The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 894: King of Horses!

King of Horses! . . .

Guan Lingxiao was taken aback. He rushed to stop Cha Eun Xiao and exclaimed, "What on earth are you thinking, you foolish novice? Do you not comprehend the danger? You won't escape unscathed if you accompany me!"

The captain's eyes sparkled with interest. "You possess knowledge of dan-making. Younger Brother, are you a dan-maker or a pharmacist?"

Ignoring Guan Lingxiao, Cha Eun Xiao nodded and responded, "I happen to have some expertise in both. Given your unwillingness to dismiss any possibility, I assume you won't reject my assistance."

The captain was genuinely delighted, yet he couldn't help but sigh when he considered Cha Eun Xiao's age.

"What could he know? He's too young, after all," he thought. "All teenagers share the same problem: a lack of experience. I suppose he possesses some understanding of medicines and dan-making. Nonetheless, he is correct—we cannot disregard any potential solution. Our young lord's life is hanging by a thread. This is our final opportunity, and we must exhaust all possibilities."

Guan Lingxiao recognized that Brother Mu had made an irrevocable decision. He gazed helplessly at Cha Eun Xiao before releasing a long sigh and resuming his brisk pace.

Cha Eun Xiao smiled and prodded the pony by kicking it. "Ya!"

The pony let out a resounding neigh, rearing up on its hind legs, its mane billowing. Before its front hooves even touched the ground, it shot forward like an arrow, propelled by a burst of incredible speed.

"What an excellent horse!"

The eyes of the Black Cavalry horsemen glittered with appreciation. They had spent much of their lives in the saddle and could recognize the value of a remarkable horse when they saw one.

Cha Eun Xiao gave a wry smile and patted the pony's head. "Darky, you've got some formidable legs there. I don't think you'll waste my time."

"Darky..." Captain Brother Mu was rendered speechless. "He bestowed this exceptional horse with such a foolish name."

Darky led the charge, outpacing all of the Black Cavalry's mounts with its head held high, appearing every bit a king overseeing his own territory.

The other horses of the Black Cavalry stood still and lowered their heads, patiently awaiting their riders' commands to move. As they set out, Darky maintained its lead.

The Black Cavalry's horses were unable to catch up to the little pony. Darky remained in the lead, leaving a noticeable gap between itself and the other horses.

Even Captain Brother Mu's steed was trailing behind Darky. Despite his efforts to urge his cherished mount forward, it could not catch up. He even gave it two sharp lashes with his whip, but to no avail. The horse continued to maintain its distance from Darky.

Eventually, Captain Brother Mu noticed that his horse was gazing at Darky with an intensely subservient expression, as though a guilty servant seeking clemency from his king.

Suddenly, a realization struck Captain Brother Mu. He exclaimed, "The Horse King?"

Darky raced across the terrain with incredible speed, appearing robust and full of vitality. On the surface, it didn't seem markedly superior to the other horses, yet it held an extraordinary lead, guiding the procession like a swiftly flowing river. Throughout its sprint, Darky remained eerily quiet, and the other horses silently trailed behind it, as if they were prepared to follow Darky to the ends of the earth.

Captain Mu bellowed in frustration, "Wrong direction! Turn! Turn! Haw!"

Yet, Darky paid no heed to his commands, persisting in its unbroken gallop.

The other horses displayed the same indifference to the right direction. In that moment, they were no longer their usual selves. They obediently followed Darky, ready to pursue it wherever it led. Even if Darky charged toward a cliff and leaped off, the other horses would follow suit without a trace of hesitation.

The Black Cavalry riders berated their own steeds, striving to redirect their course. Despite clutching their horses' necks, they proved powerless to alter their course. The horses steadfastly adhered to Darky's lead, resolute in their refusal to change direction, even if it meant embracing death.

Cha Eun Xiao was flabbergasted by the situation. He couldn't fathom how his diminutive horse had incited a rebellion involving hundreds of horses. It was simply astonishing.

He gently patted Darky's head and entreated, "Come on. Do you even know where you're headed? Why are you racing like this? Please, slow down a little."

Darky neighed, conveying the sentiment that since nobody else was guiding the way, it might as well venture wherever it pleased.

Cha Eun Xiao experienced mixed emotions, a blend of annoyance and amusement. [You're certainly showcasing your kingly spirit to the other horses. Not a single horse in the world dares to challenge your leadership, do they?]

Cha Eun Xiao used gentle force to coax Darky into slowing its pace. Following his consent, Captain Mu's horse finally moved to the front.

As it pranced cautiously and apprehensively, Captain Mu struggled to maintain his seat. He had ridden this horse for numerous years and was confident that he would never be dislodged from its back. However, on this occasion, he nearly tumbled from the saddle due to the horse's sudden stiffness.

The thousands of other horses appeared incensed, regarding Captain Mu's horse with menacing expressions. [Traitorous horse! How dare you surpass the king!]

[Do you wish to die?]

After all, the horses in the Black Cavalry Alliance had received rigorous training. Otherwise, they would have swarmed Captain Mu's horse and kicked it to death without hesitation.

"Neigh…" The beleaguered horse emitted a plaintive whinny, signaling to the others, 'I'm not doing this by choice. I'm compelled... The king doesn't know the way, so I'm just leading the way... How can I possibly outpace the king? Just look at me! I'm being extremely cautious not to surpass the king.'

"Neigh…" The thousands of other horses responded in unison, conveying their sentiments, 'Wretch! The king is all-powerful! Are you suggesting he doesn't know the way? Even I'm aware of the path! You damned traitorous horse! You must harbor nefarious intentions... You're on the verge of treachery.'