Chapter 705 Xuanyuan Father and Son (Two Updates)
It was a peaceful afternoon.
The family and horses had all rested, and the atmosphere was peaceful and serene.
Gu Jiao didn't touch the red-tasseled spear; instead, she went to the well to wash her clothes.
Summers in Yan were hotter and more humid than in Zhao, with a sticky, humid atmosphere. Especially with the chest bindings, the heat made people feel like they were going to get heatstroke.
Gu Jiao hung the washed clothes one by one on the line to dry. When she was halfway through, she heard the sound of rapid hoofbeats outside the door.
Gu Jiao didn't pay attention at first, but then the sound of horses' hooves stopped outside her own gate.
Gu Jiao's first thought was that Gu Chengfeng had arrived.
Xu Fengxian of Tianxiang Pavilion couldn't keep an eye on him. Gu Chengfeng's actions were always quite free. The reason he didn't suspect Xiao Heng was because Xiao Heng had been very cautious lately.
He didn't say anything, but Gu Jiao probably guessed it. That day, in order for her to put Han Shizi in a sack, Xiao Heng lured Ming Junwang away. Afterwards, Han Shizi must have realized that Xiao Heng did it on purpose.
However, Han Shizi had no evidence and could not afford to alienate Prince Ming based on mere speculation, so he could only secretly send people to keep an eye on him.
But soon, Gu Jiao heard a series of hoofbeats.
There were not only carriages, but also a group of people.
This is definitely not Gu Chengfeng.
Nan Shi's wife happened to wake up. Hearing the noise outside the door, she put on her veil, went over, opened the door, and asked, "Who is it?"
She was stunned into silence by the sight before her.
A luxurious carriage with a entourage of guards stopped in front of his house. The curtain was lifted, and a young man in his early twenties, dressed in fine clothes and with an imposing presence, stepped out of the carriage.
The other person's expression was cold, carrying a certain arrogance and murderous intent of a superior, looking like someone who came with ill intentions.
Nan Shi Niang's gaze darkened, and she asked calmly, "Who are you people?"
Han Shizi glanced at the veiled woman. At first, he didn't pay much attention to her, but her tone made him look at her slightly.
He asked the guards beside him, "Are you sure this is the place?"
A guard bowed and said, "Yes, Your Highness, the other day when we went to the yamen to inquire about the whereabouts of your mount, we encountered some petty thieves who had been detained. They said they found a very powerful black horse in this very house!"
Dark horse?
Could it be—
Nan Shi Niang's gaze paused. Was this young man the owner of the black horse in the family?
Han Shizi looked at Nan Shiniang and asked in a deep voice, "Do you have that horse he mentioned at home?"
Nan Shi Niang was slightly taken aback.
Han Shizi ignored her and went straight into the courtyard to find his horse.
Nan Shi Niang stopped him, saying, "Who gave you permission to come in?"
A guard rushed forward, shouting, "How dare you! How dare you touch my young master with your filthy hands!"
He reached out to slap Nan Shi Niang. Nan Shi Niang had her martial arts skills crippled in her early years, and her only expertise was in poison and hidden weapons.
However, hidden weapons are not advantageous in close combat, and she didn't have any poison on her at the moment.
Just as the slap was about to land on Nan Shi Niang's face, a cold arrow suddenly flew through the hall and struck the man's shoulder. The man screamed and was sent flying, falling to the ground!
Prince Han was caught off guard by someone shooting arrows from inside the house, and his brow furrowed.
What a fast arrow!
The other guards drew their swords.
Han Shizi stopped in his tracks, looking at the direction of the main hall with a displeased expression.
Gu Jiao, dressed as a young boy, walked out with a longbow in her hand and an air of unruliness.
Han Shizi recognized Gu Jiao at a glance: "It's you?"
Gu Jiao raised an eyebrow slightly; clearly, she had also recognized Han Shizi.
The two did not know each other on the surface, but Prince Han had secretly watched Gu Jiao play polo, and Gu Jiao had secretly put a sack over Prince Han's head, so both of them recognized the face.
The two had a long history of grudges. The Han family abused Gu Chengfeng, Han Che came to steal his horse, and Han Shizi used Shaolin monks to injure Gu Jiao's teammates. In return, Gu Jiao gave the two brothers a good beating.
They are utterly irreconcilable enemies.
Their eyes turned cold.
Han Shizi said coldly, "Xiao Liulang, don't think I don't know what good deeds you've done!"
Gu Jiao touched her chin.
Hmm, so you know she's the one who put the sack on him? And you know she killed Nangong Li?
Han Shizi immediately understood from Gu Jiao's expression that she had guessed what he meant. He thought Gu Jiao would at least feel guilty and scared, but Gu Jiao just casually said "oh".
Han Shizi was almost dumbfounded.
oh?
What kind of reaction is that!
"What are you doing at my house?" Gu Jiao asked casually.
She always spoke in a youthful voice when talking to outsiders, and the more she used it, the more skillful she became, making it impossible to detect any flaws.
Han Shizi frowned. This kid was too infuriating; he almost forgot about the important matter.
Han Shizi said coldly, "I'm not surprised if it's you who dared to steal our Han family's horse. Hand over my horse!"
"Your horse?" Gu Jiao slung the longbow over her shoulder. "There's no horse here for you!"
Han Shizi sneered, "Do you think you can just say you don't have it and that's it?"
Gu Jiao: "Yes."
Crown Prince Han: "..."
Han Shizi: "Then do you dare to let me search?"
Gu Jiao: "Why should I let you search me? Do you have a search warrant from the government?"
Do the Han family need a search warrant to carry out their actions?
Gu Jiao said, "You are not allowed to search without a search warrant."
Han Shizi narrowed his eyes dangerously: "You're refusing to listen to reason, so be it. I'll settle all the old and new scores right here today!"
"What are you doing!" Master Lu was awakened by the commotion in the yard. He rushed over with his machete in hand.
Gu Jiao blocked Master Lu's way, looking coldly at Han Shizi: "I'll handle this. Xiao Shun, bring me my gun."
Gu Xiaoshun, who had just rubbed his eyes and walked into the main room, said, "Oh, okay!"
He quickly ran back to the backyard, pulled out the red-tasseled spear from beside the Black Wind King. The red-tasseled spear was so heavy that he couldn't lift it at all if he hadn't practiced gripping it every day.
He handed the red-tasseled spear to Gu Jiao in one go: "Sixth Brother, here you go!"
With its long braid and large red flowers, the red-tasseled spear was so striking that Prince Han failed to recognize it as the divine weapon once used by Xuan Yuanli.
Such an ugly weapon was truly an eyesore for everyone present.
One of the guards immediately burst out laughing: "What a piece of junk!"
Master Lu pulled Master Nan's wife behind him protectively: "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," said Madam Nan, shaking her head.
Han Shizi said calmly, "I don't need weapons to deal with you. Make your move!"
As he spoke, his inner strength spread out, pressing down on Gu Jiao as if it were a tangible force throughout the courtyard.
Nan Shi Niang's expression changed drastically: "This is... the Tang Sect's mental cultivation technique! Oh no, Jiao Jiao is no match for him!"
Jiaojiao has only been learning this shooting technique for a few days, and she's not proficient at all...
Gu Jiao slashed at Han Shizi with her spear.
That gun technique was incredibly fast, leaving almost only a blur; no wonder it was able to kill Nangong Li.
However, even so, it's still not enough to become his opponent!
Han Shizi flashed away.
Gu Jiao's eyes flickered, and she actually dodged!
"It's nothing special—"
Before Han Shizi could finish speaking, the attack that he had already dodged turned out to be a feint. The spearhead turned and thrust towards his waist and abdomen.
There was no way to dodge it, so he drew the dagger from his waist and forcefully blocked the red-tasseled spear.
But the force from the red-tasseled spear was beyond his expectations. Although it didn't make his arm go numb, it did make the veins on his arm bulge!
"Your marksmanship is good, but unfortunately, you're not skilled enough!"
Han Shizi was actually surprised. He had tried to learn the spear technique of the Xuanyuan family, but unfortunately he couldn't master it. He couldn't control all his internal energy, and he didn't think that a spear technique without internal energy would be of any use.
Perhaps it's just an exaggeration by the world.
The Xuanyuan family possesses many martial arts techniques; they may not have defeated their enemies using this particular spear technique.
But now, he believes the rumors are true.
That marksmanship is truly impressive.
I was only able to defeat him because of my age and martial arts skills, but if Xiao Liulang were to train for another three to five years, it would be uncertain who would win!
Therefore, we must take advantage of this moment, while he is still not strong enough, to kill him!
With one hand gripping the red-tasseled spear and the other hand drawing a long sword from a guard's waist, Han Shizi thrust it fiercely towards Gu Jiao's heart!
Nan Shi's wife paled: "Jiaojiao—"
With a horse's neigh, a dark figure rushed out of the house.
Han Shizi paused, "Black Wind King?"
Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, Gu Jiao raised her foot and kicked him. Han Shizi quickly drew his sword, supporting the tip with his left hand, using the sword as a shield to block Gu Jiao's flying kick.
The force of the impact caused them to stumble back several steps and separate.
Han Shizi of the Black Wind Dynasty walked over.
Han Shizi's eyes lit up, and his mood, which had been gloomy for several days, finally improved a little. He patted the Black Wind King's horse with satisfaction: "I've finally found you."
Having said that, his smile vanished, and he looked at Gu Jiao with extreme coldness, "You still say you didn't steal this young master's horse!"
Seeing how familiar the Black Wind King and Prince Han were, Gu Jiao had a general idea of what was going on.
Nan Shi Niang sneered, "My Liu Lang didn't steal your horse! Your horse fell into the swamp on its own. It was my horse that found it and called Liu Lang to rescue it! My horse was injured while saving it! Your horse was poisoned and seriously injured. If it weren't for my Liu Lang, it would have died long ago! Instead of being grateful, you turn around and accuse Liu Lang of stealing your horse! Shameless!"
Han Shizi frowned.
The guards nearby raised their long swords and slashed at Madam Nan.
Before Gu Jiao could even make a move, Black Wind King kicked the guard away with his front hoof!
A hint of surprise flashed across Han Shizi's eyes.
He glanced at the guard who had been kicked away, then at the Black Wind King who was blocking the family's way, and gripped his longsword tightly.
"Alright, I'll believe you for now, considering you saved Black Wind King. I'll let today's matter slide, but Xiao Liulang, I'll settle the score with you sooner or later!"
"Let's go!"
He had his servants bring a saddle and put it on Black Wind King.
He and Black Wind King grew up together since childhood. He recognized the horse as his true master when he was a child.
Han Shizi mounted his horse and rode away from Yangliu Lane on Black Wind King.
When Horse King woke up, the big black horse beside him was gone. He stood there dumbfounded for three seconds before standing up and looking around.
The horse had a very keen sense of smell; it caught the scent of the big black horse in the air and gave chase.
As Nan Shi Niang watched its departing figure, she called out, "Hey, Little Eleven!"
Black Wind King was incredibly fast, faster than ever before.
Prince Han was extremely satisfied: "As expected of the most powerful Black Wind King."
At the age of seventeen, he can still run with such strength and speed, and being injured or poisoned has not affected him.
The adult Black Wind King galloped ahead, leaving the two-and-a-half-year-old Horse King far behind.
The man and his horse quickly arrived at the Han family residence. Upon hearing that the Crown Prince and the Black Wind King had returned, Chu Nan hurriedly went out to greet them.
"Welcome, Your Highness." Chu Nan bowed.
Han Shizi patted the agile Black Wind King and said to Chu Nan, "It seems to be faster than before."
Chu Nan laughed and said, "Really? That's truly a miracle."
Han Shizi spurred his horse and said to Black Wind King, "Alright, it's time to go in."
Black Wind King did not move.
Han Shizi asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
Black Wind King remained unmoved.
"Does your wound hurt?" Prince Han jumped off his horse and carefully searched for wounds on Black Wind King's body.
"Is Black Wind King injured?" Chu Nan also came over to help search.
Unexpectedly, Black Wind King suddenly took a few steps back.
The two looked at it with puzzled expressions, but Black Wind King simply turned around and ran away towards the street.
Han Shizi was completely bewildered: "How could this be? Why did the Black Wind King leave?"
Chu Nan was the most experienced horse trainer in Shengdu. He stared intently at the departing figure of the Black Wind King and murmured, "It went in the direction of the Xuanyuan family. It... went to find its true master."
Han Shizi angrily retorted, "His master is me!"
Chu Nan remained silent.
Just because I let you ride me doesn't mean you're the master.
You're just a childhood friend he grew up with.
Sending you back is a way of saying goodbye.
Han Shizi clenched his fist and said, "How many years has it been? Didn't you say it didn't remember anything? How old was it when the Xuanyuan family had their accident? Two years old!"
Chu Nan said, "Maybe it has remembered again, or maybe it hasn't really forgotten and has just been waiting for its master to return. It thought its master was still on the battlefield. What made it no longer think so?"
The sky was overcast and covered with dark clouds, and the city was extremely hot and humid.
Black Wind King galloped beneath vast expanses of dark clouds.
A flash of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by a clap of thunder.
The vehicles on the street dared not drive recklessly and all found places to give way.
Black Wind King galloped fearlessly through the empty streets, lightning chasing after it, without stopping for a moment.
I don't know how long we ran, but the dark clouds pressed down and the sky changed color, making the afternoon scene seem as gloomy as night.
It arrived at a mansion that was sealed off and chained.
The seal had cracked, and the parts that couldn't stick together were whipped around like tongues of fire by the strong wind.
The iron chains were rusty, and the dirty gate was covered with moss.
The entire dusty, dilapidated mansion was eerily quiet, now a cemetery where wandering souls reside.
It climbed the steps, came to the gate, and tried to ram it open with its head.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
One time, one time, and another.
It crashed and bled profusely.
The final bolt of lightning tore a hole in the sky, and a torrential downpour began.
Large raindrops pounded against its body as the wind howled.
Blood streamed down its forehead, mingling with the cold raindrops as it pelted the ground. Yet, it seemed oblivious to the pain, relentlessly pounding its deeply wounded head against the door.
But that door will never be opened again.
"Father! A Black Wind Rider is about to perish!"
The young man in his twenties hurried into the backyard of the mansion and spoke to his father, who was practicing with a red-tasseled spear.
The father asked, "Why isn't it working?"
The young man said, "It's a difficult birth, I'm dying!"
The father and son went to the stable, where the horse had been giving birth for two days and two nights and had exhausted all its strength. It could no longer give birth to the foal.
But the father and son did not give up.
They stayed by its side all night, never leaving its side, and finally, as the first rays of dawn appeared, they welcomed this hard-won little life.
But it had been trapped in the womb for too long and had lost much of its life force.
"Father, he seems to be dying."
"The Black Wind Cavalry of the Xuanyuan family is indispensable!"
The mare died in childbirth; this was the baby she gave her life for.
The owner of the red-tasseled spear took it back to his house and fed it himself. It gradually grew from a tiny cub that struggled to breathe into a strong foal.
Every day, the little pony would stand in the backyard, hopping around while watching the father and son practice shooting.
"Father, look, it's grown taller again! It's growing so fast! I can't believe it almost didn't survive!"
"Ah Sheng, don't underestimate anyone, and don't underestimate any horse. Who knows, it might grow up to become the Black Wind King."
"Then I'll take it into battle with me!"
"Hmph, there are mistresses lined up everywhere, do you think you can compete with them?"
It did it; it became the Black Wind King; it could fight on the battlefield. But its master did not return.
None of them came back.
(End of this chapter)
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