Chapter 56: A Beauty Awaits to Be Plucked

Xia Baizhu’s move caught Lin Feng and the others completely off guard. After cursing “old fox” several times in their hearts, Lin Feng slowly stepped forward and asked in a low voice, “Master Xia, what does this mean? Why are you imitating the actions of the ancients?”

“My dear brother! I was wrong! I shouldn’t have schemed, nearly causing disaster. I regret it deeply!” Xia Baizhu’s voice trembled as he reached out and slapped himself repeatedly, the sound crisp and clear. The guards watching at the side all looked on with disdain.

“Miss Xia, was this idea his own?” Lin Feng turned to face Xia Tong, meeting her gaze directly.

Xia Tong’s eyes flickered, uncertain how to respond.

“I am truly repentant! If you don’t believe me, kill me then!” Xia Baizhu half-knelt, straightening up. His face, reddened by his own slaps, had lost all the refined bearing of a scholar.

“Let it be. Get up. This manor was yours to begin with, we are merely passing through. As for what happened, let’s leave it behind us. Once we’ve recovered from our injuries, we’ll leave Bamboo Court Manor, and the rest is yours to handle.” Lin Feng glanced at Xia Tong’s slightly melancholic face and sighed softly. He could never harden his heart against this girl.

“But... what about the Prince?” Xia Baizhu’s real worry was not anything else, but how to explain things to Prince Rongqing; once again, his cover was slipping.

“Don’t worry! I’ll do what I promised. Unlike some, I detest hypocrites and true villains!” Lin Feng’s voice faded as he and Nie Xuan swept their sleeves and departed.

Steward Qu Bo walked in from outside, helping Xia Baizhu up. Father and daughter exchanged glances, only to quickly avert their eyes again, as if shocked.

“Brother Nie, the woman you spoke of last night, Meng Xiaojun—what’s her story?” Walking along the roadside, Lin Feng suddenly recalled something.

“She’s not worth much concern. Learned some superficial charms from who-knows-where, drifts between military camps and wealthy homes on the border, earning some coin for a sickly husband’s treatment.” Nie Xuan replied as they walked.

“What illness is so serious? Do you know where they live?” Lin Feng looked up, recalling how hard he had struggled atop Tianmen Peak for a single Azure Dew Pill to save Nalan Yan. Nie Xuan’s words stirred his compassion once more.

“They’re herdsmen by origin, living near the horse paddocks, I hear. I advise you not to meddle. Good deeds invite envy these days—beware of bringing trouble upon yourself.” Nie Xuan shook his head and entered the house.

Lin Feng pondered. Nie Xuan’s advice was not without reason. The world was vast, and those suffering were countless. But to ignore those one encountered did not align with Lin Feng’s nature.

...

Five days passed in a flash. During this time, Xia Baizhu often stood silently at the edge of the training grounds, watching Lin Feng and the others practice martial arts and swordplay, but never daring to approach.

“The Da Luo Blade Fist is indeed excellent for countering close-range attacks. If I channel the Overlord’s Force, it seems even more powerful. Let’s try it for now.” His injuries had almost fully healed, recovery far faster than Nie Xuan’s. Days were spent practicing fist techniques, nights cultivating energy, living freely and comfortably.

After just two moves, Lin Feng understood the pros and cons: martial arts could not be combined at will for greater power. On the contrary, careless mixing diminished their effectiveness. Da Luo Blade Fist was fast and varied; the Overlord’s Force was imposing, subduing foes without battle. Combined, however, they became neither here nor there—slower, and the fierce force was weakened!

“Pity my level isn’t high enough to practice the second form of the Overlord’s Force, ‘Hurricane Waves.’ The Da Luo Blade Fist is defensive; in combat, I’d lose out on offense. Perhaps I should practice swordplay, to attack unexpectedly when needed. The Pear Blossom Spear is too conspicuous and cumbersome…”

“Mr. Lin…” Xia Tong called timidly from afar. After several days, she seemed to have grown thinner.

“Is something troubling you?” Lin Feng felt uneasy and walked over to ask gently.

“Yes. Tomorrow is the Prairie Horse Festival. Will you join us?” Xia Tong lowered her head, her voice soft.

“The Horse Festival?”

“Yes. Every spring, we hold a Horse Festival here. The men ride and shoot arrows, compete in martial skills, and in the evening, there’s a bonfire celebration…” As she spoke, Xia Tong’s head dipped even lower, her voice barely audible.

Lin Feng’s heart stirred. Could Miss Xia Tong truly have feelings for him?

Page 1/3

But as soon as he thought of her father, Xia Baizhu, the faint spark just kindled in Lin Feng’s heart was immediately extinguished.

“Alright, tomorrow I’ll call Ziyin and the others; we’ll all go together.” Lin Feng turned away, leaving her with a tall, resolute silhouette.

“Very well, I won’t disturb your practice any longer.” Her plaintive gaze rose from her toes, silently watching Lin Feng as he walked away.

The next morning, the manor, long lifeless, suddenly became lively. Even Xia Baizhu was spirited, dressed in martial attire, bow on his back, leading his horse, personally greeting each festival participant at the manor gate.

“Master Ye, dear brother, everyone must enjoy themselves today. I wish you all a fruitful harvest!” Xia Baizhu waved, leaving several guards in place, and galloped at the head of the group toward the grasslands.

Lin Feng scanned the crowd, but Xia Tong was nowhere to be seen. Doubt crept into his mind—they’d agreed to attend the festival together, but she was absent.

“Hyah!” As the others sped past him, Lin Feng yelled and spurred his horse.

Dozens of fine steeds surged forward, raising clouds of dust along the mountain path. No one wanted to be left behind as the unlucky one eating dust; everyone whipped their horses, and though the festival hadn’t officially begun, the race was already underway.

The worst horses at Bamboo Court Manor were the Dustless Steeds, while the others—Red Hare, Dilong, Black Stealer, Scarlet Wind—were all exceptional. These prized steeds were picked by guests and the lord, leaving Wei San and his trusted followers with the leftovers, arriving at the grasslands dusty and complaining.

Under a vast, sunny sky, the green fields stretched like a sea. Riding fine horses in splendid attire, galloping freely—what exhilaration!

In the distance, herdsmen from all over the grasslands gathered at the Xia family’s ranch, boots on their feet, bright leather jackets, hats of every kind.

Tall flagpoles were adorned with red silk, wine jars lined up, whole sheep and cattle arranged neatly. Groups of riders waited, smiling, for the firecrackers to sound from the flagpoles.

Xia Baizhu stood among the crowd, smiling. He was not the host; instead, several respected elders ascended the altar.

What surprised Lin Feng was that of the hundreds of riders, not a single woman was among them.

“Sons of the prairie, today’s Horse Festival, let us pray together for divine protection—may Fuchun Mountain’s grass grow lush, waters run full, horses thrive, lads be brave, girls beautiful, and next year, wild horses roam the land and sons fill the fields!” With the elders’ prayers, the youths sang loudly in their bold Mengliang tongue, calling the festival to begin.

With the crack of firecrackers, the wild, exuberant festival finally started. The hundred-yard red silk marker stretched between two flagpoles, prairie men lined up in two rows, horses snorting, robes fluttering, all awaiting the starting moment.

“Boom!” A crude cannon blasted skyward; the herd of horses neighed like thunder, surging like waves! The festival’s first event: horse racing!

Lin Feng urged his horse forward, riding hard, not knowing where the finish lay, only that he must follow the tide, ever onward!

Previous gallops had all been on mountain trails, but nothing matched today’s freedom on the prairie. Scarlet Wind tore through the herd like a dragon, quickly reaching the lead.

The roar in his ears, the exhilarating rush of wind—all gave Lin Feng intense sensory thrills.

In the leading group were Lin Feng and his steed Scarlet Wind, Xia Baizhu and his green stallion Black Stealer, Ye Ziyin on the white Dilong, and a tall, burly stranger riding the black steed Black Duke.

The four steeds, each like dragons, thundered across the grassland, leading the herd toward the far side, behind the mountain!

The herd surged like a sea, cresting the ridge. On the other side, crowds cheered, girls in festive dress sang and danced, warmly welcoming the racers.

The finish was set here, with bright red silk flanked by throngs of spectators.

The four riders drew abreast, their steeds of fiery red, green, snowy white, and jet black, snorting and vying for the lead, streaking across the grassland like meteors, standing out among thousands.

Page 2/3

With countless eyes upon them, the riders’ competitive spirits soared; their steeds ran even harder, unwilling to fall behind. These four horses were the finest among all, none willing to be bested, separated by only a horse’s head.

In riding skill, Xia Baizhu and the stranger were the best; Ye Ziyin’s advance on Dilong surprised everyone.

Ten miles flashed by, and Lin Feng could already see the excited faces ahead, and the dazzling red silk finish.

“Haha, you’ve lost!” the stranger laughed, leapt to stand on Black Duke’s back, and hurled the heavy iron saddle to the ground!

This shed nearly a hundred pounds; Black Duke’s body lightened, and he accelerated like a swallow.

“Well done, Li Dali, you still had a trick up your sleeve!” Xia Baizhu laughed, keeping close. Now only a hundred yards remained, as the crowd waved colored balls and cheered loudly for the prairie lads.

Amid the feverish crowd, the racing shouts echoed. At several dozen yards, Li Dali surged to the front, certain of victory, crouching, standing on the horse’s back, showing off his agile riding.

Just then, a figure darted from Scarlet Wind’s back, flying ahead, instantly overtaking Black Duke, and amid the gasps of the crowd, leaping across the finish first!

His speed surpassed any fine steed present!

“That doesn’t count! He cheated, used martial arts!” As the spectators rushed to admire the victorious youth, Li Dali, still standing on his horse, shouted angrily and pointed at Lin Feng: “If you’re truly capable, win with riding alone! Winning this way isn’t honorable!”

Xia Baizhu rode up, calling loudly, “Ah, Li Dali, you say it’s dishonorable, but let me remind you—where’s the saddle from Black Duke?”

“I—I threw it away!” Li Dali’s face flushed, his retort drawing laughter.

Scarlet Wind came up beside Lin Feng; he mounted and smiled, cupping his hands to Li Dali. “Brother, my eagerness to win made me act improperly. The victory should be yours.”

Li Dali scratched his head, embarrassed. At that moment, two elders emerged from the crowd, clearly figures of high status.

“Baizhu, this must be Mr. Lin?” One tall, vigorous elder smiled warmly at Xia Baizhu.

“Yes, this is Mr. Lin,” Xia Baizhu replied with a smile.

“Congratulations, Mr. Lin, for taking first place in the race. According to festival custom, please choose the one who has captured your heart.” The elder smiled and gestured behind him.

“Ah?” Lin Feng nearly bit his tongue in surprise. Following the crowd’s gaze, he saw, before a tent laid with wool carpets, dozens of girls in festive dress standing gracefully, their beautiful and courageous eyes expressing hidden affection.

The prairie girls—beautiful, generous, passionate and bold, riding alongside the men—now revealed their gentle, captivating side at the festival.

The exuberant crowd pulled Lin Feng from his horse, several young men hoisting him overhead and carrying him to the girls. The crowd erupted, many joining in prairie dances, the sound of the horse-head fiddle ringing out, and the festival atmosphere grew ever more intense.

Xia Tong, dressed in white, stood out among the girls like a newly bloomed lily, her eyes sparkling, brows gentle, smiling bravely as she met Lin Feng’s panicked gaze.

Page 3/3