Chapter 131: Everyone, make way!

"Depart!" Da Wang gave the order, and the two hundred people who followed mounted up and set out. Da Wang himself also climbed onto Little Date, taking the lead out of North Hua Gate. This way, Winnie couldn't lie down anymore; it got up and started chasing!

Da Wang crossed the bridge over the moat, turned his head, and saw that Winnie had already fallen behind the troop, running after them.

"Alright, let's go, it's a good chance to run and lose some weight."

Da Wang ran a stretch, then turned his head to glance at the two rearguard troops in the gaps of the Owl Cavalry; White Marsh looked like an elegant stroll, running lightly and gracefully, its silken fur shining gold in the early morning sun.

The bear behind was embarrassed; Da Wang really couldn't think of a praising word, summing up: "... kicking up dust as it ran, really lively."

Wei Shen glanced back and said, "Is that so? A bit embarrassing. But White Marsh is still taking good care of it..."

When mentioning this, Da Wang became proud, saying, "Of course, they grew up together!"

With Winnie such a big follower, they had to slow down after a while to rest the horses, hoping to give Winnie some hope? Fortunately they set out early. Da Wang even went back midway to feed it a beast-feeding pill, and after resting twice they finally reached the agreed-upon spot.

From afar they could see a few flags bearing the character "Liang" fluttering in the wind; well, the Eastern Capital Marquis had arrived first.

Fortunately they weren't late either; Da Wang also didn't bother with the rear baggage, and rode straight over.

This time, for the hunt, the Eastern Capital Marquis brought his eldest son Liang He, his trusted aide Colonel Ge Zhong, and Wu Jian; the attendants brought even more soldiers than Da Wang, appearing to have as many as five hundred.

Da Wang was really easy to spot; although their team also had fine horses, Ling Yin and Wei Shen both rode the same model of white gold wild horse as the Eastern Capital Marquis, and the bright red Little Date was also very eye-catching. Liang Jin noticed that horse at a glance, and then looked up at its rider.

Besides Ge Zhong not having seen the You King before, the child riding such a precious horse at the front must be him.

Upon asking Ge Zhong, sure enough: "... that's the You King. A kid the size of a bean, full of tricks."

Wu Jian laughed, saying, "What tricks you can see are hardly tricks; they must be doing it on purpose."

Ge Zhong: "You! Old Wu, what do you mean?!"

Liang Jin was speechless: "Alright, come down and pay respects."

As a feudal lord of a state, the Eastern Capital Marquis, Grand General, must also dismount to pay respects.

When Da Wang drew near, Liang Jin dismounted to pay respects; Da Wang nimbly jumped off his horse and personally helped him up.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting, Grand General; I was delayed on the road."

"Not at all, Your Highness is very punctual; I arrived early because I live closer."

Da Wang was very enthusiastic, opening his big auspicious phoenix eyes with a sincere gaze, saying, "At first sight I feel close to the Grand General; let's be more casual, after all we're out here to have fun, right?"

Liang Jin readily agreed: "Good! Your Highness says to be casual, so we'll be casual; how about we first go set up camp at Support Yan Mountain, then talk?"

Da Wang readily nodded: "Okay!"

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the Eastern Capital Marquis introduced Da Wang to his son Liang He, as well as Wu Jian and Ge Zhong. Da Wang in turn introduced his companions Ling Yin and Wei Shen; the two groups then gathered, mounted up, and hurried straight to Support Yan Mountain.

While on the road, when the horses were running close together, the Eastern Capital Marquis occasionally chatted with Da Wang, not treating him as a child just because he was young; they mostly talked about horses, once again thanking Da Wang for the gift of his beloved steed, and Da Wang couldn't help but also thank the other side for their support of the Personal Guard Battalion.

Behind them were each side's personal guards, then behind that the main force, with Da Wang's 200 Owl Cavalry at the very rear of the formation.

When Da Wang became distracted looking backward, the Eastern Capital Marquis still puzzled: "... Your Highness, what's worrying you? Otherwise, let your personal guards come up front."

Da Wang hurriedly waved his hands: "No need, no need; I've raised two pets that came along, there's a bear that runs slowly, and I'm afraid it might get lost."

The Eastern Capital Marquis laughed heartily, thinking, "Indeed, just a child."

"Your Highness, rest assured, with so many people behind, there's no need for you to worry. However, the bird on Your Highness's shoulder is truly extraordinary, top-notch; I've never seen anything like it before—is it an eagle or a hawk?"

"It's an eagle, named Cover Heaven."

"Indeed imposing, and the name is imposing too. Once trained, it could be of great use in hunting."

"The already slim Cover Heaven puffed out its chest with effort; nope, you old-timer have good eyesight."

Da Wang didn't need to turn his head to look; he knew the proud angle of its little neck.

All the horses participating in the hunt were fine, especially the first echelon running ahead; they had reached the foot of Support Yan Mountain before noon.

It was Da Wang's first time coming here; the Eastern Capital Marquis and his entourage, having been many times before, knew the way well and found a mountain valley with a stream, preparing to set up camp first.

The journey was supposed to take two to three days; it was already nearly noon, and a morning's rest and meal had passed, so their hunting plan was scheduled to start in the afternoon.

The Eastern Capital Marquis raised his whip and pointed to the middle of the mountain valley, saying, "Your Highness, we'll split the area in half; first we'll set up camp and rest, after eating we'll discuss the hunting plan."

Da Wang obediently nodded: "I'll listen to Uncle Liang!"

The Eastern Capital Marquis jumped in surprise, "This sharp-witted Da Wang, why are you so informal? I dare not let Your Highness call me that; my eldest grandson is older than you." "Are we really that close?!"

Da Wang scratched his head in embarrassment: "Then should I call you Grandfather? That would be fine, mainly I'm afraid my royal father would find out and be displeased."

Eastern Capital Marquis: "..."

Ge Zhong held back laughter, "This Da Wang is really quite interesting."

The Eastern Capital Marquis had given up arguing with him: "Then, in the northern borders, we'll just call you casually?"

Da Wang bared his teeth: "Alright, Uncle Liang."

Wei Shen greatly admired Da Wang's administrative ability; no wonder at age four he could already pacify his father into obedience.

While they were speaking here, the following main troops' formation fell into chaos, amid an uproar.

Ge Zhong swore a dirty word, "Really, if you don't keep an eye on things for a moment it's impossible; when out and about you can't stay composed, losing face in front of a child... 'Damn it! What is that?!'"

It was Weini catching up.

Winnie was desperately chasing from behind; although everyone has four legs, for long-distance running a bear is far inferior to a horse.

Winnie ran for a while and got left behind; fortunately White Marsh would stop and wait for it, then after it rested bring it back up.

Winnie is also in good health, persisting all the way.

Just now, White Marsh ran back to tell it that the master had stopped ahead, the destination had arrived. So it simply mustered its strength and ran all the way there!

Winnie summoned its strength, flailing its little pillar-like legs as it charged over; the Owl Cavalry behind saw it and quickly cleared a path to make way for Da Wang's beloved pet, but the people of the Eastern Capital Marquis in front were blocked by the Owl Cavalry all the way and didn't get to see this 'beloved pet's' true appearance; hearing the commotion, they turned around and nearly fell off their horses!

This is a bear, after all—people fear it, horses fear it!

The rear rearguard squad leader Zhou Ke hurriedly rode up and shouted, "Brothers, make way, this is our Highness's beloved pet! Make way, make way!" Before the hunted beasts had even started to be struck, they first struck Da Wang's beloved pet.