang Qi: "It seems like anyone can come to Dong Shou now."

"I'm sorry, seeing you all here made me think there were no barriers to entry in the Eastern Hunt," Cheng Junshi said sincerely.

"You!" Deng Yu glared angrily at Cheng Junshi and said, "Cheng Wang, we have no grudge against you, so why are you targeting us!"

Unexpectedly, Cheng Junshi blinked, shrugged, and said innocently, "I wasn't targeting you. I thought you understood the truth."

"Since you're standing up for Young Master Tang, why make an enemy of me?" Deng Yu looked at him and continued, "You should also know that Young Master Tang's wrongful case was cleared up with the help of my father. Putting aside everything else, everyone in the Jianbei Marquis's mansion should thank my father."

The topic suddenly shifted to himself, and Tang Qi choked for a moment. Then, before Cheng Junshi could speak, he said, "The Marquis of Jianbei should thank General Deng. What does it have to do with him? He's not surnamed Tang."

"Moreover—" Tang Qi stared at Deng Yu: "If I remember correctly, General Deng Ning was appointed Right General of the Vanguard after that incident, right?"

“Of course,” Deng Yu said proudly, “My father was meritorious in quelling the Kachu rebellion and also solved the problem of spies in the Wolf Army. He was supposed to be rewarded.”

Tang Qi clenched his fist under his sleeve in annoyance. If the southern expedition had gone smoothly, the title of Right General of the Rong Army should have been awarded to him by his father.

"Although Shenghui failed to recapture Qingyan after entering and leaving Kaqiu, he did repel the enemy forces that had penetrated deep into the territory. The only regret is that he was unable to rescue General Tang and the Wolf Army," Gu Chao said from the side.

Cheng Junshi looked at him: "Are you in Katyu?"

“No, General Deng is leading the troops this time,” he scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed. “I’m not qualified.”

Cheng Junshi: "Then what do you have to say?"

Gu Chao: ...

“Hmph,” Deng Yuhuan gestured towards Gu Chao: “So you know that too.”

"Sister Yu... I was able to become a commander thanks to you. I'll have to rely on you to put in a good word for me with the general in the future." Gu Chao began to flatter again.

Tang Qi pursed his lips and looked away. Cheng Junshi glanced at him and then asked Deng Yu, "General, you have rendered great service and it is only natural that you have been granted an honor. May I ask if you are currently in Jingzhou?"

"Yes, what's up? His Majesty allowed him to rest for a while after he returned from Katyu. Cheng Wang, you're not trying to curry favor with my father, are you?"

Deng Yu glanced at Cheng Junshi and continued, "Your Cheng family has indeed been highly regarded by His Majesty over the years. A few days ago, you were demoted to Xuanlang, and I thought you would have to stay there for several years. I didn't expect His Majesty to recall you to the capital so quickly. Not only that, but you were also promoted after your return—Cheng Wang, you didn't do this on purpose, did you?"

Cheng Junshi felt Tang Qi's gaze linger on him, and he froze for a moment before quickly saying, "It has nothing to do with it."

"Since Tang Qi is already dead, you might as well befriend my Deng family. His father and my father have been vying for the Right General position for a long time, and you've seen the final result. Since ancient times, it's always the victor who takes all. Consider it a mistake to think you bet on the wrong horse before. If you're willing to serve under my father in the future, I can put in a good word for you with him."

Cheng Junshi frowned and looked at Tang Qi, who remained calm and composed, as if Deng Yu's words had nothing to do with him. Cheng Junshi then looked away and said to Deng Yu solemnly and firmly, "To me, whether he is dead or alive is unimportant. How I was in life is how I will remain after death. Also, Miss Deng, you seem to have misunderstood something—"

"I have never bet wrong."

Deng Yu looked at him and listened as Cheng Junshi continued, "I have no connection with the Marquis of Jianbei's mansion, and all my actions are done in accordance with propriety, without any intention of currying favor. I am ashamed to receive such a high regard from you, Miss."

He paused, then said, "If the young lady is forced to go to war in place of her father in the future, I, Cheng, am willing to write a petition on her behalf."

"You! Cheng Wang, don't be so ungrateful!"

Deng Yu watched their retreating figures and cursed angrily. After a long while, she said bitterly, "Hmph, you think you can be safe by remaining neutral if you don't curry favor? Cheng Wang, neutrality is the path to the most tragic end."

Gu Chao looked at Deng Yu and still grinned: "Hehe, Sister Yu, he doesn't want to become Lord Deng's disciple, but I am. Why don't you leave this opportunity to me, Sister Yu?"

Deng Yu slowly looked at him: "...Get lost."

Tang Qi and Cheng Junshi walked one after the other, the atmosphere between them subtle. After a long while, Cheng Junshi cleared his throat and said, "I will not curry favor with the Deng family."

Tang Qi didn't answer and continued walking forward with his head down. Cheng Junshi grabbed him and stopped him, saying, "Trust me."

Have we met before?

Knock knock.

Cheng Junshi was stunned.

He couldn't answer the question. Cheng Junshi didn't want to lie, but he wasn't sure whether he should admit it at this moment.

"Just kidding, don't be nervous. How could Brother Junshi and I have known each other before?" Tang Qi laughed twice, brushed his hand away, and continued walking forward, while Cheng Junshi's hand remained frozen in mid-air.

Tang Qi did not believe that Cheng Wang would be so unguarded towards someone he had only met once. He was usually a cautious person, so why would he suddenly act as if he were under a spell?

Tang Qi had only seen this state in one situation.

He touched his face.

Could it be that Lin Zhengye's face is just too handsome? Tang Qi's eyes darted around. In all the years he had known Cheng Wang, he had never heard of him having a sweetheart. At the time, he just thought that this guy was an old-fashioned man who was not interested in women.

Now that I think about it, could it be... that he was attracted to men?

Tang Qi's gaze toward Cheng Junshi grew increasingly strange. Could this guy have taken a liking to him? But if he knew that behind that face was himself, he'd probably be disgusted to the point of vomiting. Thinking of this, Tang Qi actually smiled with a touch of wicked amusement.

So, in Cheng Junshi's eyes, Tang Qi was someone who would occasionally turn around and keep touching his chin while looking at him with a strange smile.

It's a bit creepy.

"...Do you know how scary you are right now?" Cheng Junshi said.

Tang Qi stopped abruptly to face Cheng Junshi, deliberately trying to annoy him, and said, "Brother Junshi, you don't like me, do you?"

He crossed his arms and looked at Cheng Wang, his face full of a desire to stir up trouble.

What if I said yes?

Brilliant, but you messed it up.