585 Champion (2/2)
”Idiot, that is the Flame Foal, the Flame Foal covered with charcoal!”
Although the prairie was large, it was hard to find a safe place to hide the horse, especially for strangers. King Rizhu had sent out hundreds of soldiers and servants to search for the horse like they were hunting a fugitive. The herdsmen near and far had also been ordered to find the Flame Foal. Anyone who found a clue and immediately reported to the men of King Rizhu would be generously rewarded.
In this case, Gu Shenwei's only option was to hide the Flame Foal in his own camp.
After arriving at the Royal Court, Chu Nanping didn't stay but instead returned the same way he had come. He avoided King Rizhu along the way and met Long Fanyun who was behind him. After handing over the Flame Foal, he hid for a few days before showing up in the Royal Court, leaving an impression that he had hidden the horse very far away.
Long Fanyun rode the Flame Foal back, painted it black overnight, and left it with the ordinary horses. And from then on, someone was responsible for adding color every day. In this way, they not only hid it from King Rizhu, even the people of Golden Roc Castle, who traveled with them, didn't find anything unusual.
With the Flame Foal, Long Fanyun won the race easily. It was not until then that the sharp-eyed man recognized the true identity of the horse.
Gu Shenwei left early and didn't see the scene of chaos. The crowd flocked to look closely and inquire curiously with cries of surprise rising everywhere, which almost prevented the riders behind from reaching the finish line.
King Rizhu saw it and became part of the chaos. He directly jumped out from the stands, swung his sturdy body over, and rushed at Long Fanyun like a madman, shouting, ”My horse! You bastard, that's my horse!”
The cavalry, who was in charge of keeping order, rushed to the crowd and drove them off, almost trampling the king. And a small group of cavalrymen of King Rizhu's rushed to the Flame Foal, trying to surround it.
After crossing the finish line, Long Fanyun did not follow the Norland's tradition of greeting the nobles and the general audience, and instead quickened his speed and drove away while everyone was stunned.
Having been held back in the camp for many days, the Flame Foal finally had a chance to run so it galloped happily. In its state of excitement, it still ran very fast after the race, completely ignoring its old master's gut-wrenching cry.
Just like that, the Flame Foal disappeared into the depths of the prairie, becoming the most sensational and lasting news of the day. It would have continued to spread if it were not for the more eye-catching warrior contest the next day.
Gu Shenwei had just entered the tent and didn't even have a chance to drink some water before the 'chaos' came all the way from the racetrack. Fang Wenshi was just about to open his mouth and say something when an angry voice came from outside.
”Get out of there, you bastard!” King Rizhu had endured long enough and finally broke out. Together with a dozen or so cavalrymen, he broke into the Dragon King's camp with great momentum. The guards in the camp had no time to stop him.
”King Rizhu, aren't we allied?” Asked Fang Wenshi in dismay.
Hardly had his voice faded away when King Rizhu strode into the tent, pushed the fatty in the way aside, and waved the horsewhip in his hand, cursing, ”Dragon King, I thought you were something, but your boy is harder than a tortoise's shell. Playacting and making a fool of me in public, fuck it, our alliance is over. Even if Khan intercedes in person, you can't escape …”
”King Kuari wants to rebel.” Gu Shenwei interrupted.
The effect of Gu Shenwei's words was stronger than a pot of cold water. King Rizhu felt like he had been drenched from head to toe. Tongue-tied, he glanced at the frightened Fang Wenshi who was lying on the ground, then paused for a moment before saying, ”Get out of here.”
”Ahh?”
”I asked you to get out.”
Fang Wenshi always thought that he was not a coward. If he had some time to prepare, within just a few moments, his dignity as a counselor would prevail. But he wasn't good at dealing with emergencies and he was very afraid of King Rizhu. Being snapped at, his heart almost came to a stop. He immediately got up and walked away quickly with his head lowered.
Standing outside the tent, Fang Wenshi was regretful, annoyed, ashamed, but not angry. He had missed the best opportunity and it was pointless to go back in now.
”Do you have evidence?” Inside the tent, King Rizhu asked, his tone still stiff. Although he had temporarily forgotten about his horse, he was still full of anger.
”King Kuari has a younger brother named Kuo Zhen.”
”He was killed by your men.”
”He's not dead.”
”What?”
”This is a part of King Kuari's plan, to fake his brother's death and then to quietly go to the border and gather a large number of soldiers.”
King Rizhu raised his horsewhip and slammed it heavily onto the table beside him, ”I knew that kid was up to something. How did you find out? Kuo Zhen confessed?”
”He confessed a few days ago.”
”And you didn't tell me until now?”
”I want to take a look first and see how close the alliance is between us.”
Uncommonly, King Rizhu's face flushed a bit. Horse or information? After a short but fierce struggle in his mind, he said, ”The Dragon King really likes the Flame Foal?”
”Who doesn't like a matchless treasured horse?”
”It's yours now.” King Rizhu gnashed his teeth. He wouldn't feel so bad even if he had to give away his most beloved concubine. ”But I may have to borrow it for two days.”
”So you can call back your army before the other kings.”
Gu Shenwei had figured out the most important role played by the Flame Foal. It was not only King Rizhu's most treasured possession, but also the best mount with which to race against time.
King Rizhu didn't respond. Some things were better off left unsaid. ”Give me Kuo Zhen and your task is half done or perhaps more.”
”All right, but you'd better be quick. I'm afraid Kuo Zhen is no longer safe.”
King Kuari was desperate to launch a counterattack. As long as he sent out more people to search, he could find his brother's clue soon. After all, this was his territory.
Gu Shenwei also wanted to fight back, and save his people.