Their bamboo hats and straw rain capes could not withstand the pounding rain. Thunderclap after thunderclap frightened the horses, sending them into terrified whinnies. Hu Fo hurriedly dismounted and shouted, "Everyone get off and walk! Cover the horses' eyes with cloth and plug their ears so they don't spook!" He had spent half his life handling horses and knew their temperaments well.
Everyone began dismounting, but before they were all off their horses, another thunderclap exploded overhead, making them instinctively flinch. Liang Dazhuang was halfway down when his mount panicked utterly at the deafening crash. It lowered its head, thrust its rump upward, and kicked its hind legs high, flinging him clean off its back.
Liang Dazhuang landed on the mountain road and screamed in agony. His mount wheeled around and bolted. Hu Fo rushed forward and caught its reins, but could not stop its headlong charge. The horse instantly dragged him off his feet and hauled him down the road. Hu Fo had no choice but to let go, yet his momentum still sent him sliding along the muddy ground. He narrowly missed slamming into a rock ahead. Had he held on to the reins a moment longer, his brains would surely have splattered against it.
Still shaken, Hu Fo stared at the rock less than a foot away, panting with fright. Li Jinhao rushed over and helped him up. The frightened horse had long since vanished without a trace.
Shao Yijiao helped Liang Dazhuang to his feet. Fortunately, the fellow had only fallen into a heap of mud and suffered no serious injury. The party continued onward, searching through the torrential rain for somewhere to spend the night. Murong Feiyan led her black horse at the head of the group. Shielding the front of her bamboo hat with