Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Mustang

That hoof landed squarely on Bear Two’s chest, burning with pain. But something was wrong—his front paw hurt as well. Ignoring everything else, Bear Two looked down and saw an arrow lodged in his left forepaw. The force hadn’t been great; the arrow was only shallowly embedded in his flesh. With a swipe of his right paw, he tore it out.

Lu Hu was so focused on watching Yellow Horse train with Bear One that he failed to notice Quan Pearl galloping over on her big black horse, loosing an arrow at Bear Two.

After pulling out the arrow, Bear Two turned and saw that it was Quan Pearl who had shot him.

Today truly was a day of misfortune—bullied by mounted soldiers, bullied by wild horses, and now even a little girl dared to come after him. She could barely even draw a stiff bow, yet she still had the nerve to shoot at him!

Miserable, he thought—at this point, what was the point of living...

Summoning all his strength, Bear Two launched a desperate charge.

The big black horse, seeing Yellow Horse swaggering around with powerful, fluid kicks, beating Bear One to within an inch of his life, was emboldened as well. He wanted to show off his own might by taking down Bear Two.

He raised his hoof, intent on knocking Bear Two over.

But Yellow Horse’s legs were naturally powerful, honed by long years of hard training in the wild—a skill forged through countless real battles. Taking down Bear One was child’s play. The black horse, while excellent at carrying loads and sprinting, had never truly fought; he only knew how to show off his fancy footwork.

Crack! A sharp sound rang out. The black horse’s two forelegs shattered, and with a wretched cry, he crashed to the ground, throwing both Quan Pearl and Little White off his back.

With renewed vigor, Bear Two advanced. Beating a fallen foe was nothing special, but today, he would have a taste of this tender, snow-white fresh meat.

He opened his huge, bloody maw and lunged for Quan Pearl...

Her beautiful eyes widened in terror, her face paling...

Little White, fierce in his childish bravado, howled and flailed his claws, determined to fight Bear Two to the death to protect the maiden who cared for him every day.

But Bear Two didn’t even spare the little creature a glance. Even if he ate him, it wouldn’t fill his belly.

With a swipe of his paw, he tore open the red chainmail on Quan Pearl’s body, and lunged for the child’s plump, inviting flesh...

Bear, you stop right there!

The moment Quan Pearl fell from her horse and screamed, Lu Hu’s heart twisted with fear.

That voice—so familiar, having accompanied him through wind and rain these past days... It was the voice that haunted his dreams, the voice he loved to his very core.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Lu Hu sprang into action.

At the very instant Bear Two’s sharp snout brushed against Quan Pearl’s clothes, Lu Hu seized the bear by the scalp and flung him aside.

Bending down, he scooped Quan Pearl into his arms and ran. With one stride, he gently hooked Little White into the air so that he fell right into Quan Pearl’s embrace.

If the national soccer team had skills like that, they wouldn’t lose battle after battle.

Bear Two came after them, baring his teeth.

Lu Hu dashed forward, and soon saw Quan Mei Jade riding up on her horse. He leapt up and gently passed Quan Pearl into her arms, finally letting out a breath of relief. All was well; there was nothing more to worry about.

Turning back, Bear Two was already upon him.

How dare you lay a paw on my woman!

Lu Hu kicked out, his foot connecting with Bear Two’s jaw.

Bear Two howled in pain, forced himself upright, and swung his right paw at Lu Hu.

Lu Hu focused his inner strength, parried with a heavy left hook.

A sharp smack as fist met bear paw.

Bear Two howled again—the bones in his paw had snapped.

Lu Hu seized the bear’s paw and twisted it fiercely—crack—a clean break at the elbow. Bear Two’s right arm hung limp; no matter how tough he was, he couldn’t withstand this torment and let out a string of pitiful cries.

Unable to stand, he collapsed forward, propping himself up with his left paw, right arm limp and useless.

Lu Hu followed with two swift kicks, breaking both of the bear’s hind legs at the knee.

Bear Two lay on the ground, howling—a sound no longer even like a bear.

Lu Hu grabbed one of his hind legs and dragged him toward Bear One.

Bear Two was in so much pain he couldn’t even cry out...

“Brother, don’t let him suffer any longer. He didn’t hurt me. Please, just let him go,” Quan Pearl pleaded, unable to bear the sight of Bear Two’s misery, her voice soft and pitiful.

Such a kind-hearted girl.

“Pearl, even if I let him go, he’ll die of pain. His greatest sin was laying a malicious paw on you. Still, since you’ve asked, I’ll give him a quick end.”

Lu Hu grasped his electric baton, pressed it to Bear Two’s side, and flipped it to its highest setting.

The baton’s round head crackled with blinding electricity. As Bear Two was hit, the smell of scorched fur filled the air. In a flash, fire exploded around him, the blazing inferno engulfing Bear One as well, who was already on the brink of death.

Yellow Horse leapt nimbly aside.

Heart pounding, he neighed, “Good heavens, that nearly scared me to death. What astonishing power!”

His large eyes brimmed with admiration.

Lu Hu neighed back, “I am a god. What is your name, my friend?”

Yellow Horse paused, then, convinced of Lu Hu’s divinity, replied, “My formal name is Yellow Horse Coat; my nickname is Yellow Hide. What name does the god go by?”

“My formal name is Land Tiger; my nickname is Sky Walker,” Lu Hu replied, spinning another tale.

“God, I wish for a long life too. May I follow you and train?”

“You may, but you’ll have to serve as my mount.”

“So long as I may attain immortality, I don’t mind hardship. Yellow Hide is willing to be your steed.”

“Let your family join us as well—only through hardship can a horse become a true charger.”

“I’d wish for nothing more.”

“I’ll outfit you with gear to speed your training. How does that sound?”

“Perfect, god. Whatever you say, Yellow Hide has no complaints.”

Lu Hu removed the black horse’s bridle, reins, saddle, pad, girth, stirrups, curb, and bit, fitting them one by one onto Yellow Horse Coat.

Yellow Horse Coat felt awkward in all this gear.

“You’ll get used to it in time...” Lu Hu reassured him as he worked.

Quan Pearl stood to the side, cradling Little White, poised and graceful, watching silently.

When Lu Hu was nearly finished, she ventured timidly, “Brother, will you be riding this horse from now on?”

“That’s right. Do you want to ride too?” Lu Hu, still feeling sorry for the fright she’d suffered, didn’t wait for her to protest, but spoke gently, hitting right at her heart.

Quan Pearl bit her pink lips and nodded shyly, her large gemstone eyes shining with unshed tears.

Lu Hu reached out and gently drew her close; she threw herself into his arms, burying her face and weeping softly.

Lu Hu pressed his lips to her ear and whispered, “Little one, you’re grown up now; you can’t keep nursing.”

Her heart fluttered at the feel of his breath on her earlobe, and a sweet warmth blossomed inside her as she finally broke into a smile. “Brother, you’re so bad.”

“You’re even worse, little one. You’re not that young anymore, and you still steal your son’s milk. Couldn’t be naughtier.”

“My son’s milk is still with me, isn’t it? I haven’t taken any. Besides, could I even get my son’s milk? Wait, where is my son?”

Lu Hu chuckled mischievously...

Suddenly, realization dawned on Quan Pearl. “Oh, how embarrassing! Brother, I’m not talking to you anymore!”

Lu Hu laughed heartily and lifted her onto the saddle atop Yellow Hide’s back.

“Coat, you’re so brave—no other horse compares. Come, let’s ride together!” Lu Hu patted Yellow Horse Coat’s rump, preparing to mount.

“You must have a death wish!” came Quan Mei Jade’s sharp, scolding voice...