King Andai’s birthday approached, and with this excuse, Cher Baochi had been feasting the four cardinals. Yujien buried his head in lame drinks and kept himself out and blind to the nobles’ pushing and yapping over the wine cups. The throng began discussing the Great King’s gift in modest decency, and, with a few cups down their bellies, soon galloped away on their lips. Cher Baochi huddled on Dardum, eyes tipsy with mist, and stretched his throat in holler: “Gold, silver and jewels, what’s the charm compared to women? Tell me tell ya, my brother Andai has no other partiality, he just like those… ugh! Big-bellied women. The bigger the belly, the more he likes! Big-bellied slave women, ugh, if you got any! Take ’m out! I’ll… ugh, for safekeeping.”

“The Queen’s got enough to worry about, don’t you add to her troubles!” Dardum grimaced and swept at his inebriated hiccups.

Cher Baochi let out a massive hiccough. “ — I’ve remembered. You are my sister-in-law, Her Majesty the Queen’s… brother,” he grumbled, “You don’t count! Wuliang, you, you speak.”

Would Guo Wuliang go along with his vices. “Brother Ulan,” he said gravely, “though slaves are low in status, they have flesh and blood too, you—”

Before he could finish, Cher Baochi threw a tantrum of wails, ordering the nearby serving wench to cover his ears. “Tian-ge, you scold him.” Guo Wuliang had to turn to Yujien.

His mind preoccupied, Yujien heard the voice but not the words. “Mn?”

“You ask him! You don’t know how devoted he is to that princess consort of his. Let me count: one, two, three years! He hasn’t touched a woman in three years!” Cher Baochi tsked. Then his tone turned caring and solicitous, “Yujien, hear your bro out. Life’s long, you gotta open your mind up, woman, eh! Isn’t it just that business?…” And he tumbled down and started dry puking.

His many whacks made Yujien scoff. “And you know about devotion?”

Cher Baochi wailed and whimpered in heaves, but couldn’t gag out anything, and was irked by his words. “Why wouldn’t I know? When your bro Ulan was young, he had a puppy love too,” he protested, and wobbled his head as if reminiscing an old past. “She was a noble girl who could only see me in secret once every evening. It was as if enthralled by the devil, for I did nothing all day but stand there waiting for her. And when she didn’t come for a day, it was as if I’d lost my soul. Ugh!”

At the last two sentences, Yujien’s heart gave a violent jolt.

Those in seats had been used to Cher Baochi’s shameless debauchery, and all chortled at hearing such a pure past. “Laugh what? Laugh what?” Cher Baochi roared, “Who hadn’t fallen for a woman?”

“Too old, can’t remember.” Suerhu had his drinks too, and chanted along, “But I was really stupid in those days! One day I picked a bouquet, next sent a couple of bracelets. Racked my brains, and sank my fortunes just to see her a smile.”

“And you would tease her for no reason, just to make them talk. With the load of girls, you only wanted to bully her. But if she really got mad, you regretted it,” said Dardum, cackling with laughter.

Everyone immersed in the air of nostalgia, and spilled their heart’s content of the various follies from their youth time crushes.

Only Guo Wuliang slowly shook his head. “No,” he whispered, “whenever you think about she will leave and you can never see her face again—it’s like ten thousand knives thrashing in your heart. And no matter how many years, your heart is always a mangled mess. You can’t think about it, you can’t touch it.”

His brow arch stirred—the ring of bruises on Qu Fongning’s neck flashed before his eyes.

“All loads of crap!” Cher Baochi howled, stood up and swept with a swagger.

The crowd, stunned silent from his deterrence, waited for his grand speech.

Instead, they saw Cher Baochi putting on a lewd smile. “What flowers and bracelets, in the end, is all just to get on the business with her!” He grabbed the two dancers by his sides, and snickered: “especially the ones you just coaxed to bed, you’ll do her with all the more lust, and feel all that soul-stirring pleasure! What say you, treasure?”

The audience broke into their knowing, lascivious smirks. A line of naked slave wenches swarmed in, gentle moans unceasing, and slumped a mush before the low banquet tables.

Yujien took leave to return to the city. In the chilly winds, his heart gradually calmed. Thinking though he was somewhat uncertain towards Qu Fongning, at least he didn’t rouse any erotic desires, and could still console himself: “It’s probably because I never raised an older child, and felt a little sensual at times, could be the case.”

Yet this last bit of solace, in just the briefness of a snooze after the return, dissipated completely into the void.

Oyghrmuki heard a low groan from the main ger and rushed in at once. Yujien braced his arms on the wolf head throne, his hair a disheveled mess, his chest rose and fell, and apparently have just startled awake from a nightmare.

“General, the dreams caught you?” he enquired with concern.

Yujien swung his hand, but his breathing was still unsettled.

“I’ll get some liquor to quell your terrors. What manner of beings can scare you… ghosts?”

“If only it were ghosts,” Yujien snapped. He uncovered the thin blanket and looked between his thighs. Now undoubtedly convinced, his irritation unspeakable, he slammed the blanket to the ground.

~

On the second day, when he saw Qu Fongning, it was frost on top of the snow. “Who made you wear this?” he flared.

Qu Fongning swayed his airy white frock, grinning. “The Little Lord Prince.”

Yujien saw extensive areas on his arms and chest widely exposed; it barely covered anything.

“You don’t feel the chill?” He clenched his teeth.

“But it’s hot,” said Qu Fongning, nonplussed.

For the past two days, the air gradually sprung warm, and the accumulated snow had melted; a single layer was suitable to wear. Yujien would not reason with him; curtly, he picked up a silk-lined coat and tossed to his face. Qu Fongning had to put it on with piling complaints about the heat. The coat only covered to his waist, his two slender legs were still almost entirely naked, and the calves were even more bare. Finding Yujien setting go on a corner of the felt carpet, he clung in like scorched rice, wanting to sit in his lap. Yujien swung his large hand and pushed him briskly to the side. Unperturbed, Qu Fongning hugged onto his knees, his hands stretching all the way onto his thighs—and Paa—Yujien fended his hand away with a swipe. Qu Fongning received two consecutive rejections and became immediately unhappy. “What did I do again!” “Hot!” Yujien said frostily. “And you are telling me to wear so much!” said Qu Fongning, dismayed. “It’s for your best!” Yujien let out the words between his teeth.

Qu Fongning understood not and hemmed and heaved his great dissatisfaction. After sitting for a while, he hummed a tune and tagged himself again onto his shoulders. Tightly squeezed by his chest, and with the heat conducting in proximity, Yujien’s entire left arm was almost numbed to immobility. Then, finding his two legs stretched flat on the ground, the tip of the feet slightly perked, and the chime of the golden bells ringing by his ear, the disturbance was unyielding.

“Where’s the sitting posture?” he scolded, his heart unquiet.

“You got so many rules today,” complained Qu Fongning. He noticed the black and white go pieces by his hand, and instantly watched him with keen interest. Yujien was anxious for something to scatter his preoccupation. “Teach you,” he acceded first, pointed to the go board, and explained to him the rules. He happened to be holding a black and a white piece in his hand, and sprawled it out. “You pick one.” Qu Fongning extended towards the white pieces, then hesitated, and changed to the black piece. “You are the black,” he smiled. And Yujien let out a laugh: “You caught me, hmm?” Qu Fongning poked and nudged in his hand. “You can catch me too,” he said. Yujien’s heart swirled, and he caught his hand.

Qu Fongning also felt something different being held by his hand. “General, your hand is so warm,” he said, lifting his face. Yujien hummed. His shoulder shifted and regarded him straight on. “Ningning,” his voice drew hoarse. “Da-ge,” Qu Fongning answered casually, his eyes looking at the two white jade go bowls. He extended over him to grab the white go bowl, but his hand wasn’t long enough, and his entire figure prostrated onto the ground, and finally reached it. Yujien held on to the other side of the floor and watched him from above. “What are you doing now?” Qu Fongning flipped around and laid over the go board, and jiggled the goods in his hands to a clack, grinning gleefully. “I’m white!”

This position of his was exactly the same as his dream the day before. Only in the dream, his expression was much more alluring, his hair half damp, and a flaming red dress draped all the way to his waist. His two straight legs, half-covered and half-obscured, wrapped tightly around his waist, and raspy moans surrounded his ears: “Da-ge, faster…”

His crotch swelled hot. No longer able to contain him, he lowered to kiss him—and the vesture door suddenly whooshed, and Oyghrmuki’s voice followed in: “General, Little Syr, come eat!”

His entire being stiffened, and “Out!” almost left his mouth. Qu Fongning, reacting faster than him, answered with a sprightly “Coming!” and tossed the go-bowl back to him with a chuckle. “Back to you!” He wheeled to climb up, the bells chiming lustily, and dashed out.

Yujien’s convoluted emotions took a long time to appease before he walked out grimly. The two had long started biting venison and chewing buttered naan, and conversing intimately.

“Grand Chamberlain Oyghrmuki,” mumbled Qu Fongning, “did you take my Sis Songshr out riding elephants yesterday?”

“Little girl didn’t dare to ride—” Oyghrmuki answered between ravenous bites, “Eh? Sis?”

“What else?” said Qu Fongning

“Isn’t she your bride-to-be!” exclaimed Oyghrmuki.

“No! Why are we talking about this again? What do I need a wife for?” said Qu Fongning.

“To cook you three meals a day, feed your horse, and wash your clothes. Warm your blankets when the days turn cold, and swing the fan when the days turn hot,” Oyghrmuki listed as if offering tribute. “If nothing else, give you a son. And you can put the furry kid on the elephant’s nose! How much fun is that!?”

The last one deeply moved Qu Fongning. His face at once glowed spectacularly, and nodded. “That sounds good!”

“Then hurry to get married!” urged Oyghrmuki, widely pleased.

Qu Fongning watched Yujien walking in with a glacial face, smiled, and pointed to him. “Then I gotta ask the general! He’d said, only he has the say to whoever I marry.”

Oyghrmuki slapped his chest in confidence. “Come on, let’s beg for his favor.”

The two jumbled all the food into a pile before Yujien, and brimmed his bowl with fine wine, full of intentions.

Yujien regarded his sparkling eyes deeply, picked up the wine-bowl, downed it in one swig, and turned to go back in.

“So hard to please! Eat something, eh?” said Oyghrmuki, startled.

Qu Fongning rushed to chase and tugged his hand. “General,” he said softly, “we are just joking with you.”

“Mn, I know.” Yujien stood still. He fixed his gaze on him for a while, patted his hair, and flipped open the curtain door.

~

Oyghrmuki did not notice the commander general’s queerness at all. When he brought in warm food later in the evening, he was still rambling incessantly on the matter of the day. And remarked how handsome Little Syr looked, and the little chick he bears in the future is certain to look super dashing.

Yujien watched a corner of the sky outside the ger, his vision infinitesimally close and infinitely remote, and replied not to the question: “Yeah. He’s a little skylark now. One day, he’ll be a mighty eagle.”

Mist condensed on Oyghrmuki’s head, who understood not a single sentence. A moment later, he came to report that His Majesty the King had sent over several beauties, and should he dismiss them as usual.

Yujien rubbed at his glabella, reflected for a moment, and answered wearily, “Keep them.”

~

Qu Fongning pondered on the way of go, and especially huddled in with Uncle Hwei after the morning for special treatments. Unexpectedly, Uncle Hwei swayed his hand, showing he had no way to help. “Don’t you learn qin, go, letter, and art together! How did you only learn qin?” exclaimed a baffled Qu Fongning. Uncle Hwei made a haughty hand gesture, showing: “The old man’s qin is for killing!” Then he let out a bitter laugh, unknown to have remembered what. Qu Fongning persisted in the nagging, and he had to answer in sign language: “For these ways of elegance, you have to seek my Grandmaster Shixiong.” “The owner of the jade flute? He is good at go?” Qu Fongning hurried to ask. Uncle Hwei’s eyes faded, and he gave a silent mouthing: “Unmatched under heaven.” Then his boots clanged, and he slipped into the wave of slaves to scrape ice.

He didn’t find a shortcut here and had to give it up. But when he got back to the gates of the City of Ghosts, eight guards stepped forth, expressionless, with spears and railed him back. He had come around this city fewest hundreds of times—it was as if walking through no-man’s-land — and when had he ever been impeded? Suddenly confounded, he inquired worriedly for length, but the guards remained as silent as rocks, kept their spear pointed straight at him, and refused to let him in. In his plight, he saw Captain Gantu leading troops by and hurried to call for help from him. However, when Captain Gantu saw him, he only halted his horse in place and apologized: “Little Damu, the General had commanded that you may not enter the City of Ghosts. I beg your pardon.”

He had recovered the intimacy with Yujien just yesterday; though his heart was perplexed, he didn’t panic, and assumed Yujien was jesting with him again. He surveyed the four sides, then his spirit crown suddenly lifted; he took the path from the elephants and scaled up the rear precipice of the Sky Gale Cliff. This peak thrusted upwards in a clean slice, and the ascend was awfully difficult. Although he had a decent set of kungfu, he slipped many times and scraped his knee. Indignant, he planned to account this all with Yujien when he saw him.

But when he finally climbed to the top and came all dusty before the main ger, he saw Yujien leaning against the vesture door, arms-crossed, and his entire presence enveloped in a pall of gloom. His whole body stirred at his sudden appearance, then locked his brows together. “How did you get in?”

Qu Fongning tugged at his sweaty raven locks. Seeing his indifferent response, he paused and asked, “Why aren’t you letting me in?”

“It’s a restricted military base. How can I allow outsiders to come about at random.” Yujien swept him a glacial look.

A buzz boomed in Qu Fongning’s head.

“You’re saying I’m an outsider?” he burst out.

“Yes,” Yujien answered apathetically.

This word poured down his head like ice water; his heart fell flat at once.

“So, I shouldn’t come again in the future?” he bit his teeth.

“Up to you,” Yujien said coolly, looking at his reddening eyes.

Qu Fongning’s two fists clasped so hard and was going to open his mouth. Then several loosen-haired luscious women walked out of the main ger with titters and lowered heads and climbed on a carriage before the ger. One of them was draped with Yujien’s black cloak, beneath which her snow-white breasts loomed faintly to vision, obviously not wearing any clothes.

Upon the sight, it was as if sharp fangs had taken a brutal bite out of his heart. Unutterably furious and upset, he even lost the senses to the back of his head. “So… it’s this. You could’ve… told me. It’s not like I can’t take a hint,” he made it out, attempting to sound as if it was nothing, but his voice had completely changed to another person; it was unrecognizably raspy, how could he lie to anyone?

Yujien watched him staring at the women on the carriage, his eyes full of shock and disappointment, and felt an inexplicable guilt. Hearing his voice change, his heart started thumping violently. Why is he so angry?

His eyes fell on his body and found a large blotch of his kneecap scraped, and blood had streamed all the way to his ankles. “Are you okay?” He couldn’t help enquiring.

Qu Fongning had smoldered into a broil and altogether disregarded his enquiry. He glared at him and swiveled to retreat off the cliffs, and disappeared with the blink of an eye.

Yujien uncontrollably rushed forth a step, but stopped himself abruptly, and told the guard on the side, “Get someone to check on him at the foot.”

~

Qu Fongning was seething with rage, his hands and feet lost their balance, and fell multiple tumbles and scraped many places on his body. When he returned, he flopped right dead in his partition of their yurt, and buried his entire person within the heap of straw. Uncle Hwei came to enquiry after and only received a spiteful reply: “What dog-crap god of war! Just the same slew of goods as Qu Lyn!” And for three days straight, he didn’t make a single step towards the City of Ghosts.

“What’s up between you and your beau?” asked Qu Lyn, realizing something was wrong. “General Yujien has tossed a cold eye towards this pathetic servant time and again, and this useless one doesn’t know how he had offended him,” Qu Fongning said with sunken eyes. Qu Lyn had taken tremendous efforts to tangle on this wisp of connection; how could he let it go? He hence consulted with Qu Sharraugh, and at once sent out an invitation to dine to Yujien, saying how their longing had seeped through their bones since the long absence of the General’s valiant figure.

Yujien agreeably accepted, and the guest and host engaged in harmony. As they drank to merriment, Qu Sharraugh threw a look towards the curtain wall, from which Qu Fongning had to come out reluctantly, kneel before Yujien’s side, and pour wine for him. Yujien paid no eye to him and only conversed with Qu Sharraugh. Qu Fongning lifted a sliver of his bowed eyes to glimpse his expression, but the mask had sealed him tight, and he could see nothing. Soon, Yujien rose and said, “Much obliged to the Lord Prince’s hospitality. Tomorrow I shall host a feast in the city. Would the Lord Prince care to come for a drink?”

Qu Sharraugh’s face glowed red at his words. To know, between the various Chienye Generals, Yujien Tianhung’s feasts were the rarest and very few were ever invited, and it was countless people’s dream to gain a seat at the banquet within the City of Ghosts. “I’ll come for sure, I’ll come for sure!” he echoed at once.

Yujien nodded and looked at Oyghrmuki, who had drunk his fill and was already lost to the world from the Lord Prince’s reserved fine vintages. Qu Lyn ordered him to be carried away and barked at Qu Fongning, “Aren’t you escorting the General back?”

Qu Fongning watched the cup he had poured sitting forlornly on the stand, completely untouched. His heart was a plane of emptiness. “He doesn’t even want to drink my wine. What’s the use of this walk?” But he was helpless to Qu Lyn’s determined pushes and had to concede.

Outside the ger, the sky was flashing lightning and rumbling thunder, dust and sand flapped above the earth, and the smell of mud filled the air. It seemed there would soon be a torrential downpour. He languidly followed behind, almost half a li away from Yujien’s man and horse. His heart urged vexedly for Shadow Leaper to run faster, but this renowned steed seemed displeased with this thunderous weather. It trotted slower and slower, and in the end, started chewing flowers by the banks.

He had no excuse and had to slowly catch up. Yujien slanted him a look. “You go back,” he said.

By then, thunder cracked like drums and shook ripples across the water surface. He saw Yujien’s lips move, but heard not a sound, and hence went up a step and lifted his head to show: “I didn’t hear you.”

Yujien watched the distinct contrast of his eyes, his frock fluttering high in the sweeping sands, half of his shoulders and legs all exposed, and the bells chiming wildly. His irritation came to the summit.

“I’m telling you to scram!” he roared.

Qu Fongning had been wholly set on going back, but this sharp roar held him motionless instead.

Yujien didn’t want to meet his eyes and clench tight at the reins. “Shadow Leaper, go,” he bellowed.

Qu Fongning’s full heart of grievances almost erupted, and the corners of his eyes reddened as well.

“You said you’re always as you wish! You said you’ll always shine upon me!” he cried.

A stab of pain thrusted Yujien’s heart. “It doesn’t count anymore,” he forced his cool.

Qu Fongning’s entire face fumed snow-white, and his shoulders trembled violently. Suddenly, he took something off and flung at him, and turned to leave.

Only one thought surged through his heart: This man’s bipolar; he’s impossible to serve! Damn it! I’m fucking quitting.

Yujien caught it and looked. It was the thumb ring, with threads of blood in entanglement, and still carrying the warmth from his hand.

He faintly realized the situation had gone out of control, leaped off the horse, and shouted, “Halt.”

Qu Fongning’s figure stopped in place, his eyes filled with hate and indignation.

“I gifted you this. Why don’t you want it anymore?” said Yujien, going forth a step.

By now, Qu Fongning was smashing the broken jars. “I just don’t want it anymore!” he screamed hoarsely. “Tomorrow, I’ll give back the bow you gave me! I’ll never see you again! I’ll never talk to you again! You don’t care anyway!”

“You don’t know shit,” scoffed Yujien.

“What don’t I know!” screamed Qu Fongning. “You think I’m troublesome! Getting in the way between you and those women! You could’ve told me, you didn’t have to be so cold! You needn’t tell people to stop me! I can go by myself!”

He riled up Yujien’s fury.

“If you don’t know, then stop this fucking nonsense,” he said coolly.

“Then what do you mean?” Qu Fongning roared louder than him.

A boom cracked by the horizon, and the ground shook. A strike of lightning blazed the heaven and the earth into a plane of whiteness.

“Fine, I’ll tell you,” Yujien seemed to have made the low rumble from the bottom of his lungs.

Qu Fongning had entirely ballooned with rage, and stared at him like a little creature that had been trampled on its wounds. He only felt a colossal, austere presence pressing in, and couldn’t help backing off a step.

Yujien’s air also turned into a feral beast. His eyes, scarlet red, locked on his gasping lips, and his vision sunk. He held him beneath himself, and assaulted in a violent kiss.

This was not the light touch on the surface of that morning; it was kissing and biting and tearing his lips. His tongue thrusted in as well and ruthlessly sucked the tip of his tongue. This aggressive approach was almost like trying to drink the life out of him.

The ability for shock left Qu Fongning. His rage turned into amazement, and his head rounded completely empty.

A crash of thunder, and the first shower of spring rain finally fell with a vigorous bang.

Yujien held himself up. His voice masked hazy in the rainy mist: “This is what I mean.”

Qu Fongning sat up as well, felt his lips aching with pain, and wiped with the back of his hand. A spread of blood came to view, and was instantly washed away by the rain.

He dimly guessed the truth, but his heart was too astounded, and looked towards Yujien’s chin.

“What is… this?” he started slowly.

“You are so smart, how could you not understand?” Yujien rasped, pulling down his mask.

Though Qu Fongning could not believe it, he had to accept it.

“You want to… sleep with me?” he whispered, watching the white mist floating about his handsome face.

Yujien couldn’t deny he didn’t have this meaning. “Yes.”

Qu Fongning thought for a while, and yanked his wet hair to the side.

“Feng pursue Feng?” he confirmed.

Yujien laughed, and regarded his watery eyes and lashes. “Yes.”

Qu Fongning’s mind swiftly calculated through the various stakes, and said, “You’ve told me before that Feng pursue Feng… is going against the firmament, and it’s inherently wrong.”

“I’ve eaten my own words, and disappointed you,” said Yujien, and scoffed at himself. He rose and turned back to him, and his tone cooled: “Right or wrong, it’s all my feelings.” He regarded him deeply, spun on the horse, and rode into the boundless downpour.

Qu Fongning watched his retreating direction and sat for a long time in the rain, the insuppressible laughter running rampant in his heart. “The old boy had been worrying for so long. Fuck. So he… likes me.” Suddenly, he burst out a laugh, then immediately pulled tight his face in alarm. And then he thought there was not a soul in the four directions, and instantly let out all his worries, laughing so hard that his whole body trembled and could not walk anymore.

When he returned to the yurt, he continued, unable to stop himself, and hid within Uncle Hwei’s arms, his shoulders jittering relentlessly. “What’s making you so giddy like this?” asked Uncle Hwei. He was very smug and started a hand sign, then he thought: “When I take down Yujien Tianhung in the future and tell Uncle Hwei, he’ll be even happier.” Thus, he only rubbed the rain onto Uncle Hwei and went to see Qu Lyn in a fit of giggles.

~

The following late night, Qu Sharraugh left the City of Ghosts drunk, spirited, delighted beside himself, and gave Qu Fongning’s shoulder a hearty slap when he returned. “Good child, you’ve done well!” he lauded. He must have received some extraordinary treatment at the reception and earned him much face. Qu Fongning knelt to conduct gratitude. “The old fox finally climbed up this acquaintance. I, the go-between bridge builder, have thus successfully completed my task.” He pursed his lips and let out another chuckle.

Since Qu Sharraugh got his wish, Qu Lyn no longer cared about his itinerary and, for consecutive dates, had been wandering out to spring outings. One day, when he returned after noon, his shoulder twisted unnaturally, and he cried in constant agony. Qu Fongning helped to take off his clothes for inspection. It was a pretty blotch of red, purple, and green. “How did Master get into this?”

Qu Lyn’s face twisted into a dough. “It’s that bloody woman, good-and-all and wanted to play polo! Cher Vei, that son of a bitch, rammed his life into blocking my horse and slapped the mallet right on my face. If I hadn’t dodged fast enough, he would’ve smashed my teeth off!” he said, sucking back a breath. Qu Fongning attentively helped him with the salve, and casually inquired after, “Which bloody woman?”

“You don’t know? Princess Chao’yoon had arrived the day before last, supposedly coming this time to pick a husband. And for the past couple of days, all the old men with sons had stomped flat the lawn before the mountain base of the City of Ghost.” Qu Lyn frowned.

“Isn’t the Great Master interested in the land beneath the Rolling Clouds Mountain? Why doesn’t Master go to offer your charms?” said Qu Fongning, his mind stirring. Qu Lyn scoffed. “My Lord Father had bid me to reserve my shine; if I abruptly revealed my abilities, it would induce suspicion. Besides, this woman is very skilled in polo, swings that silver mallet like a sweeping tiger, and has been dishing shit on Agula’s slew. It won’t be easy to dig on her!”

Qu Fongning’s mind wheeled into work. “This humble servant has an idea that will make her look at Master differently,” he professed.

~

Outside the City of Ghosts gates, dust danced above a rectangular polo field, and seven, eight horses, complete with bright saddles and leg armors, were giving chase. A black wooden mallet sent the eight-treasured golden ball flying high in the air. Chao’yoonr, in a set of waist-belted riding gown, draped with a pink waistcoat, and red leather booties stepped tightly in the stirrups, stood up straight and fixed her eyes on the drop of the golden ball. She drove the horse to pass another, and flicked the silver mallet in a slant, flicking the golden ball into flight towards the sky. The golden ball was hollow — air shrilled, and Chao’yoonr cackled with laughter, leaped up high from the horse, driving the mallet with two hands, and sent a full strike. The golden ball clanged and shot straight into the gates.

“The Princess’s godly skills!” the crowd chorused in cheers.

Chao’yoonr, exceedingly pleased, retracted the silver mallet and was going to boost a few lines, then her proud eyes swept through the audience, and her face changed. The smirk on her lips turned into revulsion. “…. It’s you!” she said, gritting her teeth.

Qu Lyn slanted a look at the dark-guard-robbed Qu Fongning, appearing expressionless but belying abundant contempt in his eyes. Chao’yoonr fixed deathly on him, her five fingers clasped tight, and her whole-body sprawled with anger. The effect succeeded. “Princess, please continue,” Qu Lyn said with a smile.

Resentment had long taken seed in Chao’yoonr since Qu Fongning sliced her silver whip and made her a slave. Although he saved her in the end, she believed he was only showing off his skills, and thus she had none gratitude whatsoever. And her eyes instantly shot red at the encounter today. No longer bothering with the polo gates, she swung the golden ball straight towards him. Qu Fongning moved to the side with an impassive face, but still stood by the rails on the polo court. Whenever people picked the golden ball back, Chao’yoonr would swing her mallet towards him. She lost her aim in the fury, though the golden ball flew with such violence, time and again, it did not hit on a slip of his clothes.

The throng of scions realized something was off. All reined their horses and exchanged glances. Chao’yoonr made herself a fool, her resentment flaring, and dished out a mighty swing. Ringing in chime, the golden ball shot towards Qu Fongning. The target slightly shifted his head and let it pass.

Qu Lyn cut through the crowd and swung his mallet to a point.

“Wretch, are you blind? Why haven’t you picked up the ball for the Princess?” he snapped.

Qu Fongning shot a glance at the golden ball that had rolled faraway and swept coldly at Chao’yoonr. “Yes, master,” he replied respectfully and dropped his head.

As he spoke, he lowered his back, and, as if picking up something foul, lifted the golden ball at the eight-hued rings with a grimace.

Qu Lyn watched Chao’yoonr clenching her jaw and again opened his mouth: “Is your filthy hand worthy of touching the Princess’s precious treasure?”

“Yes, this humble servant had transgressed,” Qu Fongning said quietly. And thus, he knelt deeply and prostrated to the ground, with two hands to his back, and lowered his head to hold the colored ring with his mouth.

Chao’yoonr instantly changed from fury to merry, and regarded Qu Lyn with gratitude.

Qu Lyn returned with a smile and hollered at Qu Fongning, “Crawl over!”

Qu Fongning drooped his eyes, kneeling on the ground, and crawled his way before the pair’s horses on two knees. The golden ball was particularly heavy, and with his movements, it rang in chimes in his mouth. Agula was the first to find amusement and emitted a snort, and the others ensued to cachinnate with laughter.

Chao’yoonr watched with a joyous rapture, and couldn’t help stealing a look at Qu Lyn, feeling that this was the most decent man in the world.

“Would the Princess’s jade hands please drive the tip-off?” Qu Lyn ingratiated and retreated a step, the corner of his lips lifting by a slight.

“It would be my pleasure,” Chao’yoonr laughed, her eyes streaming in malignancy. She raised high the silver mallet, bustled up her strength, and struck him.

This strike came with such a ferocity that if she struck whole, none of his teeth would survive. Upon the rushing force wind, he acted on the fly, and blew the golden ball towards the reach of the mallet to deflect the charge. However, it was impossible to avoid completely. And he felt a blackness before his eyes, for half of his face had been swept. His browbone throbbed with a singular pain and something hot started trickling down. He lowered to look. Drops of blood had fallen to the ground. And he was for a moment at a loss: “You and your niece really have it set on my face! It’s either breaking my brow or… biting off my lips.”

“Why aren’t you playing anymore?” a low, austere voice suddenly rose from the city gates.

A commotion stirred. The crowd dismounted in unison and went forth to salute.

“Uncle Tian!” Chao’yoonr chirped and galloped her mare over.

As soon as he heard this voice, his heart shook a peculiar dither, and his face couldn’t help warming up. “Why the fuck are you nervous! It’s not like you like him too!” he cursed himself.

“Uncle Tian, they are all hopeless. I’m falling asleep on the horse!” he heard Chao’yoonr fawn and giggle. “Take me out to hunt! I want to ride that long mane white horse and race with Shadow Leaper!”

“The old boy had only fed that horse for a few days and she’s robbing it away!” brooded Qu Fongning, awfully dismayed.

And Yujien seemed to have acquiesced: “Depends on your behavior.” Sensing something off with the court, he swept a glance between the crowd and found Qu Fongning kneeling on the ground with eyes full of blood. A sudden stab of terror to his heart, he leaped off and strut towards him.

He came hither and saw a deep bloody gash on his left browbone, still ebbing with blood. If it was lowered by a cun, he would’ve lost this eye. And in an instant, it was as if someone had whipped at his heart, and his face dropped dark at once. “Who hit you?”

Seeing him, Qu Fongning only felt discomfort all over. He looked at him and again lowered his head.

Yujien’s head was as clear as day. “Send him to my place,” he commanded, and swept a sharp look towards Chao’yoonr. “Get off!”

Chao’yoonr dared not disobey and obediently dismounted.

“Chao’yoonr,” said Yujien, “this is how you repay your savior? This is how I taught you?”

Chao’yoonr watched his unfriendly colors with indignation. “I am the Princess. He’s the slave. It’s by heavenly law his duty to save me, what is there to repay! Moreso, it’s not like he hasn’t been paid. He has learned archery with you for so long; it’s more than enough! And he still owes me a whip!”

“I am very disappointed with you,” Yujien said wearily with a curt shake of his head. He lifted his finger and pointed. “You can go kneel before the city gates for four hours.”

Chao’yoonr had never heard this alien tone from Yujien, felt exceedingly aggrieved, and couldn’t help tearing up. “Uncle Tian, it’s just a slave! Is it worth you punishing me this way! You never cared about how many slaves I killed for fun in the past. You don’t love me anymore!”

Yujien mounted without looking at her.

“The Princess did not mean to humiliate this person,” Qu Lyn rushed forth. “It’s all because of your unworthy nephew’s lack of discipline. To really pursue the account, I am chief of guilt. I beg the General to punish me as well.” As he finished, he walked towards the gates and knelt straight down.

Yujien regarded him silently. Qu Lyn met his gaze and felt his whole set of entrails exposed clean before his eyes, and his heart shuddered unremittingly.

The throng of nobles saw Qu Lyn had claimed first, their envy flared, and all rushed to claim: “I’m at fault as well,” “I wish to follow the Princess in punishment.” And soon, a great horde knelt down before the gates.

“Not allowed to rise without my leave,” Yujien said mildly. And he yanked the reins in urge and galloped into the city in a flight.

~

Oyghrmuki was not in the ger today, and there was an unfamiliar new guard with large hands and coarse work. He dragged a dry towel in a haphazard mop and smeared his face into a further dishevel. Yujien entered with a sweep of the vesture and frowned at the sight, and motioned for the guard to stand aside. He took over the towel, wetted and twisted it dry, sat across from Qu Fongning, and wiped at the blood beneath his lids.

This guard knew not the ropes; he saw the commander general working his own hands, instantly let down the ointment, bowed, and went out to stand guard. As the curtains fell, only the two remained in the grand ger, and the air at once turned queer.

Qu Fongning dared not to look at him. He closed his lids half-way and let the icy cloth wipe at his slightly heated face.

Yujien dabbed away the blood, took some ointment and spread it on for him. Qu Fongning stole a look beneath his palm and found him concentrating on his wound. As he finished, he carefully examined it once through. “The wound was not deep. It’s fortunate that the eye wasn’t harmed.”

Qu Fongning voiced an umm and nodded.

Yujien watched his eyes drooping low, and didn’t know how to feel. The two stayed silent for a moment, then Qu Fongning broke first and burst out with a sudden chuckle.

Seeing him laughing all without gloom, Yujien couldn’t help feeling funny as well.

“What you laughing about?” he said, taking off his mask.

The laugh tugged on his wound. “Nothing, it’s just… a little funny,” he said, clenching his teeth.

Their gaze met. Qu Fongning felt a little embarrassed and ducked away once more.

“Did I scare you the other day?” he heard Yujien ask.

Qu Fongning’s heart jolted with a pang, and he stole a glimpse at him.

“No, I was ill-tempered that day as well. When I heard you say… reassured me instead.”

Yujien’s brow arch shifted. “Oh? How reassured?”

“Because you…” Qu Fongning said with his head down, “ignored me the day before, and blocked me outside the city, and said I’m an outsider. I had thought… you don’t like me anymore.”

“Mn, I was too cranky. There’s no dislike,” said Yujien.

Qu Fongning felt a faint of vertigo, and his nose soured a little. He muttered a teeny “Oh” and asked, “are you going to bar me again?”

“No. You still dare to come?” said Yujien.

“Why don’t I dare?” asked Qu Fongning, puzzled.

Yujien paused, and his gaze turned peculiar. “You’re not scared?”

“… Scared of what? Scared of you sleeping with me?” Qu Fongning queried instead.

Yujien was vexed into a laugh. “What sort of bad friends have you been seeing? Haven’t got a single decent thing to say!”

Qu Fongning chuckled as well, but his wound throbbed again, and he hissed back a cold breath.

Yujien held his face and found the flesh ripped open, and glistens of blood ebbed in drops. Reminded of Chao’yoonr’s wanton cruelty, his rage flared up once again. “The little girl is wholly ungrateful. I should’ve sent her back,” he said.

“That’s absolutely out of the question. Qu Lyn hasn’t got his hands on her yet!” thought Qu Fongning. Suddenly reminded of a matter, he hurried to ask, “General, did you give the white horse to the Little Princess?”

Yujien’s eyes belied a smile. “Why?”

“… I don’t want to feed the horse for her,” said Qu Fongning.

“Come.” Yujien got up and took him to the stables at the rear ger. The white horse had completely recovered, and its amber eyes quietly watched the pair. In comparison, in the opposite stall, Shadow Leaper’s air was much cruder, for its snorts were loud enough to shake the heavens; this manner of calm and sereness, it lacked completely.

Yujien took off a set of flaming red-lotus saddle and flung it onto the horse, and opened the stall door. “Get up.”

“Lending me for a ride?” said Qu Fongning, surprised and delighted. He stepped on the stirrup and agilely flipped on the horseback.

“It was meant as a gift for you in the first place,” said Yujien, helping him correct the position.

This really astounded him, who sat dazedly on the horseback for a good while.

“But you already gave me the gift for this year,” he said, startled.

Yujien took out a roll of silvery-white horsewhip and tossed it to him. His deep-set eyes looked at him somewhat helplessly.

Sharps as he is, Qu Fongning understood at once, and coughed. He tightened the hold on his thighs and spurred the horse towards the foot of the mountain. As he approached the main ger, he turned for a wily smirk at Yujien.

“Does this count as being nice for no reason?” he said.

Before the other could react, he whipped a crack and sent the horse into a mad gallop, laughing the whole way.

~

The white horse in his seat was well-built in figure. Its mane was four, five times the length of the other steeds. Soft and snowy-bright, as it ran, it flowed like fluttering tassels; and holding gently on the rein, it was as if riding a cloud above slow falling snow. The horse itself was already iridescent to sight, and this red-lotus saddle further contrasted the snowy whiteness with the flaming crimson. On his way down the mountain, none was not envious. When the city gates came before his eyes, he reined the horse into a canter on purpose. As he departed the gates, he really heard waves of exclamations. He turned to look. Wrath had consumed Chao’yoonr’s face and made her quiver all over. Qu Lyn pressed on her shoulders and was consoling in light whispers. He lifted his face and exchanged a look with Qu Fongning, who instantly understood and deliberately turned back to the city gates, and purposely put a flaunt in front of the crowd, so as to secure him additional opportunities.

That night, Qu Lyn returned in great spirits, reported to his Lord Father and received two jugs of fine wine, and drank several cups with Qu Fongning in his arms. When Qu Fongning inquired about the situation of the day, Qu Lyn smiled. “That cunt had fumed white. If your master didn’t take upon his life to derail her, she would have squashed your little head like a melon! And as soon as she heard you’re my slave, she asked me whether I can chop you into pieces and soak you in mare milk wine.”

“If you killed this humble servant, the Princess won’t be so easy to get on the hook,” said Qu Fongning, brimming his cup with a bowed head.

“What if she really means me to kill you?” Qu Lyn smirked, hooking him in.

Qu Fongning stirred and met his gaze. “If Master is willing to part with me, I shall have no regrets in my sacrifice,” he whispered.

Qu Lyn watched his face, his eyes gained some perplexity. “You seem different now,” he said.

“What’s different,” asked Qu Fongning.

Qu Lyn tsked. “A little alluring, eh.” And he smooched him. “It can’t be that you had gone around my back and hooked up with my cousin?” he said suddenly.

“Little General? This humble servant hasn’t seen him for a long time,” said Qu Fongning, confused.

“That would be best,” said Qu Lyn, staring at him, then mentioned, “Chao’yoonr said you robbed her horse?”

“The old boy not only robbed her horse, I also robbed her Uncle Tian,” mused Qu Fongning. Feeling exceedingly smug, his wound doesn’t even ache anymore.

~

Because of the horse, their relationship returned to normal. This day, after Qu Fongning completed the brush of the horse’s coat, wiped it with a dry cloth, and groomed it with a wooden comb, he inspected it with a full look; it was indescribably splendid and beautiful. His heart was supremely pleased, and he couldn’t resist speaking a few words to it. He thus made a show of patting the white horse’s head and opened his mouth: “Dear horse.” It felt very odd, and with a jolt he finally realized something and rushed to ask Yujien to bestow a name.

Yujien was busy with a confidential document in his hand and gave a casual reply: “How’s Snow Dancer?”

“It’s too sissy!” Qu Fongning immediately shook his head.

Yujien said several names, but none was satisfactory. And in the end, he was teasing him: “Wind Chaser?”

Yet how would he know this type of kitschy name was right up to Qu Fongning’s taste. And he was at once content. “This is the one!” Caressing its snow-white hair, he called happily: “Wind Chaser!” And turned to look at Shadow Leaper, he said, “Brother Shadow Leaper, this is Wind Chaser. Please get along nicely from now on. Don’t bully the newcomer!”

Yujien found him all serious, and thus followed to speak to Shadow Leaper, “Did you hear him? Its owner is an impressive one. Even your owner can’t mess with him!”

“How exactly is its owner impressive?” said Qu Fongning.

“He’s made me fell, how’s he not impressive?” said Yujien, smiling at him.

Qu Fongning lifted his head. “Its owner didn’t do it on purpose.” Found his gown splattered with water, he went in leaps and hops to the cliff-side to catch wind.

Yujien also came to stand by his side and watched the cleaving straight cliffs. “You came up this way that day?” he said.

Qu Fongning hummed an umm in pride. “Impressive, no?”

“Impressive, sure sign of a monkey!” Yujien teased, then turned serious: “Don’t be so reckless again.”

“Isn’t it all because you didn’t let me in?” said Qu Fongning. “I thought you’d got some sort of upheaval here, and climbed up all winded, with my heart in my mouth. But you were… Hmph!”

Yujien watched his ballooned cheeks, and the peculiar feeling of the time floated up again.

“Why were you so angry that day?” he could not help asking.

His voice was deep, and Qu Fongning’s voice dropped as well: “I don’t know.”

The pair fell into silence, leaving only the bellow of the mountain gale.

After a long time, Qu Fongning’s clouded voice finally came low and quiet:

“I don’t like you being with them.”

Something surged up in Yujien’s heart; his chest was a slate of curious broil. His throat rolled and started somewhat raspy: “What kind of don’t like?”

Qu Fongning sided over his face and greeted his gaze. “I don’t know.”

He let down his head and avoided Yujien’s eyes.

“Growing up, listening to your stories, you were my idol…” he murmured. “I’m a slave. You are the general, and the first champion of the steppes. I’ve always admired you. And later I come to learn archery with you and you start to treat me differently—In my heart, I’m dying of happiness and chuckling every day in my dreams. I want you to always look at me. And I get angry whenever you look at anyone else. I’ve never liked anyone before… anyway… anyway, I don’t know.”

His face was crimson beyond recognition. He didn’t finish but already turned, wanting to run.

Yujien caught him in one yank, his mortal judgment hand actually a little unsteady. “Look at me.”

Qu Fongning’s hand ached from his clutch. He lifted his reddened eyes and looked at him with a little fear.

Yujien reached deep into his raven black pupils and spoke in a he’d never heard before husky voice:

“Ningning, these words of yours… Do they mean what I think they mean?”

Throbs of pain tethered at the depth of his heart, Qu Fongning struggled to raise his head to align with his vision. “…. You’ve said: Feng pursue Feng is not right.”

Yujien smiled from the deepness of his eyes. “It is right now.” He spread his arms and took him into a tight embrace.

Qu Fongning’s heart thumped unheedingly, but his conscience bearably retained a wisp of lucidity and tried to hold his forces. “I…am still going to marry a wife.”

“Fine. Marry whoever you want,” Yujien murmured above his head.

“I’ll want a son,” Qu Fongning added, unassured.

“Have however many you like,” said Yujien.

Qu Fongning considered and asked at last: “Will you keep me in a sparrow tower?”

Yujien’s gaze was gentle, but his arms braced as tight as steel. “When I’m in the sky, you’ll be in the sky; However high you want to fly, I’ll let you fly to that height!”

Qu Fonging’s heart shook into a tumult. He bowed his eye curtains and silently clicked at his little abacus, then greeted his eyes again. “I… still…”

“Mn, I’ll wait until you are willing; I’ll never force you,” Yujien said gently.

Qu Fongning’s ear was pressed on his chest, listening to the vigorous beating of his heart, and his face scalded hot. After long, came a lament like whisper:

“Ningning, don’t make me wait too long.”

~

And the days after, apart from martial duties and unavoidable socials, Yujien would stay with him every single moment. If he opened his lips to say anything, there was nothing he wouldn’t listen with full attention. And whatever he wanted to play, it’ll be sent over in the blink of an eye. In the past, when Qu Fongning practiced archery, he often did it for four hours straight without a break. But now he would often be called over for a drink of water, and if he didn’t want to, he would be forced onto the chair. At Qu Fongning’s initiation to go, his plays were appalling, yet he was particularly keen in interest. And Yujien held his patience to feed him pieces, temperately explained all manners of strategies and configurations, and would ask in the end: “Did you get it?”

At first, Qu Fongning would listen dutifully. Upon this unusual patience, his boldness grew as well, and he would crumple his brows and shake his head in feigned incomprehension. Yujien then had to explain once more. At halfway, he caught his snicker, knew instantly, and raised his hand for a slap. “You playing with the old boy?” Qu Fongning giggled and ducked onto him, almost rolling into the root of his thighs, and begging for mercy, “I dare no more!” He raised both hands for defense, but didn’t find Yujien’s strike, and snuck a look between the cracks of his fingers. Yujien’s face was exceedingly odd and his voice even changed tone: “Get up.” His arm intercepted and helped him up.

Qu Fongning had no form whatsoever. As soon as he sat up, he inclined onto his shoulders again. Yujien really had no methods for him, turned his head to look into his eyes, and warned solemnly, “Don’t lean this close to me.” Qu Fongning had his chin on his shoulder. “Oh? What’s going to happen?” he said, giggling. A ball of fire seemed to have ignited in the depth of Yujien’s eyes, and his low, husky voice almost touched his cheeks: “What do you want to happen?” His fiery scent tussled on Qu Fongning’s ears, and a tingling numbness scurried along his spine. “Fuck,” he thought, “If the old boy didn’t have a willpower above the commons, how could I withstand it!” Couldn’t even speak anymore, he held his pink ears and glared at him.

Yujien drank in these vivid, watery eyes; how could he resist? His towering figure tilted and pressed him onto the ground, his knee holding his legs, and his sturdy arms held by his sides. Qu Fongning panicked and instantly pulled out his banners: “You said you’re gonna wait for my consent!” Yujien watched him from above, his gaze extremely dangerous. “You know, I haven’t got good patience,” he said and smiled. Qu Fongning saw him looking at himself with a blazing intensity and slowly lowering his head, and panicked even more. “You, a dignified generational god of war, are using force, If I tell—” Before his words ended, a touch of warmth on his forehead; Yujien dabbed him a kiss. He muted at once and could not say the rest.

Yujien again regarded him from above, smiling at his flustered raven eyes. “What’s going to happen if you tell?” he said.

Qu Fongning was teased into intense nerves and stared unblinkingly at his face.

Yujien chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’m not that distasteful.” He sat to one side and pulled him back up. “I want you willing, heart and soul!”

Qu Fongning stared at him. “Are you very sure of yourself?”

“How come, I’m nervous as hell. Listen!” said Yujien, took his fingers and pressed on his own heart. As soon as Qu Fongning touched his solid chest, his face flushed red in a huff, and scrambled to run away.

~

In the evening, Qu Lyn summoned for his presence and bid Qu Fongning: “That chick has demanded me to follow her into the city to ask for her hand. If Yujien Tianhung sees me, he’ll flay me alive for sure! Tomorrow afternoon, think of a way to lure him out. Don’t let him see me.”

Qu Fongning accepted the order. “How’s Master doing with the Princess?” he inquired out of curiosity.

“Soon,” Qu Lyn answered indolently.

“Congratulations to Master,” Qu Fongning replied along.

“I’m saying the child in her belly is soon.” Qu Lyn grinned devilishly.

Now Qu Fongning was shocked. “Master… is swift to strike!” he stammered.

“When these sorts of spoiled, feisty types encounter the gentle chivalry of your master, wouldn’t they surrender their guns right away?” Qu Lyn gloated, and then praised, “You’ve besieged Yujien to not let a drip fall through. For this battle of your master’s, you can take first merit.”

Qu Fongning lifted the corner of his lips. “Master had exaggerated. I simply used some three-legged cat’s plays.”

And the following day just after noon, Qu Fongning walked grandiosely into the City of Ghosts and found the main ger added with several council seats, with seven or eight Ghost Army commanders sitting in a circle before Yujien, attentive in listening. Yujien sat authoritatively in the center of the great ger, saw him come in and motioned him to wait in the rear ger. Qu Fongning found no opportunity to strike and brooded mutely: “How am I to lure him out?”

Yujien soon came in and poured himself a bowl of water. “So eager to see me?” he teased on habit.

Qu Fongning watched the shifting sun. “General, are you free in a bit?” he rushed to ask.

Yujien’s routine martial meeting had only just begun, and it usually scattered at twilight. Upon his question, he allowed for some room: “It depends, let me know your case first.”

“It’s not anything urgent. It’s just Wind Chaser… I am a little at a loss to ride. Can you guide me?” said Qu Fongning.

“How would I refuse your request? But…” He turned for a look. “Not now. Wait for me a bit?”

“In a bit it’ll be too late,” thought Qu Fongning. But he obediently nodded and said, “Okay.” And suddenly, he went up a few steps and came face-to-face with Yujien, gently curled up on his knees and inclined on his calves, protended his hands, and helped him fix the bronze nvquay cloak button beneath his Adam’s apple. Then, meeting up to his gaze, very softly, he said, “… the button’s askew.”

Yujien’s eyes dimmed, his throat made a roll, and his voice sounded scorched: “I’ll come immediately.”

True to his word, guileless as a child; when he said immediately, he meant immediately. He went in the ger to dismiss his subordinates and at once summoned Shadow Leaper to take him out. “Isn’t General going to ride with me?” asked Qu Fongning. Yujien stopped and replied, “That’s fine too.” And he stepped on Wind Chaser, picked him up, and put him in front.

They left the city and rode to the banks of Mei waters. Wrapped in his arms, Yujien finally asked him, “What don’t you understand?”

“General, this horse you gifted me is a one in ten-thousandths godly steed,” Qu Fongning said matter-of-factly. “But I tried driving it for several days, and it doesn’t seem to have any particularly special qualities. I don’t know whether it’s because I didn’t ride it correctly, or because it’s really just mediocre.”

“I took great measures to have it send thousands of li from Dayuan¹, and it’s just mediocre to you?” Yujien looped around his waist and chuckled. He pointed. “Don’t think just because it’s quiet and noiseless, so its nature is easygoing; the truth is very much against it. This type of horse is extremely utilitarian, kinless, and without a consistent owner. It only sees one thing, and that is the ability to command it. Whoever can make it submit heart and soul, they shall be its master. In other words, the able governs. Do you want to see it really heeding a master?

Qu Fongning nodded excitedly. Yujien held him in and bid, “Sit tight.” He held the silvery-white horsewhip and swung against either, cracking a thunder in mid-air, and giving Qu Fongning a great start. Wind Chaser also fanned its ears, and its body gave a modest shake. Yujien stretched out his left and yanked at the bridle, pulling the entire horse standing upwards. Wind Chaser obviously couldn’t take this throttle and let out a screeching whicker to the heavens. Qu Fongning couldn’t help his terror, was about to open his lips, then a blaring crack exploded belligerently by Wind Chaser’s belly.

Now Qu Fongning was frightened and took to grab for the whip. Yujien chuckled by his ear. “Worried? Don’t be, I’m not really hitting it.” Truly, where the whip passed, there was no blood mark. Wind Chaser released a hoarse whinny, spread out its four hooves, and charged ahead. For three, five li, its speed accelerated. Its snowy mane fluttered in dance; it was magnificently beautiful. The next ten li, the four hooves seemed to have left the earth, and the head-on wind scraped pain on his face. And from thirty to fifty li and beyond, the surrounding landscape became a blur, and the wind streamed, gushing Qu Fongning’s entire skeleton with a piercing pain. And suddenly, Yujien dragged on the horse’s head and rushed towards the Mei waters surface. The hooves trotted onto the banks, and he blasted a sky tearing whiplash. Like flying falls, water shot towards the center stream. Then Wind Chaser took to a sudden leap and flew across clear either above the vast surface of the waters.

In mid-air, Qu Fongning watched the rushing waters beneath his feet, and the surface reflecting a flash of snow-white figure; it was a never before miraculous sight for him. And as they landed, Yujien lifted him slightly above the horseback, so as to avoid the reacting forces of impact. Wing Chaser landed steadily, its breathing normal, and almost as if it had walked on flat ground. Qu Fongning shouted his amazement, hurried to take over the whip, and personally drove the whip for a flight. But his strength lacked far behind Yujien; when they landed, the two rear legs of the horse fell into the water. Luckily, Yujien took for a grab, and it turned out to be a near miss.

He had his fill of fun, but the itch of his heart remained unscratched. “Then does it take you or me as the master?” he rushed to ask.

“Naturally, it’ll take you,” Yujien said with a smile. “It’s new here, and already robbing Shadow Leaper’s grounds. If it’s stealing its owner too, what fairness is there under heaven?”

Qu Fongning thought about it. Shadow Leaper was much taller, and its countenance was terribly ferocious, supposing Wind Chaser wouldn’t dare to provoke it either. “Does Shadow Leaper only take you as its master?” he asked again.

“Yes,” said Yujien. “When it first came to Chienye, it was wild and savage. Those who wanted to get on its back, many broke their legs. I rode it for a whole day and night and finally settled it down nice and obedient. From then on, it’s dead set on me, and never had any temper.”

Qu Fongning gasped in amazement. “Next time, we’ll take them out to fly together, okay?” he said, imagining the pair of godly steeds, the dancing waves and flying passes; how much envy would that beautiful sight induce?

“Anything to make you happy,” said Yujien, and let him rest on his chest for a moment.

Qu Fongning closed his eyes in the ease and chatter on and on in this and that. Speaking of King Andai’s approaching birthday, and how much thousand-year Ganoderma the Lord Prince Qu had prepared for him and such. “The Great King is in his prime; this sort of major life-lengthening roborants may not be all that beneficial to take,” said Yujien.

Qu Fongning reclined upon him, his voice also rustling without strength: “Isn’t the Great King going to be ten-hundred-thousand-ages? What will he need for the use of a few additional years?”

“To reach the age of seventy is already rare and difficult,” said Yujien. “The fate of the heavens is implacable; what eternity of ten-thousand ages, those are but the pipe dreams of fools. The Southern Emperor Zhao Ting is terribly convinced of these superstitious gods and demons, has summoned hundreds of Taoists into the palace to brew him holy elixirs, and is so delusional for that boundless age and cultivated ascension. So far, he has only managed to burn down several palaces and gained all manners of odd ills.”

Qu Fongning remembered the likeness of the Venerable Sovereign at Chonghua Temple. “This old fool,” he cursed in his head. And then he asked, “To live ten-thousand years, that seems a little hard to pull off. Why would anyone want to live so long?”

“Be situated high with power, relish in all the worldly luxury and riches, and have whatever you want; one can never have enough of these kinds of days. He’s an emperor, of course he will want to live as long as possible,” said Yujien.

“You’re also positioned high with power and can have whatever you want,” said Qu Fongning, lifting his head in his arms.

“So, I should also practice this path of longevity?” Yujien watched him.

“Don’t you want to?” Qu Fongning said with giggles.

Yujien, with a smile on his lips, suddenly hopped off the horseback and stretched out his hand towards him.

“—Eternal life is not my wish, I ask for the Damu’s weeping whip.”

---