Chapter 20: Get Ready to Die

Chapter 20: Get Ready to Die

Xiao Ce rode on horseback, galloping all the way.

This was the most thrilling day since he crossed over, partly because he had escaped the Capital, that den of tigers and wolves.

On the other hand, speed always stimulated a person’s adrenaline.

He arrived outside Pingshun City.

Although it was a city near the Capital City, it was obviously much quieter than the Capital.

There were scattered people coming in and out at the city gate.

At the city gate, there was a tea stall and a special feeding trough for horses.

Xiao Ce led his horse to the tea stall.

An old man stepped forward and said, “Young Master, do you need to water your horse?”

Xiao Ce nodded, took out a piece of broken silver, handed it to the old man, and patted the horse’s neck. “Add some good fodder too, to replenish my buddy here.”

The old man took the silver and looked surprised. “Young Master, this is too much. It doesn’t cost this much.”

Xiao Ce was in a good mood and waved his hand. “Consider the rest a tip!”

The old man bowed repeatedly in thanks.

He went to work, putting fodder in one trough and water in another.

The treasured steed ate very happily.

Xiao Ce patted the horse’s neck and said, “Good horse! You didn’t let me down! Let me give you a name.”

As he spoke, he walked around the horse a few times.

“How about calling you ‘Bold Heaven’?”

The horse was eating the fodder and suddenly snorted.

Clearly, it was not satisfied with this name.

Xiao Ce muttered to himself, “You don’t like it? Right, this name is too grand. You probably can’t bear it!”

As he spoke, he walked around the horse again.

When he walked behind the horse and looked ahead,

a name flashed through his mind.

“Iron Egg!”

“You’ll be called Iron Egg from now on. This name means you have no weaknesses, and a humble name is easier to raise! How about it?”

The stallion glanced at Xiao Ce and wagged its tail twice.

“You like it too, right? From now on, you’re Iron Egg!”

Xiao Ce patted Iron Egg’s neck and heard the sound of urgent hoofbeats coming from behind.

Looking into the distance, he saw a single rider in the distance kicking up a lot of dust.

The person arriving was Nie Bing.

As she rode her horse closer,

Xiao Ce was still somewhat surprised.

After all, Nie Bing always wore close-fitting clothes. Those kinds of clothes really didn’t show much when stationary.

But in such a dynamic situation, there really was a lot to see! Well-hidden.

Xiao Ce stood sideways next to Iron Egg, looking at Nie Bing’s pale little face, and said with a smile, “Miss Nie, you lost!”

Nie Bing had an unfriendly expression. She dismounted and said with a stern face, “I lost! But earlier, on horseback, you were swaying and wobbling. Was that an act? You were deliberately tricking me, weren’t you?”

Xiao Ce looked at Nie Bing meaningfully and said, “You think too highly of yourself! I don’t have time to put on a show just for you! Earlier, without stirrups, This Prince really wasn’t used to it! But after having stirrups, as I told you, This Prince is good at riding!”

Nie Bing looked at the small leather stirrup and frowned slightly. “Does this little thing really have such an effect?”

Seeing her disbelief, Xiao Ce took the stirrup off Iron Egg, attached it to Nie Bing’s horse, and motioned for her to try.

Seeing how Xiao Ce used it, Nie Bing placed one foot in the stirrup, mounted the horse, and after using it for a moment,

she was extremely surprised in her heart. This little thing actually had a great effect on improving stability.

Xiao Ce said from the side, “With this thing, you can free both hands, right? With your riding skills, you could probably even perform some offensive maneuvers… If one side has stirrups and the other doesn’t, who do you think has a better chance of winning in a fight? So, isn’t what I said a great weapon against the Turkic people?”

Nie Bing rode a circle and came back, her face looking unpleasant. “I really did lose. But, where did you get this thing? Why didn’t you report it to the Military Affairs Department earlier so all our Great Xiao cavalry could use it… That way, our cavalry wouldn’t have been at a disadvantage for years fighting against the Turkic!”

Xiao Ce looked at Nie Bing with an expression as if looking at an idiot. “Miss Nie, are you naive or just stupid! Given how marginalized I am in the Capital, if I proposed it, even if it were really useful, they would have countless ways to prevent this stirrup from being promoted! Or they could just claim the idea as their own. Why should I hand over my own invention to them? To let them take credit?”

Nie Bing’s eyes flashed coldly. “In the end, you’re still driven by your own selfish interests!”

Xiao Ce laughed. “I’m not a saint! Besides, you don’t really think we’re no match for the Turkic because of our cavalry, do you? So naive! Well, we’re getting sidetracked! You lost. You won’t go back on what you promised me earlier, will you?”

As he spoke, Xiao Ce’s gaze roamed over Nie Bing’s figure without any concealment.

To be honest, Xiao Ce really admired Nie Bing’s riding skills.

And, since she practiced martial arts, it must be even more exciting.

Seeing Xiao Ce’s undisguised expression, the killing intent in Nie Bing’s heart grew stronger. She said to Xiao Ce, “Of course! I said I would honor the bet! Do you want it now, or tonight?”

Nie Bing’s straightforwardness surprised Xiao Ce.

“Since Miss Nie is so straightforward! According to their marching speed, it will take at least two more hours for them to arrive. Rather than waiting here for them, why not go now!”

Looking at Xiao Ce’s eyes, the killing intent in Nie Bing’s heart surged, but she tried her best to keep her face calm. “As you wish! But remember, just this once!”

The smile on Xiao Ce’s face grew wider.

After attaching the stirrup, he said, “Hahaha, Miss Nie is indeed straightforward! But where there’s a first, there’s often a second!”

Then, Xiao Ce called out to the owner of the tea stall, “Boss, which is the best inn in Pingshun City?”

The old man at the tea stall bowed and said, “In reply to Young Master, it is naturally the Yuelai Inn. It’s the best in Pingshun City. After you enter the city, the tallest building you see is the Yuelai Inn.”

Xiao Ce glanced at Nie Bing. “Haha, good! Then let’s go to the Yuelai Inn! What do you think, Miss Nie Bing?”

Nie Bing forced a smile onto her face. “Everything as the Prince wishes!”

“Then let’s go! Miss Nie, follow behind!”

Saying this, Xiao Ce mounted his horse and rode ahead.

Nie Bing followed behind Xiao Ce, her killing intent no longer hidden.

…

Xiao Ce hummed a little tune. After entering Pingshun City, he didn’t even need to ask for directions.

He saw a five-story wooden structure from afar.

Looking from a distance, the building was very impressive!

In ancient times, it would definitely be considered five-star!

As soon as he reached the entrance, a waiter hurried out to greet him.

“Young Master and Miss, are you here to eat or to stay?”

Xiao Ce said, “We’ll eat something first, then stay at the inn!”

After saying this, Xiao Ce looked at Nie Bing with a smile and said, “What do you think, Miss Nie?”

Nie Bing still had a face like ice. “Everything as the Prince wishes. However, Prince, please be quick. The main group should arrive soon. If they can’t find you, they might worry.”

Xiao Ce said with a laugh, “Miss Nie, quick? This Prince cannot be quick! Don’t worry, we’ll have a waiter from here send a message to the tea stall at the city gate later!”

Nie Bing looked a little awkward, then stopped wasting words.

“Let’s eat and drink well first!” Xiao Ce said, turning to a waiter on the side. “Waiter, go bring all the good wine and dishes you have here.”

The waiter saw Xiao Ce dressed in luxurious silk robes and warmly received him.

“Yes, Young Master!”

“Right, also prepare a best room for us! Light some incense and get hot water ready.” Xiao Ce told the waiter.

The waiter bowed and agreed to everything one by one.

Although it was fine food,

to Xiao Ce, a modern person, it still tasted like chewing wax in his mouth.

“Miss Nie, why aren’t you moving your chopsticks? Does the food not suit your taste?”

Nie Bing hadn’t touched her chopsticks at all, mainly because she feared the food might be drugged.

“Prince, I don’t have much appetite.”

Seeing this, Xiao Ce took hold of Nie Bing’s hand.

Nie Bing instinctively wanted to pull away, but thinking she might alert the enemy, she didn’t dare refuse.

She could only let Xiao Ce rub her hand.

“Miss Nie, your hand is very cold! Are you feeling unwell? If so, this Prince doesn’t insist on today!” Xiao Ce said as he felt Nie Bing’s slightly cold, smooth-as-jade hands.

Nie Bing’s face was stiff as she said, “Prince, no need. I don’t want Pan’er to know. Let’s just hurry up.”

“Hahaha, good! This Prince understands. Then let’s go upstairs!” Xiao Ce said, taking Nie Bing’s hand.

Seeing this, the waiter hurried over. “Young Master, the Celestial Room is ready for you. Please call for me if you need anything.”

Xiao Ce smiled and said to the waiter, “No need for anything. Just don’t come in no matter what noises you hear!”

Nie Bing listened, her heart cheering inside: “Looks like this saves me a lot of trouble!”

As he spoke, Xiao Ce took a piece of silver from his pocket and tipped the waiter.

The waiter thanked him repeatedly, with a knowing look on his face.

At the door, Xiao Ce looked around.

He sent the waiter away and entered the room!

Incense was already lit inside the room; its smell helped one relax.

After entering, the room’s decor was quite nice.

Behind a gauze curtain on one side sat a large bathtub, a double one, with steam rising from it.

“Miss Nie, I wonder if you find this satisfactory?”

Xiao Ce turned around and saw Nie Bing standing by the door, closing it.

Nie Bing listened for movement, closed the door,

bolted it, and then turned around.

Nie Bing looked around and walked toward Xiao Ce.

“Prince, are you satisfied? As long as you are satisfied, that’s fine!”

Xiao Ce smiled and said, “Haha, I am naturally satisfied!”

After Nie Bing walked up to stand before Xiao Ce,

Xiao Ce very naturally put his arm around Nie Bing’s slender waist.

“So, shall we first enjoy a mandarin duck bath together?”

The smile instantly vanished from Nie Bing’s face!

Her expression changed sharply as she said sternly, “Hmph, a useless person like you thinks he can make me sleep with him! Dream on! Today, I will rid the world of a scourge and kill this waste!”

A short dagger slipped into her hand from her sleeve.

“Prepare to die!”