651 Nobody Dares Ride on the Black Donkey (1/2)

The eight horses were all very handsome. Any one of them was comparable to the white horse Chanyu of Left King's Palace had gifted to Flower Addict back then. One could imagine how luxurious the chariot was just by the eight horses pulling it.

But actually, the chariot was very shabby. Holes on both sides were covered with a few withered wooden planks and embroidered pads on the chariot had long rotted away. The chariot appeared as if it had been picked out of the garbage.

However, that wasn't the main point. The main point was a donkey on the chariot. The donkey was not large and was entirely black except for a white patch around its mouth. It laid lazily on the chariot, four hooves pointing up at the sky like wooden sticks.

There was a basket of unidentifiable orange fruit on the chariot. The black donkey was chewing on one and judging by the crunching – the fruit was probably really juicy.

It was already very shocking that there were thousands – or even more – wild horses in the desolate swamp. However, the fact that a donkey was leading the team was even more so. Anyone having seen it would think that the donkey, sitting like a human on the chariot and lazily eating fruits, was a monster.

Ning Que knew that the black donkey was not a monster because he was used to such behaviours at the back of the Academy's mountain. Whether the old yellow bull, the white goose or his own Big Black Horse – they were all like that. If that black donkey on the chariot were a monster, then it could be said that he had lived with such monsters for many years.

He had already guessed where the black donkey was from at first glance.

At the back of the mountain of the Academy, at the top floor of the House of Red Sleeves, at the bottom of Daming Lake – from Second Brother, Aunt Jian and many other people – he would hear stories about Youngest Uncle. And a black donkey would always be mentioned in those stories.

Having heard those stories, Ning Que was familiar with it. Even though he had never seen the black donkey, it had always held a place in his heart. He did not feel any fear towards it, only agitation. He leapt off the horse carriage and rushed towards the rundown chariot.

When he reached the chariot, Ning Que noticed that the black donkey's fur was not smooth and was even balding in some areas. He could not help but feel sad.

A few decades ago, Youngest Uncle had left the Academy on a little black donkey. He entered Chang'an and then traveled the world on that donkey. He had been to Lanke Temple and Front Gate of Devil's Doctrine in the Wilderness. The black donkey had been present and witnessed as legends of the cultivation world played out. Decades since then, the donkey had miraculously survived, but it had become old.

It was no longer a little black donkey but an old black donkey.

Several strong wild horses circled around from behind the chariot and stopped in front of Ning Que, blocking his view.

Ning Que jumped up and waved his hand at the chariot, shouting, ”I'm from the Academy! I'm from the Academy!”

The old black donkey was leaning against the chariot's back and chewing on a delicious fruit. It looked lazy and unbothered.

Ning Que thought to himself, that even if the donkey did understand him, it wouldn't believe that he was from the Academy just because he said so. He felt a little dumb.

Convinced what he had to do, the crystal-like liquid suspended deep in his body began to churn. Extremely pure Great Spirit flowed into his arm and then dispersed into the air along his fingers.

A strong aura appeared by the rundown chariot.

The black donkey continued chewing on fruit, not concerned with Ning Que. It thought to itself sarcastically, that had it not discovered that Ning Que was a disciple of the Academy, would it expend effort on saving him? Ning Que was behaving like an idiot – using the Great Spirit to perform. It was such an embarrassment – it seemed like the Academy was going downhill.

Ning Que did not understand why the black donkey did not react. But he understood the ridicule in its expression. He lamented that it was indeed Youngest Uncle's donkey, for it was extremely prideful.

Big Black Horse stared at the broken chariot with wide eyes.

It knew about the black donkey after spending a long time at the mountains behind the Academy with the old yellow bull and others. Judging by Ning Que's expression, it guessed that the donkey before them was the one. As such, it was very shocked. It felt uneasy and afraid. After much consideration, it mustered the courage to walk over.

The eight wild horses watched as Big Black Horse approached with a bowed head and felt that it looked too sneaky. They neighed solemnly, issuing a warning.

Big Black Horse was frightened by the solemn neigh and its legs turned into jelly. It almost keeled over.

The black donkey didn't care for Ning Que but was evidently interested in Big Black Horse. It called out twice, signaling to the eight horses that Big Black Horse was its nephew and to allow it to pass.

Big Black Horse trembled and moved with great difficulty towards the donkey. It popped its head into the chariot respectfully and carefully rubbed its head against the black donkey's round belly before licking it.

It had been bullied by the goose called Wooden Fish at the back mountain of the Academy. It thought to itself that the goose was only its Senior Brother, while the donkey was its Uncle, who might try to keep it in line. It had better get into the donkey's good books.

The black donkey snorted twice, seemingly satisfied and comfortable. Then, it patted the basket beside it with its front hooves, somewhat clumsily, signaling for Big Black Horse to help itself, just like how an elder would dispense snacks to children.

Big Black Horse understood and was extremely happy. However, it didn't dare to take too much and only picked one up with its mouth. Then, it bowed its head several times in a show of respect and gratitude, and shook its butt at the eight horses as a gesture of goodwill. Then, it strutted away and returned to the carriage to partake in the delicious snack.

The black donkey could not help but shake its head as it watched the dumb and shameless behavior. It snorted lightly, as if it was sighing. Then, it looked at Ning Que and thought of how he had fought stupidly and shamelessly with the girl in the swamp, and shook its head once more. It snorted lightly as if it was disappointed.

Ning Que felt rather awkward, thinking that he and Big Black Horse were well-matched partners. However, when compared to Youngest Uncle and the little black donkey, they were rather lacking in both disposition and power – it was quite embarrassing.