Chapter 324

The next moment.

Translation: "The next moment."

The three black horses that were frantically pulling the Horse King suddenly went limp in their forelegs, thudding to the ground with a series of "plop plop plop", lying there lazily, eyes closed, fast asleep.

But we need to be concise, not add extra. Let's try: "The three black horses frantically pulling the Horse King suddenly went weak in their forelegs, thumping 'plop, plop, plop' as they collapsed onto the ground, lying lazily with eyes closed in deep sleep."

Let's see if we missed anything: the original line describes the three black horses pulling the Horse King wildly, their forelegs suddenly giving way, they flop to the ground with a series of "plop plop plop", lying there lazily, eyes closed, fast asleep. That means the three black horses that were frantically pulling the Horse King, their forelegs simultaneously went soft, "plop plop plop" they fell to the ground, posture lazy, eyes closed, deep sleep. Our translation captures that.

The bandits were caught off guard and screamed as they fell.

Translation: "The bandits were taken by surprise and cried out as they fell."

Immediately afterward, the horses of the Black Wind Riders collapsed one after another, and the bandits all fell from their mounts.

Translation: "Immediately afterward, the horses of the Black Wind Riders lay down one after another, and the bandits all fell from their mounts."

They all froze, the eyes behind their masks widening in shock.

Translation: "They all froze, the eyes on their masks bulging wide."

What the heck? How did all the horses fall asleep at the same time?

Translation: "Have we seen a ghost? How could all the horses fall asleep at once?"

The people of the Ulan tribe also froze, their knife‑holding hands suspended in mid‑air.

Translation: "The people of the Ulan Tribe also froze, their knife-holding hands hanging in midair."

Xiao Er lunged forward, Lu Seven flanked from the side, Ha Ri Cha Gai stared for a moment then roared and slashed his blade to follow, and the herdsmen finally snapped out of it, surrounding the bandits.

Translation: "Xiao Er lunged forward, Lu Qi flanked from the side, Ha Ri Cha Gai stared for a moment then roared and slashed his blade to follow, and the herdsmen finally snapped out of it, surrounding the bandits."

Xiao Er lunged forward, Lu Qi flanked from the side, Ha Ri Cha Gai stared for a moment then roared and slashed his blade to follow, and the herdsmen finally snapped out of it, surrounding the bandits.

The bandits hastily tried to fight back, but were instantly scattered in disarray.

Translation: "The bandits hastily met the attack, but were instantly scattered in disarray."

In less than the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, all the bandits were pinned to the ground.

Translation: "In less than the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, all the bandits were pressed to the ground."

The Scarlet Flame Horse King, which had almost been stolen, broke free of its tether, yet did not follow the herdsman who was leading it back to the corral.

Translation: "That Crimson Flame Horse King, which had almost been stolen, broke free of its lasso, yet did not follow the herdsman who had been leading it back to the horse pen."

The herdsman pulled hard, but the horse simply refused to move.

Translation: "The herdsman strained to pull, but the horse simply refused to move."

Su He walked up to it, stroked its back, and said, "Let go; it has its own place it wants to go."

Translation: "Su He walked up to it, stroked its back, and said, 'Let go; it has a place it wants to go.'"

Upon hearing that, the herdsman released his grip.

Translation: "Hearing this, the herdsman loosened his grip."

The Horse King shook its mane, slowly walked to Tuan Tuan's tent, its amber eyes blazing in the firelight as it gazed quietly at the tent flap.

Translation: "The Horse King shook its mane, slowly walked to Tuan Tuan's tent, its amber eyes blazing in the firelight as it gazed quietly at the tent flap."

Ha Ri Cha Gai stepped over and lifted the curtain.

Translation: "Ha Ri Cha Gai walked over and lifted the curtain."

The horse neighed joyfully.

Translation: "The horse neighed happily."

Tuan Tuan heard it and exclaimed, "The horse is coming to find me!" then jumped up, ready to rush out.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Tuan Tuan exclaimed, 'The horse came to find me!' and sprang up, about to rush out."

Xiao Ran grabbed her, picked up her little cloak and draped it over her, saying, "What's the rush? Aren't you afraid of getting cold?"

Translation: "Xiao Ran grabbed her, picked up her little cloak and draped it over her, saying, 'What's the hurry? Aren't you afraid of freezing?'"

He and Xiao Ningxuan together took Tuan Tuan's hand and walked out of the large tent.

Translation: "He and Xiao Ningxun took Tuan Tuan's hand together and walked out of the big tent."

Seeing Tuan Tuan, the Horse King happily kicked at the grass, lowered its head, and gently touched her forehead with its own.

Translation: "Seeing Tuan Tuan, the Horse King happily kicked at the grass, lowered its head, and gently bumped her little forehead with its own."

It let out a low, gentle whimper from its throat.

Translation: "From its throat came a low, gentle whimper."

Tuan Tuan walked up to it, reached out, and touched its wet nose bridge.

Translation: "Tuan Tuan walked up to it, reached out, and stroked its wet nose bridge."

"Don't be afraid," she whispered softly, "the bad guys have all been driven away."

Translation: "'Don't be scared,' she whispered, 'the bad guys have been driven away.'"

The Horse King first bent its front legs, then its hind legs knelt, lying down before her as if inviting Tuan Tuan to climb onto its back.

Translation: "The Horse King first bent its forelegs, then its hind legs knelt, lying before her as if inviting Tuan Tuan to ride on its back."

Tuan Tuan scrambled up using both hands and feet, wrapping her arms around its neck.

Translation: "Tuan Tuan scrambled up using hands and feet, wrapping her arms around its neck."

The Horse King rose, carried her in a slow circle around the pasture, then brought her back to the tent and lay down again just as before.

Translation: "The Horse King rose, carried her in a slow circle around the grass field, then brought her back to the tent as before, lying down gently."

Xiao Ningxuan lifted Tuan Tuan down from the horse's back.

Translation: "Xiao Ningxun lifted Tuan Tuan down from the horse's back."

Tuan Tuan reluctantly stroked its big head, saying, "You're such a good horse!"

Translation: "Tuan Tuan reluctantly stroked its big head, saying, 'You're such a good horse!'"

The herdsmen began loudly discussing.

Translation: "The herdsmen began to discuss loudly."

"Good heavens, that's the Horse King! It never lets anyone ride it!"

Translation: "'Good heavens, that's the Horse King! It never lets anyone ride it!'"

"Why is it so deferential to this child?"

Translation: "'Why is it so respectful toward this child?'"

"Could it have actually accepted her as its master?"

Translation: "'Could it have actually accepted her?'"

Su He slowly approached Tuan Tuan, looked deeply at her, and said, "This horse has already recognized you as its master; it will follow you for life."

Translation: "Su He slowly approached Tuan Tuan, gazed deeply at her, and said, 'This horse has already recognized you as its master; it will follow you for life.'"

"Really?" Tuan Tuan lifted her little face, asking, "Then can I take it with me?"

Translation: "'Really?' Tuan Tuan lifted her little face, 'Can I take it with me?'"

"Of course!" Su He nodded, saying, "Horses are loyal; once they choose a master, they never change."

Translation: "'Of course!' Su He nodded, 'Horses are loyal; once they acknowledge a master, they never change.'"

Tuan Tuan happily rubbed the Horse King's belly, saying, "Horse, horse, I'll treat you wonderfully! Don't worry!"

Translation: "Tuan Tuan happily rubbed the Horse King's belly, saying, 'Horse, horse, I'll treat you wonderfully! Don't worry!'"

She thought for a moment: "What should I call you? Ah! Ha Ri's horse is called Black Cloud, so how about calling you Red Cloud?"

Translation: "She pondered: 'What should I call you? Ah! Ha Ri's horse is named Black Cloud; how about calling you Red Cloud?'"

The Horse King excitedly raised its head and neighed.

Translation: "The Horse King excitedly neighed toward the sky."

Ha Ri Cha Gai stared blankly at Tuan Tuan, then suddenly felt that losing to her was not the slightest bit unfair.

Translation: "Ha Ri Cha Gai stared blankly at Tuan Tuan, suddenly feeling that losing to her was not the slightest bit unjust!"

Xiao Ningxuan said to Su He, "Thank you, chief."

Translation: "Xiao Ningxun said to Su He, 'Thank you, chief.'"

Su He shook his head: "It was Red Cloud itself that chose this child; I did nothing."

Translation: "Su He shook his head: 'It was Red Cloud that chose this child; I did nothing.'"

He pondered for a moment: "Throughout the ages, Horse Kings rarely accept a master; many spend their whole lives unridable."

Translation: "He pondered for a moment: 'It is extremely rare for a Horse King of any generation to acknowledge a master; many spend their whole lives unrideable.'"

"That Red Cloud could accept this child as its master is truly rare; I never even imagined it."

Translation: "'For Red Cloud to acknowledge this child as master is truly rare; I never expected it.'"

Red Cloud seemed to understand his words, lowered its head, and gently rubbed its broad, warm forehead against Tuan Tuan's cheek.

Translation: "Red Cloud seemed to understand his words, lowered its head, and gently rubbed its broad, warm forehead against Tuan Tuan's cheek."

That demeanor was not that of a fierce Horse King, but rather like a child who had finally found its home.

Translation: "That appearance was not that of a fierce Horse King, but rather like a child who had finally found its home."

"You're so good!" Tuan Tuan reached out and stroked its big face.

Translation: "'You're so good!' Tuan Tuan reached out and stroked its big face."

Su He looked at Tuan Tuan and Red Cloud, saying, "Thanks to all of you for helping again; please return to the tent to rest, I'll deal with those bandits."

Translation: "Su He looked at Tuan Tuan and Red Cloud, saying, 'Thank you all for your help again; please return to the tent to rest, I will deal with those bandits.'"

"All right." Xiao Ran took Tuan Tuan's hand, and the group returned to the tent and lay down again.

Translation: "'All right.' Xiao Ran took Tuan Tuan's hand, and the group returned to the tent and lay down again."

Tuan Tuan gave a little yawn: "Uncle Seven, Ha Ri rides Black Cloud; will you ride Red Cloud?"

Translation: "Tuan Tuan gave a little yawn: 'Uncle Seven, Ha Ri rides Black Cloud; will you ride Red Cloud?'"

Lu Seven was delighted: "Thank you, my lord! That horse looks extraordinary, a divine steed—I couldn't ask for more."

Translation: "Lu Qi rejoiced: 'Thank you, Lord Master! That horse looks extraordinary, such a divine steed—I couldn't ask for more.'"

Since Red Cloud still needed rest, the group paused briefly in the Ulan tribe, then after a few days bade farewell to Su He and continued deeper into the grasslands.

Translation: "Since Red Cloud still needed rest, the group paused briefly in the Ulan Tribe; after a few days, they bade farewell to Su He and continued onward into the depths of the grasslands."

Lu Seven rode Red Cloud, unable to let go, walking alongside the wagon with Ha Ri Cha Gai, occasionally sprinting far ahead before returning to the wagon's side.

Translation: "Lu Qi rode Red Cloud, unable to let go, walking alongside Ha Ri Cha Gai in front of the wagon, occasionally sprinting far ahead then returning to the wagon's side."

Tuan Tuan poked her head out of the wagon window and asked, "Red Cloud, you're always running—aren't you tired?"

Translation: "Tuan Tuan poked her head out of the wagon window and asked, 'Red Cloud, you're always running—aren't you tired?'"

Lu Seven laughed heartily: "Don't worry, the better the horse, the less it can be restrained; it runs happily, and since the wagon is too slow, it enjoys running."

Translation: "Lu Qi laughed heartily: 'Don't worry—the finer the horse, the less it can be confined; it runs happily, the wagon is too slow, so it runs with joy.'"

Red Cloud shook its head and let out a big, loud snort.

Translation: "Red Cloud shook its head and let out a loud snort."

Tuan Tuan laughed: "Uncle Seven, Red Cloud is shaking its head—it doesn't agree!"

Translation: "Tuan Tuan laughed: 'Uncle Seven, Red Cloud is shaking its head—it disagrees!'"

Lu Seven burst out laughing, "Giddyap!" and Red Cloud shot forward like an arrow.

Translation: "Lu Qi burst into laughter, 'Giddyap!' and Red Cloud shot forward like an arrow."

"Look, it can't get enough..." Lu Seven's voice faded into the distance.

Translation: "'See, it can't get enough...' Lu Qi's voice faded into the distance."

Xiao Ningxun laughed and shook their head.

At the foot of the holy mountain Tengge Li, thousands of felt tents gathered into a Royal City.

The largest golden King's Tent stood by the holy lake, the residence of the Great Khan of Xilu; the gold foil on the tent roof blazed like fire in the setting sun.

A hundred paces northeast of the Golden Tent stood another equally magnificent great tent.

The tent roof was covered with silver-gray yak felt, and a black banner with gold patterns bearing a wolf's head flew high; the wolf's eyes were crimson, its fangs bared — this was the unique emblem of the Prince of Xilu, Bateer.

Inside the tent, candles burned brightly.

Bateer stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the huge map of the steppes hanging on the tent wall.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, with thick brows like blades, a high straight nose, and his short beard trimmed to perfection.

"The Kerey tribe… the Ulan tribe…"

He slowly repeated those two names.

The scout kneeling below the tent trembled all over: "Yes, yes! The news is absolutely certain! The Kerey tribe's White Eagle has chosen that Central Plains girl!"

"The Ulan tribe's Red Flame Horse King now also acknowledges her as master, and is together with those Central Plains people."

"The Divine Eagle… the Horse King…"

Bateer whirled around: "A four- or five-year-old Central Plains girl can make the White Eagle land and submit the Horse King? Do you take me for a fool?"

The scout kowtowed repeatedly: "The herdsmen saw it with their own eyes! It's already spread far and wide!"

"Enough!"

Bateer kicked over the table, sending the copper wine pot and cups crashing to the floor.

The White Eagle of the Divine Eagle is the steppe's universally recognized "Envoy of Heaven's Will."

The Red Flame Horse King is the Ulan tribe's totem, passed down for a hundred years.

In just a few short days, they have all submitted to an outsider—a Central Plains girl!

Bateer looked toward the shadow in the tent: "Mr. Jiang."

A man rose to his feet.

He wore the common blue-gray scholar's robe of the Han people, was thin and frail, about forty years old, and his face was so ordinary that if you threw him into a crowd you'd never spot him again.

Only his eyes were deep as an ancient well, sending a chill down anyone's spine for no reason.

He was Jiang Heng, the strategist whom Bateer trusted as his right-hand man.

Bateer walked back to his seat and sat down: "The Divine Eagle has chosen them, the Horse King acknowledges them as master—these Central Plains people are no ordinary lot."

Jiang Heng spoke, his voice calm and soothing: "Your Highness, why get angry? Isn't this exactly what we've been waiting for?"

"With the Wolf Fang in Shen Wanjin's hand, he can lure them here—so that they come and never return."

"The steppe has its own laws, and Heaven's Will is hard to fathom, Your Highness."