Chapter 30

Emperor Zhaowu asked, "Is your father well?"

"Thank you for your concern. My father’s chronic illness occasionally flares up, but he’s much better since it's been getting warmer recently."

"What’s his chronic illness? Is it serious?"

"They’re the injuries he got over the years. It’s not too serious for now."

Emperor Zhaowu said "Oh" and coughed lightly: "King Jingyuan has been guarding the border for 30 years and has devoted himself to it. He is my Dasheng’s first meritorious subject. I hope he will take care of himself."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will tell my father."

Emperor Zhaowu asked again, "I've heard that you've been unwell these few days due to the tiredness of your journey. Are you feeling better?" Feng Ye could not hide the emperor's eyes and ears from the fact that he refused to see visitors.

Feng Ye's eyebrows didn't even quiver: "Back to Your Majesty, I’m feeling much better."

"Are you feeling much better or have you recovered?" Emperor Zhaowu leaned slightly and narrowed his eyes to see the expression on Feng Ye's face.

Feng Ye thought: "...I’ve recovered."

"Good, it’s good that you’ve recovered. I heard that you went to war with your father at the age of 11. Your skills in martial arts and courage surpassed everyone. I also heard...umm...heard that you can fire a  dan* gun and a two dan* bow. Is that true?"

Feng Ye arched his hand and said, "I dare not to deceive you. It’s true.”

There was an uproar all around.

An ordinary adult man is not as heavy as a dan*. It's really shocking that this Shizi dared to make such a bold statement.

"Impossible." A raucous voice sounded. A big and tall man with a face full of beard came walking out, cupped his fist in the other hand, and said: "Your Majesty, forgive me for my impropriety. I just don’t believe it."

"Hahaha." Emperor Zhaowu pointed to that man, "Feng Ye, this General Chang Shi is the most powerful man in the capital. Usually, no one can draw his bow. Do you dare to try?"

Feng Ye glanced sideways at Chang Shi, and his calm arrogance flowed from the top of his eyebrows: "Why wouldn’t I dare?"

Chang Shi snorted from his nose and shouted, "Bring out my bow."

Liang Sui excitedly grabbed Yan Sikong's sleeve: "Sikong, do you think Shizi can draw it? He...He's just a bit weaker than General Chang."

Yan Sikong said, "He’ll just lose his face if he can't draw it. What’s the big deal?”

"Heh, do you think he can afford to lose face?"

Yan Sikong stared at Feng Ye. Ten years have passed. This man was just more arrogant than when he was young, and he no longer had the adoration at that time. He hoped that Feng Ye could "lose some face". He would learn a lesson sooner or later for his condescending manner.

Chang Shi's bow is larger than an ordinary bow. The body of the bow is black and is as thick as a python. This bow is so heavy that even if one doesn’t use it to shoot an arrow, one can get severely injured when one tries to bend it like a stick.

Chang Shi called two soldiers over: "You two try this bow, so people won’t say that I'm fooling everyone."

The two men looked at each other. One grasped the bow and the other pulled the bowstring with all his might. However, when they saw him pulling the bowstring with both hands, leaning back with his whole body, and held back until his face turned red, it was only slightly stretched, as if there was an invisible force sucking it in, and couldn't be pulled back no matter what.

The soldier arched his hand and said, "General Chang, we really can't pull it back."

"Step back."

The corners of Feng Ye's mouth trembled slightly, and he revealed a mocking expression.

Chang Shi took the bow, let out a growl, bent his waist slightly, and forcibly pulled back the bowstring. His arms muscles popped out as if they were about to tear off his clothes. He straightened up, aimed at a distant target, and shot an arrow.

Just listening to the sound of the wind when the arrow leaves the bowstring, one can imagine the power of the arrow. It plunged into the vertical rod of the target and broke it.

A bawl erupted all around: "Good!"

"Awesome!" The crowd applauded.

Yan Sikong clapped his hands and couldn’t help but criticize silently.

Chang Shi panted hard. He revealed a proud expression, turned around, and asked Emperor Zhaowu for credit: "I’ve made a fool of myself."

Emperor Zhaowu said happily, "General Chang is indeed my Dasheng’s valiant general. Guards, reward him 100 taels of silver.”

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The eyes of the people present fell on Feng Ye.

Chang Shi is famous for his great strength. No one can draw this bow except for him. Although Feng Ye is strong and slender, he still has the strength and thinness of a youth. It doesn't look like he can pull back this two dan* bow.

Feng Ye strolled over. His old attendant followed him, put on the palm guards for him, and then retreated silently.

Feng Ye took the bow, weighed it in his hand, and smiled.

Yan Sikong was also inevitably nervous. Like most people present, he didn't believe that Feng Ye could really pull this bow back.

Feng Ye suddenly raised the bow high and stuck it into the ground with all his might. A small wooden handle from the bow was inserted into the soil, and that bow "stood" up.

The crowd looked at him puzzled.

Feng Ye raised his long leg, stepped on the bow, held the bowstring with both hands, leaned back, let out a low roar, and pulled back the two dan* bow with all his might!

"Is...Is this considered a foul?" Liang Sui whispered.

Yan Sikong revealed a smile that he didn't even notice: "Since it's pulled back, how can it be considered as a foul?"

The bowstring was strained, and the arrow flew out like lightning!

In an instant, everyone's heads turned in one direction and looked at the target.

That arrow pierced through the bull’s eye!

The scene was so quiet that a needle could be heard if it was dropped.

Feng Ye put down his bow, clapped his hands, and said, "Villagers from the mountains and plains can also carry big stones, yet no one carries stones to fight against the enemy. Since the arrow can’t kill the enemy, what's the use of a heavy bow?"

Chang Shi's face turned red instantly.

Yan Sikong frowned slightly.

There was a moment of silence, and suddenly the applause thundered.

Emperor Zhaowu also came back to his senses and looked down at the platform, seemingly helpless.

Yan Sikong followed his gaze and saw that Xie Zhongren gave the emperor a placative gesture. He became alert. It seems that Yan Zilian was right. Today, they are determined to put on airs for Feng Ye.

A little eunuch ran up to the platform and whispered something in Emperor Zhaowu's ear. Emperor Zhaowu smiled and calmed down: "My dear subject is really a young hero. You’re amazing. There will be successors in the Feng family army."

Feng Ye said respectfully, "I am not worthy of such compliments."

"Since my dear subject really pulled back the bow, I will reward you heavily no matter what." Emperor Zhaowu clapped his hands, “Guards, pull over the horse that General Di offered as a tribute."

"Yes."

"Feng Ye, I received a horse recently, a fierce horse." Emperor Zhaowu pretended to be mysterious and said, "This horse is the horse king of Mount Tianshan’s grassland. General Di led a hundred elite calvaries and surrounded it for three days and nights before capturing it. It's said that this horse travels thousands of miles a day without getting tired and is hard to get with 10,000 taels of gold. A good horse should be matched with a good general. This horse has a very violent temper, and no one can control it up till now. If you can tame it today, it will belong to you!"

Feng Ye's eyes lit up and he was interested.

After a while, a clear neigh was heard from a distance accompanied by the sound of hooves.

The crowd looked and saw a tall and handsome horse trot over. It was as red as cinnabar and flame*. Its hair was shining, its long mane was flying, and its undulating muscles were covered by its shiny fur. It looked more like a beast than a horse, and it took three men to hold it.

People praised one after another: "That’s a good horse. It's an extremely good horse at first sight."

Yan Sikong was fascinated by it. In the past ten years, he didn't starve to death because of his ability to raise horses. He loved good horses as much as any military general. There is no doubt that this horse is the best horse he has ever seen.

The horse was tied to a horse post.

Feng Ye was pleasantly surprised and walked around it slowly. Its huge nose flared with force, and its four hooves moved irritably, ready to kick the person in front of it at any time.

Feng Ye asked, "Your Majesty, does this horse have a name?"

"Since it has no owner, it has no name."

Feng Ye showed his determined smile: "Then I must think of a good name for it."

With more than ten years of experience in raising horses, Yan Sikong concluded that this horse cannot be tamed by one person. It is not a domesticated horse, but a wild horse. Just like a lion on the grassland, it is a fierce beast. The horse didn't even have a saddle. If Feng Ye was thrown off the horse, losing his face would be a small matter. If he couldn't do it well, he would lose his life.

Yan Sikong looked at Emperor Zhaowu and Xie Zhongren with vicious eyes. Did they... want Feng Ye’s life?

He suddenly stood up.

Liang Sui grabbed him: "Sikong, what are you doing? There’s a good show here."

Yan Sikong waved his hand and said, "I can't hold it anymore. I'll come back as soon as possible."

"You, you, hurry up."

Yan Sikong left his seat with his waist bent. Fortunately, they sat quite far from the host’s seat, and Feng Ye didn't notice him. He bypassed the people who were either sitting or standing and ran towards a man.

"Uncle." Yan Sikong patted the man’s back.

That man was startled and turned back. He was Feng Ye’s attendant. He was not sure of Yan Sikong's identity and said, "What can I do for you?"

Yan Sikong asked politely: "Can I have a word with you?"

He thought for a moment and withdrew from the crowd: "My Lord, please speak."

"How do I address you?"

"My surname is Xue."

Yan Sikong said quickly: "Uncle Xue, please pass on my words to Shizi. Firstly, do not use force. Provoke the horse first and let it consume its strength. Secondly, don't get on the horse from behind. When it raises its hooves, go under its elbow* and hug its neck..."

Uncle Xue stared blankly at the handsome man in front of him and didn't know what to say.

"Lastly, it's the most important thing. You must remember it clearly. Shizi must remove his shoes, use his toes to find the horse's last rib, and kick it fiercely. That place is like a human’s internal cavity of the stomach, and the horse will suffer great pain. As long as Shizi can endure on the horse, it will give in."

Uncle Xue was stunned from listening: "Ah... This..."

Yan Sikong's gaze was sharp: "Have you remembered?"

Uncle Xue was stunned by Yan Sikong's imposing manner and nodded repeatedly.

"Go."

"Dare I ask My Lord..."

"Go!"

"Yes, yes." Uncle Xue ran to Feng Ye who was waiting for an opportunity to get on the horse.

Yan Sikong hid in the crowd and watched quietly. Whether Feng Ye can subdue the horse depends on how long he can stay on the horse without being thrown down.

Uncle Xue tiptoed and spoke in Feng Ye's ear. Feng Ye frowned suspiciously and scouted around the place where Uncle Xue was standing earlier on, but he didn't see anyone. He nodded.

The people were also discussing spiritedly and waited for Feng Ye to get on the horse.

Feng Ye was no longer in a hurry to get on the horse but continued to circle around the horse. The horse was provoked and angry. However, the horse's neck was tied and couldn't reach Feng Ye.

After a 5-minute standoff, someone began to kick up a fuss: "Shizi, the sun is going to set if you don’t get on the horse!"

"Is it possible that Shizi is scared?"

"Shizi, get on the horse quickly."

Feng Ye frowned.

Yan Sikong said silently in his heart, "Wait, wait..."

Feng Ye squatted down and took off his shoes.

Yan Sikong sighed. Feng Ye is still so impulsive.

This action was quite puzzling. Before he could see what Feng Ye was going to do, he saw that he had sprung up in place and rushed towards the horse like an arrow.

With a long squeal, the horse lifted its thick, long, and powerful hooves off the ground and kicked towards Feng Ye head-on.

This huge horse’s hoof can undoubtedly send people to see the King of Hell* with just one kick.

Feng Ye was like a goshawk* grazing the water. He ran low and close to the grass and beautifully avoided the horse's hoof. Then, he took a step, jumped with his back straight, and hugged the horse's neck tightly with his arms. He strode his long legs over and got up. In an instant, he was already on the horse.

The audience was amazed.

Yan Sikong couldn't help laughing. He remembered that Feng Ye had to step on two pedals to get on the horse when he was a child. He was very different from this young general who is as agile as a wolf.

After getting on the horse, the challenge officially started. That horse indeed sprung in place as if it was crazy, trying to throw Feng Ye off its back.

Feng Ye grabbed its mane firmly, tightly clamping the horse's abdomen with his thighs, and found the horse's ribs with his toes.

The horse kept struggling. It was not easy for Feng Ye to stabilize his body. He gave up halfway several times. He clenched his teeth and kept counting its ribs persistently.

One bone, one bone, last bone!

Feng Ye's eyes were radiant, and he kicked the ribs hard.

Sure enough, the horse trembled violently and let out a neigh painfully from its throat. Feng Ye had no time to be happy because it was completely angered and jumped even crazier. Feng Ye's teeth collided up and down, and he bit his tongue. His whole mouth was reeking of blood immediately.

Feng Ye knew in his heart that if he was thrown down like this, he would be disabled if he didn’t die under the random hooves. He could only tame this fierce beast!

The horse continued to struggle fiercely while Feng Ye clenched his teeth and kicked hard at the acupoint.

Yan Sikong clenched his fists, his mouth was dry, and his eyes were bloodshot.

The people present didn’t even dare to breathe hard from watching. Feng Ye was sweating all over his face. He was bleeding at the corners of his mouth, and his face was very hideous. A pair of eyes seemed to be shining green. They clearly saw a wolf jumping on the horse!

The silent contest lasted a full 5 minutes. The horse's struggle finally slowed down. It was obviously tired.

Feng Ye didn't dare to let his guard down. He still laid prostrated on the horse.

Finally, the horse gradually stopped struggling. Its hooves landed steadily with its head hung down and gave in.

Feng Ye let out a long breath. He was tired from head to toe. His limbs were weak and limp, and he laid onto the horse's back, almost unable to move.

This time, no one shouted or applauded. They seemed to have seen a ferocious fight between wild animals, and they couldn't come back from their senses at all. The two words "Feng Ye" has been engraved into everyone's eyes.

Yan Sikong also heaved a sigh of relief and slowly withdrew from the crowd.

Emperor Zhaowu had no choice but to give the horse to Feng Ye. He probably didn't have any intention to continue to "test" how many abilities Feng Ye had. He announced the beginning of the spring hunt and ordered his princes to go hunting.

Although Feng Ye was extremely tired, he just got a precious horse. His interest was still at its peak. He spat out the blood from his mouth, personally put on the saddle, and rode it to hunt.

Yan Sikong watched Feng Ye's back leave like a strong wind. With a faint smile, he turned and left.

 

 ----

dan*[石]----this word means shi (stone) in general. But in this novel, it’s pronounced as dan (fourth tone). It is a measurement of weight. 1 dan = 60kg

as red as cinnabar and flame* -- it’s more of a dark red horse

elbow* --- here’s the position circled by my weibo friend. TBH idk how Feng Ye did that LMAO

King of Hell* [阎王]---- This sentence means the horse’s hoof can kill someone with one kick. Whenever people die, all of us including those who could go to heaven have to go to Hell first to get judge.

goshawk* [苍鹰]---type of bird

 

Edited on 1 Aug. 21 (Emzie)

 

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