Chapter Seventy-Two: The First Hunt

(Thanks to the reader yangyi771 for the reward and message; Huangguoshu is still a work in progress.)

The training ground was already packed with people. Most of the hunters had returned and were lined up, waiting for the officials to tally their catches and rank them accordingly.

Li Hongji sat atop his warhorse, filled with pride and excitement. Over this period, he had shot five wild rabbits and two mountain pheasants, and was quite fortunate to have captured two adult deer as well—a significant haul. Looking around, no one had caught more than him; the first place was surely his.

Several burly men glared at Li Hongji, angered but afraid to speak out. One of them was especially furious—he had struggled to kill a deer, only to have Li Hongji snatch it away by virtue of his royal status. How could he not be angry? Yet, Li Hongji was a prince, and no one dared offend him.

When Yang Lian appeared not far from Li Hongji, the latter smiled smugly. Yang Lian rode his warhorse empty-handed, looking somewhat melancholic. As Yang Lian passed by, Li Hongji couldn’t resist taunting him: “Yang Lian, it seems you’ve caught nothing. I still have a few pheasants here; how about I just gift them to you?”

“Looks like Commander Yang is only fit to pair with pheasants,” mocked one of Li Hongji’s companions. Yang Lian glanced at him; he did not recognize the man.

Yang Lian smiled faintly, uninterested in replying. Seeing this, the man grew bolder and sneered, “Commander Yang, silent out of pride or shame?” He then deliberately blocked Yang Lian’s path, clearly pleased with himself.

“Good dogs don’t block the way,” Yang Lian said calmly.

“Who are you calling a dog?” the man exploded.

“Anyone who blocks my path is a dog, and a lowly stray at that,” Yang Lian raised his eyebrows, staring fearlessly at the man.

“Yang Lian, I heard you made great achievements in the battle at Changzhou. Dare to fight me and see who’s stronger?” the man challenged.

“And who might you be?” Yang Lian asked.

The man hesitated briefly before introducing himself, “I am Zhu Lingyun, Commander of the Divine Guard.”

“Pardon my ignorance, but I don’t know any Zhu Ling… and frankly, I don’t wish to,” Yang Lian sneered, turning his horse to leave.

Zhu Lingyun blocked his way again. “Yang Lian, you’re pushing your luck!”

“And what if I am?” Yang Lian’s words had barely fallen when, with a sharp clang, his long blade was drawn and pressed to Zhu Lingyun’s neck in a flash.

Startled, Zhu Lingyun had underestimated Yang Lian’s swiftness, having mistaken him for an easy target. Now with cold steel at his throat, he dared not speak further, fearing this reckless youth might truly kill him. Even if Yang Lian hesitated, Zhu Lingyun knew he would suffer for this insult.

“You talk too much,” Yang Lian said coolly, fixing him with a serious gaze. “Unfortunately, your skills don’t match your arrogance.”

Zhu Lingyun cast a pleading glance at Li Hongji, hoping he might intervene. But Li Hongji, finding Zhu’s embarrassment amusing, snortedI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.