Chapter 69
Chapter 69: Something Feels Wrong
In the wilderness.
In the wilderness during the harsh winter.
In the wilderness during the harsh winter night.
Each environment was more terrifying than the last.
The key was that there were only two of them, with an untamed wild horse king beside them…
Only then did Xie Changqing realize that the sky had completely darkened.
The grassland night seemed to arrive in an instant.
Clearly, when he was chasing the wild horse king earlier, the sky had still seemed quite bright.
But suddenly, night had completely fallen.
Even if Uncle Qiaoba and the others were looking for them, they’d have to rest and regroup now, and could only wait until dawn.
“Let’s get organized. I brought dried dung in my pack—we’ll start a fire first.”
They absolutely needed fire to get through the night.
Hairile grunted in agreement. His limbs were still somewhat weak from overexertion, but he forced himself to get the lasso pole and start clearing the ground.
The two of them worked together, first clearing an area of ground, then digging a pit.
This pit was really hard to dig. The frozen ground could only be dug out bit by bit after extensive work.
Fortunately, Hairile was strong. He first made many small holes in the ground, then gradually scooped out the loose earth to create a pit.
They’d burn a fire on top to heat the soil below.
Then they’d spread a layer of hide and wrap themselves in another layer—they should be able to barely make it through.
“As long as we can get through tonight.” Xie Changqing said earnestly: “I brought a gun, so we should be fine.”
Hairile nodded, then said regretfully: “I just don’t know where my horse ran off to, sigh…”
His horse had been carrying quite a bit of food.
On Lightning’s side, Xie Changqing had to carry medical supplies, lasso poles, dried dung, felt blankets and such, so he hadn’t brought much food.
“We’ll just gnaw on some flatbread and dried beef.” Xie Changqing casually broke off a section of icicle and sucked on it: “We’ll make do.”
Though Hairile could make do, he didn’t want Xie Changqing to have to make do as well.
But out here in the wilderness, there really wasn’t much choice.
After he’d recovered somewhat and his hands and feet felt better, he started the fire and toasted flatbread.
The dried dung caught fire, and despite the wind, it gradually began to warm up.
“Fortunately, this is a sheltered spot from the wind, otherwise it’d be even colder.” Hairile rubbed his hands and called Xie Changqing over to warm himself.
Xie Changqing grunted and looked down at the wild horse king: “It’s awake.”
“Huh?!” Hairile was stunned and turned to look: “Then why isn’t it moving?”
The wild horse king lay perfectly still, looking as if it were dead.
But Xie Changqing had keenly noticed its breathing had changed, and said calmly: “It’s playing dead.”
It might even be planning to fool them first, then leap up the next second and escape.
Hearing this, Hairile was confused: “Huh??? Then… then what do we do?”
This wild horse king really was different from other horses—was it really this intelligent?
Xie Changqing crouched down to look, unable to suppress a smile: “It’s fine. It’s wearing a saddle now, and I tied the reins to that tree over there. Even if it wants to run, it can’t.”
Seeing the wild horse king still not moving, he slowly approached from the side.
Of course, he didn’t approach from directly in front, but slowly drew near from the side, speaking gently: “Are you awake? Would you like some dried grass?”
The wild horse king remained motionless: “…”
Xie Changqing wasn’t discouraged. He tried reaching out his hand to gently touch its body.
Starting with the more sensitive areas like the neck and shoulders, his movements were gentle and slow, and he carefully observed its reactions as he touched.
Seeming determined to keep up the pretense, the wild horse king still showed no movement.
So Xie Changqing continued, gradually extending his touch to its back, belly, legs and other parts.
When he touched its back, the wild horse king showed a moment of unease, instinctively flinching.
Xie Changqing paused his movements, waiting until its muscles relaxed and it calmed down before continuing.
The halter and saddle were already in place. He hadn’t tightened the girth—it was loose, to avoid making it nervous.
But wearing a halter was uncomfortable regardless.
So Xie Changqing didn’t mind its passive attitude. He continued gently stroking it and applied medicine to its injured areas.
After the herbal medicine took effect, it brought a cooling, pain-relieving sensation.
The wild horse king felt more comfortable and indeed became less resistant.
After a long time—so long that Hairile had heated the ground and was calling Xie Changqing to come sleep—the wild horse king finally got used to his scent, voice, and movements, and slowly opened its eyes.
“Oh, it opened its eyes!” Hairile whispered in surprise: “Should we get on it and take it for a walk?”
Basically, taming wild horses required immediate leading and riding training to help them get used to being ridden more quickly.
But Xie Changqing shook his head and refused, smiling: “No rush, let it rest a bit.”
You had to understand that this horse had once been the king of a wild horse herd. Having a halter and saddle put on it already made it very unhappy.
It was only because it had indeed been caught and had no choice but to submit, but this was only temporary.
In its heart, it hadn’t completely surrendered to him yet.
If he rashly got on it now, there’d probably be another struggle.
At night, if the commotion was too great and attracted wolves or other fierce beasts, it would be counterproductive.
“Oh… that’s true too.” Hairile nodded and handed over the prepared feed: “Want to feed it some?”
The wild horse king stood up, shook its head, looking very uncomfortable with these things.
“Okay.” Xie Changqing took the feed and offered it in front of it. It snorted loudly and knocked the feed aside.
It wouldn’t eat…
Xie Changqing was truly tired too. If it wouldn’t eat, so be it for now.
Hairile had already lain down. He lay on the outside, blocking some wind for Xie Changqing: “Changqing, hurry up and sleep a bit while it’s still early.”
Later in the night, when wolves might attack them, they wouldn’t be able to sleep and would have to stay alert.
“Okay.” Xie Changqing followed his example, wrapping himself tightly in hide, putting on his hat properly, wrapping his scarf well, and even pulling the scarf up over the eye area.
Fortunately it wasn’t snowing now, or they’d probably be buried in snow soon.
The soil underneath was warm, and he didn’t feel cold at all—it was even quite comfortable.
Xie Changqing had thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep, but he fell asleep as soon as he lay down.
It felt like he hadn’t slept long when Hairile shook him awake: “Changqing, wake up.”
Xie Changqing immediately woke up and asked in surprise: “What’s wrong?”
“Listen.” Hairile spoke in a whisper: “Something feels wrong…”
In the wilderness, besides the howling wind, there were rustling sounds.
Xie Changqing held his breath slightly and looked toward where the sounds were coming from.
It was too dark. Especially here where there was little snow and they were close to the mountain, he basically couldn’t see anything.
But these sounds really did seem like wild animals creeping toward them.
Xie Changqing silently got up. As soon as he rose, the cold hit him, and he immediately pulled his clothes tighter.
His hand found his gun, ready for anything