Chapter 82: Treading Snow Dark Steed

Chapter 82: Snow-Treading Dark Steed

Zhao Changhe, tricked by a naive girl into incriminating himself, was now filled with indignation and shame, wanting nothing more than to gather everyone at the Cui family ancestral hall and announce, "I am an idiot."

He had truly thought Yangyang was simple!

Fortunately, the naive girl didn't press further, because her own face was burning hot. She wanted to continue teasing but couldn't find the words, and she longed to nestle into his arms but was too shy to act.

After all, she was still just a young girl—her skills had awakened, but she didn't know how to use them...

The room fell silent, save for their slightly ragged breaths, and their eyes kept darting away from each other.

What was it you wanted to give me?

The man had to admit in his heart that such a thought had crossed his mind.

Looking at her flushed little face, he really wanted to nibble on it, to kiss it.

Especially knowing that she wouldn't refuse.

But...

Zhao Changhe gritted his teeth. Why keep dodging?

He no longer avoided Yangyang's gaze. Bending slightly, he cupped her burning cheeks with both hands. "Yangyang."

"Ah..." Cui Yuanyang was both shy and overjoyed, her heart pounding as if it might leap out of her throat.

Had Brother Zhao ever been so affectionate with her before? He had always treated her like a little sister, which made her feel that he might not have any romantic feelings for her—that the three-year promise might just be a way to let things fade away.

But today... even though this gesture was still like that of a brother, especially with their height difference—he had to bend down to cup her face, adding a touch of absurdity to the scene—

Such treatment of a sister meant she wasn't a real sister but a sweetheart. He wouldn't do this to an ordinary sister.

Zhao Changhe rubbed her cheeks gently and said softly, "Yangyang, I know what you're worried about... but Brother Zhao really likes Yangyang."

Cui Yuanyang's shyness almost vanished; her eyes seemed to sparkle with light.

"But Yangyang is still too young," Zhao Changhe continued, kneading her face like dough. "We agreed on three years, so let it be three years. What's so great about the Human Rankings? Once I make it onto the Human Rankings, I'll come to the Cui family in style to see my graceful, grown-up Yangyang. How about that?"

Cui Yuanyang was delighted by his words, but she muttered, "Liar. You said you liked me just as I am, that I shouldn't grow up."

Zhao Changhe laughed. "Don't let your mind grow up, but let other parts grow."

"Bah! You're no good!" The little rabbit stamped her foot in mock anger, broke free from his face-rubbing grip, and ran out of the study, holding her cheeks. "The historical records are on the upper shelf. Find them yourself."

Zhao Changhe straightened up and let out a long sigh.

It was actually that simple. Why had he been agonizing over it?

Watching the little girl's flustered retreat, he felt a fond, almost maternal smile creep onto his face. Wasn't that wonderful?

In high spirits, he poured himself a cup of tea and leisurely began browsing the books on Cui Wenjing's shelves.

Cui Wenjing had only given him a rough overview. When else would he get a chance to delve into the historical details? This was the private collection of the Cui family patriarch—a top-tier family's years of research and exploration into this matter, now shared with him. This might be even more significant than obtaining the Daxia Dragon Sparrow.

Drinking tea, reading books, teasing a blushing little girl—could life get any more pleasant than this?

...

"Brother Zhao! Brother Zhao!"

Early the next morning, Zhao Changhe got up from his guest quarters, dismissed the maids who tried to help him wash as usual, and began his routine sword practice.

Before he had practiced for even half an hour, Cui Yuanyang, who had fled in embarrassment the day before, came rushing over excitedly. "Practicing sword again?"

"Yeah. Your father said he'd have someone modify the Daxia Dragon Sparrow, but it's been a whole night and I haven't seen the sword... Huh?" Zhao Changhe replied casually, then turned his head and nearly twisted his neck. "Why are you a rabbit again?"

Cui Yuanyang had changed out of her light green dress and was once again wearing a fluffy rabbit-eared outfit. The air of a refined young lady she had shown yesterday was gone, replaced by that naive, silly look.

Yesterday, she had put on a demure, hesitant demeanor, but now she dropped all pretense, hopping over with a giggle. "Brother Zhao clearly likes me like this. Every time you see me in this outfit, your eyes crinkle."

"Cough, cough." Zhao Changhe cleared his throat. "I like it, I like it all. But spring is almost over. Won't you be hot wearing that?"

"It's not even Qingming Festival yet! There's still a cold snap, you know!" Cui Yuanyang huffed and tugged at his hand, pulling him along. "Come on, let's go to the stables. I heard they got some new horses. I haven't seen them yet. Let's go together."

Zhao Changhe sheathed his sword and let the little rabbit pull him along, hopping slightly himself without realizing it—her energy was infectious.

The so-called stables were far away, outside the city, and even farther beyond that. They could see a wide river with boats drifting on it. On the riverbank stretched endless grasslands, where a few riders galloped. In the distance, the wind bent the grass, revealing horses leisurely roaming.

"This is my family's stables!" Cui Yuanyang pulled him onto the grass. "It's a bit quiet today because of last night's events... Normally at this time, there'd be a crowd racing horses. It's so lively!"

Zhao Changhe sniffed and suddenly remembered a phrase Cui Yuanyang had once said.

—"My family has a river."

It wasn't that there was a river near her home; it was literally that her family owned a river.

No wonder Cui Yuanyang was such a good rider. Her daily life could probably be summed up in four words: cockfighting and horse racing. No wonder she was so skilled.

"Uncle Wang! Uncle Wang!" Cui Yuanyang called out to an old man at the edge of the grassland. "How's my Black Peony? I've missed her so much."

Uncle Wang smiled. "We bought some fine horses from the Western Regions a few days ago. They're thinking about breeding Black Peony."

Cui Yuanyang's eyes widened. "B-breeding? Black Peony is still young!"

Uncle Wang glanced at Zhao Changhe and said nothing.

Young miss, do you understand your father's feelings now?

Both young people caught the old man's meaning and felt embarrassed. Cui Yuanyang stomped her foot. "Take me to see them. What ugly creatures dare to mate with my Black Peony? I won't allow it!"

Yes, your father thinks the same.

The old man dared not say more and led them to see the horses. Zhao Changhe had assumed that a little white rabbit like Cui Yuanyang would prefer a white horse, so he was surprised to hear it was called "Black Peony." But when they arrived, he was stunned.

A pure white horse, as beautiful as a unicorn, saw Cui Yuanyang and trotted over enthusiastically. Cui Yuanyang happily hugged its neck. "Black Peony, I missed you so much!"

Zhao Changhe: "?"

You call this white horse Black Peony? Why not call it Black Pearl? That would be more straightforward!

Cui Yuanyang turned to see his expression and giggled. "Brother Zhao, why are you twitching?"

"Why did you name a white horse Black Peony?"

"Just to see people's reactions like yours, hahaha..."

Zhao Changhe: "Damn."

Cui Yuanyang was about to say something else when chaotic hoofbeats sounded from behind, and someone shouted, "Young miss, be careful! This horse is still wild. We're still taming it. Don't let it charge at you!"

Cui Yuanyang turned curiously and her eyes lit up.

A jet-black horse was galloping toward them. Its body was pitch black, but its four hooves were pure white, as if treading on snow—a beautiful sight. Several riders were chasing it, shouting and waving lassos, trying to catch it.

Cui Yuanyang tugged Zhao Changhe's sleeve. "Hey, Brother Zhao, do you like it?"

Zhao Changhe said, "I don't know much about horses... But from the looks of it, isn't this called a Snow-Treading Dark Steed?"

"Snow-Treading Dark Steed, what a good name." Uncle Wang laughed. "This horse hasn't been named yet."

"Then from now on, it shall be called Snow-Treading Dark Steed!" Cui Yuanyang pulled Zhao Changhe. "I'll take Brother Zhao to tame it!"

"Hey, hey! Tame what? I don't even know how to ride!"

"It's easy!" Cui Yuanyang leaped up, executed a neat somersault, and landed steadily on the galloping horse. The riders behind her cheered, "Well done! The young miss's skills are getting better!"

As the horse passed by Zhao Changhe, Cui Yuanyang leaned down and reached out her hand. Zhao Changhe took it and swung himself up to sit behind her.

The steed broke its reins and galloped away. The riders behind exchanged glances, their own pursuit slowing, none daring to approach.

This man, in full view of everyone, held the young lady’s waist as they rode together… and the lady, cheeks flushed, seemed especially delighted.

The wise thing was to stay back—the lady should have no trouble taming the horse…

“How do I tame this?” Zhao Changhe said, holding the girl’s waist with extreme discomfort. He truly didn’t want to embrace her like this in public, but this horse was different from before—lurching left and right, bucking and tossing. If not for his cultivation reaching this level, with legs strong enough to grip, someone who couldn’t ride would have been thrown off long ago.

Cui Yuanyang, who was supposed to be taming the horse, now couldn’t either. She went completely limp, as if all strength had left her, nearly collapsing into the man’s arms behind her: “Zhao… Brother Zhao… you… you hold me, I have no strength…”

Zhao Changhe: “?”

“Hee-hee-hee!” The steed reared up on its forelegs, body leaning back, ready to throw the two riders off its back.

Zhao Changhe grew irritated and punched the horse’s head: “Other guys take girls riding for fun, and I take a girl riding for fun—why won’t you show me some respect! Stop your bucking, behave!”

Cui Yuanyang: “…”

The horse’s head was dazed from the blow, and it leaped about wildly. Zhao Changhe clamped his legs tightly around the horse’s belly, wrapping Cui Yuanyang entirely in his arms, and reached forward to grip the horse’s neck with all his might.

A cultivator at the fourth level of the Profound Barrier was no match for any ordinary, burly horse-wrangler… No matter how spirited the steed, how could it resist Zhao Changhe’s current strength?

“Still stubborn!” Zhao Changhe punched again: “Jump again and I’ll beat you, you bastard!”

The horse nearly shed tears. It thrashed about for a short while, then gradually calmed down, finally carrying the two of them in a leisurely stroll along the riverbank.

Seemingly tamed?

Zhao Changhe panted, looking down at the girl in his arms: “Hey, is this enough?”

Cui Yuanyang looked up at him, her eyes sparkling: “Brother Zhao said he couldn’t ride, but it turns out he was born to tame horses… See how obedient you’ve made it.”

Zhao Changhe: “…”

Are you talking about the horse or the horse?

Hmm, the Snow-Treading Dark Steed—does she mean the horse, or me pressing down on you?

Cui Yuanyang glanced around. After the steed’s brief gallop, the surroundings were empty. The river breeze blew gently, waves murmured, and in the distance, the faint shadow of a sailboat could be seen.

The lethal intent from crossing the river had turned into the warmth of a spring breeze; the peril of fleeing on horseback had become this leisurely stroll.

As Cui Yuanyang gazed, her eyes gradually grew misty. Moved by emotion, she nestled in his arms and whispered softly: “Brother Zhao, you’re about to leave… could you… kiss me?”

Zhao Changhe was neither rude nor excessive.

He lowered his head and gently kissed the little rabbit’s burning cheek, murmuring softly: “We should have sealed it with a mark first… Wait for me.”