Chapter 219

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Zhang Xiaohu helped Zhang Xiaohua onto the horse’s back and smiled: “This is your first time riding a horse, isn’t it? I’ll lead you around for a couple of laps first. Once you get used to it, we’ll go further. Riding a horse is actually quite simple. You just need to move in sync with the horse, maintain your balance, and then use the reins to guide it so it understands your intentions. These two horses were trained by our Piaomiao Sect, so they’re very obedient.”

Thus, Zhang Xiaohua sat on the horse while Zhang Xiaohu led it around the plaza in front of Huanxi Villa for two laps. In truth, Zhang Xiaohua had ridden a horse once before, so he had a general sense of what it felt like. Zhang Xiaohu explained the key points, and he quickly understood how to handle the horse. Furthermore, Zhang Xiaohua had already learned the art of Air Floating, which emphasized balance, and the body techniques in the Piaomiao Steps also focused on balance. How could the balance required on horseback pose any challenge to him?

After getting familiar with it for two laps, Zhang Xiaohua was able to lightly urge the horse into a slow trot by himself. He ran two more laps around the plaza before Zhang Xiaohu mounted his own horse and said: “Alright, Xiaohua, you’ve picked it up quickly. Since you’ve got the hang of it, let’s head back now.”

Zhang Xiaohua responded with a smile. The two of them turned their horses around and rode out of the plaza at Huanxi Villa.

At first, Zhang Xiaohua felt quite uncomfortable. It wasn’t just because this was his first time truly riding a horse, making it hard to grasp the techniques, but also because he occasionally wobbled. However, as time went on, he gradually mastered the necessary skills and movements. Zhang Xiaohua had always been someone whose hands and feet adapted faster than his mind. Before he had even thought it through, his body had already adjusted to the posture required for horseback riding. What bothered Zhang Xiaohua more wasn’t the riding itself, but the feeling of galloping through the middle of the street on a tall horse. It was as if everyone on the road was staring at him. That prickling sensation, like a thorn in his back, made him lower his head from time to time to check if his clothes were out of place or if there was something wrong with his riding posture.

This uneasy feeling made his mind a chaotic mess, so much so that he couldn’t clearly hear much of what his second brother said to him.

Zhang Xiaohu, riding ahead, noticed Zhang Xiaohua’s distracted state when he looked back to speak to him. Finding it strange, he loosened the reins to slow his horse, letting it draw even with Zhang Xiaohua. Only then did he ask: “Xiaohua, are you feeling unwell?”

Zhang Xiaohua glanced around and replied: “No, Second Brother, I’m fine.”

“Then is it because you’ve just learned to ride and feel awkward?”

“Yes, Second Brother. Riding this high up makes me feel like everyone on the street is watching me. It’s really uncomfortable.”

“Hahaha!” Zhang Xiaohu burst out laughing and said: “That’s normal, Xiaohua, completely normal. When I first rode a horse, I felt the same way. It felt like I was the center of the world, with everyone staring at me. I didn’t even know where to put my hands and feet. But over time, I realized it wasn’t like that at all. Sure, people do look at you, but it’s no different from when you’re walking on the ground—they glance at you, not stare. It’s just that you’re in a different environment and not quite used to it. Once you get a little more comfortable, you’ll see. Don’t believe me? Watch their gazes carefully—they just sweep over you and don’t linger at all.”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua paid closer attention. Sure enough, people merely gave him a passing glance. It wasn’t anything like the intense stares he had imagined. At most, they showed a bit of surprise at seeing such a magnificent horse being ridden by a plain-looking young boy, with some even showing a touch of envy.

Everything was just his mind playing tricks on him!

Zhang Xiaohua seemed to brush away a bit of the dust clouding his heart and gained a small insight. He immediately laughed, shook the reins, and cracked a whip on the horse’s rump. Startled by the pain, the horse bolted forward at high speed.

This sudden action, however, earned him a slew of disdainful looks from passersby.

But how could the opinions of others leave any trace in Zhang Xiaohua’s heart now?

The two brothers, Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua, galloped freely, following their will as they rode farther and farther away from Pingyang City.

Just as they reached the outskirts of the city, Zhang Xiaohu suddenly smacked his forehead and exclaimed: “Oh no, Xiaohua, I forgot something!”

“Huh?” Zhang Xiaohua was startled. “No way, Second Brother. Don’t tell me you forgot to ask for directions home?”

Zhang Xiaohu gave a wry smile and replied: “No, it’s not that.”

“Hmm, then it must be the silver we’re taking home. Did you leave it back at the house? Don’t worry, I still have some with me.”

Zhang Xiaohu shook his head again. “I wouldn’t forget something like that. It’s just that I’ve been so busy practicing my inner strength and packing these past few days that I completely forgot to visit Young Master Li. He even came to our house during the New Year. If we return home this time without paying him a visit, it would seem rather impolite.”

Zhang Xiaohua felt relieved and said, “I was wondering what it was. I’ve already been there. Young Master Li wasn’t home; I heard he went out with his teacher to gather inspiration.”

“Oh, you’ve been there already? That’s good. Zhang Xiaohu said, finally reassured. But then he immediately asked: “Gathering inspiration? Gathering what wind? Are you sure it’s not gathering flowers or getting a stroke?”

[TL_Note: This is a play on words, Feng=Wind, ‘Gathering inspiration’=Caifeng, ‘Gathering flowers’=Caihua and ‘stroke’=Zhongfeng]

Zhang Xiaohua burst out laughing. “I didn’t realize Second Brother had a sense of humor. ‘Collecting the wind’ isn’t what you think. It means gathering folk songs and melodies from common people. Sigh, only someone like Young Master Li, a refined scholar, would take the time between studies to visit villages, observe customs, and compose songs. We, on the other hand, spend all our time toiling in the fields. Where would we find such leisure?”

Realizing his misunderstanding, Zhang Xiaohu laughed and said: “Everyone has their own pursuits. I just wonder how Father, Mother, Big Brother, and Sister-in-law are doing back in Guo Village. Let’s not dwell on whether it’s collecting the wind or catching a stroke. Let’s head home and talk about it then.”

Zhang Xiaohua replied: “Of course. But I’ve already asked for Young Master Li’s address. When we have time, we can pay him a visit.”

Zhang Xiaohu nodded. “Young Master Li has treated us well. We should indeed visit his home.”

Two years ago, when the brothers had come to Pingyang City, they had nothing but empty hands and unseeing eyes, filled with hope and ignorance about the road ahead. They had stumbled into the city riding in a cart. Now, returning home, they carried a sense of pride, like returning in glory. Abandoning the cart, they sat tall on their fine horses, enjoying the scenery along the way—a truly exhilarating experience.

Though Zhang Xiaohua had previously traveled while working as an escort, it had always been part of a group effort. This was his first time traveling alone on horseback over a long distance, and the differences were numerous. Zhang Xiaohu had meticulously prepared for this journey. Not only had he clearly mapped out the route home, but he also kept in mind all the precautions for the road. However, given his past experiences, these weren’t much of a challenge. The brothers chatted as they rode, and by midday, they spotted a small inn by the roadside. Slowing their horses, they decided to stop and rest.

It was a simple roadside shack, extremely shabby. A few thin posts supported the shelter, with a couple of worn-out horses loosely tied to them. Beneath the shelter were a few cracked tables and benches. There weren’t many people inside, and those present were lazily seated. Upon hearing the sound of hoofbeats, they immediately perked up and turned their eyes toward the newcomers.

Zhang Xiaohu was the first to dismount, intending to turn back and help Zhang Xiaohua off his horse. However, as his gaze swept over the shabby horses tied outside the shack and then to the people under the shelter, his brows furrowed. At that moment, a scrawny, shifty-eyed attendant emerged from the shack, putting on a fawning smile as he asked: “Honored guests, are you here for a quick rest or a meal?”

Zhang Xiaohu immediately responded: “No, we’re not planning to stop.”

After speaking, he glanced back at Zhang Xiaohua and gave a slight gesture. Leading his horse forward a few steps, he mounted it again. Once Zhang Xiaohua caught up, Zhang Xiaohu leaned in and whispered: “Don’t say a word—let’s move on. We’ll rest further ahead.”

With that, he gave Zhang Xiaohua’s horse a lash with his whip, prompting it to start moving. Only then did Zhang Xiaohu nudge his own horse into a gallop, following closely behind.

The attendant watched the two riders disappear into the distance before stomping back into the shack with a sour expression. He threw the dark towel from his shoulder onto a table and grumbled: “Boss, this isn’t working. That’s the fourth group today. Why won’t anyone stop here to rest or eat?”

From inside, a fat man with a fierce, menacing face strode out and barked: “Nonsense! Just look at all of you! Do any of you remotely look like proper guests for a roadside inn? Can’t you put in some effort and act the part?”

A lazy voice chimed in from within. “Big Brother, it’s not that we don’t want to act—we simply don’t know how! If it’s robbing or waylaying travelers, we’re pros at that. But running this sham little inn, waiting for people to come to us so we can ambush them? We’re really not cut out for this kind of thing.”

“That’s right, boss. Don’t be mad. Look at those two just now—the only thing worth any money is their horses. Their clothes are plain, so they probably don’t have much on them. Let them go.”

“Yeah, boss. It’s been days without a single soul stopping here. Our ambush clubs are practically gathering rust. Maybe we should go back to plain old highway robbery.”

The boss glared at them, frustration boiling over. “You think I don’t want to? But the situation’s changed. It’s not a good time for small fry like us to stir up trouble. Damn it! What’s going on with West Cui Mountain these days? Ever since they changed leaders, it was calm for a while, everyone minding their own business. They even left us some scraps. But lately, they’ve changed their tune—raiding everywhere, consolidating power, expanding. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t have to flee our old turf and scrape by here.”

“Yeah, boss. This is the Piaomiao Sect’s territory. If they catch wind of what we’re doing, we’re dead meat.”

“Exactly, boss. I’ve had a bad feeling about this from the start.”

The scrawny, shifty-eyed attendant hesitated for a moment before speaking up. “I might have an idea, boss, though I’m not sure if you’ll like it.”

The boss perked up. “Let’s hear it!”

“Promise you won’t get mad at me.”

“Just spit it out. I won’t get mad.”

“Boss, what if…what if we actually opened a proper roadside inn? What do you think?”

“Bah! I knew you wouldn’t come up with anything useful!” The boss exploded, his voice ringing out. “You want us to quit a glorious profession like banditry to run some shabby roadside inn? Preposterous!”

The attendant quickly backtracked, raising his hands in defense. “Boss, it’s just a suggestion! Just a suggestion!”

The boss glared at him with an expression of utter betrayal, then stormed off to the back of the shack. As his rotund figure disappeared, the group let out a collective sigh of relief, each one about to collapse back onto their stools. Suddenly, the boss reappeared, his fat face filled with unexpected determination. “Rat, you might be onto something. Draft a plan—we’ll discuss it tonight!”