She's My Dearest Friend... That'll Cost Extra!

"Plop!"

Under the gaze of everyone, the Fourth Prince, Xiao Chusheng, fell onto all fours, looking utterly pathetic.

The damage was minimal, but the humiliation was immense!

"Damn it!"

The Fourth Prince was furious. He glared fiercely at the Big Black Horse and threw a punch, intending to kill the horse to vent his anger.

However, he was only a Third-grade Martial Artist, while this Big Black Horse was an Emperor Grade spirit beast, its cultivation comparable to a seventh-grade Martial Grandmaster.

"Bang!"

The Big Black Horse didn't even dodge. It simply flicked its hind legs and sent the Fourth Prince flying.

"Hahaha!"

"Old Fourth is too embarrassing, getting kicked flying by a horse!"

"If this gets out, people will think everyone in our Xiao family is a loser!"

Jeers and taunts rose from all sides.

"Roar roar roar!"

The Fourth Prince clutched his chest, in unbearable pain, almost spitting blood.

Meanwhile, the Big Black Horse was still lying on top of its Blood-Sweating Steed, whinnying with gusto...

And the Blood-Sweating Steed seemed to be cooperating perfectly.

After all, the Big Black Horse possessed the bloodline of an ancient black dragon. It had bloodline suppression, and it was actually an honor for the Blood-Sweating Steed to be "favored" by it.

"This Big Black is something else, screwing everything that moves, even the air. It's the Teddy of the horse world!"

Xiao Yang couldn't help but shake his head at the sight.

The Big Black Horse was usually lazy, but the moment it saw a mare, it was like it had been injected with chicken blood.

"Ninth Brother, you must give me an explanation for this!"

The Fourth Prince couldn't do anything about the Big Black Horse, so he could only turn to Xiao Yang to vent his frustration.

"Beast! Little beast, stop it!" Xiao Yang shouted.

"Ninth Brother, why are you calling my name instead of telling your horse to stop?"

The Fourth Prince, Xiao Chusheng, was enraged.

"Fourth Brother, don't misunderstand! I was calling 'little beast,' not your name, Xiao Chusheng... After all, no matter how absurd you are, you wouldn't do something like that with a horse!"

Xiao Yang grinned.

"You!"

The Fourth Prince, Xiao Chusheng, flushed red, trembling with anger.

"Enough! Fourth Brother, stop embarrassing yourself over there!"

At this moment, the Eldest Prince, Xiao Junlin, spoke up.

The Fourth Prince was his subordinate, and now that he was being humiliated by Xiao Yang in public, Xiao Junlin also felt his own reputation tarnished.

"Ninth Brother, you're ruthless! Just you wait, I'll make you pay during the autumn hunt later!"

The Fourth Prince could only issue a threat before slinking back into the crowd.

Not long after, the Big Black Horse finished its business and swaggered back to Xiao Yang's side.

"The Prince arrives!"

Suddenly, King Zhenbei, Xiao Qiankun, arrived at the entrance of the Xishan Hunting Ground, escorted by numerous cavalrymen.

"Greetings, Father King!"

The many princes bowed.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

Ning Hongye and Qing Luan also bowed their heads.

"You may rise!"

King Zhenbei waved his hand.

"Father King, I have something important to report!"

The Eldest Prince, Xiao Junlin, stepped forward, his face filled with grief and indignation.

"A few days ago, my Fourth Brother and I were having a gathering outside the city when suddenly divine arrows rained down from the sky! Although my Fourth Brother and I escaped with our lives, all hundreds of our subordinates perished. I implore Father King to investigate this matter and avenge us!"

What?!

Hearing this, Xiao Yang was completely bewildered.

Divine arrows from the sky?

Wasn't that him testing the Sun-Shooting Bow?

It seems I guessed right!

"I noticed this matter long ago. I don't know who that expert is, but after one arrow, they vanished without a trace!"

"However, the Northern Territory is my territory, and I won't tolerate anyone running rampant here!"

"If he dares to show himself again next time, I will absolutely not let him off lightly!"

King Zhenbei's voice exuded overwhelming dominance.

This is bad!

Xiao Yang's heart sank. He hadn't expected his cheap old dad to hold a grudge against him!

It seems that the next time he wants to use the Sun-Shooting Bow, he'll have to do it secretly, without anyone finding out.

Then, King Zhenbei's gaze swept across the crowd before he spoke, "This autumn hunt, just like in previous years, will be divided into two rounds."

"The first round is a test of equestrian skills! Whoever reaches the mountain peak opposite first, retrieves the banner I've placed there, and returns here will be the winner!"

"The second round is a test of archery! Whoever captures the most beasts in the hunting grounds will undoubtedly win!"

Hearing this, the many princes present were eager to try, jostling each other.

Even though winning the autumn hunt didn't come with any substantial rewards, it allowed them to shine in front of Father King, increasing their chances of being chosen as heir.

"Prepare yourselves. One incense stick later, the first round will officially begin!" King Zhenbei announced.

As soon as he finished speaking.

Eldest Prince Xiao Junlin immediately walked towards Xiao Yang, a hypocritical smile on his face. "Ninth Brother, it seems you've acquired a fine steed. Are you also competing for the championship this time?"

"That's right!" Xiao Yang nodded.

"How about we make a wager?"

Xiao Junlin proactively proposed, "I just spent a hundred thousand taels of silver in the East City to build a 'Cloud Top Heavenly Palace' as my Prince's residence. If you win, I'll give it to you!"

Such a big bet?

Xiao Yang raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

He knew that the palace was built to be magnificent and had cost a fortune. For Xiao Junlin to use it as a stake, he must have had grander intentions.

"Eldest Brother, I come from a humble background and am empty-pocketed. I have nothing to lose to you!" Xiao Yang said.

"Heh heh!"

Xiao Junlin's smile widened. "Ninth Brother, if you lose, you don't need to give me any treasures. Just give me the Vermilion Bird Army's Tiger Tally Gold Seal."

"Absolutely not!"

Upon hearing this, before Xiao Yang could even speak, Qing Luan, who was not far away, became agitated.

She immediately stepped forward. "Ninth Young Master, that Tiger Tally Gold Seal is a token gifted to you by the General. It allows you to command troops and has extraordinary significance. You absolutely cannot let it fall into anyone else's hands!"

"Mmm."

Xiao Yang nodded. "Miss Qing Luan is right. The Tiger Tally Gold Seal is Miss Ning's token of affection. She is my beloved, my dearest friend, so..."

Xiao Yang drew out his words and then looked at Xiao Junlin, saying, "So, one Cloud Top Heavenly Palace isn't enough. You need to add more!"

What?!

Hearing this, Xiao Junlin was a bit stunned. He thought Xiao Yang had refused, but unexpectedly, his tone suddenly shifted, and he wanted to add more to the bet.

Qing Luan also became angry, her pretty face contorted with fury. "You scoundrel! How dare you use the token gifted to you by the General as a stake? I won't let you off!"

She was about to make a move.

"Qing Luan, come back!"

Suddenly, Ning Hongye spoke.

Although Qing Luan was unwilling, she dared not disobey the order and could only retreat.

"Ninth Brother, you said add more. How much more do you want?" Xiao Junlin asked with a smile again.

"100 Spirit Pills from Medicine King Valley!" Xiao Yang named his price.

"No, at most 50!" Xiao Junlin tried to haggle.

"If you don't agree, then forget it!"

Xiao Yang made a move as if to turn and leave.

"Wait, I agree! 100 it is!"

Although Xiao Junlin felt the pain, he was confident of victory. After all, it was just an empty promise, and he was sure he wouldn't lose.

"Alright, it's a deal! So many people are witnessing this, no one is allowed to go back on their word!" Xiao Yang quickly added.

Since this cheap elder brother was actively offering up gold coins, he wouldn't miss the opportunity!

The wager was thus settled.

Not far away.

"General, why didn't you stop Xiao Yang?" Qing Luan stomped her feet anxiously.

"The Tiger Tally Gold Seal was a gift from me to him. How he disposes of it is his decision!"

Saying this, Ning Hongye paused, a flicker of brilliance in her beautiful eyes.

"Besides, Xiao Yang probably has confidence in his victory, which is why he agreed! In these past few days, have you seen him suffer any losses?"