Chapter 516 - Chapter 516: Four Wounded Horses
Chapter 516: Four Wounded Horses
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
After searching the mountain for a while without finding any trace of horses, Tang Jinghong surveyed the surroundings, which were eerily silent. “Are there really horses in these mountains?”
Chu Qingzhi spoke uncertainly, “I thought there were before, but it seems there might not be any herds here. Let’s keep looking a bit more. If we still can’t find any, we’ll just have to buy them from a stable tomorrow.” She then extended her spiritual sense to its maximum range.
Tang Jinghong didn’t disturb Chu Qingzhi and just watched her quietly. The moonlight fell on her face, casting delicate shadows from her long eyelashes.
“Jinghong, let’s go this way,” Chu Qingzhi said, leading Tang Jinghong in a new direction.
The two of them moved swiftly through the forest, with Chu Qingzhi deliberately slowing down to stay alongside Tang Jinghong. They flew gracefully, their figures light as swallows.
After some time, they landed on the ground. As soon as they touched down, they caught the scent of horses.
Tang Jinghong looked at Chu Qingzhi curiously, wondering how she knew they were close to horses from so far away.
“Jinghong, be careful here. The ground is slippery from frequent horse traffic,” Chu Qingzhi advised, walking steadily forward while keeping an eye on Tang Jinghong.
Tang Jinghong nodded. “Okay.”
They were on a hillside covered in grass, some of which was nibbled and yellowing. A few trees dotted the landscape, but nothing else was remarkable.
As they walked at the bottom of the hill, a large horse stood atop it, observing them. From their angle, the horse, backdropped by the moon with drifting grey clouds, appeared almost ethereal, like a celestial steed.
Chu Qingzhi suddenly stopped and pointed upwards, pulling Tang Jinghong’s sleeve. “Look up there.”
Tang Jinghong raised his head, “A lead horse?”
Chu Qingzhi’s eyes shone brightly. “Yes, following it will lead us to the herd.”
However, the lead horse stood still, cocking its head slightly as it looked at them, seemingly curious yet cautious.
Chu Qingzhi smiled and plucked a leaf, blowing it gently. Soon, the sound of a charging beast echoed through the forest.
The lead horse looked up to see a white tiger rushing towards it with powerful momentum.
Upon reaching Chu Qingzhi, the tiger transformed into a large cat, rolling around and affectionately nuzzling her, seeking attention.
Chu Qingzhi stroked the tiger’s head. “Haven’t seen you in a while. Have you gained weight?”
The tiger, Da Bai, had been following them at a distance, but without Chu Qingzhi’s summons, it didn’t come close.
When Tang Jinghong saw this scene, he couldn’t help but reach out and touch the back of the white tiger. It was smooth and shiny. How many people in this world wanted to touch the tiger but couldn’t? He had finally gotten what he wanted.
Seeing Tang Jinghong’s fondness for the tiger, Chu Qingzhi asked, “What animal do you like? 1 can summon one for you.”
Tang Jinghong replied, “I’m fond of eagles, and 1 already have one.”
Chu Qingzhi pondered and then offered, “How about I train more eagles for you, to assist you?”
“That would be great, thank you, Qingzhi.”
Chu Qingzhi reached out and touched Tang Jinghong’s face. She joked, “You’re handsome. All my hard work is worth it, knowing that you are my man.”
Tang Jinghong couldn’t help but laugh softly. “1 didn’t expect Qingzhi to be a girl who values looks.”
Chu Qingzhi, pulling Tang Jinghong up the hill, replied as the lead horse, startled by the scene below, had already fled. “Wrong, even if you were disfigured one day, I would still stay by your side.”
She wasn’t so superficial, but it wasn’t wrong to appreciate someone who met her aesthetic standards.
Tang Jinghong reassuringly gripped Chu Qingzhi’s hand and said softly, “Be careful.” His already gentle voice softened even more, conveying a deep sense of cherishment.
Da Bai, the white tiger, led the way up the hillside, where Tang Jinghong, with a swift movement, encircled Chu Qingzhi’s waist and flew up with her to the top of the hill.
Following the lead horse’s path, they, along with the tiger, walked for a while and finally spotted a herd of about twenty horses, all in their prime and well-fed.
The lead horse stood at the forefront, vigilantly watching the two humans.
Chu Qingzhi, observing from the hillside, called out to the herd, “Who among you would like to come and help with work at my house? You’ll be well-fed and cared for, and your job will mainly be to pull loads.”
Tang Jinghong looked at the horses and then at Chu Qingzhi. Did the horses understand what she said?
His skepticism was soon put to rest when four leaner horses, bearing scars as if from a fight, approached from the other side of the hill. Chu Qingzhi surmised that these horses had been injured in battles for dominance within the herd.
This was very normal in the natural world. Animals basically obtained the supreme status of a race through force.
These four horses, outcasts of their group, cautiously made their way to Chu Qingzhi, visibly intimidated by Da Bai.
Chu Qingzhi walked over and touched the horses’ heads one by one. They were all in their prime. After losing and being bullied by the horses, they lost weight. “Follow me.”
Choosing the nearest path out of the deep mountains, Chu Qingzhi led the way, followed by the horses and Da Bai. The tiger, not wanting to part with Chu Qingzhi, affectionately rubbed against her with each step.
Chu Qingzhi sat on the white tiger’s back and rubbed its neck. “If you can’t bear to part with me…” She looked at Tang Jinghong and blinked. “Jinghong, do you welcome Da Bai at your home?”
Da Bai also looked up eagerly at Tang Jinghong, its big, moist eyes seeming to ask, “Do you welcome me?”
Tang Jinghong warmly responded, “Welcome, but won’t the tiger scare the villagers?”
Chu Qingzhi thought for a moment and replied, “At first, they might be afraid, but once they know Da Bai is harmless, they’ll probably feel the same way they do about the wolves in our village – initially feared, but now loved by everyone.”
Tang Jinghong looked down at Da Bai. “You’re welcome at my home.”
Da Bai affectionately nuzzled Tang Jinghong, sensing the scent of its master on him and recognizing him as a friend of its master.
Tang Jinghong said lovingly, “Do you need me to prepare food for Da Bai?”
Chu Qingzhi said, “My family will prepare it. Sometimes, it can go hunting by itself.”
“Okay.”
As they chatted, they finally emerged from the forest and, after determining their direction, continued towards the village.
Upon returning home, Chu Qingzhi provided food for the horses, prioritizing the nourishment of the four emaciated ones.
Fu Bao and Hou Fu came out of the stable and into the courtyard. They looked at their new kind and blinked curiously.
The four horses cowered when they saw the two seniors. The two seniors looked stronger than the lead horse. They wouldn’t bully them, right? They didn’t want to be beaten anymore..