Kong Xuan and the Dragon Horse

"Have I been mistreating you?"

"No. Life here is way too comfortable. I love it here."

"Seriously?"

"Absolutely sincere!"

The Dragon Horse pounded his chest while carrying Di Xin forward, yet his steps remained perfectly smooth, without the slightest jolt.

The night was deep and dark. The bright moonlight washed over the Dragon Horse's scales, but not a trace of light was reflected back.

Ever since realizing that he could not beat Di Xin, the Dragon Horse had seemed to become a different horse. He let Di Xin knead and flatten him however he pleased. There was just one condition: he absolutely refused to come out during the day. He could not afford to lose face like that.

As for Di Xin, after transferring his own pain onto the Dragon Horse, he felt exceptionally refreshed. His only regret was:

"Riding a fine horse at night is truly frustrating. How about we go for a ride tomorrow?"

"Frustrating? You're the one enjoying yourself! You're having the time of your life, aren't you? Doesn't this Dragon Horse have any dignity? It's bad enough that you ride me at night, and now you want to ride me during the day too! In full view of everyone, aren't you ashamed? How am I supposed to find a mare after this?"

The Dragon Horse wanted to kick up his heels the moment he heard that, but Di Xin was not Shen Nong. When he beat him, he showed absolutely no mercy, every punch landing solidly in the flesh.

Damn it, these people were all rotten to the core!

Di Xin was somewhat curious. "You're a Dragon Horse. Shouldn't you be looking for dragons? Why are you looking lower down instead?"

"Why would I look for the Dragon Clan? I finally escaped that bottomless pit called the Dragon Clan. Why would I jump back in? What would be the point?"

The Dragon Horse grew even more furious upon hearing this, waves of heat pouring from his nostrils.

"If I hadn't been tricked, I'd still be in the Luo River reading books with that old bastard turtle! Life was dull, sure, but at least I wouldn't have to be ridden around every day! Back in the day, I was a learned and cultured Dragon Horse!"

"And now?"

Di Xin grew even more curious. There seemed to be quite a story behind this.

"Now? Damn it all! I have to stay in that cave all day, and I'm not even allowed out for a stroll! I admit I'm inferior to that bird. Despite having a postnatal body, his aptitude rivals that of an innate divine being. With the mutual generation of the five elements, he can conceal his true form with only a fraction of the Human Race Destiny and advance by leaps and bounds!

"If I hadn't swallowed that sword, I would have been struck by lightning the moment I left Huoyun Cave! Shen Nong said I could run wild if I followed you, so I agreed to come out!"

After cursing everything in sight, the Dragon Horse felt much better. With a light tap of his four hooves, he instantly rose into the air and gradually climbed high into the sky.

"Damn it all! Hahahaha!"

"So, using the Human Race Destiny to conceal one's true form can confuse the shackles of the Heavenly Dao. But if you're discovered later, you'll be in serious trouble?"

Di Xin rubbed his chin. If that's the case, doesn't this give me room to maneuver?

"That's right. After all, this is deceiving the Heavenly Dao. Once discovered, you'll immediately suffer heavenly punishment. Moreover, the higher your cultivation, the more powerful the heavenly punishment will be."

Behind Di Xin, Kong Xuan emerged from the void and spoke without the slightest hesitation.

"Hahaha! When did you get back? You didn't even tell me. I could have prepared a feast to welcome you."

Di Xin slapped the Dragon Horse and signaled for him to turn around, but the Dragon Horse unexpectedly froze in place.

"K-Kong Xuan?"

"What is this stupid horse doing here with you?"

Kong Xuan took two steps forward, his gaze constantly examining the Dragon Horse's head. From time to time, he clicked his tongue, looking thoroughly pleased.

"If he misbehaves, tell me. I can slaughter him for you free of charge."

The Dragon Horse instantly flew into a rage and shouted in the fiercest voice of his life:

"K-Kong Xuan, you're bullying a horse too much! I'm a horse, not a dragon! Whatever grudge you have against the Dragon Clan, what does it have to do with my Horse Clan? Damn it all!"

Di Xin silently dismounted, took out a jug of fine wine and a plate of peanuts, and quietly enjoyed this reunion between old friends.

"I didn't hear you clearly just now. Were you cursing me?"

Kong Xuan pretended to dig at his ear. Behind him, the Five-Colored Divine Light surged upward, silently threatening the Dragon Horse.

"Hmph! This horse won't stoop to arguing with you! Those old dragons from the Dragon Clan are in the Four Seas' sea eyes right now. If you have the guts, go suppress the seas! Why are you acting tough in front of a weak little horse?"

The Dragon Horse's voice grew louder and louder, while his body grew smaller and smaller. His aura became increasingly arrogant, and he retreated farther and farther from Kong Xuan. In the end, he blatantly hid behind Di Xin, looking at Kong Xuan with disdain.

Come over here if you dare!

Of course, this was only a silent cry.

"Hahahaha!"

Di Xin doubled over laughing at the Dragon Horse. This fellow's shamelessness truly knew no bounds.

He casually produced a square table and three wine cups, then reached out and said:

"Tell me about it?"

"Tell you about what? It's dark already. Don't you sleep? I still have to put on fat for the winter!"

The Dragon Horse walked out from behind Di Xin, glared viciously at Kong Xuan, grabbed the wine jug with a hoof, and ran off.

"It's late. I'm going to sleep. Goodbye! Damn it, what terrible luck!"

Kong Xuan shook his head and sat down in the void.

"This fellow relies on his master's power and acts like a tyrant. During the era of the Earth Emperor, I had yet to attain the Dao and was cultivating in seclusion among a certain tribe. That damn dog was Shen Nong's mount at the time. Somehow, he got word of me and came to my door to provoke me, saying that he was from the Dragon Clan and had to suppress the Phoenix Race!"

"And then?"

Di Xin cracked peanuts as his gossip-loving spirit burned brightly.

"Then I nearly skinned him and roasted him over a fire."

The corners of Kong Xuan's mouth curled up, as though he had recalled something enjoyable.

"After that, the fellow hid whenever he saw me."

"Hahaha! That's pretty interesting."

Di Xin laughed heartily, but other thoughts came to mind.

Kong Xuan had some degree of racial enmity with the Dragon Horse. If he gave Kong Xuan a legitimate reason, would Kong Xuan truly go suppress the seas at the sea eyes?

"How were your gains this time? The Star-Gathering Pavilion is almost finished. It's a little crude, but it's enough for us to use for now."

"While passing through Wuyi Mountain, I casually recruited two rogue immortals. They're currently following Grand Tutor Wen around and helping with the construction. I also gave the Interception Sect a heads-up. When the time comes, I'll call out my good-for-nothing younger brother and beat him up. That should settle everything."

Kong Xuan spoke indifferently. He had never wanted to deal with too many affairs in the first place. Now that he only needed to hold down the fort, things were proceeding exactly as he preferred.

"What about the tea tree on Wuyi Mountain? Did you find it? That's a real treasure!"

Di Xin's eyes lit up. If he could comprehend the Dao with the help of the Great Red Robe Tea Tree and bring his true body one step closer, it would truly be a blessing from heaven!

"I didn't find the tree, but I did find something pretty good."

Kong Xuan calmly raised his hand. A streak of golden light appeared. As the golden light faded, a winged golden coin revealed itself!

"The Treasure-Dropping Golden Coin!"

Di Xin abruptly rose to his feet and exclaimed, his face filled with disbelief.

"You already knew about this treasure?"

Seeing Di Xin's exaggerated performance, the secret delight in Kong Xuan's heart vanished instantly.

"Enough with the act. You knew about it but didn't take it. Other than dropping treasures, what else can this treasure do?"

Di Xin gave an awkward laugh.

"Hehe, I was only guessing. Don't take it seriously. Every time the Treasure-Dropping Golden Coin drops a treasure, its user has to sacrifice a corresponding amount of destiny. Right now, I'm relying on this bit of destiny to hold things together. I wouldn't dare touch this thing."