Chapter 36

"Lord, I believe this time it will definitely be Yide who wins," Taishi Ci interjected, his tone brimming with confidence.

Liu Yao looked at Taishi Ci in surprise and teased, "Oh, why is that? You’re not just thinking he will win because you have a good relationship with Yide, are you?"

"Is that what you think, Lord?" Taishi Ci chuckled, then pointed at the horse under Zhao Yun. "Lord, take a look at that."

Everyone followed Taishi Ci’s finger and saw that Zhao Yun’s Da Yuan horse was already exhausted, snorting continuously and drooling. In contrast, Zhang Fei’s Wu Zhui horse was still full of energy, fighting even more fiercely. The martial skills of both sides were not much different, and the side whose horse could no longer hold on would surely be the one to lose.

Sure enough, as everyone had predicted, with a heavy slash from Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun’s Da Yuan horse could no longer bear the weight. It let out a painful neigh, its legs buckled, and it fell directly to the ground. Zhao Yun, unable to react in time, could no longer stay on the horse and fell off with a thud.

"Yide, stop quickly," Liu Yao, seeing the outcome, called out anxiously.

Zhang Fei also knew his limits and would not go for a killing blow during a friendly match. He yanked the reins hard, stopping the Wu Zhui horse, and shouted, "What a great fight! It’s been a long time since I had such a satisfying fight after the one with Han Sheng."

At this moment, Zhao Yun, looking rather disheveled, got up from the ground and said dejectedly, "It’s Yun who has lost."

Zhang Fei jumped off his horse and walked to Zhao Yun’s side, saying heartily, "Pretty boy, you didn’t lose. If it weren’t for my better horse, we would have been a tie at most. And look at you, you even tore my clothes. You better remember to pay me back."

Zhang Fei was the kind of person who would consider anyone who could fight or drink with him to be a brother. Zhao Yun’s performance had already completely won Zhang Fei’s approval.

Zhao Yun, feeling somewhat embarrassed by Zhang Fei’s hearty personality, said softly, "I will pay you back."

Zhang Fei’s eyes widened, and he burst into laughter. He hadn’t expected Zhao Yun to take his joke seriously.

"Ha ha ha, Zilong, there’s no need for that. Yide was just joking with you," Liu Yao and the others walked over, seeing Zhao Yun’s embarrassed state, and couldn’t help but laugh.

Liu Yao, seeing Zhao Yun still somewhat dejected, said, "Zilong, there’s no need to be disheartened. Your martial skills are definitely not inferior to Yide’s. What you lack is a good horse." Then Liu Yao called to a nearby guard, "Come, bring me the Zhaoye Yuliong horse from my stable."

Huang Zhong and the others were taken aback. This Zhaoye Yuliong horse was no less than their own fine steeds, but it was extremely wild and difficult to tame. They hadn’t expected Liu Yao to give such a precious horse to a newcomer. But thinking about how young Zhao Yun was and yet possessed such martial skills, they understood.

"Lord, Yun has just arrived. How can I accept such a valuable gift? Please take it back," Zhao Yun quickly refused. Although Zhao Yun didn’t know what the Zhaoye Yuliong horse was, he could tell from the surprised expressions of Huang Zhong and Zhang Fei that it was no ordinary thing.

"No problem, a fine horse should match a hero. With your skills, Zilong, you should have a good horse," Liu Yao said casually. After all, the Zhaoye Yuliong horse was originally meant for Zhao Yun, and now it was just returning to its rightful owner. Then Liu Yao seemed to remember something and looked at Zhao Yun, "Zilong, why did you still call me Lord earlier? Are you unwilling to join my ranks?"

Only then did Zhao Yun react, moved to tears, and bowed, "Yun pays respects to Lord."

"Good, good, Zilong, please stand up," Liu Yao quickly helped Zhao Yun up. He looked at Zhao Yun, whose eyes were full of tears, and couldn’t help but think, "Why do people in ancient times cry so easily?" In his previous life, Liu Yao had never encountered such a situation, so he didn’t understand the concept of a scholar dying for a true friend.

Soon, two guards brought the Zhaoye Yuliong horse to the training ground. Zhao Yun’s eyes were fixed on it. The horse was entirely white, without a single blemish. It had a long mane around its neck, making it look like a lion, with an extremely defiant gaze. If not for the guards holding the reins tightly, the Zhaoye Yuliong horse would have already run off.

Liu Yao introduced, "Zilong, this Zhaoye Yuliong horse is the finest warhorse from the Wuhuan, but it is extremely wild and difficult to tame. Ordinary people can’t even get close to it. If you can tame it, this horse will be yours."

"Thank you, Lord. I will do my best," Zhao Yun said confidently. Then he slowly approached the Zhaoye Yuliong horse. The horse, seeing someone approaching, merely glanced at Zhao Yun and ignored him.

Zhao Yun took a quick step forward and, before the horse could react, leaped onto its back.

"Neigh." The Zhaoye Yuliong horse, suddenly feeling someone on its back, immediately reared up, trying to throw Zhao Yun off.

"What a fierce horse! I won’t believe I can’t tame you," Zhao Yun’s competitive spirit was ignited. He didn’t want to lose to an animal. He tightly held the reins with both hands, pressing himself against the horse’s back. No matter how the Zhaoye Yuliong horse jumped or thrashed, Zhao Yun gritted his teeth and held on, not moving an inch.

After an unknown amount of time, the Zhaoye Yuliong horse’s movements slowed, and Zhao Yun, on the horse’s back, began to feel tired. His body was sore from the horse’s movements, but he still gritted his teeth and held on. Now it was a test of patience and endurance. Whoever held on longer would be the winner.

Finally, the Zhaoye Yuliong horse seemed to make one last effort, neighing loudly, rearing up again, and spinning in the air, trying to throw Zhao Yun off. But Zhao Yun remained firmly on the horse’s back.

At this moment, the Zhaoye Yuliong horse seemed to give up, letting out a mournful neigh, as if admitting defeat. The horse stopped moving and stood still.

Seeing the Zhaoye Yuliong horse no longer resisting, Zhao Yun knew it had submitted. In the animal world, the strong rule. Since Zhao Yun had tamed the Zhaoye Yuliong horse, it would naturally recognize him as its master.

Zhao Yun dismounted and stroked the mane around the horse’s neck. The horse nuzzled Zhao Yun’s arm. Zhao Yun, looking at the horse, said with great passion, "Follow me, and let’s create a great cause together."

Horses are intelligent. The Zhaoye Yuliong horse seemed to understand Zhao Yun’s words and neighed loudly, as if agreeing.

"Ha ha ha, a fine horse for a hero. This Zhaoye Yuliong horse is indeed a perfect match for you," Liu Yao, seeing Zhao Yun tame the fierce horse, couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

"Thank you, Lord, for the gift," Zhao Yun said gratefully.

Liu Yao waved his hand and said casually, "No problem. No one else can tame this horse. Since you have the ability, it should belong to you."

"Hey, Lord, don’t talk so much. Let’s go drink. Today, we must drink until we’re drunk with Zilong," Zhang Fei interjected.

"You, you," Liu Yao shook his head helplessly at Zhang Fei, the drunkard, but didn’t object.

Just then, a guard ran over, "Lord, Lord Tian Feng requests your presence at the Recruitment Hall."

"Oh!" Liu Yao was surprised. He thought, "Could it be that someone has come to offer their services?" Then he turned to Zhang Fei and the others, "Yide, you all go drink."

"Understood," Zhang Fei knew Liu Yao had important matters to attend to and didn’t want to disturb him, so he dragged Zhao Yun off to drink somewhere.

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